Beretta

(Mission)
1199 Valencia St.  
415-695-1199 Map it
www.berettasf.com

$-$$
Italian
bar scene, brunch, dine at the bar, good for groups, late-night dining, notable chef, open kitchen, outdoor dining

SCENE: This quiet corner of Valencia once housed the Last Supper Club, which was given a complete face-lift before reopening in April 2008 as Beretta. A large communal table anchors the upstairs dining room, and the bar is now the focus of much of the action. Tables in the picture windows are great for people-watching.

EATS: Chef/owner Ruggero Gadaldi (who also owns Antica Trattoria and Pesce—both on Polk Street) continues to cook according to his Italian roots, but at Beretta he’s turned his focus to pizza and antipasti. Pies are of the thin-crust variety, with blistered edges and restrained toppings—we’re fans of the potato, radicchio and Gorgonzola version. Antipasti change seasonally, but keep your fingers crossed that the eggplant caponatina with burrata cheese is available. The mostly Italian wine list is made for this kind of food, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t begin your meal with a cocktail, prepared from top-quality juices and spirits by some of the best in the business.