"It’s impossible to talk about old-school Italian restaurants without bringing up Fior d’Italia, a spot that’s away from all of the touristy Columbus Ave. chaos but still maintains North Beach charm. This place has been around since 1886 and proudly displays its longevity on a plaque in the doorway. Old cityscape photos line the walls of the dance hall-sized dining room, and red pepper flakes are served in steel goblets by tie-wearing staff—all to the soundtrack of Sinatra’s greatest hits. Get the parmesan-laden risotto alla milanese and a mound of bolognese, which are both standouts from the pasta section. And keep the free bread coming. Food Rundown Risotto Alla Milanese Our favorite dish here. You’ll go on autopilot taking spoonful after spoonful of the saffron-tinted risotto until the plate is clean. Pollo Al Mattone A nicely roasted half-chicken. We wouldn’t order this over any of the pastas, but if you’re trying to get a more substantial entree in the mix, this is a good one. Free Bread The hunk of bread is as fresh as it gets—thick, crusty, and fluffy on the inside—and served with the requisite olive oil and salt." - Julia Chen
