Alexander Alioto Opens Italian Restaurant on Valencia St

By exploresf on August 1, 2014

Another Monkey Becomes Another Alioto Italian Restaurant
Michael Moran

Into the gorgeous space that used to be Another Monkey, a new restaurant has opened: Plin, from none-other than Alexander Alioto. Alexander Alioto, who is of course the former chef and partner behind the Seven Hills on Russian Hill, home of the Raviolo Al Uovo- a giant pasta pocket filled with spinach, ricotta and oozing egg yolk…Yum. Seven Hills won many awards including best Italian restaurant in the Bay Area 2013, and a spot in the top 3 Italian restaurants from Zagat in 2013 and 2014. His next move was much anticipated, as much as many wondered who would be moving into this great space on Valencia Street and 14th Street. This might just be the combination that works.

To ensure that this new endeavor is a success, (not that he needed any help) he has wisely recruited many from his famous family to do what they do best. His mother, Joanne Alioto was the lucky person who was chosen to be in charge of the interior design, and what a space she has had to work with! His father, Nunzio Alioto Jr, who is a Master Sommelier is responsible for the wine list, and he has teamed with yet another Master Sommelier, Chuck Furuya, to impress the hell out of their wine drinkers.

The Alioto family is well known in San Francisco, many family members have served in public office, and are prominent lawyers and members of the business community, but the family’s claim to fame is seafood. They were Sicilian fishermen who migrated to San Francisco in the late 1800′s, and in the 1920′s after operating several seafood companies, opened Alioto’s Restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf. So it is truly fitting that the focus of the new restaurant is Italian Seafood. Alexander himself, operated seafood restaurants in Italy years ago.

The menu looks well balanced with many choices for every diet. Rustic yet modern, meat eaters will find choices like Chicken Liver Lollipops, Grilled Lamb Chop, Grilled Filet with Fried Oyster. Vegetarian choices include Eggplant Parmesan, Confit Heirloom Tomatoes and Seared Baby Lettuce. The seafood includes Raw Tuna with Mission Figs, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Monterey Bay Calamari, and Black Bass Carpaccio. Thankfully, the Raviolo Al Uomo has found a new home here as well.

Rounding out the selection here, is the cocktail menu from Master Mixologist Daniel Federico, who was rescued from Southern California to create a list worthy of any fine craft-cocktail bar including the American Sour (rye, Carpano Antica, Cappelleti, lemon and egg white). The dessert menu features mouthwatering indulgences like Buttermilk Panna Cotta Donuts with Cayenne Cinnamon and Vanilla Almond Cream, Tiramisu, and Berry Shortcakes. Delish…