I arrived into NYC early evening and made it to my hotel in SOHO and decided Italian sounded the best for dinner. The usual spots just didn’t sound the greatest so I fired up the laptop to try and find a highly rated restaurant that I could start my blog with. I think it was fate because I picked one of the hottest locations and I actually got a seat at the bar from a last minute cancellation. Little did I know the experience would be better than I realized. My night at I Sodi was about to begin.
Upon arrival, I entered and right away noticed that the actual restaurant was “walled-off” from the waiting area which was a nice touch considering the size of the dining room. This allowed diners to enjoy their meals in peace without seeing others outside waiting. When it was my time to sit the hostess slid the door open and welcomed me in. Even though the space was small and packed, it was comfortable and the staff was very graceful working in the small confines.
I got seated at the bar and immediately the bar tender came to visit me. It was another memorable experience as its been awhile since I had some one from behind the bar introduce themselves by their name, shake my hand, and ask me what my name was. It was a great touch and kicked off my night of enjoying their Negroni menu and recommended wine selections.
For the food, I opted to start my evening with Antipasto Toscano which was a fantastic assortment of meats, cheeses, olives, and bruschette. But that was nothing compared to the main event which was Lasagne A Sugo. This dish is what I envision a traditional Tuscan pasta dish to be. As soon as it arrived the first thing I noticed, along with both people on either side of me, was the many layers of delicate pasta. Next, the first bite, which easily translated to the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted. Tender pasta, sumptuous meat sauce, and the perfect amount of cheese. It sounds simple but no chef has mastered this dish like Rita Sodi.
My hat is off to I Sodi. My visit was a great experience and the food more than met my expectations. Now instead of trying to go to one of my usual Italian spots when I’m in NYC, I’ll be spending time making sure I’m able get a table at I Sodi!