We were on our way back from Berkeley to SF, decided to drop into Spengers for dinner a few weeks ago. It was a Saturday night, no reservations, but the people at the front desk said we could get a table in about 45min. So we moved into the bar just off the entry.\r
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We ended up sitting in the bar for an hour and 20 minutes. During that entire time, the cocktail waitress NEVER checked to see if we wanted drinks, never even made eye contact. She looked harried and rushed, serving food to people in the bar (the bartender, otoh, was great, once I went up). I checked back with the front desk every 15-20min or so, finally leaning on them a little, whereupon we got a table. Once inside the restaurant, there were obviously empty, set tables. I got the distinct sense we would have been left in the bar until closing if I hadn't gotten pushy.\r
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The menu was reasonably interesting, and the food was OK, though way overpriced for what it was. The vegies that accompianed my entree were steamed and presented without flavoring of any kind. Our server was pleasant enough, though he seemed distracted; I think I asked for something that never arrived. The building is pretty interesting, with a wall of model ships and various other nautical-theme bits hanging from the walls and ceilings.\r
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Maybe rezzies would get you seated reasonably promptly; that would certainly improve the experience. Once seated, though, it's still a corporate restaurant chain that feels focused on maximizing revenue from transient traffic while minimizing costs for food and service. A good place to avoid.
Pros: Historic building, with a 34-caret diamond
Cons: Heartless service, overpriced and uninteresting food
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