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I didn’t realize there was a restaurant void in my life until Bottega came along to fill it. Located on the Valencia Street corridor across the street from a City College campus, the energetic sit-down space offers pan-Italian pastas, pizzas, and antipasti with a small-but-smart wine list, bespoke cocktails, and plenty of vegetarian options.
Run by a group of young Italians dedicated to bringing the flavors of home to San Francisco, Bottega’s menu may be an homage to “Nonna,” but its ambience is anything but. Instead you’ll find a cotton candy pink exterior, comfortable outdoor seating, an eclectic and upbeat playlist, and hip international waitstaff in expensive aprons demonstrating just the right degree of attentiveness without rushing the meal.
It’s a spot that satisfies almost any dining parameter and combination. Date night? Check. Mom in town visiting? Check. Got a spontaneous large group looking for spaghetti? Check. Need a place open late—well, until 11pm, every day of the week—with a seat for one at the bar? Check. Build your own pasta plate, choosing from one of their house-made pastas and savory sauces, or go for an ovoid, Roman-style pie (called “pinsa”) which combines three flours into a blistered crust, a crunchy-yet-chewy delight. For appetizers you can go lowbrow (waffle fries), highbrow (wild mushroom bruschetta), or both (deep-fried artichokes, baby.)
Best of all—from a last-minute dining decision perspective—Bottega doesn’t take reservations, so you can walk up almost anytime and staff will find a way to seat you. Sometimes that means there’s a bit of a wait, but it’s always a meal worth waiting for. Plus its laidback-but-conscientious staff are a breath of fresh air, making the experience memorable from check-in to check.
In a city with a serious dearth of late-night dining options that are not burritos or donuts, Bottega is genuinely providing a much-needed service. In fact, as soon as I finish writing this, I’m going to head over for my favorite, a plate of sachetti pasta with pears, walnuts, and gorgonzola. See you there?
BOTTEGA 1132 Valencia, SF. More info here.
