Rose Pistola

08/28/06

Lovely atmosphere, exceptional service, delicious!

by sylviehendricks at Citysearch

I have been to Rose Pistola many many times and the experience I have received has been absolutely unparalleled in every regard. Everyone there is welcoming and helpful. I greatly appreciate that the servers are so knowledgeable about the menu and wine list because it helps me to make sure I get exactly the right selection, time after time. Both the food and the wine selection are superb. The chocolate budini is seriously phenomenal, perhaps the best chocolate desert I've had. This last time I brought my in-laws from New York and they were dazzled! Thanks again, Rose Pistola!!!!

• Pros: Food, Ambiance, Service
• Cons: Make sure to use the valet! Parking is quite difficult in North Beach.

08/10/06

Um, check please

by fabfoodie at Citysearch

The nicest person at Rose Pistola was the valet attendant. The hostess, can you say pretentious? And for what, the tuna tartar was unseasoned, as was the beef carpaccio. After our first cocktail, we were never offered another. A rude bread boy threw our bread onto the table, mumbled something inaudible over our conversation, and left as abruptly. This was easily the biggest waste of an evening. I tipped the valet more than the waitress and the hostess left a bitter taste in my mouth.

• Pros: It's in San Francisco
• Cons: food, service, hostess; repeat

08/09/06

Best Italian

by lakeviewcentral at Citysearch

This is the best authentic Italian food in North Beach. The atmosphere is lively, the food is driven by the pure flavors of fresh herbs & olive oil and the wine list is playful & unique. The service can waver, but overall this is fun and honest cuisine in an upscale but relaxed setting.

• Pros: Exciting Wine List
• Cons: Noise

08/09/06

Poor place to take your friends.

by jbmapc at Citysearch

I have lived in San Francisco and Marin for over 30 years; recently took an out-of-town couple of close friend to Rose Pistola, thinking it would match up to a meal I'd had there a few years ago (which had been really memorable). Wrong. The entrees were all at $25-30, but compared poorly with $15-$20 entrees at other, similar restaurants; they were good, but really nothing to write home about and simply not even close to the price. The wine list had very few wines less than $40 per bottle; the staff actively pushed $75-$85 wines. Basic dinner for four -- $300-350 and simply not worth it. The amount of money is not the point; the serious disconnect between the price and the quality is. I will not be going back, especially with friends who I had hoped would enjoy their meal in S.F.

• Cons: quality for the price is completely unreasonable

05/22/06

boy, what a let down

by gnhoratio at Citysearch

Always an excellent visit, now we've been let down. Couldn't believe the prior reviews commenting on the bad attitude at the front of the house. It happened to us. While we waited, well past our reservation, five tables without reservations were seated. Know what the host said "oh well, it happens." Yeah, huh? Not anymore. We'll go elsewhere. too bad, because the food is good and the waitstaff real sweet

• Pros: waitstaff, food, wine
• Cons: host, hostesss, front of the house

05/10/06

Vacation... ruined by this "restaurant"

by bhensler at Citysearch

Forget the fact that they messed up our reservation... What was supposed to be our great last night out while visiting San Fran was ruined by the rude and unaccomodating hostess, waitress whose lack of attention made Wendy's look like superb service, and food that lacked flavor to the point that I didn't even eat it. If ever in San Fran, steer CLEAR of this poor excuse for a restaurant. The only redeeming quality was the jazz band which was fairly good. Two thumbs down Rose Pistola.

• Pros: we were able to leave
• Cons: food, service, food

04/15/06

Typical Northbeach-Bad Italian

by elizready at Citysearch

I could not believe how bad this place was. With such large crowds I'd expect some decent cuisine. Took forever to be seated. I ordered pizza. Paid almost $20 for basically a piece of cardboard with Contadina tomato sauce and a few toppings. I have been to Italy. Never did I see pizza this disgusting. A Ritz cracker with ketchup would have been just as good and just as filling. This was a total waste of my time. I'll never, ever go back.

• Cons: food, noisy, crowded

10/22/05

Food is great once you get through the hostess

by brobs4 at Citysearch

Wow. I have lived in NYC, Boston, and now reside in North Beach, and I have never experienced such pretentious and inexperienced service in my life. After showing up for our reservation right on time, the hostess smugly reported that we would have to wait another 30 mins. No explanation, no offer for drinks, etc. When my wife checked in 15 mins later the hostess could not have been more rude as if we were bothering her. 45 mins later we were finally seated. I must say the food is quite good, and we've tried almost every Itlaian restaurant in NB. Needless to say we won't return after the attitdues, not will I bring clients there ever. Trying to get in there is like battling a club line in SoHo.

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

06/29/05

Go for the experience!

by kglancy at Citysearch

Their food is fantastic, their service is friendly & on point, and the enery is great. This isn't your typical North Beach, Southern Italian, spaghetti & meatballs restaurant. This is a place to go and experience an entirely different side of Italy. The menu is extensive and if you're willing to put yourself in the hands of one of the knowledgable servers, you can have a truly unique dining experience . . . be adventursome & try new things, you won't be dissapointed. The Italian wines, the fresh, seasonal dishes, and the live jazz make for a wonderful night out in SF.

• Pros: high quality food, "new" italian food, good energy, lively
• Cons: can be noisy, can be crowded

05/18/05

Amazing wine list! Fantastic service!

by dommi99 at Citysearch

Choices for wine by the bottle are endless, rices range from $22.00 to $500.00. They often have very rare wines brought in by the Italian winemakers themselves, and also feature wines that you can only get in magnums by the glass! How cool is that?

The wine director is usually available to provide info, history etc on all of the wines.

Service staff is the best I've seen in years, very friendly and helpful.

I'll be visiting often.

• Pros: Great wine, menu changes daily, Friendly staff