I felt as if I was taking part in an episode of The Sopranos.

I had read about Mare, a new restaurant on Melrose in West Hollywood. My foodare was humming.

We had just attended a very interesting reading about Forgiveness. If you have been following my blog you are aware that I am attempting to let emotional crap go and embrace all the fuckers in the world.

No more lugging around heavy baggage relating to in-laws, fake friends, difficult Board members, inefficient management companies and anyone who may have bullied me in kindergarten…yes, females never forget anything, but the goal is to forgive.

The idea of forgiving and forgetting made me hungry so I steered the car away from the beach and headed to the more eclectic West Hollywood.

The entrance to Mare is through Mare owner’s other restaurant, Greenspan Grilled Cheese. I was nervous because I did not have a secret password. I was going with Carbs and praying that would gain me entry.

The grilled cheese maker pointed me towards the rear of the restaurant by the dishwashing area and up a few steps.

We were confronted by a closed, worn wooden door. I whispered ‘Carbs’ and abracadabra the door opened onto a grassy entryway festooned with strings of lights I had used in college to create ambiance in my bland dorm room.

Mare is a seafood-focused patio restaurant from TV chef and Patina alum, Eric Greenspan. Greenspan and his business partners Jim Hustead and James Moon decided to open Mare in May.

The host greeted us and asked for information. I surrendered everything, but my social security number.

We crossed the threshold and entered a backyard with no roof, leafy citrus trees and walls hung with candles. It was like being in a small neighborhood restaurant in Italy.

We were seated at a two top and were ready for action.

We perused the paper menu and settled on cocktails. David went exotic and ordered Mezcal, Roseberry + Smoke ($11). I selected Cremant ($9).

After ordering, another server appeared with a seeded baguette accompanied by tapenade, pickled vegetables, large capers and olives.

We commenced our meal with the special panzanella salad with heirloom tomatoes, cucumber and eggplant…refreshing, crisp and delicious. The bread had crunch and added to the overall delectable effect.

The salt roasted potatoes reminded us of dining in Spain…nothing fancy, but tasty and the bold aioli was delicious.

Other plates included a crudite of vegetables ($10), fried smelt with roasted lemon sauce and radicchio ($8), arugula salad with red onion, cherry tomatoes, dates and capers ($8), and roasted broccolini ($7).

Shellfish is the house specialty. The choices being east coast steamed clams, shrimp or Prince Edward Island mussels ($15).

The leek and white wine broth was very good. The other selections were tomato fennel, pitsou, spicy sausage Romesco or Vadouvan curry and green apple.

The clams were tasty, but being a New England girl, I prefer mine big and juicy.

The pasta served with the clams was fabulous. The steamers were presented with a soft boiled egg. I broke it into a bowl and furiously beat the egg, added clam broth and spooned the pasta into the mixture. Whip it and what a wonderful side dish.

We ordered the Whole Branzino for our main and it was definitely the best Branzino I have ever tasted. The meat was moist and the skin so crispy. It was garnished with a fig pomegranate glaze.

They will debone the fish and at $19 the Branzino is not only well priced, but truly fabulous.

Skirt steak with oregano chimichurri and sea urchin butter was the other main ($16).

We were too full for dessert, but temptations included Blood Orange Trifolo with semolina cake and fruit compote ($7), assorted sorbet ($7) and a chocolate special.

The crowd was very diverse. A table of medical residents literally ordered everything on the menu and told some interesting patient stories like the pregnant woman who was so proud of giving up drugs after her 4th month. What a saint.

Barbie and her best friend Skipper made a grand entrance as we were leaving, flashing their fake boobs and platinum blonde ponytail hair extensions.

The service was efficient, but unexciting.

I must say I really enjoyed the food and unusual ambiance. The pricing is stellar…it’s love, it’s a Mare.

Mare 7465 Melrose Avenue Entrance through Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese at 7461 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, California. Open Monday-Thursday 5-11pm, Friday 5pm-12am, Saturday 3pm-12am, Sunday 3-11pm. Reservations for 6 or more through SeatMe. Valet and street parking.