I have done quite a few tastings here and the food is always fantastic as well as the ambience and the family. Laura and Richard are just the best. They treat you with utter kindness and make sure you have the best time. They’ve been in business for a long time and they really make you feel like your part of their family. The waitstaff has a way of seeming that they know you even though it could be the first time you are in Sotta Mare. Walking into Sotto Mare you immediately feel comfortable, like you are going to your Italian Nonna’s for Friday seafood dinner.
After all Sotto Mare translates from Italian to English as “Under the Sea,” and there are plenty of seafood delicacies to try.
Here’s What I Tried:
Blue Cheese Wedge Salad, crisp iceberg lettuce wedge topped with blue cheese crumbles, creamy dressing, and fresh tomato wedges. This salad is so refreshing and delightful. It is very filling, because they give you a huge lettuce wedge. The dressing is creamy with a nice mild flavor. A must have to start your amazing meal.
Boston Clam Chowder, creamy clam chowder, with potatoes, celery, and onions. It’s also available in quart or pint sizes for take-home. Really the best clam chowder you are ever going to eat. Lots of clams, coupled with the delectable soup, it will keep you happy and warm, for sure a crowd pleaser.
Cold Cracked Dungeness Crab. The crab is so fresh, it is at the end of crab season here in San Francisco. The crab is hearty and exceptionally sweet, with a mild nutty flavor and tender buttery texture. Native to the pristine waters of the Pacific Northwest. It stands out for its highest to shell ration and incredible culinary versatility. For me I am always so excited to feast on fresh Dungeness crab from San Francisco.
Oysters On The Half Shell, a blend of East Coast and West Coast oysters that were so amazing and fresh. Lovely bright flavors of the sea, with silky creamy textures, just the best.
Fettuccine Alfredo, a super creamy pasta dish, it really hits all of the high notes, and delivers a wonderful cheesy flavor, I like to order this one every time.
Scallop Sauté, served with fresh seasonal vegetables. The scallops are large and delicious, served with a lemon garlic sauce, just to die for.
Boston Clam Chowder, creamy clam chowder, potatoes, celery, onions. Available in quart or pint sizes for take-home. Really the best clam chowder you are ever going to eat. Lots of clams coupled with the delectable soup, it will keep you happy and warm, for sure a crowd pleaser.
Sea Bass with vegetables, this is a huge piece of fish, with very plump capers, the light lemon garlic sauce is all you need to highlight this glorious menu item.
Wines:
Chardonnay, Bouchon, Healdsburg, The perfect wine with any of the seafood dishes. It has a nice creamy buttery texture and flavor; it is the perfect match for any of the garlic infused sauces.
Chardonnay Raymond R Collection St. Helena, this wine is really one of my favorites. I have been to the winery out in St. Helena; it is elegant fruit forward and went great with the cracked crab. I just love this wine.
First built in 1919 the building that Sotto Mare occupies was restored to its original plan and configuration between 2003 and 2007. A winery and cigar store during prohibition, it later became the Isle of Capri Italian family restaurant in 1956. The space became Montclair Italian family restaurant and in 1978 it was sold to legendary USF baseball coach Dante Benedetti after restoration was completed, Sotto Mare Osteria & Seafood Restaurant opened in March 17, 2007.
In 2014 the Azzolino family, Rich and his wife Laura and their children Vito and Rio purchased Sotto Mare. Rich brought with him a long history in San Francisco restaurants including stints at Caesar’s, Jovanello’s, Maye’s Oyster House, and the California Culinary Academy. Employed by Sotto Mare under previous ownership Ria had received her North Beach restaurant education. Well before the family took the place over, Rich and Laura were both born and raised in North Beach San Francisco Little Italy. With Sotto Mare they have created a place where friends neighbors and worldwide visitors can congregate to indulge in the freshest seafood, good wine, laughter, and great story . If the timing is right you might even hear an old story from Rich himself. Sotto Mari has been featured on television shows, in many magazines. Its formidable reputation has grown under the stewardship of the Azzolino family with a devoted following that little literally comes from all corners of the world. Sotto Mare is proudest of its local customer base and the host of lifelong friends who visit the restaurants daily. The menu was created to be close to authentic Italian food as possible. Cooked like they do in Italy. Sotto Mare’s world famous “The Best Damn Crab Cioppino” is just that, the best. But Rich is always testing new dishes. Asking customers about new dishes they might enjoy. Rich’s other passion is collecting vintage cars, occasionally you can find one of his cars parked in front of the restaurant. He is currently rebuilding a duplicate of his high school car a 1960 Impala. It definitely brings back good memories. When not operating Sotto Mare you can usually find Rich and Laura cruising the neighborhood in one of their classic cars.
The ambiance is also very entertaining, with tons of photos of valued customers, family, tournaments, trips, large fish mount on the walls, and everything in between. I just can’t say anything more, except for when you’re in the city by the bay you have got to cruise on into Sotto Mare, it’s a dining experience you will not forget.
Sotto Mare
552 Green St.
North Beach
San Francisco CA. 94113
415 398 3181
