Sapori Ristorante slipped into downtown San Rafael’s dining lineup in January, bringing rustic Italian comfort food to 869 Fourth St. Owners Jaime and Esther Wence made the move from Isleton, where they ran Manny’s Barzzeria, then spent a year gutting and updating their new spot, including a full kitchen revamp. The menu leans into antipasti, wood-fired pizzas, house pastas and a dessert lineup that runs from tiramisu and cannoli to limoncello gelato.
What’s On The Menu And When To Go
Sapori’s antipasti board hits the classics: burrata with pistachio and olive oil, fried calamari and carpaccio. Pastas include a lasagna with sausage and a fiocchi in gorgonzola, and pizzas can be ordered as calzones for anyone who prefers a folded pie. Desserts stay firmly in the comfort zone with house-made tiramisu, cannoli, crème brûlée and a spumoni bomba. The restaurant is open from noon to 9 PM daily, with happy hour from 3 to 5 PM Sundays through Fridays. The full menu and reservation details are available on Sapori Ristorante.
New Owners, New Oven, New Chapter
The Wences bought the Fourth Street building and spent about a year turning it into a full-service restaurant. One of their key upgrades was swapping out the original pizza oven for a larger one they brought from their Isleton restaurant. Esther Wence told The Press Democrat that “we were at a point where we wanted a new challenge, and this building came up for sale and we got three in one.”
From Delta Hangout To Fourth Street Fixture
Before Sapori, the couple spent roughly six years building Manny’s Barzzeria in Isleton into a local favorite for pizza, cocktails and a laid-back neighborhood feel. Local profiles highlight Jaime’s focus on dough, a California-style crust with a touch of honey at the finish, and the pair’s habit of making many components from scratch, details noted in Soundings Magazine and on the Manny’s Barzzeria site.
Marin Market Produce And Italian-Focused Wines
The kitchen pulls ingredients from the Marin Farmers Market on Thursdays, keeping the menu tied to what is in season. The wine list leans into Italy, focusing on regions such as Tuscany and Piedmont, along with a smaller selection from California. Sapori also aims for approachable dishes that work for everyday dinners, a detail reported by The Press Democrat.
How It Feels Inside
The dining room is casual and wine-forward, with online reservations available and counter seating for solo diners or a quick bite. For menus, hours and booking details, see Sapori Ristorante, and expect weekend evenings to book up fast.
