Today marks the beginning of the eleventh week of lockdown here in San Francisco, and we’re all beginning to grow weary of it. The demonstrations and riots of the last week have only added another layer of frustration and pain to the mix, and sometimes it seems like there’s no end in sight.

It’s clear that we need all the good news we can get, and today we received just a little bit of it. And while it’s not exactly the moon landing, it is welcome news: two of the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants, Sotto Mare and Il Pollaio, are reopening for takeout and/or delivery.

One of the busiest restaurants in North Beach, Sotto Mare resumes operations tomorrow. | Photo: Joe Bonadio

Il Pollaio opened its doors yesterday afternoon for takeout only; Sotto Mare will open at noon on Wednesday, doing takeout in addition to delivery with Uber Eats and Grubhub. Both of these restaurants are integral to North Beach, and as Italian as can be–and it’s no small comfort to see two of our favorites reanimated.

I spoke to Sotto Mare owner Rich Azzolino yesterday afternoon, and he confirmed the restaurant’s plans. “We’re going to be open 12pm-9pm, Wednesday through Sunday,” Rich told me. “Of course, curfew permitting. We’ll have almost the entire menu available, and we’ll be selling fish from the cold case like we always have.”

We couldn’t be happier to have these great local businesses back on the map. And I don’t know about you, but I’ll be having salmon for dinner tomorrow night. Welcome back, guys!

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Sotto Mare
552 Green Street
(415) 398-3181

Il Pollaio
555 Columbus Avenue
(415) 362-7727