Steps Of Rome

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348 Columbus Avenue (at at Vallejo)
San Francisco, CA 94133

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(415) 986-6480
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Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Steps Of Rome - San Francisco, CA
Reviews
( 26 )
( 18 )
( 5 )
( 12 )
( 10 )

Best

Steps of Rome is a WONDERFUL place to eat, have a beer, or dessert. The staff is beyond great! They are attentive to your every need and are always around to make sure you're havi...

Worst

The food was ok. They had a guy outside that convinced my wife we should eat there. Everything was going ok until it was time to pay. We waited quite a while and finally I flag...

a bad experience, soup to nuts 2/17/2003

I made a reservation for a party of six at 730. We arrived ot see my name on the list, but no table. The place was packed, so we figured it'd be worth the wait ... 20 minutes, the host promised, then 10 more, then 5, 5, etc ... on the sidewalk, in the rain. We were seated at 9. The waiters were fun, but nearly unintelligible. We couldn't understand the specials so ordered from the limited menu. The music was unbearably loud. Ppatrons asked that it be turned down. No luck. The waiters were having too much fun. The prices look appealing ... $8-ish for pasta ... but this is no value. The food was flavorless. The carbonara was bland and pasty. The primavera sauce looked like cheez-whiz. You get the picture. This is a Stinkin Rose with an attitude. Leave it to the tourists. Pros: list of italian wines Cons: lousy food, loud atmosphere, unintelligible waiter more
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Beautiful People, Fabulous Food 2/11/2003

After going to Steps every so often over the past couple of years, it is clear that it is a favorate hang out for many local, Northbeach residents. Thus, its guests include young, European clientel, as well as charming, older residents from the neighborhood. The food is some of the best that you would find outside of Italy and the desserts are to die for. The staff and mangement are especially generous and create an energizing atmosphere. They go out of their way to make the guests feel special. My experience there has always been exceptional. Pros: Food, People watching more
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Even two times wasn't a charm... 2/11/2003

We've been there 2 times (everyone deserves a second chance, we figured), but the food was disappointing both times. The tomato based sauces taste a tad like ketchup, and the rest of the food is nothing to rave about, either. Service is mediocre, at best. The servers tend to rush you along, and are quite rude and overbearing. All this dancing and being cool is fine, and the atmosphere is prob. what attracted us, to begin with, but once the customer is in there, please pay more attention to what/how they would like to served. And yes, the place IS toooooo loud, almost near the decibel level of a nightclub - NOT pleasant for dinner. Alternative recommendation: Figaro or Calzone's, down the street. Pros: cappuccino Cons: poor service, too loud more
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Go for the world class capuccino 2/10/2003

This is not a place known for its food. This is a place with a lot of lively atmosphere and the best capuccino's you'll ever find. People do not go here for the food - not even the dessert. more
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Cool guys at your service!! 1/30/2003

This place is fantastic: you can enjoy a real italian style dish of pasta, while you watch waiters dancing around the floor, flirting with the costumers, singing italian songs... It's not just a place to eat good food, it's also a good place where to have a good time. Pros: , inexpensive Cons: young, crowded, difficult to park more
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Cool scene, awful food/service 1/24/2003

Boring, bland food. With service staff that doesn't give a damn. It's a shame, because the location and ambience has a cool, European feel. Pros: Ambience, Cool scene Cons: Disgusting food, Poor service more
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Not happy at all 1/21/2003

I visit San Francisco several times a year and I've always driven/walked pass this place. The Owner would see the Tourist Buses go by and Yell for them to come back.... seems real friendly huh? Well I gave it a chance on my way out of town this past Saturday stopped in to pick up Panini's to-go. The waiter didn't understand English (he was Italian) I gave him my order and then asked him about the details to make sure, he nodded his head and then went off. I asked the owner to make sure and he said don't worry about it. Well my order comes up I grab the bag then I leave. The order was wrong and by that time I was across the Bay Bridge in Oakland. Pros: Well Lit, Good Variety Cons: Loud, no Parking, Communication, Over priced more
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Authentic, great food !! 1/14/2003

This place makes pasta the way my Italian aunts make it. Very accomodating to special requests, delicious food. TRY THE CHOCOLATE TARTUFO !!!! This is one of the only places in the Bay Area to get it. It's an excellent ice cream dessert imported from Italy. The Gelato is good too. The place is just a bit loud at times. Pros: Good authentic food, Good w/food requests, Friendly staff Cons: Loud, Service can be slow more
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Why bother? 12/29/2002

This place was OK, unless you are expecting to get good food, service, or ambiance. Came from out of town, expecting a fun experience based on previous reviews, but we were very disappointed. Too noisy to carry on a conversation, and the service required our constant reminders and flagging for the waiters to bring bread, refills, take our orders, etc. Note: they accept only CASH; and do NOT try to drive/park -- take a cab or other means...OR go somewhere else -- there are just too many other great restaurants in this town. Pros: Inexpensive Cons: No parking, No plastic, Noisy more
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Cheesecake!! 12/6/2002

If you know anything about cheesecake, then you know Steps has THE best! However, a lesser known fact is that you can get the same fantastic cheesecake in the east bay as well! Try TortaBella in Pleasanton and you won't be disappointed! Those in the know know where to go! Pros: fun, great cheesecake! Cons: parking more
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Fun! 11/10/2002

True, the locals don't make Steps of Rome their first choice for dining but for treating out of towners to a fun semi-authentic evening you really can't go wrong. The staff is campy but light hearted and friendly. The food is actually pretty good - the smaller dining room usually has fun funky music and the wait staff occasionally grabs a diner for an impromptu dance - fun! more
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Woman grabbing at its best 11/5/2002

A typical tourist trap. Locals who have been around awhile do not frequent this place as employees are grabbing and hawking at women as they pass by on the street. The food is so-so. If the owner saw you having coffee at another place he was incredibly rude to you when you came in. Pros: Good location, Open late Cons: Rude owner, So-so service more
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Italian Shame 10/31/2002

The food is awful, the service is annoying, it is way too loud. more
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Loud w/Italian Style Fast Food! 10/27/2002

Pino Danielle music blaring in the background can make your conversations hard to decipher and can cause a headach at times, however the food is good Italian fast food. If you can deal with the young crowds order the Mozarella-prosciutto sandwich w/salad for only $7. If you have a choice between Pasta Pomodoro and here, definitely choose this place. Pastas are OK, better than most Italian restaurants in SF. Pros: Fun Cons: Too loud, Too crowded more
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Great Food Great Fun 10/26/2002

I love this place - they have a wide variety to choose from and they are willing to customize your plate if you smile! The music, which can occasionally be too loud is fun and gets everyone dancing (especially the waiters) The desserts are fabulous and the hot chocolate is rich and sinful. My husband loves their capuccino. Pros: Great Food, Great Atmosphere, Great Service Cons: Crowded, Loud, Hard to find Parking more
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Good night hang out 10/22/2002

It's a cool place to go late at night but very very hard to find seats. Most people stand outside with their coffee. It's hard to order and you can't really have a conversation. Good people watching place like most cafes in North Beach. more
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Wonderful time and Andy Garcia to boot! 10/7/2002

Decided on this place after walking all over Little Italy. It just looked like the place everyone (except the tourists) was heading towards. We were not disappointed. Food was excellent and even Andy Garcia showed up while filming down the street. Don't miss this place. Pros: Inexpensive, Friendly, People watching spot more
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If you want italian boys to hit on you.. 10/3/2002

this is the place to go... Fun atmosphere that makes any girl blush. Me and my friends used to go here all the time in High School - fun coffe & desert place - the best tiramisu in town - they're right about that. I think one time i got a massage there from one of the waitors! crazy but fun. As far as food (pasta) - tried it once and i don't think i'll do that again... more
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wonderful atmosphere- disappointing food 10/1/2002

A new friend of mine took me to the Steps of Rome Trattoria last night. (October 1st) I was really excited as I had heard excellent reviews of this restaurant. The atmosphere was wonderful, our waiter was impeccable, but the food was ...mediocre. The carpaccio tasted like it had been thawed out too quickly it had a watery mushy texture and flavor. The grilled seafood-fish platter tasted vaguely of lighter fluid, the grilled fishes were fine, but nothing to savour. My friend's steak was on the tougher side. Our sides of spinach & potato were plain. I am often a fan of plain food, but boring is what comes to mind. All in all the food was sorely disappointing. Neither of us finished our plates. I doubt I will try the sister restaurant unless someone convinces me there is a difference. more
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Happiest Place on Earth 9/13/2002

Steps of Rome has something more than great food, it has fantastic people who work there that are focused on you having great time with your friends. They get it, life is short,enjoy it! Bravo! Pros: upeat and personable, great music more
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Menu for Steps Of Rome


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Editorial

  • In Short
    While it's usually relatively subdued, this North Beach cafe feels like spring break in Cancun come week's end. Club tunes pump through speakers as the waitstaff flirts with the...

  • 9/15/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Friday From 11:00 AM To 02:00 AM Saturday To Sunday From 11:00 AM To 03:00 AM
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: North Beach, Northeast
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