A new ‘neighbourhood Enoteca and Trattoria’ will open in Edinburgh next month offering a selection of over 200 Italian wines.
Taking its name from the Italian word for ‘under’, a reference to the wine cellar hidden under Stockbridge high street which houses its extensive collection, Sotto will welcome its first customers from Wednesday, October 2.
The new destination spot mixes modern and traditional wine styles to showcase different Italian regions and is the first venture from Edinburgh-born sommelier James Clark, who has spent his hospitality career at some of the city’s best restaurants, including Divino Enoteca and The Palmerston.
Of the launch, Clark said: “I am incredibly excited to have arrived at this point and be ready to open the doors and have so many people to thank for helping me get here.
“From all the fantastic local tradespeople I’ve used, to my friends and family tolerating me talking about nothing else for the past 6 months, I’ve been so lucky to have the support of so many great people.”
Set over two floors on Deanhaugh Street, Sotto comprises an upstairs Enoteca (wine bar) and a downstairs Trattoria led by Calabrian head chef Francesco Ascrizzi, who brings experience working at some of Edinburgh’s most-respected Italian restaurants, including Divino Enoteca, Mono and Tipo.
The menu will combine seasonal British produce with classical Italian cookery, with dishes changing regularly to “celebrate the best ingredients of both countries”.
These are followed by homemade pastas including Tagliatelle with porcini, and Mezze maniche with venison ragù, and secondi including Lamb shoulder with artichokes and lentils and Sole with caper butter and salsa verde.
To finish, diners can enjoy the likes of Marsala poached pear with sweet ricotta and cannoli, or ‘Zuppa Inglese’ with Alchermes liqueur and crema pasticciera.
They will also have the option to order ‘Fai Tu’ (‘you do you’) which will bring four courses of feasting-style dishes to share, as chosen by the chef.
“I’ve fallen in love with Italian food, wine and culture over the last decade, and Sotto will hopefully be an expression of the warmth and hospitable nature I associate with the country,” Clark continued.
“There’s such variety in the food, wines and landscapes, and we can’t wait to share our interpretation of that with the people of Edinburgh."
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Sotto will seat 36 downstairs, including an intimate private dining room for up to eight guests.
Open from 10am, the restaurant will act as an espresso bar in the weekday mornings, and an Italian-influenced brunch menu will be served on weekends, with dishes including Truffle polenta with wild mushrooms and fontina cheese; ‘Frittata di pasta’ with Tropea onions, potato and Scamorza, and Brioche with gelato.
Seating 25, the wine bar will host complimentary tastings every other Thursday evening, showcasing a particular producer, region or grape variety, with the wines on pour all evening and available to take home.
Clark said: “It’s so exciting to be opening in Stockbridge, the neighbourhood where I’ve lived for the last 10 years.
“It has such a vibrant food and drink scene and is a part of the city people love coming to for a day out, and we’re delighted to now be part of that.”
Sotto is located at 28 to 32 Deanhaugh Street, Edinburgh.
For more information visit www.sottoedinburgh.com.
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