Whether you are on the hunt for some of the best cocktails in town or looking to wine and dine in style, say hello to Sotto Sopra.
This local Italian restaurant, on Rosebank’s vibey Keyes Ave, offers Italy beautifully presented on a plate. Add dim lighting, comfy seating and soft sounds of old-school house music and a colourful chic space and you’re all set for a sensational experience.
In true Jozi (and Italian) style, we started with oh-okay-just-the-one sundowner … and ended up sipping our way through a few of their signature cocktails. Our top vote goes to smooth, yet sophisticated taste of the Italian frontier – a blend of Bourbon, Merlot, cassis, lemon juice and orange bitters topped with foam.
For the non-cocktails drinkers, there are plenty of wine and bubble options, too.
For starters, we tried a new menu item, Insalata Barbabietola – thinly sliced beetroot topped with goat cheese, smokey bacon, olive tapenade, walnuts and shallot dressing. This salad is a sure way to whet your appetite. When asking head chef and owner Jared Melamed what his signature dish is, he insists that all his pasta dishes are to be considered as the essences of his cooking and have to be tried. We opted for the Linguine Allo Scoglio, a seafood pasta dish in a white wine sauce with lemon, parsley and hints of chili, a great choice, as is the Medaglioni Al Calamari – stamped pasta coins with grilled calamari, and the Maccheroni All’Aragosta – a luxe lobster mac ‘n cheese which is massively popular with locals.
If you are looking for something more hearty, the slow braised veal with parmesan mash potatoes is divine!
The portions are generous and you can see the passion behind the plating. They also have a great selection of Roman-style pizzas.
The name Sotto Sopra describes something topsy turvy and that’s why you can expect to find two very different dining areas, Sotto, a cocktail lounge with a relaxed vibe and Sopra, a more intimate dining experience within glass walls. Both are free-flowing areas elevated by luxury through the food, drinks and setting.
Details: sottosopra.co.za
Text: MEGAN BRETT
