Scala's Bistro

(415) 395-8555

432 Powell St
San Francisco, CA 94102 37.7886 -122.4083

Neighborhoods: Northeast, Downtown

Reviews & Ratings for Scala's Bistro

4 Star Rating: Recommended

28 reviews

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by chiario

November 13, 2006

I love this place! The food is 100% consistent.....fabulous cocktails.....the roasted beet salad is to die for. The hamburger with gorgonzola puts others to shame.....beautiful cheese plates for dessert.....and Inniskillen ice wine for the perfect end to a perfect meal. Bravo!!

  • Pros: Fantastic food served in a beautiful space
  • Cons: Reservations are a must

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2 Star Rating: Below Average

Contributor

February 02, 2009

Great ambiance, wonderful wine list and menu, but my husband found a cockroach in his napkin. We lost our appetite enough not to be able to enjoy our dinners

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Contributor

January 03, 2009

This is a place that I invision the debutante's to dine at. It has an old money luxurious feel to it. The food is very good. I was there for lunch and had a very large salad (can't remember which one) and it was delicious. We went upstairs to the Starlight room that night...don't miss that!

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1 Star Rating: Poor

by lolamac

December 26, 2008

I was a big fan of Scala's Bistro until about a year ago, when -- after dozens and dozens of business and leisure meals there -- I was issued the ultimate insult: bad service, bad food, and my complaint to the manager was absolutely ignored even though I had left my phone number and email address for a response (he seems to greatly favor and fawn over women under 30, so perhaps I didn't fit his demographic of whom to cater or listen to). I stayed away for about 11 months but ventured in last week after Christmas shopping, and was so disappointed that I will no longer waste another dime or minute there. The food was lackluster, the service desultory, and the bartender/server at the bar seemed bored and uninterested in service. Stay away -- there are many other places to be fed WELL on Union Square -- places that may actually CARE about your business.

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by baldeagle123

December 17, 2008

A favorite that we have frequented at least 10 times in the past three to four years- the service is great and the food wonderful. Reservations are a must ( they keep your prefernces on the coputer so no need to worry about whewree you wil sit) or the walk-in wait is forever! Try the calamarie-to die for! The wine list could be a bit more varied but then such is life. An excellent place to sit and relax while shopping at Union Square! Noisey due to high s ceilings but a great place to enjoy

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4 Star Rating: Recommended

by hargyle

July 11, 2008

I stopped into Scala's after a long, long day travelling and sightseeing - what a great place to finish the day. Hostess, servers, even busboys were so pleasant and warm, and excellent guides for both the food and wine menu. I loved the salmon with a crispy skin, served on garlic mashed potatoes. A real pleasure!

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1 Star Rating: Poor

by CParrish

February 28, 2008

During OracleOpen World in November 2007 a handful of colleagues and I (from a very small company) made reservations at this "acclaimed" restaurant. Unfortunately, travel plans changed and we were unable to make our reservations. We were informed that a $25.00 fee would be charged, however we received a $200.00 charge and the Scala's management claimed it was a $25.00 fee per person. They did NOT inform me of this "policy" initially and management conveniently did not return my calls nor credit the money back.

With that said- DO NOT give them your credit card number- they don't care. I was incredibly disappointed and frustrated that money was more important to them than their reputation.

  • Pros: Great Website
  • Cons: Lack of Communication

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by hdelgros

November 19, 2007

My sisters and I meet in "The City" every year for a full day of eating, Christmas shopping, eating and Christmas shopping - and every year we start this fabulous day at Scala's. Best coffee in the known world (and this coming from a faithful Starbucks fan), wonderful mimosas, excellent breakfasts; and all of this in a gorgeous, warm, elegant and rich setting that makes us feel both special and welcome. The service is invariably attentive, friendly and efficient - no snobby waiters here. Our annual "SF Spree" just wouldn't be the same if we didn't kick it off with a magnificent meal at our favorite bistro!

  • Pros: Atmosphere, Coffee, Service, AM Table Availability
  • Cons: No Parking, Restrooms Far Away in Hotel

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by sreed04

September 17, 2007

The ambience was fantastic and we were seated promptly. The service was friendly at the beginning but as more people came into the restaurant the server started getting a bit distracted. The food was excellent, especially the halibut. I would go back again!

  • Pros: Get the halibut

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4 Star Rating: Recommended

by pilotjosh25

September 02, 2007

Very good food although do not think of it as a "classic" Italian restaurant with pasta dishes and such. My halibut meal was decidedly un-Italian. But boy was it good!! Excellent preparation and seasoning. My companion had a delicious flank steak with fries. The beef carpaccio was fine, if not lacking in quantity. Service was top notch, even from the hostess. Desserts were tasty. I recommend the Berry Semifreddo.

  • Pros: Excellent service. Delicious food.
  • Cons: Long wait. Make a reservation!

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3 Star Rating: Average

by lord_humongous

May 28, 2007

Nothing in this restaurant warranted the high prices on the menu. The food was very good but not quite worth the price. The insincere greeting at the front desk and the indifferent service also do not justify the high prices. The ambiance at Scala's is also very nice, but once again it is not worth the prices. And I am still trying to figure out why a bottle of wine costs twice as much at Scala's Bistro as it does at any other upscale restaurant. This restaurant also gets very loud so it is hard to have a conversation with the people at your table.

While nothing at Scala's Bistro was bad, it just was not worth the hefty price.

  • Pros: Good Food
  • Cons: High Prices, No Parking, Very Loud

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Scala's Bistro

432 Powell St
San Francisco, CA 94102

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