Standing proudly on the corner of Columbus and Vallejo streets is Steps of Rome Trattoria. Its triangular shape gives the place an old San Francisco feel, but it has a spacious and newly-renovated interior. The striking red walls and Roman themed decor embodies the idea of what a Trattoria is, casual and welcoming but with great food and great ambiance.

At Steps of Rome I sampled two magnificent warm desserts, the cannoli and the Nutella Pizza. Cannoli are a staple in Italian cuisine. Steps of Rome revisits that staple and elevates it with a golden brown cannoli, a thick creamy filling on the inside, and a golden crunchy shell on the outside. The filling was smooth and had hints of vanilla, while the shell had a satisfying crunch.

An interesting contrast was made with the warmth of the shell versus the cool cream filling. Topped with candied fruits, chocolate chips, and powdered sugar, they were presented beautifully as a trio and were just as delicious. The sweetness level was not too high, making it a perfect pick for those with and without a sweet tooth.

The main attraction, however, was the warm Nutella Pizza. Many restaurants have some form of Nutella calzone or pizza, but nothing compares to the splendor of the one that can be found at Steps of Rome. It came steaming out of the pizza oven; however, it was not like an average pizza. The pizza was Neapolitan thin crust, smothered with a thick layer of Nutella and topped with powdered sugar. It balanced the rich hazelnut flavor of the Nutella with the simplicity of perfect pizza dough. Every bite was heaven.

Ultimately I would rate Steps of Rome a 5/5. Everything was perfect and I will certainly be returning.