Thirty-five years ago, Vincent Correnti set foot on the corner of Union & Mason and knew  it would be where he’d start the Correnti family legacy in North Beach. Very shortly after that, his sons Dirk and Bret and his sister Ann were all there to make their family trattoria thrive. Thirty-five years later, Trattoria Contadina is still full of Correntis. 

The average time an employee works at Trattoria Contadina is 15 years. That is simply unheard of in the restaurant business. The fact that we have made it this long is a testament to the family atmosphere that has welcomed you for all these years.

Gina & Kevin both feel a great responsibility to keep "The Tratt " going in Kevin's grandfather, Vince Correnti's, honor.

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The motto which hangs at the front door states: Lascia i problemi alla porta. Buon appetito.
Translation: Leave your problems at the door. Enjoy your meal.

                                                                     Third Generation Owners
                                                                            Gina & Kevin Correnti

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Since 1984, the Correnti family has been committed to using organic ​produce and
sustainably-raised meats and wild fish whenever possible.

A Short History of the Correnti Family

Vince & Betty Correnti
Vince Correnti- 1940-1990 (sadly died young)
Founder of Trattoria Contadina in 1984.
Wife, Betty, and mother to:

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Dirk & Bret Correnti
Vince & Betty’s sons who ran the restaurant together for most of the 80’s & 90’s.
Both still alive & well, but not involved in the business.

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Kevin & Gina Correnti
Kevin Correnti - Dirk’s oldest son, has literally grown up in the restaurant business.  He does not remember a time without Chef Juan & JP in his day to day.
Kevin has always leaned towards the arts and finds joy in adding seasonal dishes to CONTADINA'S menu.
Kevin is on his way to completing his WSET Level 3 and Court of Master Sommelier Level 1.
WSet 3 is a European equivalent Sommelier, making him certified in both Europe and the US. 
Gina, who started in 2000 as a hostess, quickly was promoted to GM and worked with Dirk for many years. In 2004, she completed her degree at San Francisco State and decided to stay on at CONTADINA.  After a few more years, Kevin returned from college in Santa Barbara, and they quickly knew it was love.  Married in 2011, Kevin and Gina decided to buy CONTADINA while Dirk relocate out of state.   
Now, raising two children, Kevin and Gina are at the restaurant nightly, but not together. 
"Ships passing in the night"
The trade off of work and parenting is a dream arrangement. 
Betty, daughter (named after Kevin’s Grandma). 
​August (Gus), son.

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Vince Correnti
Vince Correnti - Bret’s son (named after grandpa) - Bartender and Host when Gina and Kevin aren’t there. Vince started his career bussing tables at CONTADINA when he was 18. He knew at a young age, the restaurant was his home.  Vince was (and still is) so excited
to be working with his family.
He loves bartending & loves living in North Beach.
The week of Vince’s 21st birthday, he moved behind the bar and has been making craft cocktails ever since.
​His  favorite drinks to make are variations of Negronis.
Vince is proud of his family legacy and cares deeply about preserving it.

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There’s always a Correnti in the restaurant, keeping the family tradition alive!

We look forward to meeting you and your family.

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IN THE KITCHEN

Meet the faces behind the magic of Contadina. Our staff is our extended family, and we couldn't do it without them!

JP Juan Paulo Enriquez

Chef

From: Zamora, Michoácan, lived in North Beach since the early 1980’s. With the help of Vince Correnti (SR), JP became a US citizen in 1998.

Started: the day we opened 08/25/1984

Favorite dish to make: Pavarotti - The #7. We haven’t had the numbers on the menu since the 80’s, but people who’ve been coming here for years still order The #7.

Contributions to the menu: Pavarotti, Melanzane, Local Red Snapper, Veal Correnti

Family: 1 son, who he’s putting through medical school
Hobbies/interests: fútbol

Juan Martinez

Chef

From: Guadalajara, Mexico
Started: 1987
Favorite dish to make: Carlesimo 

Dishes he’s created or perfected: Tiramisu

Family: 11 sisters

Hobbies/Interest: fútbol, team Cruz Azul

Arturo Marquez

Line Cook

From: Jalisco, Mexico

Started: 2001

Favorite dish to make: Pavarotti 

Family: 4 children, 11 grandchildren

Hobbies/Interest: A’s Baseball

Rocky Castanon 

Prep Cook

From: San Marcos, Guatemala

Started: 1989

Favorite dish to make: Chicken Piccata

Dishes he’s created or perfected: Meatballs & gnocchi

Family: Widowed, 2 sons and 1 daughter

Hobbies/Interest: Basketball, church, listening to his son play the piano 

Cesar Castanon

Pantry Chef

From: San Marcos, Guatemala

Started: 2002

Favorite dish to make: Cesare salad

Dishes he’s created or perfected: Bruschetta 

Family: 4 kids and 1 grandson

Hobbies/Interest: fútbol, Barcelona

And yes, Rocky and Cesar are brothers!

Joe Balbi

Porter 

Started: 1984
From: North Beach, San Francisco native
Porter is a fancy way of saying dishwasher. And yes, Joe has washed dishes here since 1984. 

Hobbies/Interest: Music & Movies. Almost a photographic memory - Joe has the ability to recite what year & where every song was recorded in the 1970’s.