After years of passing by La Sosta Enoteca, my wife and I finally decided to give it a try. What a revelation!! Everything about LSE is right from the top drawer. The food is prepared with the respect for each individual ingredient that Italians have hard-coded in their DNA, and the dishes reflect the fierce regionality and austerity that is a hallmark of 'la Cucina Italiana'. And, of course, it is all absolutely delicious, and complemented with a fantastic wine list.
I will not dispute or disparage the negative reviews that are on this page - I was not there, so I cannot say what someone else's experience was like. I will just say that my own experience was markedly different. This was unquestionably the most authentic Italian dining experience I've had outside of Italy. I feel too many American's perception of Italian food has been shaped by the red sauce/checkered tablecloth stereotype, and that's unfortunate. Frankly, my own tendency is to avoid 'Italian' restaurants in this country altogether, because they cater too much to that American sensibility - Olive Garden must be 'authentic' cos they have a cooking school in central Tuscany. Phooey! The true beauty of Italian food, regardless of its region of origin, is simplicity and balance.
La Sosta Enoteca, however, is that rarest of exceptions. An Italian restaurant in America that not only holds on to its roots, but shows them off with dazzling expertise and panache. True, it's not cheap, and the parking situation leaves a lot to be desired. But I cannot wait to go back and really explore the menu. Highest possible recommendation.
Pros: True Northern Italian food experience
Cons: Poor parking, a little pricey
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