HOT ITALIAN

Pinsa Romana, an ovoid pizza style, popular in Rome and made with wheat and rice flour for a lighter texture, are at the heart of this restaurant that stepped into the former Perry’s space in San Rafael. This is the second HOT ITALIAN for Chef-owner Fabrizio Cercatore who also runs the Sacramento original. 

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Graced with little more than fior di latte, basil, and tomato sauce, Pinsa Margherita is a great introduction to the nimble-textured crust. Pizzas run modern, too, with mascarpone and smoked salmon atop a Magnini and a double funghi whammy of fresh mushrooms & truffle oil on a Fiori. And coming soon... a Cuppone Italian pizza oven for all you thin crust pizza lovers!

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Panini (slow-roasted porchetta with broccoli rabe and provolone is calling to us), a few salads, and classic focaccia and bresaola can be appetizers or smaller-sized meals. For those days when more is more, there’s three styles of lasagna (ragú, mushroom, and salmon) and a rondelet of house made gelato flavors that range from pistachio and stracciatella to vegan dark chocolate and mango. 

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Head toward the pizzeria’s cute backyard for Happy Hour (4pm - 6pm, daily). That’s when Mimosas and Bellinis run you $8 and a draft beer is $5. If you can snag a seat at one of the picnic tables, a vermouth spritz and a plate of bruschetta mista can restore a sense of calm at first bite.