Michelle B.
Yelp
I hadn't been here in about 20 years, since I'd lived in the neighborhood. I had fond memories. My bf and I sat outside in the warm outdoor shed (it was cold out), and basically had a really wonderful meal with all the typical selections - nicoise, french onion soup, etc. (I know that's cliche, but it's so good!) Our waiter very attentive and friendly.
It would have been 5 stars - if I hadn't gone back about 5 minutes later to use the bathroom after we'd left. But I did go back, and that's when I saw the roach climbing on the wall.
I hate hate hate roaches.
Before going to the restaurant, I'd read reviews, and some of the negative ones said that there were roaches. I had to think long and hard about whether to go, but those reviews were from some years ago, and so I hoped for the best.
When I exited the bathroom, I mentioned The Roach to one of the waiters and the bartender standing near each other (they were closing up at this point), and the bartender was like, "Oh, that's no problem," and the waiter said something like, "Oh, since we're closing, we've moved the garbage bins there, so that's why."
I didn't know what that meant - that when the garbage is moved to beside that wall, all the roaches come out? How do they on the inside wall? If the garbage hadn't been moved, then there wouldn't be roaches? Where was the garbage originally? The kitchen was right beside the bathroom (on opposite wall of where the roach was...), which is too close for comfort for me. I didn't belabor the point with them (though I am belaboring it here). It was such an illogical non-answer. I know there are spots in SF, and anywhere, that just have a "roach problem," and this seems to be one of them, so unfortunately I won't be back to this location. Hopefully I will still go to Hayes Street, sometimes when I'm back in the area, since it's otherwise such a good restaurant.