San Francisco’s Theater District
“Tratto” means the stroke of a pen or a mark in Italian, nodding to both the neighborhood’s artistic history and the name of The Marker, the boutique hotel next door. The Marker, a newly rebranded Joie de Vivre Hotel, opened in 2015, and is surrounded by the city’s top theaters, shops and museums, including the new SFMOMA, offering guests a dynamic and elevated cultural San Francisco experience. Tratto’s flavorful menu of simple, delicious and shareable dishes coupled with casual, communal-style dining creates a neighborhood bar experience inspired by the Italian tradition of “aperitivo,” or happy hour.
“I am thrilled to partner with Puccini Group once again to open Tratto,” said Executive Chef Kevin Scott, who was formerly at The Big 4 in San Francisco, another Puccini Group concept. “I discovered my passion for cooking in the heartland of Italy and I look forward to no
t only serving food that is fresh, unassuming and delicious, but creating an enjoyable environment that is reflective of the Italian spirit.”
Chef Scott (photo, right), who is also executive chef for The Marker, has crafted a menu of small plates featuring pan-regional, bucolic Italian cuisine prepared using fresh, seasonal ingredients that reflect the offerings at local farmer’s markets. The menu features an array of dishes such as house-made pastas and sausages, pizza, seasonal vegetables and seafood that are prepared with as little manipulation as possible, ranging from slow-cooked braises to “à la minute” cuisine. Tratto also offers a wide selection of traditional small-plate antipasti, entrees served family-style, seasonal side dishes, and classic Italian desserts including ice creams, gelatos and sorbets. In addition to communal-style dining at the bar or main dining room, the restaurant caters to locals and hotel guests seeking a convenient take-out option by offering a portion of its menu to-go.
Tratto guests are invited to enjoy 12 to 15 traditional Italian cocktails “with a twist,” as well as bottled cocktails, Italian cream sodas, a housemade limoncello program, an enticing selection of West Coast and Italian beers and a carefully curated program of wines from throughout Italy and California. Fifteen wines are offered by the glass, as well as two on tap, in addition to a house “jug wine” and 50 wines by the bottle.
San Francisco artist Amos Goldbaum,
best known for his popular t-shirt designs and impactful murals, is Tratto’s inaugural artist-in-residence. He has crafted a number of large landscape pieces for the restaurant that are inspired by the iconic vistas, streets and skylines of San Francisco. Goldbaum’s works for Tratto’s main dining room are panoramic cityscapes that look out from the Tenderloin, capturing landmarks like Sutro Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid, while the private dining room’s murals present Goldbaum’s reflections on the rituals and processes of food-making.
Tratto’s interior design is comfortable, bright, and reflective of the vibrant neighborhood surrounding the restaurant. Puccini Group’s design team intends for the interiors to be a backdrop for the dining experience, in which Goldbaum’s artwork plays a key role. 
Moments in the design, such as the modern light fixtures, echo the artist’s work while the furniture selection at Tratto reflects a Californian interpretation of classic Italian design. The decorative pendants are from Rich Brilliant Willing, and playfully recall the line-work of a pen. The crocodile leather on the vintage dining chairs recalls an Italian design sensibility of appearing effortlessly polished. The bold, patterned tile floor recalls a European café, while the high ceilings and arched windows result in a bright airy space that becomes a dramatic dining room at night—a place where guests will feel relaxed and inspired to linger for cocktails, and stay for a meal with friends.
Prior to arriving at The Marker and Tratto, Chef Scott was a well-respected food stylist and Executive Chef at The Big 4 in San Francisco. 
He started his culinary career at Jardinière, Traci Des Jardins’ signature restaurant, after discovering his passion for cooking while working alongside Italian grandmothers and farmers at local markets as part of a food shoot in Italy. He has since cooked at Bisou Bistronomy San Francisco, Hog Island Oyster Company, Bar Jules and Scala’s Bistro.
Open seven days a week for breakfast and dinner, as well as weekend brunch, Tratto has entrances from both Geary Street and the hotel’s lobby, making it a tempting stop for theater-goers, shoppers, hotel guests and passersby. The restaurant also offers a private dining room, an ideal spot for events and seated dining for up to 26. For more information, please visit www.tratto-sf.com.
ABOUT PUCCINI GROUP
Puccini Group has been creating inspired concepts and interior designs for the world’s leading restaurants since Bob Puccini founded the firm in 1996. Puccini Group’s clients include many of the world’s leading hospitality brands, including: St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and Starwood. Puccini Group’s multi-studio specializations include Concepts, Interior Design, Marketing, Branding, and Restaurant Operations, which together results in a holistic approach to successful hospitality experiences in projects both within its home state of California, and internationally. For information, please visit www.puccinigroup.com.
ABOUT THE MARKER
Housed in a turn-of-the-century building in the heart of downtown San Francisco, The Marker, a Joie de Vivre Hotel, is located just steps away from the historic beauty of Union Square. Distinct among San Francisco’s lifestyle hotels, the signature warmth permeates the property from the service to the design of the interiors. Surrounded by the city’s top theaters, restaurants, museums and shops, the urban boutique hotel features 208 newly renovated, vibrant and stylish guestrooms. The Marker celebrates the vibrancy of the city and the dynamism of their guests through innovative programming and thoughtful service. Guests can enjoy thoughtful special amenities including unlimited PressReader access for the digital newsstand, bicycle rentals to explore the city, in-room spa services and more. The lobby living room’s plush, over-sized couches and curated local activations beckon guests to stay a while and soak in the comfortable, social atmosphere while unique programs, steeped in local authenticity, connect guests to the best of the destination. For more information, please visit www.themarkersanfrancisco.com.