Edinburgh sommelier James Clark (left in picture) launches his debut project today (4 October) – Sotto, a wine bar and restaurant in Stockbridge that celebrates Italian food and wine.
Sotto – meaning ‘under’ or ‘beneath’, a reference to the under-street cellar where the wines are stored – comprises an upstairs ‘enoteca’ and a ground-level trattoria led by Calabrian-born Francesco Ascrizzi (right in picture).
James, who has worked for The Palmerston, Divino Enoteca and the East End Cellars, has assembled a wide-ranging all-Italian wine list, supplemented by a couple of Champagnes, a Sauternes, and six bottles from his Danish brother-in-law’s low-intervention vineyard, Poppelvej in the Adelaide Hills.
The 25-seat Enoteca will host regular Thursday tastings focusing on a particular region or producer for those interested in learning about Italian wines. Bottles will be available for retail sale as well as to drink on site.
James says: “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. 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.
“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.”
The 36-cover restaurant, meanwhile, opens as an espresso bar from 10am, then serve a set lunch from 12-3pm (weekend brunch 10-3) and dinner from 5-10pm. Francesco, who is from Catanzaro in Calabaria and spent seven years as head chef at Divino Enoteca, has developed a changing menu with plenty of regional specialities, such as the pasta maltagliati with borlotti beans and mussels, and sole served with caper butter and salsa verde.
One unusual touch will be the option to declare “fai tu” – the chef will serve you a four-course meal for £50.
Sotto has taken over the former Ping On site on Deanhaugh Street.
