Ryan Hunter Bluestone has taken to social media to see where he should venture next, and the results did not disappoint, Ryan Hunter Bluestone says Bottega Valencia (conveniently named after the street it’s on) located in the heart of The Mission, is worth the hype (and the wait). Ryan Hunter Bluestone shares he was excited to have traditional Italian meals and flavors, with a modern twist in ambiance, and a staff that feels like family. See the highlights below.
1. The Guest List: Bottega is a restaurant with a line out the door from the moment they open till the moment they close. Ryan Hunter Bluestone’s favorite way to tell if a restaurant is good is if they don’t take reservations. Ryan Hunter Bluestone shared “Bottega is so good they don’t need to take them.” They have indoor seating filled with mostly young adults, with room for cool and hip adults of all ages. There is additional seating upstairs, but these tables can often take more than an hour in wait time. The hostess recommended having a drink whilst waiting outside, as their bar seating is included in their waitlist. If you want a quicker wait time, Ryan Hunter Bluestone recommends bundling up and sitting in their outdoor seating. Ryan Hunter Bluestone says that though you might think you are missing out, sitting outside, the reality is you get all the fun of watching the people walk by, hearing the cool music, and the wait staff brings the good vibes out. Ryan Bluestone says he didn’t have to wait anytime for an outside table.
2. Ambiance: As touched on before, Ryan Hunter Bluestone recalls the ambiance to be a fun, hip, unique vibe. Rose gold chairs, wooden tables to bring in the warmth, bright accent colors (mostly pink so it is very Instagram friendly), flowers covering the whole wall, thinking lights, the LED light sign above the bar, and LED light stands for the outside tables. The lighting is just right for the insta worthy pic. One of Ryan Hunter Bluestone’s favorite parts was the music. Ryan Hunter Bluestone felt like he wanted to dance while he was eating as they played current popular house music. Ryan Hunter Bluestone’s other favorite part was the vibe that the staff brought. All the staff were cool and friendly, with big smiles on their faces, and wanted to help make the most of your meal. The servers were on point with recommendations and descriptions of the food (and knowledgeable about dietary restrictions)- they felt like a friendly guide on your dinner journey and Ryan Hunter Bluestone says they truly added to the experience. The helping staff was also on point with constantly filling water, cleaning tables, and bringing any additional items while barely having to ask them. They also all wear hoodies. For a nice restaurant, Ryan Hunter Bluestone said this made it seem so current and relaxed.
3. The Menu: Bottega is a traditional Italian restaurant. The first thing Ryan Hunter Bluestone said while looking at the menu was that it was “legit”. They have appetizers and a fried section, they have their own signature pasta dishes and a ‘build your own pasta’ (Ryan Hunter Bluestone notes that this is great if you are dairy-free or gluten-free), pizzas, and traditional entrees. They bring out fresh focaccia with thinly sliced garlic baked in to start. Ryan Hunter Bluestone said it was delectable plain, even without oil or butter. Additionally, they have a fun cocktail list and even better desserts.
4. Recommendations: Aside from what is mentioned above here is what Ryan Hunter Bluestone recommends: For drinks, Ryan Hunter Bluestone recommends the Gossip, a fun blue vodka cocktail garnished with a flower, or an espresso martini. For appetizers, Ryan Hunter Bluestone says you cannot go wrong with the Burrata Alla Caprese or the Fried Mozzarella (Mozzarella in Carrozza). For pasta, Ryan Hunter Bluestone has heard that the Gnocchi and Mezzemaniche Boscaiola are fantastic. Ryan Hunter Bluestone also says after trying the gluten-free pasta with pesto-you truly cannot go wrong. Ryan Bluestone also recommends the Chicken Parmigiana and reports that the Branzino is the best. Ryan Hunter Bluestone also notes all of the pizzas look incredible and you cannot go wrong choosing any of them.
This restaurant is seriously worth the hype and Ryan Hunter Bluestone highly recommends it.
