Riposo

Italian flavors meet California ingredients in handmade pastas, artisan pizzas, and locally sourced dishes. Bright atmosphere with Thursday happy hour.

Riposo puts appealing details into familiar Italian favorites, from gremolata on short-rib pappardelle to crispy sage on mushroom pizza. Riposo at 256 East Grand Avenue in South San Francisco combines Italian pasta, pizza and sandwiches with detailed vegetable preparations and rich sauces. Bucatini amatriciana pairs pancetta with San Marzano tomatoes, while pappardelle features red-wine-braised short ribs, Parmesan and gremolata. Pesto gnocchi and the restaurant's mac and cheese offer other pasta directions, from herb-forward flavors to smoked cheese, truffle oil and pancetta. The pizza selection includes a burrata Margherita, a mushroom-and-leek fungo with crispy sage, and a prosciutto-topped di Parma. Starters such as house ricotta with herbed focaccia and crispy artichokes make it easy to build a shared meal. Salads, a meatball sandwich and an antipasto ciabatta provide alternatives to pasta and pizza. Riposo lists weekday lunch service and online ordering, making this East Grand Avenue restaurant a destination for Italian lunch in South San Francisco. Its menu also lists pasta, bread and pizza-crust substitutions made without gluten, available on request.