Marbella

So sad.

Please listen before read the review.
Where is the Rex
Where is the Rex
Where is the Rex
Where is the Rex
Where is the Rex
You said you’d give to me
Soon as you were free
Will it ever be
Where is the Rex
You told me that you didn’t love him
And you were gonna say goodbye
But if you really didn’t mean it
Why did you have to lie
Where is the Rex
You said was mine all mine
Till the end of time
Was it just a lie
Where is the Rex
If you had had a sudden change of heart
I wish that you would tell me so
Don’t leave me hangin on the promises
You’ve got to let me know
[Instrumental Interlude]
Oh, how I wish I never met you
I guess it must have been my fate
To fall in love with someone else’s love
All I can do is wait
(That’s all I can do)
Yeah, hey, yeah
Where is the Rex
Marbella?
Missing vibe that that Rex had.
So as the waitress and food, shoddy service and just a tiny portion but you have to pay more.
I’ve heard that the owner is a same guy.
So, WTF? Dude, I don’t think its working.
Not my shit anyway, so who cares?
I still miss my old Rex.

I really like the food here — great tapas and cheap prices. I don’t know why this place is so empty! good drinks menu too.
I experienced good service and definitely enjoyed the food!

I came here on Friday with my boyfriend. Our favorite spot in town is Zarzuela, but we thought we would try something new. Basically this is a more expensive (over $ 100 for 4 tapas and a low end bottle of wine), and less good (food was mediocre and atmosphere was blah) Spanish place.
I will say, the service was excellent. Also, the food was ok, just not comparable to Zarzuela.

This place is nice but the bartender who was working when we visited is meh.
The food is pretty good, and some of the staff are wonderful. But if you like to sit at the bar and have breakfast, be prepared to be 100% ignored by the bartender unless you are one of her friends.
Went here with a group and we sat at the bar. After looking at the bartenders back for about 10 minutes we asked, «can we order drinks?»
«Oh», she said, «I usually give people time to look at the menu before I get their order»
hmmmmm. Had she turned around once she would have seen our menus down two minutes after we got there. It was breakfast too, how many drink options do people usually mull about at 11am?
The bloody mary’s were pretty good but then as soon as they were served it was like we didn’t exist again. We ordered breakfast through someone else. After breakfast our empty plates were piled in front of us and we were never asked if we wanted a second drink, bartender was too busy talking to her friends at the other end of the bar. We were not expecting super attentive service on a Sunday, but a view other than the back of the bartender would have been nice.

I was really looking forward to trying this place since it’s all of 2 blocks from my apartment. Should have known something was up when the three of us got seated right away at 8:30pm on a Saturday night. Great atmosphere/​ambiance, love the bar area, and the hostess was extremely friendly, but everything good ended there.
First off, every dish was brought approx 10−20mins apart. By a different server. Very confusing who to order new drinks from. No bread (was this even an option?), infrequent water refills. The tortilla was cold and bland, the ham & cheese croquetas were 2 very strange looking oversized fried things that didn’t look at all like typical Spanish croquetas, the grilled chicken thighs were slimy in some sort of unidentifiable dark sauce, the asparagus was barely edible it was so stringy (if it’s not in season please don’t serve it.), and we had ordered the pancetta wrapped shrimp but when it hadn’t arrived 2.5hrs into dinner we asked for the check. And they brought it, and still charged us for the shrimp!!! No apology or explanation when we asked for them to remove it from the bill. So odd.
$ 40 lighter each, we literally walked down the block to Escape from NY for slices since we were still famished after we left. Will NEVER be back. VERY disappointing addition to the neighborhood.

So normally, nothing stuck out too much about this place to make me write about it on Unilocal other than the fact that I found and went to this place, no thanks to Unilocal (they were offering a $ 40 voucher for the purchase price of $ 20).
I’ll describe the restaurant to give an idea of the place:
It was very tastefully decorated on the inside. The lighting is pretty low, so that can be a good thing or bad thing, depending on one’s preferences. Probably a not-​so-​good thing about the place is that I think they leave the front door open– the guests I was with were a little chilly. Also, the music playing through the speakers (Flamenco mostly), was very lovely, added to the atmoshpere, and was played at the right noise level.
I felt like I was a little bit obnoxious while I was there, and the staff were still friendly the whole time. So, good service! We were also the last people in the joint, and there was no rush for us to leave. Also, we forgot to submit the voucher until after the cards were ran, and they were very accommodating about adding that.
Food was good. Not completely authentic Spanish, but neither are most Spanish restaurants here– they’re more Spanish-​inspired cuisine, most of them (however I’m happy to have any Spanish-​type food here, we need more!). If you go on the website, it tells you more about the food, the background of the chef, and the menu, so you can get a good idea of what they serve here. Some of the tapas here could use some aioli served with it, and the paella mixta was great! The guests I was with also enjoyed some sort of gambas tapa they ordered, and the croquetas were like angels dancing on my taste buds.
I’m also noticing, as I’m writing this review, Unilocal has other reviews from this restaurant on the right hand column, and I was distracted by one mentioning a flamenco show on Sunday nights. I’ve been to the one at Thirsty Bear before, but I think I’ll definitely have to be back for this one at Marbella!

My friend and I came here after work for a tapas sharing dinner with martinis. We were seated right away and our server was really friendly. We didn’t have an awkward or bad experience at all like some others mentioned before me. I love the outdoor seating here. Perfect for those rare, warm nights out.
Food: We ordered a bunch on little things to share. I went to Barcelona last winter so I knew I had to try the «Bravas» (potatoes with tomato sauce). I was a little sad! They were missing the real Spanish component aioli sauce! aka Mayo and garlic on top. They were still tasty though.
The Gambas al Pil Pil, which everyone says to order, was really heavy on the garlic, but good. The sauce was best with the bread dipped in it though. We ate it all up.
My favorite dish was the beet salad. It was fresh and seasonal.
Next time I would ask for one vegi dish to come out with one meat dish. We got two meats really quickly at first, then a salad and asparagus to finish, which seemed a little unbalanced. Overall, the new Marbella is a good place for dinner.

Went here last night with a girlfriend and had an awesome night catching up over tapas. This place would be perfect for a date, not too loud and very cute. They have outside seating also which would make this a fun brunch place too.
I really enjoyed the Salpion De Marsco, it was a good mix of seafood. The sauce could’ve used a little more salt. (4 stars)
The Crispy Stuffed Goat Cheese was okay. How can I hate on soft melted cheese? (2.5 stars)
Chicken Sous Vide was a little dry but the ground pepper? added a nice texture to the grilled chicken. (3 stars)
My favorite was the Paella Mixta, it was so flavorful and had plenty of seafood. I was so full but I couldn’t help myself but keep stuffing my face. A little of lemon juice made it perfect. Mmmm! (4.5 stars)
They have $ 5 drink specials that were pretty strong. :)
Our waitress was helpful and provided great service. I would come back to try their brunch.

I sat down to eat dinner here on a Friday around 6−7pm. The restaurant was not full at all. They gave us menus and water and then never came back to take our order. This is one of those places that looks good from the outside but once you sit down you quickly realize nobody likes this place and nobody cares.
I left after about 10 – 15 minutes of waiting.

9:42 AM, Fourth of July
Me: Oh, cool! They’re setting up outdoor tables right now! I am SO getting a mimosa!
Walk over. Sit down at table. Try to get server’s attention.
Me: Hmm. Why won’t she look in my direction?
Server looks up. Sneers.
Me: Umm. Are you guys open yet?
Server: No.
Me: Oh, what time do you open?
Server: 10:30
Me: (making sure I had the correct time of 9:45) Wait. What time is it now?
Server: I don’t know.
Me: So, um, but the tables are completely set up? That’s kind of confusing. Would it be possible to order a mimosa, then?
Server: No.
Server walks away; rolls eyes. New couple walks over to far right table.
Couple: Ooh, let’s grab this table, before it gets crowded outside!
Me: Yeah, don’t bother. They’re not open for another 45 minutes!
Couple: Oh! Then why are the tables set up?
Me: Goood question! And why the server is being a bitch about it, is another. I’m leaving.
Couple: Yeah, us too.
Rex Café can repaint, retrain, and rename itself Marbella, but it hasn’t changed a bit. A better name would be T-​Rex Café. take one step too near and they will scare you away.

— came with 2 friends and tried their paella, meatballs, and shrimp appetizer
— everything was way overpriced, small portions (even for tapas) and mediocre at best
— I alone spent $ 50 on 2 glasses of sangria and paella and still came out hungry
— it was freezing inside
— overall advice: if you want tapas go to Cha Cha Cha in the Mission

I recently came for brunch with my husband. We’ve heard that the place was ok so as food. But we found the food very good and price reasonable. Smiling service! I like the new décor, looks intimate.
I will be back soon ;)

Bring back Rex’s. The tapas are uninspired, overpriced and mediocre. I think they are going for the lack of Spanish tapas on Polk– but do yourself a favor and walk up the street to zarzuela.
The wines we had were good but I’m not coming back– just not worth it on a street/​in a neighborhood with so much to offer. So disappointing.

Mediocre food.
Too expensive for the quality and quantity.
Annoying wait list texting system.

Although nothing here hits a home run, it’s worth a try for tapas and beers when watching a game. Given the restaurant revolves around a central bar area, the tables are scattered along the walls.
The wines were decent especially those aged for a decade to soften the tannins. In terms of food, here is a recap:
crispy goat cheese croquette melts in the beet sauce spread
lamb meatballs are a bit salty and dense
sardines lacked flavor despite the pickled vegetables
paella wasn’t worth waiting 20 minutes, but had the right texture for rice
almond bread pudding was great, but the vanilla bean ice cream didn’t go well with it
olive oil gelato with chocolate cake didn’t turn out as expected in terms of the contrast
Service was fast, friendly and helpful with suggestions and complimentary still or sparkling water. The ambiance is dimly lit given the high ceilings with lights hanging above. Parking is tough in this area, but there is a lot a few blocks down near Walgreens.

As a European that frequently visits Spain. Marbella has nailed the look and feel of modern hip Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia! Marbella does not sport the sad décor of the «Spanish» want ta bezz in SF, no décor of tragic flamenco dances, bulls and other sad icons? Do behave! Instead Marbella has abstract décor of modern European colors and a regal (massive crown on the wall for example) proud pedigree! When you walk in you are greeted with a patent red bar and an atmosphere that says «edgy.» BTW the eye candy wait staff is worth the visit alone! They are bubbly and love to banter (very British) the bar tenders I Spoke to had great stories of travel.
I waited a week or so to come in and try out the beers and food. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the bar tenders let you settle into the mood choose the beverage (there are many cool mixes, they do take a little time to make) I have seen other Unilocalers complain about the wait for drinks and attention? I think Ryan and his wait staff have tried very hard to build a place where you can relax, and slow your pace from a hectic day. Marbella is not fast food, Marbella is a European experience! It was so nice to have a place in the hood, to chill relax make conversation with friends. I like the way I can come in and relax with my wife and friends and the wait staff is not constantly bugging you to buy more dinks. Very refreshing! Marbella is not MacDonald’s! Folk if you need a drink that quick there are liquor stores you can frequent!
Ok now the food! The squid ink beer is awesome! The small plates though a little pricey are super tasty! Two of the items come out cold but I say that’s growing pains. They will figure it out! My fav was anything on the share menu, though I am a pig so I don’t share! I for one think this place is a refreshing change in the neighborhood!!! I hope they make it.
Captain Andy!

If Christian Audigier opened a restaurant he would call it Marbella. He’d hire a bunch of cute girls with no serving experience, stick them in the same horrible dresses, and hope that the constituents of Russian Hill would somehow be enamored.
If you can’t even serve us drinks properly, I’m done. If there’s a 8.3 quake this spot might roll back down the hill to The Marina where it belongs.
Rex might have been a bit bland, but at least it had some character. Not «characters»

Got the opening night promotional email from Urban Daddy and was excited to check the new neighborhood restaurant out.
It’s almost like it’s still Rex’s (the place that was there before), but in a bad dream. They kept a lot of the décor & the feel, and none of the quality and just basic restaurant operations. The hostess was extremely awkward, but that’s an aside, can be forgiven.
My suggestions:
— get a different chef
— get a different procurement person (don’t know what you call them) so you are still reasonably stocked at 8 PM with moderate traffic.
— alternatively, get different prices that reflect the level of quality you actually have.
First of all, they were out of at least two dishes, some wine & most of the beers, and it was barely past 8 PM. Food was very meh but presented & charged as if it was designed by a master chef. Just because you put «grass fed», «organic grown», «home made» and a bunch of foreign words of the menu it don’t make it good.
The only highlight were the draft beer they still had on tap (one of the two remaining) and the cocktail off the specials menu.
My advice: go to Zarzuella /​Allegros’ for Spanish food, and if you’re looking for cocktails you’ll find plenty good places in North Beach, Nob Hill or the Mission.

i passed by the soft opening Mon and decided to check it out during the full first service. was at the Daniel Patterson-​Jacques Pepin talk down at Herbst and drove up for a late dinner. the space has a very Andalusian-​southern Spain feel to the décor with large murals. the central bar dominates the middle of the space with tables surrounding on the perimeter. after perusing the menu we decided to get a bunch of share plates and have the line fire at will due to some time constraints.
–seafood salpicon
–albongingas
–gambas «pil pil»
–salt cod
considering the menu is «progressive Spanish» those were four of the more traditional offerings. though in the Basque country, Pil Pil is a Hake dish. everything was tasty especially the gambas which were cooked perfectly. some of the mussels in the salpicon were not as fresh as i thought they could be but the dish was still overall good. at the end we got the olive oil gelato, flan and bread pudding which were all solid.
i wish i remembered our servers name (too much rushing!) who took great care of us, noting our constraint and getting the kitchen to get our food in a timely manner. for an opening, they did a great job, though we were in later than prime time. when im not so constrained ill definitely go in for more dishes. there never seems to be enough Spanish influenced food in the area!