Bocconcino North Beach Gets Conditional Pass for Minor Issues

Bocconcino, the Italian restaurant located at 516 Green Street in North Beach, received a conditional pass during its November 25, 2025 health inspection after addressing several minor violations that did not require closure. The restaurant remains open for business while working to correct administrative and procedural issues identified by health inspectors. Inspector John Wells conducted the routine inspection from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, documenting five minor violations that were immediately addressed or scheduled for correction. The conditional pass allows the establishment to continue serving customers while implementing necessary changes to achieve full compliance with San Francisco health regulations.

Administrative and Training Issues

The primary concern identified during this inspection involved missing food handler certifications. Restaurant management could not provide current food handler cards for employees, with some staff members lacking proper certification entirely. Health inspectors emphasized the importance of maintaining certified food handlers on site, as properly trained staff reduce critical violations by 60 percent through understanding of temperature control, contamination prevention, and proper hygiene practices. Additionally, the current H-25 License Certificate was not displayed as required by San Francisco regulations. The restaurant must obtain a new certificate from the SF Tax Collector's Office and post it in a conspicuous location for public viewing.

Food Safety and Equipment Concerns

Temperature monitoring emerged as another area requiring attention. The facility lacked a probe thermometer for taking accurate food temperatures, prompting inspectors to recommend obtaining a digital thermometer for proper temperature verification. This equipment is essential for ensuring food safety compliance and preventing temperature-related violations. Improper thawing methods were also observed, with calamari defrosting in standing cool water rather than using approved methods. Food service regulations require potentially hazardous foods to be defrosted using one of four approved methods: refrigeration, cool running water, microwave (when food will be cooked immediately), or direct cooking of frozen products. During the inspection, temperature issues were identified and corrected on site. Heavy cream measured at 50°F, sausage at 50°F, and garlic in oil at 45°F in the small food preparation cooler were moved to working refrigeration units. Hot holding items including meatballs at 110°F and meat sauce at 70°F were reheated to the required 165°F temperature.

Neighborhood Context and Operations

The restaurant continues serving customers in the heart of North Beach, a neighborhood known for its Italian dining establishments and proximity to public transportation including the 30 Stockton bus route. The conditional pass designation indicates that while corrections are needed, the violations were not severe enough to warrant closure or pose immediate health risks to diners.

Path Forward

Restaurant management has been provided with specific guidance for achieving full compliance, including obtaining proper certifications for all food handlers, displaying required licenses, acquiring necessary temperature monitoring equipment, and implementing proper food thawing procedures. The establishment's ability to correct violations during the inspection demonstrates responsiveness to health department requirements. This marks Bocconcino's first recorded inspection in the SF Restaurant Inspections database, establishing a baseline for future compliance monitoring. The restaurant's conditional pass status allows continued operations while addressing the identified administrative and procedural improvements needed to meet San Francisco's food safety standards.