Locanda is one of those spots people are talking about and have been for awhile. I’ve heard from more than one person about their beautiful wine list, fun cocktails, stunning decor and exceptional service. All of this I found to be spot on with one big exception. I wouldn’t go back for dinner. The food was lovely, don’t get me wrong, but it was really expensive for the tiniest and most lackluster portion of pasta I ever did see (Yelp reviews seem to agree with me). I wouldn’t normally share a restaurant where I didn’t enjoy every single detail of the experience but Locanda is an exception to the rule. Because I will most definitely go back, in fact, I can’t wait to go back, but it will be for a cocktail with a friend or on a quick date night to enjoy one of their meticulously selected bottles of wine and a few light apps. Here are just a few of the reasons it’s worth another visit…maybe I will see you there!

• The most genuinely kind server I have met in a really really long time (pictured above). I am talking I would have asked him to come over for dinner to hang out and be our new friend if that wouldn’t have been creepy. He was knowledgeable about the wine list, engaging and made the overall experience a delight.
• The dreamy atmosphere. I honestly wanted to steal things to bring home and put in my house. It was modern with rustic touches and a center bar station with lots of dim candle light. Perfect for a drink with your sweetheart. Swooon!
• The bar. As we walked out to catch a cab the main bar in the front of the space pulsed like the heart of the restaurant. The bar tenders worked quickly but were engaged in light conversations with people gathered around and I felt drawn to pull up a stool and join them. Next time.
• Impressive cocktail and wine list. Without question the highlight of the evening. The hubs enjoyed a whiskey flight (I meeeaan, so San Francisco) while I sipped their Church Cocktail (similar to a Negroni) and we shared a bottle of Beaujolais our server recommended with dinner. All was incredible and I’m not just saying that because I was saucey after a cocktail and a few glasses of wine.

Locanda, located in the Mission
557 Valencia Street
San Francisc, CA 94110
415.863.6800

Fried Olives

Church Cocktail and Whiskey Flight, also a shaved artichoke salad that was really bright and fresh tasting, the best dish of the night

This was exceptional

We did some damage

The place you want to have a drink with someone special (I know it’s dark but it was my favorite spot so I had to share)