Restaurant Review: Sotto in the Village

425 Spadina Road 416.322.8818

My dear friend Yolanda acts like my agent. She is always discovering new restaurants for me to experience and write about... Once a month Yolanda and I enjoy catching up on all our gossip while enjoying fine dining. Sotto Sotto has been a tradition on Avenue Road south of Davenport for many years. It is know to be frequented by movie stars and influential people who enjoy fine dining. The Sotto In The Village is the new kid on the block. It obviously is very successful. The continuous loud din can make it hard to enjoy a conversation. At 6:00 p.m. the restaurant was getting busy. Elegantly clad gentlemen were enjoying a drink at the bar. Happy patrons were already into their before dinner drinks and appetizers. The white tablecloths and twisted serviettes give a classy look. Jovanka was a busy server but found time to chat with us and make us feel welcome. There are many parts to this menu. It would be easy to have a special 4 course dinner by selecting from each category. The Caprese Villaggio was served in a long narrow white platter. Italian bufala Mozzarella is placed on the sliced tomatoes and served with basil and arugula. A drizzle of balsamic added to the presentation as well as the taste. ($14.95) Rucola, Parma & Pomodorii Al Forno offers arugula, Parmaggiano and roasted tomatoes.($11.95) The Antipasti section tempts me. Cappesante Divinita is a platter with sea scallops, oyster mushrooms and cherry tomatoes with white wine, garlic and chilli.($17.95) Yolanda enjoyed the Carpaccio Del Giorno.($17.95) The carpaccio was plated on a lovely white plate. Arugula was artistically placed on the plate with a tower of freshly shaved cheese. What a treat! Aragosta is a lobster tail served with arugula, tomato and asparagus.($18.95) A daily Zuppa Del Giorno is offered at $7.95. Zuppa di Asparagi is fresh pureed asparagus soup. ($8.95) The Zuppa di Arragosta is classic lobster bisque with brandy.($10.95) As expected there are many pasta selections possible. I was assured that I could choose the type of pasta, sauce and filling. I opted for Linguini with Shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce.($18.95) No sooner asked than I was presented with a big white bowl of perfectly cooked pasta with many tasty plum shrimp. This truly is my favorite pasta dish and I try it a lot in many restaurants. I like to compare the same dish prepared in different restaurants. This was a winner. Penne Integrali Boscaiola is whole wheat penne with porcini, oyster mushrooms and pancetta in a white wine tomato sauce. ($!7.95) Orrechiette Con Rapini offers rapini buds, roasted tomatoes and virgin oil.($14.95)
Pesce and Secondi provides a variety of choices. Salmone Alla Griglia is a wild grilled salmon filet with Sotto Grill dressing.($22.95) Cernia Al Basilico is a roast grouper fillet with sweet basil sauce and oven roasted tomatoes.($25.95) Gamberoni Alla Griglia are giant grilled tiger shrimp with balsamic and sotto grill dressing.($34.95) Costoletta di Vitello Al Rosmarino is a grilled 12 oz. Provoni veal chop with rosemary and Sotto Grill dressing.($37.95) Vitello Villaggio offers a veal scaloppini with asparagus, oyster mushrooms and asiago.($22.95) Pollo Alla Pizzaiola is a chicken scaloppini in a herb tomato sauce.($16.95)
Contorni (side dishes) are available at $6.95. Spinaci is baby spinach with roasted garlic. Slasa Giovanni is cherry tomatoes with hot peppers.
This is a classy up scale restaurant.