SPQR

Emily and I tried SPQR this week and left thoroughly impressed. Located in Pac Heights, this restaurant used to be Chez Nous of Bay Bread fame. A sister restaurant to A16, SPQR is owned by co-executive chefs Nate Appleman and Daniel Holtzman. Nate and Daniel went to culinary school together and envisioned this restaurant to be strictly Roman style meaning that it is heavy on antipasti and pasta.

FOOD

Antipasti. There are three sections of antipasti available - cold, hot, or fried. We sampled four impressive selections. The house-made pork sausage was by far my favorite item of the entire meal. We also tried the brussell sprouts (fried), chantrelle mushrooms (hot), and spicy octopus (hot). The portion size is tapas-like, so ordering many selections and sharing with your companion is ideal.

Pasta. Emily and I shared two pasta plates -- Gnocchi alla Romana and Amatriciana Spaghetti. Roman Gnocchi is different from what most people are used to. They are larger than the typical small potato or ricotta filled dumplings. They look like hockey pucks - two per order. Roman Gnocchi is very delicate and egg-like in consistency. It is served with Pancetta and cheese. The Amatriciana is a simple dish with a slightly spicy red sauce and is highly recommended.

Desert. We tried the Almond Milk Granita and Panino, both of which were excellent. The Granita was topped with espresso cream. The frozen almond milk was to die for. The Panino looks like a dark piece of toast. It is stuffed with caramelized milk and pear. These two deserts, while seemingly very different, worked well together.

AMBIANCE

We were seated at the back of the restaurant at the Chef's Bar which basically is a counter top facing the hole-in-the-wall sized open kitchen. Watching the four chefs navigate the tight workspace provided a ton of entertainment. Also, fans of the television show, Hell's Kitchen, will enjoy Daniel working the pass. He instantly passes judgment on each dish and sometimes the chefs are on the wrong side of his quality standards. Although he is not maniacal like Gordon Ramsey, he definitely doesn't hold back if the dish is lacking or is the wrong portion size. When we go back, we will have a preference to sit here again. The action is fun and the experience is highly educational. Plus, you get to see most of the menu items while you are ordering.

For those of you looking for a stuffy and calm dinner environment, try somewhere else. This restaurant is walk-in only, so on peak nights you should arrive around 6PM to avoid disappointment. It seats around 50 people.

Our waitress, Katherine, speaks highly of the brunch menu which is available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Overall, SPQR was a great experience. I recommend it highly. Go with a few friends so that you can sample more of the menu items. It is appropriate to share at this restaurant.

SPQR
1911 Filmore St (btwn Pine and Bush)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 771-7779

Reservations are not accepted.

Lunch: Monday - Friday 11:30AM - 2:30PM
Dinner: Daily 5:30PM - 11:00PM
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 9:30AM - 2:30PM