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Name: Florio Bar & Cafe
Address: 1915 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA, 94115
Telephone: (415) 775-4300
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.57

Florio Bar & Cafe

1915 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA, 94115

(415) 775-4300
Store is closed

Florio Bar & Cafe Menu

Starters

Castelvetrano Olives

Toasted Almonds

Happy Boy Farm Radishes

Prosciutto San Daniele

Foie Gras Pate
Soupe Du Jour

Soupe Du Jour
Salads & Vegetables

Happy Boy Farm Little Gem Lettuce

Shaved Fennel & Celery

Local Purple & Green Asparagus

Vegetable Plate

Pommes Frites Harissa Aioli

Wilted Rapini & Green Garlic
Seafood

Market Fish

P.e.i. Mussels

Seafood Stew A La Provencal

Pan Fried Mediterranean Branzino
Pasta & Eggs

Spinach & Cheese Ravioli

Frittata

House Made Pappardelle

Penne Rigate
Meat & Poultry

Semolina Dusted Veal Sweet Breads

Le Hamburger Tartine

Hanger Steak Frites

Pan Roasted “mary’s Air-chilled Chicken”
Additions

Veal Pork & Ricotta Meatballs

Market Fish

Dry Aged (28 Days) Bone-in Rib Steak
Dessert

Vanilla & Bergamot Orange Pot De Creme

Sorbetto & Gelato Made In House

Brown Butter & Toasted Hazelnut Cake

Stone Fruit Tarte Tatin Creme Fraiche

Dark Chocolate Walnut Torte

Healthy Meal suggestions for Florio Bar & Cafe

Starters

Castelvetrano Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Almonds [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Happy Boy Farm Radishes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto San Daniele [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Foie Gras Pate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soupe Du Jour

Soupe Du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads & Vegetables

Happy Boy Farm Little Gem Lettuce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shaved Fennel & Celery [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Local Purple & Green Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pommes Frites Harissa Aioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wilted Rapini & Green Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Seafood

Market Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

P.e.i. Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Stew A La Provencal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Fried Mediterranean Branzino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta & Eggs

Spinach & Cheese Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frittata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Made Pappardelle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Rigate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Meat & Poultry

Semolina Dusted Veal Sweet Breads [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Le Hamburger Tartine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hanger Steak Frites [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Roasted “mary’s Air-chilled Chicken” [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Additions

Veal Pork & Ricotta Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Market Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dry Aged (28 Days) Bone-in Rib Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Vanilla & Bergamot Orange Pot De Creme [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sorbetto & Gelato Made In House [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brown Butter & Toasted Hazelnut Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stone Fruit Tarte Tatin Creme Fraiche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dark Chocolate Walnut Torte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

J G.

Florio feels like French brasserie that's comfortable and inviting when you walk in. It's got a great mahogany bar, classic dark wood accents and an open kitchen. We started off by sharing a bowl of the potato leek soup which was warm and delicious. Ever tried fiddlehead fern? They remind me of a cross between a green bean and an asparagus; and when they're sautÃ©ed in lemon, red chili and olive oil, they're delicious! Next up: Mussels. They were cooked with shallots, capers, spring onion, garlic and preserved Meyer lemon. The sauce wasn't to be wasted; that's when the crusty French bread came in handy! Overall the food was very good, but the service (non-engaging/grumpy waiter) and the general attention to detail were a bit lacking. Would we go back? ~ If they improved the service, probably. I
(3)
donal c.

I'm ambivalent about Florio. On the one hand, it's an elegant classic, French brasserie that feels comfortable and inviting. On the other, service and the general attention to detail seems to be casual and a bit hit-or-miss. I recently met a friend for dinner at Florio. I arrived a little bit early -- decided to sit at the bar and get a drink. Alas, there was no room at the bar, there didnt appear to be any space to just stand around, and no server paid any attention to me -- I ended up going to the Grove for a beer. My friend & I finally connected & made it to the restaurant. We were greeted by a friendly attendant and offered our choice of the available tables (a nice touch!) However, then things went downhill a bit - our server for the evening seemed distracted and seemed overly focused on a private party in another room. We had a lot of difficulty tracking him down throughout the evening. Eventually, we got out orders to another servers (a couple of Steak Frites orders -- well done!) We had to fight off a few attempts at up-sell of their different available appetizers, but at least we managed to get our food (and drinks) orders in. Sure enough, the steak was amazing - cooked to perfection, tasty fries, plentiful portions. Worth the ordering effort (and the not-cheap price.) Worth it for the food, and for the elegant ambiance, but in truth, Florio could do much better.
(3)
Ricquel N.

Went here for dinner last night on a date- first timer! We got the burrata which was amazing and then the beet salad which was also good...big chunks of mozzerella cheese ....for entree we got the steak frites but I must say the meat was chewy =( and we also got the pasta with lamb I beleive it was...I left full and I'd go again but would be leary of the meat....probably should have said somethiing but we didnt. Service was awesome! Very attentive and just the right amount.
(4)
Chelsey G.

I like the dark interior. Old school ish. Across the street from awesome frozen yogurt. Good Classic Italian food. A bit expensive but fancy fillmore.
(3)
Shelly W.

I love the food at this place, decor is a little old school. My favorite is the steak frites (much better than Des Amis, Wayfare Tavern, etc). It's always cooked perfectly, juicy and tender. I've also had the burger and different pastas, all very good. The apple tart for dessert is very delicious...freshly baked. The crust was buttery and flaky and the apples were perfect, not too sweet. Gelato is really great too. It's homemade. Very smooth and creamy. All in all, food is a solid 4-5 stars. Every time I'm here, service is not the greatest. The waiter never check on us. During the entree, I finished my drink halfway through my meal and ran out of ketchup for my fries. It would have been nice if he would have checked in at least one time to make sure everything was ok. Waited about 15 minutes for dessert (we almost cancelled it and left), during this time, I finished my coffee. The person quickly dropped off the dessert and I had to chase then down to get a coffee re-fill. Service gets a 2 stars. Food here is great but they need to work on the service. But, I'll still go back because I seriously crave a bunch of items on their menu all the time.
(4)
Jeff P.

Head here on a Sunday evening and sit at the bar. Order whatever is on the wine tap and get the special - spaghetti and meatballs (Sundays only). Butter lettuce salad has a dressing I can't figure out, but want to.
(4)
Alexa C.

I love coming here as a cozy date spot with a friend or a partner. The service is GREAT, I love the host, and the atmo is quiet yet makes you feel like you are really out on the town simultaneously. It's charming and the food is yummy and rich. Also, great cocktails! Tonight we had the pate (with enough leftover to take home!), the endive salad, and the orchichiette. I wouldn't get the salad again...it was a bit bland, but everything else was perfect.
(4)
Jon D.

My girlfriend really likes this place. I took her to dinner there, and ordered the Seafood stew (a combination of mussels, clams, shrimp, & cod). My girlfriend had the pan roasted chicken with frilly red mustard greens, brussel sprouts, and a side salad. For starters, I had the foie gras au torchon, local brooks cherry preserves, house made brioche. It was quite good, though the brioche was a little too soft and would fall apart when trying to spread the foie gras. I was very disappointed in the seafood stew which was pretty much bland, served in a shallow dish with an over abundance of celery, onions, garlic slices, to make up for the limited seafood. They really need to work on this dish, as the broth is watery, lacks substance, & flavor. The pan roasted chicken however was very flavorful and cooked to perfection. The bread was very good as well and I ended up eating to much to make up for the meager seafood stew. The service was very good, and I enjoyed the classy old school ambiance. For the money, you can do much better. If it will make my girlfriend happy, I will gladly take her there again, but otherwise I'll pass on this one.
(2)
Jennifer S.

Almost like stepping into a cafe in Europe. Loved the dark romantic atmosphere. Had the air chilled chicken entree dish, um Fabulous! So much flavor! Tried the pecan tart for dessert: made me want to melt into my chair it was do good. Was surprised by my boyfriend for dinner here for Valentines Day :) I was a happy camper
(5)
Bleep S.

We were on our way to Dosa for dinner before a movie, when Florio's menu caught our eye. Felt like the guy would prefer this to Dosa. Very glad we decided to try Florio.Wild Alaskan King Salmon, Asparagus, Ramps & Farro, Beurre Blanc....what a perfect dish. The duck was a special that evening and came with a boozy sauce that included fresh peaches a cherries. I wanted to pick up the plate and lick it after all the duck had disappeared. I had ordered it medium rare per our servers recommendation and it was a bit too rare for my tastes. Sent it back to be cooked to medium and it was perfect. The house pinot noir was a great pairing with this dish. We would definitely return to Florio
(4)
matthew r.

I am going on record recommending the sweetbreads - Florio is as good a place as any to try a part of the animal you may not have tried before. I honestly don't eat sweetbreads enough to compare Florios offering to other places, but I remember very clearly putting a piece in my mouth and enjoying it immensely. That is all that is important. Also, the braised greens get my recommendation. You should be eating more vegetables anyway. Our server was quick and knew the menu and wine list well, but I felt a little rushed; maybe it was just me. Also, having the hosts station in the middle of the restaurant instead of by the door is a little odd, but it's a pretty minor thing. Its no reason not to go and enjoy sweetbreads.
(4)
samuel p.

They say a good impression begins with your server. He was not too sure of the entrees or the wines. Needless to say the wine he offered was horrible and my entree was blah. Was not Attentive nor de he anticipate the needs of our table. Sat with only 1 glass of wine. He never came and asked of we wanted another or something different. What could have been a good experience made worse by the lack of service. If there is a next time I'll request a server that know his stuff Have had better service at Denny's
(3)
Mel R.

$31 for a tiny, dry and salty piece of halibut. Service was mediocre. A total disappointment.
(1)
Eloy T.

Great place to catch up with a friend on a weeknight. Good cocktails, excellent simple and well prepared food, friendly bistro atmosphere. Wine list is a bit limited but good selections all the same.
(4)
Nicole Q.

This was not my first choice for dinner since it only have 3.5 stars on yelp, but I decided to give it a chance anyway. Unfortunately, I will have to say 3.5 stars is generous. The service was mediocre at best. Our server was very pleasant but also very slow. We waited 15 min after we said we needed "just another minute" to decide on entrees. The other server in our area bumped into my chair and proceeded to push the table out of her way and told us OUR table was in HER way. She then proceeded to spill ketchup all over the table next to us including the guy's shoes. She did not even apologize or seem sorry. In regards to the food, my steak was rubbery and the fries were cold. They were also out of three items on the menu - one of which was my appetizer (balsamic broccoli and artichokes). They served it without the artichokes. Less than amazing is an understatement.
(2)
Deja B.

Woodhouse across the street had an hour wait so I went here with a group of 5. First of all seating is limited so if you have a larger party be warned. We were celebrating and had brought a bottle of champagne and had to pay the corkage free of $25 which seemed a little steep especially since all she did was open the bottle. We had to ask to have it put on ice and had to pour it for ourselves. The service was definitely below average and for the price its not worth it. Out of the 5 of us only 2 of us liked our meal. The fries were WAY over-salted and I love salt. The steak was undercooked and the seafood stew was just bland and the portion was small. The scallops were really good and the only thing I would recommend. With so many options in the neighbor I'm surprised this place does so well. Go to Fresca or Woodhouse instead.
(2)
Wes B.

Fantastic spaghetti and meatballs and an awesome bowl of pistacio ice cream.
(5)
Melinda C.

Florio's is a great little Italian-French-California style cafe & bar, nestled quietly on Fillmore street, just a few blocks away from Japantown. I was intimidated by the look of this restaurant at first, because it's
(4)
Emily T.

They were very accommodating for our reservation since one of our parties was running late. The space is very intimate yet somehow you still have your privacy. The waiter recommended a very yummy seafood dip (i don't remember what it's called... had too much wine) So I got the open face hamburger with the frites. It was perfect. I could've used a fancy aioli for the frites, instead we got good ol' fashioned heinz. My friend got the gemeli pasta with rabbit. All I can say is WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. I stole a lot of his pasta..... I will be conflicted when I go back. I do want to try new things (hangar steak) but that gemeli is so delicious that I might just order that again! (I think the gemeli is not on their regular menu, since I don't see it on their website... so i better go back soon!)
(5)
Al B.

I finally came here after walking past it so many times and reading some of the glowing reviews. Our party all had the steak frites, which are supposedly their specialty. It was surprisingly salty, so much so that I had trouble finishing it. I'm not an expert and couldn't tell if it was meant to be that way, but it was a bit much for me. The meat was quite tough, not really what I expected. Maybe it was difficult for them to cook that cut of meat as medium. We had beer so I can't comment on the wine, but the place was very well put together. And by that I mean the servers appeared very professional (if a bit snooty with their stylish thick-rimmed glasses) and the place was very elegant, if a bit noisy during peak hours. I'm glad I tried it but wouldn't recommend it as a must-go kind of place for people in the city. I'd be willing to go back and try their other menu offerings but am not in any hurry. Reservations are a good idea as it gets busy. Street parking in the evening on weekends might require some hunting but is manageable. Walking up Fillmore afterward is fun as you can walk off that steak (yeah right), talk with your friends, and check out some of the stores.
(3)
stephanie c.

Totally agree with the other posters here about the uneven service, unfortunately we seem to have experienced the lowest part of the scale on our recent visit. I know it was late, but really, the place was hardly empty. Not like we were impinging on your ability to get out of there on time. Yes, we know the kitchen was closed. But was rolling your eyes when we asked for some nuts (that had just been served to the person next to us, btw) really necessary? And then no attention paid to empty glass? For the whole time we sat there? Disappointing, because we live nearby and it's so convenient and looks great- a perfect cozy, intimate bistro, as some lucky posters have noted, but unfortunately our actual experience was the exact opposite. Hust not interested in dealing with passive aggressive angry service at the end of a long day - ugh, we'll go elsewhere.
(2)
Cari H.

We live in the neighborhood. Walk by the place often. Ate there years ago and found it missing. Tonight I decided to try again. Started well, friendly staff but the food is unexciting. Steak over charred. Salad dressed to much and to tart. Fries are amazing. Very nice. Got charged 6.50 for a glass of ice and diet coke and one refill. About a total of 6 oz of coke. Pretty silly and not endearing to the customer.. Over all average or below. Not very bad and bot very good. Wine list is limited and not very well developed. Too bad. Great location. Which is probably why they are still there.
(2)
David R.

I had dinner at Florio a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night with my friend who is quite the foodie. We went to try their special truffle menu and it was amazing. Started with the carpaccio with truffles and what I believe was shaved Asiago cheese with Italian parsley--amazing! Next we split the tagliatelle pasta with white truffles...the pasta was cooked to perfection and the truffles were wonderful. For our main entree, we split the Poulet Roti--the chicken was wonderfully moist and the brussel sprouts complimented dish well. I would have preferred baby carrots to summer squash, but that's just a personal preference. Finally, for dessert we had the Tiramisu. I hadn't had Tiramisu in years, probably not since the days when I used to hang out at The Steps of Rome and so I was curious to try Florio's version. It did not disappoint. All in all, my friend and I had a wonderful time at Florio and we will be returning.
(5)
Travis N.

A very good unique twist on Italian along Filmore. This place does a good job of separating itself from the rest of the "Italian" market in the Bay Area. The girlfriend and I went to check out this place several weeks ago. We had gotten our fill of the North Beach Italian scene and were looking for something different. This place delivered on that premise. The food was Italian but different from the generic "Italian" that we, Americans, think of. Yes, they served pasta, but it was a special twist on the same formula. The wine selection was good, and the waiter succeeded in fulfilling our requests when it came to a bottle recommendation. The dining room is small, but not uncomfortable if you are used to the smaller bistro scene of the Bay Area or other places like NYC and Boston. I didn't feel like I was sharing dinner/conversation with the random couples on either side of me.
(4)
Molly P.

After much debate, we chose Florio as the place to splurge for a special occasion. We had a lovely experience there. Our server was friendly and polite, the ambiance was sort of rustic and lounge-y at the same time, and everything was tasty. Here's a rundown of what we ordered: "The New Fillmore" - a cocktail made of bourbon with orange peel - my husband loved it; "Bisou" - a cocktail made of your choice of gin or vodka, with cucumber, ginger and mint - I liked it; A carafe of a cabernet/syrah blend - it was okay, got better as it opened up; although it wasn't the best wine ever, it was really nice to be able to buy a carafe, which was about 4 glasses, for the price of 2 glasses; A "blistered" pepper and squash appetizer, and a beet/fig salad -- both of these were good. The portions are a bit small, but the presentation was lovely and the combination of ingredients was great. Goat cheese ravioli with sage, and the "poulet roti" -- both of these were good, too. They were not wildly creative, but they were very tasty. The ravioli was a medium sized portion; the chicken was a substantial portion. And finally - the creme caramel (really a flan, not a creme brulee) and a scoop of chocolate espresso (it was gelato or sorbetto, I can't recall which). Yummy. Thumbs up!
(4)
Mao K.

Impromptu girls night...and wanted to go to Woodhouse, but the wait was going to be over an hour...so we headed across the street to Florio. I've walked by Florio so many times, but never tried it...I'm not sure why but I'm glad we tried it the other night. We had the steak frites....ah yeah, splurge and get the damn steak frites! It is DA BOMB!!! The steak is so tender, juicy, and flavorful! The frites are crispy and yummy! Add a glass of Malbec and end the night with a scoop of blackberry sorbet and you have a fabulous girls night dinner!!
(4)
Brad S.

I've been here twice for dinner and had two completely different experiences. The first time (a Wednesday dinner), I noticed the age demographic was older (60+) and the service was stereotypically French (distant, rude). The second time (a Friday dinner), the age demographic was more mixed and the service was great. The waiter's name the second time around was Jerry. Food quality was good.
(4)
Nora C.

If you enjoy FOOD POISONING, Florio is the place for you! Next time I want to vomit for 24 hours, I'll save myself the $$$ and go to Taco Bell. To top it off, our server was beyond rude. Ya, chubster with the glasses, I'm talking about you. Would it kill you to be pleasant?
(1)
wendella a.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of sharing a deliciously decadent meal a deux: We feasted famously on the Bone-in Rib Eye Steak a la Bearnaise for Two, Pommes Frites & Sauteed Spinach. Sipped its perfect match with a carafe of the Seghesio Zinfandel and finished with sweet finesse scooping up a classic rendition of luscious Creme Caramel. I enjoyed the convivial romantic atmosphere. Service was pleasant, paced with a European sensibility as befits such a meal. Wonderful. Recommended. Four very shiny stars.
(4)
Big H.

For the pricing I was expecting better everything. Service: We stood around waiting for someone to help us, when finally we just seated ourselves. (even though they had a host) Our server wasn't on top of things, not because he was bad, but because they over booked him. He was the only server in the place! Since he was the only server in a over 20 table place our food was forgotten about! It took us 40 min. to get our food! After we Finally received our main dish, and it was so bland I didn't even finish it. We waved down the host for desert. (our server was running around with his head cut off and didn't notice we wanted desert) Our desert was creme brulee , and it shouldn't have been served. one side was ice cold and the other was lukewarm. consistency was watery. Yuck! The only thing that I liked about this place was the salad, and the wine. But I won't be going back!
(1)
Nadia C.

My rating is 3.5 but there is no way to give it so I round-off to a 4 star. Living in Pacific Heights, it is difficult to miss this place or ignore its well-earned popularity. Looking at the long line over weekends for brunch, try not to come too hungry as it might take 45 minutes (like at a lot of places). The vibe is lively and it is a good place for a brunch-for-two or hanging out with friends. It can be a little pricey (3 dollars sign) but is worth that much fora good time and happy stomach.
(4)
Rob C.

Spaghetti with meatballs made from veal, pork and ricotta was delicious. The little gem house salad was also wonderful, but maybe a little pricey for the portion. Ambience is very cozy. All in all, a delightful experience.
(4)
p v.

Food was okay, not necessarily outstanding but very good and reasonably priced for the ambiance/service/quality.
(4)
Jo S.

My guy and I dined at Florio for 2 reasons: (1) It had the ambience of a Parisian cafe - This spells ROMANCE, no?! and (2) It was close to Japantown's Kabuki Theater. Like several of the other reviewers, my rating would be a 3.5 star, which I have rounded down to 3 because of the price range. The service and Sonoma rosÃ© were as pleasant as expected, and the crunchy pomme frites (as appetizer) was satisfying. We had pork papardelle and the chicken for mains. Loved the pasta, but the chicken was under-seasoned and a little dry. It doesn't come close to the wonderful fowl I had at Oakland's Wood Tavern. Pros: Good ambience, efficient service, portions were generous Cons: There are just too many standouts in San Francisco for Florio to be a must-try.
(3)
Alexandra D.

Oh how I liked it here. First of all the service is really good and friendly. And the atmosphere is nice and cosy, feels European and original. The food is really tasty. I had the rabbit and it was delicious. My husband had the flank steak and the frites. and they were perfect too. For starters we had a very creative arugula salad which was a daly special. Florio never looked to exciting to me from the outside but now that I've been there, I might not be too sad if the wait for a table at SPQR is too long. Besides, there's more space in Florio :)
(5)
Paul T.

Walking into Florio--one of those places I've been wanting to hit for some time now, but never got around to it, I instantly liked the early-20th century feel of the aesthetics, all dark wood and white table cloths. The service was good, our waiter informed and personable without being intrusive. I was surprised, and a bit dismayed, to find the menu so lackluster, but the food was quite nice so all's well that ends well. Our table split between the roast chicken and ribeye, both of which indicate some frustration with the lack of choices, but at least it wasn't pizza and burgers--which is happening all too often these days as restaurants are desperately going for filling the tables over thinking over their offerings, and I would have walked if we'd been offered Mac-n-cheese. The chicken seemed brined (I have no problem with that) as the herbs infused the meat with a delicate flavor it wouldn't have had if they had simply been rubbed in. Beyond that, it was nothing I couldn't do at home, and the ribeye was about the same. I had a delightful chicken liver pate, and finished my meal with a tawny port and the cheese plate. I would come here again, and as much as I liked sitting down to dinner, it seems that it might be more fun to sit at the bar and eat appetizers instead. Bathrooms are M and F, which puzzles me in San Francisco as women were always waiting for a sister to finish, when the single facility mens room had a lock and was just as available. Some women would take the invite and skip the wait, others refused, so why doesn't the restaurant do the ladies a favor and make the toilets gender-neutral?
(4)
Shirley M. J.

My daughter, Joy (Joyita A) took me to this low-key lighting restaurant just blocks away from her SF home. Cool place . . . had a similar vibe to Le Zinc, but more sexy, demure lighting. Joy and I failed to call in advance for reservations for this last Friday evening, 4/25/2008. Due to failing calling ahead for seating reservations: We waited for about 1 hour sipping on Sancere wine at the mohogany bar. Delectable, savory, buttery tasting wine opened up our palates receiving our sumptuous meal served an hour later . . . I remember eating at a very French restaurant on the Marseille waterfront: Dining experience was taken at a very s-l-o-w, leisurely pace. Florio reminded me of that magnificient Marseille restaurant's ambiance and their food concocted by 5-Star French Chefs. Food: Joy is a true food efficionadista, so I know Joy will take me to a restaurant worth spending $70.00 for two peeps to eat at a sit down restaurant. We ordered the steak and frites dinner. All I can say is, "WOW!" I couldn't eat the whole meal, so I took the leftovers home. Surprisingly, the french fries and veggies were crisp and not soggy when I reheated the fries and veggies in the oven. The steak was fork tender when re-heated, too. I will surely return to this retaurant because: 1. Staff was helpful, kind, and gave excellent customer service 2. Ambiance was delightlfully sexy and very demure 3. Dinner was a triple home run! I am truly impressed with Florio. KUDOS!
(5)
Angella S.

OK, I'm only basing my review on the bar and ambiance, not the food :0 But I must say that this place is charming. Cozy and quiet, a perfect little place for quiet company. The bartender was super friendly and served up some great kir royals. So 5 starts on the bar and ambiance, now I need to try the food :)
(5)
Rodney R.

To Whom Is Reading, This was for Wayne Cheng, 9pm, table for 2, Feb 16th, 2013 This is my very first Yelp review I have ever done because I felt there has been no need for me to do any; but in this specific case I feel the need to. I was a huge fan of Florio, but the recent visit has completely shattered the view I had on the restaurant. I reserved a table in case there was going to be a wait & all was well upon the our arrival. We sat looked over the menu/ wine listing & this is where the slight problems started, the waitress (older women around her mid 40's long brown hair in a braided ponytail, average build if you waitress is this woman please request to be served by someone else) she was very vague with her descriptions on some of the wine & asked if we needed some more time which I was fine with. A few minutes come by & she actually more irritated looking when starting to talk to us & I didn't like the fact she was leaning on the chairs talking to us which I thought was rude. She gave us a few more minutes after asking about the main course she was more rushing us in the process which didn't make sense when the place is open till 12am. The waitress's look on her face was unpleasant the entire time when she came back & was rushing us more with her body posture & look in her eyes. If your stressed at work for some reason then you be professional still & refrain from unpleasantly expressions. Food was ordered & wasn't offered any extras the come with the eating there, so I had to ask the man who is charge of the front of the house for it & he seemed displeased as well when it's such a minor thing on his behalf. I told my guest I was sorry 3 times for the behavior we're experiencing from the place because I talked nothing, but the utmost of the restaurant. My guest said "Well it's the fact we're here & hopefully the food is better than the service." The main course came. I ordered the Scallops & my guest ordered a seafood soup. Of course the presentation was flawless, but when I started to eat my scallops I noticed a grittiness to the texture & I pulled out bits of sand from my mouth; this was the same problem with the rest of my dish. My course was washed thoroughly, but I never said anything to the waitress or the head of the front house. I was telling my guest how completely shattered my view now was & was telling him making sure the waitress heard me because she next to u with a partition separating; hoped that she would change her tone, but nothing improved whatsoever. She asked us only once "How is everything?" She never came back to refill water, we've both said "Thank you," but was ignored. Never offered dessert menu, but we weren't going to stay after the annoyances going on. The thing that really pissed me off the most is that WE had a SERVICE CHARGE for ONLY 2 PEOPLE. I'm originally from Sonoma County's Wine Country, but the service where I'm from is absolute. I moved to SF 4 months ago, but since I have been here I have never experienced such crass service in my life. I told my guest we should have gone to Original Joe's because they are prim & proper there & the owner is very personable. Do not waste your time coming to Florio, unless you actually want to I hope your experience will be better than our's.
(1)
Joyce L.

Last minute reservation, got seated right away. Staff were super friendly. What more can I ask for? Everything at Florio is decent but agree with Steve D that it wasn't like 'wow I'll remember it forever'. I had my eye on the duck - oh no they're out of duck that evening. My fall back was the steak... bit heavy handed on the salt but the steak was cooked to perfection. The fries are also fantastic. My boy had the bolognese pasta. The sauce was divine! However I would rate Vivande (up the road) higher on the pasta scale. We shared the mussels and a caesar to start... the salad was lovely, and mussels cooked well (but yet again, too salty). For dessert we shared the chocolate torte... oh yeah, they used real chocolate in that dessert and you can tell. Overall.. its nice. Its pretty. Its a little crammed and intimate, but OK. It won't wow your guests but everyone should walk out happy.
(3)
lysee k.

The french fries were the only good thing that was served. I was thoroughly disappointed. The trout special was really fishy, salty and dry. The kale caesar was saturated in dressing with big chunks of fish (not in a good way).
(2)
Lorraine F.

I've been going to Florio for years. On occasion I've sat at a table, but really, i like to sit at the bar and watch the action. I can't comment too much on the menu because I pretty much always order one of two things... either the steak frites when there are two of us or a burger. The new open-faced burger with melted cheese and grilled onions on focaccia, served with french fries (on which I consider myself an afficionado) is awesome. And when you order "medium," medium is what you get. While attending the San Francisco International Film Festival, between seeing Father of My Children at the Clay and Wake Up In Fright at the Kabuki, I stopped to grab a bite. Since I have a broken shoulder, which means I can't drive and don't have the patience to stand around waiting for buses (or taxis for that matter) I walk from Pac Heights to my abode in the Haight. My friend Donna thinks I'm a target for muggers, so begged me not to carry a purse. I couldn't not take a purse - there are certain things that I must have - but I could at least divest myself of heavy items, the biggest of which is my wallet. So, I was traveling light, no wallet with choice of credit cards; only one card and no cash... kinda' crazy, I know. I enjoyed my burger with a glass of Malbec... the timing was perfect to move on to see my next movie. I was a happy camper... right up until my credit card bounced. Oops. I didn't know what to expect... stay and wash the dishes? The manager, John, was so kind. He let me off with a promise to return, which I did next day. I ask you, how many restaurants do you know that would let you walk out without paying the bill and only a promise to return?
(5)
K N.

Great ambience. It definitely feels bistro-like. Very intimate and European. A bit cramped, but cozy. OMG...the fries are so delicious! They were crispy, warm, and flavorful. Try those with the mussels. The grilled veggies were so fresh and tasty. I loved the smoky taste blended with the sweetness of the fresh veggies. I couldn't believe how sweet the roasted beets were. So, that' all we had, but I'll be willing to try it again.
(4)
Alex M.

TGIF takes on new meaning when the F stands for Florio! It's been a long-time, dependable favorite of mine and an easy magnet that draws friends and neighbors for 'happy hours,' sharing wonderful bistro fare (steak frites, roast chicken, pasta), or celebrating those special occasions. Service is always accomodating and impeccable. A memorable occasion they played a part in was a birthday celebration for a friend who was stunned with the presentation of a flaming birthday chicken--Florio's succulent roast chicken in a casserole dish surrounded by mashed potatoes and birthday candles (symbolizing a pagan end to spring chicken-hood). Another treat happens there on Sunday evenings (and some Mondays, too) when Florio features veal meatballs as a special. Not to be missed! To sum it, Florio is that rare restaurant where management, staff and kitchen always seem well-oiled and in synch for providing a pleasant dining experience!
(5)
Elizabeth C.

Snore. This place is a bore. The people who worked there were nice and polite and they made a good sidecar. The food was OK. My friend ordered a hamburger, well-done. It was still pink in the middle. It came on one piece of toast, garnished with pickled veggies. The pickles were nasty. I love pickles. Not these. It had a salad. No fries. My friend cried. A little. I ordered the gnocchi. I don't know where they went because all I saw on my plate was three pieces of polenta in a nice sauce. The fried asparagus was ... use your imagination because they clearly didn't.
(3)
Raquel C.

A star for service, another for ambiance, the third for frites like they do aux france, and the fourth for perfectly roasted chicken and a butternut squash soup so good I literally asked for more bread just so I could soak up every last drop lingering in my bowl. The decor really lends to the experience of dining at Florio. I, personally, am a fan of dark mahogany, gentlemen of leisure, and sipping wine within the warm, dim, glow of candle light. Florio is beautiful inside and takes you back to mid century Europe. Seating is a little tight but in a cozy way. The servers were extremely attentive and genuinely friendly- they checked on us at least 3 times before we were ready to order. Time between order, appetizer, and main course was perfectly spaced to allow for full enjoyment of food and digestion (very important, indeed). To start, the butternut squash soup. It was seasoned just right with sage and rosemary, with a consistency that wasn't too soupy or too stewy- perfection. As a main, we ordered the poulet pour deux. I don't ever eat the skin on my chicken, but I ate some just for this occasion- tender chicken, doused in its natural juice, encased by a crispy but not greasy skin, and smothered in perfectly cooked vegetables! I had never tried brussel sprouts until this meal, but I think I found my new favorite veggie. According to my dining partner, sprouts are often uninspiring and can either undercooked too easily and over cooked to a point where they charr. He was also impressed with their simple yet savory take on it- boiled almost to the point of being cooked and then grilled on medium heat just to the point of being a bit soft but with a slight crunch. Sooooo good. And the frites? What can I say. I was in Paris again. That is all. Minus one star for the unexpectedly drab bathroom and because I find its best to sample more than one entree before really making a definitive 5-star decision on a place. I'm expecting, though, that a second dining experience at Florio will up their average. Jusque-lÃ ...
(4)
Chris T.

We went to Florio on a busy Saturday night, and got one of the last open tables. We ended up getting the corn bisque and a steak -- both of which were split for us by the waiter -- who asked if that was ok, and I think we ended up getting extra frites with the steak as a result. The hangar steak was truly great -- good flavor, well prepared and flavorful (and they nailed the "medium"). The corn bisque was not quite as flavorful as the corn soup at Nopa, but pretty good nonetheless. We also had the Padron peppers (which were yummy) and the Bourgogne Rose. Overall, I would say that these guys did a fantastic job, especially for a crowded Saturday. I don't often review, but I wanted to give these guys a solid for treating us so well.
(5)
John M.

I have a feeling Florio will get higher marks than it deserves because most Yelpers have bad taste. I think the place is average to below average. The steak with frites, which should be exceptional, was something any Joe with a hibachi could grill up. The plating was sloppy and the price above average. Florio could be a quick dinner spot, but certainly isn't a date spot or somewhere I would go with guests. The owners are friendly and the crowd on average is a bit older, but Florio is just another spot on Fillmore to me.
(2)
lisa b.

Let's see....where do I start? We walked to Woodhouse Fish Co., but there was a 45 minute wait, so then we went across the street to SPQR and it was a 2 hour wait, so we walked into Florio and there was no wait...and now I understand why. Let's start with the rude host that finally acknowledged us after 15 minutes of standing there. I told him I felt invisible and he came unglued, snipping at me with a snide, rude tone. So, we sat, only because we were to tired to try to find another place that wasn't packed. Service sucked and the food sucked even more. ordered Cioppino and Mike had their Pasta Alfredo with pea's and pancetta. Both dishes were bland, tasteless and boring. I poured parmesan on mine and piled salt and pepper on it, and still was barely edible. I would never go back, and can't understand how that place is in business.
(1)
Samantha H.

Had a great Bellini here- cant wait to come back and try the food
(4)
Brooke G.

Doug Biederbeck is one classy man. Definitely gives you a retro, bistro look back at what San Francisco was/is/and has been known for for many decades. Good food. Good service. Well thought out design and decor.
(4)
Newyorkwalk D.

We all were in the mood for burgers and since they were highly recommended, that's what we all had. Surprisingly good for an Italian restaurant! Very nice atmosphere, service a little slow but it was very busy. Seemed a little pricey but not too bad....
(3)
Jay Z.

Last night around 6:30, we were heading out to grab a leisurely dinner at our new favorite ceviche spot, Fresca, and then down the street to the Fillmore by 9 to see the awesome Spoon concert. But the cat had other plans for us. She apparently thought it would be a good idea to climb up on to our neighbors' freshly tarred addition they are building and get herself covered in sticky black tar. Why? Because she has a brain the size of a cat. So instead of heading over to Fresca, I spent an hour chasing the idiotic beast down, hauling her in to the sink, applying solvent to remove the tar, and then shampoo to remove the solvent, all while she is scratching and biting the hell out of me because - it turns out - cats don't appreciate being doused in paint thinner and then shampooed with a kitchen sprayer. By now, our Fresca reservation is long gone and I am in a foul mood, partly because - I can't lie - I love that cat and I was worried I hadn't gotten the solvent all the way off and she was gonna lick herself and die from it. Mrs. Z kindly pointed out that the solvent would just make her even stupider, and that I had nothing to worry about because she was already at rock bottom stupidity. Mrs. Z always has the knack for making me feel better. So, with just under an hour to spare we wandered in to Florio looking for dinner. It has a really cool French bistro feel to it, very busy and bustling and maybe just a bit too noisy. We were attended to immediately and when we told our server our time constraint, she was all over it. We shared a salad, which they pre-split for us - a much appreciated touch which many restaurants forget. My roasted chicken was excellent as was Mrs. Z's halibut. Really a great meal, served up instantly and with good cheer by Jennifer, our server. After we finished off our meal and a carafe of their delicious Sancerre, Jennifer offered to bring us another glass of wine to share before leaving. True to form, her pre-split single glass of wine was more like two full glasses. That kind of thing costs the restaurant very little but creates so much good will. I think Florio may be our new pre-Fillmore place. You'll be glad to know the cat's not dead, and she didn't even seem all that pissed off at me this morning.
(4)
Ron W.

BELLA, BELLA, BELLA! After 2 weeks on south beach I ventured out with some friends to celebrate some events...and we ended up at Florio The place was really sweet - cozy and warm! The mat-re de was welcoming and sat me without my friends having arrived yet..loved that! The waiter was great - attentive but not invasive to our close knit evening of catch up and celebration. We ordered the chicken livers to start - yum! The Rib Eye and Fries...OMG so good after no meat in 2 weeks!! We also shared an order of pasta (I already said I had dieted for two weeks!!) The total experience was great...great food - great service - great ambiance and reasonable price $$$. Look forward to going back!
(4)
Hansen L.

Quick stop on a HH-Wednesday, got the Manciat-Poncet White Burgundy. (They make a white burgundy?? I've got a lot to learn.) Grade A ambiance and service. Would definitely come back to try the food next time. - sent from iPhone
(4)
Sophie C.

On a gloomy Wednesday night, we had dinner here because SPQR was packed. I was not impressed by the presentation or the flavors of the appetizers. We had the caesar vinaigrette salad and the chicken liver pate. Both were average and I would recommend skipping it altogether. For entrees, we had the duck confit and steelhead salmon. The duck confit was amazing with crispy skin and juicy succulent meat that falls right off the bone. The candied apple slices paired well with the duck. The steelhead salmon was tasty. For dessert, we had the chocolate truffle torte which resembles a brownie with a side of whipped cream. The taste of the torte was much more complex than the deceptive appearance. It was the consistency of a dark truffle and was soooooo decadent melt in your mouth goodness or a sunshine of chocolate delight. Overall, the ambience is romantic and intimate, short wait without reservation, and ok service for San Francisco (I've had better). My suggestions are the entrees, dessert to share, and a carafe of wine. And if you like duck, it is priced at $15 (similar to lunch prices) and is a great deal and appropriate serving size for dinner.
(3)
Tommy P.

Florio was alright but nothing to really rave about. I actually strolled into this place thinking it was SPQR and from what I've heard I would've been a little more satisfied walking a couple doors down, but that's to be decided when I finally make it there. The atmosphere was dope, they definitely earned a star there. We were seated in this curtained off little back room like straight mafioso. The lighting was perfect. Where they lost points with me was..... -Very stingy w/ the balsamic vinegar. When I asked for balsamic they brought out a little tartar sauce cup. ITALIAN RESTAURANTS TAKE NOTE: There should be a little bottle of balsamic and olive oil on the table when we first sit down. I know it's expensive but your food isn't exactly cheap and you guys seem to be doing fine. Splurge a little on your customers. Shame on you Florio. -Also stingy w/ the bread. There were five of us and they brought out three pieces of bread which we had to start breaking and passing around like it was the last supper. When we asked for more bread they brought out three more pieces only this time is was ONE of the rolls they originally brought out CUT INTO THREE PIECES. Stingy, stingy, stingy -The Bolognese while really not disgusting just didn't really strike me as that great. I am super hard to please when it comes to Italian though so that may play into it. The sauce consistency was there and to my surprise there was enough meat in the sauce (most of it was ground beef though when it's supposed to be mostly Italian sausage or at the least half and half) but it was bland for the most part and just didn't do anything for me. Not really much else to say as I didn't partake in any appetizers or wine, I think with the offenses listed above though two stars is generosity.
(2)
Trang B.

The service at Florio was excellent. Everyone, from the maitre-d to the busboy was pleasant. Our server was very friendly, attentive and accommodating, so much so that I wish I could give Florio a higher recommendation, but I felt the dishes I ordered were lackluster to disappointing. My friend and I split the chicken liver pate, which was superb. That was the highlight of the meal. We then split a plate of french fries, and I ordered the duck pasta while she ordered the mussels. The duck pasta was a bit overdressed, in my opinion, to where the flavor of the duck was lost. It was salty and the pasta was overcooked. The mussels were really disappointing: fishy smelling and dry. My friend offered me a plate of 5 mussels and I ate two. The first one was just awful. I wanted to spit it out. I took the second one to see if the first was just a bad mussel, and it wasn't. The restaurant is really cozy and intimate, and while we were being seated, I thought Florio was a place I really wanted to love and return to again and again. Unfortunately, the food was disappointing, especially for the price. Given the numerous choices in SF, it's unlikely I'll give Florio a second try.
(3)
Nilu r.

The stars are all for the service. The service was very good. The food however, was so insanely incredibly unbelievably ridiculously SALTY...did I emphasize the NaCl content of the food here? I do like salty food but I almost thought I was going to have an aneurysm! This place would have been the perfect neighborhood spot for us but we just refer to it now as the "salt-lick".
(3)
Samantha M.

We had a great time in this little restaurant! We sat at the bar and the service was impeccable. The space is small and it was very busy all evening (Saturday night). The bread and butter was delicious!!! We enjoyed the wine and cocktails and next time we are in SF we will definitely be back!
(5)
Lili G.

Florio is another reason why I like dining in my neighborhood. A very cute little place with a lively atmosphere. I appreciate the size of the plate: just enough to enjoy every bite of the delicious duck confit (served on a frisee with crispy lardons and mustard vinaigrette) and still have room for the sublime melon and cherry sorbets. I must say that I was in great company, making the experience even more enjoyable!
(4)
Bill S.

Ahi special and butternut raviolis were wonderful! Everything great.
(4)
Delilah B.

We went here one night and had a fantastic experience. The service was wonderful. We felt like we were the only ones in the restaurant. The service alone deserves 5 stars. The food was delicious. We both had the roasted chicken, which was phenomenal. For dessert we had pistachio ice cream, it was absolutely devine. We would definitely go again!
(5)
Marco C.

Having walked by this place a hundred times, I decided it was finally time to give it a try. It sure does look cool, what with the French bistro setup and all. Upon Yelping it I became a little dubious, as a number of reviewers hated on the service and the prices, but I had to try it for myself. Upon our arrival the host sat us almost immediately, giving us our choice of available tables -- much appreciated. I hate it when there are 5 open tables and they just give you the worst one by default. We sat down and the server was Johnny on the spot with the water and the bread (which was mighty good). Generally I'd say the service here is pretty solid. I don't know what these other Yelpers are talking about. First of all, per our server's recommendation we got a carafe of syrah, which was a generous pour, and at $14, cost the same as a mere glass of wine at some places I can think of. I would note here that the server recommended the less expensive syrah -- another feather in his cap -- and it was mighty good and lasted us the whole night. I wish I'd remembered its name actually so I could go buy a few bottles. We got the antipasti, which was a generous portion of good, crisp pickled vegetables; honey-laced prosciutto; firm, spicy saucisson sec (a lot like Molinari's salami actually); large wedges of tart pecorino; and some winter squash. It was excellent -- we polished off the dish in minutes. I ordered the hangar steak and frites, medium. My wife ordered the Provencal seafood stew. The former was generously portioned, cooked per my order, nicely seared on the outside, and generally satisfying. My wife's stew was very similar to cioppino. The portions were not as big as, say, Tadich Grill (home of the best cioppino in the world if you ask me), but it was very good indeed, with fresh ingredients and a nice snappy sauce. The desserts looked appetizing, but we elected to skip them. The prices were not unreasonable, comparable to any middle-to-high-end restaurant in the city, entrees at or around $25 apiece, and as I mentioned earlier, the carafes of wine are a steal. Also, as a pre-dinner cocktail they offer absinthe, complete with the water and the cube of sugar. Had I not been on a completely empty stomach I would have had one. Based on our experience this evening I definitely will come back to Florio, and next time I'm starting with a bang: it's absinthe for me.
(4)
William D.

Still a great place. I get to come here only once a year or so, but the top-notch staff remembers me and treats me like a regular. Their special cocktail of prosecco, gin, and fresh lemon juice is a refreshing summertime treat. The chicken (I've had it twice) is always better than jus' plain ol' roasted chicken should be. Juicy and flavorful and this time served with fancy French carrots and schmantzy peas. The best news is that the special dessert that I had last summer seems to have worked its way onto the regular menu. Pot de creme flavored with vanilla, orange, and bergamot, the stuff that makes Earl Grey tea so delicious. Yes, it's a small portion but I'm pretty sick of heavy supersized desserts when all I want is a little something sweet. And anyway, this little Tiny Tim of a dessert is so flavorful, cool, and subtle that it wins out over any goliath molten lava cake. Florio is a friendly, bustling little place, a little expensive, but a great experience for those who love great bistro food and charming, interesting waitstaff.
(5)
J A.

I go in and there is this mahogany bar, reminiscent of Paris. Amber lights abound with white linens on tables. The smells of deliciousness fill up the place. yes. i am home. Bartender was a great server who convinced me to get the special. SPAGHETTI WITH VEAL MEATBALLS. There were millions of things to get but as soon as I ate one bite, it was a definite foodgasm. The bartender was excellent at helping with choosing a wine and it complemented the cheese platter perfectly. The bread was a brown bread with nuts that came with a fig and red wine compote that was gorgeously delicious. I asked for more and I got more of it. Best Jam Evar. The dessert was just as fine. Melodic Chocolate Awesomeness. I'm definitely going back again and I have no idea why I hadn't in the last five years I've lived nearby. I joked, that I would consider marrying the chef now because his food is so fucking delicious. Update 4/10/08 for dinner _____________________ I came at just past 10. I asked the host if the kitchen was still open. He looked at his watch, and said, 'just for five minutes more,' and smiled. I was seated and started looking at the menus. I looked up and thought, Ooh, boy do I like the amber lighting! It would be perfect for a date. They also have a private room that can be closed off by a velvet curtain, if someone had a birthday party here. (hint) They do provide half orders for the pasta per the waiter. The waiter tonight was helpful. I chose the Bolognese sauce with the handmade flat noodles. So f'n happy. First bite, I had to close my eyes. Flavors of porcini, parmesan, parsley, sage (i think), the robustness of the meat, garlic, onion, salt, sweet, oh my God. i saw the chef today, he was on his way out the door. He stared at me. Maybe because he saw this wierd woman taking each bite with her eyes closed. I liked the spaghetti so much, that i took the bread and cleaned the bowl with the bread and ate that. I told the waiter to not wash the dish as proof that I ate every bit of it. So I can definitely say that Florio is consistently yummy. Total damage tonight was 9 bucks for spaghetti and 3 for high end tea. 12. Not bad. Portion size was perfect for this elf. I don't know about the negative reviews, but this is my second time and I left super happy. I'm coming back again for sure. food, sex, and traveling for food and sex is what life is about. What do you think they meant by ' eat, drink, and be merry?'
(5)
nicole s.

I loved this place so I am surprised they only have 3.5 stars. I was wowed by many things on the menu. Very surprised by how much I liked the radish app -so surprising, who would think radishes would be a highlight. Also a highlight- the burger! mmm very good. And the mussels entree was divine. Coming back for another go again!
(4)
rachel c.

I went here on a night I didn't have Harrys Bar in me (sorry George). They have a good wine list- but they hustle you in and out. I felt like I was in the Central Valley eating at TGI Fridays!! We ordered a bottle of wine and some appetizers and the waiter was overly concerned we weren't going to have dinner. He came over a few times to ask - well are you going to eat? They also dropped our check really early. I didn't go out in a wife beater, torn jeans and dirty tennis shoes that night - so really not sure what the deal was! This place is just- ok. Chez Nous is far better just a block down the hill.
(3)
Auburn D.

My first experience with Florio was on a Sunday night with a friend and her ex-boyfriend but current fling. The waiter pushed the veal meatballs which seemed just right for my as yet unabated hangover. Ok, when I say that there were two meatballs and they were the size of softballs it is NOT an exaggeration. Super tender and very moist which was rather surprising given the pure heft of these bad boys. On my second, more recent, visit to Florio, my girlfriends and I arrived early for our 7:30pm reservation and enjoyed a cocktail at the bar. The cocktails made us snacky and I was pleased that the waitstaff was relaxed, even on a Friday evening, and let us enjoy some radishes with butter and sea salt and the pate at the bar rather than rushing us to our table. Both were enjoyable though the pate was a bit...pate-y. Which is to say it required a baguette in order to be palatable, but then was very much so. I shared the entrecote for 2 (with bernaise, fries, and steamed spinach) with a friend and thought it was excellent. The A. Rafanelli wine (though now the varietal is escaping me) was an excellent pairing. I think you can't go wrong with this place for simple yet highly enjoyable bistro fare in a cute atmosphere.
(4)
Kokoro I.

1 star for fresh ingredients and another for the good tasting food. 3 stars less for the over priced menu, crackhead looking waiter and again way overpriced everything. Food is not that bad, but man, what the fuck was wrong with out server? He straight looked like he was high, way high, to be talking to customers. Price is just ridiculous. Drink price, I would say $2 more of SF average, $10.50 for Black Label? Come on now what the fuck is with the extra 50 cents? Really the food is the best part of the place, but not worth the price. That explains why the place was so fuckin empty. Yup.
(2)
Collin W.

We lucked out! Parking on the street, next to the front door. We weren't planning on having dinner here, but we were the first party through the door, at 5:30. Really good first course; salad and duck liver pate. I had the pork shoulder (good), my mother had the duck confit (better), and wife had the seared scallops (perfect). Shared a dessert; creme caramel (pretty good). The tab was about 85.00 (no booze). The service was pretty good. The place filled up, before we were done.
(4)
E S.

Saturday night...walked in and got a table right away. Very loud and very dark. We needed to ask for a flashlight to read the menu. I found the menu to be a little fufu for my taste. My husband liked his seafood stew very much. Glad we went but do not need to go again.
(2)
shannon l.

Loved the food here. We tried the seafood stew, chicken and the cod. Really well seasoned. Portions were a tad small and somewhat pricey, but well worth it. Excellent service. Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Jerry O.

After 25 years of dining in San Francisco, my recent visit to Florio by far is the worst dining experience that I have ever had. The food is at best mediocre and the wait staff is terrible. Especially the overweight bald waiter who is so inept and had no concept of customer service. I will definitely never go there again !!!!!!
(1)
Doug C.

Oh Florio, how I wish you were much better. Florio is in a great location, looks great from the outside and from the interior as well. So far so good...The menu has some appealing items and I'm excited to dive in. Sad to say the food wasn't as good as I was hoping. Also the service was only okay, granted the waiter was swamped but aren't they all? The marinated olives were good but that's a pretty hard one to mess up. The chicken liver crostini was good but a little on the small side and left me wanting more. I had the pasta with pancetta and it was a total let down. The sauce was weak and didn't have the strong flavor I would expect from a good Italian restaurant worth it's salt but there was plenty of pancetta. Granted, I'm part Italian and I like a robust sauce - this sauce would have been sent back in NYC or Chicago, that I can tell you. My dinner date had the roasted chicken. The chicken was good sized and looked good, I did try a few bites off her plate and the chicken was juicy but again not really flavorful, even with the vegetables. Folks, I don't think I'm a harsh critic, I do think I've been spoiled by some great restaurants (even inexpensive one) when I lived in Boston and Chicago. I wish I could give Florio more than two stars. Maybe it was an off night? I will return and see what happens and provide an update in the near future. If Florio could do better, I would probably come back a lot since it's right in my neighborhood.
(2)
Premshree P.

I've been walking by this restaurant for a while, but never went in until a few days ago. Small and cozy and lovely food. I had the pork shoulders which was absolutely yum. So tender and juicy! I can't remember what my friends had, but they enjoyed their meals too. We paired our meals with some sparkling Prosecco. We ended with some Fourme d'Ambert bleu with honey and truffle oil. Yum! (Oh, my friend was not happy that the bread they served was sourdough. Understandably so, I guess.)
(4)
Jarrod R.

I'm sorry, when you walk into a restaurant you expect to be greeted by the host/ess and sat...right? WRONG, we were greeted by what looked to be the owner, and then told to go off in the direction that she pointed to and wait for another person to sit us...looking behind me there was another couple that looked like they knew the owner...so basically we were trash canned while she helped her friends. Food was not good, tasted cold, had to send back something to be "microwaved"...who knows. Wasn't a good experience.
(1)
Michael T.

Great meal at the bar, served by an attentive and informed bartender to two old friends. I had the beet salad - among best ever - and a half order of the papardelle bolegnese. He had a salad and the halibut, both excellent. Great room, coll vibe and music... this place is a winner.
(4)
Ilse C.

A local favorite, reliable stand-by, and home of a delicious sidecar!
(5)
Kenzie D.

Not great. Super cute decor. Nice touches on water glass monogram. Live paint job on facade. Lots of disappointment on many dishes. Great bathrooms.
(2)
Todd S.

Technically, 3.5 stars. I went a year ago and thought the experience was fine but nothing special. Great friends of mine say this is one of their go-to spots, so I agreed to go with them last week. They raved about the food and the service. As it turns out, food was really good. We split an order of the goat cheese bruschetta which was fantastic (and I'm not a huge fan of goat cheese.) Followed it with the bib lettuce Caesar which was remarkable...seriously one of the best I've had in a while. Coincidentally, the entire table ordered the Pasta Bolognese, and we were all very happy - pasta perfectly al dente with a delicious sauce - great on a cold night. The service, however, was nothing special. Our waiter seemed to forget we had been seated and it took him 10 minutes to find us to ask about drinks. Then once we had drinks, he disappeared again for 15 minutes. My friends admitted it was the worst service they had ever had there. Luckily, good friend and good conversation saved the night...
(4)
Mattie P.

Cool vibe at the bar, though we went straight to the dinner table. I had a Sazerac cocktail, which was made very well. All the cocktails at our table were served up, which I thought was kind of funny. The food was really good. I think everyone was pleased, especially me. I got the pork chop, which was probably the thickest pork chop I've ever seen, and definitely among the best I've had. Also tried the rabbit gnocchi, which was quite good also, though not stellar. All in all, I would certainly go back. I will say that there seemed to be a significant markup on most items - i.e. this place ain't cheap at all. Maybe because it's nestled between a host of ritzy interior design stores?
(4)
Laura M.

I don't live in Pac Heights but have passed by Florio many, many times in my forays to the area and yet never managed to stop in. We happened to book a reservation last night for the first time and really enjoyed it. 3 out of 4 of us loved our entrees (the 4th is a bit fussy - so we considered his review more subjective than the rest of us). AND we tried the sweetbreads as an appetizer - which was the first time my husband and I had done so - and were pleasantly surprised. The service was very good - attentive without being too overbearing - and we loved the French Bistro atmosphere. We will be back.
(4)
Raven B.

Going with a solid 3 on this one. Overall a pretty good dining experience, but if you're looking for good italian this isn't exactly a destination restaurant. I do have to give them credit for good butternut squash ravioli though, and would recommend trying it.
(3)
Irelands T.

Walked in for a quick bite on a recent Friday not knowing anything about Florio and my fiancÃ© and I left very impressed with the food, but the service as well. Summing it up in brief we asked to split a salad and swap out the dressing and they served up the salad as requested without hesitation. Food runners also took care to expedite etc so we always felt well taken care of. Bottom line, pleased and would return.
(4)
Sarah B.

This place was fine but I wouldn't rush back. I liked the atmosphere, and our waitress was very nice. My mussels were delicious, but the gravlax starter had far too much cream sauce on it. The boyfriend liked his clams but wasn't overwhelmed by the pate. The cocktails were very strong. The main problem with our evening was the acoustics. We were seated right next to (as in, five inches from) a pair of *extremely* loud women discussing their divorces and sex life in great detail. The restaurant was nowhere near busy enough to justify seating us so close to someone else, let alone to obnoxiously loud people. (To be fair to the restaurant, we probably should have asked to be reseated, but we kept thinking they were about to leave.) On the whole I was a little underwhelmed.
(3)
Valerie Z.

I can only comment on the bar, and one bartender (Gerald was the name on my receipt). I have never been treated so rudely in my life. I was at the bar, with a couple of friends for a couple of hours while we were waiting for our table at State Bird, so we were ordering drinks and appetizers. Service of drinks at the bar was unbelievably slow for a restaurant that was not crowded. But, that was not offensive, only annoying. This bartender never once asked if we want another round. We literally had to beg him to take another order. Then one more joined our party and it took a long time to get Gerald's attention. When we finally did he responded, I am helping these other people first because they were here first. Um, Gerald, no they were not. Our friend was waiting for you to grace us with your attention long before they walked in. And the entire time we were there you actedas if we were some sort of nuisance. I am not sure why he did not want a small, quiet group of young professionals spending money at his bar. But don't worry, Gerald, we never will again.
(1)
Amanda K.

I came here for dinner with my sister and dad before a show at the Fillmore on a Friday night. We were the first to be sat since we got there right when they opened at 5:30 p.m. Our waiter was very helpful and let us know all of the best options on the menu. Our cocktails were delicious and my dad and I both had their specialty one that involved bourbon, ginger and an orange liqueur. For an appetizer we got the speck, herb almonds and chicken pate. The speck and almonds were very tasty but the chicken pate was left practically uneaten. For main course, I did a half and half of rib ragu and fennel & lamb sausage which was great that the waiter told me I could do since I was having a hard time deciding. I enjoyed both but probably favored the fennel & lamb. My sister had the potato gnocchi which was tasty. For dessert we ordered the pistachio gelato and pecan tart but they messed up and gave us an apple crisp instead of the pecan tart which was a bit disappointing. The pistachio gelato was overwhelming and way too much pistachio. Overall, we enjoyed everything except the chicken pate and the gelato but had a great dinner over good food, cocktails and wine with just a short walk to the Fillmore!
(5)
Christina R.

Nice, dark, romantic with a little retro glamorous feel. Sat at the bar and had a nice meal and lovely cocktails with St. Germain!
(3)
Katie D.

I thought the staff was a bit pretentious. Granted I wasn't looking my finest that evening, but so minimal to non-existent in term of greetings or service. Would someone please smile once? The food was ok... I had the hanger steak frites. Steak itself could have been a little rarer on my medium-rare order. While the middle was nice and red, the outside (espeically the ends) got quite tough. I did love the fries though! My friend really didn't like her gnocchi with rabbit for some reason. I didn't try it myself though, so can't really judge accurately there.
(2)
phil h.

Florio is a classic standby on Fillmore Street that often gets overlooked by the flashy new additions to the neighborhood - Woodhouse! Pizzeria Delfina! Out the Door! SPQR!!! Last night we decided to skip the new kids and head back to Florio, a decision that we don't regret in the slightest. First things first, we walk in and belly up to the bar. Our bartender greeted us with menus and a warm smile and the night was off to a great start. I ordered a bottle of A. Rafanelli Zin which they were out of but the bartender offered us two half bottle at the full bottle price, a nice gesture and one we gladly accepted. I'm a burger guy and decided to give the open face burger a shot. While the meat was nicely seasoned it was cooked more M-MW instead of the MR I requested. No matter, it was still pretty damn delicious. The fries were hot and crispy and must have been crack laden as we devoured them in no time. We made new friends at the bar* and I was offered a taste of the hanger steak which was sublime. Next time I'm in the mood for a steak I'm coming back to Florio to order their take on the classic steak frites. Let's see - fantastic service, great food and new friends. I see no reason why you shouldn't give Florio a shot! Who knows, you might see me bellying up at the end of the bar, making friends and tucking into a steak. *yet another reason to belly up to the bar - new friends and bonus food!
(4)
anne c.

The wait was too long at all the other restaurants in the vicinity. That should have been a clue! I was punished for ordering a $16 hamburger by the cook burning the bun until it was black! She did tell me the meat would be black (I was ok with that)but not the bun.The waitress was very rarely around ,I think we saw her twice, once to take the order and once to give us the check( BAD SERVICE). The food was very mediocre, skinny little fries, watery soup and horrid cheesecake. If you have a choice keep walking up the street to ROAM. A great new burger place with great organic sides. And half the price! Oh, and do not bring your own wine to "Floporio" their corkage fee is $25! Big waste of time and money! Too bad, we were celebrating an important occasion.
(1)
Diane B.

I was excited to try Florio after viewing the menu on their website. S and I were going to see a film at 7:00 that our friend's daughter co wrote and starred in called "I Think It's Raining", a couple of blocks away. That necessitated something very close by and a res. for 5:30 at the latest, 5:00 would have been even better. Florio opens for dinner at 5:30. We walked by at 5:10 and there were a bunch of sitting at the bar, so we walked in only to be stopped by the charming host saying they weren't quite open. All the people were actually the wait staff doing a nightly tasting.. always a good sign. The yelp rap on them seems to be that they have very small portions for the price. I actually thought that would be good, because I could try out more plates without getting overly full. Time constraints kept us to only three items each though, and I appreciate how mindful our waiter was of our schedule, getting us out exactly when we asked 6:40. S and I always try to negotiate our picks so that we get different things and can taste each other's maximizing the variety.Tonight, however we both definitely wanted the sweetbreads. On line there were two sizes offered, but in actuality there was only the small. Dang! Because I could certainly have eaten a bigger portion of those perfectly crisp on the outside creamy on the inside thymus glands with earthy and delicious chanterelles (didn't see any of the promised shallots, though). And we both gravitated towards the Russian Kale - S in the form of soup with potatoes in a very light cream base with the perfect kick of garlic. Me with the sauteed Russian kale, accompanied with roasted shallots that had a great balance of lemon and just the right offset of salt. We both ended with the salted caramel pot de creme. In retrospect, I probably should have passed. It was good, not great. I liked the flavor, though it was a bit one dimensional, but the texture was a bit off, not silky enough. I like to reserve the consumption of that many calories for only the exceptional. We each had a glass of whatever the featured sauvignon blanc was and the total was $74 and some change including tax and healthy San Francisco, but sans tip. Rating: Food: 36/40 Service: 18/20 Atmos/ intangibles: 16/20 Value: 15/20 Total: 85 (a good solid B)
(4)
Reza M.

It is an odd mix of Italian and French, a mix that would never be possible in the old continent so at least we can give them a point for the originality of that aspect. The food was good but not extraordinary: I had the burger (rare) with a side of fries. The dish came with pickled vegetables that I simply could not eat and had to put aside. But the fries were great, by far the best part of the meal. The wine list was rather poor and - for once - I just had tap water!
(3)
J G M.

Classic spot. Elegant Brasserie with an exceptional bar and service. Perfect spot for Sunday night dinner. Great range of menu selections, light, full on, or even Le' Burger... Excellent fare, prepared and served properly!
(5)
Sindy T.

I came here on a Sat night for dinner. i felt like i'm in europe the moment i stepped in! The lighting is dark and romantic, tables are close to each other, and the place is packed with people and everyone looked classy. The location of the place is also perfect - being in Fillmore there's still a lot going on after dinner for a drink or just a walk down the street. Overall, this is a fantastic place for dates! Food: 4 - House-made Mozzarella: 5 - Prosciutto: 5 the burrata that came with it was gorgeously soft and creamy! -Steak frites: 3-4 the steak was a bit dry and salty for me though it's medium rare. the fries were perfectly seasoned and were absolutely delicious. -Dessert: Gianduja: 5 Chocolate hazelnut cake with frangelico icecream -- can't get enough of it!! Service: 3.5 The waiter didn't seem very knowledgeable. He also spilled water from the table next to us. luckily we didn't get wet.
(4)
Nina K.

Been there for diner. We had 2 mains dishes, 2 glasses of wine (Benvilio Pino Grigio: a way to cold, all the taste was killed; + a Nebbiolo 2012: correct), and a dessert. My friend ordered the Pesce spada alla Palermitina (sword fish with chick pea puree and some piece of caramelized veggie). With no side order it can be light but it was 100% delicious: the quality of the fish was perfect, the best we found in SF restaurants. I had a Cacciucco (seafood stew). It was ok, no surprise: a simple, basic seafood stew, really no more. I'll not order it next time. The wine was a bit too cold, especially the white one. The dessert we choose was the Gianduja (a slice of chocolate hazelnut cake with an ice scoop of frangelico on the side) with a glass of CÃ´teaux du Layon (excellent). Frankly, zero interest: look very basic, taste the same. Disappointing. We had a bite and then left it. The waitress that didn't really paid attention to us didn't even ask if we liked it or not. Well, I am sure it's a good restaurant but I haven't been impressed at all for my first time. The first room (where the bar is) was a bit cold: cold outside + the AC on! and the service was fine but nothing special.
(3)
Nobu K.

I like the dark interior. Pan roasted mary's chicken, crispy smashed fingerling potatoes, garlic & rosemary $26 Steak frites (bistro filet), sauce bearnaise, arugula, grana padano $32 Olive Oil Cake $10 Red Zin, Carafe $20 We enjoyed the convivial romantic atmosphere. My gf said feels a little bit like Paris. Service was pleasant, paced with a European sensibility as befits such a meal. Wonderful. Recommended. I just found my old yelper friend wendell a's review who does not writing any longer, but I must say, I had to use her lines because she was expressing this restaurant really nicely. I totally adore her style of writing. As she wrote: Wonderful. Recommended.
(5)
Chris G.

The Skinny: if you answer yes to: Do you like chi chi places with interesting dishes? Are you willing to pay 2xs tapas prices for 1/2-3/4 tapas sized plates? Are you ok with paying $9 for 3-4 leafs of lettuce? Do you Put atmosphere above all else? Then this place might be for you. Dishes sound nice, food was tasty but we dropped $110 for 3 people and if we didn't get the frites I would've still been hungry. However, some people enjoy the set up here and it is the Fillmore area so... we wanted to do a nice thank you dinner for someone, but next time I might insist on the Taiwanese place on Clement! Note: service is top notch - definitely a strong point
(3)
Wendy L.

I've been to Florio multiple times for drinks, but last Sunday night was the first time I ate there. We had a reservation at 8, arrived promptly and were seated quickly. The restaurant was still relatively full but most parties looked as though they were winding down. My friends and I had all planned to get the steak frites after my friend raved about the bernaise sauce, but when they said spaghetti and meatballs (a slightly different long noodle but pretty much spaghetti and meatballs), that's what I was getting. We were famished and were ready to order pretty quickly but it took a bit of time for the waitress to take our order. We ordered our starter salad and entrees but it took a long while for the food to come out. It took about 40 minutes for the salad to arrive, and it took until 9:15 (an hour after we ordered) for our entrees to arrive. The waitress kept telling us that the kitchen was backed up but there were only 6 or 8 tables of people at the restaurant. I understand that mistakes happen and service gets mixed up for lots of reasons but what I don't like is when there's limited acknowledgment of the mistakes. They could have comp'ed us a dessert, an additional appetizer or a round of drinks while we waited but nada. I was mixed between 2 and 3 stars because the food was good but the service was bad. I'm going with 2 stars because I wouldn't recommend it or choose to go back again.
(2)
Ava I.

Stopped in for a quick drink at the bar before heading to another place. Ordered the El Diablo! The drinks were made perfectly, the bar tender was very friendly and provided great recommendations. The decor was very intimate and great for a date or a small group of friends! If In the area again, I will definitely return.
(5)
Jay S.

Florio's pan roasted chicken is phenomenal. Get it now!
(5)
Debra R.

Had some drinks and light fare at the bar the other night. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Great atomism here too. I had the crostini with speck and the freshly made mozzarella and both were really quite delicious. I would definitely come again to try some of the rest of the menu.
(4)
Nish N.

Steak frites done just right. Tradition always trumps trends. Martini, olives.
(4)
Ellen M.

Lovely restaurant. Swordfish was yummy, arugula salad with strawberries and hazelnuts was great. Wine was okay and reasonably priced. Ambience is romantic and relaxing. This is a terrific neighborhood gem in Pacific Heights.
(4)
Susan S.

Great meal! We relied on Yelp reviews to find a restaurant near the Kabuki Theatre. I ordered the scallops, and my husband ordered the chicken. Both were delicious. The service was also wonderful. We were in a time constraint, so they kept things moving along.
(4)
Lewis F.

Was there with my girlfriend recently and they were having some major service problems, resulting in a 35 minute delay in getting our main course. We had tickets for the kabuki and were very pressed for time. We explained this to the waitress, but it seemed to be a kitchen issue. After a lot of frustration (and building hunger), we finally got served our main course. As much as I wanted to hate the food, and give myself another reason to hammer them on yelp . . . . . it was absolutely delicious. AND then we were told that the whole meal would be complimentary. We told them that we insisted on paying, but they refused. They told us that waiting for the check would make us even later. A very, very classy move. Good food and management that knows how to treat its customers. Very rare in this city. We will go back very soon.
(5)
L A.

Great restaurant, super hot host. Great consistent food. Great service. What else do you need?
(5)
Michael G.

VERY disappointing and overpriced for what we got. $32 for a delicious, well-cooked but mostly average and not humongous steak frites is ridiculous. Fries were good and crispy. "Side" of little gems salad with the entree was like three leaves, exactly the same salad I had to start but with no dressing (that's just lazy.......at least give me some sauteed chard, etc.). Florio used to be so much better, but this time (maybe my fifth or sixth there) even the specials were weak (what happened to the creativity, like that Kobe beef for two you used to have?)! Service was perfunctory, bored at best and we got the cold shoulder over and over once our waiter figured out my male cousin and I were not lovers. Not trying to be a homophobic dick here but he really changed his tune with us. Really a shame.......corkage $25, really? I even offered the snooty waiter a glass of my $50 Navarro but he just smirked "Oh, we serve that here already." (No, you don't, dumb ass --- I brought the Deep End Blend, if you had bothered to read the label when I showed it --- but you serve a much more pedestrian Navarro Pinot then mark it up 75-100%!). Oh well your loss roly-poly-waiter-guy-with-pretentious-stick-up-Âass. After very basic meal of two antipasti, two entrees, a beer + a Campari, and one simple dessert (that was not too sweet, pretty good, ricotta tart) I paid a bill of almost $180 including the average 15% tip (which I basically default to because SF servers gotta deal with so many lame 'foodies' and other generally idiotic fools). The next night I had a FAR SUPERIOR meal at Ristorante Ideale with MUCH better service, cuisine, and overall vibe for less than $120. Sorry Florio but my once-burning love for you has been extinguished. PS if you go to Rist Ideale get the pasta pescatora, it was plate-lickin damn good.
(2)
Lisa M.

This is a cute place to stop late-night if you are on Fillmore. it is a warm atmosphere, and low key.
(4)
B N.

Comfort food that delights in a warm atmosphere. Stunning staff. Don't think I've ever seen meatballs that big before - and they rock. My only critique: it could use an obscure ale (French Farmhouse or Belgian) on tap. Oh, and if you want some excitement ask the chef about the giant Hawaiian clam.
(5)
Bonnie B.

Popped in, on a whim, for dinner, with an hour to spare before a show at the Fillmore, mid-week. This cozy, unpretentious bistro was populated with neighborhood families, post-shoppers, and date-nighters. The ambiance feels authentically European, right down to the no-nonsense waiters adeptly zipping around. We were welcomed and immediately seated, with delicious warm bread, followed by a lovely gem salad. The wine suggested by our waiter was a perfect match. My meatballs with tagliolini (I ordered the small portion) was so outstanding, that I was reluctant to trade a few bites for my companion's steak-frites. Glad I did, as his was perfect also. We made it to the Fillmore in ample time, with happy bellies.
(4)
Christine E.

My friends and I found this place on yelp, and my friend was concerned about the less than 4 star yelp review. I told her, "come on it's San Francisco, people are entitled here". I was wrong. SFers know their shit. This place was SO unremarkable. Service was pretentious with a side of attitude. The food portions were so tiny. I ordered soup and salad, and immediately hit up Trader Joes after leaving as I was still hungry. One out of five of us enjoyed their food, while the others were not impressed. So many better places in the city, would avoid this place.
(2)
Jiann M.

Pros: - Lavazza coffee was good! - quick to be seated - classy interior design Cons: - slow to receive food (even when we were the only patrons) - French toast was burned (and flipped upside-down to hide char) Bottom line: come here if you're really hungry and every other restaurant on Fillmore has a long wait
(2)
Audrey L.

Actually wanted to go to SPQR, but since there were no tables available there, we hopped into Florio instead as a spur of the moment late night dinner. Contrary to some of the other reviews, we were not greeted or seated immediately. We waited a bit awkwardly at the entrance in front of someone else's table before we were led to a table about 5-10 minutes later. It was a busy late Saturday night though. The main entrees on the menu were not particularly eye catching. The more interesting dishes seemed to be the specials like the burger and the fish of the day. Unfortunately, the sea bass was all sold out by the time we got there. We ended up ordering: ~Batter Fried Asparagus: Almost anything fried tastes good to me, and this was no exception. Especially good with the garlic aioli. However, doesn't seem like something you couldn't get at a TGI Friday's for half the price. ~Moroccan spiced chicken and zucchini skewers: tasty and recommended! Didn't expect to see this one at an Italian restaurant. ~Ricotta Ravioli: Came with about five pieces of ravioli. Don't order this if you're trying to fill a hungry stomach! ~Polenta Gnocchi: I think this one had four silver dollar sized pieces of gnocchi, which was different than the usual ball-sized gnocchi I was expecting. This was definitely a quality over quantity dish. ~Lumachine: The only decent sized portion out of the three entrees we ordered. Quite tasty, but presentation was average. Reminded me of something you could get at a Pasta Pomodoro. A not good, not bad restaurant, but nothing to rave about. It's a safe bet though if you're craving Italian pastas or a burger.
(3)
Marie M.

My boyfriend and I had dinner there last year for Valentine's day. It was delicious and romantic. It's a fancy place with out being too expensive. The matredee (sp?) Was so polite too!
(5)
Kristina P.

This little place is a gem! Fabulous food, loved the authentic display of the bread served on the table. Dark and romantic, lively atmosphere. A new fav!
(5)
Allie S.

I am seriously confused about these mediocre reviews. I went to Florio last Thursday night and it was a wonderfully pleasant experience. Feeling like I was instantly swept away to an old bar in Europe upon arrival was the biggest treat. We sat outside and were greeted by a sweet waitress and some bread and butter (exceptional bread and butter to be specific). We ordered a lovely sauv blanc, the mussels and little gem salad to start. The wine was refreshing for a hot SF night (and a recommendation from the waitress) and the mussels were incredible- the celery-based broth was so flavorful we literally drank it with a spoon towards the end. The little gem salad was pretty standard but a great starter nonetheless. The real winner of this meal? The steak and frites. Holy crap. Dare I say it's the best I ever had? I'll say it- it was amazing. The steak cut like butter (and came with a side of butter sauce- bernaise as the French call it) and was cooked perfectly. The frites were amazingly salty and crispy but tender at the same time (and paired nicely with the aforementioned butter sauce). From the setting to the meal, it was really an ideal experience. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Dustin J.

One of the best Secrets in San Francisco. With a new chef in the kitchen (less than two months) they really know how to mix things up. We practically had an eight course meal because the food was so flavorful and delicious. Not to mention the service was amazing... These guys nailed it.
(5)
Jennifer O.

I hadn't been to Florio in 5 years since I had lunch with a friend and before that, a send-off dinner for my then-boyfriend before he moved to DC. It was one of our favorite restaurants among many; given that fact, it was time for a return visit. (And on my birthday no less- expectations were running high). I started with the Barbary Coast cocktail (spiced rum, angostura bitters & lime) and it was refreshing and delicious. But then came the potato leek soup. Topped with creme fraiche with a taste of lemon, the consistency of the soup was far too thick. I think it was a combination of sitting too long and having far too much starch in the soup. It was gluey; I was starting to worry. Luckily, the fresh corn and mascarpone ravioli were outstanding and restored my faith: Five or six little saucers of savory goodness with a dramatic plated presentation of two post-modern smears of fresh beet juice. The aftertaste of the pasta wrapper, though, was a bit chalky; it just missed pure perfection. I still would've licked my plate if it were socially acceptable. The service, though- the service was perfect. Every staff member worked with each other in perfect harmony. I never had to wait nor feel hovered over. They are true professionals. I wasn't charged for the disappointing soup and I appreciate not having to ask. My experience was good, especially the service. I'd want to return soon to see if I hit it on a slightly off night. Sweet spot in an outstanding dining corridor of the Fillmore Strip.
(4)
Sean W.

Delicious, a little expensive, but worth it.
(5)
Mila G.

We came in here for drinks while waiting for a table at a different restaurant. Wines are pretty expensive, and there's little bar space to hang out. We had our one drink and left.
(2)
Cheyenne G.

Good ambience, classy place with quality food. Had steak and chocolate cake as dessert.
(4)
Kyoko T.

Such a great place for dinner...date night! We started with the crispy anchovies and prosciutto and burratta, just delicious and wonderful. For dinner, the burger was amazing and the duck confit was superb. The mustard that the grass fed beef burger is served with makes it that much better. Love the pure and great ingredients they use for their dishes. Love the carafe of wine in addition to the glass and bottles. Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc went perfectly with our first course. The server made great recommendations for us to make our dining experience amazing!
(5)
L R.

UPDATE: Florio's menu and preparation changed this year. I still like the vibe, but I'm inclined to dine elsewhere. I had the burger and black cod. They were just okay.
(3)
Lily K.

Decent neighborhood joint! Good cocktails, full of classy old people who look like long time locals (=they keep coming back) and a really good seafood stew. Good service.
(4)
Rebecca D.

It's always a test of a restaurant's service and timing when you dine alone. Last night, after a great bike ride across the bridge and back I decided to treat myself to dinner at Florio. I had never been, despite being on Fillmore almost daily, so I thought I'd give it a try, especially because the combination of French and Italian is mainly my influence for cooking. I was sat across from the bar at pub height tables, which was perfect for one and would be nice for two people as well. Their wine list is very nice (any place with Navarro is good by me) and they serve many of their wines by the glass in half carafes as well, which is great for me because I usually have two glasses of wine. I started with the beet salad which was deliciously paired with soft goat cheese. I could have done without the grapefruit slices underneath it, but I can see where the chef was going with it. I went with the evening's special for my entree, braised lamb shoulder in farro with spring green onions and green olives. It was a perfect combination of tender lamb mixed with a delicious sauce and farro. Each bite held its own flavor but complemented each ingredient nicely. For dessert I ordered the "pain au chocoate" which was more of a bread pudding (hint quotation marks) instead of chocolate croissant. If you like a crispy outside with gooey chocolate goodness inside, then this is safe bet for you. Finishing with coffee, I was very satisfied with my meal. The service was great and I did not feel rushed from course to course, as can happen when you dine alone. My server was friendly and very helpful on dish descriptions. Overall, a very nice dinner.
(4)
Colman S.

Friendly, tasty. Unpretentious. Relaxed. Old-school Go for a warm friendly evening with your friends. Don't go for mind-bending dishes or fawning service.
(4)
Tim M.

Maybe I'm a snob for French food (I probably am), but this place is pretty lousy. It's too bad, because I was excited to try it. It looks great, but does not deliver. Service: The wait staff was adequate at best. Wine: The wine selection sucks, and is overpriced. Food (the worst part): It's just not good. I was surprised how lousy their chicken is - it's actually impressively mediocre. The vegetables were tepid, bland and unexciting. The steak was tough and tasteless. Such a disappointment for someone who loves French cuisine. Price: And it's overpriced. I hate being over charged for crummy meals.
(1)
David D.

Florio has pedigree being run by the same folks who gave us BIX. Just shows that genetics isn't everything. The venue is nice enough, a long thin front room widens in the back. The tables in the center of the room are well spaced, those on the wall less so. My waiter appears, tells me that the Florio Sunday special is veal meatballs. Later, listening in on an adjoining table I find that I was presented the truncated version of what was available. The soup of the evening was nowhere mentioned, to me at least. A large meatball in a puddle of tomato sauce appears. The sauce and meatball are well matched, each being somewhat bland. The meatball has more taste of grain than meat. Roasted halibut over fava beans and corn sounds good. The corn and beans have the near consistency and taste of canned succotash. The halibut however is properly cooked and flakes at the touch of my fork. It has a clean taste that makes me long for more. You see this somewhat pricey entree consists of a quite small piece of the sea. Rice pudding with cherry compote. The compote has little taste of cherry, the rice is creamy but clumped here and there. A miss for the BIX people.
(2)
Ted M.

First off: Go there on a Sunday or Monday night and get the meatballs. You will not be disappointed. Florio is not too crowded, is easy to get a seat, has a good bar, nice atmosphere and tasty, reliable food (did I mention the meatballs?). If you're feeling scene-y and want to deal with big crowds and lots of noise, try SPQR down the street. Don't get me wrong, SPQR has some great dishes (deep fried Brussels sprouts), but sometime I'm just in the mood for a cocktail and a good bite in a casual environment. Anyhow, back to the meatballs; they're better than Quince, they're better than Bar Bambino, and they may give Pizzaiolo a run for their money. Sit at the bar, have a drink and enjoy.
(4)
Tina M.

Went here a long time ago and got the burger, if I remember correctly. Nothing too special... I only remembered this place while looking at the Fillmore shop site lol.
(3)
Glenn S.

I have been here multiple times and think it is a great place. Good bar, good food, nice atmosphere. It is a well run shop! Have had the burger, the lumachine, cheese board, swordfish and halibut. They do a great job with the fish - appetizers were very good, good, good drinks as well. A couple times we have come with friends and they have given us the small, private room which is a kick. As others have noted dining at the bar is a good experience too.
(4)
James R.

note: review for drinks only, did not have dinner here. but it was a surprisingly great spot to get drinks! quiet, plenty of seats at the bar on a saturday night, good bartender, extensive bar selection - really, got everything right. martini + eau de vie + pineau brillet made for a really nice evening. definitely my new drink place when I find myself in that part of town
(4)
Jennifer K.

I have never been so angry about a dinner in my life, since it costs 140 dollars and the service/food preparation was poor! Ordered the Ribeye for 2, a 70 dollar piece of meat, and it came out very overdone, with no attention or empathy from the waiter. This is after a 5 minute discussion on steak temperature while we were ordering. I wanted to make sure it was going to be red in the center. He said "don't worry, I understand, that is how we do it". The lady who was bringing out the food was confused, and turned back, then came back with it. it probably was the wrong order. I understand mistakes happen, but the waiter didn't serve the meat, and he certainly did not come by to ask if everything was alright, we could not get his attention. By the time we got the meal, we were so hungry we ate half of it, then we got the rest to go. This was the first time I saw the waiter since we ordered. I showed him it was practically well done. Barely any pink anywhere. He shrugged it off, and we got the rest to go. The next day, not only did my husband see he was overcharged on the bill on his bank statement, but when we went to eat the leftovers, the little fries that come with the steak were not even in there! That was the best part of the meal, and we were saving them for later. Additionally, the guy who looked like the manager was just hanging out by the bar, looking aloof. He went to hang up a patron's jacket, but it was over another patron's shoulder while he was eating, and he kept asking "Does this bother you? Does this bother you?" Plus some guys standing by the bar were talking about getting hookers. The other customer looked really annoyed. We tried to get into SPQR and Fresca, both hour waits. We were not trying to spend so much money, but hoping it was exceptional at least. This place doesn't seem to care about people spending hard earned money! You don't buy a 70 dollar piece of meat every day. The last time we did that was in Florence in 2006. 5 years! They just don't care. We will never go back!
(1)
Matthew F.

Florio turned out to be a very pleasant surprise the first time we (my better half and I) went there. The decor is warm and inviting, and the staff is very friendly. The food is relatively simple and good (just the way I like it). The wine list has a couple good ones on there, which always helps a meal along. It's a great place to grab a steak with fries, a good fish dish, or some other bistro type grub. It has become a solid restaurant in our neighborhood rotation, and I would recommend anyone on Fillmore street looking for an unpretentious place to give this spot a go.
(4)
Bonnie L.

Florio is consistently wonderful on all levels--service, food, presentation, ambience.,, and amazingly, it is only getting better. It is literally our home away from home. The wait staff is among the best in the city. The restaurant is warm, lively and inviting. Very French bistro in feel on all levels. Tonight we had a wonderful succulant heirloom tomatoes salad with a lovely tomato tarragon vinaigrette dressing. The chicken is consistently delicious as is the hanger steak, salmon, braised pork, mussels, pate. Great strawberry rhubarb crisp tonight.
(5)
Heather L.

I liked this restaurant alot. It was a bit noisy for my taste but I still enjoyed having dinner there. Last minute dinner plans but we were able to get a table right away through opentable. We started off with the chicken pate over crostini with some pickled onions and pickles. Very tasty. Had a carafe of their house chardonnay and it wasn't bad. Our other appetizers were the pomme frites and butter lettuce salad. Salad was just like a regular salad with just a bed of lettuce. Pomme frites were super yummy with a aioli dipping sauce. They give you a pretty big portion of fries. On to our main courses: I had the asparagus and sausage pasta, my dinner mate had the open faced hamburger. I really liked my pasta and the fact that it came to the table piping hot made it even more delightful. I didn't try the open faced burger but my dinner mate seemed happy with it. We ended dinner with sharing a chocolate something cake and coffee. It was just too much food but everything was delcious and service was pretty good for a busy Friday night. Liked this place alot and will be back.
(4)
Heather W.

We've gone here a number of times with friends and family, and have always had a good experience. The food is not overly French or Italian, and admittedly is on the basic side, but I've always found it to be delicious and unpretentious. I like that they offer half carafes of good wine for a reasonable price (usually about 3 or 4 glasses for $15 - try the Malbec!). It can get loud and is typically frequented by a slightly older crowd, but that's kind of what you'd expect from a small restaurant in Pacific Heights, isn't it? Give it a shot. And if you have a group of 5 or 6 definitely ask to be seated in the room behind the curtain. :)
(4)
Drew W.

When I first saw Florio it had all the makings of being a great place to take friends for dinner in my neighborhood. It had a decent menu, full, bar, it was dimly lit and seemed to have nice ambiance. However, it turned out to be rather unremarkable. This is not to say the food is poor or the service leaves something to be desired, but it felt very average in every way (while charging Pac Heights prices). I had the mixed green salad and the hangar steak - both dishes were fair. On the night I went, the restaurant was pretty full so it felt a bit packed like sardines and the volume of the ambient noise made it difficult to maintain a conversation without significantly raising your voice. Where I was looking for a nice meal at a relaxed neighborhood restaurant to catch up with friends, I think I was disappointed at how off the mark Florio turned out to be.
(3)
G M.

We checked this place out tonight after SPQR had a 90 minute wait (they don't take reservations - bet Florio loves this). We started with some fine cocktails - that bartender knows her stuff. I had the beet salad and the sirloin (medium rare) and both were very good. Arugula came with both of them, and it was the best I've had in a long time. The steak was very thick and cooked just right, and came with pommes frites and a butter bernaise sauce. Memorable meal. Nice atmosphere and service - kind of reminiscent of the current day Manhattan vibe. I guess it was more expensive than we usually go with ($121 with the drinks and tips), but it was a fine night out.
(4)
Anh V.

I go to this place just for the chicken liver appetizer. Trust me it's tastier than it sounds. It's more of a pate on a toasted slice. The pickled vegetables are good as well as the carpaccio though make sure it's the smoked one that night. The mussels were a little soft each time I've ordered it so I don't care for that dish. I do like the steak but replace the fries with spinach - yum! For you non meat lovers, the rigatoni is pretty good. i couldn't hold off on eating the next day pasta leftovers till lunch and had it at 10am. I'd skip the profiteroles (too dry!) for the creme caramel. The host is friendly and always accomodating. This place is close to home so I usually walk but if you can't find street parking, they do have valet.
(3)
Kat P.

I wish I could bathe in their warm artichoke appetizer every night. Seriously, fill my tub with butter, egg, and artichoke and let me O.D. on the drippy, gooey goodness. Unfortunately, it's not always on the menu. I feel this proves the existence of Satan--I am writing to Dawkins about it. In the meanwhile, I will continue to hit up Florio's regularly. I've never had a negative experience there (unless you count the old cougars and sugar daddies that frequent the bartop). The food is always tasty and filling: I can recommend their marinara, tagliani, seafood stew, and scallops dishes (Florio's regularly breaks down my vegetarian guard). My dates usually go for the chicken or steak--both of which have been reported as "Awesome!" and "WuuuuuLaaarrrgghhh" followed by lots of drooling. As for dessert, just order chocolate. That's what I always do and it's always lovely at Florio's. P.S. Ask up front for LARGE water glasses with ICE--this whole I'm drinking warm water out of a Barbie cup is sooo eighties.
(4)
Danielle R.

Update: Had another great dining experience here recently. Daisy K and I split the steak frites and a pasta dish -- great choices, great flavors. Perfect frites! Made even better with a side of the bernaise sauce. Great service. Love that it is in my hood! **** Had my first true dining experience here! Have been here several times for drinks/snacks at the bar, which has always been fun, despite very lacking service. Most of the time the bartender seems more interested in conversing with fellow servers rather than checking on/tending to clientele. Completely different experience dining! Service was very attentive, though perhaps over caffeinated. Food was fantastic. The tuna crudo was very tasty and had a great kick, however the plate had a few very tiny little bites. I enjoyed a light pasta dish with bright, fresh flavors of tomato, garlic and basil. My friend had the special pork confit. I was not at all sure what this was going to be like, but it sounded great - the waiter even said he would pay for it if we did not like it. Safe bet on his part - that was an awesome dish! Despite being all too aware why it was so crispy delicious and the pork was so deliciously succulent, I would order that again! The one criticism is that until we were provided a little votive for our table, we could barely read the menu in the very dimly light ambiance. Comfortable, but dimly light.
(4)
Jeanne C.

Portions: Tiny Service: Server was nice, host was rude Price: expensive I was happy we were seated in the cute little window nook, but the restaurant was too loud. I couldn't hear anything the waiter said and could tell I was annoying him. We ordered a cheese plate. It was a disappointing platter with three slabs of cheese and four little pieces of bread. I was looking forward to some fig, jam, or something to go with the cheese. Even the bread quickly got gobbled up and I had to just eat the cheese with my fork. The pork and dark kale was delicious. The pork was very tender and I love kale. I tried some of my friend's scallops and thought it was OK. Someone else ordered the pasta with cabbage and only took one bite. I didn't bother to try it. I think I will go back and try some of the other items on the menu. It's a cute place to eat.
(3)
Rodel B.

I've never tried Sicilian food before, but I do like Florio's take on it. The setting was semi casual and the all wood interior did make it difficult to hear. The service was a little slow, it seemed they were short staffed that night. The meals were good. I enjoyed the large portion of saffron seafood stew. Their gnocchi dish had an interesting twist having more of a polenta consistency. I would try Florio again just to experience more Sicilian cuisine.
(3)
Keko K.

What a wonderful place - we were transported. The atmosphere is cozy and chic at the same time. The service was amazing - very friendly and professional. Cocktail menu was unique and the "Parisian" that I ordered was yummy. Best of all the food was fantastic. We had the fried asparagus to start and the roasted chicken for two for dinner. Everything was perfect - the veggies and fries that came with the chicken were wonderful. When the check came I felt it was all worth it and then some. Reasonable for sure.
(5)
Lisa A.

I went here on a Friday night, without a reservation and had no problem getting a table. Granted it was a small table, but I got one. The menu is kind of small and since we were not that hungry, we just got the olive oil dip ($3) and order two main courses. I had the roasted chicken and it was amazing! Very tender and it had great flavor. My date had a pasta ragu and it was good, but I thought it was a bit expensive for the portion size. The wine list was pretty good and the service was also good. The place seems to have a lot of regulars, as the staff hugged several guest as they arrived. If you go, you must have the chicken!!!
(4)
J G.

This must have been an off night but the worst service! Our server was barely civil and almost through us out so she could reseat the table. Food was excellent but I left with such a bad feeling I would not go back :(
(2)
Ambrose H.

Florio's got the right look. I remember when it opened, just slightly sad to see Oritalia leave, my first reaction was that it was a charming looking restaurant. At first I treated it as just a nice place to go for a drink, the bar is elegantly-cozy, if that makes sense, not too big to have to wait for service and not too small that you can't find a seat. Nicely stocked. The bartender is so very nice, too. I tested her with my barometer of mixology, the Negroni, usually I can tell how good a place is by how well they make a Negroni, otherwise I'll just stick to beer or wine. Florio's Negroni was great. I guess I had been there a total of three times, just for a drink after work, each time plotting to come for dinner. Eventually I took a friend of mine to Florio as a birthday present. They sat us in a high traffic zone right next to the swinging kitchen door, it was a drafty spot, so I had to wear my coat thru dinner, which I find mildly uncomfortable. Looking around at the other tables I felt our table probably shouldn't have even been there. Waiters and bussers were swishing by at great speed with arm loads of plates, I was certian one was going to slam into me and break my nose, fortunately that didn't happen, I'm sure it was just my imagination, other diners would probably have felt quite undisturbed there. Oh, and the table wobbled. We ordered modestly, just two appetizers, the radishes were good (NOTE: another reviewer didn't like them. Florio doesn't really do anything to them, they just wash and trim them then serve them nice and cold with some fancy dipping salt. If you like radishes (like I do), or crudite, this is a fun way to eat, but I don't know what anybody else would be expecting really) and some mixed olives, then straight to entrees, one order of Rib Eye and one Petrale Sole, the sole was for me and I'm sorry to report I was still noticeably hungry after finishing. We had a couple of drinks, two each and coffee to end, no dessert and the bill was over a hundred dollars, which surprised me because I was still hungry. I left strangely disappointed. If I go again it will be for one of their nicely done cocktails and little else.
(3)
Gerard S.

Nice cafe. Good food. Gave it a try while enjoying the Filmore Jazz Festival.
(4)
Berna T.

I have not had dinner here, but I have had drinks and dessert....and can I just say...MMMMMMMMmmm. My friend and I came here last night to grab a drink since we didn't want to battle the crowds at Harry's Bar down the street. We took a look at the dessert menu and had to order the Creme Caramel and the Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Gelato. OMFG. They were both so good (we shared, bien sur), but my fave was the Chocolate Cake - molten chocolate oozing out of the center, not too sweet, piping hot fresh out of the oven....wow...orgasm in your mouth, seriously. The drinks were well poured. Not a bad place for dessert and drinks, for sure. I have yet to try an entree, though.
(4)
Otto D.

The food was wonderful! I had the steak frites and they were to die for. My date had the chicken and it was wonderfully cooked. The service was a bit gruff, but I'm definitely going back. Nice room, too.
(4)
Elle L.

Food is always changing and it's a great neighborhood place. Hit or miss on the service.
(3)
Ken P.

Helloooooo!!! Mr. Waiter. We're at your restaurant, right in the middle of the main seating area, not too difficult to find. You might be curious to know that we might want a dessert, or another glass of wine or that we really enjoy the food, however you seem to like to ignore us. That's ok. We were in good company at the table and can manage without you. By the way the Veal Milanese is delicious and chocolate bread pudding is currently leaving my fiancee speechless. Luckily for you, the food will save your tip.
(3)
Susan A.

I so wanted to like this place! It is right down the street from my apartment and has a great look about it, but it just misses the mark. First we had dinner there and while my spaghetti and meatballs special was very good, my husbands pasta dish was only okay and was a served in a laughably small portion. We also shared two appetizers, the salmon crudo and the marrow bone, both which were really flavorless compared to every other place we have had those dishes. To top it all off our waiter was stiff, unfriendly and snotty. Because we really wanted to like Florio, we went back last week just for drinks. They had a very interesting drink menu so it seemed like a good idea. It wasn't. Unfortunately the bartender didn't seem to know how to make the drinks. My husband ordered the oldest of all cocktails, a sazerac, which they have on their menu. She made it completely including shaking it over ice and then straining it into a martini glass (it should be served up in a rocks glass) and then noticed it looked way too pink. So she poured it back into the shaker and then added bourbon. My husband gagged it down and didn't say anything about how it is supposed to be rye and not bourbon in a sazerac or that she had the proportions of all other ingredients wrong. But we did notice that several other drinks were sent back and the manager finally came over to tell her how to make one drink, which again is on the menu.
(2)
omar b.

i plan on writing another review once i actually TRY the food lol i use to deliver meat here almost every other day and this restaurant had the nicest chefs and one of the cleanest kitchens ive seen (and believe me, ive seen tons of kitchens in SF) 4 stars for being extra clean and having fresh product to serve... FLORIO...you can earn that last star when i go visit for dinner :]
(4)
Tara H.

really fun, authentic Paris bistro feel inside. the steak frites were in-cre-di-ble. excellent; some of the best i've had in the bay. my other friends' dishes, however, didn't look THAT spectacular, but i had a taste of the braised pork shoulder which was incredibly flavorful. the wine was great and the service was even greater. it's in a great part of town and has a really fun vibe - i highly recommend.
(4)
Jason P.

Its small, dimly lit, a tad bit crowded, not a library on the noise scale...but I loved it. The host was very friendly, the server was efficient and the food was really good. Will be back.
(4)
Sara W.

This cozy French restaurant in the Fillmore has a charming atmosphere and pretty good food but the prices are a bit steep for the quality of the food.
(3)
M S.

I dig this place. The crowd's more mature than your 20 something crowd, so that helps. The food is tasty and the ambiance of the place feels right. I'm not a regular, but on occasion, when meeting someone for some conversation and wine or a fine meal, this place offers a good choice. Price is upscale, but sometimes the evening is worth it. FYI, I've never been here other than on dates or hanging out with someone of interest. This place just feels like a nice cozy scene to me.
(4)
lulu p.

Cute decor, very bistro looking. Waitstaff were nice enough, had a few glasses of white wine which could have been better. The sweetbread salad and the petrale sole were decent but the roasted chicken is the dish that makes a visit to Florio worthwhile! oh yes, and don't get the panna cotta. it has the consistency of paste.
(3)
Mokirobinson M.

The best place to pick up someone much older than you. If you're into that sort of thing. What? Fucking ageist. Also, do not order the radish appetizer. Just trust.
(3)
Gary a.

My second visit after a long hiatus. The scene is interesting, and the food is above average. This visit was a date event, and the ambiance was romantic, service attentive. In short, it was fun. Waiting for my companion to arrive, I met some interesting, if I can use that word, characters around the bar. Forget that. Back to the food. Stick with the meat entrees. The lamb and beef are surprisingly excellent.
(3)
Steven G.

Florio is probably our favorite somewhat splurgy place on upper Fillmore. The service is great and more importantly the food is also excellent. We prefer eating at the bar, which is very convivial. Hint: the tables in the bar area in front are alot quieter than the ones in the back by the kitchen if you are on a date.
(4)
David R.

Ok boys and girls, don't waste your time, just head straight to the bar.... and order a beer and the Steak and Fries. Why??? Because the fries give McDonalds a run for their money and this is the first place that has realized you can't put raw rosemary on a steak.... Have you ever had raw rosemary? It's like eating pine needles. Give the it a little hot oil dip first brings out the flavor and make them much more palatable. And yes this place is generally an old folks home, so head there around 9:30 on the week days or 10 on the weekend (30 mins makes a hell of a difference) when they're all on their way to bed.
(4)
Em S.

I'm a sucker for dark bars reminiscent of 1920s Paris, and so I'm a sucker for Florio. Love sitting at the bar and ordering mussels and a cheese plate and some wine or a Martini. Great atmosphere, great service, and delicious wine and food.
(5)
Shannon M.

Nine of my friends and I arrived at 9:30 for a 40th birthday dinner on a Sat. night. The restaurant was still pretty full - which isn't surprising since it's not a very big place. Everything was perfect. The staff was looking out for us, constantly filling our water glasses as we ordered more cocktails from the bar. The menu is simple but has variety and the quality was excellent. The best part is the price. It is NOT over-priced and very reasonable especially because the quality is so high. Looking for a reason to go back.
(5)
Ron T.

I would do a 3 and 1/2 on this one. The staff were phoenomenal, efficient, welcoming and profressional. The food was good, not great. Had the hangar steak with frites and it was a pretty tough piece of meat in terms of the gristle content. Hangar Steak is not a prime cut, so I expect some, but I think this piece was a bit on the rough side. All in all an nice place to eat. I'd come back.
(4)
Hal B.

I have only been here for drinks, so i cannot comment on the food As a bar - they make their martinis with love.
(4)
kyle e.

Awesome local spot... I live only a few blocks away, but had never been before. They have a new executive chef, so I figured I would check it out and see if I could add it to my short list. YUM! We started with the tuna crudo (delicious, different and PERFECT) and then two of us shared the sea bass and the risotto. (oh - and they serve the BEST bread ever...). The risotto was amazing and the sea bass was jam packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The wine list is nice and has something for everyone at any price point. The service was awesome and I love the decor... very quaint and comfortable, dimly lit and intimate. I will definitely be back - again and again... My compliments to the chef- he has made a regular customer out of me!!!
(5)
R M.

Food was good, but service was not. Ambience was ok, not great. It was quite dim and it seemed like an older crowd. We had to flag down the waiter for our bread and it wasn't even busy there. Service was just ok.
(3)
robyn s.

I wish I could give Florio more than 2 stars, but the dinner my husband and I recently had there was terrible. The arugula salad that I ordered as a starter was decent, but it all went downhill from there. We ordered the steak frites for 2, and the steak was nearly inedible. For around $67 for an entree for 2, that was pretty disappointing -- we each had about 4 bites of steak that weren't just pieces of fat. To top it off, the fries were so obviously from Sysco that it made it hard to enjoy eating them. My husband pointed out how easy it is to make your own french fries, and how unacceptable it is for a French restaurant to serve frozen fries. It's too bad that the meal we had wasn't higher quality, because the place is so cute and very Parisian, but I don't think we'll be trying it again.
(2)
Diana L.

Walked in on a Saturday night. We had the chard ravioli, pork shoulder, mussels, and I had the sauteed spinach. I had been there once before over 5 years ago and I remember my dinner had been over salted, but this time everything was perfect. The mussles came with a side of creme-fraiche and chives on a toasted brioche and it was super rich and ridiculously divine. My sauteed spinach with whole garlic was also wonderful. It was a nice generous serving and delicious. The pork shoulder was very rich and amazingly tender and the chard ravioli was nice and light compared to the rest of the fare. The wine in the mussels was a bit strong, but my taste buds are super sensitive these days. All around a nice dinner. We waited a bit for the food and it tends to get cold near the door, but a nice local place to have dinner if the economy hasn't gotten to you.
(3)
Julia K.

this is a cozy little joint... i had the seared scallop and arugula salad and the hanger steak frites. my scallops were a little overdone, my hanger was perfectly cooked but a little underseasoned (but i douse everything i eat in s&p). the frites were insanely good... mine did NOT taste like they were from sysco. (i like them better than zuni's!). i also tasted the roasted chicken which was FABULOUS- tender, flavorful (though not better than zuni's). also had a really good chilean cab. the food is definitely satisfying if very far from revelatory. oddly, for a place on fillmore, all the patrons on a sat night were 40+. i'd come here occasionally if i lived here. very good service, not obsequious, but attentive and easy to get ahold of.
(4)
Ryan M.

I went to florio on a Sunday night, I was pleased that I was able to call about an hour ahead to reserve a table for two with such short notice. The restaurant was full, two small tables were available and we were seated prompty. All great things... It took a good 15 mins or more for the waiter's first visit, we ordered drinks and received a couple of fresh warm rolls. Then menu was very interesting, we ordered a butter lettuce salad, winter squash, I had the steamed mussels and she had the seafood stew. All great dishes. We spent a lot of time waiting, when we asked for more bread we were told they were out of the rolls and we were given stale sliced bread. They can't seem to handle when the restaurant is full, and the staff had to ignore tables to keep things moving. Most of the staffed appeared lost and unprepared, the host even had to take orders and serve dishes, causing a bottleneck at the host podium. Try this place for the food at an off time, otherwise skip it.
(2)
Melanie C.

I can't believe the low ratings. The atmosphere just oozes old school classy San Francisco. Dim, loungey-style lighting with beautiful wood and brass and golds. Crowd-pleaser brasserie-type menu. Lots of the ingredients are local and organic.. 9pm on a Weds, there were plenty of younger people. Either way, the older folks just give it character imo...
(4)
Scott F.

Older crowd. Solid menu.
(3)
Raul L.

Okay, all the food here is excellent and I'm a bit of a star whore so maybe a 4 or 4.5 is more accurate BUT the extra star is for their "for 2 bone in" ribeye. Some background: I spent a non-trivial amount of time and money trying to find the perfect ribeye (to see the non-bone in winner read my other review). Here's what I found - the swank places aka steak houses were just okay. They erred on the filet mignon (meaty with little marbling) side. If that's what I wanted I would order the filet mignon. I won't run anybody down but one place served the toughest medium rare steak that would've made a prison chef very proud (don't ask how I know)... And I thought good meat came from Argentina - wrong. So, Florio's really hit the ball out of the park (I'm also an analogy whore) and I really did go to EVERY place in town and ordered rib eye, medium rare. My arteries are probably no worse for the wear since I've bought all that media hype that red wine can cure, uh, anything. So Shiraz me baby... Okay, back to Florio's... They don't even make a big deal out of it (been to Florio's tons before and never thought to or was recommended to order the rib eye). Since it was there and I was on my Excessive Meat Death Wish Tour how could I resist... Note: it's for two folks so be sure to get some other debauched or soon to be debauched person to join you... The steak shows up on a large platter with the "bone in" not in (as opposed to Bobo's and other bone in places). This is a good thing. I loved the Flintstones as a kid but I already feel Philistine enough without gnawing on the bone as well... Extra bonus: it's a HUGE bone and if you have a dog, he will LOVE you... The portions are tremendous so be prepared to eat a very hearty meal... Okay, it actually gets better. Every dish I've ordered here is amazing. The place is very romantic without being the WE channel or Lifetimey on any level. Classy and intimate would best describe it... The staff are very very very nice and educated. Wine, food, your missing sock - they know it all.
(5)
Gourmet G.

Despite the Italian name, the cuisine here is closer to French bistro. You may be tempted by more ambitious dishes on the menu - which changes daily - but to avoid disappointment, order the roast chicken, which is a regular offering. Succulent and moist, it's served with a generous heap of fries, among the very best in town. If your entree selection doesn't include them, be sure to order a side - they're worth the a la carte charge. Everything is priced according to Pacific Heights sensibilities, which is to say higher than it should be, and the prix fixe dinner priced at $30 is really no bargain if you add up the a la carte cost of each of the three courses it includes. Service is always friendly and attentive.
(4)
k s.

Completely undercooked unsafe to eat raw pork, burnt potato gratin.... Stay away from this place.
(1)
Marc J.

Good Steak Frites and a pretty appealing wine list. Liked this place way better than its neighbor SPQR
(3)
Kea C.

All in all, I must say this place is very charming and decor is of old school, which I fully appreciate. Our reservations were for 7pm and we were seated immediately by John (a handsome gentleman at the front podium) . My friends and I were seated at a lovely table for four in the corner, quite content. We had martinis (perfectly prepared) a starter dish of crab cakes ( also perfect and presentation was excellent) and proceeded to order our entrees. So you can see we were settled in and as I mentioned before, quite content. We were then asked to move to a table in the center of the room as there was a party of six arriving and they wanted to pull up two tables together. . so we collected our belongings and moved. NOW . . . . you would think for the inconvenience that the establishment would have comp our drinks or offered us a dessert. . . . . Tis not the case. . .so even though our server was amazing and kept on top of everything (and the place was packed) - Our hanger steaks: perfect- fries: crispy . . . service:
(4)
Mark N.

While waiting for table up-the-road that never seemed to free up ('15 more minutes', later: ' well can you wait ANOTHER 15 minutes?') we walked by Florio and had to check out the menu. The place looked so inviting, and the menu appealing, we walked in and happily found a table right away. The atmosphere is cozy and warm... lots of dark wood detailing and candle light. Feels like a true neighborhood bistro. To be honest, a little more expensive than we were looking for on a Wednesday night, but the setting was special so we treated ourselves, and the food was good. I had lovely pasta dish and salad, my partner's steak was also pleasingly juicy and perfectly cooked.
(4)
Jennifer F.

Florio has always been an easy "go-to" spot for a casual, good meal. Unfortunately our "go-to" place turned sour the minute we sat down with service that bordered on callous and ornery. Our waitress had very little interest in us, our food interests or our dining experience. I confess we expect good service and perhaps take it for a given; tonight we were appalled by the lack of service in spite of spending a lot of money on cocktails, appetizers, steak and wine. Not that the amount of your bill should ever dictate level of service! Now we will question coming here again despite living within 4 blocks for the last 10 years. And it was all due to poor service we experienced. I hope management takes a moment to read reviews and make changes. This is a great neighborhood restaurant that has slipped due to poor service and escalating menu prices.
(2)
Leon C.

A nice place with a lively atmosphere. It was packed and fortunately we had reseverations. I had the duck which was nicely prepared. Very tasty. I wish the portions was I little bit bigger, but very well prepared. My friend had the fish which was nicely done. My other friend had the steak, which was good, but a bit overcooked, I thought. The fries that came with the steak was really good! Overall, we had a great time here, nice place!
(4)
C R.

Our server Bradley rocks, the manager... not so much! My husband and I went for dinner last night celebrating our anniversary. We ordered drinks, pate and the skirt steak. The drinks and pate were good, but the 20-30 minute lull to get the steak was a bit disappointing especially since the back dining room was half empty. At that point we were in a hurry to meet friends and after asking the waiter how much longer, he could tell we were getting a little irritated. We explained that at this point we needed to get going. The steak came out soon after but we actually needed to take them to go. The waiter was very apologetic and felt bad and said he would see what he could do. The wait I could get over, paying 115 to eat my food out of a card board box the next day, I could get over, but the worst part is that the manager must not have agreed that the wait was long and that we were unhappy and he had the waiter present us with the full bill. He apologized profusely and said unfortunately there was nothing he could do. He was embarrassed at this point. The manager put this on him and never came to our table to even check in but made the waiter deal with it. I work in the restaurant business. I wasn't looking for a free meal and had no problem paying however the fact that the manager put this on the waiter really bothered me and showed that he missed the class on hospitality. He didn't care that we were dissatisfied. Because of the manager, we won't be coming back but wish Bradley all the best.
(1)
sandy s.

Florio is a great neighborhood place. The dishes are straight forward and always delicious. If you are not too hungry, the small version of the pastas or the mussels will hit the spot. The atmosphere is cozy with an old world charm.
(5)
Allison D.

Florio sent me a gift certificate after my reaction to the fiddleheads. Very sweet of them. We went back and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. (Steak. Pommes.) To follow up, I was the only guest at the table to react that way - which matches the research on incidents with this foraged green. I went on a hike in Marin recently and just looking at the fern sprouts gave me the heeby-geebies. We should all remember to be careful with exotic ingredients. There is no way of knowing how our bodies will respond to something new.
(3)
Linda Y.

My search for great neighborhood Italian on Fillmore goes on... To be fair, the service at Florio was excellent and the meal started out great. We were all pleased with the appetizers but really, how can you mess up french fries, fried green beans and heirloom salad-pretty basic SF fare. The entrees were a disappointment. The seafood stew was very bland and the 2 specialties (according to our server)-- pasta bolognese and ravioli was equally meh. What I liked: seated immediately on a busy Thursday night, warm service and nice ambiance.
(2)
a p.

At a time when you're counting your pennies, when you eat out, it's gotta be worth it. Which unfortunately leads me to say that this has to be the most disappointing meal I've had in the city in months, if not years. Both in terms of service and food. But I have to say it's the service that compels me to write a one star review! It took 10 minutes for someone to take our drink order, to start. Then later in the meal, it took 10 minutes for another round to come to the table, and by then we'd finished eating and were ready to get out of there. Add to that, we ordered a spinach side dish TWICE, and it never came out. Now, I consider myself a tolerant person when it comes to restaurant service, and usually over-tip. But this was ridiculous. As for the food, I think I got about six cheese/leek ravioli for $17. All of this is to say, I won't be back. There are too many good restaurants to drop my hard earned cash on in this city.
(1)
Alex G.

This place was alright, nothing special. For a Sunday night, I was expecting something low-key, but this just didn't do it for me. I thought the waitstaff and host were trying "too hard" if that makes sense. The wine list is just ok, though I did have a nice Pinot. The radish appetizer we tried was average at best. The vinagarette sauce wasn't very flavorful and the radishes themselves were a bit undercooked. It just wasn't a fresh, succulent bonanza of flavor that I was hoping it would be. For the main dish, I ordered the hangar steak and fries. I asked for it to be prepared medium rare, and it came back to me done medium well, which was disappointing. The steak itself was also just average, and a bit on the bland side. The fries were too salty, as well. The atmosphere was ok, lots of soft lighthing and music just loud enough to remain in the background. A big negative though (cost 'em a star on the scale) was the 2 or 3 fruit flies that kept buzzing around periodically over the table during the meal. I find that to be absolutely disgusting. Overall, the meal was adequate, but definately nothing special. I've had better steak at Outback Steakhouse. I probably won't go here again, but the location is central to Fillmore Street shopping and there's always Harry's down the block if you want to continue a mediocre date there.
(2)
Alison L.

Went for a glass of wine with a friend on a Friday night, the woman at the bar was happy to let us taste a few wines, and the Bourgogne Rose de Pinot Noir was incredible. The space is small and intimate, and though we didn't eat, the food looked incredible. We'll be going back for dinner soon.
(4)
Gordon J.

I like to drop by this local site. The bar is decent and the Caesar salad is decent. On a recent visit, my friend and I managed to get seated at the bar on a busy Friday night (without reservations). We shared a sparkling fresh salad, a savory pawn dish, and carafe of red wine recommended by the bartender. I would return again, but next time with a reservation - I'm just not going to be that lucky again.
(4)
Mary S.

The atmosphere is very cute...typical french bistro. If there is steak frites on the menu, I am getting it... and its good here. There is a cute round table behind a little curtained off area that is great for an intimate dinner party of 6 or so.
(3)
john o.

10 of us went for my brother's birthday. can't say i was expecting a lot from the yelp reviews, but i'm always game for something new. we're all family so we're not afraid to dig into each others plates and eat quasi-family style. makes it easy for me to comment on so many dishes. there's a flavor paradigm here: this brasserie is like a lot of (the better) French wine-- interesting/good flavors but restrained. speaking of wine, one clear plus for this place was the corkage--$10. (don't get me wrong, their brief wine list was more than adequate to cover most people's needs. i prefer to bring my own because i get more bang for the buck.) for those of you who find wine important with the meal, we opened our bottles in the following order and found that they paired well w/ the food: a 2006 Santa Barbara pinot noir /2005 E. Guigal Gigondas/2007 Sonoma zinfandel. we started w/ the Sicilian green olives (firm, meaty and nutty--great start!), prosciutto/fig preserve bruschetta (nice contrast salt/sweet), and the sardines (not too fishy/fresh bed of onions/herbs). so far so good. everything went well w/ the pinot/Gigondas we brought. my wife had the soup du jour-- potato/leek. not too salty and just creamy enough. for entrees, we had the hanger steak/pork chops/seafood stew/roast chicken. all came w/ good portions. between my brother/nephew/me, we never leave food on the plate. we ended up taking some doggy bags home. the chicken is their "signature" dish of sorts. quite moist and well seasoned. comes in a bed of sauteed squash/brussel sprouts/shiitake. this was an easy-to-eat dish--doesn't slap you in the face w/ overwhelming flavor. subdued. you don't have to sip your beverage periodically to cleanse your palate (but did anyways w/ the pinot!). you can just jump eagerly to your next bite. i can see why regulars keep coming back to this dish on a weekly basis. The seafood stew was okay. I like my stews robust and hearty. This was hearty but flavors were not flavorful enough. The fish/shellfish were moist, so that's a plus. my brother finished it w/ relish. the hanger steak and frites were as good as I've had from a brasserie on the west coast. the frites were crispy on the outside but moist enough on the inside. the steak was tender and perfect medium rare for me (more rare than medium, if you know what i mean). seasoned well but not overwhelming. i'm the kinda guy who puts a steak sauce on EVERY steak. i didn't need sauce. the pork was tender. a little salty for some of us. i thought it was fine but not a noteworthy dish. not something I would order again, but can't say it was bad. service was attentive. the owner (?) made sure we were cared for. i find it necessary that dishes are promptly cleared and water is constantly filled. they did that. our waiter was enthusiastic and friendly. we gave him a litter more than the standard 18%. all in all, this place is solid. (we didn't have their desserts so can't comment on that.) i can see why it has a loyal following of regulars. price is easy enough on the pocket so coming weekly won't crush your budget. the menus strengths (esp. chicken/steak) are definitely worth coming back for. the service was attentive enough and friendly. portions were large so you don't leave hungry. i give this place a 4.5 stars when all of the above is considered. my two cents.
(4)
Clayton C.

It's the closest your going to get to being in a european bistro without going to Europe. Great food, great service, great decor, great drinks, great host, great fries, great chicken.
(5)
t l.

The few times I have eaten at Florio, I have had an exceptional meal. The atmosphere is relaxed French bistro. The crowd is neighborhood locals. The food is French country rustic with several bistro favorites like steak frites. On my last visit, I was dining with mother and sister. I think this place is perfect to take family or good friends. For a first date, I would probably go somewhere a little more edgy. But that's why I really like Florio; it's comfortable and familiar with some pleasant surprises on the menu. On this occasion, we started our meal with chicken liver crostini. I've had it the last couple of times, and the earthy chicken liver mousse is balanced perfectly with a drizzle of sweet balsamic reduction on a crisp crostini. My entree was superb. I ordered a house made pasta with clams, house-smoked bacon, with garlic, spinach, tomato, pecorino, and a touch of cream. It was so good. I was really shocked how good it was, and it wasn't too rich either. We skipped desert because we already had plans to get it elsewhere in the mission, but I'm sure it would have been lovely. I will continue to come here, especially when I feel like dining on some very good food while relaxing with friends and wine.
(4)
Janet L.

Been here a couple times. Both times got the steak frites. Quite possibly the best frites I've ever had. Service is good. Good fall back place but not one I would seek out for a special night. If you're on Fillmore shopping around or out there for the night, it's worth it to pop in but I wouldn't go out of your way to go here. The mussels were not good.
(3)
Agent F.

Go for the Rigatoni and you wont be disappointed!
(4)
Lisa S.

I don't care too much about the restaurants in this area of Fillmore street, but I do find myself returning over and over again to Florio for the steak frites. (This place is usually an afterthought when I'm wandering up Fillmore after seeing a movie at the Kabuki.) The staff is attentive and friendly, and you can easily get a seat for two without a reservation. The atmosphere is exactly what you expect a french bistro to be -- dark wood, small tables. My steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and the frites were just a tad too salty for my taste (my bf thought it was fine). I'd still go back.
(4)
Pete L.

This is the place for PASTA AND MEATBALLS. Thats it. Everything else I've had has been ok but probably not worth the price. I dream about those meatballs though. Best I've had in the city so far. They come in portions of either 2 or 1 ...with or without pasta. If you get 1 meatball you also get less pasta FYI. The meatballs are huge. Probably half pounders. The catch is that they only offer them on Sundays, and it's not even always mentioned by the waiter(although they'll make them for you if you ask nicely). When are they going to learn that they need to add this to the everyday menu and promote the hell out of it? Nothing else is really worth the time but the meatballs still keep me going back at least one Sunday a month.
(3)
M'ia K.

We've been there a number of times when we are in a time crunch but we have left disappointed and still hungry. They have tiny pasta portions and they find it acceptable to place rolls of bread on the table to be eaten with their cheap-smelling olive oil. I ordered a soup that was none too memorable (too salty, actually) and we ended up going across the street for a milkshake afterwards, since we were still hungry after our $$$$ meal! The waiter we had was unkempt and kept bringing me a glass of water (with no ice) the size of a dixie cup, and when i noticed other tables were getting larger glasses of water with ice, i asked for that, and he begrudgingly brought it to me. odd, since we were ordering wine. Save your money unless you don't mind parting with your hard earned $$.
(1)
Christin A.

Was once great but no longer. Service slipped and quality of food slipped. I've been disapointed here for the last couple years. I remember loving it every time in the 2004 timeframe
(2)
Edward M.

It was my first time visiting and I really enjoyed the experience. I thought that the food was great and the atmosphere was unique. Don't think that they nailed the Italian food however the French entrees were quiet delicious! Can't wait to return.
(4)
Sharon W.

This is a great neighborhood spot but the food has been slipping for years. I've ordered steak there at least 5 times and each time I have to send it back because it is too rare. When the steak returns, it is cooked beyond recognition. So, I started to order fish. The fish is so bland that no amount of salt helps -- and it tastes 'fresh frozen.' The fries are delicious. Stick with the fries and a nice cocktail. The service is welcoming and professional, but I wish they would work on the kitchen.
(2)
Adam B.

We picked this off OpenTable for a bite before the Fillmore and were utterly satisfied. We had a reservation for the dining area in the back half but chose to sit at the bar (lit in a perfect Donald-Judd-meets-Bourbon-Manhattan glow) to have a street view. My boyfriend had a frisee salad with slow-cooked egg, which was delicious (although slightly more cooked than he expected) and the roast chicken with caramelized squash, which was deliciously seasonal and perfectly cooked. I took advantage of the Sunday night special - spaghetti and meatball(s). The meatball is huge but not overwhelming, veal and ricotta in a bolognese-style sauce (more cream than tomato)...so, so good. Finished it off with perfect cappuccinos. Great bartender!
(5)
chris m.

Love this place. Easy to get in, not stuffy, great steaks and friendly, euro-style service. No rush unless you're in one and if you're in one...MOVE BACK TO ORANGE COUNTY! Also, it's not damn loud like practically every other rest in the city.
(4)
Melissa B.

I ate here last night with a friend who had given it medium praise, and I really liked it. The service was nice, the atmosphere was pleasantly lit and comfortable for a dinner on the late side. I was tempted by several things on the menu but ended up eating a really impressive branzino (impressive because I had never heard of it AND it tasted so good) with roasted fennel and an accent of a chimichurri-like pesto... In general, good bistro food yet somehow Italian, AND they had a warm chocolate cake with cinnamon gelato on the dessert menu... I suppose the prices were a bit high, but then I am used to going to taqueria cancun for my dinner.
(4)
Josh M.

Atmosphere galore in this classic nieghborhood French bistro up in Pac Heights. They've got the details right in the decor and it just feels like France when you walk into Florio off Fillmore Street. Locals dot the bar and the place fills up early, so you might want to get on Opentable and book a table if you know when you're likely to go. The food ranges from just OK to excellent, so this isn't the place for epicurian transcendence, but the great atmosphere, decent prices, and range of options make it worth a stop.
(3)
Angela N.

i want to like this place. i really really do. it seems to have all the things that i like but each time i go there it just never clicks. the food is so-so. and, the service is blah. the last time, i walked in with a very large group of very hungry, very thirsty friends and the staff looked like they really couldn't care less. the low stars are for vibe and blase service and food. in this town, you gotta be on your game.
(2)
Natalie K.

My dining companion and I came into Florios just before their closing time and were still seated and waited on with a smile, we never felt rushed and were encouraged to have multiple courses. I started with the soupe de jour which was corn chowder with pancetta as well as the Bourgogne Rose de Pinot Noir. We also had the cheese plate (with fig preserve) and the terrine which was really good- good consistency and flavor, served with a tampanade of figs and currents- and is made in house. Even the table bread is homemade and very good. With the cheese we had the Muscat which was really excellent. I ordered the chicken for one as my main dish which was really good, but I had to take a lot of it to go because the portions were so big. My date ordered the hanger steak frites with the Matre d'beurre (lemon, parsley, salt and a whole lotta butter) which was very well cooked and also a huge portion. Neither of us could stomach dessert. I have to say the smiling waiter really made all the difference- It's rare that you get a server who is memorable and friendly without being overbearing.
(4)
Mara H.

Is there a Fillmore Street revival going on or what? Regardless, attitude left when the dot com bubble burst. Apparently not at Florio. We waited over an hour for our 7:30 reservation and then my food was bad. That's what I get for straying from the Yelp reviews, but fish sounded good, as did the sides it supposedly came with. What showed up was a large, empty plate with a lonely fish lost somewhere in the middle. The rest of my crew had good food and we definitely enjoyed the free bottle of wine to compensate for our wait, but it wasn't enough to give it another try .
(1)
Andy F.

With so many decent restaurants on Fillmore we found ourselves a real dud here. I've walked by this place several times and it always seems fairly busy so I figured it must be OK. Not so much - the service was typically French and worse still - the waiter didn't seem the least bit interested in telling us anything about the food and it took us a good 20 minutes to order a drink from him. By the time the food came, I was hoping it would be worth the wait but I was clearly mistaken. The food tasted like I had a cold in that it didn't really taste of anything - the mussels were bland, chewy and generally devoid of much flavor. My wife's tuna dish looked like they had dumped a can of tuna out and mixed it with some oil and a bit of salad. The waiter didn't check back to see if we enjoying our food and I was happy to get the check and get out of there. You couldn't drag me back to this place.
(1)
Carol S.

Florio is one of my favorite restaurants in SF. The chef, Ed, is very talented and I love when the menu changes and reflects the freshest and best of the season. He has great contacts with the local farmers, one night he did Porcini mushrooms baked in parchment and there was such a fabulous smell when the waiter opened the package at our table - only to be followed by great tasting mushrooms. Don't know what everyone is getting so nuts about the radish app, ask the server what the preparation is and if you don't want raw radishes, order something else. Be sure to order the rib steak for two when it is on the menu, with the fries and bernaise sauce - you won't be sorry. Also, the slow cooked pork is great. Service is good, place is noisy but with a good vibe, and the bar is busy.
(4)
Kevin S.

I've had two very nice meals here, including one that was an anniversary dinner. Cramped seating but nice interior. Slightly overpriced.
(4)
Jennifer B.

The sweetbreads aren't nearly as good as Chez Spencer's but everything else was just lovely. Especially the waiter...
(4)
Porfirio R.

I stumbled across a restaurant called Florio at 1915 Fillmore Street last night near California Street the meal was nothing less then superb. Prosciutto, melon, spinach and oregano for starts, a shared dish of cioppino with a delicious preparation of shell fish, crustation and chorizo. The shrimp literally dissolved in the mouth, cooked to perfect point where taste and structural integrity near exploded, the shellfish sat popped open while resting in a spicy canjun broth and topped with toasted garlic bread loaded and waiting to sop up all left over broth. Cream corn brought it all home as a side dish and we walked out at $60 after drinks. I just saw Ratatoullie this week and was dying for a good meal so this place hit the spot. Decour is awesome, we ate at the bar and greatly enjoyed conversation with the barkeep and the head chef. Ask for recommendations as the menu changes with the seasons, as it should.
(4)
Swarup B.

not a bad lil joint. we wanted to go to SPQR but there was an hour wait and we were catching slumdog millionaire in a lil bit so that was out of the question. florio is right next door and it's not too bad. what it does it does nicely and simply. we met 2 other friends and we started w/ a variety of different things. i had the winter squash soup as a starter and other than a lack of salt, it was OK. another friend of mine had the same and if memory serves, he liked it. my wife had gotten the salad and she liked thought the vinaigrette was a bit much. for mains, i had gotten the duck and thought it was OK and lacked that oomph that duck dishes have. my wife and one of our friends got the ravioli dish and they bought liked it as it was nice, light and perfectly sized. our other friend had gotten the pork shoulder and from the piece i had i would say that it was the best dish at the table. overall, we had a pleasant experience and i thought it was a good place to walk in to on a whim.
(3)
emily g.

Atmosphere is nice, but since when are a few radishes with butter and salt an appetizer worh 8 dollars...I would hope the gourmets would take issue. Could one not prepare that at home for less than a few dollars at Safeway? And furthermore, what would drive one to make this inane "dish"? This place is only worth going for the steak frites, which breaks the bank but leaves one, hopefully, forgetting all the complaints they had with the bad service.
(2)
Erin S.

This is my favorite neighborhood spot. I feel that most of us don't critique our favorite small places because we don't want people to find out about our little secrets. However, when our favorite places aren't getting the recognition they deserve, I get worried. So, here you are. Contrary to the last reviewer who indicated that yelpers have bad taste, I and my fellow yelpers have a qualified and informed palate and high expectation in service. I found the service to be superb at Florio, every time I've been lucky enough to dine there. Whether I was sitting at the bar for appetizers and drinks or enjoyed a romantic dinner in the dining room, I found the service to be prompt, polite and classy. I was never rushed nor was I waiting too long for my beverage or the next course. The sardines with fennel are out of this world and an excellent way to start the evening. The Veal Meatballs served on Mondays are incredibly large but nonetheless we've never had a problem finishing our plate. You know how sometimes the best burgers are in french bistros, well that's the case here as well. And the mussels with pom frits are delectable (and that's coming from a girl who grew up on the beach in the northwest where we literally picked our own mussels from the pilens infront of our home).
(5)
Russell H.

Great food. Great bar. This neighborhood bistro is one of my top picks!
(5)
Rachel R.

I'm teetering at a 3.5 but will give this place a 4 because I enjoyed the bartender who acted as our server tonight. Food on the whole was tasty, especially liked the scrambled eggs with the prosciutto. Menu was a little on the pricey side but decent for a nice evening out. Didn't get a chance to try it but the fries also looked very yummy. Reco from the employee - try the steak frites, it's what they are known for.
(4)
mel m.

WOW, my new favorite restaurant. Service was superior, food was innovative and bursting with flavor. I had white corn and mascarpone ravioli with blackberry coulis creme fraiche and fresh sage. So great. Then the desserts were out of this world. Butterscotch pot de creme and blackberry cheesecake. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Nick H.

I came to Florio with a small group of colleagues and friends for dinner. The food and drinks were delicious, the atmosphere a sexy French/Italian mix, but what really impressed me was the service. The MaÃ®tre d' greeted us immediately and I didn't even have to tell him the name of our party--he guessed it! We were invited to wait at the bar for the rest of our group (we were pretty early). I chose this opportunity to sample one of their house cocktails, the "Italian" 75. It's made with Bombay Sapphire, Prosecco (il mio buon amico), fresh lemon juice and an orange garnish, served up. It was delicious and refreshing--and no, it didn't really taste any different from a French 75. For my first course I had a fantastic roasted beet salad--with big chunks of fresh beet, creamy goat cheese, almonds and watercress. It was very popular at our table and is a must-order. (Tip: don't be alarmed if you see anything pink come out later. In the bathroom. TMI, I know. Sorry.) For my second course I was in the mood for something light and chose the lumachine, which is a shell-shaped pasta. It was mixed with fresh asparagus, a spicy house-made sausage, garlic and pecorino cheese--and I couldn't help but hoover it, it was so good. Alas, I was too stuffed for dessert, but they had a number of tasty options. This is a great spot for a date or a small group--and they have a private seating area that you might want to inquire about. It's sure to impress (and hey: they even have a fancy lookin' burger if you have picky eaters with you).
(5)
Rita G.

Flawless....Intimate yet lively. Great service. Wonderful bread and butter to start. Fresh French seafood and meat dishes all around. The pate is my favorite citywide. Amazing!
(5)
Jenny T.

I'm conflicted about Florio. I went here thinking it was an Italian restaurant, but was delightfully surprised to find it's both French and Italian. After perusing the menu, we decided on the bruschetta (pretty good) and grilled shrimp (so-so) for appetizers. The bruschetta came with fresh tomato slices, yummy pesto sauce and some thinly sliced prosciutto. The shrimp was grilled and topped with basil leaves and served on skewers. While both dishes were good, I could make each one in my own kitchen and save about $15. As for the main courses, we ordered the roasted chicken and bolognese. The chicken was the best dish. It was a big portion, cooked right and very flavorful. The bolognese, however... was basically macaroni with old pieces of meat in some tomato-based sauce. The minute our waiter served it, I looked at it and knew I would feel like throwing up. After one bite, I grabbed my napkin and spit the food out. The meat really was old.. or tasted old. It was one of the worst past dishes I have ever been served at a restaurant. I'm even more disappointed because I was initially excited about this place and couldn't wait to add it to my list of favorites. Sadly, that won't be happening.. Florio has potential, but I don't see myself coming back. The restaurant is pretentious, and the food and prices do not do it justice.
(2)
Rene C.

There is no meal that tastes better than a free meal. My wife decided to treat me to dinner so after a visit to the De Young and the King Tut exhibit (which by the way if you have not viewed it yet, get your ass over there as this is the final month in SF!) we made a reservation on opentable and headed to Florio. When we arrived in the neighborhood there was a very short supply of street parking so we took advantage of the valet service ($9.00). Our table was ready so we were seated right away in the back of the dining room. The seating is tight and the floor is very busy which means any trips to the restroom can be a challenge as it is a maze getting to the back of the restaurant. But if you really need to go, just feel free to climb over the tables and snatch a taste of everyones appetizers. Our server was prompt and super nice. She explained in detail the offerings and the specials. She took our drink orders and had them in front of us within just a few short minutes. My wife started off with a Junipero martini. The gin is made by Anchor Steam and she is a huge fan of it. I was curious about the Chimay Belgian ale ($8.50) and loved it. Big hearty and dark, but not syrupy dark like a Guinness. For our starter we shared an order of a lightly breaded bean dish called the "Pole Bean Fritti". It is served alongside with a green garlic aioli sauce that had a slight spiced flavor. It went great with my beer. Our main dishes were simple as I went with the hamburger served open faced and topped with fontina cheese and caramelized onion. I substituted the greens for a side of fries. My wife went with the steak frites which was served with a high quality bernaise sauce. Word of warning, I could have passed on ordering fries with my dish as the portion sizes are huge and we could have easily just shared hers. I nor my wife even made a dent in our fries. But this is no reflection on the quality as they were delicious. Both dishes were very good and perfectly cooked to order. Our wine for the night was a French Gigondas which was priced right around $60. We always have good luck with Gigondas and this one again was right on track. The service was excellent and I love the busy hustle and bustle which makes you feel like you dining in an actual French Bistro in Paris. Careful with the bread as it is terrific but you can easily get filled up on as they keep it coming to your dinner. Sorry Jennifer L, but we did skip on dessert, but we did share an ice cream sandwich when we got home later that night. 3 1/2 Stars
(4)
Rachel A.

Quaint and accommodating is what Florio is. We strolled in looking for drinks, light fare, and dinner. We got a warm hostess, privacy, and more than our stomachs could handle. They serve plenty of food here. Lorraine D ordered a lovely carafe of red wine for the table. Jess M had a craving for brussel sprouts which were not on the menu as a side dish. They were in a salad. Our waitress went to the kitchen to see if they could make her a platter of brussel sprouts and they did. She also ordered a three cheese platter for her and Lorraine D to share. I ordered the roast chicken with sumer squash. The roast chicken was tasty and drenched in butter. My only complaint is that instead of a mixture of summer squashes, it was all zucchini. I felt a little misled. We skipped dessert and went straight for the bill. We were plenty full from what we had. The wine was great as well as the ambience. This is a restaurant for older folk but it was also a nice place to gather and catch up with friends. It's not as loud as the other "hot spots" on Fillmore.
(3)
Thomas M.

Unlike the service at this restaurant I'll make this quick. The food was average, the service was slow, and we had to find the host so he could seat us. Won't be eating eat here again.
(2)
Becky K.

3.5 of 5 star. Overall my experience there is not bad although they don't serve Ice tea. The compliment bread with butter is very good. Perfect to eat with butter or dip it in sauce. We ordered the prawn as appetizer and it was amazing. I love the spice they put in the dish and great to deep the bread in it. The bolognese sauce with bacon was delicious. Very tasty even though the pastas were little soft past al dente and little salty. We were too full to get to the dessert round so save that for next time.
(4)
Marin G.

Try the burger, it is delicious! Great for a small group dinner.
(5)
James P.

Food was great! Tuna confit and seafood stew. Delicious! Service is bad. Well...the table of the owners friends behind us are getting good service. Us, not so much. Would have been 4 stars with better service. Guess it's all about who you know
(3)
Christine S.

This review has been due for a LONG LONG time. This is one of the best restaurants in the city, great food and wine etc. I am always looking forward to an excellent dining experience at FLORIO.
(5)
Jen C.

Wow. Where to begin... The one star is for the food. It was actually good but served VERY cold even after a "reheat". On the suggestion of a friend, we ate dinner at Florio. The vibe is way cool. It felt like a small restaurant in Paris (not that I've been there - yet!). I loved the decor and the bar. I was excited to try this place out... Our waitress did not match the vibe. She was curt and had a strange attitude... I had a hard time decideing what to order. EVERYTHING sounded amazing!! After ordering drinks we waited and waited and waited and waited to order dinner. Minutes - MANY of them passed and at this point we were at 50. No waitress. The owner was near by but he was busy chatting with the regulars... We were unable to get his attention. I was about to get up and walk to the kitchen and place the orders myself when a busboy wandered by. We asked him if he could possibly find our waitress. He did. She arrived with an excuse that we told her we would be here all night so she figured she would let us take our time. Huh? We never said that. I'm pretty sure what we said was, "We are so hungry and everything looks amazing"... How that translate into don't worry about us, take your time wherever you are... check in in an hour or two... I will never know. SO! Food ordered and at this point we went from hungry to starving. It took FOREVER for our food to arrive (this is a small joint) and when it did - it was COLD. The frites were soggy and cold and the steak was cold to the touch. Our plates obviously sat for 15 minutes before our stellar waitress decided she would allow us to eat. My friend and I were not pleased. A $31 steak should at least have some warmth. This time we flagged down the owner and the waitress put the food down and fled. I told him our food was ice cold. He took it all away apologizing profusely. He offered cocktails on the house which was nice but truthfully we just wanted a warm dinner with an equally warm waitress. About 5 minutes later our food reappears just a tad bit warmer. I'm not sure what they did (microwave) but at this point we just shrugged and said, "Oh well". Our waitress reappeared and never ONCE offered an apology nor a question about how the food was. She could not have been MORE disinterested. It was shocking. The owner did come by to ask how the food was and I told him it was "ok". I also told him we had been sitting there FOREVER and his waitress could not have been more inattentive and disinterested. All he could say was, "I know, I know"... I usually like to try a restaurant twice before writing a review or just personally deciding never to return. In this case I already made up my mind. With so many restaurants on Fillmore, skip this one and eat where your time, money and opinion is valued.
(1)
Elaine C.

Friend and I tried to get into SPQR for Saturday night dinner, but unsurprisingly, the wait was over an hour, so we strolled over to Florio and found a spot at the bar. I should have checked Yelp before ordering, but I was craving pasta, so I decided on the gnocchi. Sadly, when the dish came out, all I found were 7-8 tiny pieces of dough scattered on my plate with a bland white sauce poured over. This dish was definitely not filling and I felt like I was eating an appetizer. I asked for extra bread just to satiate my appetite. My friend ordered the burger which at least looked substantial in portion and came with side of fries. Service was attentive but not the warmest. I felt bad though-- we were sitting at the bar, so our server had to manage making drinks for everyone else at the restaurant. Will I be back? Potentially for drinks before having dinner somewhere else on Fillmore St.
(3)
Alan F.

Always good, but Friday they were incredibly good!! Dave had the salmon and a salad - I had a taste of his salmon and ordered the same salad - total perfection! Okay, I am a salad snob. That being said, I admit it is hard to please me when it comes to salad - Florio salad was perfection. Karen had the halibut and raved about it. I ordered the Provencal fish stew and was delighted to receive classically prepared bourride - oh so good!!! Noise level allowed for conversation and the atmosphere (and wait staff) made a comfortable evening.
(5)
amanda j.

We love this place.. .but think about the provenance... the owner is owner of a few other GREAT places in SF - Market Bar (Ferry Building-Farmers market) and Bix to name a few... this place is definitely a neighborhood place in the feeling but the service and food is worth the trip even in you don't live nearby. Essential to a place like this is a great bar, you can go in alone or with a friend and have a drink and get a great dinner. My favorite bar person is Tara. Just love her. She never steers us wrong on wine and food pairing and she is fun to talk to. I also really like the host, he is so stylish and used to work at Hermes. He is so fun to talk to. The wait staff is very professional and knows their stuff. We have dined here easily 30 times at a table and the service has always been great. The roasted chicken is a staple like Zuni cafÃ© and never disappoints. You can order it for one or two people and its a always tweaked in terms of sides with it for the season . The weekly fish and vegetable is also awesome. They tend to be seasonal and more farm to table which I love. They also have some great wine producers that can be had by the bottle or glass or even by the tap. They also have great rose wines from France is which can be spotty to find in SF. They have a full bar and do a some great weekly cocktails too. On a final note I am picky about a place being clean. No issues on the dining room and equally important, the bathroom is always clean and nice. If you don't know where to go for dinner tonight - a friend, a date or a business meeting, this place is just right and there are a ton of bars and other places to go after you have dinner. This is a place you can take you elderly aunt, your younger cousin or your fun friend from out of town and have an equally good time. I wish they were open for lunch!!!
(5)
Noah D.

Walked by this place and picked it based on atmosphere. The meal ended up being really good. We got the carafe of white wine which was good. Nice and fruity tones. We shared a roasted pear salad which had a really nice overall taste if you got all of the ingredients into one bite (was a bit peppery though). Our entrees were the chicken and hanger steak. Both were prepared perfectly, I got frites on the side, They were great, but afterward I felt they were a bit over salted (could just be me, I mean, fries are supposed to be salty). Dessert: caramelized apple tart (yes, highly recommended); vanilla and persimmon gelato (persimmon gelato was awesome).
(5)
Deacon B.

Epic steak frites. One of the better steaks I've had in the city. Good French wines by the glass too.
(4)
Barbara M.

Great atmosphere, good service, and the best roasted chicken for two I've ever had. Comes with roasted veggies and a side of pommel frites . Lost a star because the noise level was god awful. We were there on Saturday. Waiter told us to try Sun/Mon/Tues. Will certainly give it another go....'cause of the chicken!
(4)
Chanel R.

I was visiting from out of town and found Florio in Yelp. The place perfect for what we were looking for. Great food. We ordered the pork belly, which could have had a little more flavor, and burrata which was great. The main course consisted of the meatball, amazing and filling, and the seafood squid pasta dish, which was the best in the menu I thought. I highly recommend this place for ambiance and good food.
(5)
Madhusudhan R.

Expect to be "In For A Treat" enough said.
(4)
Robert P.

Nice place. Menu a little small and difficult. The drinks are so so. The food is very good. The atmosphere is great. The people are very friendly.
(4)
Bob S.

Hangar Steak was very, very good! Cocktails and ambience were exceptional.... service... not so much. I will return... maybe they were just having a bad night.
(4)
Vivian C.

came here on a weeknight for date night. We got a half carafe of the rose du jour, which hit the sweet spot for our budget and taste for the night. I had the beef and veal meatballs & spaghetti and he had the seafood stew. The meatballs were great! Good blend of the two types of meat and tasty, not breaking the bank. Seafood stew was a bit watery for a "stew", but tasted fine. I'd probably try something else next time. The service is great and it's a cute cozy Italian place on Fillmore surrounded by cute shops and bars to do things before or after. Only problem is that it's tough to choose between all the restaurants!
(4)
Susan G.

I feel as though I've stepped back in time when dining at Florio. I like the ambiance, however it can be crowded and the noise level is loud. I had the seafood stew, it was delicious.
(4)
Jonathan S.

This place is a neighborhood gem with outstanding high end food that has balanced flavors and plenty of options. The staff is friendly and attentive. We had a variety of cocktails and wines with our party of 4 and enjoyed it all. I would most strongly recommend the Seafood Stew A La Provencal. Its surprisingly light broth is combined with hearty portions of seafood- I have a very healthy appetite and it filled me up.
(5)
Myra M.

My very first time dining at Florio a couple of weeks ago... I should have written the review the day after, because now I can't remember the names of the dishes or the name of our friendly server. But I was so happy when he suggested this place. I've walked by this place countless times and it has been on my long list of restaurants I want to try in the city. So naturally I was excited to check this place out. I immediately fell in love with this place the second we walked in. I just love the dark wood through out, white linen tables with candles... the overall vintage romantic decor. I didn't even have to taste anything, especially when he told me that he's seen Robin Williams dine here... I had no doubts that the food would have to match the intimate ambiance... and it did. We started off with a glass of champagne. And as I vented and poured out the tension in my head and then received excellent advice, I soon became extremely hungry. He ordered the olives, which is one of the few things I never eat. And I had warm seasoned almonds which were surprisingly yummy & addicting. He ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (ugh, I can't remember the name... But I think it was local... Napa or Sonoma)... which paired well with the steak I had. He ordered the chicken. Both were delicious. Customer service was excellent. I look forward to coming back.
(5)
Justin M.

Came here on a date. Great, cozy and vibrant atmosphere on Saturday nights. Cocktails, wine list and food was wonderful and the staff was particularly courteous and friendly. Definitely would recommend and go back.
(4)
Ronald C.

oops. i got the wrong restaurant. I've deleted my review but left the stars out of embarrassment.
(3)
Prescott B.

Very nice, sophisticated menu, venue and service. Good bar and wine list, good apps and high quality, limited menu. Have eaten here twice and both meals were very good.
(4)
Dasha V.

Popped into Florio on a whim, after lucking out at the movies and not being in the mood for Harry's Bar. It was pouring cats and dogs out, and the mood at Florio was inviting. The man and I nestled up at the bar and were promptly handed some drink menus by the bartender. We had coats, scarfs, umbrellas, sweaters and the bartender was kind enough to point out the hangers and umbrella buckets by the door; nice touch. My litmus test for any bartender is their ability to craft a Manhattan, and this one did not disappoint. We tried the swordfish and the asparagus soup, both of which were perfect. In all honestly, who can put a price tag on ambiance. Good wine, fun cocktails, perfect sized dishes and lovely company- what more could a girl ask for?
(4)
John D.

I've eaten here twice now. The maitre d' is one of the nicest guys I've ever encountered and will make the entire experience enjoyable. The rest of the staff is also just the best and will go out of their way to make sure you have a great meal. Now... The Food.... Chicken, for the love of god. Order the chicken it's incredible. The vegetables are seasonal so be cognizant of that when you go. I've been in the spring and the fall and gotta say I'm a sucker for root vegetables so I enjoyed it more in the fall. Butter lettuce salad, bread, chicken for 2, and a half carafe of wine. It's a perfect meal and a great time. They are always full but never a line out the door, enough back ground noise to break the silence, great low light, very cozy feeling. I'd suggest making a reservation but sitting at the bar and having a glass of wine isn't a bad way to wait. All in all just go, you'll enjoy yourself.
(4)
PATRICIA A.

Fantastic dinner. I had the sweet corn soup with dungeness crab and they were right about the juicy & flavorful roasted chicken. It came with some great greens and delicious mushrooms cooked just right. Great energy and very close to our church at St Doms.
(5)
Nick M.

Friendly staff... Solid food... Good wine... Date Spot? Hell yea! Expensive? Sure. Taking someone out is not the time to be cheap, so man up and hit Florio
(4)
Nicole L.

Solid 5: food is consistently fresh and well executed across categories, they honor their reservations, the service is prompt and professional, and we haven't had any unpleasant surprises. Solid winners: salade lyonnaise, roast chicken, steak frites, pasta. The produce can change significantly from month to month, but these anchors are safe bets, and whatever the changing cast of fruit/veggies might be, it is always high quality. I believe they also use Acme bread, which is a plus in my book.
(5)
Mark W.

Have been here a couple times now. Both times had an amazing experience. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and friendly service. The food is a little pricier with smaller portions, but great flavor. Would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a little more expensive spot on Fillmore.
(4)
Stephanie W.

Oh my. Florio is a glutton's heaven. After an appetizer that I can't for the life of me remember and more amazing bread than we ever should have had, my group of four each ordered individual salads - two little gem and two lyonnaise. My little gem had a worm in it, so the waitress was kind enough to bring me a new one, but both of the salads were mouthwateringly good. Seriously. The portions were also huge, so I would recommend splitting a salad if you've got dinner coming. We then split the whole chicken and the 72 ounce ribeye. Between four people. It was enough food for eight, and you better believe that we ate until our pants were bursting. I have perhaps never had such good chicken and steak. The chicken was perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of crisp on the outside and juiciness on the inside. The ribeye was incredibly high quality, tender meat, just cooked enough to not be blue on the inside and oh, oh so delicious. On the side? Brussel sprouts that had been just a little browned on the outside and unbelievable duck fat fries. Top it off with two bottles of wine per the waitress's excellent suggestion, and I was in Seventh Heaven. I think someone ordered dessert, but I was way too stuffed to be paying attention at that point. Florio is definitely at the top of my list for the next time I'm back in the Bay, and would make for a great date (or double date) night.
(5)

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Address : 1915 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA, 94115
Phone (415) 775-4300
Website https://www.floriosf.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:30 pm - 9:3
Mon : 5:30 pm - 9:3

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Florio Bar & Cafe

1915 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA, 94115

Florio Bar & Cafe Menu

Starters

Soupe Du Jour

Salads & Vegetables

Seafood

Pasta & Eggs

Meat & Poultry

Additions

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Florio Bar & Cafe

Starters

Soupe Du Jour

Salads & Vegetables

Seafood

Pasta & Eggs

Meat & Poultry

Additions

Dessert

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