Parmhero

I had forgotten because it’s been a while since I’ve been there (I don’t go out for Italian food that often–it’s one of the cuisines I like to cook at home and, if I do say so myself, I’m not bad at it), but please also consider Little Italy in Noe Valley near 24th and Castro: http://www.epinions.com/rest-review-AF-142927E-392E1B10-prod2 and http://www.posthoc.com/littleitaly.htm .

I happen to love garlic and the reviewers are correct. This place uses it with abandon (so does Cafe Sport as I recall). When I used to go there regularly, I called the food here "Sicilian Soul Food" but it’s in the Italian-American genre. It’s also easy to get to from downtown–take the J-Church metro line to 24th and Church, walk up 24th St (a safe and interesting strip).