Enrico's - San Francisco

In San Francisco ’s North Beach neighborhood, which is well known for it’s Italian food, Enrico’s stands as an institution. Owned by generations of the same family, this restaurant/sidewalk café was a gathering place for many of the Beat poets of the 1950’s and 60’s. Although the menu focuses on Italian classics and is reasonably good, the real reason to go to Enrico’s is to listen to the live jazz (some of national renown), or to sit on the outdoor patio and people watch.

Tip: The inside dining room is fairly large and can echo quite a bit. Therefore, if you’re planning on having a long, involved conversation with you dinner partner(s), get an outside seat away from the band.