This is the first time in a few years we've dined at Sociale, and I don't know why we've left it so long.
It's an Italian restaurant that's a world away from the tourist traps of North Beach. It's romantic, stylish, and stylishly comfortable.
After ordering a bottle of Brunello di Montalino, I set about persuading my wife that it was absolutely essential we have a 'proper' Italian dinner of three courses - Cominciare, Continuare, and Concentrare in Sociale-speak.
We luxuriated in the White Bean Crostino (a wonderful hummus-like paste on crostino, with arugula salad and shaved parmigiano-reggiano), and Duck Meatballs (taste bombs with dried cherry sugo) to start; English Pea Tortelloni (lovely pasta, but I never know why restaurants refer to 'English' pea - is there any other kind?) and Pork Belly Ravioli (with whole grain mustard parmigiano cream, spinach and shallots) to continue; and we both had the Roasted Quail (together with potato, cauliflower, and bacon in a tasty sauce) for our third course.
My date insists - as I write this rave - the wine didn't open up in the way she wanted, or the price implied that it would. But that's the only negative that remains after a night of sleeping off all that beautiful food.
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