Marin Magazine Blog

The New Delarosa: Dinner and a Cocktail for $20

December 10th, 2009 at 12:58pm Somer

There are cocktails and then there are artisanal, creative, gotta have another, unbelievable beverages. For the latter, take the ferry (or perhaps, encourage a pregnant friend to act as designated driver) and make your way to San Francisco’s Delarosa. The restaurant is housed in the former Fuzio space–yes, that random pasta place that always seemed really, really empty. The team behind Beretta and Starbelly (if you have no idea what I’m talking about—book a reso now, you won’t be disappointed) have succeeded again. The mix of rustic Italian dishes, think: seven variations of a panini and perfectly thin pizzas–act as the polished best friend to the 14 cocktails on the beverage menu. Below was our delicious margherita pizza—so good and a deal–$11, especially for this neighborhood where the most cardboard-tasting of deliveries runs around $20.

I’ve been told the cocktail list rotates seasonally but when I was there the Monarch ($9) was one of the best tasting and looking (yes, I tried a few, and yes, it didn’t last around long enough for a picture). The mix of gin, lemon, elderflower and mint was smooth on the taste buds but fun. The Larosa: blanco tequila, lime juice, curacao and agave–was Delarosa’s tasty version of the margarita. I’ll admit I don’t know much about beer but Delarosa’s list includes tasting notes—Route des Epices (pumpernickel, peppercorn, apple), 21-A Watermelon Wheat (crisp, tart, melon) or Hitachino Nest Classic Ale (toast, herbs, cedar).

The Design:

Designed by Jim Zack of Zack deVito Architects (the folks behind Starbelly, Bacar, Globe and Manresa) Delarosa has a dark gray color scheme with splashes of bright tangerine and a very modern interior; yes, that means communal tables, time to meet your neighbors!

Get a Reservation:

Delarosa is located at 2175 Chestnut Street at Pierce in the Marina (only a few minutes over the bridge and a short taxi from the ferry). Reservations are taken for parties of six or more but call ahead to be placed on the waiting list. Open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (nightcap, anyone?). Want to learn more? Check it out here.

Entry Filed under: Food