The Beat Goes on at Enrico’s: San Francisco’s Iconic Restaurant & Jazz Club Opens for Dinner with New Owner, New Chef & New Look

San Francisco native Christina Deeb & Seamus Cronin bring Enrico’s – a national landmark – toward its fifth decade with seasoned finesse

San Francisco: “Enrico’s is still kicking and so am I,” said original owner, Enrico Banducci, at a July re-opening party for his eponymous sidewalk cafe. Banducci founded the legendary Enrico’s Sidewalk Café in 1958, using it as a watering hole and gathering place for celebrities like Woody Allen, Bill Cosby and Barbra Streisand who performed at his nearby hungry i. It was also was immortalized in Bullitt with Steve McQueen’s “Let’s go to Enrico’s.” Over the decades, Enrico’s has been at the heart of San Francisco’s entertainment and social scene, providing a home to a steady stream of bohemians, socialites and the famous. A stone’s throw from City Lights Bookstore and around the corner from the North Beach neighborhood, Enrico’s is more than a landmark. It is a fifty-year repository of San Francisco nightlife, culture and spirit. When it closed its doors in October 2006, the city mourned.

Enter Christina Deeb & Seamus Cronin, Deeb a native San Francisco, grew up in a prominent restaurant family whose venues have included Venticello and Nob Hill Café, among others. At Enrico’s Deeb and Cronin’s intent was to respect and celebrate a venerable tradition while refurbishing the interior and elevating the food. With the aid of San Francisco designer Iris Fuller, they re-styled the interior. Deeb and Cronin created a contemporary Italian bistro menu befitting the venerable café.

Enrico’s continues its reputation as one of the city’s hippest scenes where locals and out-of-towners mix and mingle between the crossroads of North Beach, Barbary Coast & Financial District.  

Chef, Menu & Wine

Seamus Cronin is a classically trained chef and a native of Ireland. He is also a family friend of Deebs’ and though only 31, had been cooking at Venticello for a decade before re-opening Enrico’s. As Executive Chef at Enrico’s, he has been given the freedom to express his own cooking style – his is the Bay Area’s “local seasonal” mantra applied to his favorite homey, yet sophisticated, dishes. There are also a few nods to tradition such as Trois Petite Burgers - a trio of three small burgers on toasted buttered buns, an original Enrico’s winner. In every case, Cronin’s dedication to ingredients and fine technique shine through. Like the café, with it’s distinct areas of dining room, bar and patio, Cronin’s menu is versatile and multifaceted. Appetizers like Frito Misto of shrimp, calamari, and lemon with spicy crème fraîche,pizzas from the woodburning oven and Truffle fries from the Sides menu, are perfect with wines and cocktails in the bar or patio. For those wishing to dine in style, for appetizers there is Smoked Salmon Bruschetta, Beef Carpaccio with seasonal accoutrements, and beautiful seasonal salads.

Entrées range from Grilled New York Steak with herb butter and fries, Italian sausage Lasagna, to Sea Scallops and tiger shrimp Risotto with Parmigiano Reggiano and thyme. Seasonal desserts from Pastry Chef Enrique Dzul might include a Mixed Berry Gallette or Strawberry Shortcake, while year-round staples include Chocolate Brownie with Espresso Ice Cream, hot fudge sauce, and toasted almonds. The concise wine list by Christina includes California and European offerings.

- Music -

Music has been a part of Enrico's since 1958 "Our Conception". The tradition of showcasing  great local talent has continued over the decades. Enrico's music calendar has grown and evolved with the times. Our music program has a range from Modern&Classic Jazz, Funk, Rockabilly/Blues, R&B, Soul,Cha Cha, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soft Rock are all  staples on our music schedule, with artists such as Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Veronica Klaus, Farzad Arjmand, Noah Griffin, Valeriana Quevedo, Tonette Jeanine, Pomelo, Speakeasy, BaSSment, Kurt Crasper, Curt Yagi, Lisa Silva, Jeff Derby and many more... 

- Interior & Ambiance –

Deeb and Fuller refurbished and lightened Enrico’s interior with subtly reflective cream-colored walls -- achieved through Venetian plastering. The brocade upholstery echoes the color of the walls, and large, overhead circular light fixtures evoke an old Paris brasserie. While it now has a swankier look than in the past, the original architectural elements remain. Two prominent features were fabricated by Enrico himself: the ornate, massive wooden and glass doors swinging in from the sidewalk patio, and the Greco-Roman columns in the dining room and bar.

Within its large open space, there are four distinct moods – the heated patio, bar, lounge and dining room. Enrico’s is a great place to meet for a drink at casual outdoor tables; in the lounge with its comfortable leather armchairs; or at the massive bar with bar stools, as well as cozy booths and banquettes. White-tablecloth-covered tables at the heart of the dining room set the stage for elegant dining. A 1963 mural of North Beach bohemians, artists and musicians will soon be back in place.

Enrico’s continues its reputation as one of the city’s hippest scenes where locals and out-of-towners mix and mingle, and the staff seems to know just about everyone. The dining room is spacious and seats 52; the bar and lounge seat 15; and there are an additional 40 seats on the sidewalk patio.

- Hours & Contact Information –

Enrico’s is located at 504 Broadway at Kearny. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday. The restaurant is open from 5PM to 11:00 PM . For more information, visit www.enricossf.com or call (415) 982-6223.