10/10 -- No Notes, No Regrets, Just Carbs and Happiness!…read more
Cooking is both a science AND an art, and dining at Sotto reminded me exactly why I love the culinary experience so much!
I intentionally chose a seat at the chef's table because I wanted to watch the magic happen. And BABY, did I get a show! Watching the chefs move in perfect synchrony, each person knowing exactly what to do and when to do it, genuinely made me fall in love with cooking all over again. It was like watching a beautifully choreographed performance, except the final masterpiece was edible!
I was so impressed that I HAD to tell the chef how much I appreciated what I was witnessing. The level of precision, creativity, and teamwork was mesmerizing. Some people might see a busy kitchen and feel overwhelmed. Me? I see artistry, passion, and a little bit of controlled chaos, and I absolutely LOVE it!
Now, let's talk about the FOOD because whew!
THE BREAD: First of all, the complimentary bread was warm, garlicky, soft, and absolutely DELICIOUS. And because apparently I have no self-control when bread is this good, I ordered MORE to try it with the creamy cheese spread. Y'all... by the time I looked up, I was SIX pieces deep. SIX! And I have ZERO regrets. I'm not even a big bread eater, so that alone should tell you something!
THE PASTA: The star of the show! A gorgeous, Parmesan-topped pasta coated in the most beautifully balanced, creamy, buttery cheese sauce. Parmesan-based dishes can go from perfection to a salt bomb VERY quickly, but the kitchen absolutely nailed the balance here. Rich without being overpowering, cheesy without being excessively salty, and indulgent in all the right ways.
And the texture? PERFECTION. The pasta was cooked beautifully al dente, with that lovely little bite that tells you someone in the kitchen knows exactly what they're doing. Not mushy, not undercooked, just right!
I actually asked for a SPOON because leaving even a drop of that sauce behind would've been disrespectful.
At this point, I was officially carb-loaded, but listen... if you're not carb-loading at an Italian restaurant, are you even doing it right?!
THE RICOTTA DONUTS: Because clearly I hadn't had enough carbs, I decided dessert was necessary. I'd heard the ricotta donuts were a standout, and now I understand WHY!
I especially appreciated that they offer two portion sizes: four or twelve donuts. As someone who was already pretty full and ordering dessert purely out of greed, the four-piece option was perfect.
These little beauties were unbelievably moist, soft, and practically melted in my mouth. Every bite was heavenly! I was full, I knew I was full, and yet somehow I found room. That's how you KNOW they're good!
THE SERVICE & ATMOSPHERE: Beyond the food, what made this experience truly special was the PEOPLE. From the attentive waitstaff to the incredibly talented chefs, everyone contributed to such a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The staff even encouraged me to ask questions while watching the kitchen, although I was a little nervous about distracting anyone from their craft. I could've happily sat there watching them cook all evening. There's something so special about being surrounded by people who genuinely take pride in what they do.
I came for a meal and left with an even deeper appreciation for the creativity, discipline, and passion behind exceptional cooking.
FINAL VERDICT: 10/10. No notes. Minus NOTHING!
Would I come back? ABSOLUTELY. Would I sit at the chef's table again? WITHOUT QUESTION. Would I eat six pieces of bread again? Mind your business.
Sotto, thank you for reminding me that dining out can be so much more than simply eating. Sometimes it's an entire experience, and this one was beautiful from beginning to end!