Steps of Rome Trattoria

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362 Columbus Ave (at Broadway)
San Francisco, CA 94133

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(415) 986-6480
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Steps of Rome Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Steps of Rome Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Steps of Rome Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Steps of Rome Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Steps of Rome Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Steps of Rome Trattoria - San Francisco, CA
Reviews
( 73 )
( 48 )
( 5 )
( 21 )
( 24 )

Best

Had some of the best pasta I've had in years. Better than anything I ever ate in Rome. I ate here a couple of days ago and the place seemed very clean, so not sure about the last ...

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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Best Italian In North Beach 2/13/2003

This restraunt has by far the best food in North Beach. I have eaten at just about every italian restraunt in the area and between the incredible food and fun, upbeat atmosphere, this place beats them all. The staff is SO friendly and fun that they alone would be worth going there. I live in Santa Rosa (about 40 min. north) and often drive to San Francisco just to eat here and go back home. It's that good! Perfect 10 guys. P.S. Try the Rigatoni alla Norcina. It's awesome! Pros: Best Food In NB, Upbeat Atmosphere, Excellent wine list Cons: None Here! more
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Best Italian In North Beach 2/13/2003

This restraunt has by far the best food in North Beach. I have eaten at just about every italian restraunt in the area and between the incredible food and fun, upbeat atmosphere, this place beats them all. The staff is SO friendly and fun that they alone would be worth going there. I live in Santa Rosa (about 40 min. north) and often drive to San Francisco just to eat here and go back home. It's that good! Perfect 10 guys. P.S. Try the Rigatoni alla Norcina. It's awesome! Pros: Best Food In NB, Upbeat Atmosphere, Excellent wine list Cons: None Here! 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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keep it real! 1/10/2003

Ever wanted to be whisked away to Italy? Also eat real Italian food, beeing welcomed by real Italians? I found it! I went out on a Friday night in North Beach with my boyfriend. This place was recomended to us by my friends for it's authentic food and atmosphere. It was packed! First of all I was surprised to be welcomed by real Italian hospitality. Inside it was cute and cozy, Italian music was playing. Manager and staff were realy sweet and made us feel welcomed and very much like in Italy. Our food was realy good. Our evening was a short trip to Italy. Bravo! 10+ Pros: authentic, great food, friendly Cons: , crowded more
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keep it real! 1/10/2003

Ever wanted to be whisked away to Italy? Also eat real Italian food, beeing welcomed by real Italians? I found it! I went out on a Friday night in North Beach with my boyfriend. This place was recomended to us by my friends for it's authentic food and atmosphere. It was packed! First of all I was surprised to be welcomed by real Italian hospitality. Inside it was cute and cozy, Italian music was playing. Manager and staff were realy sweet and made us feel welcomed and very much like in Italy. Our food was realy good. Our evening was a short trip to Italy. Bravo! 10+ Pros: authentic, great food, friendly Cons: , crowded 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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THIS PLACE IS A MUST! 11/14/2002

Definitely worth the wait on a busy Friday night. Food is fantastic, atmosphere is authentic, and the staff is beautiful. Great selection of wine, and the desserts are a fabulous end to a great meal. Upstairs is preferred seating - it's a little quieter and more cozy. This place beats the pants off of every other restaurant in that area. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, staff Cons: long wait to get in more
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THIS PLACE IS A MUST! 11/14/2002

Definitely worth the wait on a busy Friday night. Food is fantastic, atmosphere is authentic, and the staff is beautiful. Great selection of wine, and the desserts are a fabulous end to a great meal. Upstairs is preferred seating - it's a little quieter and more cozy. This place beats the pants off of every other restaurant in that area. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, staff Cons: long wait to get in more
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The best tiramisu I've ever had! 11/12/2002

I was pleasantly surprised.... I thought this place would be too touristy. The food was delicious and the prices very reasonable. You really MUST save room for the tiramisu and a capuccino. Very crowded on the weekend... going during the week was a much more pleasant experience. Go early - parking is a nightmare! Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Bad parking, Crowded more
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The best tiramisu I've ever had! 11/12/2002

I was pleasantly surprised.... I thought this place would be too touristy. The food was delicious and the prices very reasonable. You really MUST save room for the tiramisu and a capuccino. Very crowded on the weekend... going during the week was a much more pleasant experience. Go early - parking is a nightmare! Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Bad parking, Crowded 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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Best Tiramisu 11/9/2002

Go for the Tiramisu. It's moist, it's tender, and it's cheap for that big piece. Other food I didnt try, but I believe the desserts are great. The place needs more room, so be prepared to squeeze in! more
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Menu for Steps of Rome Trattoria


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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: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 5pm-10pm Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Master Card, Visa, Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Northeast, North Beach
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