Ristorante Milano

I love trying new restaurants and as I am in the entertainment industry I have that opportunity often. But, I always come back to Ristorante Milano. New restaurant scenes come and go, as do hot musicians. Since I have been working with the best for a long time I know what makes for longevity. It is their talent and delivery... for Ristorante Milano it is the food and service. Everything I order there is fresh and their fish is never farm raised. The high quality of the ingredients: the cheeses, their pasta made fresh daily, their heavenly foccacia brought to the table, they have been doing this for years, they know what they are doing! I brought a band in before their show for an early dinner and we had the gnocchi, seafood polenta, fettucine with a Milanese sauce and a bottle of Barolo. We had a great discussion with the owner about the Blues shows he used to do in Italy. Another woman working there is a classically trained singer, the other waiter was a southern Italian, totally friendly. Their personalities added to total experience. The staff knows me, but it was the first time for the band members there and they loved it. Pros: personal attention, authentic food, quality ingredients,good value more

A great find! This is definitely one of the places I miss most now that I no longer live in Nob Hill. I love trying new places in SF, but this restaurant keeps me coming back. When I do go to a restaurant more than once, I usually just get the same entree...why mess with a good thing? At Milano, I was adventurous to try something different each time and was blown away all 5 times. The food is most important, but service and ambiance are also key. The wait staff always welcomes us with a smile and makes great recommendations. I love when they recite the specials...a tremendous list where everything sounds delicious! It's really the most adorable restaurant. It's inviting, comfortable, and not too loud - everyone is having a good time but also able to enjoy conversation without yelling. Make sure to make reservations and give yourself time to find parking! more

We met friends for dinner at Milano and although the food was exquisite, the entire experience was ruined by our waitress and the attitude of the manager on duty, Albo/Aldo(?). Our waitress was a Spanish/Hispanic brunette woman on the shorter side (wish I knew her name) who was extremely rude to us while ordering and during the meal. Pros: Fantastic food, great pasta, good wine, really nice ambiance Cons: Our brunette Spanish/Hispanic waitress was awful as was the manager, Albo/Aldo more

Upon entering the restaurant, you feel like you are being invited to a friend's house...homey, cozy, non-pretentious...one of those places where you know that you will come back even if the food wasn't spectacular...but what a parade of amazing dishes from start to finish! From the perfectly dressed salads, gnochhis to die for, sardines that melt in your mouth to the out of this world Ricotta Tart...My 2 friends from Japan were almost speechless...how about a branch in Tokyo Mr. Blasi? Pros: Everything! Cons: Parking more

What a find! Recommended to me by my favorite bartender in LA, I came up to SF with my boyfriend and tried Ristorante Milano for the first time. We had one of the best Italian meals I have had outside of Rome! We had some very fresh seafood appetizers and then continued with homemade gnocchi which was surprisingly light. We split some of the most tender veal I have ever had, then shared tiramisu and granita for dessert. Everything was served promptly and in a professional yet relaxed manner. Heaven. What made it all the more fun was the very friendly and competent service. It's a very international scene there, our hostess was charming, we enjoyed talking to her about the local music scene and her singing experience in Europe. Our waiter was friendly also, and we talked to him about Brazil and world cup soccer. We travel alot for our business and Milano is exactly the kind of restaurant we seek out wherever we go: intimate, great food and friendly service. more

I love italian food. This place is awesome. The pasta was great and so was the wine. We had a late reservation and waited about 5 mins when we were seated. The place is a bit crowded but I'd rather go here than some overpriced place like Alioto's with a smug waiter. Go here! Pros: Homeade pasta, great drinks Cons: Limited Parking more

This small restaurant hidden in the middle of Pacific St was very quaint. Not your traditional Italian place with spaghetti and meatballs, this is Milano! The food was delicious, the place is small but very loud when it is filled up. Waiters are pleasant! more

I loved this small cozy restaurant. The servuce is so grat that they make you feel like at home. Pros: gnocchi, homeade focaccia, ambiance Cons: parking more

The food was good--no more and no less (if it had been any less good, I would have been unhappy). Typical American Italian food--nothing noteworthy. I will eat there again if I find myself hungry while nearby, but I won't suggest it as a destination when planning to dine out. more

I have been coming to this restaurant for over 12 years and it has never disappointed. When I think of a cold foggy night in San Francisco, this is the place I come for hearty Italian food, wonderful aromas, and a wait staff with style and flair. I recently relocated to SF and am happy to now be closer to this wonderful restaurant. Good work Milano! Pros: Great value for what you get! Cozy and simple Cons: Parking is a problem, but there is a lot just down the street to the west. more

I like variety. I rarely go to the same place more than once (and living in the city, this is not hard to do). Milano has rendered this propensity nearly impossible to indulge. I have been back several times and each time my bond with the restaurant grows stronger. Try Milano. You will not be disappointed. Call for a reservation in order to get one of the uber romantic tables in the back. Pros: Romantic seating, amazing food, decent price Cons: doesn't look like much from the outside more

My husband and I decided to celebrate our 10 year anniversary over an authentic Italian meal. It was so authentic, when we called you could hear Italian being yelled to each other in kitchen in the background. Reservations are highly recommended as the place is VERY small (true European feeling). The staff was very accomodating, friendly and knowledgeable. The food was delightful and portions were comprable to going to Europe where you are given the right amount. If you are uptight about tables being too close, overhearing other tables laugh and enjoy their food - don't go. Part of the romantic setting is the intimate feeling with everyone in the place. Pros: Great service and staff. Wonderful wine list. Authentic cuisine Cons: Parking can be challenging. Loud bistro setting with close tables and little elbow room more

I read other people's reviews and I really find them useful. I have lived here in the city for a year and my boyfriend has been here for 8 years. I was looking for really good italian food that was not a tourist trap. This is not this resturant. Its really busy and hard to get a seat. There is no ventilation in the resturant so it the whole resturant is REALLY smokey. My boyfriends chicken was chared so it tasted like charcol. My pasta sause was ok, but not what I was looking for. Pros: Service Cons: Everything else. food. ventilation over croweded more

Ristorante Milano is the best kept secret in San Francisco. I recently dined there with close friends and we were all impressed with the experience we had. The size and location offers an intimate and comfortable dining setting with an amazing staff that takes care of your every need. Everyone from the host to the chef was very personable, prompt and had great recommendations to offer when needed. From the food to the wine everything we ordered was exquisite and beautifully served. Its especially enjoyable for a birthday experience or a nice night out on the town. I highly recommend it. Pros: Food, Service more

We had heard about the Milano and finally tried it. The service was friendly and the ambience clean and unimposing. Everything was explained carefully and we chose grilled calamari with small white beans, and radicchio with walnuts and gorgonzola. My lasagna was perfect and her gnocchi was amazingly light. Desserts were homemade mint pear sorbet and really good tiramisu, big and fluffy. Pros: attentive service, affordable wine list, great food Cons: parking 1 block away, tables a little cozy more

my boyfriend discovered Milano a couple of years and it's one of our favorite places. the food is always great and service is gracious despite the sometimes crowds waiting for their table. this is a neighborhood gem. make reservations and give yourself extra time for parking. Pros: italian food, friendly Cons: parking more

We were aggressively rushed from the moment we sat down. The food was completely mediocre. Angry people in doorway waiting whose reservation time not being honored, which evidently is their policy. Spilled red wine over my wife with no apology or offer of compensation. It was a hostile environment to patrons serving bad food. We couldn't wait to leave. more

I've been to many Italian restaurants in the city...trying to find the perfect one. This place is great! It has a very cozy feeling since it's nested between apartments. You feel as though you found your own lil Italian gem. The food was delicious and service was excellent. I'd definitely go back for more! more

The prices, service, atmosphere, and portions are more in line with a Trattoria than a Ristorante, so a more accurate name would be ""Trattoria Milano"". The food is delicous. Great flavors and fresh. Not over salted like some other SF Italian restaurants The pasta and vegetables were cooked perfectly. The wine was the proper temperature. The desserts were excellent and generous including one made by Nonna in Italy that we haven't encountered in the States before. The portions are large for Italian standards, but average for American standards. When Italians go out to eat the point isn't to get ""filled up"" so you feel like you got ""your money's worth"". It's to enjoy excellent food and company while someone else cooks and cleans :-) Great service. Environment: The tables are too small and too close together. Otherwise it was fine. Summary: Closest thing to an Italian Trattoria in SF. Pros: food, price Cons: tables too close, parking more

Took our out of towners here on happenstance... WOW were we impressed... will be back here again ASAP. more