Tony Long is a lifelong resident of San Francisco and has lived in North Beach twice, most recently since 1997. He spent over 30 years as an editor for newspapers and online, including a 17-year stint at the Hearst-owned San Francisco Examiner.

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Mamma mia! Is that a gen-yoo-ine Italian?

3 comments

August 7, 5:33 PM

by Tony Long, North Beach Examiner

With all the yuppies wandering around these days, roosting in the cafes and changing the local vibe, it's hard to remember sometimes that North Beach's soul is Italian. There are vestiges, of course -- the Saturday afternoon opera at Caffe Trieste, the Italian-speaking barkers outside the Columbus Avenue trattorias, the Old Country clatch that hangs out at Caffe Puccini, and the Cavalli Caffe next to the BofA on Stockton Street -- but the flavor around here is increasingly turning to the Pacific. And the Financial District.

On Saturday, though, you can celebrate a piece of Little Italy that stands like the immovable invalidObjectTag against the unstoppable force. The Italian Athletic Club turns 90 and the members are throwing themselves a birthday party. The Festa Coloniale Italiana banquet commences with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. and if you're non-member willing to part with the 55 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, you're in. (If you're a member, the nick is a mere 45 clams.)

For that double fin you'll get a feedbag featuring assorted Italian appetizers (antipasti, focaccia, etc.), insalata, pasta, a slab of roast beef, dessert, coffee and vino.

Accordionist George Campi will serenade during the cocktail hour and the Aurora Mandolin Orchestra will carry you through dinner. Dessert features Frank, Dean and Sammy as "The Rat Pack Is Back," and the mind reels.

The main thing, though, is to celebrate nine decades of this bedrock North Beach institution. In a sea of shifting currents, the IAC sticks out on Washington Square like the prow of a clipper ship.

Reservations are essential, so call 415-781-0166 if you want to make the scene.

Topics: Italian Athletic Club

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Topics: San Francisco Art Institute , Herb Gold

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