Fall in love with Italy at Poggio, the onsite restaurant at Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa. This classic Italian trattoria blends a casual yet upscale ambiance with authentic, world-class cuisine. Using organic produce grown in our own garden, local seafood, and the freshest meats, we've created a daily changing menu featuring soulful fare from Northern Italy.

Poggio is the vision of Larry Mindel - who has spent the last 30 years building successful area restaurants while making pilgrimages to Italy. He is renowned for creating the legendary San Francisco restaurants, Ciao and Prego. Mindel's attention to detail and commitment to service have garnered him numerous awards, including the Caterina de Medici medal from the Italian government; he's the first person of non-Italian descent to earn this prestigious prize - which recognizes excellence in the preservation of Italian heritage outside of Italy.

But Mindel has made his definitive mark with Poggio. The gorgeous interior features a rustic yet elegant décor, terra-cotta tile floors, gold marble baseboards, and large, luxurious tables. The menu is equally splendid. Savor grilled lamb sirloin with baked cauliflower and Yellow Finn potatoes, fried squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta, or white shrimp-and-scallop risotto, to name a few. In addition, there is a fine stock of affordable ($40 or less), mostly Italian wine - many from small producers in Tuscany, Sardinia, and Sicily.

Stay at our elegant San Francisco area hotel, and experience the essence of Italy at Poggio, which means "special hillside place." Easily accessible by bicycle or ferry from San Francisco, this distinctive restaurant evokes the allure of a Mediterranean excursion.