Insider Pages Reviews for RNM Restaurant

1 Stars: Replace the maitre d' (by remarkable1)

remarkable1 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

We arrived early around 5:30pm, with the exception of the regulars at the bar, the place was completely emply. Nevertheless the snooty maitre d' gave us a hefty dose of attitude for not having a reservation. Thankfully the waitress was wonderful and the food delicious. The loud overconfident maitre d' annoying presence was a constant distraction to what might otherwise have been a pleasant experience.

4 Stars: Interesting cuisine (by Laura M.)

Laura M. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:28:00 GMT

Rnm is an interesting restaurant that mixes American, Italian, and French food together. You can get a smaller plate for about $10-14 or a larger plate for about $20-25. The food is delicious and the service was excellent.

5 Stars: Yummy! (by mluerra)

mluerra — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We finally tried this restaurant this past weekend, and were glad we did. The space is really beautiful, and the food was amazing. We sat upstairs, which is very nice, as it's like a little mini lounge in itself. We started off with the mac and cheese, which is some of the best I've had. For entrees, I had the halibut, and my husband had the rib eye, both of which were delicious! We caught a glimpse of the mini burgers and the pizza at another table, so we'll definitely be back to try those as well! Definitely go to this oasis in the Haight.

5 Stars: great restaurant (by fdc4)

fdc4 — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

As a restaurant owner, i dont get the negative reviews on hosts in general. They have the most thankless job in the restaurant. If customers are not sat at once or offered a free drink they are hostile. People get a GRIP
they are juggleing several things at once, they have to deal with the guests that are seated , the guests that are arriving and the flow of the entire place. RNM is a small place and I have seen Robert do the best juggling act in the business. People are late and have NO reguard for the next guests. If you went to the hair dresser and you were 30 minutes late they would send you home, why restaurants dont practice this is just plain silly. We accomodate thats our business.
RNM is a great place .The food is wonderful, the room exciting, the service excellent.
People need to be more postive, it just seems we all look for the negative, if its not the host, then its the servers, if its not the servers then its the bartenders, if its, you get the point, for some people its always something. To those people STAY HOME and make yourselfs MISERABLE.
Dine out have fun , ENJOY.
RNM is one of the best

1 Stars: Unpleaseant Host at RNM (by jonfoody)

jonfoody — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The maitre'd at RNM is responsible for the WORST restaurant experience of my life!

My experience at RNM has left me wondering if a business actually benefits from having an individuals (maitre'd) personality like his so closely associated with it. Oh well, there are plenty of late adapters and suburbanites just discovering RNM to give it acceptable reviews for the foreseeable future.

Read the countless other negative reviews on him and learn that I am not the first person to have a horriying experience and definitely not the last.

5 Stars: don't be frightened by the prospect of small plates (by ramondasilva)

ramondasilva — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I brought my parents here on recomendation from a colleague, having never visited before. We each had a glass of the house cabernet, which was very good - I'm sorry that I cannot recall the name. The food was all beautifully prepared and garnished. The charcuterie was a nice start, a selection of spiced meats and pate', the pizza was crisp and a nice item to share, and the main dishes were all satisfying, both in preparation and in portion size. Some people might think the portions area little small, but to me they were just right. This is not a restaurant where you "super-size" menu items. My parents both enjoyed it, though my father is a little on the old fasioned side and prefers more traditional decorations. My only complaint was that the room is very loud, and like everyone around us we needed to raise our voices to hold conversation. I will certainly go back, but will do so early in the week when I would guess they are less busy.

5 Stars: great host (by willpitt)

willpitt — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I have had dinner at rnm several times and just wanted to give a shout out to the wonderful host Robert,
he is just fabulous. The food is fantastic too.Cant wait to go back.THANKS

1 Stars: A Disappointing Birthday Dinner (by uncommonusername)

uncommonusername — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

For a good friend's birthday party we chose RNM for its ambiance, specifically its informal seating upstairs where a group of about 8 of us could lounge in couches and comfy chairs around one coffee table. When we got there we were told we could not sit at the table and chairs we had reserved but had to sit at a less desirable nearby table. Our new table placed us in the line of stairway traffic and a very chilly AC breeze but also subjected us to a Shrek movie playing on a big screen right above our eyes. Not the mellow ambiance we were looking for. They eventually allowed us to move to the spot we had reserved. We also had to pay a fee ($20 if I remember correctly) just to bring our own birthday cake into the restaurant plus $2 per slice to have them cut it. These experiences eclipsed the food, which was rather tasty.

5 Stars: ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!! (by turakian)

turakian — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We dined at RNM last night and had an amazing experience. The host was warm and friendly, the service was kind and attentive, but most of all the food was to die for. From the grilled hearts of romaine and the steak tartare appetizers to the wild mushroom pizza with fontina cheese and ribeye steak, all of it was spectacular!!! Oh and don't miss the bread pudding for dessert. It was so nice to find a restaurant get top marks on all key elements from customer service to wonderful food. We cannot wait to go back!! Thanks RNM for making our night!!!

1 Stars: DO NOT ORGANIZE your birthday dinner at RNM!!!! (Unless you want to get RIPPED OFF!!!) (by caln8v)

caln8v — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Remember when you made the mistake of dating that attractive person, who secretly has a bipolar disorder?
That person is back as a restaurant, as RNM.
Sure, for your romantic dinner, RNM is sweet, generous, kind, beautiful and loving.
But then, one day you plan your friend's birthday party and RNM is RIPPING YOU OFF...and pulling greenbacks from your wallet and purse between verses of "Happy Birthday."
Check it out...
They charge you for corkage fees -- $20 per bottle
They charge you for 'dessert fees' -- $5.00 per person, yes, for the right to pass out my wife's cupcakes
Then, hold you for 20% service fee.
Unless you really want to ask your buddies and friends to cough up an extra $30.00 per person for the "right" to bring a large group to their restaurant, think again....Go to one of San Francisco's finer restaurants that actually want your business.
Do RNM a favor, and tell them they need therapy, big-time!...and maybe some meds, too.
Thanks for listening.

4 Stars: nice upstairs (by jeremyliew)

jeremyliew — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

was dark and yummy. great food; ok service, quieter upstairs. drinks are nice and well priced. get the cheese plate

5 Stars: love, love love this restaurant (by tikitom)

tikitom — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

RNM is simply fabulous.
The host was charming, warm and helpful. Our party changed size and time, and both times we called to make changes, we were called back quickly and the host, his name is Robert was so nice It made such a difference. When we arrived we were asked to wait while our table was being reset. We went to the bar, where we were warmly greeted by Todd, he was great and made the best cosmos i've ever had. We were in heaven. How many times do you go to a highly recommended restaurant get a snotty hostess and then an equally snotty bartender??
Not at RNM.
We were seated as soon as we got our drinks, the server came right over and once again greeted us warmly. Layla was great, attentive, fun- JUST TERRIFIC.
The food was in a word INCREDIBLE
We can't wait to return. We just loved, loved loved RNM

4 Stars: Best grilled romaine lettuce (by jemago)

jemago — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I agree with most of the reviewers that the host is what makes you think twice before going. It's like a club, if you are known by the host, you belong to the group and you feel welcome, or he doesn't know you, he is still nice with you but he's not warm. Also, with the look from the waiters when you ask for the $25 prix-fixe, either you stick on your decision or change for the a la carte Menu, which annoys you later because you first came for that Menu...Anyway, the food is worth the hardship. I love everything here, but my favorite is the grilled heart of romaine...

4 Stars: good neighborhood place (by sf_girly)

sf_girly — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

this is a great neighborhood place, but i wish they would change up the menu a bit more often. the host has improved greatly over the years and is now one of the best! he will always find a table for you. the wait staff is a little bland -- only once have i actually had a friendly waiter.

4 Stars: Great small plates, average atmosphere (by eddiepeats)

eddiepeats — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I have to admit that i really love the food here. It's a little difficult to get past the host who is sometimes very nice, and sometimes not so nice at all. Once you do though, and if you can forget that the place used to be a Pasta Pomodoro, the food will win you over.

3 Stars: Good Food, Annoying "Experience". (by luv2eet)

luv2eet — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We really enjoyed the food (well, my husband "loved" his burgers and bread pudding) but didn't enjoy the overall experience. First, the host made us feel like he was doing us a favor both times we spoke with him over the phone, and while we were there, he acted as if he thought he were some kind of celebrity, ugh! Then, the service was just plain "flat". Our server was unenthused, impersonal, and sloppy. Lastly, the space is so cramped that my husband's chair was bumped several times from behind. The food should not be responsible for making up for the annoying staff and atmosphere. Bummer, we had anticipated "more".

4 Stars: great food, bitchy service (by dk47)

dk47 — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I have been dining at RNM since it opened. The food is fabulous, however I feel compelled to put my two cents in. The sevice just stinks. The bartender and the host are always pleasant and professional, but the waiteresses are just plain terrible. On ever visit they are more concerned with chatting with the kitchen and themselves. drinks take for ever, they sit at the bar while they finish there gossiping. last time I was there they were discussing a tip they apparently did not like from a guest. they were quite nasty. This was not something a guest should not be privy to. they are just not attentive, that is unless they know you and WA-LA drinks magically appear. If this was a one time expierence I would just forget about it, but it happens over and over. my friends say the same things. Maybe they should have a support group for RNM customers who have had bitchy service. problem being they would need a bigger rrestaurant. FOOD IS GREAT-SERVICE IS BITCHY. My sugesstion eat this fabulous food at the bar and you will get great service

4 Stars: Large Groups Welcome Here (by bluestarfish1)

bluestarfish1 — Thu, 04 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Booked this place 24 hours in advance for 20 on Saturday night and got it! Amazing! Great small plates. You'll get full on the small plates alone. Mac n' Cheese is decent too. Parking is a pain but valet saves the day! RNM is WOW.

1 Stars: User review by ehughes23 (by ehughes23)

ehughes23 — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

The restaurant was freezing, the meat was fatty, the service was non-existent. Although this place can be quite good, it also can be absolutely horrible. The atmosphere and the temperature are both cold. Even though I was wearing my winter jacket and scarf, the waiter (the one time we saw him) still insisted on turning on the airconditioning. That said, if there is an heirloom tomato napoleon on the menu, it's to die for.

5 Stars: Fabulous and Friendly! (by mekmoon)

mekmoon — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We called last-minute on a friday evening, and were treated to an extraordinary evening with great food and fantastic service (despite our last minute request for a seating). The food is fresh, interesting and well prepared. And, despite other reviews to the contrary, the service was great. In fact, the host went far out of his way to seat us at the last minute, engaged us all evening, and ultimately brought us a free taste of a fantastic dessert he highly recommended. Bravo to RNM!

5 Stars: Love This Place (by kalliegirl)

kalliegirl — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I just wanted to say how much I love this restaurant. I live in the neighborhood, and it is so nice that I don't have to travel to get great food. Even if I'm not in the mood for the full dinner, I know that I can go to RNM and get a great innovative pizza and a good bottle of wine. It is such a gem. Keep up the good work.

4 Stars: The Haight's "DELFINA" (by djesanfrancisco)

djesanfrancisco — Sat, 17 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Ennjoyed an early Friday dinner (7pm) with a friend, no reservation, seated within 5 min, and always knew where my server was. Hostess was relaxed, organized and attentive to the dining room. Kitchen (partially open) was focused and busy with moments of laughter.
Food was bold and complex, tasty but lacked simplicity. Service was honest and accomodating.

4 Stars: RNM - stands for "real nice meal" (by krisslye)

krisslye — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Robert, the owner, is an absolute doll! The food is fantastic - don't miss the mac & cheese & pizzas. All my girlfriends & I went there for our Wig Wednesday tradition. A lot of other restaurants could have been freaked out by 14 women wearing strange wigs - but not RNM. They loved it. We loved them.

4 Stars: inhospitable host (by mvff)

mvff — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

This was our second visit to r n m. Both times the food was delicious, the service very capable and comfortable, the space beautiful, and the host -- rude. Hire a new one and make the third time a charm.

1 Stars: RNM = Really Nasty Maitre d' (by ryanedw)

ryanedw — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

It's hard to recover when your first several interactions are with a needlessly inflexible maitre d' who snubs you in favor of the owner's guests. It does happen at other restaurants, but RNM's food isn't good enough to compensate. The charcuterie plate seemed like it came out of the fridge during halftime; the roasted salad tasted like a bad hamburger. The steak tartare wasn't bad, but the wine list was incomprehensibly put together. The one redeeming factor: excellent service from a top-notch waitress. Stay away; it just isn't worth the risk of a bad experience, which as you can see from the other reviews, happens pretty frequently! RNM needs to ask its maitre d' to have a stiff drink before he ticks off more customers, improve the cuisine, and order the wine list according to varietal or region.

1 Stars: Worst services I ever experienced!! (by whateverdoggy)

whateverdoggy — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I threw a birthday party for my friend with a group of 10 people. I was deeply distrubed by the manager's attitude. He was rushing us to get out since there are people waiting the table. The staff was constantly taking away our plates before we were even finished with our food. The service was horrible. The food was interesting, but the price was a little high. Parking is a mess. Overall, a bad dining experience for my friends and I. PS: they charged a 20 dollars cutting cake fee without notice.

5 Stars: Wonderful dining experience today and everyday! (by strategiclee)

strategiclee — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I live just around the corner and love this resturant. The menu is wonderful and constantly delivering a new tasty treat. Robert is very accomodating with my last minute requests and I have taken family, friend and client there with excellent results. Reasonably priced with consistently innovative and delicious cuisine. Take a cab, you will never find a park. I also love the mailings that alert me to menu changes - excellent use of seasonal ingredients in non-traditional dishes. And the prefix ensures I get an excellent meal without thinking - great for the weeknights.

2 Stars: Decent Food Marred by LONG wait (by dine11)

dine11 — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We went on a very busy Fri night, and were kept waiting 45 minutes for a table, despite having a reservation. There was nowhere to wait, as the place was jam packed. The host was trying to be nice about it, but that didn't shorten the wait. Then, when we finally did sit down, the service was slow, and we were not comped anything. It's just basic in the restuarant biz....you don't keep a party waiting 45 minutes for a table, and then not comp. anything--drinks, appies, dessert, something. Overall, it was a 3.5 hour dinner, which is fine for the French Laundry, but not for the Lower Haight. The food was very decent, although not spectacular. The decor is excellent. We had plenty of time to study it.....I might go back on a slow night, but never on a weekend, that's for sure.

4 Stars: Tasty and Trendy (by todie4d)

todie4d — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I called for last minute reservations and was accomodated. The service was quite nice from all the waitstaff. We parked ourselves at the bar and dug into a fresh cheese plate, YUM, and filet mignon for dinner. The food was divine and I will be eating here again soon. The drinks were pretty solid too. Try the martinis.

5 Stars: Really Nice Menu! (by acrary)

acrary — Fri, 18 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

RNM is a great place to have dinner. We visit regularly and the maitre d and staff treat us like family. The cheese plate is a great appetizer to share (comes with 4 kinds of cheeses, walnuts, figs, apples, raisins, grapes and warm bread), and the salads (like the grilled hearts of romaine with pears and blue cheese) are also quite tasty. My favorite main course is the duck, which comes with a wonderful dark cherry/red wine sauce. The salmon is also quite good. It can be hard to find parking, but they do have a valet on Fridays and Saturdays. They also show movies (with no sound) on the screen behind the main bar, and you can also ask to be seated at the bar by the chef's station - the best seats in the house, in my opinion. All in all, a highly recommended place to eat!

5 Stars: yes...trendy eats (by toast_925)

toast_925 — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

trendy is the word and upon entering I was definitely wowed by the decor. Nice use of color and design...loved the chandelier! The food was really good...I had the salmon starter and the ahi for the main, both good. But what made the night was the service; great job on such a busy night and considering our party of 6. If you're into trendy eating, this is the place for you.

2 Stars: Slow Service, Incorrect check! (by mcc0412)

mcc0412 — Sat, 29 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Our reservation was at 6:30, and we placed our order at about 7.

The crab bisque appetizer was thin and watery with very little crab flavor. The crab tater tots were more potato than crab.

Then our wait started. No one came to ask if we needed anything while we were waiting. At about 8pm, the waitress came to inform us that they were slow because all the orders came at once. She promised we would be next.

The entrees came at about 8:30. I had the salmon, which was nicely prepared, except the condiments were very salty.

The waitress offered us three desserts on the house (there were 7 of us). We thought that was a nice gesture. Howeve, when the bill came, we were being charged for the desserts! Fortunately my friend double checked the bill! I'd say this is a thumbs down restaurant.

5 Stars: RNM aims to please, great food & service (by nippers88)

nippers88 — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I have been a loyal eater at RNM for the past year and have never been disappointed, ever. In fact, my husband and I had our wedding reception hear last month and could not have had a better experience. Our guests are still commenting on how great the food, service and atmosphere was.
As far as the host goes, he is totally awesome. I can't understand other raters' beef with him. He has always made us feel right at home, even when we're not dressed to the nines like some other guests are.
Keep up the great job and I look forward to our next visit!

5 Stars: Still Great (by worldly)

worldly — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I just visited RNM again recently and found that the quality of the dining experience has not diminished any after two years. I went there with a friend and we requested to be seated at the bar which Robert accomadated...sit in the corner by the windows so you can watch all the activity going on in the restaurant. We didn't want a full dinner so we split a couple of things; the charcuterie plate (who my friend said was the best one he's ever had with the duck confit and pate.), and I had what I still consider to be one of the best wild mushroom pizzas in the City. Service was quick, but not too quick, and friendly. I still highly recommend RNM as one of the most visual and unique places for food in the City.

2 Stars: Overrated (by andy4389)

andy4389 — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The food was not what I expected. I ate an arugula salad with melons. The salad was too salty. My partner ate a heirloom tomato w/ goat cheese salad, the cheese was just too overwhelming.
For the main course I ate pasta with veal bolognese. It was good. I was disappointed because I wanted the venison they had on the menu, but the waiter did not tell me they were out until after I asked for it. The staff needs to inform patrons of any changes to the menu before spending 10 minutes deciding on the entree. My partner had the filet mignon, which had NO taste!
We ate dessert, which was a brownie sundae. It was ok, but the brownie was not fresh.

3 Stars: Decent food/price (by escarlata)

escarlata — Wed, 19 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Went to RNM last month. Overall the food was average. Some things were quite good, mac and cheese, but the famed white castle burgers weren't all that. Fairly cheap though and service was acceptable. Somewhat tight inside

5 Stars: well done, thanks! (by rrratt)

rrratt — Sun, 09 May 2004 02:00:00 GMT

Great mid-week meal. There were so many choices on the menu, which included a prix fixe as well, that we needed the help of our waitress, who was mature and very helpful with appetizing descriptions and recommendations, to make any decisions. We chose some of her recommendations and a few of our own and everything was spot on -- hats off to the kitchen. Yes, and to the bar as well, drinks were perfectly concocted. We were much less pleased with the host who is mostly insignificant though, once you get past the door. All in all, we enjoyed the space, drinks, company, and most of all, the food. Keep up the good work.

4 Stars: an overall great evening! (by joelle)

joelle — Sat, 28 Feb 2004 01:00:00 GMT

We called at 6pm to see if they could seat us without reservations (on a Friday night!) and we were pleasantly greeted at the door 20 minutes later with a table waiting. The decor is very dramatic and makes for good conversation.
The evening ended with a great touch... a few friendly comments + goodbyes by our server and maitre d'. These folks definitely know a thing or two about service.

3 Stars: Nothing special (by randyo)

randyo — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I was very excited to try RNM, and was disappointed to find it was nothing special. The food was just OK, with nothing in particular that stood out. Service was friendly but awkward, and the tables are arranged so that it's almost impossible not to get knocked in the back of the head when someone walks by. There are many restaurants in SF with comparable food, prices, and atmosphere that are much more satisfying.

4 Stars: hit or miss (by iliketoeatalot)

iliketoeatalot — Fri, 14 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

rnm...its good, but usually it or miss....i have eaten there 4 times and its always been good but never great...i like the wine list and the service, the later being very knowledgeable and helpful...also the tomato napoleon is delicious, but i was unimpressed with the " white castle" style burgers they were too small for the buns....overall rnm is good, but not great...yet.

1 Stars: Worst Service (by eekim12)

eekim12 — Wed, 12 Nov 2003 01:00:00 GMT

After being seated, no one even took any notice of us until 20 minutes later, the food runner yelled across the room, "are you ready to order?" Then the waitress came to take our order but didn't offer us any drinks or water. It was so frustrating and put us in such bad mood that we lost our appetite and walked out. Don't people work for their money anymore? Do they think that they should be tipped regardless of the quality of service?

5 Stars: SUCH A TREAT! (by goodfoodsf)

goodfoodsf — Thu, 25 Sep 2003 02:00:00 GMT

What a lovely (yet still lower haight "hip") joint RNM is! I went for a birthday dinner and had the most wonderful meal AND service!! The food was so extremely flavorful with the most exquisite sauces imaginable! FYI, between 2 of us we shared the cheese plate, romaine salad, pan-seared scallops, ahi tuna and chocolate pot de creme. Hard to pick a favorite - it was all sooo delicious. Both the hostess and waitress were as charming as can be! A truly delightful evening - hope this place stays around for a while! Thanks, RNM!!

5 Stars: Excellent (by sfreviewer)

sfreviewer — Sat, 16 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

RNM has all my favorites...including very good thin crispy crusted pizza with simple clean new age toppings, wonderful sea scallops, and a nicely composed beef filet dish. The server was very busy, but pleasant and helpful. The host greeted and seated us promptly. The place has a edgy but relaxed feeling.

4 Stars: no guinness, booo (by theodore)

theodore — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

lovely spot, Robert is to be commended on his fun, exciting and delicious restaurant. The lamb was great and the deserts were fantastic. Used to be able to get a nice pint of Guinness wich seemed to fit the chic yet communial ambiance. On top of it no decent scotch. I tried to order a Johnie Walker Black and was shut down. Ughhhh. Any way, we will be back because the food was great but such a dissappoint not to be able to compliment my meal with pint of real stout. Unfortunately fro rnm there is no substitue fro Guinness.

4 Stars: Ground Control to Major Tom... (by howudoinsf)

howudoinsf — Sun, 10 Aug 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Tucked away in the funky Haight district is RNM, decked out in retro-Jetsons decor. The restaurant features a blue-lit bar, open kitchen with stool seating and an upper level. Food was decent but inconsistent, started out with a complimentatry tuna tartar appetizer and the WhiteCastle burgers (bit salty) and finished with the baby chicken/yukon potatoes (yumm) Dessert was a brownie sunday and bread pudding (delish!). Service was friendly and the frenetic action at the kitchen, entertaining. They were kind enough to send us a free dessert for participating in the action! A noisy, bustling spot for a quick bite!

1 Stars: terrible experience (by bdillon)

bdillon — Sat, 28 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Never again. I was shocked to read some of the other reviews and discover that my bad experience at RNM was not unique. My friend and I were also told to move after the maitre d' decided we had spent too much time eating dinner! The guy had no tact and was unbelievably argumentative -- instead of asking politely and apologizing, he in effect ordered us to move. I was completely bewildered and it ruined an otherwise decent dinner. I followed up with a call to the owner which was unfortunately intercepted by the maitre d' so he decided to call me back and argue some more! In over a decade of eating in SF, this is the worst service I have ever experienced. With so many brilliant restuarants in the city, you would be wise to avoid this place until they solve the service problem.

4 Stars: Creative American Cuisine with Flair (by cjglynn)

cjglynn — Mon, 02 Jun 2003 02:00:00 GMT

Tucked into the slightly seedy Lower Haight, RNM offers creative American cuisine with flair. As diners arrive, they are greeted by friendly host, Robert, and whisked through a chainmail curtain into a bustling dining room clad in tones of rust and black accented by touches of chrome and translucent glass. The menu features appetizers like Potato and Wild Leek Soup and Soft Shell Crab, and entrees including Porcini Stuffed Day Boat Scallops, Grilled Skirt Steak, and with a nod to Thomas Kellers idea of reinventing familiar items, the Whitecastle Burger. Comprised of non-traditional selections from South Africa, the Loire, Chile, and Australia as well as numerous options from California, the well-priced wine list offers a myriad of choices to complement the cuisine. Despite the lack of parking, RNM is flourishing by offering new twists on American fare at prices not unreasonable for San Francisco (dinner for two with wine $150).

4 Stars: Great Food! (by lisat75)

lisat75 — Thu, 10 Apr 2003 02:00:00 GMT

When I called to make a reservation they were very snotty and kept me on hold forever! However, once we arrived the servers and staff were very helpful and pleasant. The food was great! I would definitely recomend trying out. The portions are a bit small but its worth it.

4 Stars: Chic hits Lower Haight (by ss94117)

ss94117 — Mon, 10 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Four of us (2 couples) visited RNM for dinner about a month ago, on a weekend. All of us were extremely satisfied with the overall experience.

Decor is reminiscent of the W hotel's bar. Totally out of place in lower Haight, but nice to be able to eat trendy w/o having to deal w/ trendy neighborhood B.S.

Meals were delicious, with prices not as inflated as downtown restaurants, but beware - this is a chichi place, and portions reflect that (read: small!). Service was good, professional. Clientele seemed snootier than staff. The host/manager was warm, enthusiastic and welcoming. The condition of our reservation was that we must be in and out in 1.5 hours to make way for a large group scheduled to arrive after us. That could have made dinner tense, but it all worked out great and we never felt rushed or pressured. Well be back!

4 Stars: Great Food, Great Space, Okay Service (by efstredo)

efstredo — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 01:00:00 GMT

We had a wonderful time at RNM and the food was superb. The service was a little off.... when asking for a wine recommendation, our waitress pointed to the most expensive wine by the glass, and also suggested that we order two plates per person. We were three women, we ordered 5 plates, and almost couldn't finish the 5th! The chicken, endive salad, & crab avocado salad were all superb! The ambiance was great for a night out. Overall we had a great time, the service just needs to lose some of the attitude!

5 Stars: Wonderful addition to Lower Haight! (by SFoodie)

SFoodie — Thu, 13 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I am thrilled such a wonderful restaurant has opened in the Lower Haight. I love the stylish decor. with foreign films playing over the bar as you await a table. I was pleasantly surprised by the creative dishes. The striped bass was so delicious. Our small plates were equally pleasing with the beet salad and the charcuterie plate. I love the friendly host, and our waitress was very helpful as well.

5 Stars: Flawless cuisine, fabulous atmosphere (by mattonhaight)

mattonhaight — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

RNM features a perfect combination of outstanding food, high style, friendly service, and reasonable value. Accomplished chef Justine Miner consistently executes her inventive, ever-evolving menu to perfection. Charming host Robert is exceptionally relaxed and accommodating. This destination restaurant is a delightful addition to the eclectic Lower Haight.

1 Stars: Lowered Expectations (by endemyon_king)

endemyon_king — Fri, 07 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I was really disappointed after really looking forward to checking out this new restaurant in my neighborhood. The service was excruciatingly slow (it took almost 40 min. to take our dinner order), the service was less than friendly and the acoustics amplify an already loud room. Little things were annoying too. Like the single bathrooms. I waited in a line of four (putting me in the dishwasher's way) for almost 10 min.

The space is cool and the food was decent. It's not on the top of my list of places to return and, despite the fact that I live a few blocks away, it will never be my regular place.

Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was disappointed nonetheless. Try Cote Sud . . much better bet!

5 Stars: Style and Substance (by CatReview)

CatReview — Thu, 06 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

After many requests, I finally made my way down to the RNM (I was reluctant because of the neighborhood). After the parking nightmare was solved (they are getting a valet) we enjoyed a warm welcome with superb service. You would never realize what neighborhood your in once you enter this cozy and hip space. I would recommend the downstairs for a fun dinner/date. Use the upstairs couch and cocktail table for snacks with a small group of friends before your night out. You can also enjoy a "cool" movie if you have the time.

The food was good, nothing to rave about but I was so impressed with atmosphere I will definitely come back.

Make reservations and try and come a little early to enjoy the very small but groovy bar downstairs.

Definitely a must for anyone wanting a bit of sophistication in your food and atmosphere!

4 Stars: Sub-par service (by divine_diner)

divine_diner — Wed, 05 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

We went to RNM for a friend's birthday and had a mediocre experience. We sat upstairs which had a nice ambience, but it was hotter than hell up there. The food was tasty but the service was shockingly bad. I haven't had that bad of service in quite some time. I would try again if sitting downstairs with different server.

5 Stars: Yum! Yum! (by grrltrouble2)

grrltrouble2 — Mon, 03 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our meal at RNM. We had a chance to sample several different dishes, and the portions are definitely NOT small. Our server was very polished, friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. I'm looking forward to bringing more friends here as the menu changes.
I can't wait to go back when they have a full bar!

2 Stars: Most uncomfortable meal I've ever eaten (by hhunter)

hhunter — Mon, 27 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

The food was good, not great. The service was among the worst I've experienced in a long time...and actually managed to get worse as the dinner dragged on. And to top it all off, we were seated in the upstairs section, which is ABOVE THE KITCHEN! I've never been so uncomfortable. Eat downstairs, have a few drinks, pick one or two items from the menu, but don't eat a full meal at this place.

5 Stars: fricking delicious (by donaldjans)

donaldjans — Sat, 25 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Super cool..best hamburger in town.. best pizza in town... if you are looking for something hip/ and delicious.. where your date will perform any act you desire afterwards/ as he/she will think you are totally n the know. this is the place.

3 Stars: Very slick, but please SLOW down (by tracymcg)

tracymcg — Sat, 25 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

We dined at RNM last weekend with an early reservation and while the food was good, the service was like being hit by a 747. I understand the concept of turning over the early tables to make room for the next reservations, but this was overkill. No sooner had the appetizers gone down, the server was swooping in continuously to see how everything was. The bussers were like hawks, watching each bite and then whisking away the plates before I was done. On the upside the food was very good (especially the scallops), but I wish they would give diners a little breathing room.

1 Stars: Rudest Maitre'D in SF (by sirkfg)

sirkfg — Mon, 06 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

The food is typical. Pricing was okay and the atmosphere pretty good. We sat upstairs and it was fine for conversation. That said, was kissing my date after being there 30 minutes and the Maitre'D broke in by tapping me and asked us to "do him a favor" and give up our table. The couple to the right had been there far longer than us, the couple to the left were still eating. I had already asked for the check, so it wasn't that big a deal, but give the time spent there, I was pretty amazed at the affront of the guy. To be honest, we had arrived 20 minutes late - which he made a point of pointing to his watch and saying "you're late." I apologized and kind of blew off the major attitude he was throwing. In retrospect I should have turned around and walked out.

4 Stars: Quaint little spot in Lower Haight (by otter)

otter — Tue, 31 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

It's a very cozy little place with lots of character. We had stopped in for a small meal and what we got was perfect. My girlfriend and I shared a smoked salmon plate and a charcuterie plate. Both were delicious! Portions don't seem to be large, so this might not be the place if you're ravenous. But the ambience was romantic and the service was great!

5 Stars: Truely A Jem (by MSSF)

MSSF — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Service: outstanding. Food: Out of this world. Atmosphere: excellent. Did I mention how good the food was? We went there last night and had an AMAZING experience. The swordfish, salmon, and yes, their version of the White Castle burger, it was all simply amazing. I cannot wait to go back.

3 Stars: teeny portions (by roberl)

roberl — Fri, 27 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

The service was okay - I wouldn't quite call their portions family style. There were 4 in our party and 1 small plate was barely enough for 2 people. We ordered the quail plate and were served the actual bird which was no larger than a parakeet - we all just sort of stared at each other trying to figure out who was going to attempt to carve the poor looking thing. We ordered about 6-7 small plates which were just not "family" friendly. If you go, don't order family style. We walked out of the place hungry and broke - for almost the same price and slightly larger portions, go to Asia De Cuba.

5 Stars: Incredibly impressive (by buzzbuzzard)

buzzbuzzard — Thu, 19 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

RNM makes me a bit sad, because it's undoubtedly going to become wildly popular and difficult to get reservations at--for good reason. Four of us shared four of the smaller dishes (we weren't that hungry, but the plates aren't that small)--the bilinis, a pizza, swordfish, and the charcuterie plate--and they were all incredible, with the pizza probably being the best I've ever had. Two desserts (brownie sundae and a very generous trio of sorbets, each in its own cone) were equally superb. My only complaint is that I'd read that the TVs on the upstairs level showed artistic designs and other mood-setting images...but while we were there Moulin Rouge was playing. Very distracting. Still, the service was great, and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Thank god I live three blocks away!

5 Stars: Nothing Small about taste inSmall Plates (by btjdin99)

btjdin99 — Mon, 16 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

RNM is amazing -- Justine is a creative genius. This was the best meal I have had since living in NY -- and this restaurant nails mid-town Manhattan without the NY prices. Everything was outstanding -- and the portions are great for sharing, or for those who, like me, like to try a bunch of things on the menu. The decor is so well done -- especially loved the silohuettes created on the top floor, and the bar that changes color. It's my favorite place in SF, hands down.

5 Stars: Gem in a tough neighborhood (by cyberdoggie)

cyberdoggie — Fri, 13 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I am completely blown away by the beauty of the space at RNM. It's like walking into a different world from the grittyness of the lower height. Definitely one of the most NYC like of all restaurants in SF. I love this place having dined here three times. Read the Chron review for detailed info about the dishes there. Suffice to day that it takes the best of Dine and improves upon it. Lots of braised meats with lovely sauces. Small and large plates are designed for sharing. If you don't mind having to deal with parking and the hood it's in you'll find that this is worth the trek.

4 Stars: Good food, bad service (by sf_diner)

sf_diner — Wed, 04 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

The food's good, no question. Not fantastic - the plates aren't very imaginative and the big plates aren't nearly as good as the small ones (typical), but they're tasty. The service, however, is horrible. Like another reviewer, I've been twice, had (probably the same) pretentious -but ironically unknowledgeable - server - I mean, c'mon - this is a restaurant in the (lower) HAIGHT, for Pete's sake...the maitre d' is no better. Fine if you're with comfortable people, avoid for any high pressure social situations - the staff will ruin it for you.

4 Stars: good food, but you've got to order a lot (by kirby1227)

kirby1227 — Wed, 20 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I really liked this restaurant. the food was innovative and delicious. the ambience was excellent.

the one drawback is if you're a big eater like me, you've got to order a lot of "small plates" to fill you up and that becomes pricey.

think of it as a splurge

4 Stars: in love with the lower haight (by adriscoll)

adriscoll — Mon, 18 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

RNM - good space, unpretentious feel, airy... food was excellent - reasonably priced and just the right amount. The night we went it was pretty empty, but aside from the tv's behind the bar it was one of the nicest spaces i've seen in awhile.
It is a really nice addition to the neighborhood.

4 Stars: Classy! (by chanre)

chanre — Mon, 18 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Delicieuse! The flavours are well crafted & the proportions are as per the rest of the world so that you can enjoy the food without feeling stuffed. Also, the decor is excellent, although one wishes the mezzanine was a wee bit bigger.

2 Stars: pretty good except... (by elpolloloco)

elpolloloco — Sat, 16 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I was happy that a new place opened in my neighborhood, everything was great except the service was horrible. It was very promt but this waiter was so obnoxious. I have been twice and both times we had him. I am not sure I can recommend it because he seems to dominate the place and is so condecending.

4 Stars: hidden gem... (by e_b)

e_b — Fri, 15 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Although I felt it was a bit out of place in this location, it was definitely worth the trip! With a friendly host and waitstaff, delicious imaginative food (love the small burgers!) and very hip ambiance, I am already recommending RNM to all my friends!

5 Stars: Such a great addition to Lower Haight! (by darkstar420)

darkstar420 — Fri, 08 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I loved RNM the minute I walked in the door! The host was friendly and professional (seems such a rare thing in SF!) The decor is lovely and the food and service was fabulous!!! I have recommended RNM to all of my friends.

5 Stars: hip haight (by sfglutton)

sfglutton — Sat, 02 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

I recently got a chance to try this hip hangout in the haight. Upon arrival I was impressed with decor and oculd tell they had put in a lot of work. The food was fantastic and excellent sized portions for the price. The ahi was fresh and well flavored. The white castle burgers were cute on little squares of focacia. Order anyhting that comes with the risotto. My only gripe, and it's a pretty big one because it affected the whole meal, was our table. We were a party of four and sat at a table upstairs jammed aginst some hanging chainmail. There shouldn't have even been a table for 2 jammed in that space. RNM, fix this problem, and diners will be much appreciated. Overall though, great job!

5 Stars: fantastic food and atmosphere (by ck_hester)

ck_hester — Fri, 01 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

i have been to RNM twice in the last month and it is one of the best new restaurants to open in SF. the food/small plates meant for sharing are visually pleasing and full of the perfect combination of flavors. they have a great wine list with a nice range in prices. be sure to have reservations, this place is packed. the downside is (even if you have reservations) waiting...i don't mind waiting, but there is no place to wait, they have a very small bar and if you're standing, you get in everyone's way.

5 Stars: Perfect (by sumsoom)

sumsoom — Wed, 16 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I am from So. Cal and I was recently visiting a friend in SF. She was so excited to take me to RNM. I have to say, it was one of the most lovely evenings I have had in a long time. The food was INCREDIBLE, (the chanterelle pizza was heavenly)the service was perfect. Our waiter was funny, warm, attentive. We had so much food and I was shocked at how affordable everything was. You get so much for your $$$. The ambience is friendly, the decor simple and classy. I'm telling people back home that the next time they are in SF, they HAVE to go to RNM. I know I will.

5 Stars: Great Addition to Lower Haight (by njtaylor)

njtaylor — Tue, 08 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

We live in the neighborhood and are thrilled to have a nice place to eat once in a while. The typical Lower Haight restaurants are great for everyday meals, but rnm is a welcome change. The food we had was great, and it is a beautiful space. Service was very good - attentive but not too much so. The appetizer sized small plates are pretty small, but they had a lot of flavor. We each had a pizza and they were terrific. The baby artichoke pizza with lemon oil was especially amazing! Wine list is adequate and the mark-up is reasonable. They have a good selection of by the glass wines and some interesting half bottles. Our server mentioned that they will soon have a full bar. I highly recommend rnm and will definitely go back.

5 Stars: The total package (by sagcan)

sagcan — Sat, 14 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Excellent food, excellent friendly service from the host to server to bussers, romantic... can't say enough. Meals come in small portions, so you are encouraged to order 2/person, which is great fun because you get variety. My husband doesn't even like sweets that much and he wouldn't stop eating our brownie banana sundae. Best dessert we've both ever had. We spent $70 total on 4 plates, 1 drink each and a shared dessert, and it was well worth it.

5 Stars: Try this place Tonight!!! (by mblosser)

mblosser — Mon, 09 Sep 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I ate here for the first time on Friday night and was totally pleased with everything about this place. The food was incredible (although could be a bit bigger portions), the service was great, the atmosphere was perfect, and all the food came out in a timely manner. Great for a first date, or with a group of friends as the place is very lively.

5 Stars: It's About Time!!! (by Pancho_Pantera)

Pancho_Pantera — Thu, 29 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

WOW! This is what the Lower Haight needed: a classy restaurant to "cleanse" the area. Don't get me wrong, the pubs are great but the area desperately needed a top and elegant restaurant to set the standard. This place will definitely attract intellectual crowds from Knob Hill, The Marina, Pacific Heights, etc. The wine list selection could be more selective but it is a great start!

5 Stars: A Classy Addition To The Neighborhood (by davidiansalter)

davidiansalter — Fri, 23 Aug 2002 02:00:00 GMT

After weeks of watching this place from the outside as it was transformed from a Pasta Pomodoro to a stylish restaurant, I finally got a chance to check out the result, as RNM opened this evening. Although the place was packed with an opening night crowd, the extremely gracious hostess made room for me at the bar, where I was seated within minutes. It was the perfect vantage point from which to watch Justine, the owner (and the daughter of the eponymous RNM), prepare my meal, which was wonderful. Add in a nice wine list, stylish decor, and a friendly and attentive waitstaff, and the Lower Haight has a worthy new addition to its stretch of bars and restaurants. Welcome to the neighborhood, RNM.