San Francisco - September 21, 2007

Rome if You Want To

SPQR Opens

Kerouac’s clan traveled the world for sheer love of the road. But modern day bohos need wine, cheese, and good atmosphere to get them off their bums.

The next destination for the well-fed set: SPQR, the Roman eatery from the folks behind A16, which opens for business tomorrow.

The former Chez Nous space in Pac Heights has been transformed into a tidy 45-seat osteria with dark wood accents and vintage posters suggesting a Eurotrip down memory lane.

Open for dinner (lunch and a weekend brunch start early October), the rustic menu focuses on antipasti like suppli al telefono (fried rice balls stuffed with mozzarella); marinated salt cod; and sardines alla piastra with breadcrumbs, capers, parsley, and chives. Take your taste buds on Roman holiday with traditional pastas (cacio e pepe) and entrees (saltimbocca) plus more than 60 Italian wines.

Chefs Nate Appleman (A16) and Daniel Holzman (Campton Place) are also braving the offal frontier. Look for oxtail in your cannelloni and guanciale in carbonara.

When in Rome. By way of San Francisco.

SPQR, 1911 Fillmore Street, between Pine and Bush Streets (415-771-7779 or spqrsf.com).