StreetLevel: Sotto Voce Building Mini-Empire on 5th Ave.
The owners of the 7th Avenue’s Sotto Voce are bringing versions of their popular Italian formula to two new locations on 5th Avenue. Within the next month they’re going to open a bistro called Aperitivo on the corner of 1st street (shown above left). One of Sotto’s managers says Aperitivo is going to be open…
The owners of the 7th Avenue’s Sotto Voce are bringing versions of their popular Italian formula to two new locations on 5th Avenue. Within the next month they’re going to open a bistro called Aperitivo on the corner of 1st street (shown above left). One of Sotto’s managers says Aperitivo is going to be open from early morning to late at night and have classic bistro trappings like a marble bar. A block and a half away, meanwhile, Sotto’s owners are opening a much larger “family-style” restaurant called Alta Voce (pictured to the right above). The eatery, on 5th Ave. between 2nd and 3rd streets, will sprawl over two levels and include a backyard garden and a wine cellar. Alta Voce will specialize in dishes like pasta for three or four, according to the Sotto manager, and it’s scheduled to be in business in June. Salute! GMAP GMAP
This is so exciting. I can’t believe all the great changes that have come to 5th avenue. The place is absolutely amazing. Its changing so fast. I wonder what it will look like a year from now?
I heard that many resturants on 7th have been closing due to greedy landlords. They would much rather rent on 5th where the rents are cheaper and the foot traffic greater. After all…5th avenue is “resturant row”.
I’ve been wondering about that “let’s put one on both 5th and 7th” strategy too. Sounds expensive given the out-of-control commercial rents. I spend more time on 5th, and tend to prefer it, but I am also on 7th rather frequently. Seems you could choose one location and do just as well.
How disappointing. Aside from the fact that Sotto Voce sucks, why is it that shopkeepers and restaurant owners on one of 7th or 5th Avenues don’t realize that it’s silly to put in another on the other avenue? It’s all the same neighborhood — we all walk to both avenues. They’re not suddenly attracting new customers by having a second location but more like splitting the customers they would have had anyway. What a waste. It would be so much better to have some other restaurant come in.
“Al di la’ ” is overrated. The density of animal fats and grease in their dishes (as opposed to the olive oils that prevail in the Central and Southern Italian cuisine) is typical of the North-Eastern Italian tradition. Their dishes smell appetizing, but I cannot remember a time I have eaten there without feeling a sense of indigestion afterwards.
“already Italian soaked 5th Avenue”
Yes, but with about two exceptions, the Italian on 5th is “meh” at best. Good will suffice, great would be better, of course.
To compete with one of the best Italian restaurants in the city (Al Di La) I think you might need a little more on already Italian soaked 5th Avenue. Great food, yes. Decent service, yes. But how about shooting for something else…nice renovation, organic, something to make you stand out from the rest?
The truly GREAT restaurants in the Slope have a little more to offer than just great food and service in my opinion. They offer a complete dining experience.
No 4:58 – it takes only 2 things to make a restaurant a success – great food and decent service.
Everything else is window dressing –
Scotto Voce’s food is bad foreshadowing for these two restaurants – but I wish them well
All you need to be successful in Park Slope is third rate pasta. Aunt Suzie’s, Sotto Vocce, what’s that Vecchio place on 5th?