Reviews & Ratings for Spqr

Pasta Heaven

by GAntonini at Citysearch

SPQR is quickly becoming one of my favorites, especially since it is open until 10:30pm unlike most other spots in my neighborhood!

The buckwheat pasta is a must--savory but simple. I want to lick the plate when the last of it is gone.

The buratta is like mozzarella but creamier. Its covered with balsamic vinegar and sea salt--I always end up ordering it but wish it came with a crustini....

• Pros: PASTA and the wine

Pretty dang good

by kmneary at Citysearch

The french press coffee was so fresh. Paired with the corned beef hash (a rare menu option) I'd say it was a pretty delish meal. I wish the menu selection was a bit larger, but all in all, I walked out smiling.

• Pros: Corned beef hash

So confused

by MelSF , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

Ok feel free to call me dumb, but I could not understand their brunch menu! The only thing I could pick out that looked familiar was 2 eggs with bacon and potatoes, so that is what I ordered. The bacon wasn't crispy which kind of sucked. In addition I also ordered the pecorino biscuit which was delicious! I know the food here is probably really great, but if I can't even read them menu, that is never a good start.

• Pros: Potentially good food
• Cons: Impossible to read menu

Nice Try but Food Won't Cut It

by summerdog at Citysearch

With the stellar reviews that this restaurant received it is hard to believe that they are really in the food business. I haven't had pasta this bad since college in the dorm. I was stunned by the low grade of food from appetizer to pasta. The dessert was passable, but then it was only sorbet! A real waste of money and time. Thank goodness our dining companions who kept our minds away from the food! Stay away!

• Pros: They didn't screw up the wine
• Cons: Highly Uncreative and Awful Food

great appetizers and wine selection but u will eat at the bar!

by samemeht at Citysearch

I liked SPQRs food, though it took me 3 attempts to eat there without waiting for 90 minutes. I also thought the travelvixen review was pretty snobby. I've travelled everywhere and the food culture in London is only recently developed; and who cares if you have a place in Paris? that doesn't make your standards higher on desert, trust me. but i guess a snob like you thinks the rest of us just don't have your palette so the desert is okay for us. jesus.

• Pros: good apps
• Cons: the wait

Best part was leaving.

by robertspcorp at Citysearch

I felt as though I missed out on the good food at this place. I sat by the kitchen and saw some very creatie looking dishes being prepared and I was enjoying this. But I was very dissappointed after having one of the worst italian meal I had in san francisco. I tried two appetizers, the first one was recommended higly, but it tasted like baby food farina with tasteless mushrooms on top. I give it a good grade for freshness though. More tasteless than authentic English food.

The next appetizer, the ribs, was digustingly fatty. Maybe I got the bad straw, maybe I did not look young enough to get the good cuts for this place since I am over 40, but I had too push the food aside and kindly ask for the check since I have tasted enough.

This place does have pretense, but thankfully, not as much as A16, where people think they are better than everyone around them. Much like places in NYC, been there, done that.

I perhaps missed out on good pasta, but I think I will not be passing the ever so friendly vivande restaurant or other Italian restaurants a few blocks away before stopping to try the pasta here. Still, the cooks cooking the meals were very nice and showed me there finished products. Could have been an everthing that could have gone wrong did go wrong night, but then again, I almost never experience that in San Francisco.

• Pros: Looks of restaurant, good counter top dining, nice selection of wines by glass
• Cons: Food -- tried two appetizers

SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS

by gwinston73 at Citysearch

My first impression of this place is warm and inviting. The brussel sprouts are delicious, a bit greasy. We have tried several different pastas, perfectedly al dente.

A not to miss winning wining and dining experience for a BARGAIN price

by Travelvixen at Citysearch

Pleasant surprise! Coming from the Michelin food capital of the world, London, and with a second home in Paris, I can easily be considered an HMF- High Maintenance Foodie. Couple that with a desire for healthful offerings with great taste and you've got quite a challenge to please me. However, SPQR did that with no apparent effort and at extremely reasonable prices for both food and wine. My warm and knowledgeable server was attentive without being brusque nor even rushing me despite the number of people waiting at the door. I found the atmosphere lively without being cafeteria style as some restaurants end up. Of notable mention should be the calamari, flash fried brussel sprouts with garlic, broccoli, and all the salads. Dining alone as I often do while traveling on business, I was thrilled at the choice of wines by the glass and even HALF GLASS! I'm a grazer at heart and they stole my heart Furthermore, I enjoyed the option, as a solo diner, of dining at the bar. A much more convivial option than sitting alone at a table. Their selection of Italian wines is delicious. I drank both reds and whites and can say that their sommelier chose varietals to please many palates. The weakest point of the meal was dessert- but remember that I hail from Paris for the past seven years, so my dessert standards are quite high. I only tried one- a sort of bread pudding I think, maybe another would have pleased me more.Yes, the wait can be long, but Fillmore is a wonderful street and my advice would be to either show up around 5:30 pm when they open and have an early dinner or show up closer to 6pm, put your name on the list and wander off to explore some of the other bars and boutiques in the area then zip back around the time they tell you a table should be free. Don't miss this dining experience. Bon Appetit!

• Pros: Food, Wine, Service, Location
• Cons: Dessert

EXCELLENT FOOD

by joiedevivre at Citysearch

I had a fantastic lunch here. The food made a lasting impression; I ate there over a week a week ago;. Enjoyed the beets with ricotta, white beans with pork soffrito (sp? ground pork tomato based sauce) and the most amazing brussel sprouts fried with garlic. The scallop entree and had the bundido dessert were nice as well. EVERYTHING we had was so tasty. There was no wait when we arrived around 11:45 am; the restaurant was about half full. Service was normal - not great, not terrible. The atmosphere had the buzz of busy cafe but with a minimalist decor (assuming out of necessity with such a small space). I'll definitely be back for the awesome food.

• Pros: delicious food

Dont Bother

by rosabianca at Citysearch

The food was less than stellar, which wasn't helped by the the two hour wait. Their saving grace is the great staff - our hostess and server were gracious and really fun. Too much pork on the menu and the pastas were really bland. Nothing at all like A16. Shut it.