09/04/08

BACK TO THE BEST

by forchetta

I love trying new restaurants and as I am in the entertainment industry I have that opportunity often. But, I always come back to Ristorante Milano. New restaurant scenes come and go, as do hot musicians. Since I have been working with the best for a long time I know what makes for longevity. It is their talent and delivery... for Ristorante Milano it is the food and service. Everything I order there is fresh and their fish is never farm raised. The high quality of the ingredients: the cheeses, their pasta made fresh daily, their heavenly foccacia brought to the table, they have been doing this for years, they know what they are doing! I brought a band in before their show for an early dinner and we had the gnocchi, seafood polenta, fettucine with a Milanese sauce and a bottle of Barolo. We had a great discussion with the owner about the Blues shows he used to do in Italy. Another woman working there is a classically trained singer, the other waiter was a southern Italian, totally friendly. Their personalities added to total experience. The staff knows me, but it was the first time for the band members there and they loved it.

Yeah, it's good to try something new....but come back to the best.

• Pros: personal attention, authentic food, quality ingredients,good value

04/05/08

Best homemade pasta

by yubc

A great find! This is definitely one of the places I miss most now that I no longer live in Nob Hill. I love trying new places in SF, but this restaurant keeps me coming back. When I do go to a restaurant more than once, I usually just get the same entree...why mess with a good thing? At Milano, I was adventurous to try something different each time and was blown away all 5 times. The food is most important, but service and ambiance are also key. The wait staff always welcomes us with a smile and makes great recommendations. I love when they recite the specials...a tremendous list where everything sounds delicious! It's really the most adorable restaurant. It's inviting, comfortable, and not too loud - everyone is having a good time but also able to enjoy conversation without yelling. Make sure to make reservations and give yourself time to find parking!

04/05/08

Great food, Solid Ambiance, a bit expensive, and awful awful waitress & manager

by collinhathaway

We met friends for dinner at Milano and although the food was exquisite, the entire experience was ruined by our waitress and the attitude of the manager on duty, Albo/Aldo(?). Our waitress was a Spanish/Hispanic brunette woman on the shorter side (wish I knew her name) who was extremely rude to us while ordering and during the meal.

At one point, one of our friends asked, "Is the fish a special?" and she said "Yeah...I just told you that!" Needless to say, we overlooked the 3 times she snapped at us/was rude because the food and ambiance were nice and everyone has a tough day once in awhile. However, after ordering our after-dinner coffee we were sitting and talking when the waitress came up and said "Excuse me, but folks are waiting for your table so please finish up your conversation as we need the table now."

ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME? We just dropped $250 for dinner and we weren't lingering--we were still drinking our coffee! That was the final straw...I walked down and asked for the manager. He identified himself as Albo/Aldo. I explained what had happened and he said "Can you tell me exactly how she was rude?" I replied, "you mean outside of trying to kick us out of your restaurant after we spent $250?" He offered to talk with her later, but wasn't in any rush to assuage our bitterness.

We decided we had better leave (after all, they apparently needed the table despite not seeing anyone waiting at the door). On the way out the door, Albo/Aldo tried to explain that sometimes they get backed up and they just wanted us to know that there were folks waiting, but they weren't trying to kick us out. Again, ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME? "We wanted you to know that folks aren't waiting, but we aren't kicking you out"?????

Needless to say, despite fantastic food I would avoid this place. They overcharge a bit (which we were willing to overlook) and the service and management are really, really awful!

• Pros: Fantastic food, great pasta, good wine, really nice ambiance
• Cons: Our brunette Spanish/Hispanic waitress was awful as was the manager, Albo/Aldo

01/29/08

Just like being in Italy....Bravissimo!!!

by nomikui

Upon entering the restaurant, you feel like you are being invited to a friend's house...homey, cozy, non-pretentious...one of those places where you know that you will come back even if the food wasn't spectacular...but what a parade of amazing dishes from start to finish! From the perfectly dressed salads, gnochhis to die for, sardines that melt in your mouth to the out of this world Ricotta Tart...My 2 friends from Japan were almost speechless...how about a branch in Tokyo Mr. Blasi?

PS: Did I mention the incredible service?

• Pros: Everything!
• Cons: Parking

12/31/06

Great food, charming service

by 6539

What a find! Recommended to me by my favorite bartender in LA, I came up to SF with my boyfriend and tried Ristorante Milano for the first time. We had one of the best Italian meals I have had outside of Rome! We had some very fresh seafood appetizers and then continued with homemade gnocchi which was surprisingly light. We split some of the most tender veal I have ever had, then shared tiramisu and granita for dessert. Everything was served promptly and in a professional yet relaxed manner. Heaven. What made it all the more fun was the very friendly and competent service. It's a very international scene there, our hostess was charming, we enjoyed talking to her about the local music scene and her singing experience in Europe. Our waiter was friendly also, and we talked to him about Brazil and world cup soccer. We travel alot for our business and Milano is exactly the kind of restaurant we seek out wherever we go: intimate, great food and friendly service.

11/24/06

Awesome food

by adamm43

I love italian food. This place is awesome. The pasta was great and so was the wine. We had a late reservation and waited about 5 mins when we were seated. The place is a bit crowded but I'd rather go here than some overpriced place like Alioto's with a smug waiter. Go here!

• Pros: Homeade pasta, great drinks
• Cons: Limited Parking

11/18/06

very quaint

by sfgoodgurl

This small restaurant hidden in the middle of Pacific St was very quaint. Not your traditional Italian place with spaghetti and meatballs, this is Milano! The food was delicious, the place is small but very loud when it is filled up. Waiters are pleasant!

10/23/06

nice ambiance, great service, best gnocchi (better than Valentina)

by zabss

I loved this small cozy restaurant. The servuce is so grat that they make you feel like at home.

Food is good but not the real thing ! I asked for saltimbocca alla romana and instead of the traditional veal involtini I have been served a pice of chicken with melted cheese and ham on the top, even though the menu gave a totally different explanation of what saltimbocca are (I am also italian by the way). The antipasto plate speck and cheese was a little poor, they were out of Burrata which they replaced with three pieces of mozzarella for $11.5 (I have to say that the waiter was honets by saying that they would have replaced the burrata with mozzarella). I tried my friend gnocchi and they were light...delicious. The pear dessert was a surprise, there is nothing bettere than a healthy dessert. By the way the served warm homemade rosmary focaccia. I would go back if it wasn't for the parking issue.

• Pros: gnocchi, homeade focaccia, ambiance
• Cons: parking

10/18/06

It's Fine

by cackin

The food was good--no more and no less (if it had been any less good, I would have been unhappy). Typical American Italian food--nothing noteworthy. I will eat there again if I find myself hungry while nearby, but I won't suggest it as a destination when planning to dine out.

09/20/06

A long time favorite

by fraser58

I have been coming to this restaurant for over 12 years and it has never disappointed. When I think of a cold foggy night in San Francisco, this is the place I come for hearty Italian food, wonderful aromas, and a wait staff with style and flair. I recently relocated to SF and am happy to now be closer to this wonderful restaurant. Good work Milano!

• Pros: Great value for what you get! Cozy and simple
• Cons: Parking is a problem, but there is a lot just down the street to the west.