Delfina, a Cal-Italian legend in the Mission, recently underwent a glamorous redesign, featuring a shiny new bar, leather booths, and an impressive archway. While the ambiance is chic, the seasonal Italian dishes can be underwhelming. Highlights include the iconic spaghetti with tangy-sweet sauce and perfectly al dente pasta, as well as the housemade coppa di testa. The pizzas, with their puffy and crackly crusts, are compelling. However, some dishes like the roasted duck and polenta can be overly salty, and pastas like the “hay and straw” lack flavor. Prices can add up quickly, with pastas around $28 and a $150 steak on the menu. Delfina is a fine choice for a dinner or a cocktail-and-spaghetti meal at the bar, but it may not live up to the highest expectations for transformative Italian cuisine.

Delfina Restaurant

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