A16

10/07/07

Throwing away money for food that's over priced

by foodielover

Sorely disappointed with the inconsistencies at this place. Look at prior reviews ranging from praises to warnings to stay away. It's favored by Yuppies who want to be seen throwing away money for food that's overpriced and not all good. Our server, Hannah, was very nice compared to prior reviews on service, but the bus boy was rushed, thus making it an uncomfortable experience. The sm salumi was very good with a variety of thin slices of meats and one serving of pate on a sm toasted bread slice. The salsiccia pizza came soggy on a thin flour crusted pizza, the sausage (a few pieces) were good but the pie was a disppointment ($15). The roast lamb was tasty as was the chicken meatballs. Both came with a choice of sides - the best was the olive oil roasted sweet corn, everyone raved about it. The romaine salad was passe'. At $20 for the meatballs(with side), you got 5 golf-ball sized meatballs and if you deducted approx $5 for the salad, each meatball would be $3-4 a piece! There was no pasta , just a mound of stewed tomatoes in the middle. The beef tri-tip was the most generous and very good. The large maccheronara ($28) was the smallest portion for the price. This pasta was quite good, like chewy udon but that's all it was, pasta with sauce and not much of it. Our bottle of Casavecchia was really good but expensive at $47/bottle. Dessert didn't fare better. The banana gelato special was very flavorful, but again, the portion ($3) was just larger than a golf ball. The apple crostata was a crunchy flat cookie-like tart, couldn't taste much apple, it came topped with a sm scooop of gelato. The blue cheese plate was most generous, served with slices of bread, plate of honey and sliver of almond cookie. The coffee came in a stainless steel European coffee press which impressed us more than the food! We don't understand how it made it in the SF Chronicle's top 100 restaurants. It's a very noisy restaurant to boot.

• Pros: Salumi, banana gelato, roasted corn side dish, Italian wine selections
• Cons: Parking, Yuppies, overrate/expensive, small portions, noisy

09/03/09

over rated

by bacchusbf

We ate here once and probably won't come back. We shared a tuna reserva and a salad and both lacked seasoning and imagination. Eating numerous time at Pizzaiolo in Oakland and then trying this place was like night night and day. The pizza was ho-hum and having to endure loud marina doosh bags was about as much as we could handle. The service was efficient but chilly and we were treated with watching the pizza cook slurp soda in front of us the entire time out of a deli cup then proceed to make our food. Strike one, two three yer gone.

• Pros: very open and comfortable
• Cons: food and service mediocre at best

04/05/09

Well worth the drive to SF

by lazde

Took a while to get reservations. After eating there, no wonder! Arrived early and sat at the bar. We are really picky on our wines and the bartender had great suggestions which we ended up with for dinner. Staff was excellent, friendly, very helpful. We had the Tuna Conserva Panzanella for starters (WOW), the Salsiccia Pizza, the Pasta Special with spring peas inside (very light)and a Chocolate Budino Tart recommended by our waitress (very light). Served as 3 courses shared by the two of us. Everything was amazing! When we got the bill, we could not believe how inexpensive for such great wine and food. Would definitely go back ...

• Pros: Excellent food, excellent service
• Cons: Never an open seat (except early at the bar)

03/24/09

Best Pasta

by taylormelissa27

We went on a Saturday night without a reservation. We had to wait 45 min for a table. We grabed a glass of wine, and waited patiently. It was all worth it. The pasta with mint and walnuts was so delicious. I could easily have that dish every day.

03/04/09

bad review

by CSMobileUser2

hostess with terrible attitude. Manager unresponsive and wimpy. Wait time too long. Pizza is soggy. I've seen a total deterioration in service and quality over the past year. Save your wait and money for a better restaurant.

01/07/09

Our Favorite Restaurant in San Francisco!

by luvmybasset

We've gone to A16 nearly every Friday night for the last year because it's always a perfect dining experience. The food is excellent, the staff couldn't be better and the wine list is divine. It's the perfect way to unwind and start the weekend. Our favorites include the mozzarella burrata, the funghi and margherita pizzas, the maccaronara pasta and the chocolate budino tart for dessert - all delicious!

This restaurant has a great vibe and we love it!

01/06/09

OVERRATED

by chrishemphill

Tried this place 4 years ago and haven't gone back until last night - same thoughts - Overrated!!

If you want pizza, there are plenty of pizza places around - Pizza Orgasmica, etc

Italian food - go to North Beach

• Pros: Good atmosphere
• Cons: Food is just ok, Hard to get reservations / Long wait

07/09/08

Bad Experience

by Pianolady

Ok, but overrated food. Lamb wasn't as tender as it should be. Atmosphere isn't as good as it used to be.

• Pros: Service
• Cons: Atmosphere

06/30/08

86 A16

by VicRomano

I can think of many more suitable names for this over-hyped dog. The food was average. I had the Duroc Pork and a pizza to share as a starter. The pizza was ok, but the Pork was ridiculously average. I am not sure where on the pig its Duroc is, but if its between it's hind legs I believe it. I found the wait staff to be pleasant and hospitable, which is more than I can say for the owners who were arrogant and rude. With experiences like these it will only be a matter of time before I will be picking up my dry cleaning or renting movies at the location that was A16.

• Pros: I didn't get the squirts
• Cons: Arogant Owners

06/30/08

Atmosphere Poor - Lamb Tough - The Emperor Has No Clothes!

by GoodFoodJunkie

Not impressed by this restaurant at all. Many better restaurants to choose from in the City. The lamb was tough and we had a very poorly prepared cheese/meat appetizer plate. The worst part is the management/owernship of the restaurant. Apparently you are not allowed to enjoy yourself while eating. We had the misfortune of sitting next to the owner. He kept staring us down everytime we made a joke at our table or had the temerity to laugh. We found out later in the evening that he's the owner of the restaurant. Hope you enjoy your snooty restaurant. By the way, our waitress was wonderful. I fee sorry that she has to work for such a control freak.

• Pros: Waitress
• Cons: Atmosphere - Food

02/06/08

Not Overrated

by yxes2008

I have only been to this restaurant once. However, the experince was wonderful. Our server was friendly and answered our many questions regarding the menu options. The sommelier was educated on the extensive wine list, and gave us some history about the winemaker and the varietal we selected. The food was full of flavors, and cooked perfect. The restaurant is not cheap, but I highly recommend it. It's a great location for celebrating something special!

• Pros: Wine/Food/Service
• Cons: Dark setting