665571 Sun Nov 08 09:54:43 -0800 2009 3 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5165064 Last night we finally had a reservation at the much hyped Flour + Water and I learned how to add. The sum is zero. We were told they would hold our 5:45 time only 15 minutes. When we arrived at 5:40 there was a long line so we told the maitre d' we were there. He told us to get back in line, that there were five minutes to go before we could be seated. At 5:50 he gave us a long lecture on how their timing works so as to make it easy on the staff. Totally chastised we were granted a table. The service was fine but alas the food wasn't worth the lecture. This was the first time my Italian husband couldn't find a pasta that didn't sound like a lab experiment. The food was mediocre at best -- not one dish was well executed and it certainly didn't sing of the "simple" or of the "Italian" -- and the side of attitude didn't help. We were sorely disappointed. Beware of the hyper "hype". It usually doesn't add up. Sun Nov 08 09:54:44 -0800 2009 1122738 la nonna 1 5165080 What did you eat? Sun Nov 08 10:02:45 -0800 2009 5165064 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 5166300 There were six of us and we had many different things: bass crudo (no taste), marinated mackerel, chestnut tagliatelle, pappardelle, pork belly (tasteless), skate (dry and poorly cooked), pheasant (so-so), rice pudding (the best thing we had) and chestnut cake. Not one thing was well cooked and certainly not memorable---except for the rudeness. Sun Nov 08 22:16:54 -0800 2009 5165080 1122738 la nonna 1 5166356 I can't speak in depth of the food, but I will just say, their pizzas looked better in photos than the reality and I'd like to think I witnessed an off day. The service was an good attempt at politeness, but it's as if the establishment was designed for maximum discomfort. They smile at you and tell you to wait, but there's really nowhere to wait. I look forward to the day when restaurant names, celeb chefs, etc. aren't afraid to open establishments large enough to accommodate their business. The idea of opening an intimate or quaint place where it doesn't belong, at the inconvenience of the clientele, must be one of the worst trends in SF dining. If you want to see the reasons why, visit Flour + Water. Sun Nov 08 23:17:28 -0800 2009 5165064 145096 sugartoof