Sotto

I wasn’t happy with it, but let me be fair and fully explain. The vibes are so cool. Beautiful setting. Definitely a place I’d come back to for a glass of wine or cocktail. Possibly a bite to eat?? Service was great. No complaints. My food wasn’t that great and it was expensive especially for a pasta without a protein on it. To be fair (kinda) we order gluten free pasta but it really shouldn’t make a difference — especially for a nice restaurant like this one, known for making pasta. I was disappointed and my date was too. As the cool as the vibes were, it didn’t carry my food. If you’re looking for a spot that serves gluten free pasta I couldn’t in good faith point you here. Cheers.

We wanted to eat at The Village but they were full and said go downstairs. We headed to the basement to this quaint little restaurant with delicious, homemade Italian. Our waiter was wonderful and suggested the fish, which I tried. It was one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever had. The sauce was so flavorful and had a zing to it. The pesto pasta was also very delicious but the best part was the unique, deconstructed tiramisu we had! I think the best ever! If you are ok with a small, intimate menu, please stop down to Bar Sotto!

Amazing spot in the Loop, tucked speakeasy-style beneath The Italian Village. My friends and I loved the relaxed yet lively atmosphere. It was perfect for our group dinner and will definitely be a go-to for future date nights with my girlfriend. The Hunter's Chicken was the standout dish of the night. We arrived early for our reservation and started with drinks at Bar Sotto. The Last Word cocktail was so good that I had to order another one to the table!

We went there on a Saturday evening and the walk into the restaurant set the tone. After descending down a flight of stairs, there was a sense of walking through a charming Italian alley with tables along the right side and the host ready to greet us for our reservation. We were shown to our table near a large party who were already enjoying the space with conversation and cocktails. Our server Bailey walked us through the menu and confirmed our choices were great. The bar was a bit backed up but we took the time to admire the drawings on the wall. We ordered the cacio e pepe arancini and every bite was peppered perfection. Next up was the frutti di mare with squid ink bucatini, shrimp, scallop, and octopus. It was a saucy masterpiece. I had a grin across my face from the first bite. We finished with another drink from the mixologist and then headed home. This place should be on your radar and the rating should be on the rise as it gains more traction in the neighborhood.

We dined here on NYE for our anniversary and it was fantastic! I've thought of the burrata many times since eating here, you need to order that as an appetizer. We loved both our entrees - my husband said the beef short rib is the best he has ever had. Tiramisu was delish!

Loved dining at Sotto!! The food was delicious and the intimate vibes of the restaurant were great, from the beautiful artwork on the walls to the fun music. Also as someone with dietary restrictions, I appreciated that the menu very clearly labeled which items were gluten free. The staff was also very knowledgeable and accommodating my dietary restrictions. Highly recommend the seafood risotto and the panna cotta! Also loved the Last Word cocktail.

We had a lovely NYE dinner experience at Sotto. It is directly below Italian Village and offers an intimate dinner setting. What we tried: - Polenta Parm (small fried polenta squares that were bursting with flavor) - Risotto (An interesting dish with a mix of flavors) - Black Garlic Paparadelle (very light flavor, tender pasta noodles, I would love a bit more zest to make this dish really pop) - Walleye (they were out but replaced with a lovely fresh salmon) Drinks: - Red Reaper (mildly spicy tequila cocktail) - Red Wine (medium bodied) We had a small hiccup during our meal, but the team worked quickly to resolve it. I would recommend Sotto.

This place is a gem. The menu is packed with delicious, chef-driven bites that strike the perfect balance between creativity and comfort. There’s a thoughtful variety of options for vegetarians too, which makes it easy to share with a group. Sotto is the kind of spot that feels tailor-made for meeting friends after work—fun cocktails, flavorful small plates, and a vibe that instantly puts you in a good mood. The portions are ideal for sharing, which is great because honestly, it’s impossible to pick a favorite. I recommend ordering all the appetizers and passing them around the table. Every dish leaves you wanting to come back the next night. Whether you're there for the drinks, the food, or the good company, this place delivers on all fronts.