Caffe DeLucchi is Mike Maier’s favorite North Beach place. Its rectangular shape with blonde curvy wood is fun on the eyes, as is the playful art work. All of the windows give a plus for North Beach. The rain has just left and the moisture outside makes the lights have a nice glow with the semi-fog. The lighting is a cross between Caffe and candlelight dining. The presentation is very much in harmony with the shape and décor of Caffe Delucchi. You will see what I mean when you dine here. The owners bought a sheet metal place with the name DeLucchi and when they purchased the Italian restaurant six years ago, they named it Caffe DeLucchi.
The chef, Ted House is from North Carolina and he has worked in restaurants since childhood. His first job was working in a restaurant with Adriano Pomodoro and he never stopped. On his culinary path Ted has come across Italian French in North Beach and the Danilo Bakery. This is a good choice from a culinary point of view was well as a variety point of view because it shows a wide range in more ways than one.
Lots of San Francisco visitors and locals come here. So if you are unable to travel, you’ll still have a chance to see a lot of new faces that love being in San Francisco. Or, you could come across regulars like Parsie, a very beautiful blonde that eats here once a month and is happy every time. The staff is attractive here at Caffe DeLucchi and I am not only speaking of what the naked eye can see. The general manager, Peter Rizos is Greek and welcomes and comforts his guests with sincere admiration. My server, Natasha House is the wife of the chef. She opens up her focus with such fresh selflessness that it zooms back to yourself and you’re gleaming. Man, you’re gleaming…
This Northern Italian food has bold accents of California. The restaurant uses local fresh ingredients—especially the vegetables. The chef loves to put sweet surprises in his Italian food. For instance, the yellow beet caprese is a sweet soup that rises to a traditional wish. The gnocchi with mushroom marsala sauce is a stick to your ribs type of dish. This assures body warmth in the winter. In fact, for those who don’t know, grains keep the body warm. This fine Italian California cuisine anchors and nourishes you. On Tuesday, they serve my three favorite bottles of wine.
I’m very much attracted to the opening views here. The outside dining can be greatly appreciated on those perfect days in San Francisco when the air and azure blue skies go on, and on, and on…I am busy California dreamin’, eatin’, and smilin’. This is definitely not New York.
I really like the crowd here this Friday evening. Vibrating zest rests in the air. Caffe DeLucchi bends to a formal dining but at the same time it has the casualness of a Caffe and the hospitality is just right. The sureness of youth is not an age, but it is life without baggage. When there is no baggage you have room for life to fill you up. Finally, at any given moment you just burst out laughing. That is the atmosphere on this February night at Caffe DeLucchi.
The more I sit in Caffe DeLucchi I can see why Mike says this is one of his favorite places. I just can’t stop enjoying the clean lines of space that allow the location of the restaurant to offer panoramic views that can clear the mind.
