Terzo Awards

Terzo Restaurant Review:

Taking its name from the Italian word for "third," Terzo represents the third restaurant for Nice Ventures restaurant group and owner Laurie Thomas, who also own Rose's Café. Terzo is a bright, European-style bistro with tall light-welcoming windows, a communal oak high-top table, brown leather banquettes, a cozy brick fireplace and Edison bulbs suspended from the ceiling. Though Terzo has all the trappings of a Marina hot-spot, the crowd is a nice mix of neighborhood regulars and trendy hipsters. The menu, which changes weekly, features an array of dishes good for sharing: burrata and house-cured salumi; fluffy, moist ricotta and green garlic soufflé; rare slices of roasted Niman Ranch beef served with brown, crispy potatoes; and the delicately flavored, creamy boudin blanc. Ordering the gnocchi alla Romana can be deceiving; rather than little pasta pillows of potato, it is a custardy semolina square, almost cheesecake-like in texture, in a Niman Ranch beef ragù. Terzo also offers an impressive list of vegetarian options; try the fennel à la Grecque, braised fennel tossed with olives, oregano and a soft-cooked egg. Crispy onions are some of the best in town. The wine list includes a nice array of varietals from Italy, France, Spain and California.