Farina brings to San Francisco the simplicity, elegance and style of the culinary tradition of Liguria, the Italian region that is home to Genova. Farina is housed in a 1951 wood-framed building remodeled with white tiles, old marble, custom steel fixtures and solid wood furniture with an 18 people community table. The main dining space is balanced by the free standing bar and focaccia preparation counters composed of antique hand-hewn Genoese marble sinks. Farina's careful research and passion for using the best of truly Italian ingredients mingled by executive chef Paolo Laboa, also from Genova, makes our menu offerings an authentic and pleasurable experience. At Farina you can admire the daily preparation of freshly homemade pastas, enjoying the tasteful “focaccia di Recco” while sipping a glass of Pigato wine or one of our specialty cocktails.
"The focaccia and pastas were outstanding. Especially the pesto, I've never experienced anything like it. The food was so good I would love to go back but don't think we will because the evening was interrupted many times by such awful service. Our server was slow (took a good 15 minutes just to place a drink order then another 15 to get them). Besides not being attentive he always seemed rushed, distracted and a little out of it - didn't understand the timing of our order, would be talking to two tables at once, etc. He had no intuition and obviously isn't able to properly interpret the needs of diners."
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The food, once we got it, was delicious. The service was poor. While waiting for our table at the bar, it took 15 minutes to place a drink order. The bar was not busy. Once ordered, it took another 15 minutes to get our drinks. In the meantime, we watched the bartender take others' orders, make, and then give their drinks. The hostess took one of the drink menus one of us was looking through. Some in our party did not get to order a drink. Once seated, our server provided decent service. Our food was timely and tasty. However, while dining, we witnessed the manager grope the hostess. We also witnessed servers talking about customers and rolling their eyes repeatedly as they whispered in each others' ears. We won't return."
Dined on 5/17/2013
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"For the price you expect more. The fish was dry, my sisters pasta tastes like cardboard. We were served 3 dinners and 10 minutes later the other two arrived. After the last two entrees arrived we ate, waiting 30 minutes for another glass of wine or dessert but then decide to get the check and go elsewhere. We paid with the dishes still on the table. When you charge prices like that you need more staffing an better service. The whole experience was terrible and I would never go back."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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"We didn't get a glass of wine until we had been sitting at our table for literally 35-40 minutes. And that was after the appetizer arrived. After a half hour I actually got up to go in search of wine. The table next to us got their entrees before they got their appetizer. Not sure what was going on but the service was a mess. The food was pretty good but the service ruined the experience. It was my first time there and I'm not sure I would go back."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Went here on a Monday evening for dinner with eight people. The food was good and the place is lovely! I'm surprised what the yelp reviews are on this place because we had a great time with no problems with the food at all. The only issue is the service isn't to best comparing to places of similar level. Since I remembered the reviews I made sure to pay more attention when speaking to our server. Otherwise the evening was great!"
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Farina
Overall rating
(Outstanding)5/5
Delicious in every way!
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/15/2013
Food
(Outstanding)5/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Very Good)4/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was the first time I had gone to Farina after living in SF for 9 years, and finally decided to try it with a friend. IT WAS PHENOMENAL! Our server, James was incredibly attentive and made you feel like you were the only people in the restaurant. Food was outrageously delicious, Wine list proved to be yummy, and the atmosphere was perfect. Would recommend this place while being aware that it is a bit pricy, but worth every single penny!"
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Farina serves good Italian food that has certainly a genuine Italian flavor. The waiter on the other end does not need to feel obliged to speak Italian, even less if he/she does not know the language. It makes the place sound fake. Oh, please do not say "Mangia, mangia!" when we start our dinner, it will not grow our appetite or make us feel more comfortable. What is important? The food is good and the place is enjoyable. That 's what matters!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
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"This was an overall fantastic dining experience. The pesto is amazing, the best we've ever tasted, with delicate freshly made pasta. The focaccia is unique and absolutely delicious. Every dish we had was excellent, and the service was equal to that. Our waitress had a personal touch, with the perfect combination of being friendly and attentive and making excellent recommendations, while also allowing for the feeling of having a private, leisurely meal. We're definitely going back soon!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Sleek interior but not pretentious. Friendly but not pusy wait staff. There is always a busy buzz but the acoustics allow for private conversation. I like the wine list, varied and well matched to food selections. My food was a bit too tepid last night but also enjoyable. I have never been disappointed."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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"This is one of my favorite places to eat in the Mission! The pasta is amazing and I had the best veal chop ever. The staff are very switched on as far as service and passion for the customer from the front door to the bar."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I went for my thirtieth birthday with a small group of my girlfriends, and we were treated like royalty. Emilio and all of the waitstaff were absolutely wonderful, recommended all of the best dishes, and the food was ridiculously good. I would highly recommend this place--best authentic Italian food I've had in the city."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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"I was there one other time and the noise level was insane...said I would never return. Tried again with a 530 reservation and it was only a few customers.
LOVED LOVED Carlos"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
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"Had high expectations given how great the pizzeria is, but our party left feeling food wasn't worth the high price here. Highlights: focaccia; lowlights: veal pasta dish. Neat ambiance but if looking to do upscale Italian better off waiting for flour + water."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2012
Special Features: hot spot
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"This casual Mission Dolores Italian restaurant is charming and the handkerchief pasta with pesto sauce was other-worldly good. That said the prices ($26 for pasta, $32-40+ for entrees)) didn't match the ambiance or location. The rating reflects this perceived poor value for $$$."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Went here on a friend's and blog's recommendation, and was somewhat disappointed. Food was decent but nothing to write home about. Service was...challenging. Overall, wish we'd gone somewhere else for one of our two dinner reservations in San Francisco."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2008
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"Since my name is Farina, I had to try this restaurant on our visit to the city. I was thoroughly pleased with the food, wine and service. Great atmosphere and our waitress was wonderful."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I have dined at Farina in the past, and have had a decreasing experience each time. We arrived for a 730 reservation and were not seated until 830. The staff did not offer anything for the wait even though they knew we had plans at 930, and continued to seat larger parties scheduled after our reservation when they could have sat smaller parties with an earlie reservation.
I will not return to Farina."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
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"There's a lot to like about Farina, but the main drawback is the pricing. Given that the ingredients are mostly flown in, it's understandable how the owners might feel a higher price might be justified, but the dishes feel about 20% too expensive."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2005
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"We were a party of 8 and asked the mâitre-d' (manager?) to simply "feed us", to bring us all of the dishes he felt we shouldn't miss, from antipasti through dolci. He didn't disappoint: the food was amazing, the service was excellent, the our host lived completely up to the name: he made us feel welcome, well taken care of, and at home."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"everything was great - from the moment we stepped in the door we were treated very well. The food was great, we weren't rushed and the prices were appropriate."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"It just wasn't amazing. When I put down $300 plus for dinner for three people I want it to be amazing. It was all good, but I can get "good" at a hundred places in this city."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
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"My sisters and I are restaurant brats. Our father was in the business and then taught it. So we have high standards. Farina exceeded them. We were made to feel welcome, nice since young hipsters can make us baby boomers feel uncool. The octopus salad was fresh and tender and pure. The pastas were superb, though I have to pile particular praise on the mandilli de seta al pesto Ligure di mandorle. Wow. Amazing. Absolutely swoon worthy. Next time I head to San Francisco, I hope to revisit Farina just for this dish."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Modern Milan in the middle of the Mission. Very functional, minimal, hard edged. Great basket of grissini, mini foccacia squares and bread slices. Very attentive service. A small phonebook of a wine list that uses geographical jargon to assist the decision. It could take an hour to read and one could get parched in the meantime. An expensive but very particular list. I mentioned I like Nebbiolo very much but the sommelier, hearing our menu, steered me to a super Tuscan blend from San Marino. Strange but it worked well. The smallest crab salad and octopus salad we have ever met. Also the most expensive. Around 3 oz. for $20. Give me a break. The best pasta al pesto. Pasta Mandilli. Melts in the mouth. A must. Pork not dry and huge."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Great restaurant, lovely decor and ambiance. Staff is very polite and friendly as well as knowledgeable. However I was somewhat disappointed with the food menu. The selection of food items were limited and super overpriced by far. I was looking around the restaurant and both times I came there it was almost empty. For a restaurant of that caliber I was wondering why it was so empty and it's most likely due to the very expensive menu...I don't mind paying a lot of money for great quality food but I don't see paying $35 for a plate of pasta or $20+ for some bread. Or $20 for a small appetizer is simply outrageous especially in the mission where prices are low. I think if they lowered their prices a bit more customers will come their way."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic
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"Nice atmosphere and design, welcoming staff, and good service. Food included fresh ingredients, house-made pasta, great wine list, and delicious desserts. Would definitely return!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"We were there on Oscar night... there may have been a dozen or so diners in total. It was a wonderful experience to be there when it was so calm. Service was great and food and drinks were all better than other times I have been there."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The menus on the restaurant website are a bit confusing and hidden. I thought I was getting $15-$20 entrees, but that was the pizza menu (is there a pizzeria? or separate location) The restaurant menu is at the very bottom of the site and prices are much higher ($20 for appetizer, $28 for pasta, $36 for a fish dish/main). While the food was good, I don't think that the food merited such pricing. Be sure that any linked menus on OpenTable go to the more expensive restaurant menu. We were not handed any pizza menu and there were only 2 pizzas on the restaurant menu."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"The food was truly delicious, especially the foccacia. I went with a group and we shared several pastas, the foccacia and fondue. All had good flavor and were unique. Our waiter was so attentive and sweet. I will say I was surprised that the $18-24 pasta only came with 6 pieces of pasta."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"With so many choices in the neighborhood we haven't been here for dinner for a few years and are happy to see we still love it. Handkerchief pasta and the focaccia are standouts. Didn't think to check any reviews until writing this just now so either we lucked out or they've been paying attention because our service was very good. Only con is prices are a bit high so this will remain an occasional spot."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"at 7:00 the restaurant was about half full yet i was being seated between 2 two tops that were smashed so close together that my table had to be moved over so i could squeeze past to sit on the bench. So i requested to sit at the counter in front of the bread, cheese, and pasta cutter. This was a big mistake. At first the service was great, but then dropped off a cliff. The restaurant had filled and the counter waiter was also serving behind the bar so we were left there for 40 minutes after finishing out meal without speaking to our waiter. No offer for another drink, dessert, or coffee. Bread basket was left, water glasses unfilled, I tracked down a host doubling as a waiter and requested the check. No apologies, no goodbyes.Thanks"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"The food at Farina is always very good. The restaurant is a bit noisy overall. The service on this particular visit was not so great, but they seemed short handed."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The food was good, I'll give them that. But the SF Health charge? $3 + 4%? That's just nonsense. The SF Health Charge was almost as much as tax. Plus tip and our $125 dinner turned into almost $160. I don't penalize the waiters for Healthy SF, but it's unlikely I'll go back to Farina."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2005
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"This was my 2nd experience at Farina. The first was 2 years ago...the pasta's were great, but they ran out of several main entrees, the atmosphere was too loud and the service was just ok. I would expect more from an establishment with those kind of prices. My second visit was no different...actually worse. They ran out of the wine, beer and one of the main entrees we ordered. But the worst was the service. The server was overly aggressive trying to up sell the menu. He also messed up our order with one of the wrong main entrees. They say third time is the charm, but I won't waste my time or money to find out."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2006
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"Wonderful food but a little off the beaten path for tourists however well worth the cab ride. Changing menu offers a nice variety of freshly prepared pastas and other options. Everyone in our large party enjoyed their food."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2004
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"I could not find one thing that needed to be improved upon. We took our son and daughter-in-law to dine here over the holidays. Boy were they impressed!!!"
Dined on 12/29/2012
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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