Il Casaro, Neapolitan in North Beach

Il Casaro
348 Columbus Street (at Grant)
Phone: (415) 677-9455
Web: ilcasarosf.com
Status: Open

Last spring, Il Casaro Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar announced its intentions to take the former Steps of Rome space on Columbus, and now, right in time for Pizza Week, the doors are open. Tablehopper reports that the project comes from Peter Fazio and Francesco Covucci of nearby Vicoletto, who set out to create a neighborhood spot with authentic Neapolitan fare.

The space features a white Italian marble bar and jaunty red Stefano Ferrara pizza oven, which turns out wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in combos like broccoli and sausage, four cheese, and tuna and onion. Salvatore DiStefano (formerly of Tony's Pizza Napoletana) is acting pizzaiolo at the new spot. Il Casaro translates to "the cheesemaker," and the new spot will feature its own housemade mozzarella and burrata, both solo and on pies. Late-night eats are part of the draw, including arancini, fried cod, and potato croquettes, plus a ubiquitous Neapolitan street food called panuozzo. It's a sort of pizza dough sandwich, with fillings like broccoli rabe and Italian sausage, or ground pork and french fries. (T-hop has the full menu here.)

As for drinks, there's Peroni on tap, plus an all-Italian wine list. Hours are Sunday-Thursday, 12-11pm, and Friday-Saturday, 12 pm-12 am.

· Il Casaro Now Open in North Beach [Tablehopper]
· Il Casaro: North Beach's New Pizzeria & Mozzarella Bar [Gianni's North Beach]
· Il Casaro Coming to Former Steps of Rome [~ ESF ~]

[Photo: Gloria H./Yelp]