Sotto

"Take a date, take your parents, or take your visiting friends since it’s easy to sink into the relaxed atmosphere of American-Italian restaurant Sotto Sotto. The place has been around for nearly 30 years and has remained a neighborhood favorite because pastas like the savory linguine del pescatore are reliably delicious. In the evenings, the lighting dips to romance novel levels, and your meal is soundtracked by soft jazz. Order the rich, flaky halibut braised with tomato, white wine, capers, and oregano. And enjoy it while you relax on the soft-lit patio and sip an Italian barolo. Food Rundown Aqua Pazza Maybe more than any other dish, the flavorful halibut flaunts Sotto Sotto’s greatness. It’s tender, flaky, and comes braised with tomato and white wine. Fettuccine Alfredo It’s a pretty run-of-the-mill choice at an American-Italian restaurant, but also one that can indicate how good a place is at getting the little things right. This alfredo is best with both chicken and shrimp. It’s creamy without being watery and dense without over-relying on cheese for flavor. Farro The farro is light and refreshing, cooked in red wine vinegar, which adds tang and depth. It comes mixed with vegetables like peas and asparagus, or whatever is in season. Gelato All of the gelato is good here, but the brown butter gelato is the must-get. It’s sweet, velvety and rich. Wine The all-Italian wine list makes it one of the largest selections in the Southeast, so your choices here are as plenty as the orange construction barrels on I-85." - Jacinta Howard