Why the 2 stars? here's the story. I knew it was going to be a typical Friday night in the Mission. Packed. Loud. No parking. I called 3 days ahead for a reservation at 8 pm for 9 people. Ideally, everybody should be there on time. But there's always a lagger. So we were all present 15 mins. after our reservation time. Mike, the host, was professional. Even though we kept following up (i.e. bugging him) he didn't get his feathers ruffled. We also didn't get seated until 45 mins. AFTER our reservation time. Why even take reservations then?! Once seated, we were given our water and handed menus. Our waitress, who SHALL remain nameless, was not a happy camper. Lady, I know it sucks working on a Friday night -- I work swing shift and there were many, many Friday nights when I'm stuck at work and all my friends were out partying. Please. Whatever her problem was it showed on her face and carried onto her attitude. The menu is quite varied and for vegetarians, I'm happy to report that there are more than a few options available. A few yelpers also recommended the paella. The special for that night was lobster and calamari paella, we went with the $48 portion which serves 4 people (instead of the $68 for 6). We also wanted to try the meat paella. But got talked out of it. Our waitress puts in her "helpful" suggestion and says, "well, are you sure you want ALL that pella?" "Well, you haven't seen my brother eat." I jokingly said while pointing to my 6 foot, 200 lb. sibling. Her: "yeah, but you'll be ordering tapas. That would be a lot of food" Me: "we would like to try a different paella too. Can't we just box the leftovers to go?" Her: "yeah. sure." At this point, I felt like I was arguing with our server so I just dropped it. The whole table shared and enjoyed every bite of these delicious tapas: 3 plates of spicy patatas bravas, jamon serrano, oxtail stew, grilled asparagus, 3 plates of calamares fritos, 2 plates of gambas al ajillo, grilled salmon and our paella. Esperpento's sangria isn't as fruity or chilled like cha cha cha's. I obviously prefer cha cha cha's version but it still gave me the wicked buzz I needed. You should've seen my bro's face when they brought out the tapas though. "this is it??" he almost looked panicky. To be fair, the portions are priced right and generous than most tapas places (ahem, Medjool) with plates ranging from $4-$10. My bro just has a big appetite. So that was a bad decision on my part. I should've ordered that second paella because I know my brother more than our waitress. She did check up on us, but quite frankly, we saw the busboy more often. BTW, we didn't even get offered dessert! hmmph. Solid food at Esperpento. If you don't mind the wait, even with a reservation. And just hope that you end up with a better server than we did. read more

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"Sorry, we're going to need ANOTHER table (AGAIN)." One may think it's because we have more people, but in our case it's ALWAYS b/c my friends and I order a plethora amount of food that leaves the wait staff and other patrons (o_O). Our dinner on Monday, 2.21.11 was no exception. I realize this review is bit dated but as I was looking through my notes on my BB, I realized that I never wrote a review for Esperpento (Yes, I'm a nerd and take notes.) That night, we (party of 6) walked in w/o reservations at 6 PM and were seated upstairs w/ only a 2-3 min wait. We knew our table may not be large enough for all our food so we asked if we can add the empty table next to us to our table which our waiter was more than happy to oblige. F O O D / D R I N K S: *3 PITCHERS OF SANGRA ($17/ea): Smooth and full of fruity flavors and notes w/ a touch of an acidic bite. The bits of apple and oranges gave it an extra burst of sweetness. *PAELLA DE LA LANGOSTA - Lobster Paella (Serving for 4 - $50): DISAPPOINTING!!! I'm no Paella expert but I've had paella enough times and watch enough Food Network and Travel Channel to know the components that make a good paella. Other Yelpers have raved about Esperpento's paella but that night our paella was a complete fail. RICE: The rice was firm but had a creamy risotto like consistency (not dry and separate the way it should be). It was flavorful and had soaked up all the liquids and aromatics (i.e. onions, garlic, saffron and other herbs) but it also had an off putting fishiness to it. SOCARRAT: Perhaps the heating source wasn't sufficient or the incorrect pan was used, but the paella lacked the golden caramelized bottom crust which is quintessential to a good paella. TOPPINGS: The lobster (4 lobster tails halved) was overcooked, dry, stringy and bland and the calamari had a prominent fishiness to it. We utilized all 10 lemon wedges to add some moistness and to hide the unappetizing fishy flavor. TAPAS: Serving size per a tapa was 2-3 people so we ordered 2 orders for some dishes. *2 JAMON SERRANO - Cured Ham on French Bread ($6) SIMPLY DELICIOUS! Crusty bread topped w/ a salty and fatty slice of ham w/ thick slices of tomatoes for sweetness and tang. *2 PATAS BRAVAS -Spicy Potatoes ($4.50): YUMMY! The potatoes had a super crisp exterior w/ a pillowly soft interior. The spicy aioli was rich and creamy w/ nice kick of heat. *2 CROQUETAS DE POLLA - Chicken Croquettes ($5): SAVORY & COMFORTING! The croquettes were fried to a golden brown w/ an extra crisp crust and filled w/ a savory creamed chicken mixture. The accompanying creamed spinach sauce added a tangy zip and an extra layer of richness. *CALAMARES A LA PANCHA - Grilled Calamari ($6.75): GOOD! The calamari was perfectly grilled to a sweet tenderness and was flavorful w/ a subtle smokiness. *MEJILLONES A LA PLACHA - Grilled Mussels ($7): GOOD! The sweet and tender mussels were bathing in a savory and rich broth w/ herbaceous notes brightened w/ the splash of lemons. Our complimentary crusty bread was perfect for dunking and soaking up all the brothy goodness. *GAMBAS AJILLO SHRIMP - Garlic Shrimp ($7): GARLICKY GOODNESS! The tender and sweet shrimp albeit small were bathing in garlic sauce which was buttery, robust and full of bold garlicky flavor. *RABO TORO - Oxtail Stew ($7): COMFORTING! The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone tender and was in a rich and savory broth. The broth had a depth of flavor as if the oxtails, veggies and herbs had been simmering for hours. *ROPA VIEJO - Beef, Chicken & Chorizo Stew ($5.50): OK. The beef and chicken were dry and there was a lack of chorizo to give the stew a rich and smoky flavor. *CHAMPINONES AL AJILLO - Mushroom w/ Garlic ($5.25): DELISH! The mushrooms were tender and meaty w/ a distinct garlic flavor that wasn't overwhelming and sprinkles of parsley for a pop of freshness. *ASPARAGUS A LA PLANCHA - Grilled Asparagus Ala Plancha ($5.25): PERFECTLY COOKED! The large spears were vibrant green and tender, yet had the crisp al-dente bite to it. The spicy aioli gave it a layer of creaminess w/ a slight kick and the lemons a citrus punch. S E R V I C E: Our waiter was friendly, down-to-earth and attentive. Our food came out quickly w/ only a 5 min wait for our first dish while the others quickly followed suit. The paella took the longest at about 30 mins. A M B I A N C E / D É C O R: Rustic and casual Spanish feel w/ bright yellow, red and pink hues, country wood tables and chairs, Spanish abstract art and tchotchkes. It's very lively especially when the Mariachi Band makes its rounds so it's a fun atmosphere for groups. P A R K I N G: Difficult street parking, however, there's a parking garage on 2 blocks away on 21st/Valencia. Esperpento is a good alternative to Cha Cha Cha w/ very solid dishes full of vibrant flavors. I would come back again but would skip the paella. read more

Esperpento - Lobster Paella with NO Socarrat (golden caramelized bottom crust). :( - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's such an odd name for a paella place. Granted it's a pretty name like "esperanza" (which means "hope"), I think "esperpento" refers to stories that exaggerate reality into grotesque images to highlight society's ills. Or if you type the word into Google's translator, it comes up as "gorgon" - or "terrifying female creature". Huh? Well, I guess it sounds more mysterious than "Carlos' Place". I was drawn to the place on Friday because I was perusing Yelp to see what kind of culinary adventure Jamie W. and I could be up for. When I read you could have Lobster Paella for two for $26, I was hooked, and we came early enough to beat most of the crowds there. The vibe is pure Mission...a bit dark, a bit crowded, a bit loud. And all those traits intensified as the evening rolled on. The service was fast and solicitous - which I find refreshing in an otherwise indifferent neighborhood of hipsterdom. We went for the $4.50 Patatas Bravas, which were billed as "spicy potatoes", and they weren't kidding. They had a nice crispiness and were definitely pan-fried hot. My one problem with them is that they ladled some kind of sauce that looked a bit like Velveeta but tasted - true to their word - kick-ass spicy with what I assume to be some jalapeno peppers mixed in (see photo). This was the preface, of course, to the Lobster Paella - which came steaming in a traditional paella pan. Now I'm no paella snob, but I have been to (ahem) Barcelona where I went to (ahem) 7 Portes Restaurant, the birthplace of paella in (gasp) 1836. But y'know what...they weren't that great at it either. I just think it's a dish best served at home one pan at a time rather than commoditizing it badly (...did you hear that, B44?). Esperpento's paella was certainly decent enough with plenty of ingredients - but no one can seem to escape the inevitable mushiness of the rice. At least they had the semi-burnt crust to chew on toward the end. There were two lobster tails to unshell, about a half-dozen clams, peas and tomatoes, and lots of big calamari rings (see photo). It was all pretty good, certainly better than the much louder Picaro a few blocks away, and you can't beat a price like that for fresh lobster tails. But it does make me think I should wipe the dust off my old paella pan and try to make this dish this myself. Hey, I took a cooking class in Barcelona in May - but I was relegated to crema catalunya because I likes me the torch. Oh, who am I kidding? I'll probably come back here when I get the craving, but I'm open to other suggestions. FOOD - 3 stars...pretty decent paella for a fair price, especially when they offer lobster tails AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...pure Mission bustle with hipsters and yupsters rubbing elbows in a cacophony of tapa-tude SERVICE - 4 stars...here's where they excel next to their paella brethren and sistren TOTAL - 3.5 stars...still looking for the ultimate paella, so the search continues...until I get off my tookis and make some myself, I guess read more

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A vibrant Spanish Tapas restaurant in the Mission district. If you decide on this adventure, be prepared to be assaulted with collage of colors, cacophony of sounds and explosions of flavors. Not a place for a quiet meal with your new squeeze but perfect for small get together of friends looking for a fun evening of good food and good drinks. We made reservations for seven at 6:30pm and got seated just before the crowd. By 7pm the place was hoppin', between the people seated, the people waiting, the staff and the strolling musicians the evening's festivities had begun. We started with a carafe of Sangria which was a jammy mixture of fruit and mellow wine. Some sangrias taste like fruit juice mixed with wine, Esperpento's was luscious and fruity and fully amalgamated into its foundation delicious full body wine. Just a taste transports you to a summer night in Madrid. The Sangria was the complement for a selection of tapas: Calamares Fritos-fried calamari $6.50 Morcilla-sauteed spanish blood sausage $5.50 Tortilla De Patata-potato and onion omelet $6.00 The prize goes to my nephew for choosing the delicious Tortilla De Patata which was more of a potato cake than a tortilla. The fried calamari was excellent when dipped into their creamy house hot sauce. Now you know I had to try the blood sausage; it was very good but not exciting. For the main dish we ordered the Lobster Paella for six. A Saffron-flavored Rice dish cooked with a gaggle of slipper Lobsters, Seafood and Vegetables served in a Paellera, $76. The server assured us that we had ordered enough since we had also ordered tapas and only had 6 adults in our group of 7. If you had asked my doctor he would have also told you that I had ordered more than enough but for a foodie it was only just enough. Heck, it wasn't enough - not because I was still hungry - it was so good. I didn't want to stop eating. The rice, the lobster, and vegies all came together like a Miles Davis arrangement. Esperpento is like the bull run in Pamplona but the servers were like the Catholic mass the next morning. The servers were way too somber for such a vibrant restaurant - what a drag on the festive atmosphere! Next time? I am just going to get a bunch of their tapas and have at it, okay maybe I'll finished it all off with a Crema Catalana. read more

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Everything is great except the paella is noticeably different than it was less than two years ago, so I'm really sad about that! I really loved their take on the meat paella, it had generous portions of juicy sausage and other meats on a bed of potatoes... perhaps not traditional in style but certainly delicious. Sooooo not a fan of the latest paella. I uploaded a pic of what it used to look like. A bit onion heavy in the photo but under all that is all the potato and different kinds of sausage. read more

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Get the seafood paella!! Perfect for a dinner date and very filling. Definitely worth the wait

Oh Esperpento, my sweet Esperpento, why do you have to have so much good things on your menu? Since they claim they are small plates, I usually order a butt load and don't feel bad eating that much b/c they are small plates/tapas. But in reality, you really end up eating a lot, getting drunk, and not even spending that much $$$ for what you get! All the tapas range from 5-7 dollars and can be shared between a big group. They aren't the biggest portions, but you should be good with getting 1-2 plates (per every person in your table) and a paella to share. When ordering paella, their serving can feed twice the amount of people it is designated for. For example: a serving for 2 can serve 4 people and a serving for 4 can serve 6-8 unless you are super hungry or just order the paella. Here are some dish suggestions: Gambas al Ajilo: Very tasty garlic sauce and the shrimp is so moist and flavorful. Patatas Bravas: Potatoes are well cooked and seasoned. Ropa Viejo: The sauce could use a little more chorizo flavor, but the meat is on point. Artichokes: Very crispy and thinly sliced artichoke dish! Nothing special, but good veggie dish. For Paella, the negro is super tasty but might not be for all people as the flavor is super distinct. And the paella de mariscos (which I usually get) is packed with seafood. If you want lobster, it's a little more expensive, but heard it's worth it! It is not the best paella but it is decent! AND DON'T FORGET THE SANGRIA : 17 FOR A PITCHER? SOLD! small fruit is a plus :) The Jamon Serrano isn't that great, they already serve bread with their garlic sauce in the first place. Also, Their seating process is a little disorganized and it can take them a while to seat people even if there is space. You have to be super pro active with one of the hosts to make sure you get seated at the proper time. With the occasional guitar performance and Spanish singing paired with the wonderful ambiance, this place is a great gem in the city! Great for big groups and family, and just to get drunk and full! read more

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The Sangria here puts the S in Esperpento. Wait. Esperpento starts with an E. I'm confused. Ok, ok, the sangria here puts the S in my Slurred Speech after drinking at Esperpento. Better? Ok. My wife describes the sangria ($4.50 per glass or $17 per pitcher) here as sweet with a mild after-taste compared to some other tapa bars. Along with the Sangria are quite a few tapas on the menu to choose from. We settled on: Chorizo Salteado "Cantimpalitos" sauteed spanish sausage $5.25 - these were little bite sized sausages that come out charred. These were tasty and a decent appetizer. Patatas Bravas spicy potatoes ($4.50) - These potato wedges come with a mildly spicy sauce. I really liked this tapa. Actually went well with the chorizo we ordered. Mariscada seafood platter griddled seafood platter with calamari, jumbo tiger clams, mussels, scallops and snapper ($26) - the difference between this and the paella is it doesn't have the burnt bottom like the paella, a little more variety of seafood, and about 20 less minutes to prepare. I thought it was ok, just didn't move me in anyway. Maybe next time I'll wait the extra 20 minutes... The service was ok. The waitress was friendly but didn't come around often. But overall it was acceptable. Ambiance was nice. Great place to be able to enjoy your food and have conversation without the volume level being loud. A cool spot for a little food, a few drinks, and tapas. And for $46 for our total bill, these days Esperpento put the "i" in inexpensive.. Oops. There's no "i" in Esperpento.. Nevermind. read more

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I came in just for desserts with my GF. We split the Crema Catalana. I had an espresso. It was as if I was transported back to 1950s Cuba-- muy excelente! read more

Esperpento - Cover of Menu - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here four days ago on Friday: stayed for three hours just eating and talking. (: My partner and I spent the day at the Golden Gate park getting into the California Academy of Sciences for free and got a back-end tour of the place by my friend that works there.. and then we went to the Conservatory of Flowers. It was a really nice day. And then we came here for the paella. He's been here before (and two of my friends really like this place as well). We got the seafood one with a pitcher of sangria. We also got the potato tapas.. with the garlic sauce (it was bomb). I highly recommend the potatoes. Is it the best paella? Maybe not (def not, but it's pretty good). I felt like it was missing a little something (but, that might just be my taste buds). I'm really curious to taste what the sausage one tastes like.. read more

I was in the area to watch a show. Our group of 5 didn't really have a restaurant picked out for dinner. When we stumbled upon Esperpento, we thought perfect! I love tapas! We went back in July of 2013. It wasn't busy when we walked in (around 6p on a weekday), so we were seated immediately. *Sangria ($17) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#p7j9TD1iS-vnpZ0UlFS5lA A girlfriend and I basically shared this. It was light and refreshing. *Gambas al ajillo ($7) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#069FaGjGgV3pack88yLyNg *Calamares plancha ($6.50) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#hjQBRSjkZYOAf0vmZtw5pw *Ropa vieja ($5.50) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#ldZ8rQ5JcKrqtI8JRd7czw *Esparragos plancha ($5.25) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#VfO6E75ie4fLCxrtqHkFoQ *Croquetas de pollo ($5) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#_yPQVI2739YwtssGBynQuw *Side of rice with tapas ($1.75) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#-MUgRjvdnuIjESKl1Bb3GA I went with some people who don't necessarily do everything family style, so the above six dishes were for me and the roommate. Of course, I offered some to everyone because I love to share. I really loved the calamares plancha and the gambas al ajillo. The calamari was tender and the shrimp were nice and garlicky. I love asparagus, so the esparragos plancha was great as well. Had a nice char. The rest of the group ordered dinner plates, so we also had the following: *Carne asada dinner ($9.50) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#zU_VmQvRCbO8iJxFfzNMZg *Pollo al ajillo dinner ($8.50) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#cqFSEVtIz25bQaZvB466AQ *Grilled quail dinner ($8.50) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco#VGsp7S_v_DZlIYOJeWbKVA The one thing I wanted to try, but didn't, was their paella. I do love a good paella. Maybe next time Esperpento! read more

I'm Catalonian. Great Mom & Pop place like you are in Spain. My favorite Negra Paella in the city. Love the bread & Andalus sauce. Great OxTail soup on a cold day. Favorite Spaniard Rose' in the City up there with El Lopo on Polk. They have a selection of Spaniard beer. Took my mom & brother there for a Mothers Day. Mariachi's passing by serenading her. One of her favorite Mothers Days. The owner from Peru hires great staff. Much better ambiance than Picaro down Valencia Street. Less pretentious than Coqueta on the waterfront. A walk a way from Beauty Bar, Bissap Baobob, Gestalt, Kilowatt, Arepas Latin Cuisine, El Techo, and Blondies Salsa Wednesday's if you want to pregame. read more

Whatca fabulous place! Delicious food! Big portions! Attentive staff! I will be back!

Randomly found this place while walking around Mission. We didn't even check reviews before walking in, but no regrets. We had their lobster paella and some sangrias. Lobster tasted fresh and sweet, paella was cooked and seasoned to perfection. Portion was more than enough for 2 people (we had leftovers), but were also tiny people who don't eat much, haha. The lobster portion was also very generous for the price I'd say. It would be a nice place for a date, but it does get very loud in there. The restaurant is quite small so maybe call ahead if you have parties larger than 4. read more

Esperpento - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Accidentally stumbled upon this spot while out with my sister. We're both vegetarian so we got the cabbage starter and the veggie paella which were both amazing! We also shared a pitcher of their delicious sangria that was on happy hour! Besides the good food and drinks the service was flawless as well. Loved this place and will definitely be back read more

Although often crowded here, the establishment is a nice little place to grab a bite with friends. I came at night on a weekend, and boy was this place rowdy (perhaps too much so). It honestly felt like bar vibes--it was hard to hold a conversation with my friends over the consistently loud chatter of other tables. There was also live music, with two musicians rotating around the tables playing songs, which contributed to the noisy sounds. On the bright side, the food was fairly good and super cheap. I opted for a meat platter along with several tapas, including fried cod, asparagus, cabbage, and calamari. The meat from the meat platter (chicken, carne asada, etc) was unfortunately very dry and hard to chew. The potatoes that formed the base of the dish, however, were delicious and well flavored. The tapas were all very good, with the fried cod especially standing out, as it pairs deliciously with the spinach sauce it comes from. The sangria is a must order drink! Delicious and lightly fruity. Definitely explains why the atmosphere here is so lively. Grab a single drinkf or $5 or a pitcher for $19--the prices are even more reasonable during happy hour. read more

Esperpento - Tapas - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Warning Staff here don't cover there nose with their masks I have being coming here for years will not come again Shame food is good What's the point of a mask not covering their nose read more

I've been here twice and I do like the food. However, I didn't appreciate being disrupted during my meal to pay money for the bandolero multiple times. It's great that he plays music inside and outside of the restaurant, but to tap me on the shoulder and put your hat for donations was a little too much. While the food is good, the service is on the slow side. During my last visit with a party of 4. We all ordered water and 1 coke. 10-15 minutes later, we all got our water and no coke. We had to get up and ask about the coke. We ordered the blood sausage (can't remember actual name), garlic shrimp, patatas bravas and the lobster paella. The complimentary bread with their signature sauce is really good. They use the same sauce with their patatas bravas and it's amazing. The lobster paella takes a long time to prepare so be sure to wait at least 30 minutes. Don't expect a lot of lobster. For a party of 4, each person gets half of a tail so in total, it's 2 lobster tails cut in half for 4 people. For dessert, we ordered their version of the creme brule. I probably wouldn't order this again because the texture was a little weird to me and it wasn't that great. Overall, the food is good and being with good company makes it better. I think this restaurant would be perfect if the service was more on point and if I wasn't disrupted to pay the guitar guy. read more

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A casual, unassuming spot. We ordered lots of different dishes but I wasn't overly impressed by any of them. We had reservations for an early dinner, 5pm on a Sunday night but that was completely unnecessary. We were one of the first customers, but it was filled up by the time we left around 7pm. MUST-HAVES: Chorizo Salteado "Cantimpalitos" (sauteed spanish sausage)! ENSALADAS Y TAPAS VEGETARIANAS (Salads & Vegetarian Tapas) * Tortilla De Patata ($6) - 2.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#sgA_zhH3U30OuV0jiesGjw This didn't have much texture. The tortillas and the potatoes were all too soft and could have used much more crisp. Everything blended together, and the flavors were bland. * Ensalada De Pimientos De Pimientos Rojos (roasted red bell peppers w/ vinaigrette, $5.50) - 3 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#RXie5QdNMO3yaxxd64fpAw This really didn't stand out much at all. The peppers were very soft, not much flavor. A more sharp balsamic would've been great. * Alcachofas A La Plancha (grilled artichokes, $5.50) - 3.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#5SEacBrS8VRblRPTfMNiBA My boyfriend's dad and his girlfriend very distinctly remembered this dish from a previous dinner here as the best thing they had. I don't usually like artichoke at all, and I did find this somewhat appetizing. It was served in a unique way, sliced very thinly and grilled to have some crisp. It wasn't as amazing as they made it out to be, but still good. * Patatas Bravas (spicy potatoes, $4.75) - 3.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#Mn2oGtLO-3ycPCMxt_5bcw The sauce was thick and very spicy, and this was the best part of this dish. The potatoes looked promising and crisped, but they were actually pretty soft and soggy. PESCADOS Y MARISCOS (Fish & Shellfish) * Cola De Langosta (grilled lobster tail, $9) - 3.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#rAevVfv4h_AhoHrw-nv3Qw The texture was crunchy and this had pretty good flavor. It didn't stand out as particularly fresh, though. AVES Y CARNES (Poultry & Meat) * Pinchos Marranos (pork kebabs, $5) - 3 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#OUv8dQ2ybzPZ-PmHPx_edA The pork had decent flavor, but it was very dry! The rice was also very dry and didn't stick together, which made it very difficult to eat. EMBUTIDOS Y QUESOS (Cold Cuts, Sausages, & Cheese from Spain) * Chorizo Salteado "Cantimpalitos" (sauteed spanish sausage, $5) - 4 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#QJOA7JU54ZwermfrJUFWuw cross-section: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#SN79AC2zLRf_lXCwgrk9bw This looked plain but was probably the best thing we got! The chorizo had a ton of flavor packed into a little bit of space, and the texture was moist. I loved cutting through the kind of tough skin and my knife bursting into the meaty part. PAELLAS * Paella Hortelana (vegetable paella, $18 for two) - 3 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/esperpento-san-francisco?select=Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA#Ja-Czgol4Jt-HA4BcXiJLA Maybe we needed to get seafood to fully represent their paella, but I didn't think this was all too impressive. The veggies were all too soft and overcooked, and there were no crisped parts of the paella, which is usually my favorite part! read more

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I really love this restaurant! We went around Mission district, this day was holiday, so many people there and hard to find a empty table. One of my friends knows this restaurant, and we finally got a seat there. Reasonable and very very delicious, you can enjoy Spain there definitely. read more

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I've been coming to this little Spanish restaurant in The Mission for several years now. It's one of the few places that I never get tired of and am happy to keep coming back to. The place is compact but they're able to accommodate parties of up to 20 people in their private room or upper level. The place is tastefully decorated in a Flamenco theme and a large poster of none other than Penelope Cruz in Volver by Almodovar. The best of modern Spanish cinema. You always get a basket of bread and butter to start with. That alone is so comforting and good. I usually go through about 2 baskets per meal. During happy hour, you get a great deal on their awesome pitchers of Sangria. Tastes like juice but you get a nice buzz after one glass. There are so many great appetizers (tapas) to choose from. I usually get the grilled asparagus w lemon cream, grilled garlic mushrooms, garlic prawns, little Spanish chorizos, crunchy cabbage, and the creamy spicy potatoes (patatas bravas). If you've got time and an appetite, order a Paella. It's a saffron rice casserole topped with different meats or vegetables enough for 2-8 people depending on the size. It takes about 30 minutes to make. My favorite one is the Matanzas which has chicken, pork, and sausage. Served with a lemon wedge- squeeze it over the paella for an extra kick. If you want to get really fancy, you can have the seafood paella with shrimp, calamari, mussels, and even lobster tails for an extra charge. It's so good, you'll want to scrape off the last bit of rice stuck to the pan. Try the traditional Spanish dessert- Crema Catalana. It's similar to a Crème Brûlée. After ordering all that food and drink, you'll be amazed at how little you'll pay per person compared to other restaurants in the area. Once in a while, you may get treated to live music by a solo mariachi singer with a guitar and a nice pair of lungs that fills the entire restaurant with his Mexican Rancheras. Feel free to tip him as he passes by your table. Call ahead for reservations. read more

Esperpento - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you're looking for a homey restaurant that offers sangria pitchers, great tasting tapas, and quality service, look no further! Highly recommend the seafood paella! Very fresh! We sat outside and the heat lamp and sangria kept us warm! A perfect restaurant to share with friends and also only a walk away from Mission Dolores! read more

Esperpento - Patatas Bravas Paella de Mariscos - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If there is ZERO STAR., I would pick that i instead . This place is horrible. We were dining there and the waiter spilled soup on my friends back. The waiter nor any pd the staff apologised but instead pretended that nothing happened. I would never go back to a restaurant with a terrible staff and terrible service l. Whoever eat at this restaurant make sure you watch your back because they might spill a hot soup or food behind you and not do anything about it and just ignore things. read more

I was there many years ago and was definitely a better experience. This time it was loud, food was only ok and the owner seemed to be bother because we didn't leave a huge tip. read more

A wonderful family owned Spanish Resturant. Everything my friends order is delicious. A pitcher of sangria is a MUST !!!!!!! Thank You to miss Lucero for always helping me pick out a new and yummy dish each time. Definitely a must if you are in San Francisco. read more

One of my favorite Spanish restaurants! Great service and excellent quality food. I highly encourage you to get the Paella de mariscos and also tortilla de papa. Finishing it all off with a nice pitcher of Sangria. So yummy!!! Will be returning read more

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best sangria deals and AMAZING bread with dipping sauce. I would be satisfied with just having their bread and dipping sauce. so good. another recommendation is their potatoes and onion omelet. read more

Today at around 7:45 me and my husband stop here to have dinner we were waiting for like 10 minutes and a group of 5 people came inside and they waited another 5 minutes or so when the waitress saw us and instead she offered the table to them with out say anything She just ignored us and keep working with out coming back or offering us a table or apology We just left we felt discriminated because the other people were white not a good place to give my business read more

Food was incredible and service was outstanding! Me and my friend got there and were seated right away. The music was awesome and are definitely coming back read more

Party of 3 went on a Saturday at around 5:30pm. We were seated in less than 5 minutes. We ordered the following: *Morcilla (blood sausage) -- t'was my first time to try it and i loved it! *Iberico - i liked it but i probably won't order it again 'coz it's kinda pricey relative to the other items in the menu... it still feels good to be able to relate to Anthony Bourdain when he talks of Iberico ham and blood sausages *Calamares ala Plancha (grilled calamari) - tasted fresh, perfectly seasoned and grilled * Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) - not as spicy as i expected so it worked well for me * Pollo al ajillo (garlic chicken) - the sauce was yummy! my husband loved it... *Paella "turista" (combination meat and seafood paella) -- generous serving, more than enough for our party *Flan (caramel castard) - i've had better flans but their version was not so bad. *Sangria jar - i am not into alcoholic beverages so i wouldn't know the good from the bad... but John and Mabel thought it was pretty good. Overall, it was a great dining experience.....great food, great crowd, great service, great prices. We would love to go back there again and again and again and again and again and again.... catch my drift? PS - Make sure to bring quarters for the metered parking. read more

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Tip: Especially if you're in a big group, pick a tapas buddy among your crew. Most tapa dishes here are perfect to split between two people. Definitely on the pricey end of things, but everything was acceptably tasty. Brocheta de vieiras (scallops on a brochette (see: stick)) was good, as was the tortilla de patata and the champinones al ajillo (mushrooms in garlic sauce). Estofado de conejo (rabbit stew) was a little underwhelming since it just tasted like dry turkey. Sangria selection was nice, but nothing special. Highlight of the meal was the squid ink paella. Blackest blackness ever, and it'll stain your teeth for a day. Rumor is that it comes out the other end the same way... :P read more

Esperpento - Signage - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Decided to have some tapas and took Granma out for a mothers day lunch. Pluses The garlic chicken was tasty and the oxtail stew Grill mussels were excellent and so were the fried anchovies The choriz and the black sausage were good too Seafood paella was good but by the time it came we were full from the tapas. Minuses The tables and decor are beginning to look old Some of the stables are really close to each other. Parking can be an issue in the evenings Overall a very good experience, small taps are great to try out with more variety. read more

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I've been here several time and the food is always excellent! The meats here are always unique tasty. Last night was great, Tuesday nights aren't crowded and we got a table right away. We orders a few tapas and paella. This visit we started with the chorizo, a lot of tiny little flavorful sausage. I think every time I've come here I've had the Patatas Bravas, always perfectly executed with spicy sauce. This was the first time I tried the chicken croquettes they were light and delicious. The Paella Matanza was, as always, sublime. One note, the service here is never perfect. It's not bad service, it's just a little slow and distracted. read more

Esperpento - Paella Matanza ~ so good - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

I stopped by the somewhat empty esperpento last night at 7 before it started moving toward full and the mariachi guy showed up. There are many small plate options from which my partner and I shared the fried peppers and garlic chicken (both great)! Next, we went with a seafood paella. I try to avoid too many carbs so paella might not exactly be my thing; that said it was pretty good. A glass of Sangria (average) added some authenticity as did the mariachi guy It's the Mission so not much parking outside but just a few blocks from the 24th street BART station. Would repeat. read more

Great place, great food and great service! My favorite spanish restaurant now in the bay area. Keep up the good work read more

The tapas were great BUT we ordered a seafood paella.. We waited 1h20 for it.. (got free sangria for the wait). I am pretty sure the whole paella came frome a frozen bag, it was very very bad, even the rice.. I won't be back, even if it was my 3rd time there in the past few years. read more

Great food, great service and most definitely great company. Sangria is on point. Had the paella de arroz negro and it was awesome! read more

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Best tapas in the city. The small plates are scrumptious and priced fairly. Patatas Bravas, seafood paella, roasted asparagus , salmon, sangria. Where to start. Just point at the menu or at someone's table. You can't go wrong. read more

We waited more than an hour to get a paella on Sunday afternoon - the restaurant was half ful. After 45 min we called a waiter to check on our order and he told us it will come in 5 minutes. We waited another 15?min. I wished we left right away. Portions were big, but paella wasn't good. read more

Love this place. They're currently closed for retrofitting. Call to make sure they're open. Their sister location Picaro is open! read more