Italy might well be my (and perhaps your) global destination of choice. The people, the art, the history—and, of course, the food and wine—are like that of no other place in the world. But traveling there, especially during the high tourist seasons, can be a challenge.

Thankfully, two new spectacular Italian eateries have emerged, one in San Francisco, and one coastside. They both transport you to the culinary offerings of that alluring peninsula nation without the airfare. Their names? Bar Sprezzatura here in the city and Fattoria e Mare in Half Moon Bay.