by Stephen Listisen
As a fresh transplant to North Beach from Ohio, one of the best ways I began (and continue) to learn more about our neighborhood was by visiting the various restaurants, cafes, and wine bars that it has to offer. Until recently, Da Flora had been on my “list” of local restaurants, and my visit there with three of my closest friends on a late Thursday night in August did not disappoint. In fact, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in North Beach since I relocated here in September 2022.
Despite walking past the building no less than a few hundred times over the past couple of years and noticing its eclectic, old-world design, my friends and I had few expectations heading into our dining experience at Da Flora.
However, upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted with warm hospitality from an accommodating host who seated us at the last available table for four. (Note: The host encouraged us to make reservations in the future, if possible.) Before diving into the cuisine, it’s worth mentioning that Da Flora has about three dozen seats, making it an intimate dining experience and the perfect place to catch up with friends about recent travel, job interviews, and pop culture.
Despite barely breaking the surface of our conversation topics for the evening, my friends and I dove into the menu, which boasts a variety of unique, seasonal dishes without making sometimes indecisive diners like me feel choice overload.
The group quickly settled on two orders of the house-made focaccia and a plate of sweet potato gnocchi with sherry cream and smoked bacon. Both dishes were warm and satisfying yet light at the same time—just what we needed on a quintessential evening in San Francisco “Fogust.” Personally, I would’ve been content just having another plate of the gnocchi as a main dish—it was that good.
Even before ordering our main course, my friends and I were already all-but-sold on the dark academia aesthetic and delicious, unassuming “primi” dishes that Da Flora offers diners. So, when our server returned, we eagerly ordered a few items from the “secondi” section of the menu.
Then, in a decision that seemed to be against our better judgment (based purely on how full we were from the first and second courses), the group ordered two desserts: flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce, crumbled toppings, and whipped cream and tiramisu. As someone with a sweet tooth, I must say that both desserts were among the best I’ve had in North Beach, which is saying something, considering the lineup of pastry shops, bakeries, and cafes that surround us.
When we were served, we were immersed in five to ten minutes of near silence as we cleaned our plates. Resuming conversation, the group agreed that while everything we ate was fantastic, the salsiccia and peppers with mild fennel sausage, gypsy pepper sugo, zucchini, and pecorino fritters and topped with creme fraiche, as well as the risotto slow-braised duck leg ragu, stole the show. For me, the salsiccia and peppers was packed with complementary flavors that served a healthy helping of nostalgia, as zucchini fritters were a mainstay at my Italian family reunions growing up.
All-in-all, I was thoroughly impressed by my dining experience at Da Flora, from start to finish. All three courses – primi, secondi, and dessert – were fantastic, each with its own highlights. And, despite having an ever-growing list of restaurants I want to try in the City, I’m excited to visit Da Flora again soon for dishes from a future seasonal menu.
DA FLORA
701 Columbus Avenue
Open Wednesday – Saturday: 5 – 9 p.m.
Reservations: (415) 981-4664
