"Dinner at Caffè Macaroni in North Beach is instantly comforting. The tiny dining room of this old-school Italian spot is steps away from an open-air kitchen where the owners crack jokes with the chefs before pausing to hug some regulars. Don’t feel left out though. You’ll be updated on these customers’ latest vacation soon enough before hearing about the daily specials. We prefer skipping the menu here and letting the owners (who double as the wait staff) take charge. They won’t steer you wrong. If you’d rather make your own choices, stick to the pasta section, but the secondi are hit or miss, including an unevenly cooked lamb shank. Portions are also unpredictable, with some dishes that could easily feed the entire table while others will require you to draw up negotiation papers to determine who deserves the last bite of penne. Just be sure to save a tiny corner of your stomach to store a shot of limoncello—the owners will join you for a quick cheers to end your meal. Reservations are usually easy to get any day of the week, but plan to sit in the heated parklet as the dining room’s 10 seats fill up first. Food Rundown photo credit: Patrick Wong House Bread The bread is a little dry and tough, but it’s a necessary vessel for the fantastic herb-infused olive oil that’s filled with diced garlic. photo credit: Patrick Wong Tuna Carpaccio Tart and briny from the lemon and capers. It’s tasty, but you’ll likely need another appetizer as this one is just a few sheets of nearly translucent tuna and disappears in a few bites. photo credit: Patrick Wong Risotto Nero The squid ink gives this dish earthiness and creaminess. While it needs a little more salt, the chewy grains of rice complement the silky pieces of salmon hidden around the bowl. photo credit: Patrick Wong Spaghetti Siciliana The noodles are simple and delicious dressed with just garlic, olives, and tomatoes. They’re also scented with a crusty piece of cod on top. It’s a great dish, but the dainty portion eats more like a snack. photo credit: Patrick Wong Lamb Shank With Penne It’s just fine. The lamb has an inconsistent cook with some tender bits and others that are hard to cut through. The penne, as with the other pastas here, is flawless—we just wish there was a bit more of it. photo credit: Patrick Wong Sour Cream Cheesecake Rich, thick, and slightly citrusy. Our favorite dessert on the menu. photo credit: Patrick Wong Bread Pudding If you need two desserts, get another cheesecake instead. The batons of bread are slightly soggy and served too cold, and the bland zabaione does little to save the dish." - Patrick Wong
