I have been to Sociale once for dinner and twice now for lunch. The food and service have been consistently excellent.
Most recently I was at Sociale for lunch. I had an heirloom tomato salad with thinly sliced basil and the flank steak and fries. Simple food, prepared elegantly and flawlessly. The actual cut of meat was outstanding and it was lovingly prepared medium rare. Simple food is always a great opportunity to rate a restaurant. It really amazes me that it is possible to ruin a good cut of steak. Yet, I have seen this done. Or, possibly a worse offense. Is to ruthlessly overcook a really bad cut of steak. The first and only time I ate at Scopazzi’s in Boulder Creek they had some terrible hack burn the outside of a C grade New York steak leaving the inside raw. Was that intentional? Did the cook hate his/her job and every single person eating at the restaurant? I can only hope so as that might have explained the terrible meal I had there… Oh, well. Now, I am comfortably seated in the outside brick patio of Sociale. An oasis of calm in the busy shopping hub of Sacramento Street. A place where one can effortlessly spent two thousand dollars on a single pair of sheets with terribly high tread count. An impossible area to find parking for a car and an excellent place to negotiate terms for custom cabinets to be designed and installed. It was never an area of the city where I spent too much time. Now, I know there is a small gem of a restaurant I may come more often…
So, the food. The heirloom salad was perfect. Luscious, velvet heirlooms. Two varietals, both valentine red. A simple oil and balsamic dressing and the aforementioned thinly sliced basil. Complaints? Well… I grow tomatoes and typically eat them right off the vine. So? My tomatoes never, ever see the inside of my refrigerator. Ever. So, these were slightly chilled. Hard to say if this is simply a personal preference, but I would like my heirlooms at room temperature. Is that feasible? Possibly not in a commercial restaurant. The steak? Well, there are no other ways to describe a perfect steak. It was absolute perfection. Drop whatever you are doing. Put away your iPhone, iPad or laptop and boogie on over to Sociale. A perfect meal awaits.
The wine? On my first visit I had a Bareberra d’ Asti. A bottle of unquestionably the best Barberra I have ever had. A pity I don’t have my tasting notes within easy reach. You’ll find the staff is very well versed in their wine list and can help guide you to ensure a perfect pairing with your meal. On the following two lunches I had a single glass of Barollo and on the next visit a Chiantti. Both wines were picked by the waiter to pair with my meal. Both choices were spot on excellent. (my general rule of thumb is to always defer to your wait staff if you are not very familiar with the wine list)
The scene? Quiet, calm luxury. A late lunch ensures some opportunity to relax in the Zen like calm of Sociale. The wait staff seems perfectly timed checking in only as needed to ensure your meal is without a hitch.
So, yes. I will be coming again and again. Sociale has been consistently excellent. Three separate meals and three opportunities to enjoy fine dining in a plush setting. Go there and you will be very happy you did. Try and find parking in the immediate vicinity and you will not be very happy. I would recommend you take a taxi or ideally a Vespa Piaggo. Or a Lambretta 200 for that matter… Italian scooters and food generally pair nicely…
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