La Traviata - San Francisco

Upon arriving at SFO from New York City at noon, my friends and I had a reservation at La Traviata for dinner. Our experience was absolutely fabulous. We began with a delicious Italian red wine. Even before ordering, our server presented warm, freshly baked bread, setting the stage for a memorable feast. The lovely operatic music created a wonderful atmosphere as we enjoyed delicious appetizers followed by wonderful entrees. I highly recommend the Salmone ala Wixel; the salmon, cooked in a parchment pouch with olives, tomatoes, garlic, and pesto, was exceptionally delicious and unlike any salmon I've tasted before. John, the owner and chef, personally presented the dish, opening the pouch at the table. My wife loved the seabass, and my friends were equally pleased with their choices. We shared several wonderful desserts. Despite an early start for our flight from JFK, we spent hours savoring our dinner and felt incredibly fortunate to dine at this gem of a restaurant!

I was a regular at La Traviata back in the 80s, and after a two-decade hiatus, my party of four was eager to return. The restaurant still retains its "old-school" charm with photos of opera stars and customers adorning the walls, complemented by soft opera music that allows for quiet conversation. Unfortunately, our dining experience was mixed. The service was prompt yet unhurried, and two of us enjoyed a serviceable glass of the house red wine. We were served delicious homemade bread with butter. The appetizers included a delicious special focaccia with mushrooms, but the caprese salad was disappointing, featuring barely ripe tomatoes instead of the heirloom variety readily available in September. For mains, my eggplant parmigiana was divine, truly the second-best I've ever had! However, two dining companions found their veal dishes, scaloppini ai funghi and parmigiana, to be mediocre. Sadly, the fish dish, sogliole picatta, was described as "soggy and its odd taste made it inedible. " The maître d' was notified, and we were not charged for that entree. The price was extremely reasonable, definitely at the low end for San Francisco. Overall, it's inexpensive Italian cuisine in the Mission with some notable disappointments. I would return, but next time I'd stick to the eggplant parmigiana and perhaps try a pasta offering.

My experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. I enjoyed an exquisite Italian pasta dish, complemented by expert veteran service. The place itself has a cozy old charm. Parking was very tricky, but we got lucky. Overall, a fantastic dining experience.

What a charming place! We recently dined at the restaurant for the first time to celebrate a milestone birthday and I am so glad we found this gem. From the minute we walked in, we felt transported to a warm and inviting neighborhood trattoria in Italy. The wall adorned with pictures of famous opera stars, the gorgeous stained glass panels, the mirrored wall, and fresh flowers on the table all added to the vibe. We loved the fresh baked bread. All the dishes we had were done to perfection and beautifully presented. My eggplant parmesan was the best I ever had, being very flavorful yet not too heavy like many parmesan dishes. Finally, the tiramisu and profiterole capped a perfect evening. Throughout the dinner, the service was warm and attentive. We look forward to returning to this wonderful place.

I was recommended to go here and I had the fried chicken sandwich and the fries. It was so good! They always have the best coffee; I have iced coffee every time I go there. Everyone is very friendly and the atmosphere is very nice.