$25 for $50 Worth of Italian Cuisine and Drinks at Sociale

Baby, it’s cold outside-- but thanks to Sociale’s cozy Presidio Heights dining room, you can bask in the warmth of Italy without even booking a ticket.

Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely lunch or a special night out, Sociale’s head chef and owner Tia Harrison (partner of esteemed Avedano’s Holly Park Market in Bernal Heights) serves up great meals that are destined to please. Primarily crafted from local, organically grown produce and sustainable farmed meats, Harrison’s menus are balanced and seasonally inspired, and boast everything from house-made pastas, pastries, and gelatos, to a constantly evolving slate of top-notch poultry, vegetables, fish, and beef.

Start off your night with Fried Olives, breaded and stuffed with Fontina cheese ($8), and follow them up with Wild Boar and Date Ravioli ($17) or Grilled Venison Chops garnished with wild mushrooms, marble potatoes, pea tendrils, and sage butter ($29). Vegetarian? Check out the Asparagus Lasagna with spinach, pesto, béchamel, and tomato ($16), or some Polenta fries with parsley and parmigiano-reggiano cheese ($6). Pair your dish with a selection from Sociale’s extensive wine list -- which features some of the most coveted, small-production wines of Northern Italy -- and your meal will be complimented from start to finish.

Still hungry? Try one of Sociale’s house-made desserts (Chocolate Oblivion Cake with olive oil, sea salt, and amaretti cookie crumbles sound good? We think so!), or a savory cheese selection, like the Pecorino Gineprino sheep’s milk cheese soaked in balsamic and juniper berries

* The space is versatile. Indoor dining room and outdoor garden seating makes Sociale the perfect place for any event—whether it’s an intimate dinner on a rainy night, or a festive lunchtime gathering with friends.
* The wine selection is not only A-list, it’s also extensive. From old school (1985 Dow’s Port, $18/glass) to new school (2008 Gatti Piero, $22/bottle), he’s sure to find something that hits his palate right.

We promise you’ll be glad you made the trip to Italy— er, Presidio Heights.

-Larkin Clark