Food like Nowhere Else: The Best Restaurants of San Francisco

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Photo courtesy of Acquerello

Acquerello

Cuisine: European, Italian

Price Range: $$$$

10Best Says

Elegant and subdued, this intimate restaurant (whose name means "watercolor") exhibits artistry in both cuisine and appearance. Its serene ambiance and its vaulted, beamed ceiling evoke Acquerello's former incarnation as a chapel. Contemporary Italian dishes are the main draw, though, and a frequently-changing menu features dishes like parsley-encrusted pork loin, beef carpaccio with hearts of palm and black truffles, and tuna in a fennel-dill crust with saffron sauce. The wine list features fine Italian and California vintages. And co-owner Mr. Paterlini, a native of Bologna, has an acclaimed talent for pairing food with the ideal wines, so don't hesitate to ask for recommendations.

Address:

1722 Sacramento St
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-567-5432

Hours:

Tue-Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm

Website:

acquerello.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Tom Molanphy
San Francisco Local Expert

Nob Hill's Best Restaurants: "A meal at Acquerello is an event, so plan to spend several hours and many courses here, including the amazing "Cheese Cart," which will be wheeled to your table with much fanfare."
Best Restaurants: "Try Acquerello's cheese platter, one of the tastiest in the city."

Best for Nob Hill's Best Restaurants Because: Acquerello's Prix Fixe menu is legendary in the city.
Recommended as Best Restaurants Because: Acquerello is pricey, but not a penny of your dollar will go to waste.

Dessert Menu
- Desserts
  
  A selection of Italian artisanal cheeses from the cart
  
  Suggested Wine: Perticaia, Montefalco Sagrantino Passito 2006 ($22.00)
  
  Coconut milk panna cotta with pineapple, basil, and Macadamia nuts
  
  Suggested Wine: Virgona, Malvasia delle Lipari Passito 2008 ($21.00)
  
  Chocolate mousse with sweet cream gelato, hazelnut, and vanilla foam
  
  Suggested Wine: Selvapiana, Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina 2005 ($18.00)
  
  Peach Bavarese, mango-mint gelato, black tea-lemon consommé,and almond tuile
  
  Suggested Wine: Cascina Chicco, Arneis Vendemmia Tardiva 'Arcass' 2009 ($22.00)
  
  Bourbon-caramel semifreddo, Amaretti crust, chocolate, and caramel sauce
  
  Suggested Wine: Felsina, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2003 ($18.00)
- Vini Da Meditazione
  
  Accordini, Recioto della Valpolicella 2010
  
  ($21.00)
  
  Cantine di Dolianova, Moscato di Cagliari 2009
  
  ($19.00)
  
  Cappellano, Barolo Chinato NV
  
  ($22.00)
  
  Cascina Chicco, Arneis Vendemmia Tardiva 'Arcass' 2009
  
  ($22.00)
  
  Donnafugata, Passito di Pantelleria 'Ben Ryé 2011
  
  ($18.00)
  
  Forteto della Luja, Brachetto 'Pian dei Sogni' 2008
  
  ($17.00)
  
  Maculan, Breganze Bianco 'Torcolato' 2009
  
  ($19.00)
  
  Maculan, Veneto Moscato 'Dindarello' 2011
  
  ($10.00)
  
  Maculan, Veneto Rosso 'Madoro' 2010
  
  ($19.00)
  
  Marcarini, Barolo Chinato NV
  
  ($17.00)
  
  Marco De Bartoli, Marsala Superiore Oro 5 Anni
  
  ($20.00)
  
  Marco De Bartoli, Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 Anni
  
  ($28.00)
  
  Monte Tondo, Recioto di Soave Classico 2006
  
  ($18.00)
  
  Paolo Saracco, Moscato d'Asti 2013
  
  ($24.00)
  
  Virgona, Malvasia delle Lipari Passito 2008
  
  ($21.00)
  
  Felsina, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2003
  
  ($18.00)
  
  Fontodi, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2001
  
  ($38.00)
  
  Selvapiani, Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina 2005
  
  ($18.00)
  
  Emilio Lustau, Sherry, Moscatel 'Las Cruces' 100 year
  
  ($25.00)
  
  Fonseca, Vintage Port 1983
  
  ($32.00)
  
  Fonseca, Vintage Port 'Guimaraens' 1991
  
  ($68.00)
  
  Graham's, Port 'Quinta Dos Malvedos'1999
  
  ($55.00)
  
  Graham's, Port 'Six Grapes'
  
  ($9.00)
  
  Graham's, Vintage Port 1994
  
  ($24.00)
  
  Sandeman, Tawny Port, 10-Year Old
  
  ($12.00)
  
  Taylor Fladgate, Tawny Port, 20-Year Old
  
  ($16.00)
  
  Blandy's, Madeira, Bual 1968
  
  ($48.00)
  
  Blandy's, Madeira, Malmsey, 10-Year Old
  
  ($10.00)
  
  Caffé, Portioli
  
  ($3.00)
  
  Espresso, Portioli
  
  ($4.00)
  
  Cappuccino, Portioli
  
  ($5.00)

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