Ristorante Umbria

I spent several years in Umbria, I know everything about this beautiful region, one of the best in Italy, and when I ate at this restaurant I could not believe they did not have typical dishes on the menu, some of the dishes are barely real italian ones, more american-italian, which is not the same thing at all. The owner is rude and if you have any sort of complaint to make, he will just start to yell and curse at you. His name is Giulio Tempesta and why he is still in business I do not know. If you really want to taste traditional dishes of the wonderful umbrian cuisine, go to the real Umbria, in Italy, not to this medicre restaurant!!! Pros: it is in SF Cons: rude owner, not authentic dishes more

Umbria is one of my favorite SF downtown restaurants. I have been a fan for many years, but never bothered to write a review (as I am not a big review writer). After another great meal there the other day I decided to weigh in..... I love the atmosphere. Its unpretentious, real, and has a good trattoria feel to it. The food is consistently good, the Pasta Umbria (giant prawns and pasta)is a GREAT dish. I also love the thin crust pizzas. TRY IT Pros: Ambience, guality, consistency, pasta Cons: sometime noisy, every once in a while service can be slow more

I recommend that you try this restaurant - good food, great wait staff, full bar and the owner makes you feel like family. Pros: Excellent wait staff, Owner on site, good food Cons: its downtown - parking can be a hassell more

The restaurant is pleasant looking; as well as, a nice looking menu. When it comes to the food, there was nothing distinctive. Having spent time in the Umbria region, this was a disappointment. While the french have a reputation of being arrogant, the people here run a close second. more

I was at Umbria on Friday December 7th, 2007.The food at this place is absolutely fabulous. I have had other ample opportunities to visit this restaurant in the past and the Proprietor Guilio V Tempesta has been nothing short of a Custmer Service Ambassador and Gentleman.His staff, including himself have a superior knowledge of customer service! Unfortunately on this particular evening, during this festive holiday season Grinches feel that they can say and do anything to ruin other peoples experiences.On this particular evening I was mortified to witness a customer go off on Guilio for no apparent reason. This rude man was using the most vile language towards Guilio, who shows nothing but respect towards his patrons. I could not believe my ears or eyes. I wish that I had been brave enough to stand up to this rude man and tell him none of the other patrons want to hear or witness his BAD BEHAVIOR and naughty mouth! I was actually on my cell phone getting ready to call the police because this rude man was a raving lunatic, when people like that have anger issues that they can't control, you never know what will happen. I feel sorry for anyone else who witnessed this customer's raging because the majority of customers visiting this restaurant on a regular basis and some not so regular have more class than this man did. I would plead to you that if you witnessed this event, please do not let it ruin your Holiday Season or your opinions about this restaurant and its proprietor! I truly hope that he will never show his face at this establishment again and he should truly be ASHAMED of himself and his behavior. How does he justify his nasty self? Someone needs to tell him his behaviour is extremely inappropriate!! I hope the owner, wait staff, employees and their families of Umbria all have a Wonderful, Happy, Healthy Prosperous Holiday Season and New Year, and DON""T let the GRINCHES of the world get you down!! Here is to many more wonderful years of business!! Pros: The entire experince evry time, the most excellent!! more

My name is Mr. Allison Barton Rice, and I have been a frequent patron of Ristorante Umbria for a little more than two years.\r \r I have found the staff of this establishment to be comprised of excellent individuals that provide sublime service. Additionally, the food has always been superb.\r \r Generally, the person who gets the credit and glory for this is Giulio V. Tempesta.\r \r It is my accurate observation that Giulio is extremely prone to hyperbole (speaks a lot of B.S.) and far too many times has a proclivity to use the most vile and disgusting language imaginable toward people and about people, often directed at his staff.\r \r At around 8:00 PM on the evening of Friday December 10, 2007, as I dined at the bar, Giulio began to say extremely vile and disgusting things using extremely vile and disgusting language to his staff, including Nick the bartender.\r \r Giulio then started to tell me about his staff in the most untrue and negative way, again using extremely vile and disgusting language.\r \r When I protested by saying ?No sir. If you treat people well, they behave well. If you treat people poorly, they behave poorly.? Guilio then began to use extremely vile and disgusting language about me and toward me, saying ?I should stick my fingers up my ...? and continued using a lot of ?s***? and ?f***?, etc.\r Well, after about fifteen seconds of this I said to Guilio in a very loud voice ?F*** you!? and I proceeded to call him a ?Piece of s***.? Then, after a few more words, I left.\r \r Of course this created quite a ?scene?. Should you have been there, please accept my most humble and sincerest apology for my outburst and for disturbing your dinning experience.\r \r However, please be aware that I was provoked in an extreme way and in the most uncalled for manner by Giulio V. Tempesta.\r \r If you were not there but know someone who was, please give them a copy of this open letter.\r \r Thank you for your understanding. Pros: Great staff and food Cons: Giulio V. Tempesta more

I have been to Umbria more than once in the past six months and both visits have been very good. The food is really solid and the service, contrary to many of the reviews, was also good. On the last visit, the waiter brought me a Pinot that didn't taste like a Pinot (nor what I wanted). He happily got me a glass of another red which was great-without any fuss. I also love 'da mayor's special even though I didn't love Willie Brown. Pros: Good food and ambiance Cons: Avoid the two tables right by the door-a bit drafty more

San Francisco is a favorite destination of my wife and mine. We were staying at the W Hotel and ringing in the new year of 2007. We stumbled across Ristorante Umbria. It was a lunch that we will never forget. My wife is very hard to please when it comes to appealing to her pallet. She endulged in a Lobster Ravioli that only left her wishing we could enjoy this wonderful ""Umbria Delight"" in Scottsdale AZ. I am looking forward to the next time we visit the beautiful city of San Fran so we can go back to this outstanding little Italian Bistro (Ristorante Umbria). \r \r Sincerely,\r \r The Hernetts Pros: Ambience and Peroni on Draft Cons: Waiting for outside seating more

Each year when we visit San Francisco, we eat at this restaurant because it is close to our hotel and the food has always been reliable. I have often recommended it to colleagues and clients, and have never had any problems. This year was so different, the only word I can think of to describe the experience is ""surreal."" The owner ruined what had been a very nice evening by targeting our table for his lame card tricks. He then threw down multiple $100 bills and demanded that one of my friends explain how he did the trick and take the money or go home with him to ""meet his cat."" We laughed along politely even though it became an awkward situation - he kept pressing her to ""accept the offer"" to the point that she was uncomfortable. Later, he returned to the table for ""one last trick"" and did the old hide the coin under a glass. When he asked me how he did it, I smiled and said I didn't know. He then leaned in and menacingly said ""Get a f***ing LIFE!"" and stormed away. My friends and I sat there aghast, not understanding what just happened. He returned and I told him it was completely unacceptable for him to talk to us in that manner, and that he should apologize because we were spending hundreds of dollars on our meal there. He said, ""Don't bring up the money"" and walked away, not to be heard from again. I have to say, this is the strangest experience I've ever had in a restaurant, and I eat out frequently. His staff was visibly embarrassed by his behavior. It's unfortunate he's the owner so there's really no one to complain to - but I can certainly warn others. Spend your hard-earned money somewhere else where you're treated well and you leave feeling satisfied. I won't be going back here and I'm making sure to tell everyone I know that supporting this restaurant is supporting this guy's ridiculous behavior. It's certainly not Italian hospitality in the least. The food is straightforward and good, but not at this price... more

I stumbled upon Umbria while waiting for my sister who was in a meeting nearby. I was in a bad mood, hungry and tired. I walked in just as they were finishing up lunch. Nonetheless, the owner escorted me to a table promptly and sent over a glass of wine. I felt at home and surrounded by beauty. That day I only had a salad but I have been back 2 more times to savor the wonderful, unforettable food. The Tiramisu is the best in town! The owner and all of the employees have always been welcoming, and attentive. Some of them have been with Giulio, the owner since Umbria opened. They are truly a family and they make you feel like part of it upon entering. I work in media and have reviewed/profiled many area restaurants recently. Umbria is a true jewel. Pros: Wonderful food, Romantic atmosphere, The staff and owner more

Ive dined at dozens of pizzerias/Italian restaurants around SF. The opportunity arose to check out Umbria w/some out of town friends. The appetizers werent noteworthy, nor was the pasta or seafood. Im convinced the good reviews were written by Umbria employees. No one was happy w/the food or inattentive staff. When my pizza arrived the waiter said well done Funghi e Salciccia for you. Puzzled, I explained I didnt order anything well done but would try to eat it. He took it away quickly saying I take it back. Less than a minute later the shameless waiter slightly repositions the very same pizza and says wrong table. I took a bite. My girlfriend informed me that it was the same completely burnt inedible pizza. The mediocre Margherita was partially edible but if good pizza is what youre looking for then head over to Gasparesa true family style/owned eatery. Cons: Food, Wait, Unprofessional Staff more

The gentleman answering the phone was nice enough, the niceties however ended before we even arrived. From beginning to end not one employee smiled/greeted/thanked us. We were rushed to order our food within 5 minutes of being seated. The group I was with ordered a variety of appetizers and dishes. As it turned out the appalling olive oil was a prelude to what we would receive. The unappealing presentation of everything only added to the indelectable plates of food. Nothing was finished. No one offered to refill our water, but we were asked more than once if we wanted more cocktails. Clearly good service and good food are not of any concern to this establishment. Why it was packed Ill never know. Cons: Food, Service, Parking more

Umbria makes you feel like one of the (Italian) family - Giulio will probably give you a double-cheeked kiss and make you feel welcome in his comfortable restaurant. Very convenient to Moscone Center and the Financial District (and on the way to Pac Bell Park). Pros: close to work, family-run, comfortable Cons: tough parking more

My favorite food is Italian. I was in town for a conference at the Moscone Center and one day at lunchtime I headed east on Howard looking for somewhere unique to eat. I passed a few restaurants when I finally ""discovered"" an Italian restaurant - Umbria. From the start I was mesmerized! The place is beautiful, the owner greeted me warmly and, since I was alone, sat me immediately at the bar (after asking if it was ok). The tortelloni was excellent! The sauce with mushrooms and pancetta was terrific. The place was packed and hopping, yet Guilio (the owner) was very attentive to me, humoring me with my weak attempts at speaking Italian. Although the lunch cost a bit more than I had hoped to spend the experience was great! He also recommended another Italian restaurant more family-friendly (Ristorante Milano - which also was excellent). Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Giants pregame meal more

I am a flight attendant for a major airline. I dine in major cities around the world. I always take my crew to Umbria. The service is awesome. The food is amazing. The staff is family. Buonissimo!!! Pros: Owner, Food, Atmosphere Cons: Cant get there enough more

I stumbled onto Umbria while passing by on my way to work one day. The food was amazing considering price,quantity, and quality. The service was impecable. The owner Giulio made me feel like one of his family. Also a great place to take a date. Make Umbria your next dining stop. You will not be sorry. Bon Appetit!! Pros: Food,Food, Food, Service, The Owner Cons: Can't think of one!! more

I have been going to Umbria for the last 5 years and I just love it. The food is ""Oh my god good"". I feel like I am part of the family when I walk in the door. The service is always upbeat and professional. I love the eggplant and the lambchops. I recommend it highly. Pros: Very clean, big windows, outside seatting more

From the time my friends and I walked in the door, we could not of felt more welcome. The first visit was on my Birthday and after haveing a wonderful meal of pumpkin raviolis. Giulio, the owner insisted on a piece of Tiramisu. I am glad he did it was fablous. The service and food keep bringing us back. The outdoor seating just adds to the experience. I highly recommend you stop by and say Hi and have a Pizza!! Pros: great service, ambience, friendly staff Cons: maybe parking more

The food is good I admit. But as for the service, extremely unprofessional and rude. The owner/manager whoever was doing the reservations not only did not use an apologetic tone for giving our reservation away but used an accusatory tone for not showing up and pointed that we were at fault (when in actuality came on time). more

From the moment I walked into Umbria....I was in love. The manager greeted me with a smile and whisped me to a quiet table with my soon to be fiance. I enjoyed a delicious bottle of wine... wonderful atmosphere.....incredibly authentic food. It was an amazing precursor to the climax of the evening...my engagement... Thank you Umbria!! Pros: Food, Wine, Atmosphere Cons: , nada, only one location more