15 Romolo

photo - Yelp, Taylor O.

15 Romolo, Drinks & Snacks, North Beach

May 8, 2016

P&J:
Steak Tartare - kobe sirloin, cornichons, capers, horseradish-mustard, quail egg
Grilled Octopus - smoked paprika, buttered potatoes, preserved lemon, parsley
Charred Padrons - olive oil fleur de sel
Pimm's Cup and Fimm's Cup


Notes:
After sending off one of our two visiting friends, we looked for a place to sit and talk, and maybe have a beer or two.  A couple of friends of mine have a restaurant in North Beach, so we headed that way, not knowing until we got there that they were closed.  Thankfully, there was a great place I'd only heard about just a few steps away, 15 Romolo.

Our friend was in love with this place.  It was dark, quiet, and you felt hidden away.  We had just eaten (twice), so we were really only in the mood to chat over a drink.  I went for the Pimm's Cup, a refreshing drink with gin, cucumber, lemon, mint, ginger and soda (there might be something else, but those are the important parts).  Patrick went for the Fimm's Cup, their non-alcoholic version of the drink.  Both were quite lovely.  The Pimm's Cup is sold by the pitcher, and had I not been drinking (Pimm's) alone, it would have been ours.

After a couple of hours, we decided to try a bit of their menu.  We first gravitated to the charred Padron peppers, always a great choice with a drink.  Little, wrinkled peppers are tossed whole in a screaming hot pan until some of their skin blackens and blisters and they're served with a generous sprinkling of fleur de sel (fancy sea salt).  They're tender, flavorful, and you never know if you're gonna get a spicy one.  The grilled octopus was succulent, nicely charred and served with smashed and crispy baby potatoes.  I loved the flavors at work here with the smokey heat and salty preserved lemon.  The steak tartare was also very good, a nice balance of fresh cut beef and piquant capers and pickles, though the serving was a little smaller than I would have liked.


Overall, we weren't blown away by anything, but it was all very good.  And beautiful - this is not your average bar food.  But their menu has much more for us to try, and I love their Pimm's Cup.  We'll be back.