Rose Pistola

11/27/06

Overpriced and mediocre food

by kathypsf at Citysearch

I have been to Rose Pistola twice - once in November, 2001, and once in October, 2006. The first visit was lovely; the second - not so much. The restaurant was barely half full, so service wasn't an issue. Our server was very nice. My boyfriend and I ordered the calamari and the lamb chops as main courses, but no appetizers. My wine was very good, but literally less than ten minutes after we ordered, we decided to get an appetizer. We asked our waitress if we could order an appetizer, and she said she'd have to ask the chef. Well, our main courses were already ready! Don't get me wrong...I'm grateful we didn't wait all night for our food, but we were literally in and out of there in under 45 minutes. My boyfriend's calamari was the cheap appetizer quality, not a calamari steak, and let me just say my lamb chops were just average. The total bill for two main courses and one glass of wine was around $96.00, which is ridiculous for mediocre food. We didn't even stay for dessert. There are way too many great options in North Beach to waste your time and money here.

• Pros: Great location, great wine list
• Cons: Average food and overpriced

11/15/06

Worst experience in sf

by elpibe at Citysearch

I went to this place twice, didn't intend to go the 2nd time, but couldn't say no. Both times I was very dissapointed with the quality of the food. Service was ok and ambiance was great, but as far as food goes, it's the worst you can get in sf, or at least that was my experience. Don't even remember what I ordered, nor I want to. Save your $ and go to another italian restaurant in the hood.

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: food

09/18/06

I can't believe this place can survive in SF

by tpcallah at Citysearch

From soup to nuts, this place is horrible. Having experienced hundreds of restaurants in SF over the years, it's amazing how something like this can survive. Starting with an impossible system to make a reservation, a waste of time. A group of five went there. We brought a bottle of our own wine. As soon as the waiter realized he wasn't going to make a bundle, we were totally ignored. Having gone to the restaurant at 7:30 we weren't served until 9:30. Our orders were confused. And nobody knew what they were doing. The manager had no control over the kitchen. It was a nightmare. I had the lamb chops. I would have been better off sticking with the stale fococcia they served in the beginning. More filling! PASS

• Pros: Management tried to accommodate
• Cons: It's a restaurant in San Francisco

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

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

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

04/04/05

Overpriced

by goldengategirl at Citysearch

There are far better choices in San Francisco if you want to spend $30-40 for an entree. While the food is pretty decent (for North Beach), the crowded, touristy atmosphere and the exorbitant prices ensure that I won't return!

• Pros: Diverse menu
• Cons: Parking, Overpriced

09/09/03

Don't bother

by leaverk at Citysearch

Horrible, horrible, horrible. We were all VERY disappointed and the way they have their menu is such a rip off and an insult to your intelligence. You have to order side dishes seperately and they are not cheap. Somebody close by our table ordered the salted fish dinner and the stench ruined our entire meal. It smelled rotten and we could not wait to leave.

06/18/03

Tourist Trap

by ahiatus at Citysearch

I went to the Rose Pistola for lunch. I have heard so much about this restaurant for so long. On our last trip in October we tried to get in, and they didnt have a table. This time for lunch the place was pretty empty. The service was very good but the food was very simple not in a good way & not for the prices they charged although they are on par price wise with all the other North Beach restaurants. I was hoping, being in North Beach and hearing such amazing things about this place, that the lunch was going to be amazing I was wrong and left feeling like I wasted a meal in a city with so many amazing restaurants