Cioppino does not do quiet comfort. It shows up steaming, red, and ready to make the table work a little.
Crab, clams, shrimp, fish, tomato broth, and bread all have jobs to do, and nobody gets through a good bowl without leaning in. That is half the fun.
A spoonful of cioppino can make California feel like it came with fog, fishing boats, and sourdough on the side…