Poesia

Located on the second floor of a gray Victorian in the Castro is Poesia. This Italian restaurant looks like the living room of an artsy aunt with eclectic taste—think wax candles on the table, wavy mirrors on the wall, an old lamp with a blue light, and a random bust of a rooster in the corner. And if you manage to score a table in the hidden, usually packed back patio, you’ll be guided through the bustling and chaotic kitchen. The menu is a Calabrian-style feast consisting of pastas, appetizers, and slow-cooked entrées—the pate crostini and a perfectly al-dente tagliatelle are some top picks, but whatever you order will fit the vibe perfectly. So go ahead and gulp down your third Aperol spritz, order some of the best rack of lamb around, and finish the meal with the custardy crema bruciata.