This is Hangover Observations, where we share our thoughts on last night, the night that was.
Last Saturday, SPQR opened its doors to the public. The sister restaurant to the uber-successful A16, SPQR stands for "Senatus Populusque Romanus" ("The Senate and the Roman People"), indicating the restaurant's aim to be traditional Roman osteria roots. From our perch at a four-top:
1) Chef Nate Appleman sports some serious tats. In other kitchen news, servers can't possibly like the obstacle course through the bar to reach the tables.
2) Fried corn on the cob tastes exactly as you'd expect. Fried. corn.
3) The bare-walled space is definitely bustling. And by bustling, we mean quite loud.
4) 8 PM: Lots of tables available; 9 PM: full house. By contrast, Farina has been warding off the crickets by 10pm this week.
5) On hand, Andrea Arria-Devoe, DailyCandy honcho and Carolyn Alburger, DailyCandy freelancer and the un-bylined writer who penned the DC item on SPQR. Or is she the new head of new-to-SF PR outfit The Hall Company? Or is she both? Curious. Also on hand, Hall Co bossman, Steven Hall.
· The Dish: SPQR Opens Loudly, Lolo Quietly [~ESF~]
