RtS: Rose Pistola

[Snowflake]

Rank the Swank - Restaurants and Bars


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Rose Pistola
Columbus Street, North beach
San Francisco, CA
9/9/06
www.rosepistola.com (www.rosepistola.com)


The Lowdown
Dinner & drinks with film historian geeks

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The Gig
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Drinks/etc

The Grub
Grilled halibut with yukon gold spuds

The Scene
Rose Pistola is named after a legendary North Beach dame, who took no prisoners, ever. The pistola was the for the pistol she kept under the bar.

I've frequented Rose Pistola over the years and was anxious to make a return visit now that I'm back.

Of course, for the budget conscious, lunch is preferable as the prices are halved.

Dinner prices are, well, a little pricey. Since this was a special evening for some new friends in from NYC (no slouch when it comes to good food) I wanted to impress. Happily, it did!

They were entiely accomodating to my change of fish in the entree I chose (halibut over petrale sole) as I wanted grilled fish and the dish offered with the halibut (while I am sure it would have been good, I did not want braised fish).

All in our party of 5 all were pleased with their choices. The seafood mix was a particular success.

Rise Pistola is known for the wood grill and the Italian-style tapas (appetizers) and I can recommend the "chicken under a brick" and anything coming off the grill. Salads are tasty and the desserts I've sampled are lovely. That said, you're 1 block away from one of the very best bakeries/cafes in the city (IMO), so I'd forego dessert and head up the street for a latte and piece of sacripantina or tiramisu from Stella Pastry (deserveing of a RtS all on it's own). that's what we did and my out of town friends bought some breakfast goodies for the morrow and were very pleased they did.

They have a full bar and a nice wine list. I can't comment as I'm an Italian fuzzy water type.

The decor is swanky and depending on where you sit, you have a full view of the open fire and the chef's. The down side is, service on a busy Saturday night was a little sporadic and the noise level was higher than I would have liked. Lunch time is much calmer and quieter, and they do offer outdoor seating which in a spring day is fun to watch the world go by on Columbus.

HIGHLY recommended and anyone visiting will be paying a visit with me.

[Strangler Lewis]

I think I first had fava beans at Rose Pistola. With the caveat that I haven't been to either place in about six years, I say Moose's outswanks Rose Pistola on the North Beach scene as I remember it. Crowd's a little older, a little better dressed but just as hip, food and bar just as good. Zuni Cafe still tops our list for SF dining. Copper-topped bar, oysters, long wait between courses, chocolate cake so good they don't put it in their cookbook.

[Snowflake]

Oh, I used to go to Zuni way back when they first opened, when they had about 3 seats, before they took over the Red Desert space. Still a great spot, I just hate the neighborhood! :-)

I've not been to Moose's, I will add that to the list.:cool:

[mousepod]

Thanks for the post, Snowflake (and the follow-up, SL). Which got me thinking... I think my top 3 for SF is: Gary Danko, Foreign Cinema and perhaps Delfina (or maybe Farallon, or Charles Nob Hill, or...). Perhaps we should have a swanky SF dinner meet?

[Snowflake]

Thanks for the post, Snowflake (and the follow-up, SL). Which got me thinking... I think my top 3 for SF is: Gary Danko, Foreign Cinema and perhaps Delfina (or maybe Farallon, or Charles Nob Hill, or...). Perhaps we should have a swanky SF dinner meet?

Capital idea, MP! :snap:

I do not know any of the spots you mentioned. I'm just getting reacquainted with the dining scene, and I love little out of the way spots as well as holes in the wall.

Let's do it! :cheers:

[€uroMeinke]

Capital idea, MP! :snap:

I do not know any of the spots you mentioned. I'm just getting reacquainted with the dining scene, and I love little out of the way spots as well as holes in the wall.

Let's do it! :cheers:

Damn it, you guys are going to make me fly up there aren't you?

[Not Afraid]

FOREIGN CINEMA! Damn, I wish I could just run out and have a meal there. So GOOD!

[Strangler Lewis]

As I recall, the first (only?) American chef to win on Iron Chef came from Charles Nob Hill. If I'm remembering right, he was a little rude.

[Snowflake]

Damn it, you guys are going to make me fly up there aren't you?

YES! Please do! :evil:

OMG, I just looked at the menu for Foreign Cinema........I wanna go there, NOW.

[Strangler Lewis]

I just hate the neighborhood! :-)

I've never been one to define cool SF neighborhoods as one where you take your life in your hands, but I think the Zuni area is pretty tame. Of course, you wouldn't want to go up the alley and around the block. And there are usually homeless under the overpass. And, let's see . . .

[Snowflake]

I've never been one to define cool SF neighborhoods as one where you take your life in your hands, but I think the Zuni area is pretty tame. Of course, you wouldn't want to go up the alley and around the block. And there are usually homeless under the overpass. And, let's see . . .

Well, that is what I was referring to, late at night, one of the few places in town I feel uncomfortable.

No question on the restaurant, though, very yummy, though it's been years since I crossed the threshhold.