"For an authentic Roman holiday without the airfare, this undiscovered North Beach gem is worth seeking out." (Zagat)A bright, colorful Italian restaurant, Ideale is the modern version of a traditional Roman trattoria. It is "festive and boisterous...la vera cucina italiana."Ideale has been bringing a slice of Rome to North Beach for over 18 years with it's highly acclaimed chef, Maurizio Bruschi. Maurizio hails from four generations of Roman chefs, lovingly taught by his grandma, la Nonna Serafina. The pastas and breads are all homemade and the ingredients are hand-picked daily. The 2011 Zagat guide gave Ideale a 24 for food and wrote that the "Italian fare is the real deal...one of the few no tourist eateries in North Beach..excellent pasta and pizza..the service makes you feel like a friend..a delightful experience." Ideale has won numerous awards, including being listed in Zagat's "Best Italian Restaurants in America" and The Chronicle's "Best Pasta in North Beach."
"I'm Italian, and have tried lots of the so called Italian restaurants across US. This is one of the few where I happened to eat as I eat when I'm in Italy. Truly a gem in SFO. If you don't like it, you simply don't like Italian cooking, which is something quite different from what Americans and foreigners in general are accustomed to. I recommend in particular the amatriciana, or the orecchiette. On a side note, the service too is very Italian. Which means that is a lot less accurate and efficient than the American standards. One should think that this also adds to a true Italian experience :D"
Dined on 6/10/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"This is my favorite place to go when I’m in San Francisco, the Zucchini with black truffle is excellent and I never miss the opportunity to enjoy it, I have it with the Carpaccio and wine and share pasta with a friend. Simple, price is right and the Italians are beautiful and welcoming. For desert, panacotta."
Dined on 5/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Ideale is a great little North Beach place. The food is wonderful and the waiters are friendly. I have always had a good meal there and others I go with and loved it as well. It is my go to Italian restaurant."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The food and overall service was great at this restaurant, the only issue was that we had a reservation for 9pm and we didn't get seated until 9:40. We didn't mind because we weren't in a hurry but that wasn't the best start. The food was very good, I shared the sausage and mushroom pizza with my cousin and it was good, although I wasn't blown away by it, but at least It was quite light and not greasy. My other cousin had the tortellini and that was amazing. I feel like when you go here you have to get pasta. Their pasta is truly amazing. Their desserts were great too, I was a big fan of their Panna Cotta. The servers were Italian and the restaurant was filled with Italians, which was a good sign."
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"The place was bustling on a Thursday night which was a good sign. The wait staff were excellent and on the ball. The lasagna was tasty with perfectly cooked homemade noodles. The shellfish risotto with garlic sauce wasn't too good at all though. It lacked flavor and seasoning. Probably could've used some acid like lemon or more white wine to add some complexity. Overall the other food looked good and the bland risotto was probably an exception."
Dined on 5/23/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Good meal and good service but we were seated between two tables in which the the diners were having personal meltdowns over dinner which could not be ignored due to the diners high volume needed to overcome the energetic noise level in the restaurant."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"We went to Ideale to celebrate Mother's Day like many of the other clients at the restaurant. The food was flavorful and a decent portion for the price. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of selection. The pasta was perfect - which is difficult to acheieve! Service was a bit apathetic. Overall was very good."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
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"The casual ambiance and friendly Italian staff have made this our new SF favorite. Have eaten there the last three trips to the city and enjoy taking my wife and mother-inlaw (who are from Lucca, Italy) for some authentic food and Italian conversation. They have a great wine selection of half bottles which makes it affordable to try different varietals. It can be hectic on weekends so be sure to make a reservation but allow for additional time to be seated. Well worth the wait!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot
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"Ideale is, quite possibly, my "Ideal" Italian restaurant. Have been there four times now on visits to San Francisco. My only regret is that I didn't know about it on my first 15-20 trips to the city. The food is simply perfect. The service is excellent. The atmosphere is of a casual restaurant that is family-run. Make your reservation and go. You will be pleased."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2001
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Ideale is the best, most authentic Italian Restaurant in North Beach. I can attest this as a 20 year resident of the neighborhood who has eaten at every other restaurant in NB."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The experience was generally above average although there were a couple things that kept it from being outstanding - when we first sat down, they dropped the bread and then it was 20-30 minutes before someone came to take a drink order, it was a long wait. Once we had service, it was excellent.
Their prosciutto pears appetizer was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten and bucatini arrabbiata was delicious. The red sauce was porky heaven. On the downside, their carbonara left something to be desired, it's not a traditional carbonara, the sauce was somewhat grainy as if cream were added to the sauce and then seized."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2006
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"I've been going to Ideale for years, and I love the food and the family-style feeling. They've become a lot more popular, which is great, but on my last visit I felt they are in danger of being overwhelmed by their success. I wish they had a host/hostess stationed by the front door, if only to direct people back to the bar. Also, while I love a lively atmosphere, the noise level has become assaultive to the point that it was impossible to carry on a conversation with others at my table. Some noise abatement measures would be welcome. Bottom line, while the atmosphere and service have suffered, the kitchen is as good as ever, which is very good indeed."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"We enjoyed a great bottle of wine with the carbonara, tuna tatare, and pumpkin ravioli. Everything was absolutely incredible. They were running behind schedule, so our reservation wasn't kept on-time, but the wait wasn't very long at all. To be honest, it was completely worth it."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I came here after seeing Ideale listed in 7x7's top 10 places in San Francisco for pasta. We got seated a little after our reservation because a large group took longer to finish than expected. As former food service workers, my group and I didn't mind, but the couple in front of us were seriously upset and almost left. We ordered 2 appetizers, 4 main dishes and a bottle of wine to share. The pear and prosciutto appetizer was delicious but the other, the buratta was slightly under seasoned. Of the 4 pasta dishes (what we came for!) the group was unanimous that only two were to die for - pappardelle with lamb ragu and the vegetarian gnocchi - the others were slightly over cooked. Overall it was a great experience and I would go back again."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We've been going to Ideale for more than ten years. Though we often try other Italian restaurants in North Beach, we are usually disappointed with them when compared to Ideale. It is the best Italian restaurant in San Francisco.
Antonio"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Excellent evening. Fabulous food, great service, nice atmosphere. I loved that we shared all the dishes, which allowed us to try more on the menu. The burrata was creamy goodness, the fettuccine with black truffles was outstanding. Nice thin crust in the prosciutto pizza, and the seafood was flavorful. It was all so good, and I truly enjoyed the lamb...juicy, with a nice seared crust. Yum! Dessert was lovely too-both panna cotta and tiramisu were lovely . Our waiter was fantastic. Ideale... You delivered an ideal experience."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Food was very good and we would highly recommend the handmade pasta dishes. The ravioli and tortellini are served in tasty sauces that do not overwhelm and are are tasty. We were there during prime time on a Saturday night and the staff was hustling, but swamped. The restaurant is small so the noise level tops any private table talk. We will go back, but we will try them during the week as we prefer a more relaxed setting."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"What I love about Italian restaurants on North Beach is that most restaurants specialize in regional cuisine: Roman, Tuscan, Neapolitan, etc. since Steps of Roma has closed this is the only other Roman cuisine restaurant I've been to on North Beach. Before I came here I checked the website. I knew the two traditional Roman dishes I wanted - spaghetti alla carbonara and the saltimbocca. Nothing fancy about the spaghetti alla carbonara it's just straightforward delicious. Of course the pasta is cooked to al dente. The veal was moist and the prosciutto complimented the veal. The roasted potatoes are a great side to this dish. Why not a 5-star review? It's because they didn't have the pasta cacio e pepe - a traditional Roman dish."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2008
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"I thought the food was excellent. The pumpkin ravioli was subperb, the salad fresh, the olive oil and bread the best I've had in a long time. If you want authentic Roman food in a small quiet atmosphre off the tourist area, this is it. Nice menu, friendly staff."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2012
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Great food in a lively, casual atmosphere. Nice selection of starter and entree items, and the house-made pastas were outstanding. I asked the waiter if my grandmother was in the kitchen!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Food was Romano - very traditional. Loved the pastas and Lasagna. Sword fish was good but didn't taste as fresh as other times I have been. Veggies were excellent and the waiter brought over a tiramisu - I think because he had been not as attentive during the busy night but we were enjoying our conversations and didn't mind at all. The tiramisu was great!"
Dined on 03/10/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Wonderful service! We were warmly welcomed on what was our first visit. There are so many Italian restaurants in North Beach that it's difficult to choose. The food at Ideale was very good. The ambiance just was so-so, and lacking in charm, but that's my only criticism. We had a very nice experience."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"This is my favorite Italian restaurant in North Beach. I used to live on Telegraph Hill and my wife and I used to walk to Ideale at least once a month. Now we live in Marin and don't get to Ideale as often but we still love it as much. We were just there a couple nights ago with a couple of food savvy guests who loved it as well. Glad to give a plug to a great place with great food and great staff."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"This was our 3rd visit to Ideale and I have been disappointed. Authentic Italian food and a great selection of Italian wines. The Palazzo Della Torres, a 2008 Veronese wine was amazing! Like many other fine restaurants in San Francisco's North Beach, Ideale is a gem."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"great ambiance and food; authentic. My favorite North Beach Italian place and I have eaten in 75% of them. Creative, fresh food with great daily specials. Get there early - it gets crowded. Knowledgeable and friendly and attentive waitstaff. Oerfect Valentine's Day and special occasions, but also for "regular" dinner."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Our dinner at Ideale was delicious. Service was friendly and fast. Reading some of the yelp reviews I was happy with everyone we came in contact with. I had the calamari salad for appetizer, YUM and linquine and clams for entree, double yum. Hubby had carpaccio and proscuitto pizza and enjoyed them also. Our reservation was for 7:30 and they had already ran out of a few entrees which makes me know that its all fresh and once its gone its gone."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2009
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"Good food, homemade pasta, reasonable prices... I took my family and Italian Great Uncle out for his 88th birthday here. The food, service and atmosphere was enjoyed by all. I was recommended this place by a colleague and I would easily recommend this place to my friends. Love the grilled calamari. This would be good place to bring a first date - not too formal or trendy, but good food with great atmosphere created by the staff and constant stream of customers. High quality food - the cheeses and meats are imported, you can taste it."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"This is my fifth time at Ideale. I live out of town, and Ideale is top on my list for dinner when I'm in San Francisco. I love the food and the staff."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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