Poesia

"In the back of a nondescript gray Victorian in the Castro is what feels like one of the city's best-kept secrets—the patio at Poesia. Walk through the bustling kitchen of this Calabrian-style Italian restaurant and you’ll meet a tranquil haven of red tables and shrubbery. And here, the Aperol simply never stops flowing. Like a choreographed dance, servers bring out plates of perfectly al-dente tagliatelle and pate crostinis to diners, who are here to eat and live out their southern Italian fantasy. " - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"Located on the second floor of a gray Victorian in the Castro is Poesia. This Italian restaurant looks like the living room of an artsy aunt with eclectic taste—think wax candles on the table, wavy mirrors on the wall, an old lamp with a blue light, and a random bust of a rooster in the corner. And if you manage to score a table in the hidden, usually packed back patio, you’ll be guided through the bustling and chaotic kitchen. The menu is a Calabrian-style feast consisting of pastas, appetizers, and slow-cooked entrées—like a crostini with pesto and a ragu pappardelle—that all pair well with your third Aperol spritz." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"Located on the second floor of a gray Victorian in the Castro is Poesia. This Italian restaurant looks like the living room of an artsy aunt with eclectic taste—think wax candles on the table, wavy mirrors on the wall, an old lamp with a blue light, and a random bust of a rooster in the corner. And if you manage to score a table in the hidden, usually packed back patio, you’ll be guided through the bustling and chaotic kitchen. The menu is a Calabrian-style feast consisting of pastas, appetizers, and slow-cooked entrées—the pate crostini and a perfectly al-dente tagliatelle are some top picks, but whatever you order will fit the vibe perfectly. So go ahead and gulp down your third Aperol spritz, order some of the best rack of lamb around, and finish the meal with the custardy crema bruciata. " - Ricky Rodriguez

"For a Castro classic, and an old Oprah Winfrey favorite, head to 18th Street Italian restaurant Poesia. The back patio has a DIY Italian vibe, and the downstairs was recently retrofitted into an expanded cafe and seating area. Big groups can enjoy the big portions including ravioli di zucca ($23) and filet mignon ($38) in a classy yet down-to-earth atmopshere." - Paolo Bicchieri, Jay C. Barmann

"This quaint Castro Italian restaurant offers three courses plus fresh seasonal fruit for dessert during Restaurant Week." - Lauren Saria