Insider Pages Reviews for Panta Rei

5 Stars: Great Italian food and service (by maddergoose)

maddergoose — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Niccolo did an excellent job of letting us just relax and enjoy our dinner. The staff also did a great job of reccommending the best wine. we truly enjoyed our panta rei experience

1 Stars: Worst Meal in San Francisco (by sportsfansf)

sportsfansf — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

This is without doubt one of the worst Italian meals I've ever had. It's clear that this place is meant to draw in tourist that don't know any better. What really stands out for this place is the food, and it is tasteless! Nothing seems homemade-the Caesar salad had a totally canned/jared dressing that was thick and piled on; a pesto pasta dish had absolutely no flavor at all (it was even a bit watery); a bolognese pasta tasted liked it came right from a can of 'Chef-Boy-R-Dee.' Beyond the poor food, the place is pretty dirty, from the stained menus to them wiping the tables down so that all the bread crumbs and other table scraps slip and stay stuck between the cracks of the adjoining tables. Forks are not replaced so prepare to mix and match your starter with your entree. And not once did a waiter come by a table (we watched 5 around us including ours) to check in and see if everything was OK. Most of the staff huddled at the bar area being social, texting rather than paying attention to people eating. It's clear that this is a tourist trap to say the least. I might have expected this is Rome where I've experienced mediocre restaurants located near tourists sites, but here in S.F. It honestly makes The Olive Garden a dream destination. I only wish I read some reviews before going. Nothing personal or against the folks that work there but way too may other places in the city to eat at. Save your money and take your taste buds somewhere else..that is unless you like bland food.

4 Stars: Good Food, Loud (by joedrucker)

joedrucker — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Had dinner on a Saturday night. The food was good. Very simple italian dishes and the ingredients tasted fresh. My wife and I had a really good meal, reasonably priced.

This is not a romantic restaurant. House music playing in the background and the restaurant was very busy. In my opinion this would be a good group dinner place or dinner before a night on the town.

4 Stars: Panta Rei Cafe (by Cathy H.)

Cathy H. — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:21:00 GMT

This restaurant has great Italian food. I really enjoy their raviolis and spaghetti and homemade spaghetti sauce, Servers are very friendly and professional. Prices are pretty good.

3 Stars: So so? (by CSMobileUser)

CSMobileUser — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The atmosphere was great but food was so so... it could have been better,The atmosphere was great but food was so so... it could have been better.

4 Stars: Great quality (by Jennifer M.)

Jennifer M. — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:27:00 GMT

Panta Rei Cafe has some of the best italian food around. I went there and got a delicious filling meal for a great price compared to other restaurants in the area.

Upsettingly, the cafe is usually crowded. But if you can wait, its worth it.

5 Stars: north beach festival (by M H.)

M H. — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:03:00 GMT

went there this year and had a good experience. my friend caught they eye of our server and we were well taken care of. we waited for our food for all of 5 minutes, seriously! they food was so good. we all had raviolis and my other friend had a salad. she said it was very good. they brought us a dessert, on the house. made it that much yummier! cheers to the guys at panta rei..

5 Stars: AMAZAINGLY DELICIOUS! OVER the TOP SERVICE! (by ibsonia)

ibsonia — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Panta Rei has the best representation, presentation, and quality that I have ever experienced. Hands down the best Itallian food and service. I recommend this restuarant to anyone who enjoys high quality food, wine, good music, and over the top service. The Tiramisu is the BEST!!

5 Stars: Super authentic!!! (by matthadoll)

matthadoll — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I can't say enough great things about this restaurant! Very crowded for Saturday dinner, and very lively. I noticed that some people gave negative reviews for that sort of atmosphere, I on the other hand, enjoyed it. Many of the service members are actually Italian, including the cute hostess. It was a little difficult to get in on Saturday night, but definitely worth the wait. Atmosphere was very much like a trendy Italian restaurant on Ostiense or near Ponte Milvio in Rome.

The food was delicious and amazing! Haven't had such authentic Italian cuisine since I've been back. Even though they were bursting at the seams busy, the restaurant still allowed me a custom order for my favourite dish - Penne al arrabiata. It tasted just like a homespun trattoria in Rome! They have a good mix of "Americanized Italian" food, as well as some very surprising authentic choices like the Fettuccine Cinghiale (boar).

I read a few of the negative reviews: Don't pay attention to them! The food and experience of this restaurant is fabulous and exactly like the newer hip restaurants in Italy! So many of the other places in No. Beach just staff their restaurants with Hispanic people and call themselves authentic Italian. So disappointing! The pasta is fresh al dente, that does NOT mean undercooked like soggy-melts-in-your-mouth-American pasta. The waiters will not dote on you and interrupt your meal every freaking five minutes to ask if you need another inch of water, if you'll absolutely die cause you don't have a lemon wedge perfectly perched on your glass, or give you cheesy grins and ask you (for the umpteenth time) if everything is alright. Uninterrupted meals are more valued in Italy than in the States, I suppose.

Yes, that is olive oil drizzled on your bruschetta and pasta... Italians pour it on everything, deal with it. It's not grease, and your health will probably struggle more with margarine than olive oil.

5 Stars: A Good Ladies Night Out Spot (by josechan)

josechan — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT

If your looking for a good ladies night out location, this is one for you. I have been there a few times now, and every time, we are always seated promptly even though it may seemed packed from the outside. Once seated, the bruscetta is amazing, try it! All their pasta is homemade and you can definitely taste the difference. Try the salmon ravioli, it seems like a different mixture of flavors, but they end up being incredible! (that's my favorite dish) They have a good wine selection of moderately priced wines, which is nice, so you can enjoy the wine and not worry about breaking the bank. And lastly, the main reason why this is a great destination restaurant for ladies night out, the male servers are pretty nice to look at!

5 Stars: Best Italian Food, Great Atmosphere (by liz41590)

liz41590 — Fri, 18 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

My friend and I discovered this restaurant about 2 years ago when we were parousing through San Francisco's North Beach area. The gnocci is to die for, the calzones are the size of your head, and just about anything will please even the pickiest eaters appetite.This restaurant has a great ambiance, and the food is outstanding. If you are looking for a romantic, delicious place to eat, I would deffinatley reccomend this restaurant.

5 Stars: Best Calzone ever! One of my favorite spots (by jwest282)

jwest282 — Fri, 11 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I'm a Panta Rei regular, addicted to the Calzone. It seriously is the best I've ever had and I travel to New York on a regular basis. I've had a few other dishes on the menu, they were good but for me it's all about the Calzone. Great wine selection, great atmosphere and people watching. Outside seating with heater available (but it is on a busy street, right by the bus stop). Service can be great or lacking depending on who's servicing you. Seems like the waitresses have their act together while the waiters are too busy dancing, singing and goofing off to take their jobs seriously.

5 Stars: awesome waitstaff and amazing food! (by divaliciousxo12)

divaliciousxo12 — Tue, 01 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I'm really picky about Italian food, especially in tourist-y North Beach, but our boss chose Panta Rei for our monthly dinner/drinks night. Not only was the waitstaff attentive and VERY friendly, but the food was amazing. Every bottle of wine was perfectly paired with our meals and the tiramisu dessert was to die for. Praises also go to Ashley, who single-handedly bartended the entire restaurant with quick and efficient hands, good energy, and a smile. The night was definitely one to remember...despite going through about 5 bottles of wine among 10 people.

5 Stars: great wine list, delicious pasta! (by angelayi326)

angelayi326 — Tue, 01 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Went here for a casual company dinner with our boss and some coworkers. Had an amazing time in good company, which included our company staff and the entire staff at Panta Rei. Since we all got to share a taste of each other's dinners, I can honestly say that their menu is awesome. The music and ambience was great (yay for house music!), the wine was delicious, and the waitstaff were all so sweet and friendly. Service was quick and efficient but they don't rush you, even at their busiest. Also, best tiramisu I've ever had in my life! I definitely will be coming back here often.

3 Stars: Great pizza, mediocre pasta, extremely loud (by nblocal)

nblocal — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

After trying a number of other North Beach Italian joints, we finally landed at Panta Rei. Despite being in a far corner of the restaurant next to only one other table, the place was SO LOUD the two of us had to shout to hear each other. (And this was a weekday evening. I can only assume we would've been reduced to smiling and nodding on a Saturday night.) My boyfriend's pizza was great - second only to Tommaso's (and he pretty much orders pizza everywhere we go). My pasta was fine, but only that. Far better than typical Italian chains, but didn't stack up to what I've experienced elsewhere very nearby (e.g. L'Osteria del Forno, Trattoria Pinocchio, Cafe Delucchi). Same story with the tiramisu - decent, but not outstanding. Despite the pizza, we won't be returning here any time soon. That said, if you are looking for more of a bar-type atmosphere and don't care as much about quality, this place may be for you.

5 Stars: A pleasant suprise! (by bombasaur)

bombasaur — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I happen to stumble onto this place while have a stroll around north beach. what a pleasant suprise! Not only was the food delicious but the service was great too. Giuseppe, our waiter was very delightful and attentive even though he was very busy. He was very charming to the ladies, but I never felt as if he paid more attention to them. The mussel and clam appetizer was great as well as the daily special of seared sea bass and prawns. The wine was very affordable and quite good as well. I would definately come back to Panta Rei.

4 Stars: VERY Euro - reminding me of Rome (by vivawhipp)

vivawhipp — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Loud and very Euro, cute Italian waiters, good food...it reminded me of a Rome restaurant. I had the fetuccine and cinghiale (wild boar), it was delicious; they said they flew the meat in from Italy. Best of all, I was able to practice my Italian with the waiters; a (surprisingly) rare treat in North Beach.

1 Stars: Over-rated (by ronpeter3)

ronpeter3 — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

For the second (and last ) time, I was disappointed at Panta Rei. In my mind, the most severe sin a restaurant can commit, is involuntary substitution for a menu item. That's exactly what the restaurant did to me. I ordered pasta with broccoli rab and sausage, but received soggy spinach in place of the broccoli rab. It was absolutely tasteless. I never would have ordered this dish had I been properly informed. The pasta came slightly overcooked, not properly al dente. Service was attentive, but lackluster, considering that I was not advised that soggy spinach would be substituted for the broccoli rab. The music was playing too loud to have a civil conversation with the person next to you. In this price range there are far better choices.

5 Stars: Best on columbus (by justfornow)

justfornow — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I've tried almost all the italian restaurants you can find on columbus and Panta Rei is by far the best. Waiters are good looking and friendly. Food is delicious. Great desserts. I love going for lunch but definitely great spot for late nights. This place does not take reservations so you may have to wait. It helps to be cute. And it is cash only but there is a Wells fargo atm directly across the street.

4 Stars: Inconsistent Food (by sfnhoj)

sfnhoj — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I am a local in the neighborhood and have been to Panta Rei numerous times. The best way to describe the food and service is inconsistent. I have some absolutely great meals along with some medicore ones as well.

5 Stars: If this is a tourist trap, I'd be happily kept captive (by oharakay)

oharakay — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Visited on a friend's recommendation. Easy to find, great for people watching. Getting a bad rap as a tourist destination, but do not despair. Let them order their pizzas and lasagnas, while you can start with fresh mozzarellla cheese flown straight from Italy and stuff yourself with the osso buco con pasta with your montepulciano.

3 Stars: North Beach typical (by vynnp)

vynnp — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Went on a Saturday afternoon. Easy to get a table either inside, or outside to watch the people. Wait staff were fair, only really rude one was right at the front door. Food was good, but nor great. By pasta had burned spots on the bottom. Price was average. Not a bad spot, not a great one.

2 Stars: I can't believe it's rated 9.2. (by t_whlz)

t_whlz — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

After my dinner, I came onto this website to see what others thought of the place only to be astounded that it's rated 9.2. There's so much wrong with the place. To begin, the host was rather rude; he was attentive in getting the couple in front of us into the restaurant but when we asked him a question, he had an I-don't-care attitude. I've had better bread from Safeway in comparison to Panta Rei's bread. The calamari was not hot when it came out. It also was incredibly tough and the waiter responded that tough calamari was the way they normally cooked it. The sauce was also cold, which didn't help to make the dish more appetizing. The shrimp fetuccini was nothing to rave about; you can get better at Pasta Pomodoro without spending double digits. The waiter was inattentive and had an attitude from beginning to end. There are much better restaurants in North Beach so please don't waste your time and money in this place.

5 Stars: Great food served by yummy waiters (by julesinthecity)

julesinthecity — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I've been a couple times now and can't wait to go again. The food is delicious and great prices too. This is a VERY North Beach place to go...so go for it! Just prepare for the wait at the door - but it's worth it!

1 Stars: arrogance on stale bread (by 2uigo)

2uigo — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

chef boyardee food, olive garden atmosphere, meets just off the boat insulting italian waiters that hate waiting on americans, and smile why they say that to you in Italian, taking your order.
No thanks prefer stouffers lasagna at the inlaws.

2 Stars: Tourist Trap - mediocre food (by kattc)

kattc — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

It is very touristy but I thought since those on here like it so much it couldn't be bad, plus thought it would be a fun place for us girls to go in North Beach - we were not impressed. The guy at the door was cute and flirty - nice start. Our waiter, though not cute was funny (even doing a shot w/us) but the food was mediocre at best. Pasta was drenched in sauce, pizza was good, ceasar salad was good but I swear they used Gerard's salad dressing, the misto salad was boring. The tables are so small & close together which made talking to our neighbors easy but there wasn't enough room on the tiny table for our food. The feel of the place seemed sorta "themed" if that makes sense. It didn't feel like a real warm, Italian restaurant, but what it is, an Italian restaurant catering to tourists. With all the great dining choices I definitely won't be going back there.

5 Stars: Favorite place in North Beach (by elenai)

elenai — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I often go to this place! I love the service (some Italian servers have attitude, but that's part of the experience). The food is delicious!... not the best you'll ever have, but very good. The ambience is great, exciting, and they serve late dinners. The location is the best, right in the middle of the action of the neighborhood. It's casual enough to go dressed in jeans, but on big nights, I'd recommend dressing appropriately for nightlife. Have fun!

5 Stars: HOT WAITERS AND HOT FOOD (by bellaitaliana88)

bellaitaliana88 — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

THe first time I went there I was ushered in by two adorable flirtatious waiters. They were very entertaining and fun and the food was excellent including the pizza and panini. And if you look extra cute they just might give you free desert! Egor is an excellent waiter: very attentive, very friendly, and likes to treat us with a free tarimisu! Which was totally delicious! I highly recommend this place for a good time, especially for a girls night out!!!!! Great food and, as a girl, great service ;-)

2 Stars: This is not Italian Food! (by manusse)

manusse — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Living in North Beach and being from Italy, I finally decided to check this place out although I always thought it had a bit too much tourist appeal. The food was no were close to what Italian food is supposed to taste. It might be ok for the average passing tourist but I was expecting better cuisine then that. I think the cuisine should be labeled Americanized Italian Fast Food. Anyway, it didn't help that the place was packed, very loud and the wait staff a bit on the arrogant side (which is pretty common for male Italian wait staff, so I am used to that) but also slow because they seemed to be understaffed on that particular night. Never again, thank you.

5 Stars: Good Music, good food, good crowd (by shakerj)

shakerj — Tue, 16 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This is a good spot among a sea of copy-cat Italian eateries on Columbus avenue in North Beach. On a random Tuesday night, I was drawn in by the fact that there was actually a crowd inside, where most of the other restaurants were emtpy. It also helped that the hostess was one of the most beautiful women that I'd ever seen. She was happy to seat me, even though I was a single. There was hip music playing, albeit fairly loud - that lent to the lively scene. The server was frantic, but took fairly good care of me. The food was really quite good and not over-priced. I might have liked some more selection of wines by the glass, but heck, at least they had the Spainish soccer channel on on a TV in the corner.

5 Stars: Good Stuff (by nolaski)

nolaski — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

A must in North Beach, great food, great service, i love this place. AAA+++

5 Stars: Great find!!! (by tisamama)

tisamama — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

A friend and I were recently in S.F. and really wanted some delicious, authentic Italtian food. We were on our way to another restaraunt when we were greeted by a gorgeous young Italian woman and decided to go in and try it. OMG...this place was exactly what we needed! It was soooo good, that we have vowed to drive down (from Sacramento) at least once every other month just to have it again!!! The fresh pasta and yummy appetizers are sure to please any Italian food lover! You will not be disappointed...and of course, the gorgeous waiting staff also helps =)

5 Stars: Anytime is a Good Time at Panta Rei! (by danielaf)

danielaf — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My favorite Italian spot in the city. The homemade pasta can't be beat - try the Fettucine All'anatra for an especially delicious dish. The newly remodeled bar means a Negroni is only a couple steps away and the fun, hot Italian staff will keep your whole dinner party entertained. Especially fun with a group of people. Don't forget to listen out for the Italian pop classics on the stereo. Bon appetito!

5 Stars: Great Place (by kcunnick)

kcunnick — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I went here on a recommendation from a friend and loved it! Whenever I have an out-of-town guest I always bring them here and everytime it is terrific! The service can be slow at times but I prefer when the waiter's not stalking you anyway...

1 Stars: Like olive oil? (by starmoon)

starmoon — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Then you're in for a treat. My ravioli came swimming in so much grease, I thought they had inadvertently tipped a bottle into the dish. Half of the 20 or so ravioli were undercooked, with gummy, doughy pasta. My husband liked his fettucine, but for $16, a tablespoon of chanterelles over a cup of pasta was pretty measly. Service was atrocious from start to finish. When we walked in at 9:50 to inquire whether they were still serving dinner, the hostess/waitress asked of the cooks, who shrugged. She then walked away from us with menus. Eventually, we trailed after her. Our server attended to us as if we were flies she had to shoo away occasionally. Very distracted and totally uniterested. She removed the bread plates, leaving us to set our bread on the bare table. Never checked in on how we were doing. SO not worth it!!

5 Stars: Our new usual (by bellaitaliana)

bellaitaliana — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place! I was in the city one weekend over summer and just happened to eat here. I was so glad we did. It was the best dinner ever, I would recommend it to anyone who loves Italian food. The waiters were really friendly and made us feel comfortable. Even though I have only been there twice I can't stop talking about it. I try to go there everytime I am in the city with my friends. It's my new usual spot.

4 Stars: Good Italian in SF (by James Y.)

James Y. — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 15:15:00 GMT

The service is great, and the food was good. The prices are also very reasonable compared to some of the other Italian joints. The daily specials enliven the menu.

PROS: Good quality Italian food.
CONS: Can be busy.

4 Stars: It's unanimous... (by gpaendi)

gpaendi — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Fabio, a friend from Italy, revered this establishment as "authentic italian cuisine". Service is hospitable and warming, yet you can tell they're rushed. Mostly anytime of day, the place is sure to be swarming with locals and tourists. I, myself, am a local and have come back for more. This is in my top 2 picks of restaurants in North Beach.

The interior is stylish, a bit cramped, but the window seats, people-watching, food and decor more than compensate this. All-in-all, I'd have to give Panta Rei kudos for having a stylish, and inexpensive eatery without skimping on quality and service. Nice job!

5 Stars: Very under-rated (by sumeerkoth)

sumeerkoth — Wed, 25 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Don't waste your time wainting in line at the big name restaurants in North Beach. Panta Rei has a great corner location on columbus with a number of outdoor tables. The food is great whether it be pasta or something off the grill, especially the swordfish. Plus the bread that comes before dinner is spectacular. And the service is great!

5 Stars: Why isn't this place more crowded? (by alfie55)

alfie55 — Fri, 20 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

We had a great dinner at Panta rei last night. The staff is young, hip and good-looking, all with italian accents. The food is delicious. The best Gnocchi I've found in northe beach. The Filet mignon had a fabulous gorgonzola cream sauce on it and was extremely tender. The even gave us a free dessert sampler with tiramisu, some other warm cake dish that was amazing and pretty good biscotti. I odered a martini that was kind of wierd tasting so I asked for another drink without ever pointing out that i didn't like the first one and I wasn't charged for the second one... nisce touch.

4 Stars: Great place to eat (by m083)

m083 — Sun, 15 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I was very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. The food was very good, and the wait staff were all very friendly. We had a fairly large group, yet we were seated promtly and we received our food pretty quickly after we ordered. It was a little loud inside, but it was a great place for people watching. Try the ciopinno, and have the tiramisu for dessert - both were great!! I would definitely go back to Panta Rei.

5 Stars: Great food and Service (by MarkD)

MarkD — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 09:00:00 GMT

We try to make it here every time we come into the city. The food is very good and so is the service. The gnocci with wild boar bolognese is awesome. Also, try the pizzas.

4 Stars: A good find in North Beach (by rosie7477)

rosie7477 — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I wouldn't have tried Panta Rei but I found a coupon online for it. Overall, I was very happy. The servers were great; friendly, attentive and easy on the eyes. The wine was reasonably priced, and the food was pretty good. Skip the calamari, it was not crispy and didn't have much flavor. Definitely try the pasta with prociutto, mozzarella, olives and lots of other yummy things!

5 Stars: Delightfully Authentic Bistro! (by kittykristina)

kittykristina — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I have been to here numerous times, and each time is absolutely wonderful. If you are feeling fun and flirtatious then this is the place to go! My girlfriends an I come here when we want to be adored by the delightful staff... Also when we want to eat some of the best mussels in North Beach. All around, the food is delicious, the service is wonderful, and the atmosphere makes me feel as if I am back in Europe. My only wish is that they had a full bar.... and their wine list could use a bit of sprucing up. But overall, Panta Rei is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I highly reccommend it!

4 Stars: Feast for the eyes and stomach (by zinlover)

zinlover — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 09:00:00 GMT

A great place for girls night out - mostly because of the incredibly handsome and charming Italian men manning the door, bar and tables. Wow... and the food is just as fabulous too. The sea bass with cherry tomatoes is very fresh and filling with a side of red potatoes and spinach. Tiramisu here is super moist and just dreamy. The wine list is pretty good and reasonable too. A hit in my book for a fun and casual night out in North Beach without seeming too touristy.

4 Stars: Excellent dining experience (by Sarah)

Sarah — Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Just having moved to San Francisco we are checking out the neighborhoods and wanted to get some great Italian. We looked at a number of menus and initially chose Panta Rei because of price and they sat us right away (on a Saturday night around 7pm). WONDERFUL food. We each ordered a pasta dish and were elated to find fresh, homemade pasta with light sauces. Wine list offered many affordable options and our server, Christian, helped us choose a great wine. He even offered to help us find a realtor when he found out we were new to town! Though an initial mix-up with my order, they made up for it with complementary tiramisu for two. I would recommend this place to anyone and WILL be returning.

1 Stars: Bargain, uncrowded and really good (by pizzymcgith)

pizzymcgith — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Really good, fresh Italian food - not terribly inventive, but very well prepared. Great wine list, small markup. Usually no wait.
UPDATED: Came back on a Saturday night. The service was awful and the disco music was so loud that it was literally physically uncomfortable, not to mention impossible to chat with my date. I won't be back.

4 Stars: Pretty good Italian food (by betsy81)

betsy81 — Fri, 02 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I loved the location of the restaurant, it is in the center of the North Beach District. The atmosphere is lively but intimate enough to have a great conversation. I thought the food was great, might have been cooked a little too much in oil, but was flavorful. With so many Italian restaurants to choose from in North Beach, I enjoyed my decision to eat at Panta Rei.

5 Stars: Good food, wine, and prices. (by vsquared)

vsquared — Fri, 20 Feb 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Don't believe the editorial staff, as usual. I recently visited in January and ended up eating here twice. Being italian, I am very picky about italian food and can say this is some of the best. The mussels were great and the pasta (we tried different types each night) right up there with grandma's. Our waiters were attentive (easy on the eyes too), but not overly, and took care of us both inside and out, as we moved outside enjoying both the crowd and the music. Next visit I will return.
By the way - they do take credit cards.

5 Stars: ciao to you too! (by ajla)

ajla — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 09:00:00 GMT

The friendly wait staff, entertaining and conversational, provided a European vibe with their charming Italian accents. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very pleasant, dimmed lights with soft Italian music. Panta Rei is definitely a place I will come back to dine at again, and again, and again....

5 Stars: postcard perfect restaurant (by alexann)

alexann — Thu, 11 Dec 2003 09:00:00 GMT

When I walked into Panta Rei, I swore that I had left the United States and was now sitting in the heart Rome eating at postcard perfect restaurant. The waiters are charming; all speak Italian and provide quite an array of eye candy. The service is personal and provides a very Italian vibe. And the food, is well, indescribable. I doubt you would get better food in Italy. If you go to one restaurant in San Francisco, make it Panta Rei.

5 Stars: Great for a date (by rickrutter)

rickrutter — Tue, 09 Dec 2003 09:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend and I stopped into Panta Rei before a night on the town and it was the perfect start to the evening. The service couldn't have been better and the food was not only good, but inexpensive. Next time we're in the neighborhood we'll definitely be back.

4 Stars: Consistently good... (by friec)

friec — Mon, 18 Aug 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Panta Rei is a great place for homemade pasta. My favorite is the salmon ravioli, absolutely delicious! Service is always good and the atmosphere lively. I definitely recommend.

2 Stars: Disappointing (by sftaste)

sftaste — Sat, 05 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

What a disappointment!

The service was slow and inefficient. Our server was trying to "memorize" our order only to come back to our table FOUR TIMES and ask each one of us what it was that we had ordered!

Our appetizers took forever (probably b/c she forgot what they were) and when they finally arrived, were HORRIBLE! The bruschetta were more like "BURNTschetta!"

After all of that, our meals were OK. Not great, but definitely not as bad as everything else.

We waited for our server to finish up her conversation with her friends who were not dining at the restaurant for about 15 minutes until one of us had to get up and ask for our bill (we decided to go to Ben and Jerrys for dessert at this point - a place that wouldn't let us down!)

Hope you have a better experience.

5 Stars: Just like @ home - Simply Great!!! (by roby)

roby — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Coming from another part of the world we were amazed how warm and homelike my family felt when we stepped inside Panta Rei. We were amazed of how simple, courteous and delicious was our experience @ Panta Rei. We decided to try different dishes for the four of us, my wife and my two kids. The kids ate tre paste, gnocchi with meat sauce, my wife had papardelle pasta with duck, and I ate the grilled tuna. Its rare to see my kids' plates empty. The food was just like eating at my favorite restaurant in my city in Italy. Thank you Panta Rei for making us feel at home and filling up our tummies with great food! Che Buono!!!

1 Stars: yuck! (by oggabooga)

oggabooga — Mon, 16 Jun 2003 09:00:00 GMT

ate there last night. was one of the only places still serving food. the "tre pasta" was terrible. the gnocchi in it tasted like it was topped with chef boy ardee sauce-the ravioli filling was undistinguishable-the rotini tasted like Kraft Easy Mac...that was the good part. ($10) The Tuna was ordered medium rare-it was well done. The risoto funghi special ($16)was so salty it was inedible. We were starving... the kitchen was closed by the time we got our meals(the risotto took 20 minutes-special order)-we couldn't send it back to be remade. horrible-horrible-horrible. The only saving grace was the waiter-pleasent,professional,courteous-although his recommendations didn't pan out. We will NEVER GO THERE AGAIN

4 Stars: LUNCH, HERE I COME! (by nnayebi)

nnayebi — Sun, 11 May 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Panta Rei has great sandwiches for lunch...try the proscuitto panini. Its a little uncomfortable sitting outside as it is right in front of a bus stop...otherwise, great!

1 Stars: Disaster (by shahshee)

shahshee — Sun, 20 Apr 2003 09:00:00 GMT

This has to be the worst restaurant in North Beach. Service was terrible, sauces were bland, and to top it off there was a rubber band in our pasta dish. I recommend to avoid this restaurant.

2 Stars: Fu ck Citysearch (by aub650)

aub650 — Wed, 01 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

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5 Stars: Charming staff and great homemade pasta (by croft1)

croft1 — Sun, 10 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

This restaurant is really charming. I was with a friend meandering around the North Beach area looking for a place to eat. There was a greeter outside - typical Italian - very friendly. He convinced us to try it out. The food was excellent. I had the homemade pasta, mushroom ravioli with asparagus. I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone.

5 Stars: good job Panta Rei! (by leosandro)

leosandro — Sat, 09 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I was on vacation in San Francisco for a week and I decided to test some of the "so called" Italian restaurants and...surprise!! I found ONE. PANTA REI is really tasteful Italian in every dish we tried. We stopped testing the others in North Beach since Panta Rei looks much better than any Italian can expect in US. The large variety of recepies, the genuine flavors and the low price gives no doubt. Who wrote negative reviews probably doesn't know much of Italian cuisine and should be better eating a Big Mac!

5 Stars: Magnifico! (by aba1964)

aba1964 — Wed, 06 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

These other reviews are staggeringly incompetent in expressing the magnificent food and experience Panta Rei can offer. Panta Rei, meaning "everything flows" is exactly what you can expect from the staff and their restaurant. The experience is very similar to a trattoria in Italy, but you'd have to know that. The food is exactly served as the regional cuisine in Italy and is delicious. As an Italian I am willing to stand behind the food they serve as authentic and well-made. Don't be deterred by the negative reviews here, this restaurant has a truly authentic dining experience to offer. As for the cash only policy, most restaurants in their freshman year maintain this policy and some, even very upscale restaurants, stick by it as a respectable business practice. Better even yet to say, try it for yourself!

3 Stars: Satisfactory (by Jenifer1)

Jenifer1 — Wed, 30 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I ate at Panta Rei with friends last night, and it was just okay. The food was mediocre...bland tomato sauce and AWFUL bread. The waiter was very sweet and informative, but he disappeared for most of the meal, never asking if we cared for parmasean, etc. And they don't take credit cards. I would choose Steps of Rome over Panta Rei any day!

5 Stars: Bravo! (by loid)

loid — Fri, 30 Aug 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I just read this terrible review of Panta Rei, so I had to balance it with a good one. I've been several times and never had an experience that was less than perfect. Friendly staff, GREAT bruschetta, and the gnocchi are the best i've had outside of Italy. Also, the prices are cheap. The price rating here is way off. Pastas are about $10 at the most. Sure if you order ossobucco you might reach $17, but generally it's very reasonable. for wine, too, and more often than not they bring free dessert--all of it's good! Don't go here if you're looking for a fancy, kiss-my-ass experience. it's bare bones, good, cheap italian food. what's wrong with that? ;>)

1 Stars: The worst restaurant experience ever! (by bariss)

bariss — Sun, 07 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

I had this bad experience on July 4th. We wanted to have a quick bite before watching the fireworks at Coit Tower. I ordered a Seafood Pasta and it tasted unbelievably bad. The mussels had an extremely bad taste of salt water, which ruined the whole evening for me. The other plate we ordered was so-so. The waitress offered a free tiramisu to make it up for us, but we returned it because we didn't want another surprise. Plus the service was extremely slow. After we were seated, we had to wait for almost 10 minutes for 2 glasses of ice water and bread basket. I was puzzled when we were only given some bread, with no butter, olive oil or vinegar. I will never, ever go there, even if they offered free food for the rest of my life.