Michael Tusk's Italian restaurant in Jackson Square — the finest Italian cooking in California, with wood-fired meats, house-made pasta, and a parklet lunch that defines San Francisco dining.
Why It Belongs on the List
Cotogna is Michael Tusk's casual counterpart to three-MICHELIN-star Quince next door — and some argue it surpasses its sibling in pleasure. The cooking is deeply Italian and seasonally driven: gnocco fritto, corn ravioli when in season, whole roasted animals from the wood-fire, and house-made pasta that rivals any in the country. The Jackson Square parklet on a sunny afternoon is one of the most pleasurable dining situations in the city. 15+ years consistent and still essential.
What Stands Out
- Chef Michael Tusk
- Among the finest Italian restaurants in California
- Wood-fired meats
- House-made pasta
- Signature gnocco fritto
- Jackson Square parklet setting
- Sunny lunch benchmark