Pasta Pomodoro – Italian Restaurant Review

Italian Restaurant Chain with Very Reasonable Prices

Pasta Pomodoro
9 locations in San Francisco; Castro, Cow Hollow (editors note: the original Pasta Pomodoro has closed and been reopened as Pacific Catch), Haight, Irving, Kabuki 8 Theater, Laurel Village, Marina, Noe Valley and North Beach—see phone-book for addresses and phone numbers.
11am-11pm Monday-Saturday, Sunday 12 noon-11pm.

This chain now has 9 locations in the City. The first Pasta Pomodoro opened in a hole-in-the wall on Chestnut St (between Fillmore & Steiner) about 10 years ago. It reminded me of any number of similar small restaurants in Italy, with counter service and cooking in plain view. I tested it then, was impressed with the quality and low prices, and included it in my book, San Francisco on a Shoestring. The Pasta Pomodoro branches tend to be much larger now, the prices have gone up a bit, but the value is still there, compared to others serving the same food at much higher prices. Pastas are especially good, and unbeatably low-priced.

Starters. Bruschetta – Italian country bread, topped with sliced tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic & basil, small $2.75, for the table $3.95, spinach & parmesan cheese wrapped in polenta & broiled with brown butter & sage $3.95, steamed mussels with roasted garlic & white wine $5.50 (recommended), soup of day, cup $2.25, bowl $3.75, mixed salad $3.75, dinner-size $5.95.

Pastas. Cappelini (thin) with pomodoro sauce, garlic & basil $4.95, with shrimp $7.95, spaghetti with mussels, shrimp, calamari, garlic, tomatoes, & white wine $7.95 (recommended), linguine vegetarian-style with broccoli, asparagus, spinach, garlic, tomato, & basil $6.95, spiral pasta with chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, & herbs $6.75, ravioli with ricotta, spinach, & parmesan, with pomodoro or gorgonzola sauce $6.75, spaghetti with homemade sausage-meatballs $6.75.

Sandwiches. Served with soup or salad, e.g., meatballs with melted fontina cheese $6.95, imported prosciutto, fontina, & arugula $7.50.

Desserts. Tiramisu $3.95, mascarpone cheesecake $3.95, cappuccino ice-cream cake $4.50.

Drinks. Drinks at Pasta Pomodoro are on the high-side, considering the low food prices. Beer is $3 domestic, $3.25 import, wine $4.50-5.95 glass, $17-28 bottle. Corkage (bring your own wine) is $5, which is reasonable. They spoke to me of a lower-priced house wine by the end of the year. Ask for it.