Few sister restaurants are as in tune with each other as this duo owned by chef Staffan Terje and front-of-the-house master Umberto Gibin. They opened the upscale Perbacco, which draws inspiration from Piedmont and Liguria, in 2006; two years ago, they opened Barbacco a few doors away, featuring a more rustic Italian menu. Perbacco offers multiple seating areas; at Barbacco, the feel is more casual and modern. Don't pass up the pasta or salumi at either place. Barbacco, 220 California St., San Francisco; (415) 955-1919. barbaccosf.com.

 
Specialties: Perbacco: Breadsticks; agnolotti dal plin; hazelnut cookies. Barbacco: lasagna Bolognese; bruschetta; braised chicken thighs.

Hours

Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., dinner 5:30-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., until 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Cuisines

• Italian

Features

• Online Reservation
• Bar Menu
• Corkage ($20)
• Credit Cards: Accepted
• Disabled Access
• Full Bar
• High Chairs
• Parking: Difficult
• Parking: Paid Lot
• Parking: Street
• Parking: Valet ($10 (dinner))
• Seating (130 plus 40 at the bar)