|
|
|
|
h2opoloali
(33) reviews
7/17/2007
 |
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ The best part about this place is their bread and the roasted garlic appetizer. Smother on the whole roasted garlic cloves, and a bit of their homemade pesto and mmmmmmm. We also had the steamed clams as an app- pretty good, although WAY overpriced. Having the bread as a starter would lead one to believe that they're in for a treat come entree time... However, when the meals came out, no one at our table was impressed. The gnochetti looked like it came straight from a freezer ( a Trader Joes freezer, but still...), the first words out of my boyfriend's mouth were 'nice boxed mashed potatoes', and he was not impressed with the ribs. I opted for the panzanella salad- good, but not good enough for $10, and I had the potato soup which was WAY too rich. Not a special meal at all. ”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
jboogie
(12) reviews
12/13/2006
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “
really expensive, but i guess the food is good. i've only tried the chicken pesto pasta during the two times i've been there since nothing else on the menu was really "for me" (i.e., lamb, rabbit...?!) my bf really digs their steak however. the service is so so. really good garlic/herb spread for the bread though! but make sure you have gum after!! ”
|
|
|
paulalo
(11) reviews
11/3/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “
This restaurant is overrated and just because it claims to be a garlic lover's feast - not so. Everything is over done and overwhelming. You can't taste the food. 40 clove garlic chicken was awful. No evidence of the sweet nutty taste garlic has when it is properly roasted. The chicken was a rubbery mess. What a disappointment! ”
|
|
|
shiromaguro
(34) reviews
10/6/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Totally agree with the last reviewer. How is it someone that loves garlic can despise a garlic restaurant? The answer is that the food is really bad. I can't help but think that at one time this place had some decent dishes (due to its success) but that just isn't the case anymore. The service is rushed due to the crowds and crowds of tourists who flock there. I left here feeling like a schmuck: an SF local who fell straight into a tourist trap.
”
|
|
|
Riffgurl
(102) reviews
8/14/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This place is an embarassment to North Beach. The 40 clove garlic chicken is awful. Throwing an excessive amount of garlic on a dish doesn't make it taste good. They must be listed in some tourist guides. I love garlic! I hate this restaurant!
”
|
|
|
truck51
(3) reviews
7/17/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ With all the good food in North Beach, why anyone would eat here is beyond me. The restaurant is about attracting tourists to eat a gimmicky menu. The point of using garlic is to enhance the food (unless you are eating roasted garlic, say), not to take over an entire meal. Sheesh! ”
|
|
|
budwar
(1) review
7/14/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Never again. My fond memories of the 'Rose' from 10 years ago were quickly destroyed. Garlic is great, but the food was horrible. This place needs to close or be completely overhauled. The premise is wonderful, garlic is a favorite of every epicurean, but without the support of quality food, garlic alone should not entice anyone to this restaurant. The Sun Fish was overcooked, obviously not fresh and fishy. The recommended Rib eye, ordered medium rare, was completely overcooked and would have made for an acceptable truck tire patch. The portions were microscopic for the price and the service was so-so. The Stinking Rose is like a Stuckeys Truck stop in South Carolina. There is no real reason to go there, but somehow strangely you are drawn. Perhaps it is the desire for something unique, different or special but for the money go to Denny's take some garlic salt and you will end up much more satisfied. I will never return. ”
|
|
|
jillduffy
(180) reviews
7/7/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ If you love love garlic, then this is a novelty restaurant worth visiting exactly once. If, on the other hand, you feel garlic is overused already, be sure to keep a cushy 2-block radius between you and The Rose! ”
|
|
|
jhelitha-13
(177) reviews
7/6/2006
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I don't get what these people are complaining about. This is a GARLIC restaurant, so you should be ready for dishes with lots of garlic. If you are not sure that you like garlic, then I won't recommend you to come to this restaurant. I love garlic, so I don't have any complains about this restaurant at all. They'll give you roasted garlic in olive oil for the starter. I tried the marinated asparagus, and the Meat Loaf; they were good. My friend had the prawn which was also delicious. At the end, I even ordered the Garlic ice cream as I was curious of how it wld taste. It was not that bad actually but again, I won't recommend it for non-garlic lover.
”
|
|
|
|
|
KMK
(119) reviews
5/23/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I love garlic. It cleans you out while also tasting good and scaring away Vampires. I could eat it pickled, baked, raw... but Stinking Rose was overkill, even for this garlic freak.
”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
samarati
(443) reviews
4/17/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This is a tourist trap as mentioned by many reviewers. The food theme is garlic, lots of it. No sane italian uses this much garlic in any dish. I'm 2nd generation Italo-American, I go back to Italy every year, I know of what I speak. The pasta here at Stinky is pasty, the sauces are gloppy. The garlic additions are usually quite bitter tasting. The Bagna Cauda is edible, it is the best thing served here, & really the only reason this place continues to exist, besides the location. If I had more room to write an extended essay I'd bemoan the fact that North Beach is no longer an italian neighborhood but a tourist parody of one. Even the hookers on Broadway look like Disney painted-up versions. Want real italian food?, Hard to find in this area. Cooks & help are all from central America. This place could be on fisherman's wharf. It's got: phony atmosphere, poor food, it's overpriced. Stage a SF Revolt, stay away! ”
|
|
|
amylin27
(15) reviews
4/10/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ If you love garlic, definitely check out the Stinking Rose restaurant in North Beach... It's a touristy place... meaning almost everyone who goes there is a tourist! If you go on the weekdays, they have a prefix menu that is reasonable and has lots of choices. Definitely get the roasted garlic in olive oil and dip it in the bread. Also the garlic dip you get with the bread is so yummy! The main dishes are ok, nothing to rave about and the desserts are average! It's worth checking out if you have not been there and need a place to eat, but don't go on the weekends as it is always crowded! ”
|
|
|
MrCoconuts
(87) reviews
3/14/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Many people eschew the Stinking Rose because it is touristy and a bit kitschy. Okay, *way* kitschy. But I've been there several times (always with out-of-town visitors, I must admit) and have always had a good time. If nothing else, their "famous" bagna cauda appetizer is totally yummy. It consists of a pan of roasted garlic and little buns on which to spread it. I could make a meal of that and a nice glass of zin.
”
|
|
|
SMNP
(22) reviews
1/26/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Tourist trap. Decent but overpriced food. Everything arrived at our table 3 minutes after ordering - which makes you wonder if they just prepare mass quantities of everything. It was however tasty. The food did arrive fast but the service was slow. ”
|
|
|
sassypamela
(25) reviews
1/3/2006
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Love the garlic roasted in olive oil appetizer. Also love the fact that the waiters use electronic tablets and the appetizer was on our table in a matter of seconds!! Why don't all restaurants use that technology? Also to respond to the review at the top, it's not microwaved. Did you order pasta? Pasta takes like 5 minutes to prepare because they have such high turn over. duh. good to take out of town friends to because it's fun ”
|
|
|
italiancats
(8) reviews
12/12/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This place used to be good. I remember it was great when I first moved to S.F. but now they're raising their prices and the food isn't even worth that. The menu doesn't have much to choose from and the services isn't all that great. Also the dessert was as big as my pinkie finger and it was 5 dollars! The only thing good coming out of this resturant is the banga cauda, and thats not even authentic. ”
|
|
|
|
|
tenortom
(138) reviews
10/24/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Stinking, alright. Stinking food. Stinking service. The food arrived within 30 seconds of ordering, obviously pre-cooked and microwaved. The appetizer arrived after the entrees. Name sounds great, but the execution couldn't live up to the concept. Pity. ”
|
|
|
Helge
(1) review
8/15/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ We ARE tourists in SF, and we got the address out of a typical (german) tourist guide. Since we love garlic and consume it in lbs ;-) at home, this restaurant was a Must to try. It might be that in some of the entrees the presence of garlic could be more intensive. However you can also kill any taste with too much of it. The boneless rib (which for us surprisingly turned out to be lamb) was a dream. We agree that the prices are quite high, but our feeling is that there are simply too many excellent restaurants within 1 Mile to properly enjoy a specific one which is a little bit special. We were only disappointed by the use of chloride tap water for ice cubes and non-alcoholic drinks (horrible taste!). ”
|
|
|
Lea
(9) reviews
8/12/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Mmmm garlic. If you like garlic, this really IS the place to go. There's probably better places in North Beach for italian, but the experience here is worth it, even if just for the experience. A fun place to take out-of-towners. ”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
oaklandj
(94) reviews
7/9/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ TOURIST TRAP. There is a certain novelty to every item having garlic in it, although that wears off pretty quickly when you realize the food isn't that great for the prices, and the service is poor (too few waiters for such a big restaurant). One of those places you want to be able to say you've eaten at, but don't particularly want to visit again. ”
|
|
|
VeggieJen
(58) reviews
6/19/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ A fun place to take out of town visitors - and the food is really good. I particularly like this place for lunch during the week when it is less crowded. The garlic bulb appetizer is yummy and I have never been disappointed with any of the pasta dishes I have tried. ”
|
|
|
jpierson
(412) reviews
6/15/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This place is a zoo. Loud and crowded. The kind of place that will not dissappoint the out-of-towners...We had a nice night despite the din, but I kept feeling like it would be way better to be on the street end of this sardine can than anywhere where you'd have to have to claw your way through a clutch of panicked Topekans in a hasty ergress. ”
|
|
|
trapezegirl
(1) review
6/2/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I love this restaurant!! We come with friends from out of town and they always remember it as the highlight of their trip! The service is great, all the food tasty and the decor is so unique. It's always a treat and my favorite entree is the baby back ribs. The crab is wonderful too and the prime rib! Not to be missed--it's the best value for all around food, drink and ambience. ”
|
|
|
taxman
(13) reviews
5/29/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Just one question .... Where's the garlic?? I had a hard time finding any garlic in my 40 clove garlic chicken. Many other people have correctly determined this place to be a tourist trap. Crowded, overpriced, and the food lacks inspiration. There are better italian places out there. ”
|
|
|
promotersf
(423) reviews
5/22/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I think we all love garlic...but you won't like the garlic over here. This is a TOURIST TRAP and they capture many victims...unfortuntately, I was one of them. Went there with a party of 4, and we tried almost everything from pasta to the entrees and several apps...and they all were poorly made and executed. There were people having a great time, but I was thinking that even the food @ Bucca di Beppo is bettern than this...yikes! ”
|
|
|
evilcindy
(55) reviews
5/17/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I love garlic but this place just doesn't do it right. Even the garlic olive oil spread they have for bread isn't quite right. It would be better served as roasted garlic like some of the other italian restaurants in the neighborhood. italian cooking uses garlic left and right. You don't need to go to The Stinking Rose to eat something garlic-y. ”
|
|
|
|
|
xscientist
(223) reviews
4/9/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Huge tourist trap. Food is not bad, but nothing to yell about either. I love garlic, but the gimmic wasn't enough to impress me. Skip it for one of the zillion other great restaurants in the neighborhood. ”
|
|
|
shat88
(64) reviews
3/31/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I absolutely love garlic so this place was heaven for me. I went a little too crazy last time and ordered their appetizer that's just a bunch of cloves of garlic. I ate practically the whole thing by myself, and didn't feel to great afterwards. Good food, but don't go overboard. ”
|
|
|
ondmtn
(49) reviews
3/11/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Unfortunately this place reminds me of Buca di Beppo - which I do not like. I know this place is high on the tourist route, but the two times I have been there - I have had a great meal and great service. With that said - I have only ordered the Dungeness Crab, a salad, and sides of pasta and mash potatoes. The sauce that the crab is in is awesome and not to overpowering - you still get to enjoy the crab. ”
|
|
|
mssurly
(45) reviews
3/9/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I did not care for this restaurant at all. All the hype was totally unfounded. Food was mediocre. Atmosphere was unpleasant. It's just a typical tourist stop. Boring and Lame. ”
|
|
|
tiaramiss
(34) reviews
2/25/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ First, let's remember this place is a chain restaurant and adjust our expectations accordingly. I have dined at the Stinking Rose on 4 seperate occassions (no wonder the Vampires avoid me!) with inconsistent results. First and second visits were great. The waitstaff was attentive and the food was good. My last two visits with out of towners were a total let down. Atrocious service, forgotten items, wrong food, no drink offer or attention. We got bread half way into the main course. Silver ware was unclean. I would need to be dragged kicking and screaming to eat there again. The sister restaurant in North Beach, Calzone has much better food (for some reason) and usually very little wait. ”
|
|
|
rjewell28
(46) reviews
2/22/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ First off I must let you all know that I'm a huge fan of garlic...I mean huge! That being said I wasn't as in love with this place as I thought I might be. Tip #1 make a reservation...I don't care if you're a group of two. Tip #2 order the "garlic in a hot tub"...I'll be honest but I don't remember the official name for this appetizer but trust me they'll know what you mean , and it's worth it. Tip #3 don't order the braised rabbit...it's on the bone and while that's not a big deal it seems they can't make it with out letting it get too dry, I'm not the only one who's had this experience. The sauce the smother it in is fab. though. The ribs are AMAZING and the meat just falls off the bone...if the ribs always turn out that way then you're in for a real treat. If you have nut allergies do not order any of there salads or request the house salad with no nuts because otherwise you're doomed. The decor is super fun and lively...all in all I had a good time I think it just had higher hopes ”
|
|
|
jadegyrlee
(106) reviews
2/10/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ i liked this place. the garlic oil that you get with your bread was my favorite. not the best place to go if you want to kiss your date afterwards. i'm not sure about the garlic ice cream though (which we did not try). kind of over-priced for the food there, but it's a good restaurant to go to with friends. ”
|
|
|
|
|
chowdawg
(121) reviews
2/5/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ this is for those of us who have some obnoxious relitve from somewhere else that comes into town and has heard of this place and must eat there...and if you are a newly arrived transplant rading this and will soon have this happen listen carefully...dont bother..the food is fair and..well over garlicky and the service is made for tourists...if you are going to brave the traffic and parking of northbeach and wind up here...well you deserve better...enough already! ”
|
|
|
SFFoodie
(161) reviews
2/5/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ A tourist trap. Nothing more, nothing less. It's totally possible to have a fun night and a good meal, but with all the other great North Beach spots this does not rank high on my list. ”
|
|
|
acolyta
(1) review
1/31/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I may be a bit biased here, because I think there is nothing better than garlic, and you can never use too much, but I loved my meal here. The seating was a bit cramped, but the food definitely made up for it. Everything was very tasty. The fresh garlic and basil relish for your bread was knock your socks off strong. The garlic, spinach and cheesse fondue was spectacular. The 40 cloves of garlic chicken really did come with 40 cloves of garlic on the side, andan my gnocchi were fanastic. I would definitely bring fellow garlic lovers to this establishment. ”
|
|
|
mamacita
(2) reviews
1/27/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This place is definitely a tourist spot. Believe it or not, I must admit that the crab cioppino is the best that I had in the neighborhood. The cioppino was quite flavorful. The roasted chicken with garlic gloves was tasty. The atmosphere is fun but I don't think that I'd wait in line again for this place. ”
|
|
|
chris1
(116) reviews
1/21/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This is definately a tourist trap, but fun nonetheless. Great for a group. The food was very hearty & of course lots of GARLIC. It's a loud, fast paced spot in the heart of North Beach. ”
|
|
|
calforever
(151) reviews
1/19/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ It's a hit or miss. Certain items taste better than others. But it's interesting that another reviewer also found the entrees to be lukewarm. It's an unique restaurant to take out-of-town guests to, but I wouldn't go there for the food. Somehow, their garlics tasted stale. ”
|
|
|
mapleleafgirl
(480) reviews
1/1/2005
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ YIKES! WHat was I thinking? I have NEVER had a worse meal. I ended up taking my mum and her hubbie here when they were visiting (we had tried several other places that i WANTED to go but the wait was too long---i wonder why there was no wait here???)
The meals were all bland, luke warm and completely boring.
Highly UN-RECOMMENDED ”
|
|
|
wjboring
(180) reviews
12/30/2004
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Garlic, Garlic everywhere...as well as lines to get in...and I'm not sure why. Yeah - it's neat. Yeah - it's different, but come on - it's only garlic. You can do better at home.
All that being said, The Stinking Rose is fun, but touristy with good service and decent food. They use more GARLIC than you could ever imagine. Lunch is about $15-20, dinner $25-30.
”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tinabobeena333
(48) reviews
11/19/2004
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Oh yeah, I've been to this restaurant. One time for Thanksgiving. I guess it was an underwhelming experience; the visit completely slipped from my memory banks. We had the Thanksgiving dinner and it was just ok. You should try it though, it deems a visit. ”
|
|
|
prophet
(87) reviews
11/16/2004
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ Fun place to take out of towners. Garlic can be overwhelming at times, and the dishes are a little on the salty side. The garlic crab was good, and believe it or not the prime rib was quite juicy. Being around the North Beach area helps as you can always get a good cup of espresso around the corner after dinner. ”
|
|
|
joefiro
(27) reviews
11/16/2004
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I have to agree that this place is over-rated. It makes me realize one thing, I don't like garlic as much I thought I did. It's decent. If you like garlic, you should at least give it a try. ”
|
|
|
|
|
lady chan
(130) reviews
11/5/2004
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ This is another restaurant that is much larger than it appears. upstairs there is room for 50, there are several areas for private parties....they serve food with their garlic, even down to garlic ice cream..the bagna clada is superb...roasted garlic in hot olive oil with anchovies and bread..what a way to start a meal. They even opened in LA and were talking about Vegas, not sure what happened on that 1. garlic lovers unite ”
|
|
|
wyld4yoo
(212) reviews
11/2/2004
|
|
|
Cuisine:
Italian Californian
|
North Beach |
| “ I thought I liked garlic more than I did until I went to Stinking Rose. I had the 40 clove garlic chicken and I was sweating garlic all night long and it liquified everything in my stomach! I guess I'm not the garlic king I thought I was. Well, good to try once in a while, but be careful with the garlic! ”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add
to favorites
Printer
friendly page
Facebook
Delicious
Reddit
technorati
Yahoo
Google
Furl
StumbleUpon
