If there’s one thing that will have me setting a 1AM alarm, it’s the phrase “pasta tasting menu.” At the acclaimed Flour + Water, they offer just that, and even more so a special one to commemorate 15 years, with each course one of their “greatest hits.” If a reservation could be scored, this would be an excellent birthday surprise! Lucky for us, the alarm trick worked well, even nine hours ahead of their time zone.

Located on a lovely block of the Mission neighborhood, stop for an apertivo at neighborhood outpost, True Laurel, then follow your way to the iconic sign for pasta.

An amuse bouche featured a mini cannoli stuffed with soft cheese and salty caviar.

The first plate was a perfect tuna crudo with avocado, pickled almonds, jalapeño, and olive.

The next plate was all about the truffle- featuring a truffle arancini, black truffle sformato with layers of crispy potato, truffle honey, and parm crema- and finally the ‘mille crespelle with layers of mushroom, truffle, and bechamel. Woah.

Then there was a tribute to the Emiliano Reggiano region with a plate of some of its best ingredients- aged balsamic and parmesan to create this taleggio scarpinocc.

Maybe my (second) favorite dish of the evening was the Corn + Crescenza Cappelletti because of the color and multitude of variations of a fan favorite which each represented a different year in the restaurant’s history book.

Then there was morel tortellini in brodo of a mushroom and stinging nettles.

The favorite dish was the exceptionally flavorful squid ink corzetti which featured clams, veal sausage, snap peas, favas, and chili. Not only was the flavor out of this world, I’d never seen pasta like this which our waiter explained that in the olden days families would create unique versions as something akin to a family crest. Hard to tell here, but the designs were quite complicated and apparently these take ages to make- definitely work the wait.

The final pasta was the grano orso cappellacci dei briganti which was full of veal polpettini, peas, and preserved lemon.

Dessert was the chocolate bundino with espresso-caramel cream, and a generous sprinkling of sea salt. Not a chocolate lover, this blew my hair straight back and the birthday boy was most happy too.

After a tour de force of flavors and wine pairs, we left happy, sleepy, and surprisingly not too full thanks to the shared plates. Highly recommend Flour + Water for a special meal. Set your alarm.