Ofena

Ofena in San Francisco is a genuine culinary treasure. The atmosphere is cozy and chic, and the service is warm and attentive, true Italian hospitality. The food is exquisite, with every plate beautifully presented. The Chitarra Alle Vongole (clam pasta with lemon and chili butter) was a showstopper, perfectly al dente and packed with flavor. We also loved the vibrant Beet & Citrus Salad with candied pecans and whipped ricotta and the savory, cheesy Boquerones Toast. Every dish demonstrates high-quality ingredients and expert execution. If you're looking for a top-tier Italian experience in SF, Ofena is a must-visit.

Ofena is exactly the kind of neighborhood spot you want — warm, welcoming, and delicious. We were treated so well (thank you!) and loved the focaccia, especially the mortadella. The gnocchi with duck prosciutto was rich and perfect, and the pork chop was cooked just right. The creamy polenta is a must — silky and comforting. Peas salad kept things bright, and the arancini were crispy and cheesy. Loved the martini with a focaccia garnish — such a fun touch. Service was thoughtful but relaxed, which made the night even better. Can’t wait to come back for more food and cocktails.

This is definitely a hidden gem. Tucked away and just off of 19th Ave. Beautiful decor with an upscale feel to it. We were greeted by the hostess and promptly seat as we have reservations. For drinks, we started of with some thirst quenching Italian sodas. Followed by some of Fluffy and light focaccia with garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. OMG! Do I think it is worth it? I could have eaten 3 orders of just that. Their Cesar salad topped with anchovies. So refreshing. For Entrees, we chose two dishes the risotto and rigatoni. Their rigatoni came with sliced sausages, meatballs and wonderfully thick sauce. That was on a whole other level. Everything is Great on the menu.

Has become my favorite! Simply delicious food and never ever boring. Lovely place. On Ocean Avenue near Junipero Serra. Deserves a HUGE clientele!!!!

We had a party of nine today for a supposed brunch at noon. They only had the dinner menu at twice the price of brunch/lunch. Our “ waiter “ was the busboy and we didn’t have a piece of bread on our table for 45 minutes. I had to ask twice for drinks I ordered. I received them about a half hour after ordering. I had the pork chop and it was delicious. It would have been better if there was a vegetable or something else with it. $36 for a pork chop at lunch. I could have had a drink, ordered, eaten and had dessert at Joe’s in the time it took to take our order. I’ve heard this place is going under. Can’t happen soon enough

We had the focaccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, the mozzarella sandwich, the fried chicken, and the seafood risotto. The bread was the highlight, fresh and delicious, however the mozzarella sandwich and fried chicken both had the same breading which was extremely oily so we weren’t big fans of either. The risotto was cooked well and had nice flavor but was lacking in salt. Overall we had a good experience but felt the food could be elevated higher.

July 2024: Celebrated a birthday lunch here. Lunch menu had a lot of nice options. I chose the half sandwich and soup 🍲 option. My tuna sandwich was very tasty. I liked the bread that they used. The seeds provided a nice flavor. Soup was rich and blended. A small side salad was also delicious 😋. For dessert, I split the chocolate tiramisu. It was excellent 👌 👍. The service was very friendly and attentive. I would come back again for more delicious food.

The best Italian fine dining in San Francisco! I took my mother in law and her wife and my mom out for Mother’s Day and we had a fantastic meal that was decadent and delicious. My mother in law is a foodie who is obsessed with Delfina so I knew bringing her to Ofena would impress her. We ordered the squid and shrimp risotto, polenta,meatballs and sauce with pasta, clams with white wine sauce, the tuna and the duck gnocchi and everything was delicious. My mom said it was probably the best meal she ever had. The service was amazing the owner even brought out some of our food and asked how everything tasted. Ofena has amazing staff and food and the atmosphere is incredible! Perfect for a fancy dinner date or special occasion.

Came here for lunch before the holidays. It was easy to find street parking. The restaurant had lovely decoration / vibes. Service was warm and friendly, maybe on the sparse side, which we didn't mind as I was here to catch up with a friend. They have a great lunch offering: Soup + choice of sandwich. It's served with a lovely salad that had yummy, crunchy parmesan crouton. The tuna salad is the house specialty which I want to try next time! I had the Italian combo sandwich which was great. The soup was delicious. We ended the meal with Panna Cotta (really well done) and coffee (well made, on par with a good coffee house). Overall, wonderful lunch and look forward to coming back!

A nice modern and cozy Italian eatery with a modest selection of different dishes. Staff is friendly and the interior is easy on the eyes. There's a waiting area and a bar as well. Came here on Valentine's day, and ordered a lot of food for two people. Warm Focaccia with Whipped Ricotta Thinly Sliced Mortadella - 5/5 Absolutely amazing bread! Warm, crispy, fluffy, great flavor on its own. Paired with a whipped ricotta, a neutral flavor cream, and a thin mortadella, it was one of the star dishes of the night. We enjoyed eating this and would love to just order some focaccia to go! Gnocci Carbonara - 4/5 Amazing gnocchi dish, gnocci was cooked just right, and had good amount of duck with it as well. The taste was super rich, creamy, and hearty, can definitely taste the nodes of duck fat in there. Only thing is that this dish is so rich that it's a bit too heavy. Nonetheless, amazing dish. Pork Bistecca Fiorentina - 4/5 Great pork steak dish. I really enjoyed how flavorful and tender this dish was. Salty and tangy, with a lot of herbs and lemon, a great dish to share. Some parts of the pork were a bit undercook and pink but I still ate it and was fine afterwards (I do have a strong stomach) but others may find it discerning. Soft Polenta truffle mascarpone - 5/5 I never knew I liked polenta this much until now. Super creamy, soft, slightly sweet polenta, like you're eating a super soft corn bread, The truffle mascarpone added a nice hint of truffle without it being overpowering. Crispy Smashed Potatoes - 1/5, I think they're okay, they were smashed crispy potatoes but weren't very crispy. Kind of bland in taste, probably the only thing I wouldn't order again, fried, smashed, topped with a bit of peppers but there wasn't any seasoning to it. Really enjoyed our dinner at Ofena. We would definitely come back and try out the other dishes in addition to more Focaccia!

Came here for lunch with the kids and everyone enjoyed their food. We ordered the following: Funghu arancini -5/5 very crispy on the outside and had mushrooms inside. Everything on the plate was good Warm foccaccia with anchovy butter- 4/5 definitely interesting since I've never had it with anchovy butter. The foccaccia was good. Chitarra alle vongole - 5/5 yum! Flatbread - 4/5 pretty good margarita flatbread with arugula. Service was ok, you need to flag them down to get stuff, but they do get what you asked for. I've already made a reservation to come back again!

What a little gem of a place. I've been looking for a go-to Italian spot nearby and I think this place is a solid contender. The restaurant is spacious with low lighting for the ambience. Super easy to get a reservation and parking is not too bad on Ocean. We came for my sister's birthday dinner and our table was set up with a cute little birthday banner when we arrived. Everything we ordered was on point. The focaccia was so fresh and soft, we had to order two plates. The gnocchi carbonara was rich with crispy duck pieces. We finished off sharing tiramisu (delicious of course) and the server gave my sister a complimentary glass of champagne. A lovely experience, I would 100% come back again.

I am in total agreement with the average 4.5 reviews here. Ofena is a cozy and inviting Italian restaurant with delicious brunch and attentive service. I came for weekend brunch. Fortunately, there was no line. I and enjoyed the omelette and potatoes. Portions were generous and the potatoes had a nice crisp. My girlfriends enjoyed their brunches as well. Parking isn't difficult. I would come back for dinner.

I loved Ofena's cozy vibe and interior. Everything from start to finish was lovely regarding service, attention to detail, and the pacing of the dishes that came out. I highly recommend their warm focaccia bread (side up to you but I loved the whipped ricotta and mortadella side). It is so fluffy with the perfect taste and texture. Their arancini was also a hit and next time I would order the full appetizer size. Funnily enough we came here because everyone raved about the duck gnocchi. But I found the duck to be somewhat reminiscent of Chinese roasted duck, but drier and stringy. Sort of strange. And carbonara sauce paired with gnocchi is really heavy for me. Maybe if it was a thinner pasta like linguini I would've liked it more. The dinner set pasta (tomato cream cavatappi) was much better for me personally. I would definitely come here again for a special occasion or a nice lunch!

Made reservations to celebrate a girlfriend's birthday. So appreciated that they hung a birthday sign and had a birthday card for her when we arrived. Our server, Francesca, was great. We wanted to try so many things and we were having such a hard time deciding. Francesca provided recommendations after listening to us, and we were so glad we went with her recommendations. Started with the Gnocchi Carbona - gnocchi were light and pillowy soft and that sauce was everything. Next were the Chicken Cotoletta and the Pork Bistecca - both so good and so flavorful. For dessert, we had to go with the Chocolate Tiramisu - not too sweet and a perfect ending to a great meal. We were quite full and satisfied. Service was attentive. We can't wait to return.

Great service, lots of seating on a Sunday afternoon before closing. Would order again: - Caesar salad: comes with anchovies, great dressing, buttery crunchy croutons - Soft Polenta with Truffle Mascapone: savory, warm, seasoned well. Needs more parsley! This was on their dinner menu but they were able to make it for lunch! Wouldn't order again: - Fungi Misti Arancini: 4 fried balls for $15? No thanks. Ordered some items to go and the waiter hand wrote what was in each box! What a special touch. They are also very toddler friendly. They had a special kids menu and crayons to color. Would definitely be back to try other things!

Amazingly delicious food and a pretty large selection. The portions are hella perfect too! I loved everything we ordered. Service was ok they were timely for-sure! I thought the decor was good, pretty modern and sleek but still welcoming. I think it's a must try!

Had a wonderful dining experience! The wine selection was excellent, and the ambiance was perfect for an intimate, quiet evening. The staff was welcoming and attentive. I particularly enjoyed the clams & pasta, broccolini, focaccia bread, and fried chicken. A great spot for a relaxed and elegant meal!

Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and loved the cozy, intimate atmosphere. The table had a birthday note for her which was a nice touch. As for food, we had the warm focaccia with whipped ricotta and mortadella to start as well as the house greens. Both were good. We also shared 3 pastas (gnocchi carbonara, saffron risotto and chittara alle vongole) and the tuna puttanesca among the 4 of us. My favorite was the chittara alle vongole, but they all were solid dishes. We finished the night off with tiramisu, which was light and fluffy. I also had their Stemware at Dolores cocktail that was their spinoff of a martini. Loved it. Overall, we had an amazing night here catching up with great company and food. Thanks Ofena!

We were looking for a restaurant with quality foods, was kid-friendly, and had easy parking. All of these boxes were easily checked - we were very happy with our meal here! PARKING Very easy, tons of metered spots right outside, and at dinner time (after 6pm) it's free. RESERVATIONS Made online about a week in advance for a group of 7. FAMILY-FRIENDLY? A resounding yes! It's not just the bare minimum of having kids menus, crayons, and plastic cups with lids for the drinks. It's that every person on staff just seemed to know how to treat parents, and kids, and serve our group. When my kids went up to the host table and saw the hard candy, they knew that the kids needed mom's permission before taking any. Our server, when clearing out the table, knew not to take the kids' menus that my kids had colored on. Everyone was all smiles and very sweet to the kids in our group, who ranged from 1.5 to 6. Plus, they take orders through a handheld device, so by the time our entire table had ordered, the kids' food had come out. They also pre-split the kids' pasta for us, per our request (as opposed to bringing us the full dish and a share bowl). They did the same with a lemonade we ordered. THE COST $283.75 total including tax/tip for dinner for 4 adults, 1 toddler, 2 young kids. DRINKS * Bunny Hat $16.00 - 4 stars. Lovely refreshing and light cocktail. * Lost Boy $16.00 - 3.5 stars. A bit refreshing with sweet and tangy citrus. My partner was hoping for more flavor from the tobacco bitters, though. KIDS' MENU * Kid's Pasta $11.00 - 4 stars. Very legit Rigatoni, cooked perfectly, lovely sauce. BREAD/SIDES * House Foccacia $9.00 - 4 stars. Very soft & flavorful. * Grilled Broccolini $9.00 - 4 stars. Perfectly charred, great with lemon squeezed on top. * Gigante Beans $9.00 - 2.5 stars. The beans had a good soft texture, but that was the only good thing about this dish. This lacked flavor and the other veggies were overcooked. * Mixed Squash Caponata $9.00 - 3 stars. A bit of a boring dish, lacking interesting texture (mostly mushy veggies) or flavors. PIZZA * La Bene $18.00 - 4 stars. A surprisingly well balanced pizza! I dont usually like white sauce pizzas but this worked really well. PASTA * Rigatoni $31.00 - 4 stars. Pasta was soft but firm; sauce was flavorful; meatballs were a bit dry; globs of ricotta were a nice touch. * Gnocchi Carbona $33.00 - 4.5 stars. Very tasty, and the crispy duck was amazing. * Swiss Chard-Caramalized Red Onion Lasagna $27.00 - 3.5 stars. Not bad for a lasagna, not a major standout either.

Ofena is a hidden gem in the Sunset District of SF. Had the Swiss Chard lasagna. Excellent. A different twist on lasagna. The Expresso Martini was very tasty. Soft polenta Romano Beans Squash Componata Gigante Beans and Chocolate Tiramisu and Cannoli were all fantastic. Would recommend this place. Excellent would go back again. Service was very attentive and Ambiance very low key.

4.5 STARS Ofena is a unicorn in the city.... Solid Cal-Italian food with a full bar without having to trek deep into the city to The Mission, Nob Hill/Russian Hill, or the FiDi....with plenty of FREE parking! So ladies, you can put on your stilettos and not have to schlep up hills like a baby giraffe on roller skates or roll your ankle into a pothole. Back to the review, I wouldn't expect anything less from the team behind Michelin-star, jū-ni. The executive chef has Michelin cred having worked at The Restaurant at Meadowood and Martini House (now Goose & Gander). Ofena is open for takeout and indoor dining only. M E N U Cal-Italian Fare. Different lunch and dinner menus. Full bar. 5% SF mandate. 22% default tip on POS. D R I N K S * Stemware at Dolores: Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin w/ olive brine, vinegar oil, salt & vinegar focaccia chip ($16) // 5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/mufks5hd --Requested no olive brine Alcohol forward, very smooth and easy to drink. The focaccia chip was plain tho. Friends were happy with their cocktails and mocktails. F O O D * Warm Focaccia w/ roasted garlic, olive oil, aged balsamic ($9) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/532s34f9 Lots of rave reviews for the focaccia. It was fine because it was served warm (3 stars). Their take on focaccia has a crisp exterior, more bread-like, lacking a springy chew with large distinct bubbles. The dip tho! It took it to the next level with its savory, sweet, garlicky, tangy deliciousness. * Fried Mozzarella Carozza w/ spicy marinara ($15) // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/yvheuwmd What was lacking in cheese pulls made up in flavor and texture. The deep-fried mozzarella sandwich was golden brown, rich, and crunchy. A dip into the not spicy, "spicy" marinara sauce gave a nice fresh tang. * Funghi Misti Arancini w/ bay leaf aioli, radish, parsley, ricotta salata ($17) // 4.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/mu7saa7x Great flavors and textures - the crunchy balls were filled with creamy ricotta and earthy mushrooms, balanced by the slightly minty aioli and freshness of the radish + parsley. * Pork Bistecca Fiorentina w/ fennel seed gremolata, charred lemon ($36) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/5dw5kjxv --Default: Medium, the rarest available --Includes choice of side (see below) While the pork chop was overdone for my preference (verging on well-done for most pieces) it was tender, moist, and flavorful with the fennel seed gremolata packing a zesty + citrusy herbaceous punch. If they nailed the medium temp, Nopa watch out! * Gnocchi Carbonara w/ duck prosciutto, egg yolk bottarga, pecorino, crispy duck skin ($33) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/57hhj8me My friend's order - soft, pillowy gnocchi with a meaty richness from the carbonara, egg yolk bottargo, and duo of duck. It's quite rich so def more of a pasta to share. * Yellowfin Tuna w/ brown butter, garlic, capers, shallots, meyer lemon, parsley ($44) // 4 stars --Default: Rare --Includes choice of side (see below) My friend's order - I tried a piece and the tuna was perfectly rare with a nice sear drizzled with a rich, fragrant butter sauce. * Side: Soft Polenta w/ truffle mascarpone // 5 stars Deliciously rich and creamy with a kiss of earthy cheesiness. When I return, I'm getting a side for myself. No sharing. * Side: Grilled Broccolini w/ browned butter, garlic, charred lemon // 4 stars Crisp with a nice smoky flavor from the grill and flavorful kick from the garlic and charred lemon juice. * Chocolate Tiramisu w/ chocolate cake, coffee cream, rum mousse, vanilla mascarpone, cookie & cocoa crumble ($12) // 3.5 stars: https://tinyurl.com/4sedy4we A modern spin on tiramisu, it was more cake than tiramisu. Moist but didn't have that rich chocolately flavor. While it wasn't bad, we agreed, we prefer a traditional tiramisu. * Jack's Fav Panna Cotta w/ mandarin, lemon curd, vanilla meringue, mt beasor farm sugar cane syrup ($12) // 4 stars: https://tinyurl.com/muw5yuua Silky smooth, jiggly custard-like panna cotta with a citrusy brightness and nice crunch from the meringues. Solid, not too sweet dessert. S E R V I C E Awesome hospitality - staff is welcoming, warm, and attentive. Our server, Mathew was very knowledgeable of the menu. When I asked to the leave olive brine out of the cocktail, he warned it may change the flavor profile and offered to swap it out if I end up not liking it. Regardless, I would have kept it but that's going above and beyond. Despite being super busy, he packed our leftovers and labeled each container. A M B I A N C E Nice transformation from the former Lakeside Cafe, modern and upscale yet casual. There's two dining areas and a bar area in the center with a TV for watching the game. Overall, we were surprised at how solid Ofena was...for a sleepy neighborhood. If you're looking for solid Cal-Italian Fare without the fuss of the parking situation like the popular hot spots in the city, give Ofena a try!

Food was delicious and reasonable prices. Service was good and attentive. The tables was too close to each other. Plenty of meter parking spaces. Automatic tip included 20% plus SF healthy 5%.

I stumbled on this place a few weeks ago and it's been such a winner been back a second time. The grilled pork, fried mozzarella, and polenta are stars of the show for me, but everything is so good and really good quality. Even the wine I keep going back to and got a bottle this time. This is definitely a neighborhood go to and I like it so much I'm hesitant to give it such a good review because I'm scared they will get even more crowded than it already is every time I come here.

Hidden gem alert! Homey Italian cuisine. Ambiance was cozy, minimal, yet warm and inviting. Perfect for date night or intimate gatherings. Our waitress (I believe Amy) was attentive and meticulous. We had interesting requests and she accommodated without any judgment. Well-trained staff who kept it professional-- everyone from the bartender, hostess, to the kitchen staff. Food was delicious! Authentic Italian food that doesn't leave you feeling bloated or overwhelmed. The flavor profiles were PERFECTLY BALANCED. For carb lovers, the fresh focaccia bread with garlic basil balsamic vinegar is just *chef's kiss*. Peach salad didn't have greens but we were so happy with the elements that somehow paired extremely well together. The steak was succulent and cooked to perfection--a slightly charred rosemary scent hit my senses before the dish was even delivered. Words can't even explain the type of simple yet meticulous execution of each dish. Lastly, we wrapped up with the Tiramisu-- not the traditional kind. It was made with decadent chocolate cake/soufflé. I look forward coming back and trying their seasonal menu and other items. 10/10 would recommend!

The Pranzo Speciale was perfect amount of food for lunch. It came with a half sandwich of your choice, a cup of soup, and a small house salad. The soup of the day was corn bisque and it was delicious - just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess. The salad was tasty and fancier than your run of the mill house salad. I ordered the strawberry Italian soda and paid an extra dollar to add cream. It was so yummy! For dessert we shared the chocolate tiramisu. The cake was moist and it wasn't too sweet. I'd definitely come here again. The staff was friendly and the restaurant felt spacious, clean and comfortable.

The food is good, the staff is pleasant. The ambiance is descent, not pretentious, this a good place to unwind after a crazy week. The drinks are very good! Street parking is available and it can be a challenge.

Great food, smooth vibe, great service. Caitlin is the engine that makes it all go. It's nice to have a top notch Italian restaurant so close to the house!!!!

Visited for restaurant week and can't wait to return and work our way through the rest of the menu! Tables nicely spaced, restaurant clean and bright and staff was so friendly and welcoming, especially Rachel and Matt ! Portion size was perfect and seemed commensurate with the pricing. The tomato sauce was legit the pasta fresh and meat was excellent quality in the meatballs and sausage.

I love Ofena! It's a wonderful place. The waitstaff is kind and attentive, they have a great menu for adults and children alike. I love the foccacia, the portions are generous and everything tastes wonderful. The fried chicken with the pepper sauce was especially wonderful. Their menu changes pretty regularly with the season. We have eaten here for both lunch and dinner. I love that they have a children's menu and a fun coloring page for them! It's so great that this is a family spot in a neighborhood with so many kids.

Reservations: easy on open table First impressions and decor: clean, spacious, fun framed posters of people eating pasta Food: no misses here! We savored every sip and bite from the blood orange non-alcoholic cocktail to the warm focaccia and classic Caesar for starters to the bone-in beef steak and fried chicken cotoletta for mains. Would recommend adding extra pasta to the rigatoni if sharing. We finished up with the chocolate tiramisu - done perfectly Service: attentive with frequent check-in's, tableware changes, water refills Next time: coming back for lunch!

Memorable food, great service! My friend and I lucked out and visited Ofena during restaurant week. We did the tasting menu. Stellar dishes. I was surprised by the panna cotta, usually not my go to dessert but this one was so refreshing and delicious. Friendly staff.

Really lovely new Italian place! The ambience is nice and service was very friendly and food came out pretty quickly. The focaccia is so delicious, as were the other items we tried. Favorites were probably the clam pasta, the grilled peaches, and the flatbread/pizza. Prices are definitely reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get. Desserts and drinks were tasty as well. Particularly recommend the strawberry basil Italian soda with cream as a non-alcoholic option!

Live this place! Randomly stumbled upon this place and glad I did. Didn't realize they just opened. I am not sure what was in this space before Buti am glad we had an addition to the Ocean Ave restaurant. The inside was huge, spacious and very minimal. Loved the art work and stylibg of the interior. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Food was delicious. We ordered just enough to share. Steak reminded me of Peter Luger style in NYC. Gnocchi carbonara was so creamy and good, it was to die for. Absolutely coming back here to try more. I need to bring other friends here as well because ei think I found my new favorite local Italian spot.

Holy cannoli! Came here twice in a week because it's that good. First time we dined in and had table service for three of us. The staff immediately greeted us with recommendations of the menu for food and drink. We started off with some cocktails- the Stemware at Dolores Martini, and a new addition which was basically a white Negroni. They were delish. For starters we ordered the focaccia bread and the fried mozzarella Carozza with a house made marinara. Both were an amazing way to start a meal. We shared the Bolognese and Gnocchi Carbonara with duck. Both packed with flavor. The Bologense tasted like I was at someone's house in Italy. We ended with the pistachio cannolis. The mascarpone was so soft and it wasn't too sweet. A perfect balance. It was so good I didn't even have time to take a picture. The second time we came we sat at the bar. It was a cool vibe to chat with the bartenders and watch the warriors game. The.l bar program should not be overlooked. We ordered the Lost Boy and the C is for Cookie. Both were delicious. I've never had a Manhattan with anise and Prosecco, but it worked. We again got the focaccia, this time with whipped ricotta and mortadella. It was amazing. We also used the bread to dip in the leftover sauce of the chilled artichoke. We shared the fried chicken and polenta as our entree. The polenta might be the best I ever had. The chicken was awesome, too. Perfectly crispy and juicy, and smothered with Calabrian chilis. Great flavor, not too spicy. We ended with that tiramisu, and once again might be the best I've had. The cake was moist and had the perfect balance of sweetness. I'll be back until I go through the whole menu. I'm looking forward to seeing this place evolves a great addition to the neighborhood!

Seriously impressed with Ofena! From the space, the vibe, the service and of course the amazing food, it did not disappoint. Delicious Italian food influenced with a San Francisco twist. The bar is so eye catching and beautiful! They have good cocktails! Our group was able to try a lot of the food in the menu. Started with the focaccia, tried both the roasted garlic, olive oil and balsamic as well as the whipped ricotta and sliced mortadella. We all shared the mushroom arancini and beets appetizer. Pastas: Carbonara, Vongole, Bolognese Mains: Fried Chicken, Pork Bisteca, Bone-in Beef Steak Sides: Soft Polenta, Crispy Smashed Potatoes Desserts: Pumpkin Cannoli, Chocolate Tiramisu and Gelato trio It's an elegant space but still feels cozy and casual! Had the most enjoyable meal at Ofena, it went beyond our expectations! 5 stars!

I can definitely see Ofena being the biggest new Italian restauraunt in San Francisco because this place was incredible on my first visit here. The service, ambiance, and food were all perfect. This restauraunt can get pretty busy and it was a 20-25 minute wait for my table as a walk in so I definitely recommend booking a reservation. All the staff working there are very friendly and welcoming which is a huge plus. Their dinner menu is also very unique, but also not overwhelming to look at. Our waitress gave us recommendations and was very patient and answered any questions about the menu. For appetizers we ordered the Brown Butter Roasted Persimmon ($16), Vitello Tonnato ($18), and Warm Focaccia with Roasted Garlic, Olive Oil, and Balsamic ($8 total). Their appetizers and focaccia bread are all a 10/10. The portions aren't massive, but they're more quality over quantity. The focaccia is so good even by itself, but the roasted garlic that you can mash with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil was filled with so much flavor. The roasted garlic really adds to it and is worth the extra $3. The Brown Butter Roasted Persimmon was so unique and I honestly never thought about having it in a salad. It came with maitake, parsley-pecan pesto, pepato, arugula and all those ingredients really made this one of the best salad dishes I've had. The Vitello Tonnato had veal and chickory & parsley salad, crispy capers, meyer lemon. It had a really nice tangy citrus flavor and it was delicious as well. For the entrees I had to get the Bone-in Beef Steak Tagliata ($49) after seeing so many photos posted of it and we also got the Saffron Risotto ($32). The Beef Steak was so tender and cooked a perfect medium rare. The balsamic reduction takes a lot of effort to make and they made it perfectly for this steak and this was one of the best steaks I've had at a restauraunt. It also comes with a side and we chose the creamy polenta and it was soooo good. It came with truffle and the truffle flavor is powerful, but compliments the smooth creaminess of the polenta. It was also delicious and I would highly recommend this side. The Saffron Risotto was good and came with poached shrimp & squid, fennel agrodolce, calabrian chili. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked perfectly. The risotto itself I personally felt was more sour than I would like, but overall I still enjoyed the dish and how good the shrimp and squid was. For dessert was the Tiramisu ($11) and A Couple Cannoli ($11). I notice the cannoli changes as they stated that the menu has some changes seasonally. During my visit the cannoli had pumpkin mascarpone, spiced pepitas, candied hazelnuts, brown butter snow. Very unique flavors and if you love pumpkin spice flavors like a Starbucks fanatic that runs for a Pumpkin spice latte when it's fall season then this is a great dessert choice. The tiramisu is also strong on the rum which might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it. Ofena also recently started serving lunch from 11am-2pm where they have sandwiches, greens, and their soups of the day. I will definitely be coming back to Ofena in the future and it was a 11/10 experience.

Olena is exceptional.We discovered Ofena on a rainy Saturday in early March in the former Lakeside Cafe. My wife and I didn't realize that Lakeside Cafe had closed and were pleasantly surprised by this new culinary fund. We were welcomed by Josh who was extremely friendly, professional and helpful. We shared that we were at Stonestone Mall a few blocks trying to park unsuccessfully and headed to the nearby Lakeside neighborhood across 19th Avenue. Josh quickly took our order promptly. My wife inquired if he was the owner? He shared that he was relatively new in November 2023. Very impressive! We decided to share our selections the "Giacomo" a beautifully fried eggplant, grilled artichoke, marinated tomatoes, calabrian pepperonata, garlic aioli, arugula, sesame hoagie. It was perfect. Savory flavor and the hoagie made the sandwich rock! Our second selection was the Ricciardelli poached yellowfin tuna salad, iceberg lettuce, marinated tomatoes, red onion, oregano vinaigrette, sesame hoagie. It was simply delicious. We are looking forward to a future dinner!

I celebrated my birthday here with a party of 18 and I'm so glad Ofena exceeded all my expectations! From what I could see online, it seemed like a pretty small space, but they actually have a room in the back that was able to comfortably seat my party. They had us at 2 tables, one table of 8 and one table of 10. Parking was easy to find on the street, so we all arrived and were seated around 6:15pm. Our server for the night is usually a bartender, but he did a great job with such a large party. My table ordered family style so we were able to try more items on the menu. We started with the focaccia, one with the garlic, balsamic, and olive oil and another with the whipped ricotta and mortadella. The focaccia was out of this world delicious, it was so light and fluffy with a sprinkling of salt on top. Both of the dips were really good as well, but I liked the ricotta and mortadella since it was a unique thing to see on a menu. For apps, we got the chilled artichokes, house greens, mushroom arancini, and the lamb skewers. I liked the artichokes and salad, everything tasted high quality and fresh. The lamb skewers were just okay, the meat was quite tough and chewy though the flavors were good. I didn't get to try the arancini but everyone that had it really liked it. For mains, we ordered the steak tagliata, 2 orders of the gnocchi carbonara, the seafood risotto, and the cannelloni for the vegetarian in our group. The steak was cooked perfectly, and topped with balsamic and flaky salt. The side of grilled broccolini was cooked nicely, with flavors of lemon and garlic coming through. The gnocchi were pillowy and not too thick, with a nice creamy sauce peppered with salty pockets of duck prosciutto. The seafood risotto was definitely my favorite main - it had such a depth in the seafood stock and the saffron risotto was cooked to creamy perfection and topped with snappy shrimp and calamari. The bite of the cannelloni I had was really good, pasta was cooked to perfection and the filling was creamy and flavorful topped with a bright tomato sauce. Off their drink menu, I highly recommend the Lost Boy and the C is for Cookie cocktails. The Lost Boy was a whiskey drink perfectly balanced with bitters, absinthe, prosecco, and a touch of tobacco. The C is for Cookie is Ofena's version of an espresso martini, and it was really good with the cookie butter whip. Our server also told us his salt and pepper martini was voted best in SF, so if you're a martini fan be sure to check this one out. The service was really good the entire night, attentive and thoughtful and I appreciated the team clearing plates and bringing out new cutlery after each course. The only strange thing was there was no comped dessert, even though they knew it was my birthday - if my group spends $1k at your restaurant, I would assume that a $10 dessert would be included for a celebration. There were no candles or anything on the dessert we did order, so that was the only thing that could have made the dinner perfect. The panna cotta was really delicious, some of the best I've ever had - with lemon curd, mandarin slices, and crunchy bits of meringue that added the best texture to the silky custard. Overall, it was a memorable dinner and I look forward to coming back again!

I saw this place being reviewed by a lot of tiktok foodies, so I really wanted to try. Overall this place was okay. The food wasn't bad but I don't think there was anything spectacular about it. We were told the dishes are meant to be family style, but I don't think so. Portions looked to be the normal amount for 1 person. Gnocchi Carbonara: I was excited for the duck and I love carbonara. I thought the dish lacked flavor and maybe needed some pepper or something. The duck pieces were not bad just tasted like duck jerky. The crispy duck skin kind of gets lost in the sauce. It's not crispy anymore and texture soft like the gnocchi and sauce. This was my least favorite dish. Pork Bistecca Fiorentina: this was pretty juicy and tender. I was pleasantly surprised. I like that you got a side (which my bf chose the polenta). They had various different options for sides and I think it helps get the person full. My bf was probably the most satisfied out of the group. Luckily he did not get a pasta dish like he originally was going to because he would be left hungry. The polenta was fine and had good truffle flavor. Foccacia: Decent portion but wish it had more flavor. The focaccia was a bit in the dry side with a little salt on it. Definitely need to spend an extra $3 for the garlic balsamic oil. I would not get this again. The last two dishes I only tried a bite of. I felt the Rigatoni Bolognese tasted exactly how you would imagine. Nothing amazing or unique compared to other places. I enjoyed the Vongole. Probably the best most flavorful pasta out of the 3 ordered. Parking was pretty easy since it was storming so not too many people out. I don't think I would come back to try the restaurant again. There was nothing that made me intrigued to come back. I really wanted to love the place but for the pricing, portion and average flavor... I don't think it's worth another visit. I fear I fell into the influencer trap because it was hyped up.

How did I just discovered Ofena? This restaurant serves amazing brunch/lunch. The ambiance is great with modern and intimate setting space. I also appreciate the friendly, attentive, and awesome staff here. I got to try their cocktails as well and everything was spot on. I requested the espresso martini, vodka sour, and their crafted drink on the menu. They were so kind to accommodate drinks request. I also got a few brunch items to share. I absolutely love the french toast and egg purgatory dishes. For lunch options, I tried their new tuna carpaccio and caprese salad. On top of that I also tried their pasta dish with clams. They were all Italian classics and absolutely gems. I cannot wait to come back here and try their dinner menu :).

This is a must try and yes, it is Yummy Certified. ChatGPT Ofena is a new gem in the neighborhood! Located on Ocean Ave, between Junipero and 19th Avenue, Ofena brings a different dining experience compared to others on the strip. Overall experience was fantastic. We dropped in for dinner on a Saturday night and received a table within minutes. The bar/lounge area is fairly large if you need to wait for a table, and the cocktails looked and tasted fantastic. House focaccia: light, fluffy, and fresh. We ordered it with the garlic spread and it did not disappoint. One of my favorite dishes. Lamb Arrosticini: Two lamb skewers served with a pepper sauce. The lamb still had a slight gamey taste, but the pepper sauce neutralized most of it. It was good to try, but I don't think I would order this again. Just not my brand of lamb. Saffron Risotto: Must-try! This dish was impressive because everything about it was cooked perfectly. Seafood was cooked just right, and the risotto had a satisfying texture with the saffron tying everything together. Steak Tagliata: Cooked perfectly to medium and tender. This one was served with aged balsamic. I generally prefer a simple salt/pepper strip, so this one was a pleasantly surprising change of pace. Yellowtail Tuna: Cooked rare and was very tender. Squeezing the charred lemon brought the dish together. Panna Cotta: We ended the meal with panna cotta, which was silky and served with mandarin orange meringue. Would definitely order this again. 5/5 Ofena charges a standard 20% tip on all bills and felt like it wasn't enough with the level of service provided. The restaurant is fully staffed, which resulted in very attentive service. They even wiped the table after each course. This is a must-try, and yes, it is Yummy Certified.

This was a surprise! Lakeview has some solid restaurants but this was way above par for the hood. Nice modern decor and spacious but cozy. Plenty of street parking too. Service was very nice and staff were very friendly and helpful. Gotta try the C is for cookie cocktail. Bit sweet but dam tasty. For starters, the focaccia was fresh and comes with olive oil and vinegar. Great tasting and light. The house green salad was very nice but slightly overdressed for my taste. The margherita flatbread was also solid. But my two faves were the gnocci carbonara and the bone-in beef steak tagliata. My mouth is still watering. Save some room for dessert too. The panna cotta is on point.

I drive by here every day on my way to work and I never noticed there was a little gem of an Italian restaurant. I came here on a weekend night and was informed that they were fully booked out but they had seating at the bar. Sat down at the bar and we were promptly greeted and serviced. I got the limoncello cocktail (I forgot what it was called and their menu online hasn't been updated) and the rigatoni pasta. The pasta was probably one of the best pasta I have had in the city. It was super flavorful, not overwhelming, and good amount of clams. My only complaint is that the portion is on the smaller side because I finished the whole plate...which is very uncommon for me. The cocktail was delicious and strong. The service here was great. Very attentive and quick. No complaints. I almost hate that I love this place because it's a little on the pricey side but I highly recommend Ofena and will be back!

Perfect place for a gluten-free girly to catch up with friends who are craving pasta! Their Saffron Risotto is GF and delicious. Service was very quick. Restaurant is bright and not too loud -- love that we could hear each other across the table. Plenty of parking on a Monday night.

The service was 5 stars! They replaced our place after each course and were amazing for that. I cannot rave enough about the focaccia. This was incredible and a must try!! The anchovy + olive oil worked so well with it. The focaccia was crispy and divine. It was shockingly good! The gnocchi with duck was great I'd order this again! A bit salty but the gnocchi texture was perfect. The steak and the spaghetti and meatballs were standard , not anything to rave about! Was definitely expecting more from the steak which was not very tender. Broccolini was amazing and I could've skipped on the squash. Tiramisu was a great dessert to tie it over - don't sleep on this! Overall great new restaurant and cute ambiance for a dinner.

I looked on Yelp first for vegetarian friendly restaurants for my friend who I was going to have dinner with. For a popped up and the menu looked enticing. We took the 20 minute drive to get there and parking was easy on Sunday night, The food was great. We had the foccacia bread with roasted garlic dip, the Caesar salad, the potato flat bread (chiles on the side) and the beef steak. All were really good. Finished with a blood orange sorbet which tasted like a fruity bubble gum favor. It was a great cap to a fantastic dinner. The service was impeccable. I've never seen such attention to a table. Frankly, I wasn't used to it, but I appreciated it afterwards. I would come again for sure. Also, they have a rentable back room which I'm now interested in.

House Foccacia Fresh, spent $3 more for the garlic, olive oil, and balsamic dip. Completely worth it. December 2023 Special Pasta Agilo Olio Olive oil, pepper, and roe. Ingenious and delicious. Yellowfin Tuna Perfect flavors. Bite of citrus and capers, smoothness of butter. Grilled Broccolini Paired with a lemon and cooked beautifully. Crunchy and vibrant green. We were seated right away thanks to our dinner reservation. Our server Rachel was prompt, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was absolutely terrific. Would definitely return!

I was super excited a new restaurant was opening around my neighborhood! This used to be the old Lakeside Cafe and now it's newly renovated to be more elegant but also causal. Ofena is a great Italian spot by the owner of Ju-Ni and the Handroll Project. This place is pretty spacious and has been super busy since they opened. I recommend making reservations through Resy. I've been here a couple of times with my family and we think the service is great! They are friendly and also willing to answer any questions about the menu or drinks. APPETIZERS: -Warm Focaccia with Roasted garlic, olive oil, and aged balsamic ($8): Great starter! It came with around 6 pieces! I love the focaccia and spreading that roasted garlic on top! -Funghi Misti Arancini ($16): Came with 4 total Arancini balls! They are mushroom deep-fried risotto balls and they are a great starter as well! It is just the perfect bite! PASTAS: For all the pasta, our server warned us that the pasta dishes are of smaller size and I agree. -Gnocchi Carbonara ($29) came with duck prosciutto, pecorino, and salt-cured egg yolk grated. I've had this twice and one time it was perfect and the second time the gnocchi was a little grainy. -Saffron Risotto ($32) came with grilled shrimp & squid. I love the seafood that it came with but the risotto itself was slightly undercooked. The favorite was overall good! -Rigatoni alla Vongole ($28) came with clams in a butter lemon sauce. This is probably my favorite pasta dish. The clams were huge and I just enjoy a simple sauce. SECONDI ENTREES: All the Secondi entrees come with a choice of one side. The Secondi entrees are what I highly recommend. -Pork Bistecca Fiorentina ($34): The pork was perfectly cooked! It is definitely shareable. -Beef Steak Tagliata ($49): The steak was solid! You can't go wrong with a steak! -Today's Fish Picatta (MP): It was a seared yellowtail and it was my second favorite entree! It was seared and the middle was still slightly raw. -Fried Chicken Cotoletta ($29): Probably my favorite dish! The chicken cutlet was juicy and had a perfectly crispy outside SIDES: -Grilled Broccolini: Best side, you can't go wrong with a good broccolini with browned butter -Soft Polenta: It was pretty filling and I love a good truffle mascarpone -Crispy Smashed Potatoes: It came with a chili relish and it was my second favorite side -Romano Beans: It was in a red pomodoro sauce. I felt like it was slightly overcooked because I like my beans to have a slight crunch. DESSERTS: -Panna Cotta: The best dessert! It was silky and refreshing -Chocolate Tiramisu: Slightly disappointed because it felt like a twist on a tiramisu. It was more of a chocolate cake with espresso powder and cream. -Pumpkin Cannoli: It came with two cannolis and it was solid! Overall, I am definitely coming back for those entrees and appetizers! I do think the place is pretty pricey but I love to support a local spot. I've always had a great dining experience here and it's our go-to spot in the neighborhood.

I've been noticing a lot of neighborhood restaurants opening up lately and I am here for it. Ofena is one of those places that makes you want to come back and be a regular patron. The place is spacious with some booths as well as long tables for large groups. We were seated at the window which gave us a nice view both inside and outside. Our server was very friendly, checking in on us regularly, leaving us to feel attended to but not hovered over. I loved the delicata squash appetizer and the spaghetti with the rich beef sugo. The pork steak was very juicy and tasty. Food came out quickly and was well paced out. Next time I will try to save room for dessert. If you are looking for a solid Cal-Italian spot with a seasonal menu, this is a great place to check out. Parking is fairly easy. I'm looking forward to my next visit here.

Came to Ofena for Mother's Day and left disappointed. Pros: -Easy parking -Tiramisu! Easily the best thing on the menu and this is coming from a savory eater. Cons: -Extremely SLOW service. The dinner was almost 2 hours which should not be the case for such an establishment. The service did not apologize for how slow dishes were coming out and just tried to upsell us on ordering more drinks. -25% min gratuity? This was the lowest option on the Toast POS. Yes, you can press "Custom" but I had never seen the threshold so high on the pre-set amounts. BEWARE of this. -Check your bill. We got some coupons for a free glass of Prosecco and they charged us for it. The waiter was apologetic but check your bill to make sure everything is correct. -From my understanding nothing is house-made.... that was disappointing as there is nothing that differentiates this place. At least have a house-made pasta if you are serving pasta! -Small portions/high prices. A plain salad was $16! I researched this place after I dined here and saw lots of IG hype around it. Take social media with a grain of salt, they are probably being paid to promote the restaurant.

I've been wanting to try this place for a while. We finally made it in for dinner. Staff was pleasant but not overly friendly. Hubby had a glass of Italian Chardonnay, it wasn't very strong. He ordered the duck confit gnocchi which was very good. The piece of duck I tried was flavorful and the gnocchi was tender and melty. I have never been a fan of gnocchi but this one was pretty good. Portions are smaller than what you get at other Italian restaurants where you end up taking leftovers home. You will finish the food here but it was adequate for me. My clams vongole was tasty and a tad too salty. The 9-10 clams were tiny. Barely a bite large enough to satisfy. The sauce with lots of garlic was good. We shared a decent size Caesar salad. Some of the lettuce was soggy but the rest was OK. I enjoyed the croutons and slivers of anchovies. I also tried a ginger beer, mostly ice and $4. Bill with 5% mandate came to $140. We liked the food so much that we're thinking of bringing friends at the end of the month to visit again.

What a delightful, delicious find this restaurant is! While driving by on Ocean Avenue just west of Juniperra Serra one Saturday afternoon, looking for a place to have lunch, we decided to try out Ofena. We were greeted by Kaitlin very graciously even though it was at the beginning of the gap between lunch and dinner when they, like most restaurants, close. The main dining area is small, clean and bright. There is another separate dining area and a room perfect for private parties. The menu offered many Italian influenced dishes that were well thought out and creatively designed. I opted for a turkey sandwich that was much more than that, what with its tasty sauce, spices and bacon. It was a kind of dish where you say "man this is a really good!" This restaurant would be a really great place for a special date or just a nice dinner. They also offer a Sunday brunch. Best of all, there is ample street parking, a rarity when compared to neighborhoods like West Portal. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. I will certainly be coming back to Ofena in the future.

I appreciate a fine dining chef opening a restaurant in San Francisco, but the west side (and especially sleepy Lakeside Village) is not the place to do so. We went on a rainy Saturday night and the restaurant was half full, 1/3 families, 1/3 older folks and 1/3 foodie types. It's a strange layout with two seating areas flanking the bar (ask for a better seat if they to sit you by the kitchen). The interior is sleek and modern and they did a nice remodel. Parking is easy and Resy reservations were easy to make. No free bread at this place, so we opted for an upscale fried mozzarella instead of foccacia, which was cheesy goodness ($14). The marinara served with it was quite spicy. Next up was the "deconstructed" artichoke dish, which was bland with only one artichoke heart cut in half with greens and sliced red pepper ($18). It badly needed an aioli to dip and more artichoke. Definite miss and I would skip it. We both opted for pastas, knowing it would be fairly small. Husband had rigatoni with clams in a butter sauce, which was good but he counted 8 clams ($28). I had the gnocchi carbonara, which was quite good, with chunks of duck prosciutto on top ($29). They were pretty light yet filling so enough for a meal. We completed the meal with a panacotta ($11), served with lemon curd and mandarin orange slice, which was quite good. We each had two glasses of Failla Chardonnay ($18/each) which added up, but they had a decent pour. They add an automatic 20% gratuity and though they tell you, there is still an option for additional tips on the credit card checkout. Total bill was $228 for two people and we were still hungry upon leaving. Though the food was good, I don't think we will be back. If I pay $100+/head for small portions and two glasses of wine, I'm going downtown for fine dining in a nicer neighborhood. They need to read the room and adjust their menu and pricing to succeed.

My husband mentioned that this restaurant opened, so we booked a reservation since we were going to the city. Restaurant sits on Ocean Avenue, illuminated with an orange neon sign. We got there a little early and got seated momentarily. We had a party of 4 so we shared a couple of dishes. Pane 1) Foccacia with Butter and Anchovies - we loved the foccacia so much we ordered another. The butter and anchovies was also good. Needs more anchovies. Antipasti 2) Yellowfin Tuna Crudo - Unfortunately I don't know if the fish and prosciutto worked in this dish. I like them both as separate entities in a dish I guess. It's sweet yet salty. Prime 3) Saffron Risotto - The squid in this dish was quite good but the risotto was a bit salty. Prime 4) Gnocchi Carbonara - Though it was good, this was also quite salty. I actually used some foccacia to eat part of my portion. Secondi 5) Pork Bistecca Fiorentina - My husband had mentioned this dish was highlighted in the recent article, so we ordered it. I will say no comment as I am not a fan of this cut of pork usually. It was good but wasn't special. My husband did say he liked this better than the steak. Secondi 6) Bone-in Beef Steak Tagliata - You can't really mess up a steak but my party wasn't feeling the balsamic on it. I liked this better than the pork though. Contorni (comes with Secondi) 7) Grilled Broccolini - I think I personally like broccolini and the char gave it nice flavor. Contorni 8) Heirloom Summer Squash Caponata - I actually loved this. This was actually one of the more flavorful dishes in my opinion .. Dessert 7) Tiramisu - Not quite a tiramisu but the essence of one on a chocolate cake. It was good but so decadent, so I'm glad it was shared. Service was great at the beginning, but as it got more busy it was harder to catch the servers attention. She was very nice though. I'm a bit sad that the best thing we ate was probably the focaccia. I know they're a newer restaurant so I may attempt to come back later in the future. Their fish of the day sounded enticing and I wish we had ordered that. Service: 3.5/5 - Ambiance: 4/5 - Food: 3/5 - Price: 3/5

After my fourth time here, and ten plus years living SF all over the city, I'm now comfortable writing this very bold statement - this is the best lunch in the entire city. Let me repeat that. This is the best lunch in all of San Francisco. The sandwich, soup, salad combos are presented beautifully and are all great. We have tried three of them. But the standout, the reason for my high praise - the 3 pasta options for lunch. The quality is Michelin level. The portion size is perfect. Supremely high quality rather than medium quality + large portion. The meat quality of the duck, the sausage, and the shrimp is A+. And the price is so reasonable for the quality. I've paid double this for lesser quality at other beloved Italian places in the city. My goal is to now literally try the entire menu!

Lunch: - corn bisque (soup of the day) - sweet and velvety, favorite thing we ordered - chicken parmesan sandwich - on rize up sesame roll, delicious - Gnocchi Carbonara - boyfriend said thumbs up - Focaccia with roasted garlic, olive oil, aged balsamic - warm and soft with delicious roasted garlic Also reasonable prices and good service. I will definitely be back!