07/08/09

Excellent brunch

by cdsinvestor

I ate here for lunch last Saturday, the July 4th holiday. I was with my aunt and brother. I am guessing that the brunch menu we saw was a weekend/holiday menu rather than their regular lunch menu. We were seated right away, and the service was fairly prompt. I had the strawberry french toast. It was superb! They use brioche bread, cooked correctly and smothered with small strawberry bites and blueberries. It was topped with a large dollop of real whipped cream. They also provide maple syrup, but I didn't need any of it as there were plenty of berries and whipped cream to go with all four pieces of toast. My aunt and brother both had pannini sandwiches with the side salad, and they thought those were great. In particular, they thought the bread was really fresh and tasty. If this place had problems when it opened, it sure didn't seem like they were still having any last Saturday.

• Pros: high quality, well-made, delicious
• Cons: limited menu

06/18/09

you will leave hungry

by CSMobileUser2

I ate here just a few nights ago. the staff was very nice and even let me rearrange the furniture. The portions were so small, ive seen bigger portions on a kids menu. the food was good, just not nearly enough. 2 people and it was 85 dollars, which included a glass of wine and 3 beers. 5 dollar beers each, 8 dollar wine per glass. we had to eat later on that night.

12/22/05

Classic Chic Italian Quick Service food!

by sfcaman

You cannot go wrong with their regional baked goods. The panini are average, but don't underestimate the food. The food is authentic and cooked as in mama's Italian kitchen. The food here is more authentic than its neighbor A16 right accross the street and there are no lines for dinner! It doesn't have the chi-chi atmosphere of A16, but it's got a more inventive Italian menu and chef. IMO, this is a real sleeper....wake-up Marina people!

• Pros: fast service, authentic, good Italian wines
• Cons: expensive pastries, more of a cafe feel

08/15/05

Food as good as pastry

by danielb12

I had been at Emporio Rulli Caffe when they first open and it was not very well together, my wife and I wanted to give them another chance and I'm glad we did, they have improved a great deal, at our arrival we both order a glass of wine and two minutes later the server arrived with a very nice mini tasting of buschettas on the house he mentioned, excellent detail. then we order the pasta with rabbit was excellent the pasta with squash good flavor very well done. very good job I hope they keep it up!

• Pros: good value, excellent food, great wine
• Cons: parking , cakes, to open

12/08/04

Italians and Italo-philes linger over espresso, sweets, and light meals in an authentic, elegant cafe.

by Contributor

The Scene
The opulent and sun-poured room with recessed oval fresco overhead and marble flooring creates a timeless sense of Euro chic. The service is warmer than it would be on the Continent, else the locals with designer sweaters swung 'round their shoulders might not pop in for regular pampering, panini, and pastry.

The Food
Mostly a bake shop and purveyor of homemade gelato, the savory lunch menus are simple and adequate. Start with the homemade soup of the day--on our visit, the fragrant tomato with pasta had cheery seasonal presence. Panini, such as the proscutto and asiago, or grilled pepper and eggplant, are dry-pressed to be molten and light, and paired with a salad, the perfect prelude to dessert. Despite stellar presentation, the cakes didn't translate to the fork; they were sullen with dull cream, soggy crust, and gloopy mouthfeel. Instead, head directly to the crisp and perfect butter cookies, and the outstanding chew and resoundingly nutty flavor of the house marzipan.