Pizzeria Deffina (Pacific Heights): Table for 7 (Outside)

Pizzeria Delfina
Delfina was opened in 1998 by Annie and Craig Stoll, and in 2005 they opened the first Pizzeria Delfina next door. Their Pacific Heights location near Filmore and California opened a few years later.

Celebrating their Twentieth Anniversary this year (for the Mission St location)

More than pizza is served here, and every bite I've eaten here as been wonderful. First introduced to me by a co-worker and her husband, a wonderful couple, I've held events at other places they pointed out to me over the years, like CreoLA.

Pizzeria Delfina's pizza crust is elastic and crispy, not too thick, not too thin, a yummy tomato sauce with beautifly portioned toppings. A cross between Naples Italy and New York style according to their website. A great pie, from first to last bite. Their appetizers are great, tripe and meatballs are great. We're booked at their Pacific Heights Location, open and airy, buzzing with humble energy. When I lived a few blocks away, this was a weekly stop.

They placed Nineteenth (19th) in the Food & Wine 28 Best Pizzarias in the US, previously we visited the Fifth place spot. The Thrillist only rated them 7.7 and Bauer's review below says only average, but they have always been exceptional to me.

We'll go there without a plan, I requested separate checks, so we can each explore their menu, it is an outdoor reservation, so bring a typical San Francisco Light Jacket.

If anyone is interested in after dessert or drinks there are many options a few blocks away, or here for their hard to not order Panna Cotta. And if the Clay reopened, hopefully a movie in that classic San Francisco venue.

History
In 2005, Annie and Craig Stoll annexed the space next door to their James Beard Award winning Delfina restaurant fulfilling a long time dream of bringing Neapolitan-inspired pizzas to San Francisco. The 600 square foot space was an instant neighborhood hotspot, and Pizzeria Delfina became the "darling of the San Francisco food scene." Since then, Pizzeria Delfina has opened four additional locations across the SF Bay area. Pizzeria Delfina is now seen spilling out crowds of Delfina fans onto the sidewalk as they wait for a seat.
from restaurant website

Professional Review
While the crowds are different from the original location in the Mission District - more conservatively dressed, older and with more children in tow - the place is just as popular, proving that pizza is a great unifier. Similiar to its somewhat smaller sister, it has a no-nonsense but stylish interior, with an open kitchen and counter, tile floors, hardwood chairs and benches that encourage people to get in and out in a hurry. A mural along one wall lends an artistic bent to what would otherwise be a pretty plain room.

Taking the space that recently housed Zao Noodle Bar, this is Craig and Anne Stoll's first venture outside of the Mission neighborhood they pioneered when they opened Delfina just over 10 years ago, and the adjoining pizzeria on 18th Street more than three years ago. In the new spot, they offer a kind of hybrid of the two Mission side-by-side restaurants.

Pizzeria Delfina (edited from 2009)
Overall: Rating: TWO STARS
Food: Rating: TWO STARS
Service: Rating: TWO STARS
Atmosphere: Rating: TWO STARS
Noise rating: Noise Rating: BOMB Too noisy for normal conversation (80+ decibels)
Pluses: Larger menu than the Mission location, with exceptional meatballs and a good steak smothered in a tomato-based sauce; good salads and ice cream.
Minuses: Preparations, particularly the pizza, can be inconsistent. Service can get backed up and food quality can suffer. Because no reservations are taken, expect long waits at peak times.
from Pizzeria Delfina (SF Gate Review from 2009)

Menus and Reviews
Pizzeria Delphina (Pac Heights)
Pizzeria Delfina - Pacific Heights (ABC - New York) - Video
Pizzeria Delfina - Pacific Heights (Restaurant Guru)

Administratriva
Pizzeria Delfina menu prices three courses about $60 per person, excluding tax and tip (Total about $80), A pizza is about $25. Alcoholic drinks can easily increase these estimates.

Dress is warm casual

Taxes and Restaurant Fees
Dining in San Francisco has a sales tax (8.625%) and probably an employee health mandate (3-10%), a tip (20%) may be automatically added, even on individual bills, if not we expect a 20% minimum tip to be paid for individual bills.

The host calculates each diner's orders separately unless they allow separate orders, separate checks and round the final payment up to the next dollar.

Each diner is responsible for their own orders and costs but we will have to consolidate and divvy up the final bill accordingly.

Please bring cash or have Zelle or Apple Cash available.

Transportation to Pizzeria Delfina - Pacific Heights
Directions
MUNI: 1, 22
Finding street parking in Pacific Heights is usually difficult.
Parking lot can be found at 2450 California
Use event comments for Car Pooling and Ride Sharing.

Many thanks for the photos and history from restaurant website