Shirley:
I believe, in this case, that the word "serendipity" is not trite or overused or pretentious. Beretta was such a great experience, gastronomically and environmentally, that I would sing its praises if I could carry a tune. There were four of us eating that night, we ordered a lot of dishes, tasted a bit of everything on the table and moaned with delight over every mouthful.
Visually, someone paid attention. A great black bird over the front door, the iron gates on 23rd that delineate the outdoor eating space, molded ceilings, all were touches of good design and pleasing ambiance. Our seating filled our request for least noisy table, the waiter was pleasant but not pandering, and the delivery of plates (family style) efficient.
The menu was not extensive, but well planned. There was something for everyone and once food started coming, forks were flashing across the table, to taste really well made dishes.
I ordered the brussels sprouts with capers and sage, and a pear, gorgonzola and rosemary pizza. So gooood! I would have been a happy camper with that alone, but I also had bites of lasagna, lamb chops, meatballs. Even a simple arugula salad made my taste buds happy. And because we were with Barbara and she cannot pass up the dessert menu, we ended the meal with the lemon sorbet and a really nice cup of coffee. Not only was every item tasty and well executed, they all married well.
Would I go back? Would I recommend it to a friend? You bet. In fact, my daughter, informed me that, as good as their food is, they are best known for their excellent cocktails. Although I rarely drink, there may be a mojito in my near future.
On my absurd scale of Bleck-Ick-K-Yum-OMG, I definitely give it a OMG and hope to come up with a better rating system in the future.
Mary:
I ate one of the best restaurant meals I’ve ever had here the other night. Everything tasted so quietly wonderful: probably the best blend of flavors and knowledge of the palate that I’ve experienced. Hats off to the chef who knows how to balance ingredients and spices. The meal produced delighted exclamations and then silence while we dug into the remarkable dishes.
Originally we passed up Beretta for two reasons. We thought it would be too expensive and it was Italian food so I thought, carbs, carbs, carbs. What can I eat? Turns out there were plenty of choices.
Meatballs in spicy tomato sause. (Bolognese) $8.
Brussels sprouts with capers & sage. $7.
Arugula & fennel salad with shaved parmesan. $7.
The pizzas were off limits for me, although I had a bite of Shirley’s sublime bosc pear, walnut, gorgonzola and rosemary pizza and wished I could eat more. Same for the lasagne.
Our total bill, including tip, was $130. That covered four people, three eating off the Antipasti menu and one off the Mains, a glass of good Merlot, two desserts and a cup of coffee. So much for our concern about expense.
We recalled some of the history of this building as we ate. It had been Artemis Café, the Last Supper Club, among other eateries. Which one was it when the fire engine lost control and plunged through the front window (fortunately not injuring anyone.)? There was a toy fire engine on a shelf behind the bar for the duration of that establishment. Then there was a turnover of cafes that didn’t last. Beretta’s has been here for 5 or 6 years and short of some cataclysm it will be here for many years to come on the basis of it’s service and great food (and great drinks—though for us that was just heresay. But not hard to believe.)
Our table was in the back and to the side, so we had a little shelter from the noise. The high, metal ceilings and abundance of hard surfaces amplify the bustling sounds. We could talk to each other by raising our voices. So my only criticism is that Beretta is not the place to come to converse casually with friends. It is the place to come to enjoy skillfully prepared and sumptuous food. They are always busy, weekday evenings as well as weekends. Come early to get a table without a wait. They open at 5:30 and we had a choice of several seating options when we arrived at 6 on a Friday night. After that, enjoy the waiting benches outside, and the always-interesting people watching on Valencia Street.
JESSE:
My first impression of this place is wow it's 6pm, they've only been open thirty minutes and it's really crowded already. That's hopefully a good sign.
The interior colors are dark and smoky. Four huge chandeliers light the main dining area. Long naked light bulbs suspended above the bar along the left of the dining area provide a nice sparkle against the dark interior. I like the overall effect.
It's mostly a young, good looking crowd but I do see a smattering of older people here and there. The energy nearest the bar seems to indicate, for some, the possibility of romance later tonight.
The noise level is pretty high so we ask for a quiet table. I don't think there is a quiet table here but we did get one out of the way and could hear each other if we spoke loudly.
The menu looks great. In fact it took us awhile to figure out what to order because everything looked so tempting. I was apprehensive at first because the menu was such a wheat/gluten festival but upon closer inspection there were several items I could eat.
Our waiter was great. I showed him my list of food allergies, he unflinchingly answered my questions regarding dishes and we quickly decided upon my order.
From the antipasti menu I ordered the lamb chops with arugala and organic yogurt, at $15. The yogurt comes on the side so it's perfect. Mary loved the yogurt by the way. I also ordered the brussels sprouts with capers and sage, $7. They made it without the butter for me and it was still delicious.
As the food came out of the kitchen we grew more excited with exclamations of "Oh my God, taste this sauce!" "Wait until you try the brussels sprouts" Tasting the pizza, my friend's expression turns to anguished pleasure.
They even had a dessert I could eat! Woohoo! That's rare. A Myers lemon sorbet for $7. It was sublime. Very delicate flavors of lemon, mint and ginger. An almost buttery texture. I forced myself to slow down and savor each bite. The best sorbet I've ever tasted.
I can't remember a time when we were all that excited and happy about our dinner. This place was a real treat. I've already recommended it to my family. I give Beretta 4.5 stars
Finding food this good, being that excited by a meal, makes writing this blog meaningful. I hope you too will enjoy food this well crafted. Bon Appetite.
Ooops, I almost forgot about the restroom review. I'm not surprised though, it's a forgettable bathroom. Very boring but clean. I give this boring bathroom, three stars.
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Beretta
Beretta serves inventive cocktails, thin crust pizzas, and contemporary Italian comfort food in the mission district.
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Baretta
1199 Valencia Street
695-1199
