03/22/09

Worst Meal in San Francisco

by sportsfansf

This is without doubt one of the worst Italian meals I've ever had. It's clear that this place is meant to draw in tourist that don't know any better. What really stands out for this place is the food, and it is tasteless! Nothing seems homemade-the Caesar salad had a totally canned/jared dressing that was thick and piled on; a pesto pasta dish had absolutely no flavor at all (it was even a bit watery); a bolognese pasta tasted liked it came right from a can of 'Chef-Boy-R-Dee.' Beyond the poor food, the place is pretty dirty, from the stained menus to them wiping the tables down so that all the bread crumbs and other table scraps slip and stay stuck between the cracks of the adjoining tables. Forks are not replaced so prepare to mix and match your starter with your entree. And not once did a waiter come by a table (we watched 5 around us including ours) to check in and see if everything was OK. Most of the staff huddled at the bar area being social, texting rather than paying attention to people eating. It's clear that this is a tourist trap to say the least. I might have expected this is Rome where I've experienced mediocre restaurants located near tourists sites, but here in S.F. It honestly makes The Olive Garden a dream destination. I only wish I read some reviews before going. Nothing personal or against the folks that work there but way too may other places in the city to eat at. Save your money and take your taste buds somewhere else..that is unless you like bland food.

• Pros: Friendly Staff
• Cons: Tasteless Food; Mediocre Service; Dirty

03/16/09

Good Food, Loud

by joedrucker

Had dinner on a Saturday night. The food was good. Very simple italian dishes and the ingredients tasted fresh. My wife and I had a really good meal, reasonably priced.

This is not a romantic restaurant. House music playing in the background and the restaurant was very busy. In my opinion this would be a good group dinner place or dinner before a night on the town.

• Pros: Good Food, friendly service
• Cons: Loud

12/18/08

So so?

by CSMobileUser

The atmosphere was great but food was so so... it could have been better,The atmosphere was great but food was so so... it could have been better.

11/13/07

AMAZAINGLY DELICIOUS! OVER the TOP SERVICE!

by ibsonia

Panta Rei has the best representation, presentation, and quality that I have ever experienced. Hands down the best Itallian food and service. I recommend this restuarant to anyone who enjoys high quality food, wine, good music, and over the top service. The Tiramisu is the BEST!!

• Pros: A Place for Anyone to Enjoy!
• Cons: I wish there was one in San Diego

09/30/07

Super authentic!!!

by matthadoll

I can't say enough great things about this restaurant! Very crowded for Saturday dinner, and very lively. I noticed that some people gave negative reviews for that sort of atmosphere, I on the other hand, enjoyed it. Many of the service members are actually Italian, including the cute hostess. It was a little difficult to get in on Saturday night, but definitely worth the wait. Atmosphere was very much like a trendy Italian restaurant on Ostiense or near Ponte Milvio in Rome.

The food was delicious and amazing! Haven't had such authentic Italian cuisine since I've been back. Even though they were bursting at the seams busy, the restaurant still allowed me a custom order for my favourite dish - Penne al arrabiata. It tasted just like a homespun trattoria in Rome! They have a good mix of "Americanized Italian" food, as well as some very surprising authentic choices like the Fettuccine Cinghiale (boar).

I read a few of the negative reviews: Don't pay attention to them! The food and experience of this restaurant is fabulous and exactly like the newer hip restaurants in Italy! So many of the other places in No. Beach just staff their restaurants with Hispanic people and call themselves authentic Italian. So disappointing! The pasta is fresh al dente, that does NOT mean undercooked like soggy-melts-in-your-mouth-American pasta. The waiters will not dote on you and interrupt your meal every freaking five minutes to ask if you need another inch of water, if you'll absolutely die cause you don't have a lemon wedge perfectly perched on your glass, or give you cheesy grins and ask you (for the umpteenth time) if everything is alright. Uninterrupted meals are more valued in Italy than in the States, I suppose.

Yes, that is olive oil drizzled on your bruschetta and pasta... Italians pour it on everything, deal with it. It's not grease, and your health will probably struggle more with margarine than olive oil.

• Pros: Non-encroaching wait-staff, actual Italians in North Beach, delicious food
• Cons: Difficult to park.

06/20/07

A Good Ladies Night Out Spot

by josechan

If your looking for a good ladies night out location, this is one for you. I have been there a few times now, and every time, we are always seated promptly even though it may seemed packed from the outside. Once seated, the bruscetta is amazing, try it! All their pasta is homemade and you can definitely taste the difference. Try the salmon ravioli, it seems like a different mixture of flavors, but they end up being incredible! (that's my favorite dish) They have a good wine selection of moderately priced wines, which is nice, so you can enjoy the wine and not worry about breaking the bank. And lastly, the main reason why this is a great destination restaurant for ladies night out, the male servers are pretty nice to look at!

05/18/07

Best Italian Food, Great Atmosphere

by liz41590

My friend and I discovered this restaurant about 2 years ago when we were parousing through San Francisco's North Beach area. The gnocci is to die for, the calzones are the size of your head, and just about anything will please even the pickiest eaters appetite.This restaurant has a great ambiance, and the food is outstanding. If you are looking for a romantic, delicious place to eat, I would deffinatley reccomend this restaurant.

• Cons: Parking is a little hard to find on the street, but there is a parking garage up the street where you can usually find a spot.

05/11/07

Best Calzone ever! One of my favorite spots

by jwest282

I'm a Panta Rei regular, addicted to the Calzone. It seriously is the best I've ever had and I travel to New York on a regular basis. I've had a few other dishes on the menu, they were good but for me it's all about the Calzone. Great wine selection, great atmosphere and people watching. Outside seating with heater available (but it is on a busy street, right by the bus stop). Service can be great or lacking depending on who's servicing you. Seems like the waitresses have their act together while the waiters are too busy dancing, singing and goofing off to take their jobs seriously.

• Pros: Great food, overall great restaurant
• Cons: Waiters can be slackers

05/01/07

great wine list, delicious pasta!

by angelayi326

Went here for a casual company dinner with our boss and some coworkers. Had an amazing time in good company, which included our company staff and the entire staff at Panta Rei. Since we all got to share a taste of each other's dinners, I can honestly say that their menu is awesome. The music and ambience was great (yay for house music!), the wine was delicious, and the waitstaff were all so sweet and friendly. Service was quick and efficient but they don't rush you, even at their busiest. Also, best tiramisu I've ever had in my life! I definitely will be coming back here often.

05/01/07

awesome waitstaff and amazing food!

by divaliciousxo12

I'm really picky about Italian food, especially in tourist-y North Beach, but our boss chose Panta Rei for our monthly dinner/drinks night. Not only was the waitstaff attentive and VERY friendly, but the food was amazing. Every bottle of wine was perfectly paired with our meals and the tiramisu dessert was to die for. Praises also go to Ashley, who single-handedly bartended the entire restaurant with quick and efficient hands, good energy, and a smile. The night was definitely one to remember...despite going through about 5 bottles of wine among 10 people.

• Pros: friendly & quick waitstaff, delicious food & wine, great music
• Cons: none