Chiaroscuro

(Financial District)
550 Washington St.  
415-362-6012 Map it
www.chiaroscurosf.com

$$$
Italian
business lunch, good for groups, lunch, open 7 days, open kitchen

SCENE: Housed in the space formerly occupied by Tartare and facing the Transamerica Pyramid, Chiaroscuro has an industrial-chic air, with poured-concrete benches piled with pillows, lofty ceilings, an open kitchen and chalkboard tables. Iron arches complete the scene.

EATS: Dine in the Italian fashion, organizing a three-course meal that begins with a salad or antipasti (such as beef carpaccio with arugula and shaved Parmigiano), continues with gnocchi napped with lamb ragù and finished with a simple entrée of grilled prawns with chicory sauce.