A Night in North Beach

The first time I've forayed into the city in weeks, and where do I eat? Probably the most visible, obvious spot in all of North Beach (besides the garish Stinking Rose), Steps of Rome. We were on our way to watch the ingenious and hilarious Russell Peters at Cobb's Comedy Club (a dump of a comedy club full of really obnoxious seating staff intent on robbing us all blind with their 2-drink minimums). We couldn't think of a better landmark restaurant to meet at, so Steps of Rome it was. That said, it's really decent Italian food, if that's what you're going for (and in North Beach, it doesn't really make sense to go for much else). I'd heard the waiters were "extra friendly," that is, showering female patrons with all manner of impropriety, depending on their mood and the night. We must have gotten there way too early (5:45-ish) for them to try anything risque. It was just straightforward good service, and food that was well-made but left us all hungry for a second dinner.

Below, the rigatoni bolognese ($11.95).

And the seafood spaghetti ($15.95). Yum.