Villa Romana Pizzeria & Rstrnt

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731 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122

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(415) 731-2280
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Villa Romana Pizzeria & Rstrnt - San Francisco, CA
Villa Romana Pizzeria & Rstrnt - San Francisco, CA
Reviews
( 57 )
( 8 )
( 4 )
( 2 )
( 12 )

Best

I love little mom and pop restaurants, and this little gem is in that category of the few still out there in the city. Pros: Great food and service Cons: ---

Worst

Adequate cuisine, but do not consider patronizing it during peak dining hours. The plastic potted plant in the corner will grow fruit before you are seated.

Good Old-School Italian 4/22/2006

I am always searching for good, hearty, Old-school Italian that reminds me of back east. This restaurant is one of them. from the great big portions to the delicious sauces and ofcourse excellent service, this restaurant really impresses. i particularly liked their Osso Buco! great place to bring a date! more
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I left my heart at Villa Romana 4/13/2006

I truly left my heart at this restaurant. It is so cute and cozy that you almost feel like your at a family members house just kicking back and enjoying food, wine and eachother's company. The Father has been there since it opened in the 50's and he just pluggs away and really genuinely looks out for his customers-the place is always full and jovial and festive. I guess our waiter, Sam, has been there forever too. He's very cute and we love him every time we go there. see you soon papa and sam! Pros: Service, Food, Ambiance Cons: too busy more
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Give me more, please 4/13/2006

The food here is to die for. I can't believe how good their marinara sauce was. Also, the waiters are so professional (very cute as well!). I think they also have a place out in Napa, though i'm not sure. Definetely try their pasta with fresh clams. Like my waiter said its ""fantastico"" Pros: waiters, pastas, desserts more
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The Last Family-Style in SF! 4/13/2006

We tried Villa Romana after a recommendation was e-mailed to my fiancee. I must unequivocally say ""What A Place""!!! The food was fabulous. they have this $20 family dinner deal which is unbeleivable. At first I thought there had to be some kind of a catch. Well, there is none! For $20 you get an appetizer, salad or soup, entree, coffee/tea, and dessert. My Fiancee elected to have their Crab Cioppino. What a great dish. I had the same in Fisherman's Wharf which i expected. But, not what I expected for a little eighborhood restaurant. What a great job they do, boy! In summary, we highly recommend this place for two reasons. 1. It's a family owned deal with family style menu. 2. it's 50 years old and is still the best. Pros: Food, Owners Cons: parking more
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Please disregard my husband...Again!!! 4/12/2006

You must please excuse my husband Mike for his unfounded comments about villa romana. The truth of the matter is that we were both very upset that evening, and the food and service were very good indeed. The waiter was very professional and the manager was a class act. I would like to once again thank the waiter and manager for their patience, and to remind them that we still owe them for the cocktails and wines that we had ordered! We will stop by very soon to appologize. Pros: Customer Service more
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Avoid This Place - Extremely Rude Owners 4/10/2006

When I finished with the last item of a phoned in order, the gentleman I was speaking with (who I now understand to be Tony Jr.) said thank you and hung up...before giving me the total or a chance to ask for the total. I called right back less than 45 seconds later to get the total, and the same gentleman I had been speaking with a minute earlier answered. I was then treated rudely and told never to call or order from them again. Their food may be good, their customer service leaves much to be desired. There are other good (and better) pizzerias in the Sunset (such as Milanos and Pascuales) such that there's no point in giving your money to a business which treats any customer grievance in an unprofessional and hostile manner. Villa Romana is best left avoided. --Mike (Outer Sunset) Pros: Decent calzones Cons: Rude staff more
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New Yorker Opinon 4/10/2006

I have recently moved to San Francisco from NYC to further my culinary school. I went to eat with my girlfriend, and between the two of us had a $100 bill. The wine list is miserable and terribly overpriced. We shared an app, each had an entree, and one bottle of wine. I have no issues paying this money for food worth eatting, but it was not. Blame me for one thing I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs (veal ravioli was sold out) because nothing else seemed appetizing. Who orders this at a restaurant for 15? BUT, I always enjoy hand made pasta, but was misled with ""handcooked"" pasta on the menu. It is not ""handmade"", but boxed cooked by hand. Garbage, misleading garbage. Creative, but garbage. Overall, this food is garbage and the atmosphere is cheap and does no justice to Italian food, even Italian-American food. Pros: Its close Cons: everything else more
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Exceptional Italian!!! 12/14/2005

We too saw the commercial on TV and were very excited and intrigued by the fact that Villa Romana is a family run restaurant. You'll actually see Tony Sr. Tossing the authentic pizzas and Tony Jr. managing his dining room...although Tony the IIIrd must have been home taking his nap because he was not present...too bad what a cute baby!!! The service was very good although the place was packed...I guess the TV commercial really got these guys some exposure. However, I'm told by Tony Jr. that he will be adding on more servers to keep up with their big demand. But, he reassured us anyway. The service was very good and the food was exceptional. Try finding any other Italian Restaurant in SF that specializes in Seafood, Poultry, Pasta, Fine Meats, and REAL PIZZAS!!! Be sure to make reservations, though, you'll need them on any night!!! Pros: Cioppino, Service, Family Run Cons: Parking more
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TERRIBLE 12/5/2005

We saw their tv commercial the the great special was "" salad or pasta and any entree plus a glass of wine "", for $20 a person. We had some waiter that obviously was'nt thrilled about his Monday night. Once he heard we wanted the special, he seemed to be put off and rude to us. In a place like Villa Romana, $20 a person should make a waiter feel good about his check average. Later we found out that we had to share a salad OR soup and A entree for $40 total. Two people sharing one entree and one salad for $40 ? REALLY, does that sound like a deal to you ? The waiter was sooo rude and made us feel unwelcome, we left after just a glass of wine. It was never about the cost but about the BAD SERVICE from our WAITER Pros: the have a roof Cons: the waiter's service more
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The Bomb! 10/18/2005

This place is the bomb! What can i tell you. The Service was perfect. The Food was great. They also have this deal for $20/person where they'll throw all kinds of great Italian food, wine, dessert etc. at you until your completely stuffed. My girlfriend and me could hardly move after the dinner. And the food reminded me of my mom's food growing up. The old man making the pizza was also very cool. i guess he's the owner. He kept a huge grin on his face as he was throwing up pizzas in the air all night. The manager, who I'm told is the old man's son was very cool. he made sure that the food and service was up to par. Great place, man!!! Pros: ambiance, service more
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Truly a great Family Deal 10/14/2005

Villa Romana is truly a family restaurant. From the family members working to the employees who have been there for so many years (some for over 25 years), it is a real family style dinner house....just like I remembered growing up back east. Another big positive about the restaurant, was there 50th Anniversary family dinner they're doing sundays through thursdays. For $20 bucks you and a date get an appetizer, a salad, a dinner, a glass of vino, and dessert and coffee all served in huge family style dishes...I couldn't believe what a great deal it was! I will most definetely be back. The food was fabulous and our waiter was very gracious and attentive throughout our dinner. Pros: food, wine, 20 deal more
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first and last visit 10/13/2005

i have tried almost every restaurant on irving and around ninth and villa romana has got to be the WORST! not only was the service awful but the food was not of good quality. Don't be fooled by the ""family style' special either. the portions are for 1 person even though most people dine w. another person or more. that is where they get you. our waiter decides to say ""we need to agree on what to order"" confused us by including himself in the phrase. he was so rude and awkward that he decided to leave everytime we order and said ""WE have to agree on everything"". why did he have to approve my food?there are MANY exceptions to what you can order as well and if youre in the mood for pizza ---dont ask, it's an exception as well. Cons: bad service, bad food , bad ambiance more
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Vino Veritas Says ""Delizioso!!!"" 9/20/2005

I think that somes it up: Delizioso. The marinara sauce which makes or breaks a top Italian restaurant was excellent. The seafood was fresh and prepared delicately. Their antipasto mare was great: marinated calamari, clams, oysters, mussels, and prawns drizzled with olive oil and fresh garlic and lemon. Their pizza bianca was given to us immediately as we sat down: thin pizza with no sauce, just mozzarella, parmesan, oregano, basil, and greek olives. Delizioso! The service and bar drinks were superb: Try their Campari Cocktail, or Bellini Martini! In summary, I will be back, and so should you! Ciao, Sandra Pros: Bar Drinks, Appetizers, Waitstaff more
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Authentic Italian...Good Service To Boot! 9/18/2005

My date and I were stroling down to Irving St. from UCSF Med Center and were fascinated by the old neon sign that said ""Villa Romana"". So, we decided on a whim to give it a try, not just because of the very charming neon sign, but, also because we saw their very cute commercial that features the three Tony's; Tony Sr., the owner, and his son and grandson. Well, before I keep rambling on, I want to mention how great the food was and how very attentive and entertaining the service was. Great Experience, we will be back!!! Pros: Food, Service, Family Run more
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Why are all the good restaurants in NorthBeach? 9/9/2005

Because the bad ones aren't. My wife and I decided to try Villa Romana for our wedding anniversary after a nice romanatic day in Golden Gate Park. Well, I guess that was our mistake. My wife had the Eggplant Parmigiana and I had the Veal Parmigiana. The eggplant in the eggplant parmigiana was not cooked all the way through and was a little bitter. We were not very imprressed with the dish, 3 pieces of eggplant cut in wheels smothered with tomato sauce?? We've both had Eggplant parmigiana at other Italian eateries and version by far was the worst. My Veal parmigiana was none better. The veal was tough and the tomato sauce was a little too sour for my taste. The wait staff was slow and unattentive to say the least. Next time we'll fight the traffic and make our way down to North Beach for some REAL Italian. Cons: Food, Food, Food more
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E, Mangia Bene, uh? 8/20/2005

This is real Italiano people! From the great authentic food to the great Italiano Staff, eh? They do a really good job over there. Good food, service, and prices. They have it all! Pros: Mangia, Service more
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A Dining Disaster 8/14/2005

They do not have genuine olive oil on the tables. Instead they serve generic vegetable oil. The next tragedy was the arrival of the Caprese Salad. It was served with beefsteak tomatoes, instead of the normal plum. That might be fine if the tomatoes were ripe. Instead they were partially green and they were crunchy. The very top of the tomato with the stem was served on the plate with the other slices. When we decided to return the plate and ask for our check, the manager came out and was very rude and insisted that the tomatoes were ripe. He did not offer a substitute or an apology. Cons: Rude service, Substandard Food more
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Great Food And What A Deal!!! 7/27/2005

So I went to the Famous Villa Romana Ristorante Last Night! It was great Food and they had such a great deal that they run during the week. They have this $20 Family Experience Deal where you get an app, a soup or salad, a main entree, a yummy glass of wine, and dessert and coffee or tea. It was great, and the owner Tony also gave us a complimentary after dinner drink for being their eating at his place several times before! Pros: $20 Dinner`, Tony, Food/Service more
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Very Nostalgic Experience 5/23/2005

After about 23 years, I returned back to San Francisco and just had to come back to my old stomping grounds and ofcourse, Villa Romana. It has changed a bit since I remembered it back in the early eighties, but has stayed the same as well...confused, me too. I mean it has evolved into one of SF's Premier Italian Eateries, yet it has maintained its old world zest at the same time. I can't figure it out but it's quite an achievement if you ask me! Pros: Food, Wines, Service Cons: Far more
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Remarkable Ristorante 5/15/2005

This little Ristorante is quite simply put, REMARKABLE! The friendly and knowledgeable Italian Cameriere (Waiters) were so charming and polite that I thought I was downtown somewhere at one of those 5 star ristorantes. I was completely famished and had my husband order a bunch of really delicious items such as: the Calamari Fritti, the Vongole Al Vapore, the Antipasto Mare, and then we split there fabulous Cioppino, which is by far the best I've ever had. It rivals the wharf and wins in our opinion! The greatest thing about this ristorante was their great service! Highly recommended! Pros: Cioppino, Appetizers, Music Cons: parking more
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Menu for Villa Romana Pizzeria & Rstrnt


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Editorial

  • Inner Sunset Italian restaurant draws local crowds, and plenty of large parties, with ""meter-sized"" pizza plus traditional pasta and meat dishes.

  • 8/28/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Thursday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Friday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Sunday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Discover, American Express, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Inner Sunset, Central West
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