Calzone’s Pizza Cucina: A scene out of a Fellini movie

As readers of the Marina Times will know, I am a voracious diner in North Beach. Not only do I occasionally review restaurants, but also annually write a column, The Ernestos: Best... Read More

Hungry Palate

Betty Lou’s Seafood & Grill

By Ernest Beyl

Back in September, i reported that three comrades from the popular seafood restaurant Sotto Mare on Green Street in North Beach — Hector Chaparro, Betty Pesce, and Louise Taylor ... Read More

Hungry Palate

The Original U.S. Restaurant: Italian with Sicilian sensibility

By Ernest Beyl

There was rejoicing in the streets of North Beach late last year when the Original U.S. Restaurant reopened after it was forced to close at its previous site. The reopening was a m... Read More

Hungry Palate, Reviews

Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant

By Ernest Beyl

Last summer, Sam’s Grill, that historic fixture of San Francisco downtown dining at 374 Bush Street, was on life support. Then it closed and remained dark until October. Sudd... Read More

Hungry Palate

From start to finish, lunch at Fog City is sublime

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

I always found the diner ambiance, retro neon sign and Embarcadero locale of Fog City Diner charming. At one time the food was also a draw, but I hadn’t been in years, as the... Read More

Hungry Palate

Buster’s in North Beach: The quintessential cheese steak joint

By Ernest Beyl

I’m a patron of Buster’s, the North Beach cheese steak joint on Columbus and Vallejo. It’s my go-to place when I crave a cheese steak, a burger, or a hot dog. I&#... Read More

Hungry Palate

North Beach Restaurant remains at top of its form

43 years of quality

By Ernest Beyl

When a restaurant has been operating for more than 40 years, it must be doing something right. Longevity alone is important in a city like San Francisco, where restaurants open alm... Read More

Hungry Palate

Capo’s: A gangster theme restaurant for North Beach

Making pizza you can’t refuse

By Ernest Beyl

Brassy and theatrical Capo’s is a newcomer to the North Beach restaurant scene. And let’s just say up front, it’s not pushing the outer limits of gastronomic exce... Read More

Hungry Palate

Capp’s Corner: A saloonist’s saloon

A local classic with Italian family fare

By Ernest Beyl

Capp’s Corner is the North Beach neighborhood’s throwback to a simpler, more salubrious time — a time when devotees chuckled over Herb Caen or Charles McCabe anec... Read More

Hungry Palate