Sociale

Amazing, hearty, Italian dishes. The veal and Eggplant Parmesan were to die for. Edit: this was originally a 5 star review until the check came and our server had extreme attitude because he brought us the wrong wine and tried to charge us over $400 for it when we ordered a $85 bottle. This place is pathetic for that

The food was great! Service was fantastic. I was really grateful that we were offered a private room for our group due to predicted rain. But we actually got really lucky that it didn't rain that nice and still get to enjoy our team bonding dinner in the private room. The only downside for me is that they were allowing other guests to come in and out of our private room to use the restroom which I thought was a little strange. We weren't notified about that little detail. But the overall experience was great. The wine recommendation was good. Parking was not as bad especially since we can use the Spruce valet too across the street.

5 stars, because when we’d said we’d like an extra plate to split a few dishes, they actually made two separate plates of food for us, so thoughtful! Thank you for such a kind gesture. Their scallops are delicious, their hanger steak (pictured) was excellent. Great wine, and even a cute bathroom setup. Loved their outside patio, though we ultimately chose to enjoy their indoor seating. Charming place, go see for yourself!

Per the reviews here, I ordered the seared scallops dinner and it was delicious!! So was the corn the scallops were on. We had a beet salad before the main course which looked really pretty and tasted just as good. We also had polenta fries, which were yummy. The service is outstanding - the servers are really attentive. The outdoor dining is divine. We were with a European who noted that it felt like Europe. The only thing is that they should look into a new outdoor heating system, as I was roasting like a chicken. At one point I asked them to turn down the heater and they said it can either be moved or turned off. When they moved it, the girl at the table next to us thanked me. She said she was roasting too despite she wasn’t directly next to the heater. All in all, it was a delightful evening!!

Very cute spot but easy to miss it if you’re just walking by. Very light + yummy pappardelle, rigatoni and burrata. Chocolate oblivion cake was good but the sea salt was a bit overpowering.

I can't believe that I haven't reviewed Sociale before. I ate there last night for the sixth time. The food is always delicious. Last night I had the seared scallops with tomato jam and finely sauced peas. The dish is beautiful to look at and tastes unbelievably delicious. The crab salad was fresh and fabulous. The olive oil cake is a perfect ending to a great meal. Here's a June 2023 update: I ate at Sociale again last Saturday. I ordered a morel mushroom with Madeira sauce that was amazing. The sweet carmelized onions blended beautifully with the nuttiness of the sauce and umami of the mushrooms. My friends had the egg plant parmesan and the other, a vegan bolognese sauce over pasta. The service was as amazing as always.

Lovely spot for dinner. I asked the waiter for his thoughts on the "spaghetti with smoked trout" vs the "pappardelle with braised duck" as I was interested in both - he offered to bring me half portions of each, which was fantastic! My husband got the eggplant parm which he really enjoyed. For the record, the duck pappardelle was absolutely delicious - easy to see why this is a signature dish here. The spaghetti with smoked trout was nothing to write home about... will definitely be back for some more duck pappardelle. Delicious food and lovely service.

Visited this restaurant because acquaintance (a regular) highly recommended it. 3 1/2 stars to be exact. Truly feels that this restaurant is over-rated, based on the taste of the dishes. Staff was no doubt courteous and professional; atmosphere wasn't bad. Presentation of the dishes looked good. The Fried Olives was interesting. The Wagyu Braised Short Rib was excellent. But the other dishes, like the fish and pork, fell short of expectations. Also, wait time for the food was a bit too long.

We attended a private dinner party last evening. The atmosphere was charming with a bit of old world charm. The private room was large enough to feel comfortable and move about talking with the large group. Since it was a private event, we had a set menu to select. I started with the Cesar salad. The ravioli was good but the corn filling cream sauce was what made the dish absolutely delicious. I tried my husband's mushroom pasta and it was incredible. Comfort food at its finest. I could not get enough of the Trout. It was crispy on the bottom and full of flavor. It was prepared perfectly. The accompanying veggies were light and lovely. The service was top notch. Our waiter served the meal and made it seem effortless. We know it was his expertise that made it seem effortless. It was perfectly executed!

Quaint Italian restaurant tucked away in an alley in the Presidio, a literal hidden gem. The outdoor and indoor areas are cute, cozy, and intimate. Staff are all very welcome and accommodating. All dishes we ordered that night were truly delicious. Flavorful appetizers and sides, tender fish and al dente pasta for mains. Both desserts were amazing as well. The blood orange panna cotta had such an intense refreshing orange flavor and perfectly complemented the rich chocolate oblivion cake. Highly recommend Sociale!

We came here for my aunt's birthday and the service and ambiance here were wonderful! Our waitress Veronica walked us through the menu, and also brought out my aunt's dessert with a candle. The food was underwhelming. My rigatoni was weirdly chewy (not that it wasn't cooked through, but as if the pasta dough was too thick). My cousin had the linguine with clams and didn't care for it. We enjoyed the caprese salad, but did not like the watermelon sorbet. The bread was delicious though! Overall, I don't think I'll be back because of the food, but it was a very cute place and the staff members were great.

Always delicious food..especially short rib gnocchi...game hen..excellent service always. Always treated special each visit.

We ate here for belated Valentine's day and I am still thinking about that Chocolate Oblivion cake. It was absolutely delicious! Service was amazing and very conversational which was nice. Ambiance is cute and it's tucked away that it feels private. The food itself is tasty and they kind of have a "half" theme going for them where they offer half bottles of wine and you can do half and half pasta! The portions are not that big which seems to be a negative for others but personally we are not fans of being overstuffed and full so this was quite perfect for us. We will be returning!

Sociale is a hidden gem nestle in a secret entryway that one will mostly pass by if you are not in the know. It's kind of that European vibe. Understated. Good food and wine. Intimate. Used to come here with friends, but now we come by only on special occasions. Oh, almost forgot to mention, I love their panna cotta.

Sociale Had the pleasure of coming here for a medical dinner and preset menu. I started off with the Burrata: Watermelon, lemon on zest, and Chile flake. Moved on to (my personal favorite) the Seared Scallops: braised corn, seared figs, and smoked sea salt. Then chose the Steelhead Trout: Blue Lake & Yellow wax beans, green olive & caper tapenade as my entree. And ended with the Blood Orange Panna Cotta with Candied kumquats. This was such a cute dinner place. Hidden behind an alley of stores, you stumble upon a nice Italian restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating. The food was amazing and service was great, so I'll definitely be back in the near future!

I stumbled upon this hidden gem with my friend when we were looking for a place to eat around the neighborhood. This place popped up on yelp with good reviews, and less than a mile away so we decided to give it a try! The entrance is very discreet - you have to walk down a short alleyway before you reach the courtyard of the restaurant, and then the actual indoor area is in the back. It wasn't a warm night, but the courtyard was so enclosed and so cute with heat lamps and string lights that we definitely opted to sit outside. We had such a good experience with both the food and the service that I took my mom back here for her birthday. We started out at the bar and ordered a half bottle of wine, and the sommelier made some really great suggestions, in addition to letting us taste some great wines. We then moved over to our table in the courtyard and got another half bottle of something he had suggested. For food, I ordered the same thing both times I've been here (the Cavatelli Bolognese). The pasta itself was unique and the PERFECT consistency, and the bolognese tasted very homemade. I will probably get this again when I come back hehe. 10/10. My mom got the Mushroom Bolognese with paperdelle, and while the noodles were good, the sauce itself was a little too sour. She was less impressed with her dish and preferred the Cavatelli. 6/10. To start, we got the crudo and a side of brussel sprouts. These were both very good but I would definitely try other appetizers on the menu such as the scallops and the burrata. 8/10 for the starters. Overall, this is very much a neighborhood restaurant with cute local vibes located in Presidio Heights. The food and the wine are delicious and I would highly recommend this place!

When you walk down the ramp to this hidden gem you are instantly transported to an intimate trattoria in Italy which is exceptional in every way. We started with the fried olives and the creamiest and freshly made burrata. And be sure to ask Jim Kennedy the learned Sommelier to make wine suggestions along the way which are always spot on and perfectly paired. He took time out to explain each wine recommendation in detail which adds another element to the perfect meal. Jim and our waiter Matt, recommended we try the duck Pappardelle and Pork pastas which came out of the kitchen hot and al dente and were the best this side of Italy. And we were equally impressed with the secondi recommendations which included the beef stew and game hen. We shared all the dishes which was a great way to broaden our dining experience. Our only regret was that we were to filled to try the desert wines which I know would have been paired with sweet offerings at the end. Now we have something to look forward to when we return!

We love this neighborhood gem. A few things that stand out: -Delicious and high quality food. They have the most satisfying warm bread. I usually get a special salad and then the cavatappi bolognese -They have a beautiful outdoor patio with what I believe is the best heater game in town -They are so kind and accommodating, especially if you are a young family with a baby. We have always felt so welcomed by their entire team. They go above and beyond to welcome us

After combing through their reviews and watching the social media content of Sociale, I was looking forward to our reservation here however after the IRL experience....like the millennials say, "it was mid." Their menu is very concise and not vegetarian/pescatarian friendly; we ordered the Rigatoni All'Amatriciana and a special order modification of the Pappardelle With Braised Duck but without the duck and instead with Mushroom Bolognese. The concept of eating Italian food in an alleyway sounds cute, but dependent on which side you sit, it can be a little creepy and unsafe as you're unsure who is going to arrive from behind. The heat lamps inside did their job, however the pasta dishes we ordered were not that impressive, it reminded me of Trader Joe's pasta prepared al dente with ingredients mushed, moreso that's how my dish tasted. Maybe for special occasions Sociale hits different, however the whole experience felt very unfulfilling as I joked we could stop by Super Duper Burgers after.

Great for large groups, great for birthday and special occasions. When the servers heard it was my birthday, they treated me to a complimentary appetizer (fried olives, so yummy), champagne for the whole table, and at the end a slice of cake. We all enjoyed our dishes and the ambiance was gorgeous. We sat on the patio with pretty lights.

This restaurant was cute and very much tucked away, it's truly a hidden gem. You have to walk through an alley way between buildings to get inside the restaurant. At around 5, we walked in for 4. They were already buzzing with business but we were able to get a table. The food was delicious, the wine selections were extensive. Their staff was attentive and helpful, overall an experience that's worth going back for. Thank you for a great time, I hope to be back soon!

I've been here twice now and there's a lot to like- it's tucked away, there are nice wines, the service is good. The food is also good, but a bit of a challenge for me. The first time we came, they gave us complimentary fried olives. I probably wouldn't have gotten these, but they were delicious! I definitely recommend them. We also ordered the seared scallops and they were wonderful too. The second time, we tried the fried artichoke hearts and polenta sticks. Both great. When it comes to mains, the food is very pork and mushroom heavy for some reason. Not my favorite. The first time I got the cavatelli bolognese- I wanted to try it anyway and I love cavatelli. Too porky for me. The next time I struggled to find something without mushrooms or pork and ended up choosing the brisket with polenta and mushrooms. (My rationale being that I wouldn't eat the polenta and mushrooms!) The brisket was delicious. (I was hungry later, but that's fine.) My friends both enjoyed their food - seafood stew (I don't like all that seafood either if you're wondering why I didn't get that) and the Amatriciana. Overall this is a limited menu but I'd say that if there's something you like on it, it will be good.

Warm, welcoming, elevated yet unfussy atmosphere, lovely decor, friendly and unobtrusive service, extensive wine list, and tasty food. Perfect for both dates and groups. The tables both inside and out are nicely spaced, the lighting is tasteful (including candles at night), and there are lots of heat lamps outside. As for food, we really enjoyed the burrata (beautiful combination of flavors and textures) and the pappardelle with braised duck (the duck was tender and tasty, and the noodles were perfectly al dente). The mushroom bolognese was slightly sour (from the tomatoes), but the zucchini noodles were impressive. We can't wait to come back and try other dishes.

Food was great. The pasta was aldente and tasted home made. Liked bolognese sauce, rustic and meat forward, not overly tomato-y. Amatriciana was melt in your mouth with the bacon but the tomatoes added a nice acid. Service was great! Will be back!

This is the remainder of my review. I hit the word limit. The original review is below. This is more about the food. We shared the burrata and watermelon. That was sweet, salty, and peppery, with a drizzle of oil. I also had a bite of the Caesar salad. It had either a fat anchovy or small fish not an anchovy. Whatever it was, it was a premium version of the usual topping. For my main course, I had brisket in marsala with mushrooms on polenta. I have been trying to cut down on meat consumption. I feel guilty whenever I read about CAFOs. I figure it is better for my individual health and my morality as well as promoting environmental stewardship. Everyone else raved about their choices.

This is a restaurant that does not even need a customer review. When I say service and food is outstanding, I mean in an international way absolutely outstanding in every single way there's nothing more to say if you're lucky enough to get a reservation here just sit back and enjoy.

Been here twice. Service is amazing. Food is incredible Vibes are sexy for date Lively on the weekdays tucked away in what I believe is one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city

Sociale is a Presidio Heights neighborhood gem that specializes in Northern Italian fare. The intimate dining room and adjacent heated patio provide a comfortable and quiet dining experience. Sociale prides itself on its pasta dishes along with seasonal mains that leverage local meats and produce. Duck Pappardelle has been a cornerstone of their menu for years and should not be missed. An approachable wine list (including many half-bottle selections) and courteous service make Sociale an excellent choice for date night, family dinner, or a business meeting in their private dining room.

.beautiful atmosphere. Well prepared food. I love that they serve bread and butter with your meal. Service was good and they even put a candle in our birthday desert. Hope to visit again.

The food was mediocre for the price and we felt the portions were small. Actually came home hungry as the linguini and clams portion was small and greasy. The service was excellent though, but we were disappointed we didn't realize they only serve wine. No hard liquor. Very blah tasting, over priced and won't be returning. . .

I've come here multiple with the most recent visit for a private event/educational dinner. We had the private room again and service and food were both great. I started with the salad and love the puffed rice for texture and that it wasn't soggy and or over dressed. The scallops were beautifully cooked and the tomato jam and pea purée added a nice sweetness. The short ribs were tender and flavorful as well. I had the chocolate cake for dessert and was rich and definitely very chocolaty but ate it all. Everything came out timely and servers were as well with all our drinks. My pics aren't the greatest but it was all really delicious.

Hostess who my reservation was wonderful. Service was good/attentive and had an enjoyable dinner with friends on the patio. Very comfortable with the heat lamps. Quite nice outside and could be even better with a little more greenery The veal chop was so good.. tender and moist even well or med. A tad overcooked for med Rare, but delicious none the less. Thank you to our knowledgeable waiter for the suggestion. Shared 2 yummy desserts - chocolate cake & Pana cotta were also good. Their house bread was so delicious! Beef brisket with polenta was not my favorite but had a nice presentation. Would return for the veal. Never saw my friends clean their plate before. Lol.

Love the ambiance of this European style cafe. The walk down the alley and outdoor seating is a vibe. Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable staff

This is a bad restaurant. Weak, uninteresting flavors. Cheap cuts of meat- I would never go back. Nice ambiance.

I've come back here twice in the last month, for lunch and dinner. Both times the food was excellent, the service was spot on and the atmosphere felt like a little Italian gem hidden away. The courtyard is great on a warm day, it's shielded and has a retractable roof even in the evening. The inside is cozy and nice, SF nights are chilly. We had different kinds of pasta, all homemade, with amazing sauces, and flavors. The burrata and melon salad was refreshing and light, a great way to start the meal. The wine suggestions were also great, I don't know much about Italian wines and they gave great recommendations. No one rushed us out and we could enjoy the food and time at the restaurant just like in Europe.

We were a group of 7 last night. Wonderful caring service. Absolutely DELICIOUS mushroom risotto. The Chocolate Oblivion Cake is the very best thing I have eaten in a restaurant this year. BRAVO!!!!!

Food was very good. I had the Caesar salad, fried olives, short ribs. Everything was very good, flavors, ingredients, freshness, etc. The dessert was similarly good. Very nice dinner. Overall, great food.

Simply outstanding hospitality! I clearly was in desperate straits when I arrived with my hungry toddler, and they delivered my al dente pasta, bread, and dessert lightning fast per my request. The hostess even offered me a glass of spumante in empathy for my dining situation. My toddler ate like a child, making good use of their perfect white napkins and tablecloth, but no one blinked an eye. As I left, I apologized to the server for the mess, and he responded "As long as you enjoyed, it's alright."

The patio seating was beautiful and charming, but the food that I had was just OK. I ordered the cavatappi bolognese, which was good but nothing special, and I shared the scallops, which were also good but nothing special. We shared a burrata and a crudo, neither of which I was impressed with. The burrata wasn't particularly creamy and the dish didn't come with any bread, which I thought was odd. Maybe I just ordered the wrong things, as our friends gave the short rib a good review. And the bread for the table was delicious, so that's a plus.

Had dinner last night and really enjoyed our evening. We were a party of four with an early reservation and were sat immediately. I think because we were early parking on the street was a breeze. The ambiance is great we sat inside but the covered tables with heaters outside looked nice too. Our waitress Veronica (I think) was terrific. I try to avoid heavy dairy and she went through the menu explaining which items could be adjusted accordingly. I have been doing dry Jan and Feb and appreciated that they carried two non alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing - their IPA and Lager. I had the special spaghetti with braised pork and the rest of table enjoyed their entrees of Scallops, Veal Chop and pasta with duck. Overall a nice evening and will be back.

Honestly really disappointing. I was looking forward to this dinner with my boyfriend to celebrate Valentines and all we got was overpriced experience and passive aggressiveness from our server. Originally when I booked this reservation, I was intrigued by the "exclusive Valentines menu" for $125 PER person only to realize later it was the same exact menu just mixed and matched with each other with SIGNIFICANT different price points. Only maybe a couple items were different. I can understand the slight up charge for the special occasion but this was just not right. On top of that our server, I was really trying to give her the benefit of the doubt and say that she probably just has had a rough day or something but the passive aggressiveness was a bit much. We didn't feel treated the same as the rest of the guests. I still left a tip because I felt guilty to not leave one but honestly I didn't even wish to have paid for this poor quality food. Overall to describe our experience is - food portions small for the price - overpriced experience - bland food - "bEsT VaLeNtInEs EvEr"

Been wanting to come to this place for ages! TikTok brought me here and didn't disappoint. The service was attentive and the wine incredible. We came for a birthday and they surprised us with the best bubbly and fried olives I've had on the planet. We started with the burrata which was a whirlwind of yellow and pink watermelon, chili flakes, and basil. We also go the Kale and Apple Salad to start, which was surprisingly warm with shaved fennel, rice puffs for texture and a delicious vinaigrette. The mushroom ravioli were delicious! We wanted more! The rigatoni was a highlight, with perfectly al dente pasta, an incredible sauce, and huge portions. The eggplant parmesan was also generously portioned and incredibly filling. We finished the night with the chocolate oblivion cake. We would have ordered another if we had space in our tummies! Overall a incredible eatery with a lovely well lit patio. A great place to celebrate nestled away along the neighborhood. A must go!

Not really good food tonight...quaint venue, knowledgeable staff! A special SF institution on Sacramento street. Typically good pastas, seafood and a solid wine list. Avoid desserts. Really poor execution on this Tuesday evening.

I really do love this spot. It's the second time i've come, and the food was as good as ever! One thing i was very disappointed about though, we called days ahead of our reservation to let them know that it was a special one. it's our 4 year anniversary, and we asked if they could do anything special for us and that we wanted a great table (not next to any bathrooms or bus stations). Unfortunately, they disappointed. not only did they seat us next to the front door where people and waiters were constantly going back and forth, but it was also right next to the entrance for the bathroom. additionally, they didn't actually do anything special - i think the hostess said happy anniversary once or something? clearly not enough to leave an impression. the one other thing i was disappointed by was serving size. we were told the pasta meals are the biggest dishes, so we had them split one for us... and i think it was like 4 small bites each. flavors were great, but serving size was sad. i do recommend the half bottle of the prosecco though! i think it's pretty good value for the amount and the cost. we ended with a delicious bread pudding! one of my favorite desserts they offer. it was delicious! this is a great spot for a special night out.

Between 3 and 4 stars, with so many choices in the city, would probably not return. 3 star service - slow and unattentive. Food: Complimentary bread : like slightly underbaked sweet rolls. Burrata w cauliflower: Ok. Impossible to mess up burrata anyway. Pappardelle with braised duck: OK. Corn ravioli: Good but a tad too sweet and creamy. The best choice though probably. Pici bolognese: Also OK at best. Desserts: Chocolate oblivion cake: Good Blood orange panna cotta: Sounds good in theory but not in practice. Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding: Pretty good. Ambiance: 4/5

Sociale is a charming spot with a private patio and wall to wall bench seating, giving it a comfy and welcoming feeling. The staff was incredibly nice and attentive. And the food was delicious. I had the braised duck pappardelle, the pasta itself seemed to have sat a bit when they brought it out, but it was still quite tasty. Others at my table ordered the lamb and a spicy pasta dish; both were perfectly cooked, and flavorful. We also had the Brussel sprouts and burrata as apps. If you like brussels, you'd love theirs. The burrata was tasty, but the portion was small, it'd have been nice if they'd included a couple more toast slices, but they did bring bread unprompted, which was thoughtful. Finally, the pistachio chocolate ice cream was amazing. Thanks, Sociale!

This cozy neighborhood spot has excellent food and service. One of my faves. Was disappointed this week to see a dog sitting at the indoor table next to me. He was cute and well behaved. I love dogs but that's against state law for health and sanitation reasons. And every restauranteur knows it.

Had lunch today in the patio. They had hand sanitizer on the table. Staff wore masks and some of them wore gloves. We had 4 for lunch, appetizer and 4 starters, 4 meals , wine, 2 desserts and 2 coffee beverages. Our bill was $240 and we left a $50 tip. Meals were delicious, portions great and they had a special as well. Support small business!

Socialé is a cool spot with chic and modern decor, which sets the perfect ambiance for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner with a significant other. The restaurant is spacious yet intimate, and the service is great. The menu is full of creative and delicious options, from small plates perfect for sharing to larger entrees. My personal favorite was the beef carpaccio, which was perfectly seasoned. The pasta dishes were also fantastic, with unique flavor combinations that really impressed me. The wine list was also impressive, with a great selection of bottles to choose from. The vibe at Socialé is lively yet relaxed, making it the perfect spot for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a fun night out or a cozy dinner with someone special, this restaurant delivers. I highly recommend checking it out for yourself and indulging in the delicious food and nice atmosphere.

First time dining here, had a wonderful time. Their outdoor seating area was like a garden and the food was phenomenal. A real Italian culinary experience, highly recommend.

The ambiance is tough to beat at Sociale. Tucked in a beautiful side alley shared with a flower shop. Good for groups (larger tables) and dates. Both indoor and outdoor seating. The pasta special was delicate, had excellent flavors and a mushroom we have never heard of (lobster mushroom).

Was there for a conference meeting. This place is one of my top choice in San Francisco! Though it's been a tough 18 months but happy to be out and dining here again. Food are wonderful, services are also excellent. Definitely recommended if you're looking for a nice fine dining place

Romantic atmosphere! Tasty dishes with layers of flavor! Friendly staff! Affordable prices! Easy accessible location!

Sociale was very enjoyable. The food was delicious and the waitress was mostly great. We started with the burrata (which does not come with bread, surprisingly) and the scallops. Both were yummy. For dessert, we had the chocolate lava cake and the sorbet. Both were delicious. 4 stars instead of 5 is mostly for the service. We had to get the waitstaff's attention a couple times to order drinks and get more water. Would definitely go back!

SUPER big fan of this place and I'm sure I'm late to the game. Everything from the service, to the ambiance and food really hit the spot. This place is tucked away on Sacramento in a cool little nook and brings me back memories of my vacation in Italy. The scallops were awesome, especially for being on the house as a gratitude for the wait on our reservation. The game hen was moist and delicious and the truffle duck pappardelle was perfect. Defintely want to come back and make it a regular place.

I've been coming here on & off for many years, definitely for more than 10. It's got the cutest location, great service, really good wine list and good food. Upscale neighborhood restaurant at it's best. We moved out of SF few years back but still go there on special occasions.

Food, service and ambiance is incredible. I love it all! I have only hosted large group dinners, but the food always comes out so fantastic! I look forward to coming here to enjoy sitting in the central patio!