Sotto Sopra

Italian restaurant · Baltimore

Sotto Sopra

Italian restaurant · Baltimore
405 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201

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Highlights

Farm-to-table Italian cuisine in an art-filled, elegant townhouse  

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405 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Get directions

sottosoprainc.com
@sottosoprarestaurant

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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405 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Get directions

+1 410 625 0534
sottosoprainc.com
@sottosoprarestaurant

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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Darryl Lewis

Google
I had an incredible dining experience at Sotto Sopra in Baltimore! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a beautiful, cozy atmosphere that made us feel right at home. The food was absolutely phenomenal. We started with the calamari, and it was easily some of the best I’ve ever had perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with just the right seasoning and dipping sauce to complement it. For the main course, I ordered the seafood risotto, and it was nothing short of amazing. The rice was cooked to perfection, creamy and flavorful, and the seafood was fresh, generously portioned, and beautifully balanced throughout the dish. Every bite was rich and satisfying. What truly made the experience unforgettable, though, was the outstanding service from Jose. He was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made excellent recommendations. His warm personality and genuine care made our night feel extra special. Sotto Sopra is a must-visit if you're in Baltimore and craving authentic Italian cuisine with exceptional service. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Josh Patterson

Google
While visiting Baltimore for a graduation, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Sotto Sopra—and what an unforgettable evening it was. We made a reservation (a wise move!), and by the time we left, the place was buzzing with guests and a line out the door. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like family. Riccardo, the owner, personally greeted us at the door and led us to our table. His warmth and presence throughout the evening reminded me of my grandfather, who was also a restaurateur—approachable, attentive, and deeply invested in every aspect of the experience. Our server was equally gracious and attentive, immediately acknowledging our anniversary and surprising us with two glasses of champagne along with a delicious bread service. The champagne was such a thoughtful touch that set the tone for the rest of the evening. We started with the fried calamari, which came with crispy veggies and two dipping sauces—spicy marinara and garlic aioli. Every bite was crisp and packed with flavor. For our entrées, we had the shortrib ravioli and the carbonara. Both were delicious! The menu was so tempting we almost couldn’t choose! As a final treat, our server brought us a small but exquisite bite of graham-crusted vanilla gelato with strawberry to mark the occasion. It was the perfect sweet ending to a truly special meal. Every detail, from the service to the food to the ambiance, reflects Riccardo’s passion and heart. We left feeling full, grateful, and already planning our next visit. When we’re back in Baltimore, Sotto Sopra will absolutely be on our list again.

John Smith

Google
Awesome spot! Beautiful restaurant. Great service. Excellent food. Had a tough week and this was the fix! The bartender, Jose, was great and made some excellent recommendations. I ended up going with the carpaccio and rack of lamb. Definitely some of the best lamb I’ve had; cooked perfectly (mid-rare). Pasta tasted homemade. I’ll make it a point to go back when I visit Baltimore.

Meylani Trisiani

Google
One of Cozy Italian Restaurant in center city of Baltimore. Love the atmosphere decoration set up. We sat in the bar, bartender William is very talented making drinks. The most delicious meal we had was chicken Marsala (highly recommended) and the rest were okay.

ming ming

Google
We were walking by and were immediately drawn in by the restaurant’s beautiful decor, so we decided to step inside and give it a try—and we’re so glad we did! The atmosphere was warm and cozy, and the waiter was incredibly polite, gentle, and friendly. Most importantly, every dish we had was absolutely delicious. We tried the arugula salad, green bean soup, charcuterie board, and shrimp ceviche. Everything exceeded our expectations—we’ll definitely be coming back!

Len Webb (The BatTribble)

Google
We went here very spur of the moment on Valentine's Eve because our other plans didn't work out, and absolutely loved it. No reservation, so we were at the bar, and THAT was delightful. The bartender made us a couple of delicious mocktails (I remember mine was with non-alcoholic gin and was very tasty). The cuisine was excellent. I had a short rib ravioli that was creamy and succulent. She had the salmon; divine. We were offered a table, but we were actually very comfortable at the bar, doubled our drinks, and celebrated our love in a lovely restaurant. It was worth every penny. Thank you, Sotta Sopra.

Ansell Warren

Google
Fine dining!!!! For a person who has traveled this restaurant really hits the mark! Excellent service, ambience and more importantly delicious food. Thank you so much for a most pleasurable experience.

Mercedes

Google
This restaurant is so intimate and cozy. The lighting and decor created a special ambiance. The handmade pasta was incredible and I was especially lucky to try their special Pasta Toscana with a peach belini!
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Maggi R.

Yelp
When a restaurant gets it right, the customer is the winner. Sotto Sopra gets it right! Riccardo, the owner, is always looking for creative ways to enhance the dining experience for his customers. Summer Camp Specials are available from Monday thru Thursday until August 31, 2025 - each night he is offering something special. We came on a Tuesday for "Tuesday with Morrie." What a delicious idea - any pasta on the menu and a glass of red or white wine for $25.00! We could not wait to give it a try. We made a reservation for 4 of us at 6:30 PM. We were warmly greeted and seated at our favorite table. Jason, our server, came over right away to get us started with drinks. He was very friendly and attentive to our every need. Our friend decided to have a Tito's on the rocks. We did start with an Antipasto Misto, which was a beautifully plated assortment of meats, cheeses, olives, crostini, marinated vegetables, salad greens and so much more. It was so delicious and more than enough for the four of us. We enjoyed two glasses of a very crisp Pinot Grigio and two glasses of a robust Montepulciano wine. Our friends had the Creamy Carbonara alla Sotto Sopra - a spaghetti with smoked bacon, egg, cream and parmesan, and the Pappardelle Fra Diavolo - homemade pappardelle, fresh tomato sauce, shrimp, red pepper flakes and parmesan. Both were thrilled with their pasta - the Fra Diavolo (Devil Pasta) had a little kick to it. My husband had the Shortrib Ravioli - shortrib stuffed ravioli, shiitake mushroom, pancetta, sage, butter sauce. I asked them to make for me Pasta alla Gregorio -spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, spinach, tomatoes, basil, and shaved parmesan. Our dishes were heavenly. We could not have been more pleased with our dinners, the service, and the wines. "Tuesday with Morrie" is definitely a winner. If you have never been to Sotto Sopra, you are missing out on a wonderful dining experience. Now with these Summer Camp Specials, you can't miss this opportunity to give them a try.
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Alice L.

Yelp
3.5 Food: for apps, we tried the Caesar salad (good), bruschetta (ok), calamari (good), the entrees were unfortunately disappointing across the board - bolognese (hamburger helper vibes), shrimp fra diavola (good flavor but not enough pasta), steak (by far the most expensive item and a very fatty cut). The pistachio tiramisu was delicious. Ambiance: dimly lit and moody vibe, Andrea bocelli playing at a pleasant volume. Service: outstanding - Darrick was lovely, attentive, friendly.
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Lily P.

Yelp
I came here for the March 2025 opera night with a group of friends, and we all had an amazing time. Every dish was magnificent! Opera night comes with a pre-set menu for each course, but you can ask for substitutions if any party member has dietary restrictions or allergies. The pre-set menu (and any substitutions) come at a pre-set cost, and drinks (cafe/espresso, alcohol, mocktails) are an additional charge. I stuck with the original menu (no changes), and every single dish was very tasty! Opera night is amazing, and so much fun! The opera singers walk between tables and take song requests. They sing between courses while the kitchen works on the next dish, and one person coordinates timing with the kitchen so they finish a new song right as the food is ready to come out. The entire experience is very unique, and I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! You definitely need to try this at least once if you're in the area! I highly recommend it!
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Christopher S.

Yelp
This is probably on your list of places to go for date night. Stop waiting, go! The ambiance is beautiful and vintage classic. The lighting is dim so perfect for a romantic night with your primary or secondary partner. The food was exquisite. The sauces are delicious, the meats are perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the salads are creative. The one negative to share was the "pound cake" with "sauce" that was passed off as tres leches cake.
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Janet L.

Yelp
Went to Sotto Sopra for a business meal and it proved why it has been a Baltimore mainstay for years. The dining room filled up throughout the night, even in the middle of the night. We requested a quieter table and were seated near the door. The service was prompt and they team was thoughtful about letting us sit for the business meal without interruption. The food was absolutely delicious! I'll definitely be back!
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Mitasha P.

Yelp
Restaurant Week Review 01/2025 (3 courses for $45): SERVICE: I came here with a group of seven and the service was outstanding. Despite all the orders we made. the servers gave us the right dishes, without messing up. FOOD: I had the Duck Confit, which was incredibly flavorful and tender. The wild mushroom risotto underneath was the perfect pairing to the meatiness of the duck. For the appetizer, I had the Italian sausage, which I was not too fond of. It was only one Italian sausage cut in half, on top of a bed of polenta and onions and peppers. In my opinion, it was a boring dish in terms of execution. For dessert, I had the vanilla crème brûlée. The menu said that there would be a strawberry and raspberry garnish. I got no strawberries and instead only two raspberries. It's not a big deal, but the menu did say strawberries. DRINKS: Our bartender, Terrance, was very kind and knowledgeable on the cocktail menus. I got the Spezialo ($14), which is a rum based cocktail. It was the perfect balance between sweetness from the rose syrup and elderflower and the tanginess from the lemon. Each component worked so well together without any of the flavors being overpowering this is a cocktail. I highly recommend. AMBIANCE: For a Monday night, it was pretty busy. Everything looked immaculate, including the bathrooms. The restaurant was giving upscale vibes without overly expensive prices.
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Carroll N.

Yelp
11.8.24 My hubby and I came to celebrate our nine year anniversary and our server, Derick V. went above and beyond for us. We received a complimentary bread basket, flutes of champagne, and gelato with a sparkling candle which made it festive. Everything was delicious with the exception of the tiramisu which was too mushy. Ambiance is beautiful and romantic. Perfect for any celebratory occasion. Valet is available for $15 and they have opera night. Highly recommend! Top notch food, service and ambiance.
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Saumya M.

Yelp
Lovely spot for a date night or celebratory meal! They have valet parking which is a nice feature because it's tough to park around the restaurant. The sauce itself has high ceilings and curtains everywhere resembling a theatre, it's a lovely vibe. I would say it's on the upscale end of the spectrum so opt for an outfit that's a bit more elevated (avoid sweatshirts and sneakers). The service was great. We were seated quickly and the wait staff was very attentive. We ordered a bottle of wine and our glasses were never less than half full! We had the cauliflower soup (delicious, hearty, not too creamy) and the Caesar salad for appetizers. I ordered a raviolo dish from the specials, which was just okay. My boyfriend ordered the fettuccine Bolognese which was definitely the hit of the night! We were too full for dessert but the spread looked lovely. Hope to come back and try them!
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Jasmine M.

Yelp
Delicious Italian in Mount Vernon! The vibe inside was amazing. It feels romantic and regal. There's a lot of space. The server was funny and kind and ensured we were taken care of! Got the burrata to share, which was great! (Can never go wrong). There were several vegetarian pastas, and I got the ravioli which I would recommend! Overall, delicious place.
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Dwayne J.

Yelp
Amazing date night on Charles st! My wife and I celebrated our montheversary at sotto sopra, an elegant low lighting restaurant with high ceilings, red drapes and artistic murals. Upon walking in the door was opened for us and we were escorted to our seat. Our waiter came momentarily and welcomed us to the establishment as he explained the specials. I was very pleased when he shared that pasta can be ordered in half portions so I decided to splurge. I ordered the fruitti de mare and ricotta gnocchi. The seafood pasta was absolutely amazing and well seasoned the squid ink pasta blended well and did not have a weird aftertaste. The squid shrimp and octopus was fresh and had an amazing texture as well. The gnocchi was a bit lackluster and I was a bit disappointed. I am a fan of pesto however this one was more on the soup side and didn't really have a flavor to It. I ended up putting the ricotta in my seafood pasta and just eating the gnocchi on its own. Lastly the mascarpone cheesecake was okay. The star was the raspberry gelato that was on top. So refreshing and delicious Overall I would come back again just for the seafood pasta Alone
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Mike J.

Yelp
A hole in the wall but the food and interior are divine. Best Italian I've had in a long time. 20/20. Customer service was immaculate. Ambiance and wall art is beautiful. Ever single food item brought to the table was amazing. Drank: Dolci Fratelli - strong yet refreshing Appetizer: Calamari fritti - both sauces are good, taste better together. Fried veggies were pleasant. not overly battered, done just right. Entree: Short rib ravioli without pancetta - left me speechless. No pancetta because I don't eat pork. Al dente. Dessert: Mascarpone cheesecake - the gelato was so pure. I've never had a cheesecake like this before and I honestly don't want another one if it's not like this. I will be returning.
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Sharday J.

Yelp
This is such a hidden gem! You wouldn't expect such decadence when passing by. I've passed this place plenty of times over the years and never thought to enter. Because it's restaurant week, and the menu options seemed plentiful, I decided to try it. Glad I did! Upon entering, this place is simply GORGEOUS! Unique, classic... classy... quiet. Oh man... I was in love. The customer service is exceptional. Beautiful people... good food... good drinks. I loved it. The only things were the food needed a little bit of seasoning also, they have a different price for paying with cash or with card. I paid with cash to get the discount, and they kept my extra $4, so I really didn't get a discount. I'm sure this was a lack of attentiveness of the waitress, but please... if you're going to give a discount, honor it! I didn't realize it until I got home and did the math! didn't like that! Parking - you may have to loop around once or twice, but I found street parking on the same block- free after 8pm.
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Helen T.

Yelp
Got my birthday dinner at Sotta Sopra in Mount Vernon last week! A truly unparalleled Italian dining experience, complete with their famous handmade pasta. For appetizers, I got the Caesar salad, which was unique for the oven roasted tomatoes; my partner enjoyed the melt-in-your-mouth snail polenta. He is usually gluten-free but will sometimes risk it, and the polenta gave him no issues! For the main course, I went with the Fruti di Mare, a squid ink spaghetti in lobster broth with shrimp and the best calamari I've ever had. I don't normally go for seafood, but this striking dish was the highlight of my birthday!! My partner ordered the Seafood Risotto, which was similar to my dish but came with clams and mussels. For drinks, we got the Passione Amore - a sweet concoction from their Valentine's menu - and a rum-based specialty cocktail (whose name I don't recall). We split a mascarpone cheesecake for dessert, but I can't give much of a review because we were so full by the time dessert came out! I'm sure it was delicious and I just couldn't process it haha. Finally, the waiter brought out a sparkler-topped scoop of raspberry sorbet for a birthday treat. The restaurant had the tallest ceilings I've ever seen in a converted rowhome, and the low lighting and high mirror-paneled walls created an intimate date night vibe. All in all, a bougie dinner that I recommend when you're willing to splurge!
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Keisha R.

Yelp
Nestled on Charles street, I was excited to try this location because of the fresh pasta and experience nights they host. It was a quick reservation - I wasn't expecting it to affect the night. Food was very good - service was ok. Wish our server was a little warmer but I guess it was a long night. Bread service came long after appetizers. The food was truly the lifesaver of this night. Appetizer: Smoked Tomato Soup & Caesar Salad Main: House Carbonara $ Gnocchi with Risotto Dessert: Gelato Music was good too - we will come back to see if it was just an off night.
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Alexis B.

Yelp
Sotto Sopra had been on my to visit list for a long time, but I finally made it for dinner this past weekend. I shared their Caesar salad with my husband, which was a classic, a great way to start the meal. My husband had the veal agnolotti (veal stuffed pasta with smoked bacon, spinach, and veal demi-glace), which was a little rich for me, but he enjoyed. I had the frutti di mare (squid ink spaghetti, shrimp, calamari, cherry tomato, and lobster broth), which I liked (but I thought it could have been a little saucier/brothier. We enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and cocktails as well. But as much as we enjoyed the food and drinks, a lot of what makes Sotto Sopra such a Baltimore classic relates to service and ambiance. The restaurant feels old school in the best way (moody, a little dark, decorated beautifully - especially for the holidays), and the service is top notch. Sotto Sopra hosts Opera Nights, when they serve a fixed menu and opera arias are sung between courses. I think they do that once a month, and they post the dates on their website. After a pretty great meal at Sotto Sopra this past weekend, I'm really looking forward to returning for an opera night!

Jackie H.

Yelp
I was in Baltimore on a quick trip and was advised by the hotel to stop in for a meal at Sotto. I was a single seat, but they treated me like a group and had a wonderful seat by the window. The owner stopped by my table and we had a wonderful conversation. Ricardo is a very colorful person with amazing stories of his life and food. You can tell that Ricardo cares about how the food is prepared because he stops by every table to check on the customer. Not only does Ricardo care about his food, but he also cares deeply about his establishment and how the customers are treated. I had calamari, gnocchi and pistachio tiramisu. I was not disappointed at all! I will give one warning. It is very hard to choose from the choices on the menu. Jackie (from California)
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Halit Y.

Yelp
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Sotto Sopra maintained its quality and the service was improved since my last visit several years ago. Previously, I did not like when the wait staff rushed me, and it was not my experience this time at all! Pork Osobucco was absolutely delicious and was our favorite dish of the night. Pumpkin Ravioloni was also good. The appetizers (mussels & calamari) could have been better, but the desserts (tiramisu & creme brulee) were terrific. We also got great wine recommendations from our waitress. Recommended to anyone looking for good Italian food in Bmore!
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lisa w.

Yelp
Lemme tell y'all about the pork osso-buco. It was AH-MAZINGLY DELICIOUS. See picture captions for feedback on the dishes. Fantastic experience, beautiful restaurant, great vibes, loved the music and for those reasons will be back just to hang out at the bar and experience special moments with their special cocktails. Sorry, didn't get pics of the drinks.
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Kandis A.

Yelp
My friend and I met for a girls dinner and the food was amazing. The menu is authentically Italian and very eclectic. This place is a foodies' dream! The rainy evening was quickly transformed into warm and a candle lit ambiance that instantly relaxed you as you were immediately sat down. She and I made reservations a few days before bc this place gets packed! Our waitress was so busy but super attentive and helped us understand the menu options/substitutions. We started with soft pillowy ricotta filled Gnocchi and Maryland style mussels, a bottle of wine and the rest is a blur. The food was excellent and so was the Panna Cotta dessert were both got. I wish I would have taken more pictures! You can't go wrong!
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Michaela H.

Yelp
We had an amazing experience here. The food & service was phenomenal. Super cozy spot. Will be back. Don't wait as long as we did to try!!
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Christopher h.

Yelp
I ordered take out which is something you shouldn't judge a restaurant by but Sotto delivered the tastiest chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli in the coolest tv dinner tray!
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Vicky B.

Yelp
When you first arrive, the hostess seated us right away because we had reservations. We had a waiter that was not very attentive. The food was not that good we asked for drinks we waited 15 minutes ,When I're food came we asked for cheese .By time he got back. my daughter had eaten all her food and we didn't need the cheese We never received bread we had to ask for it came after our meal was done.The only thing that was great about the whole experience. Was the ambience absolutely beautiful place.

Andy T.

Yelp
Fairly tasty food but questionable if it's worth the price. Caesar salad was decent nothing special. Veal was touted as having been on the menu since the beginning which would have you think it's crazy good but the veal itself had not much flavor and the tuna sauce just tasted like tuna mayo. Caperberries were something new though and were actually really good. Short rib ravioli were cooked well and the mushrooms on top were very tasty as was the flavor of the filling, just the ratio of pasta to filling was way too low. Duck confit was really great, crispy skin super soft and tender meat. Risotto was ok, texture was fine but the truffle oil was too much. Overall good place but overpriced.

Heather S.

Yelp
The opera night was very nice and the food was amazing! They were able to accommodate the vegetarians in our group! Can't wait to come back!!
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Kayla P.

Yelp
Came in for restaurant week, and even at our reservations at 8:30, the place was completely full. It was a dimly lit, intimate restaurant. We started with wine that was pretty good. Then for the 3 course, I got the caesar salad, which honestly was below average - the lettuce was warm which I really don't like. My Fiancé got the polenta, and he liked it a lot. For main courses, I got the Veal Agnolotti and he got the salmon. The salmon was definitely the better of the two, it was a very delicious dish and I highly recommend it. Finally for dessert, we got tiramisu and crème brûlée, both of which were very standard but still quite good.

Sawsan W.

Yelp
The ambiance was lovely. However, I have to say that the food was mediocre and nothing to write home about. My husband and I were celebrating our 3rd anniversary so we wanted to go somewhere special. We ordered bread, salad, and pasta. For dessert, we got affogato.
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Ally K.

Yelp
Dined at Sotto Sopra with my family during Restaurant Week Jan. 2024 after wanting to try it out for a long time. Overall, a really good experience! Food was stellar - the standouts of the meal were the Maryland Mussels, Carbonara and Cioppino. The atmosphere of the restaurant can't be beat. The dim lighting and upscale decor really stood out amongst other Italian restaurants in the area. Taking 1 star off for service. Our server was not super attentive and definitely not friendly. Would likely come back again!
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Jay D.

Yelp
I did enjoy my time at Sotto Sopra mostly because the restaurant itself is really interesting, visually, and the wait staff were super nice. My boyfriend and I came here during restaurant week and enjoyed the dishes enough, but not THAT much... we got: - calamari which was good (but I love all calamari) - honey lavender salmon which tasted good but was kind of a small piece of salmon in my opinion - fruti di mare which I enjoyed! - sorbet, which was really just alright, we didn't even finish it which is VERY abnormal for me (there was no wasting of food in my house growing up) - chocolate mousse which literally tasted like bad frosting, couldn't even eat it
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LaToya E.

Yelp
I don't know how its taken me so long to write a review for this place! Every time I come here I feel like its a special occasion, even if its just for a mid week lunch. No matter the time of visit the staff are always really attentive, almost overly so. One visit someone literally took the cup from my mouth to refill it with water lol. They also have Opera nights, I haven't been to one yet but they seem pretty nice! Food wise, its an amazing experience! I have never had a bad meal. I love pasta and they do it really well, The carbonara has always been one of my favs and they do it so well so if you are on the fence on what to order, get the carbonara, its delicious.
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Josh C.

Yelp
Went here for dinner before attending a play. It was in all a good experience considering we arrived an hour after our initial reservation. I ordered the short rib stuffed ravioli and my girlfriend ordered the branzino filet (which had bones in it) and we each ordered cocktails as well. Service was solid and this was also Valentines day weekend so the place was packed as to be expected. The place is dimly lit which sets a a nice romantic tone for a date night. It's not a large venue so seating was fairly tight. Sitting towards the front of the restaraunt will leave you by the door where sitting toward the back has you towards the bathroom. Ideally you'd want to be in the middle. I would like to visit again when less crowded.
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Alexandra C.

Yelp
This review is hard for me because I'm very conflicted. The wait staff was extremely attentive, my water glass was never empty, and the noodles are so fresh it's incredible, but some of the dishes lacked flavor. The Caesar salad was a very light and salty Caesar, not the thick, homemade, dressing I anticipated with anchovies. The spaghetti sauce was more of a bruschetta, so that threw me off a little, only because I was expecting an authentic marinara or pomodoro. The carbonara was great, as was the pesto gnocci that melted in your mouth. One fun thing you can do is half portions of the pasta, so we enjoyed that!! The inside is dim, with giant murals, mirrors, and theater curtains. For the price point, it's not the first place I would go for Italian in Baltimore, but I would go back! What we ordered: - Mussels - Caesar Salad - Spaghetti and Meatballs - Fettuccine Toscana (MUST HAVE) - Gnocchi De Ricotta - Carbonara
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Susan K.

Yelp
ORIGIN: Executive Chef and owner Ricardo Bosio opened Sotto Sopra in 1996. The name means "upside down", suggesting a chaotic situation. LOCATION: The restaurant feels like a peaceful oasis, rather than a chaotic situation. Sotto Sopra is located on the ground floor of a 19th century building in the quiet Mount Vernon neighborhood, characteristically defined by its large casement window and high ceiling. CONCEPT: Chef Bosio serves Northern Italian cuisine that integrates Mid-Atlantic ingredients, which has been described as "Northern Italian with a Maryland Accent". EXPERIENCE: During my first visit I arrived at dinner opening hour, when the summer sunlight was still brightly streaming through the west-facing casement window. The main dining room is decorated in yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and red... colors that were popular interior design choices when the restaurant opened, but also reminiscent of Italian fresco palette. The colors are warm and the setting soothing after a full day at a convention center conference. After being seated by the hostess, I was guided by the extremely professional service enacted by David. David confirmed that the short rib ravioli dish described by veteran Long Island YES member, Bill, was a customer and personal favorite. However, it was not on the 2023 summer menu, and it was suggested that I order Raviolini di Zucca con Salsiccia as an alternate -- pumpkin raviolini in cream sauce and topped with crumbled sausage and amaretti. A type of red wine with which I had no familiarity, 2018 Casalbordino Sinello Montepulciano Riserva, was suggested to accompany this creamy dish. The pale Tang powder colored, beautifully formed raviolini made for a stunning appearance, and the luscious texture contrast they offered against chewy sausage and crunchy amaretti was heavenly. The recommended glass of wine proved to indeed be ideal accompaniment. Following Bill's lead, I capped the evening with Mascarpone cheesecake with espresso. The sequence, coupled with the thoughtful service and elegant surroundings, proved to be one of those rare perfect dining experiences -- particularly when on professional travel. I made note of the evening choices, but felt compelled on a second night to try other items on the June 2023 menu before I left the city. For the main I experienced Veal Agnolotti -- veal stuffed pasta, with spinach, crumbles of smoked bacon surrounded by veal demi glaze. This was good, but wasn't as stunning in appearance as my initial choice and the textural contrasts were not as complex. For dessert I ventured to try the Tiramisu as I was curious about their take on this classic dish. TIPS: I was told that the executive chef periodically takes cherished items off the menu, and that long-standing customers will sometimes call in advance to check the status of a favorite dish before reserving. Looking at the menu on the website a few months later, I see that the short rib ravioli have returned, and the pumpkin raviolini I came to love are absent. Check website in advance if you are looking to order a specific dish. Consider reserving during one of the periodic "Opera Nights", with a multi-course prix fix menu. Check restaurant website for dates.
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Bryan H.

Yelp
On of my favorite places to eat. Service is outstanding very friendly and accommodating. Food is awesome they need to fix the bread they serve. The atmosphere is great real romantic. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Rachael G.

Yelp
Great Italian place! Stopped in with some friends for dinner and drinks after exploring the museums in the area. Server was very attentive and the food was fantastic. Ambiance was lovely as well.
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Jess L.

Yelp
Sotto Sopra was an incredible restaurant week experience, only leaving me wanting more! My friend and I came for Baltimore Restaurant Week and had a great experience. It is street parking but free after 6pm. Didn't take long to find a spot for either of us! We each got 3 different things, for $45 I thought it was a good deal, I actually had leftovers. My friend is vegetarian and they had a ton of options for her. For myself, I did the Maryland mussels which were actually great and plentiful for an appetizer. They're in a cream sauce with old bay, if you love mussels, I thought these were delish. My friend got the goat cheese salad which actually had goat cheese fritters and it was pretty good! For my entree, I got the short rib ravioli which were dynamite, and had mushrooms and a truffle sauce. These are a must get. She had the fettuccine alla toscana and the pasta was very savory, this is a great dish for vegetarians but I would even order it myself. Sotto Sopra loses a star for the meh desserts and a disappointing cocktail. I got tiramisu and my friend got bread pudding, both were only ok. Tiramisu seemed old and a bit dry, a little disappointing for an Italian restaurant. Bread pudding I thought was good but still just ok. My friend's cocktail was $15 and about 80% ice. The ambience was nice, with candles at every table. The restaurant is a bit snug and may be challenging for those with mobility issues - if you need accessibility assistance, I suggest calling ahead. Overall, we had a lovely time and will definitely be back to try more!
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Catherine S.

Yelp
I came for my birthday dinner and it was such a wonderful experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful with a comforting ambience - really reminded me of an opera/concert hall (which is fitting considering they do host opera singers). Our server was attentive and had spot-on recommendations for what we were craving. The food was also incredible but on the pricier side - definitely a more upscale restaurant. They also have a great variety of wine to choose from. We ordered way too much for a party of two (everything on the menu looked so good!) and thought the portion sizes were going to be smaller than they actually were. We started off with the complimentary bread which was fluffy and flavorful. For appetizers, we got the calamari fritti and tomato caprese. The garlic aioli balanced the fried calamari perfectly with acidity and flavor. For entrees, we got the ravioloni di zucca con salsiccia and fettuccine all toscana. The pasta and the filling for the ravioloni were made of pumpkin and the pumpkin flavor was super strong, perfect for the beginning of fall. The fettuccine was incredibly creamy and the pasta was perfectly cooked. For dessert, we had a pistachio creme brulee and complimentary butterscotch gelato which they put a sparkler in for my birthday. The gelato was so smooth and creamy. I wasn't the biggest fan of the pistachi flavoring for the creme brulee but it was still good. I'm literally salivating while typing this so will definitely be coming back to try the many other items on the menu!
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Review U.

Yelp
I got to try this place out during Restaurant Week, and overall enjoyed my experience. I had the CALAMARI FRITTI, FRUTTI DE MARE and TIRAMISU. The highlight of my meal was the 1st course. I wasn't particularly crazy about the calamari itself but the marinara and garlic aioli it was paired with was SO GOOD it saved the dish. It also came with fried veggies but i wasn't a fan of those. I was a bit disappointed with the 2nd course because my absolute favorite food is pasta and it didn't have as much flavor as I'm used to. However, this may be because I prefer spice in my dishes, it tasted like a very basic natural tomato sauce. For dessert, I'm not a sweets person but the tiramisu was fine, light and yummy. I also got to try the MARYLAND STYLE MUSSELS, the broth it came with was THE BEST. I enjoyed that the most from the whole meal I think (lol.) Additionally, there was complimentary bread with olive oil served that I wasn't a huge fan of. I love bread but it was a little bland to me, I much prefer the bread that came with the mussels and cioppino. The drink in the photo is the "Canella D'oro" cocktail and the other plate is the "Seafood Cioppino," my partner struggled to crack the claws so it would have been helpful if they came pre-cracked for guests but overall delicious. Overall good experience, the staff was very friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is very beautiful and romantic. It had a very distinct warm ambiance I loved. I personally really appreciate restaurants that take the time to curate a unique look because it adds to the entire dining experience, even the bathroom was simple but stunning. I also take into account how food is plated and you can tell each dish is served with great attention to detail that definitely adds to my positive review. While the food might not have blown me away, I think it is a very nice restaurant and fun to try if you are in the area.
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Aimee W.

Yelp
So many positives about this experience. Came in our very casual clothes after moving our daughter into her apt down the street & felt a little underdressed but on a Tuesday evening, they weren't that busy so we weren't too obvious. Wine recommendation was fabulous to start. Warm Bread with dipping oil was great. Our meals were all amazing (gnocchi made with ricotta, not potato which was super light & refreshing with a tomatoe sauce with basil), and though we were full, we couldn't pass up on the crème brûlée which was so amazing. Service was really great overall.
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Trae F.

Yelp
The beau said "no more turkey" so we headed here the day after Thanksgiving for a date night before meeting friends. According to him this place has been around a while and has a great reputation so we decided to check it out. The cocktails were light and boozy. We ordered the salmon croquettes because I love a croquette. Honestly these weren't great. They literally tasted like a hot dog and the texture was way too firm and off-putting. We had a laugh about and then ordered our salad and pastas. The salad was nice and had lovely little fried goat cheese balls that we fought over. The pastas were excellent. Obviously made in house these were a delight. The beau had the pumpkin pasta with sausage and I had the veal agnolotti. Both were rich and a treat. For dessert we had the pistachio tiramisu which was non traditional utilizing the very trendy pistachio as the main ingredient. It was light and sweet. Like eating a cloud!
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Felicia H.

Yelp
Went here for dinner during restaurant week. I had the short rib ravioli, and it was very bland! No flavor at all! And drenched in mushrooms. The complementary bread tasted very old. The service/ waiter was great! He even brought us some new bread, because we really though it was old. But the new batch was not good either. Food came out in a decent amount of time. I doubt I would return
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Bill S.

Yelp
After being in Baltimore for a few days, I'm craving my weekly pasta dinner (hey, I'm Italian like that) I have a favorite spot when I'm in town but on this trip I decided to break from my normal routine and venture out. My search has led me to Sotto Sopra. I was reading on their website, they have opera singer nights? Very cool. The reason why I chose Sotto Sopra, they make fresh pasta and the short rib ravioli was calling me. Walking in, the restaurant is a large space with high ceilings. The room has an old school vibe, it's both warm and elegant. Our waitress was very knowledgeable, she made great suggestions but I locked onto the ravioli. I started with a glass of Italian wine and ordered the Calamari fritti. Cooked very well, the light fried coating made this a solid starter. The highlight of the night was my short rib ravioli. Warm pillows of homemade pasta stuffed with savory short ribs. Tossed in a brown butter sauce and topped with mushrooms this truly was a great entree. I'm pretty packed at this point but our waitress tells me about the house speciality, mascarpone cheesecake. I ordered an espresso, just a perfect ending to a perfect meal. I'm glad I searched and found something new, Sotto Sopra is a great dining destination while in the Baltimore.
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Tola O.

Yelp
Went for dinner on a Friday night. This is a beautiful restaurant with very pleasing ambiance. Velvety drapes hang down and the lighting is dim. Our server was attentive and thoughtful in her recommendations. The portions of food were very large and easy to share, which was a good value. Pro tip: you can get half portions of pasta which is still quite filling (there is an up charge for this; found out when we got the check) We tried: the goat cheese salad (fritters were the best part) Fried Calamari: a bit under seasoned, but loved the fried veggies that came with Short rib ravioli: under seasoned Pumpkin pasta: ravioli were a bit tough but the sauce was yummy and sausage really brightened the dish Squid ink pasta: very pretty plate, nice portion of seafood but severely under seasoned. I took it home, added a heavy dose of salt and then it was nice. Raspberry mascarpone cheesecake: plated beautifully but not memorable. Hopefully the underseasoning of the food isn't typical and they just had an off night. But still a beautiful space and good value for your dollar. 4 stars for ambiance, service 3 stars for food
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Tvara P.

Yelp
Amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambience. I came here twice in the past 2 weeks just because of how utterly delicious it is!! Don't forget to look at the back of the menu for their ever-changing specialties. My only regret is not trying this place sooner. If you can't decide on what pasta to get, you can get both pastas as half-portions!! My favorite pastas are the pumpkin ravioli and the pesto gnocchi. The short rib ravioli was good as well. I normally absolutely hate pesto, but this was the first time i LOVED it and could not get enough!! The gnocchi was so light and fluffy too, unlike the dense, thick, filling, and heavy gnocchi I am used to. Easily my most favorite dish I tried (and I tried all of my friends' dishes as well!) I loved it so much the first time around that I wanted it the second time I visited, but it was no longer on the menu. However, my waiter was kind enough to ask the chef and the chef was kind enough to make this fish regardless!! The pumpkin ravioli was my second favorite - it is seasonal, and slightly sweeter and comes with bacon as a garnish (although delicious, I personally thought the bacon took away from the pasta!). The ravioli itself was addictive with such great flavor. The tomato caprese was another dish that positively stood out to me. Their wines are fun as well! Overall, this easily took the spot for the best Italian restaurant that I have had in Baltimore so far.
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F. L.

Yelp
Very classy place, with fancy food that's prepared excellently but didn't blow me away. The murals on the walls are quite something on their own. Caprese salad was especially elevated here, plated into little piles with a seasoned dressing. Despite being out of season everything tasted fresh. Creme brulee was as good as you get anywhere, with a delightful crack to the crust. Short rib ravioli were a bit disappointing, though--while they were pretty good, with a nice dough taste, I found the outside too oily yet the inside too dry. Perhaps use less butter in the sauce and more fat from the meat in the filling? It's very pricey, but it's a reasonable place for the cost.
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Leah G.

Yelp
The Food was excellent with extremely delightful aromatics , the service was very upscale and elegant our server included some exciting entrees for my family to enjoy , the dish I devoured was the pan seared Branzino & Veal Agnolotti which both were suggested by our male server (I hate that I can't remember his name but I think it was Chaz) I'm not 100% sure but we had birthday''s to celebrate for my two brothers the ambiance was perfect and classy, I'll return for an opera night soon
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Kristopher W.

Yelp
Amazing dinner yesterday, I had the Squid Ink Pasta and Caesar salad. It taste really good and the quality was really great. Nice food portions and excellent quality of food. I also had some drinks. The cocktails were awesome and so refreshing. Menu was excellent and they have great portions too. Nice setting and pleasant ambiance.
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Lucy A.

Yelp
This was a fantastic restaurant and I have to say everything that we ate was fantastic! I would recommend this to any couple looking for a nice dinner and a wonderful intimate atmosphere. The service was fantastic as it was all of the appetizers and the food that we tried. We will return!
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Jill R.

Yelp
I recently visited this place for the first time, and was so glad I did! I was heading to a concert just a few blocks away, and one of the first things our server asked was if we needed to leave at a specific time - so appreciated that she kept us on schedule! We started with the charcuterie board, which was delicious. I also had a martini with pear in it, which was very refreshing. The bread served ahead of the meal was fresh and very tasty. The real star was the pumpkin ravioli - it had a ton of flavor and was both sweet and savory. The portion was a good size and I ate every bite! The actual restaurant is in a historic building with the beautiful architecture you would expect in Mount Vernon. I love places made from the gorgeous old homes in the neighborhood. The only downside is that this place is pretty expensive, so I will probably save it for special occasions in the future.
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Chris G.

Yelp
Great date night spot! This restaurant and its team is simply amazing. I came in during the extended restaurant week and valentines weekend and their food options were great. I had the chicken cacciatore and it was so flavorful. Our server "Derick" provided exceptional service. I mean this man never let my wine glass or water glass go empty. Highly recommend sitting at his tables.