Sotto Mare — Restaurant in San Francisco

I would like to start off by saying thank you to the staff of Sotto Mare who made the other evening one of the best dinning experiences I have ever had in my life. My cheeks were hurting when I left from how much I smiled and laughed during the entire meal. I had no idea what I was walking into - literally dragged by a friend that said we just had to eat here. I didn’t check any reviews and had no idea what they even served. But I’ll tell you what, when ever I visit San Fran going forward I will always have dinner here guaranteed.

Depending on when you arrive, you might have to wait some time, but believe me when I say it is worth it. Just grab your buzzer, wait outside and enjoy the Sand Fran weather. Or go to your left and have a drink at the bar next door. Jade is the bartender there and she is amazing! You get your drink fast and can run back to the restaurant when your buzzer goes off.

Now my experience may be different from others. Like most, we thought we would be given a seat outside or at a table inside but instead my friend and I were sat at the bar - but not just anywhere at the bar - all the way at the end where the food comes out. Now most might think that the closer you are to the kitchen, noise, dishes, waiters, etc. the worst the experience. NOT HERE AT SOTTO MARE! I literally got to sit at the end seat of the bar and had the entire kitchen in front of me, no obstructions, just pure cooking and food right at my grasp. Nothing was planned for this - we literally got the luck of the draw in getting these spots.

The head chef smiled at me and was more than happy to show me all the dishes that he was preparing. Everything was bursting with color, flavor, heat, and passion. The waiters were also diligent, fast, and hilarious to talk to. You could tell they were a true family and loved what they did. They checked up on us every couple minutes and made sure we had everything we needed from water, lemons, butter, bread, and drinks.

Again we didn’t know what to expect and everything got better as the evening proceeded. We got free bread and I ordered the best Prosecco Rose I have ever tasted. We ordered amazing oyster shooters and half oysters - both west and east coast. We also ordered a cup of the clam chowder and I can only say, WOW! Smooth and soft soup base with tender oyster pieces - it was phenomenal. Most people were ordering the crab cioppino but I really like to test restaurants and order something that is not the fan fave. Why? Because you can read about a hundred other reviews below about the cioppino and trust me everyone loves it. I wanted to make sure everything else was also at the same greatness level. My friend ordered the sea scallop sauté and I ordered the crab diavolo. When I tell you this crab was perfect I mean - IT WAS PERFECT! It fell out of the shell with no hassle and had an unbelievable amount of flavor. The pasta was light and buttery, not meant to overpower the crab. I wish I had 3 more plates of the diavolo but one plate stuffed me. It was not a popular dish I saw coming out of the kitchen but it is now my ultimate favorite and I am sure it will be yours too once you taste it.

Eat here! That is what I plan on telling everyone that I know that plans to visit San Fran. I cannot wait to visit the city again just to eat here and see everyone. Tell them Domino sent you - and don’t forget to said hi and thank you to the staff and chef. I am giving Sotto Mare 5 stars but more importantly I am giving them a place in my heart and memory and I plan on sharing it with everyone and hoping that they get to make amazing...

In a city that boasts an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fresh seafood, Sotto Mare stands as a defiant tribute to the traditional, no-nonsense seafood joints of yesteryear. It's the kind of place where the decor is as unpretentious as the menu, focusing squarely on delivering honest, hearty seafood dishes. The ambiance, like the fare, is straightforward and welcoming—think less about modern chic and more about a warm embrace from an old friend you haven't seen in years.

Kicking off the feast were the East Coast oysters—each a briny kiss from the Atlantic, served ice cold with a minimalistic dab of lemon and cocktail sauce. It's a testament to the raw beauty of seafood, unadulterated and served with the kind of reverence that such delicacies deserve. The oysters were not just fresh; they were a clarion call to the senses, a reminder of the ocean's vast, untamed wilderness.

Next came the clam chowder, a dish so many get wrong, yet here it was—perfection in a bowl. This wasn't some thick, gloppy mess but a delicate, creamy concoction that managed to be both hearty and refined. The clams, tender and plentiful, played the starring role, supported by a cast of potatoes, onions, and celery that all knew their place. It was a chowder that spoke of foggy mornings and the toil of fishermen, a recipe passed down through generations, untouched by the whims of culinary fashion.

The pièce de résistance, however, was the linguine with clams. This dish, in its sublime simplicity, was a love letter to the sea. The linguine, cooked to al dente perfection, twirled effortlessly around your fork, each strand soaked in a garlicky, wine-infused broth that was both light and deeply flavorful. The clams, tender morsels of sweetness, were generous in number, lending their oceanic essence to every bite. It was the kind of dish that didn't just satisfy hunger; it transported you, if only for a moment, to a seaside village in Italy, where the wine flows freely and the sea gives up its bounty with grace.

Sotto Mare; it's a sanctuary for those who worship at the altar of seafood. In a world increasingly obsessed with the new, it stands as a reminder of the joy found in the old, the tried, and the true. It doesn't just serve food; it serves memories, a tangible link to places and people long gone. And for that, it's a place worth visiting,...

Classic SF. They know what they're doing. Nice menu that is very focused and allows everyone to get in and out quickly, if need be. That's helpful if you are waiting for a table. Friday evening, 5pm, post-SF Sea Music Festival down at Aquatic Park. Outdoor seating full already, but 2 seats at the counter were fantastic. Hot tip: if you do like to watch the cooks, try to get seated allllll the way down at the end of the bar for a front-row show. Also, if it's warm in there, they have a fan at the far end so you'll feel a nice cool breeze the whole time. There's also a couple of tables back there where you'll also feel it.

We were seated and brought water and a bread basket immediately. Everyone is super efficient and we quickly were offered/given drinks, and our order taken. The buzzy beehive went on around us everywhere and all the employees seemed to like working together...they better because it's tight quarters behind the counter and in the rest of the restaurant. We had west coast oysters, and I added on an oyster shooter. All were fresh and delicious. I guess we were in the mood for clams because hubby ordered clams with linguine and I ordered clam steamers in broth (knowing I'd be dipping that bread basket bread in there). They were the same price and hubby's had a TON of clams, and mine (with no noodles) had TWO TONS of clams. Point being there was more than enough food with both dishes. And the manila clams are just what you want....tiny and flavorful.

And that was that. We definitely want to split the crab cioppino next time - the couple next to us had it and it looked fantastic. Friendly service, quick in and out (although you could linger if you want, I suspect) and good portions. Love, love, love and...