Alioto’s, that stalwart Fisherman’s Wharf seafood restaurant from one of S.F.’s first families, is celebrating it’s 88th anniversary in May. The restaurant, opened initially as a fish stall in 1925, caters to tourists and serves a fair amount of fried fish and cracked crab. But they also boast a collection of family recipes brought over from their native Sicily (with the exception of the New England clam chowder) that they’re featuring on an anniversary prix fixe menu. The price: $88 for two.
The restaurant grew out of the fish stall, Stall #8, which originally just served lunch to the Italian dock workers and fishermen in the area. They added a seafood bar and, in 1938, a full kitchen, and in 1957 the place became the tallest building on the Wharf when they expanded and added a second story. You can get a taste of all that history on their Wall of History, featuring vintage menus, photos, and newspaper clippings.
Alioto’s 88th Anniversary Menu
$88 for Two
Starter
Alioto’s Calamari
OR
Bowl New England Style House-made Clam Chowder
Entrée
Nonna Rose’s Famous Crab Cioppino
with clams, mussels and shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce
OR
Risotto Alioto
Italian creamy rice prepared with shrimp, scallops, tomatoes and mushrooms
Birthday Dessert
Tiramisu