Amarena: A Cozy Corner Of Italy In San Francisco’s Russian Hill

Tucked away in the heart of San Francisco’s Russian Hill, Amarena is a cozy Italian restaurant that exudes charm and authenticity. With its warm ambiance, lively vibes and classic dishes, this neighborhood gem stands out as a romantic restaurant worth experiencing more than once. Owned and ran by Milano native Paolo Galli, who also is Executive Chef, Amarena was opened in 2002, just two years after he moved to the city.

Galli grew up being spoiled by his mother’s cooking, and after decades of asking her for cooking advise and learning her recipes, she suddenly passed. This was the catalyst in opening Amarena, meaning sour cherry.

“I am a happy person,” explains Chef/ Owner, Galli. “What I love, and what I am good at too, is making people happy around me. Having a restaurant where I can enjoy feeding guests everyday and putting a smile on their faces with my cuisine couldn’t be a better fit.”

When you walk into Amarena, the welcoming energy is palpable. Whether sitting at the wine bar or at a table, of which you’ll also be surrounded by wine bottles lining the walls, people are are right at home. The wine list is extensive, with most hailing from Italy or California. During happy hour guests can enjoy a 30% off any drink and 30% off any pasta dish from the menu from 5:00 pm to 6:00pm.

The menu itself also features quite a selection of Italian dishes, some being Galli’s mother’s recipes and others traditional Italian recipes.

“When I test a new dish, the flavor needs to open up my memories in order to be approved,” continues Galli, who takes pride in keeping his mother’s memory alive through his dishes and restaurant. “For example, with the Polenta Consada, a signature dish featuring polenta with parmigiano, sage and cream sauce, this was a dish that, if I was sad, eating it would cheer me up and my mother knew this.”

The menu offers starters like the Pulpo alla Griglia which is octopus with olives and capers; the Tortino di Melanzane which are baked eggplants with fresh tomato sauce and smoked mozzarella; and the Frittura Mista with lightly battered seafood including calamari and prawns.

The pastas truly standout at this restaurant. Galli and his culinary team makes the pasta fresh everyday with the best quality of flower and eggs.

“Everything from the ravioli, pappardelle and tagliolini to the gnocchi and lasagna — all made from scratch,” he continues. “You can taste and feel the difference.”

The pasta selection includes highlights like the Ravioli di Zucca with butternut squash topped with salty ricotta cheese in a brown butter and sage sauce; the Paccheri dell Alpino, which is made from tube pasta, smoked prosciutto, sundried tomatoes in a creamy Madeira wine sauce; and the Tagliolini Ai Funghi E Tartufo, made with homemade tagliolini noodle with mushrooms and truffle sauce.

Of course they also have the classic red sauce pastas like the rich Pappardelle al Cinghiale made with a wild boar ragu and traditional meat lasagna. The pastas’ texture is perfectly soft, yet chewy, making way for the perfect vessels for the sauces.

“I have families, neighbors and friends continuing to dine with us for over 20 years,” explains Galli who’s been running Amarena for over 22 years. “I’ve seen families forming since the first date, to the kids and then them becoming adults and still coming. I really believe that the consistency of our cuisine and making sure that each dish tastes as delicious as the last time they visited, keep people coming back.”

The restaurant also features a selection of heartier entrees like the fall-off-the-bone Osso Buco with cross-cut veal shanks slowly cooked and braised with vegetables served over a bed of polenta; the Agnello ai Mirtilli, which is grilled racks of lamb served with blueberry sauce and mashed potatos and the Salmone alla Griglia, a roasted wild salmon with tomatoes, olives and capers.

Save room for desserts that include the Salame al Cioccolato, a decadent regional dessert with nuts from northern Italy made for chocolate lovers; classic tiramisu; vanilla gelato with succulent wild Italian cherries; and panna cotta.

The restaurant recently launched lunch service on the weekends from 11:30-2pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Lunch special’s include 30%off all pasta dishes from the menu.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Amarena for the first time, this cozy gem in Russian Hill promises a memorable night out. From the lovingly homemade pastas to the heartfelt recipes rooted in family tradition, every dish tells a story of passion and authenticity. It’s a piece of Italy in San Francisco, waiting to be experienced.