Trattoria Contadina

"This old-school Italian restaurant has been open for a few decades and is stuck in 1987, in the best way. It feels like somewhere you’d go with your extended family to celebrate an anniversary or some other big family event. And having that many people would be a good idea so you can get every pasta on the menu, along with the pork tenderloin saltimbocca. You’re going to need to-go boxes when you come to this Russian Hill spot, so make room in your fridge before you leave." - julia chen 1, lani conway

"Sometimes, all we want is a big bowl of pasta with extra creamy or tomato-y sauces, and for that, Trattoria Contadina always fits the bill. The old-school Italian spot is located on a quiet corner on the border of North Beach and Russian Hill, and serves up heavy pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, housemade gnocchi with tomato cream, and penne with ’nduja sausage. And no matter what you order, know the portions are gigantic." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"This two-story restaurant in Russian Hill complete with string lights, newspaper clippings on the wall, and striped curtains is big group central. Portions are huge, cream is employed with a heavy hand, and the pastas—spaghetti and meatballs and gnocchi swimming in red sauce—require no explanation. You will have leftovers." - julia chen 1, patrick wong

"Trattoria Contadina is the antithesis of a trendy new pasta spot where you get exactly six pieces of fusilli per serving. The old-school Italian restaurant on the border of North Beach and Russian Hill is the place for creamy and tomato-y sauces, veal saltimbocca, and spaghetti and meatballs that are so big, that the bowl seemingly never ends. Bring your whole kickball league or come for a family gathering, and know that there’ll be leftovers. " - julia chen 1

"This 35-year-old North beach staple has been in the Correnti family during its entirety. Now the third generation has taken over, continuing to serve dishes like ll Diavolo, penne with ‘nduja, burrata, and spicy tomato sauce. Pavaroti, a dish with fusilli with chicken, prosciutto, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, and cream, is a perfect example of the comforts of this corner restaurant in a changing neighborhood." - Ellen Fort