Luisa's Restaurant Wine Bar Since 1959 — Restaurant in San Francisco

Came here for dinner with my partner and friend who was visiting. We've never been and wanted to try it out especially since Luisa's boasts about having the best Italian food with the freshest ingredients, all while giving an experience that makes it feel like you're in Italy. 🤔 Yeaaaah, if they have to keep telling people that it's probably not true haha. Anyway, we walked in with no reservations and was seated inside by a lady since all the outdoor tables were taken. We were tucked away in the corner and immediately, service became nonexistent. That lady continued to seat people, take their orders, and serve them as well. It's as if she made sure to not look in our direction so she wouldn't have to interact with us. After waiting for what seemed like forever, a male server finally came to take our table to take our orders. We got a bottle of their overpriced house wine (Zin) to try - it wasn't terrible but it wasn't worth $55 either (more like a $10 grocery store wine). The pastas we ordered were underwhelming and there was really nothing special about them - no flavor, acidic tomato sauce, and quite the disappointment. I got the seafood linguine in red sauce and the seafood was not fresh - mussels with a funky texture and broken shells, rubbery calamari, and chewy shrimp. Once we got our bill, it was funny to see the tip guidance of 15%, 18%, 20%, and even 30% because service was nonexistent. Overall, you're better off...

This review should've been written back in June following my experience at Luisa's, but hey, life shows up. But I promised that beautiful young lady that I would write this review for her, so here it is:

I promise you I'm not just writing this review because Luisa's still has the feel of a vintage Italian-immigrant eatery (and this is coming from a predominantly Italian & Sicilian-heritage fella from the northeast), or because Luisa herself came and greeted me and talked with me for awhile, or even because I ate so much food I had to be rolled home; it's because this experience was the most heart-warming, nostalgic experience I've had that brought me back to the Italian neighborhood I grew up in and my nannu's Sicilian eatery/bar.

From the table in the corner behind the door that I sat at (soooooo Italian to find any empty space and put a table there, lol), to the waitress keeping my wine glass full, to the old-school decor, this place made me feel at home. This was my first ever trip to San Francisco, and this is BY FAR the highlight of the entire trip. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet.

I think I tried just about every appetizer and finished with lasagna. Everything tasted like home. Needless to say, I recommend this place without hesitation for the full, traditional, Italian-immigrant eatery experience. This is easily one of the best experiences and meals I've had at any restaurant, period.

I'll see you...

Luisa's is exceptional on multiple fronts. It's that rare dining experience you hope to have, but so seldom get.

An old-world charm permeates its cozy atmosphere, peppered with wine bottles, autographed photos of celebrities from a bygone era of Hollywood, and swinging tunes from the 40s, 50s and 60s. (Even a little 70's!)

The food is delicious. I had the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce, and it was as creamy, decadent, and delicious as one could hope for. My brother got the halibut puttanesca (special of the day), and it was excellent, even better than my gnocchi, if that's possible. The spinach salad was refreshing and simple. This restaurant has been in business a long time, and it shows. Their presentation, taste, and content are excellent. I've had Italian as good as this maybe one other time, and it was a hell of a lot more expensive.

Bonus points to Luisa's for reasonable prices when you consider they're located in San Francisco. Most dishes will run you between 20.00-22.00, and leave you feeling pleasantly full.

The service was wonderful, attentive without being intrusive. You can dine indoors or outdoors under a covered space. The music isn't played too loudly, and you find yourself humming along to it while you enjoy your amazing food.

Can't say enough good things about this place. If you find yourself in SF craving Italian, this place should...