Proud History includes the first wood-fired brick pizza oven on the West Coast
On September 21, 2015, Tommaso’s, the legendary North Beach restaurant, kicked off it’s 80th year of family tradition with an intimate family dinner between the current and original owners, the Crotti and Cantalupo families. The Crotti family hosted the Cantalupo family to honor the legacy that their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents began on Kearny Street so many years ago.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 80 years. While we have so many people to thank for our continued success, we wanted to keep this particular milestone centered on our families,” added co-owner Carmen Crotti. “It was touching for all of us to take a moment to honor those who are no longer with us. My brother and I know that our parents would be proud.”
The 80th anniversary celebration continues with “Mushroomfest” this October. Highlighting the first of monthly rotating menus celebrating the rich history of Tommaso’s cuisine. The restaurant will also be holding a monthly photo contest highlighting guests’ memories over the last 80 years with Tommaso’s. To enter, fans are asked to share their unique “#TommasosMemories” through a photo or video, along with a story of their memory, on Tommaso’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. The contest will run through September 2016.
“For 80 years we’ve been a family-run business, and we’re extremely proud of where we are today,” said co-owner Agostino Crotti. “It’s been an ongoing pleasure to continue the tradition that the Cantalupo Family started back in 1935.”
Initially known as Lupo’s, Tommaso’s keeps its traditions alive by sustaining the original wood-burning brick oven, keeping beloved menu items consistent, and maintaining their loyal fan base of generations of San Francisco and Bay Area residents.
For more information on Tommaso’s Restaurant and the 80th Anniversary Celebrations, visit the new Tommaso’s website at www.tommasos.com.
The Crotti family arrived in America during the late 1960’s to build a life in the United States, finally settling in San Francisco and later purchasing Tommaso’s in 1973. Tommaso’s continued its tradition as a beloved family-owned eatery, frequented by local luminaries including Francis Ford Coppola and the late Herb Caen, while an untold numbers of Bay Area families have grown up with both Tommaso’s and the Crotti family.
Tommaso’s today remains a North Beach favorite and a true family-run restaurant. Alongside Executive Chef and sister Lidia, Agostino Crotti makes the pizza dough and scours the markets for fresh seafood and vegetables, at night entertaining guests by waiting tables and recommending wines. Carmen Crotti works alongside Agostino to ensure the day-to-day operations and promotions of the restaurant are surpassing expectations. Even Agostino’s wife, Anna, makes the desserts and helps out on evenings. Together, the Crotti family carries on the tradition of serving their wood-fired brick oven pizza and sumptuous Italian food to universal acclaim. During Tommaso’s illustrious 80-year history, the beloved North Beach Italian restaurant has become a San Francisco institution.
Tommaso’s Ristorante Italiano – Pizza, Pastas, and Italian Specialties
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm; Sunday, 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Closed Mondays.
Tommaso’s is located at 1042 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California 94133.
415-398-9696
For more information on Tommaso’s, visit www.tommasos.com. Follow us on Twitter: @TommasosSF. Like us on facebook.com/TommasosRestaurant.
