Penny Roma (San Francisco, CA)

Penny Roma
3000 20th Street
San Francisco CA, 94110
Dining date: 6/25/22

Penny Roma has been one of the more popular new restaurants in San Francisco. Opened in October of 2021, the restaurant is a more casual offshoot of the ever-popular Flour & Water. The restaurant replaces Central Kitchen in the Inner Mission complex that also houses Flour & Water Pasta Shop, Trick Dog, and Sightglass Coffee.

As expected, the menu is pasta-centric but is rounded out by a selection of antipasti and protein-dense main courses. A tasting menu at a reasonable $70 price point is also available but we went a la carte in order to choose exactly what we wanted.

Halibut crudo pluot, basil, golden sesame

Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe black pepper, pecorino romano

Spaghetti alle Vongole clam, spring onion, chile, lemon & white wine

Agnolotti Dal Plin beef & pork, sugo d’arrosto, parmigiano reggiano

Grilled Swordfish spinach salmoriglio, fava, lemon

Penny Roma really delivered on its promise for simple and satisfying Italian. I enjoyed everything we sampled, but especially the last two pastas. The spaghetti with clams was fantastic with plenty of salty sea flavor and slightly spicy chili notes. And the agnolotti was delicious too, packed with a meaty filling and bathed in a umami-rich sauce. I would return; in fact, I already have plans to next month.