Joe DiMaggio's Italian Chophouse

(North Beach)
601 Union St  
415-421-5633 Map it
www.joedimaggiosrestaurant.com

E + D Award Winner; Dinner only
$$$-$$$$
Italian
bar scene, dine at the bar, fine dining, good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night dining, live music, notable wine list, open 7 days, romantic, valet parking

2007 EAT + DRINK AWARD: Best Place to Take Your Parents to

SCENE: Dudum Sports & Entertainment transformed the space that formerly housed legendary North Beach mainstay Fior d’Italia into an homage to another local legend, Joltin’ Joe. The clubby decor harkens back to a classier time, with gorgeous circular tufted-leather booths and rare black-and-white photos of the slugger himself. The restaurant practically begs for designer suits and high heels.

EATS: It’s a chophouse, so the kitchen dishes out center-cut Midwestern Angus filets and T-bones. But there are also huge portions of updated Italian classics, such as rabbit three ways, meaty veal braciole rolled with prosciutto and provolone cheese and a Sicilian fisherman’s stew, made with chunks of shellfish in a tomato-and-pepper broth. No self-respecting steak dinner would be complete without a rich dessert, and the Frangelico-infused cheesecake here is stellar.