Being in the Castro with some friends after work, we walked to Poesia for dinner, the place was busy and we sat at the bar.

The place has been renovated since it open, opening even more table next to the bar. Old italian movie projected on the whole without sound, thank god because that night we didn’t need more noise. This is one of the noisiest place I have ever had dinner. Having a conversation with my friends became almost a joke. We couldn’t hear each other unless we screamed at one another.

The three of us ordered an appetizer and a main course.

I started with the Tortino ai carciofi, fried artichoke cake. This wasn’t bad, it was very surprising in texture, the outside crispy to perfection and the inside really soft, almost like a mousse. I liked it.

My friends ordered the salad of arugula, pear and fennel.  It was very good too, very refreshing.

I ordered then the squid ink risotto, on bed of aspergus. The risotto was over cook as were the shrimp. This was a deceiving dish.

My friends ordered the orecchiete al forno and the porcini risotto, both of those dishes were much better!

As a desert we order the chocolate mousse with sea salt and olive oil, becoming now very popular in many restaurant. The ganache was dense and a prefect combination with the oil and salt, spiced up by a bit of powdered cayenne pepper.

All the plates were well presented, maybe wanting to compete a bit with the big names out there. The portion are generous and the price will jolt you for a few minutes.

I think Poesia’s should keep things simple, the plates and the prices and become this neighborhood gem that everyone craves for. With no appetizer under $12-15 and most main course around $27, $35 for the lamb, I expect fine dinning, not a sit at a corner of a bar, over looking a very crowed and noisy place.

Summary: I would recommend Poesia because the food is good. But be ready to sell one of your kidney if you’re taking more than one person. Bill for 3: $168.45 Yikes!