09/07/07

Nice little Italian place

by mcgillis

Not a bad little Italian place not far from Union Square on Sutter St. Close to theaters so a good choice if you're going to a show ... but ... service can be slow, very slow so make reservations & go earlier than you think you need to (that way you'll enjoy a nice meal without being rushed/under pressure to leave in order to make the opening curtain). Had the bruschetta with mushroom &gorgonzola from the special sheet. Pretty good if a bit bland for my taste. It was gorgonzola on it but it was the mildest I've ever experienced. For my palate, I would prefer more bite. I ordered fusilli all'amatriciana. Got rotini. It was in between al dente & over done. The sauce was not what I expected but was okay. My wife had pene all'arabiata. She enjoyed her's more than I mine. They like tomato here & use it in everything. My caesar salad was a nice salad; I just wouldn't call it a ceasar when it includes tomatoes & olives; not sure it had a caesar dressing either. My wife's minestroni soup was also different -- good but different (potatoes in it was a first). The greeting is warm. Their web site is dead/suspended. Not sure what that means or portends for the place. The tiramisu was good as was the coffee to finish off the meal.

• Pros: location
• Cons: service

12/01/04

Neighborhood Gem

by sftransplant

I live in SF and have become so tired of paying 80-100 bucks for mediocre meals. What a little find! This isn't fancy and it will not wow you with something new or unique. What you will get is consistently fresh pasta/sauces/veal/seafood at decent prices in a relaxed, yet intimate room. We usually ask for something different on the menu (adding chicken or mixing sauces) based on a waiters recommendation and have always had a good meal. Decent chianti too...

• Pros: food, service, good value

09/19/04

Disappointed in the service

by mwparks

I was traveling through SF and visited this place based on other CitySearch reviews...which were mostly good.

The food was very good but the service was terrible. I don't understand what the problem was with our server...he would disappear for long periods of time between courses while we just sat and stared at the wall for a very long time. From the other reviews I assume the service is hit or miss. Sometimes you get a good server and enjoy the experience while other times you get a bad server and end up like us...frustrated and angry.

I have never been so frustrated waiting for service at any place in my life.

When I return to SF I will avoid this place as there are many better selections from which to choose.

• Pros: atmosphere, food, location
• Cons: , service, service