PoesiaI could write poetry about poesia!Whenever I'm in SF, I come here for an evening of Italian immersion. The food is exquisite - the perfect balance of local, farm-fresh, gourmet, homemade. The safe is the real deal - Italian through and through. And the icing on the cake is the classic Italian cinema projected on the wall. Don't miss the chocolate mousse with salt and olive oil!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday dinnerMy wife and I ate here for the time. Sat next to 2 regulars who said the food preparation was incredible. They were right. The grilled calamari salad was amazing and next time I plan to get the filet mignon salad. The staff treated us warmly and made us feel very very welcome. We'll definitely go back.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMBella spigola!I'm still thinking about the branzino I ate here last week. It was called "whole" on the menu, but it was boned with the head and tail left on. Small roasted tomatoes, an excellent olive oil, and lemon was all it needed - not too fancy, not too bare; and cooked to perfection. Perfetto! We followed this with a truly scrumptious conollo filled with mosparcone cream dipped in pistachios. One of the best dinners we had in San Francisco.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent Italian CuisineYou don't have to go to North Beach for excellent Italian Cuisine.
Poesia never disappoints - every dish is delicious and well prepared.
The service is excellent. The pasta is house made. The preparations are
simple but elegant. The sauces are the best. We'll be back.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic experience for ourFantastic experience for our 14th wedding anniversary. Francesco, the owner was wonderful. he even didn't charge us for a bottle of wine that I ended up not liking. Took the half bottle left away and got us 2 new glasses of something we preferred. The home made pasta was awesome. Great gem of an Italian restaurant.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMMust try this Gem in the Castro!My 2nd time at this quiet little gem in the Castro. Friendly and attentive service by each of the wait staff!!! Calamari and Kale salads were filling and delightful. Delicious hand made ravioli stuffed with beets and a great pork dish with roasted potatoes were our main course meals. Beautiful presentation on each dish. There is a small room at the front that has 5 two person tables and one round table in the middle that could seat 4+. Each time I have been at the restaurant there are customers only speaking Italian. Last time 3/ 5 tables up front were only speaking Italian. Each of the wait staff seemed fluent in Italian. Hints to me of the authenticity of this sweet Italian Gem!!! TRY IT and enjoy!!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMUnderratedWent to Poesia with a group of friends and easily found an 8pm reservation on a Saturday night the day of.
You can't get a reservation anywhere decent near mission on a Saturday night so I prepared myself for disappointment.
I was not disappointed.
We were promptly seated in the corner of the restaurant, which had a homey-living-room-like feel.
Grilled calamari and carpaccio appetizers were outstanding.
Wine list was reasonable with a decent selection of Italian wines.
Shrimp risotto was very good, homemade beet ravioli very unique and delicious, fettuccine with mushrooms on the money.
Quality of food is as good as Delfina (but arguably better value and ambiance).5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMPoesia is truly Italian, withPoesia is truly Italian, with very tasty and tastefully presented food. Being a small space, it is a bit tight, which hinders some of a relaxed feelings and effects noise levels. Staff are considerate, friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the calamari appetizer. The special appetizer for the night was muscles and sausage in a fantastic marinara sauce.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMwe loved it.everything was so amazing. this was my second time at poesia and again it did not disappoint. everything was delicious!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThis gen of a restaurant isThis gen of a restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in the Castro neighborhood although judging by the crowd in attendance the night I was there, I'd say the secret is getting out. Excellent Italian cuisine with a good selection on the wine list. This is a restaurant I enjoy going to again and again.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place feels very authentic.This place feels very authentic. Not to contradict myself, but they have home-made gluten free pasta - which is not really authentic, but very delicious. Also, very well priced for the quality of food. Liked the atmosphere, pretty charming.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was the second time we'veThis was the second time we've been to Poesia and both times were absolutely lovely. The ambiance is cozy and friendly. The staff are bubbly and very attentive. The food is fresh and delicious.
I'd definitely recommend the whole Branzino and the squid ink ravioli with Dungeness Crab. Absolutely amazing.
Prices are totally reasonable--a definite go!4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had great time at Poesia!We had great time at Poesia! Great cocktails & pasta.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Restaurant in the CastroThe Gluten Free options are great! Service was spectacular, very friendly, very attentive. Truly a neighborhood gem.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI hate to write a glowingI hate to write a glowing review for fear of encouraging the masses. It is a true find in a city with so many choices. The ownerstays true to being Italian and taking no short cuts. The sea bass wasperfection. The recommended wine, theTiramisu and chocolate with olive oil is simply heaven. Please, don't tell your friends about this place. Let's keepit secret.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe always have a good experienceWe always have a good experience when we dine at Poesia. It is nice to have a restaurant in the neighborhood that delivers good food consistently without the attitude some other, more popular places have in the 'stro.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWent there for a birthdayWent there for a birthday dinner. Had a vegetarian in the group and they accommodated us perfectly. Food was very good, service was great and the ambience was energetic and cozy. Very good!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat spot for a date nightGreat spot for a date night or celebrating a birthday, etc. Love this place!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMQuality, Neighborhood GemI keep coming back to Poesia, one of my all-time neighborhood favorites. I love the cozy homestyle atmosphere (It is built in an old home after all). I love the old cinema playing on the back wall. It's intimate but not too small. The food, wine and cocktails are just amazing, the service is impeccable.
The Calamari are my favorite, and I'm glad they've remained a staple of the menu. It's so nice to be able to find quality cooked Calamari that are not breaded. Their grilled style over greens is fantastic.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMa real gem!We love Poesia!
Not only it has the best food (you have to try the calamari and the ravioli with crab) but it has the best service of all restaurants in SF hands down!
For food lovers who want a nice but not too cocky ambiance and the best service in town.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Italian food, carefullyGreat Italian food, carefully and imaginatively prepared, attentive service, definitely a cut above the rest.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMPoesia - consistenly great!I've dined at Poesia a number of times and it never disappoints. The owner and the wait staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Great fresh and tasty food, great wine matching, great service and warm ambiance.
FYI. I had the tasty Insalata Finocchio e Mela (kale salad with fennel, thin apple slices and shaved parmesan) and perfectly-prepared Tagliata di Filetto (medium-cooked filet mignon served over sweet potato Pureé with broccoli rabe. This and other dishes served to our foursome was paired with a bottle of Gaglioppo, a tasty soft red Calabrian wine with cherry and spice notes – a sort of a southern Italian Pinot.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMPoseia is a wonderful italianPoseia is a wonderful italian place with great service, romantic ambiance, and delicious food. I came here for my birthday with a large group of people and they were so accommodating and friendly. The waitress was very attentive as well as the manager/owner especially to my dietary needs (gluten intolerant). I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and will be coming dining again here soon :)3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMMmm mmm deliciousThe staff were friendly and seemed to work very well with one another. The food was fresh and the service of the food was well-timed. We had the pappa al pomodoro and duck bruschetta for appetizers, the squid ink ravioli and pork ragu for main course and the decadent dark chocolate deliciousness - it was all fabulous!! All that, plus a glass of wine and cup of hot coffee for under $100 - what a steal! We'll definitely return!!!3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMCute PlaceThis is a really cute restaurant because it is basically a house, but not. I'm a bread junky and I always make sure to try the bread to see if something so common and simple is good. I loved the bread, it was warm, soft and chewy. The food was also really good. We had the duck brushetta (so good but only one per an order), the mussels are delicious, we also had 3 different pastas and they were tasty. Overall, everything was good and I had a great time.3/5/2013 12:00:00 AMFriendly service. SpecialFriendly service. Special cocktails, and all the food was perfectly prepared.2/5/2013 12:00:00 AMPoesia is the best thing thatPoesia is the best thing that has happened to Castro dining since Anchor Oyster opened 30 years ago. This place is like a trip to Italy, with expertly prepared seafood, friendly Italian servers, a lively bar and an owner who treats everyone as an old friend.2/1/2013 12:00:00 AM