Sotto Mare

Sotto Mare is a small Italian-American seafood restaurant at 552 Green Street in North Beach, San Francisco, California. The neighborhood has long been the center of the city's Italian community, and the restaurant reflects the fishing-family tradition of the district. The cuisine pairs San Francisco seafood with Italian technique, and the menu is built around the local catch. Signature dishes include cioppino, the tomato-and-wine seafood stew considered a regional emblem, along with Dungeness crab when in season, clam chowder and linguine with clams. Other seafood pastas, fried calamari and fresh oysters round out the menu. The dining room is compact and informal, with a small counter, a handful of tables and walls covered in memorabilia. The mood is loud, friendly and crowded, and the staff are known for a chatty, theatrical style of service. Dress is casual. The beverage programme is straightforward, with Italian and Californian wines by the glass and bottle and beer to go with the seafood. The restaurant does not take reservations, and dinner is the busiest period, so visitors should expect a wait, especially on weekends and during the summer tourist season. Putting a name on the list and exploring nearby cafes, City Lights Bookstore or Washington Square while waiting is a common approach. Lunch is usually easier than dinner. Meals cost roughly $35 to $60 per person, and the cioppino is the best-value way to try a full local seafood experience. Hours are daily for lunch and dinner and should be confirmed on the restaurant's website before going. The location on Green Street puts it within walking distance of Columbus Avenue, Coit Tower and the Embarcadero, so it fits easily into a North Beach itinerary.