Fior D'Italia, San Francisco

In 1886, Angelo Del Monte and Papa Marianetti opened Ristorante Fior D’Italia and quickly earned the patronage of nearby bordello clients. Over the years, the Northern Italian eatery transformed into a bastion of the Italian community, and is now celebrating their 127th anniversary. After the 1906 earthquake, chefs fed the homeless soup from within tents, and over the last century, the banquet halls have hosted hundreds of wedding parties. The dining room retains Fior D’ Italia’s 19th century influence, with its original mahogany bar, old central Italy countryside mural, dozens of historical pictures, and occasional hauntings by Gold Rush prospectors. Similarly Chef Gianni Audieri strives to pay homage to the eatery’s roots, showcasing traditional northern Italian pasta dishes as well as other dishes peppered with local produce.