La Traviata — Restaurant in San Francisco

I was a regular at La Traviata back in the 80s, but I and most of our party of four hadn't dined at the restaurant in two decades, so we were eager to return. Atmosphere: The place still maintains its "old-school" appearance, with photos of opera stars and customers lining the walls and soft opera arias in the background that allows for quiet conversation. Food: unfortunately, our dining experience at La Traviata was mixed. Service: prompt, but unhurried. Wine: a serviceable, worthy glass of the house red was ordered by two of us. Bread: delicious homemade bread served with butter instead of extra virgin olive oil. Appetizers: delicious special focaccia with mushrooms; caprese salad was disappointing, with barely ripe large tomato slices instead of the heirloom tomatoes that are widely available in September. Mains: my eggplant parmigiana was divine, the 2nd best ever! Two veal dishes, scaloppini ai funghi and parmigiana, were deemed mediocre by two dining companions. Sadly, the fish dish, sogliole picatta, ordered by our 4th diner, was "soggy and its odd taste made it inedible". She notified the maître d' and we were not charged for that entree. Price: extremely reasonable, definitely at the low end of San Francisco restaurants these days. Summary: inexpensive Italian cuisine in the Mission, with several disappointments. I would return to La Traviata, but next time I'd stick to the eggplant parmigiana and perhaps would try one of the...

A Hidden Gem in the Mission — Truly Unforgettable

La Traviata is one of those rare finds that completely blows you away — from the moment you walk in, to the very last bite. Tucked away in the Mission, this spot is not just a Check, Please! favorite — it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian food done right.

The ambiance immediately transports you — it feels like a classic Italian restaurant you’d stumble upon in New York City, warm and intimate, with just the right mix of charm and nostalgia. But the real star of the show here is the food. Out of this world delicious, deeply flavorful, and clearly made with love.

We started with the minestrone soup, which was fresh and absolutely bursting with flavor — the perfect start to the meal. Then came the tortellini in pink sauce, which was hands down the highlight for me: rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The eggplant parmesan? Easily rivaled the best I’ve had in NYC or even Italy.

To top it all off, the service was exceptional. Djion and his partner/wife were the most gracious, welcoming hosts — their warmth and attentiveness made the evening feel extra special.

La Traviata is perfect for a cozy date night or a quiet dinner to catch up with friends. I can’t recommend it enough. We left already planning our next visit — because when food is this good, once is...

Updated: 5/21/24 Took my Dad in since he was craving Italian and he had not been to this gem. He will definitely be back to say the least! La Traviata is the most hidden spot that will have you jaw dropped every visit. This visit I had the Tortellini and was shocked that I was shocked that it tasted so good! 10/10 ALWAYS

It had been about a year since we came to this spot to eat and they have not skipped a beat! From the fresh bread to start and ending with Tiramisu you leave with a full stomach and a huge smile. Even the kids enjoyed their pasta! Bread: hot and fresh out the oven you just can’t resist. Great for getting the extra sauce. Prosciutto w/ Cantaloupe: second time having this dish and it was better than the first. The cantaloupe pairs great with the prosciutto. Lasagna: Rich and Meaty with a cheese pull down to the last bite. Just the perfect size portion. Gamberi: Let’s start with the shrimp on this dish!JUMBO SHRIMP and lots of them. The flavor of this dish was very authentic with the spices and portion size is perfect as well. Tiramisu: big enough to share, very moist and one of the...