Caffe Puccini

Caffe Puccini has long been one of North Beach's best deals.  We've been fans since at least 2004 (as evidenced by this ancient Chowhound thumbs up).  It's not gourmet, but it's a homey cafe where you can grab a quick plate of homey pasta for cheap. It's the kind of Italian food I'm able to make at home, but rarely find the time for.  Bonus: they don't have people standing outside trying to lure you in with loud fake Italian accents.  I give them points for classiness.

Linquine and clams.  If you like clams and can forgive the creamy texture of the sauce, this deal can't be beat.  You get at least 10 huge Cherrystone clams, and plenty of chopped clams in the sauce.  The sauce tastes strongly of fresh, oceany clams.  I admit, my fork spent a lot of time playing in J's plate.

Pappardelle Toscana.  I can't resist flat noodles.   The pasta was perfectly cooked today, and topped with plenty of sauce and Parmesan.  The meat sauce was full of shredded, slow-cooked meat, not ground.  I actually would have preferred a little less sauce or a little more pasta, but hey.  It's hard to fault them for packing on the protein.  In any case, we could barely finish our two plates of pasta and my huge bowl of coffee.  $29?  Very happy.

Next time:  Caffe Puccini must have recently hired a latte art expert!  I noticed too late, but many people had cheerfully decorated drinks, like happy-faced flowers and chocolate fish. Love it!