Bocconcino Italian Restaurant Gets Conditional Pass for Violations

Bocconcino, the Italian restaurant located at 516 Green Street in North Beach, received a conditional pass during its routine health inspection on November 25, 2025. While the restaurant can continue operating, inspectors identified several violations requiring prompt correction, primarily related to temperature control and employee certification requirements. The inspection, conducted between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, revealed multiple temperature violations that raised food safety concerns. Health department inspectors found heavy cream, sausage, and garlic in oil stored at dangerous temperatures of 45-50°F in the small food preparation cooler, well above the required 41°F threshold. More concerning were hot holding violations, with meatballs measured at just 110°F and meat sauce at 70°F, both below safe hot holding temperatures.

Temperature Control Issues

The most significant violation involved improper thawing methods, as inspectors observed calamari defrosting in standing cool water. California Retail Food Code requires potentially hazardous foods to be thawed using only four approved methods: in the refrigerator, under cool running water, in the microwave if cooking immediately, or by directly cooking the frozen product. Inspector findings showed that multiple foods in the large preparation cooler and door sections measured above the critical 41°F safety threshold. However, restaurant staff immediately moved all improperly stored items to working coolers or reheated them appropriately, demonstrating quick response to address the violations. One major violation was corrected on-site during the inspection, showing the restaurant's commitment to immediate compliance. The facility also lacked a probe thermometer, an essential tool for monitoring food temperatures throughout service.

Certification and Documentation Gaps

Beyond temperature control, this inspection revealed gaps in employee certification. The operator could not provide food handler cards for staff members and acknowledged that some employees might not possess current certifications. Health regulations require all food service employees to maintain valid food handler cards with evidence available for review during inspections. Additionally, inspectors noted that the current H-25 License Certificate was not properly posted. Restaurants must display their current license certificate in a conspicuous location where customers and inspectors can easily view it.

Restaurant Operations Continue

Despite these violations, Bocconcino remains open for business while addressing the cited issues. The conditional pass allows the Italian restaurant to continue serving customers near the Powell-Mason Cable Car line while implementing necessary corrections. The restaurant, operated by Convivium LLC, must obtain proper food handler certifications for all employees, acquire a digital probe thermometer for temperature monitoring, and properly post their license certificate. Staff must also review and implement approved thawing procedures to prevent future violations.

First-Time Inspection

This marks Bocconcino's first recorded inspection in the San Francisco health department database, making it difficult to assess long-term compliance patterns. The restaurant's quick response to correct violations during the inspection suggests management's willingness to maintain food safety standards. The establishment must address all cited violations before its next inspection to achieve a full pass rating. The health department will likely conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure all corrections have been properly implemented and that temperature control systems are functioning within safe parameters. Customers can continue dining at the Green Street location while the restaurant works to perfect its food safety operations and achieve full compliance with San Francisco health codes.