07/20/08

It was okay...wouldn't rush back.

by grlgator

I was overall disappointed with the experience. Although our server was very attentive and friendly, it did not make up for the quality of the food. We had ordered 3 different appetizers 1) heirloom tomato salad 2) prociutto w/ fresh figs 3) calamari w/ olive and garbanzo beans to share. The only dish that had impressed us was the heirloom tomato salad. Prociutto was salty and calamari had no flavor. Sauce was watery and bland. Too bad! Because the calamari was cooked perfectly.

Main Entees: 1) pork chop w/ polenta 2) gnocci with broccoli 3) linguini w/ crab 4) chicken with mashed potatoes. Pork Chop cooked perfectly but polenta was watery and bland. Gnocci was okay, a bit oily. Linguini was cooked perfectly, crab was not fresh. Chicken was probably the best, but common it's chciken and mashed potatoes.

Desserts: Panna Cotta, Chocolate Cake with Almonds, Gelato ( vanilla/ hazelnut chocolate) , Sugar Tart with Custard topped with Blackberries and blackberry panna. The only complaint with dessert was the Choclate cake it was dry and crumbly for such a dense cake. The star was the hazelnut and chocolate gelato ( a must!!!!!!)

Like my intro title says, it was okay but I wouldn't rush back.

• Pros: nice waitstaff, cute restaurant
• Cons: pricey and lacked flavor

05/10/08

Good food, bad impression

by mluerra

I have to say, I'm a little confused by all the five star ratings on this restaurant. While the food is very good, there were a few big let downs on our vist. First off, the hostess was clearly annoyed with us for merely asking if we could sit at a different table than where she first wanted us. Not a great first impression. Our server was friendly, but when we weren't ready to order our entrees immediately after finishing our appetizer, he said we should order now, because the kitchen staff is new, and we could be waiting forever. Not really something you should tell a customer. On a better note, the pasta arrabiata and the spaghetti where both very good dishes. The best thing though was the tiramisu, which was the best I've ever had! That being said, I probably wouldn't return unless I were in the neighborhood, craving some amazing tiramisu.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Hostess, service is a bit rushed

04/23/08

What an Experience

by dmex

Four of us who enjoy going out to dinner regularly decided to visit Antica. We made a late reservation and decided to show up early in case something became available. People were extremely nice, hostess, waiter, and everyone just really know how you you feel at home. We we all just blown away with everything we ordered. EVERYthing we had was absolutley amazing and since I found this place I am a genuine HERO to my wife and her friends. I would highly recommend this place to everyone.

• Pros: A wonderful little place!
• Cons: Parking can be tough, so valet.

02/02/08

a great standard italian

by monkies

seriously, after all the p$ss poor italian in this city, i was totally pleased with this place. i'm actually going to make this place one of my italian staples in san fran. terrific food, from the antipasto (artichokes, who would think you could actually layer complex flavors into it simply yet effectively) to the mains. i had the mushroom risotto and was uber happy...such a simple dish, but it's so hard to find a good risotto...perfectly cooked and flavored. the room was very nice as well, with high ceilings, and tables spaced out enough where you didn't have to sit next to people. i thought that was actually a great touch. as for service, i thought it was fun and perfect. the hostess (owner?) was fun and toying with us...goes to show if you're happy and nice, people will be nice to you. the lowest rated item may have been the desert, but still a 8/10. had the tiramisu and chocolate cake. nothing that blew me away, but fine. like i said, this is my new standard italian comfort food in san fran.

• Pros: great food, nice portions, nice wine list, fun and nice service
• Cons: i gets packed, so figure what 3 servers can accomplish...relax and enjoy.

08/04/07

Horrendous customer service

by wolvsp

My wife and I decided to take some out of town guests here since it was highly rated. The food was decent, but the service was horrendous. Our two guests arrived ten minutes late and while we were waiting the manager warned us that she might have to hurry us through our meal because the place is always busy (for the record on our particular night there was always at least one table free). When our guests arrived we were literally waiting twenty minutes before anybody asked us if we needed anything. That person wasn't even our waiter. He just saw that nobody was helping us. Finally our waitress arrived and was not very helpful. On the menu there was basically a caprese salad with eggplant for $8. My wife and I each asked if they could just do the standard caprese salad, but on our bill we were charged 10.50 each despite the fact that it was the same thing as the $8 dish minus the eggplant. The rest of our meal was even more overpriced. The service was awful and the food just ok. I would not recommend this place.

• Pros: they bring out healthy vegetables in addition to bread at the beginning
• Cons: terrible service, good luck getting anything refilled

06/12/07

Horrific Service

by econgirl

The food has always been good, but the service has taken a turn for horrific. Upon arrival, discovered they don't contract the Alhambra valet anymore. Despite making a reservation, we had to wait 30 minutes (including my 70-yr. old father), standing, while they never offered an appetizer, drink or even water. When taking orders from 4 of us, walked away before taking our 4th person's order. Service throughout was slow, slow, slow.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Service, parking, service, service, service

04/02/07

Wonderful!

by uphillrun

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and we thouroughly enjoyed ourselves. The venison and ahi were cooked to perfection with just the right amount of spice to complement (not overwhelm) the meat. Our waitress let us enjoy the meal but always seemed to be right there to bring dessert or refill water without us having to track her down. Just a wonderful experience all around.

02/21/07

Great authentic Italian in a comfortable spot!

by lynnegreen

This is the best authentic Italian place in San Francisco! Delicious and creative food, great service, good wine selection, and an overall great place to hang out and enjoy a meal. They get pretty busy on weekend nights, so either take advantage of their early meal deal or make a reserveration.

Well-prepared Italian favorites make this rustic trattoria popular with locals.

by Contributor

In Short
This neighborhood destination hosts a steady range of customers at its closely spaced tables, from young urbane couples to aging Russian Hill regulars in for an early dinner. Though it doesn't look particularly Italian, it is an attractive and comfortable space with dark-wood floors and wainscoting and a wall lined with a silk-cushioned banquette. Like any authentic Italian restaurant, the menu reflects the seasons.

10/16/06

FANTASTIC!

by italylover1

Went last night to a birthday party and ate some of the most wonderful dishes I have had outside Italy. Hats off to this restaurant for keeping the dishes Italian.

• Pros: FOOD, FOOD, Service