Luna Piena in the Castro

Luna Piena Caffe

558 Castro Street

Tel: 415-621-2566

When my good buddy Mark suggested we go to a gay joint in the Castro for lunch not too long back, I shuddered. I don't know why but I've never had good food nor service consistently from a gay restaurant. Gay men and women excel at so many things, but put them in charge of an openly gay restaurant, and watch fossils grow. The food and service usually suck, and you get an overwhelming dose of how they see life through those dusky rose colored glasses only they would own in the first place.

No rose colored glasses here

I don't like eating crow or admitting that my arrogance is oftimes just plain off target, but Luna Piena Caffe made me open my eyes anew to eating, and have fun doing it. In the Castro no less. I don't know if Luna Piena is gay owned, but it is good, and I mean good. I've gone back repeatedly, tried just about everything on their menu, and I reluctantly tell those I share my good finds with about this gem.

Dream on if you think you're gonna find parking outside

I have a habit of judging a restaurant by what they do or don't do with a hamburger, and I think this is one of the best in the city period. The hand-formed patty is just the right quality of beef to give it the taste I like, ample enough to be truly satisfying, and is cooked as I order it each time. It comes on a grilled kaiser-type roll that is, I believe, made at the bakery they own next door (Luna Dolce ), and it tastes fresh and crunchy. It comes with house-made fries or a salad, both good, fresh garnish and a choice of generous high quality cheeses and bacon. It's so damned tasty that I seldom get past my craving for that near perfection and move on to the rest of the menu that displays equal attention to quality and skill in the preparation.

All the pasta dishes I've tried are cooked to order and presented in generous and appealing fashion. The seafood has been just as fresh and well prepared each visit. Salads and breakfast dishes are all terrific, and the desserts on all visits were superb.

Service is consistently prompt and attentive. I'm always served by the same waiter and he's a great guy with fascinating stories to share, given the time, and he can usually find it. All this exists in a small garden of eden, a really beautiful multi-level outdoor area filled with luxurious and vibrant flora.

I like everything about Luna Piena Caffe, and so do more and more people, so go early or late on weekends. But do go. And visit their equally good bakery next door, Luna Dolce, for unusual and scrumptious savories at reasonable prices.

Luna Piena is fun, delicious, has a smooth and relaxing atmosphere, and offers reasonable prices and good service -- so much for my blanket condemnation of gay restaurants!

Stu Smith

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