Steps of Rome

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Family Story Rooted in Southern Italy

The Florese family's connection to San Francisco's Italian community runs deep. Their journey began across the Atlantic in Southern Italy, shaped by generations of home-cooked meals and a genuine love for gathering around the table. When they arrived in San Francisco, they brought that culture with them. In 1997, they purchased Mona Lisa Restaurant in North Beach—the city's historic "Little Italy"—and spent 25 years building it into a neighborhood institution. By 2022, they had expanded further, opening Mona Lisa Mare e Monti and acquiring The Old Clam House, San Francisco's oldest continuously operating restaurant.

In April 2025, the family unveiled Steps of Rome Trattoria at 401 Columbus Avenue, their most personal project yet: a tribute to Roman dining traditions, unpretentious and lively, centered on simple, exquisite food.

The Food: Roman Classics, Made Daily

The kitchen leans into the canon of Italian cooking without apology. All pastas are made from scratch daily—Bigoli Carbonara with guanciale, egg yolk, and Pecorino Romano; Bucatini Amatriciana with tomato sauce and the same cured pork cheek; Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe reduced to its three essential elements. The Spicy Rigatoni in a pink vodka sauce has drawn consistent praise from guests, as has the Lasagna layered with béchamel, ground beef, and fresh mozzarella.

The pizza program is equally serious. The signature Steps of Rome pie combines mozzarella, guanciale, Pecorino Romano, thyme, and caramelized onion—a Roman-inflected take that stands apart from the Neapolitan classics also on offer. Pizza Fritta, fried and stuffed with ricotta, provola, and prosciutto cotto, is a crowd favorite. Guests who've made the trip specifically for the Napolitano-style pies describe them as "as close to Italy as you'll find in the US."

Appetizers range from Arancini—saffron rice balls stuffed with fresh mozzarella and peas—to Panzerotti filled with cremini mushrooms and smoked mozzarella. The Porchetta, a traditional slow-roasted boneless pork belly with Italian herbs and roasted potatoes, anchors the house specialties.

The Room and the Drink List

Seating is available both inside and on the sidewalk, fitting for a trattoria on one of North Beach's most animated streets. The atmosphere is warm and convivial—the kind of place where, as the family puts it, every guest becomes family.

The drinks list reflects the same Italian-first sensibility: Italian lagers and pilsners on tap, a wine list anchored by Barolo, Brunello, Barbaresco, and Chianti Classico alongside California selections. House cocktails carry Roman names—the Smokey Old Roman (rye, Italicus, smoke), Livia's Lethal Kiss (fig-infused vodka, Campari, vermouth)—and a Parmesan Espresso Martini that's become a talking point.

Recognition and Catering

Gambero Rosso, the authoritative Italian food and wine guide, has recognized Steps of Rome Trattoria in its 2026 edition—a meaningful distinction for an Italian restaurant operating outside Italy, and a signal that the Florese family's commitment to authenticity is being taken seriously by serious critics.

Beyond the dining room, Steps of Rome offers catering for events of any size—from corporate gatherings to wedding festivities—bringing the same pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and antipasti spreads to off-site occasions. Private party packages are available for birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, with menus curated to the group.