Vintage Bar Vibes with Italian Food, Wine & Cocktails 🍸🇮🇹

My first attempt at grabbing a seat at another busy restaurant on a Friday at 7 PM didn’t work out—but as a backup, I headed to Tosca Cafe hoping for bar seating. Lucky me! There was one open spot at the front of the bar with plenty of space. The host even mentioned that the bar was a better choice than the wobbly high-top tables along the wall 😅. After browsing the menu, I narrowed it down to the basil pesto pasta ($28) and paired it with a crisp Vermentino from Sardinia ($14)—easy and delicious decisions! I placed my order with the bartender, then waited. Water arrived quickly, and about 10 minutes later, another bartender served my pasta 🍝. For a moment, I realized my wine still hadn’t come. When I asked about the Vermentino, she checked with the original bartender—who then opened a fresh bottle and poured my glass. Maybe it was just a busy shift, and he needed a gentle nudge 🥂. The pesto pasta was flawless: fresh pappardelle coated in aromatic basil pesto, topped with toasted pine nuts and grated Parmigiano 🧀—absolutely met my expectations! The Vermentino was an excellent match—bright, mineral-driven, with a salty edge that complemented the pasta beautifully. They checked on me once during the meal. After I finished my wine, no dessert menu was offered (maybe a new trend?). When someone needed my seat, I asked for the bill. The payment machine’s default tip was set to 20%, on top of tax and service fees. My total came to $57+ after tip. Honestly? I’d prefer a system where service charges are included in the menu price—it feels more transparent and less awkward than facing the machine while the server waits 👀. The vibe? Jazz instrumentals played in the background, though the crowd noise from the back of the restaurant made it less intimate. If you’re into old-school bars serving fresh Italian fare, Tosca fits the bill—though the atmosphere felt more functional than warm. Fun nostalgic touch: Back in the late ‘90s, Tosca was known for Irish coffee made on a vintage Victoria Arduino espresso machine. These days, a smaller chrome machine sits behind the bar—progress, perhaps, but I’m just glad there was room for me tonight ✨. #ToscaCafe #VintageBar #ItalianFood #ClassicCocktails #SFBar #PestoPasta #WinePairing #ThrowbackVibes