Colorado Springs Italian restaurant continues to flourish | Dining review
I’ve returned to Ristorante di Sopra, affectionately known as Sopra, several times in the interim since my last review ran nearly seven years and have seen it evolve — something successful restaurants do.
What initially was an establishment entirely focused on small, shareable plates is now an upscale, my-entree-is-all-for-me place. I’m not complaining. I don’t mind offering up a bite or two, but, selfishly, the food has always been too creatively prepared to divvy up among friends or loved ones.
The Italian cuisine served here is more than marinara and meatballs — although some variations of these standards are on the menu. Instead, as noted on the restaurant’s website: “Chef Franco (Pisani) expertly blends traditional family recipes with the freshest seasonal ingredients using contemporary Italian culinary concepts.” I won’t argue with this.
For those willing to share, the menu does feature several items meant to be communal; these are options in the appetizer and salad categories. I remembered the crab arancini ($19) from previous visits and was pleased to see it remained on the menu.
Bits of crab mixed into risotto balls are coated, lightly fried and served with basil cream. A larger portion could make a meal, but we were only beginning our repast.
Caprese con prosciutto at Ristorante di Sopra.
Certainly, the caprese con prosciutto ($17) was not meant to be a single serving. It could have easily been divided among four, but the two of us managed to appreciate it to the very last bite.
This beautifully plated salad featured thick slices of fresh, creamy mozzarella atop slivers of the salty, cured ham. Everything is blanketed with diced tomatoes and roasted red peppers all drizzled with a sweet but tangy balsamic glaze. Shreds of fresh basil add the crowning touch.
Wild-caught halibut ($39) was cited as a favorite of our server. It did not disappoint. The mild, flakey white fish was seared, topped with blistered tomatoes and served on a bed of fusilli. Capers and lemon-butter sauce provided a sharp, palate-pleasing complement to the smoky tomatoes. The curly, corkscrew pasta absorbed all of the flavors.
Sopra Restaurant (Located at: 4 South 28th St.) “Malfda con Manzo Brasato” Tuesday February 27, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
The halibut was a hard act to follow, but mafalda con manzo brasato ($28), in other words long, ribbons of scalloped-edged pasta with braised beef, warranted its own compliments.
The shredded beef was braised for six hours (according to the menu) in red wine. A light tomato sauce coated the pasta and the meat was topped with shaved parmigiana and shredded basil.
Admittedly, we were unfamiliar with mafalda, which is a cross between pappardelle and lasagna noodles sliced in half lengthwise.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention service. I can’t fault the server, who was clearly doing the best she could, but it took too long before she acknowledged us. (How long you might ask: long enough to consider leaving.)
Expectations associated with fine dining (and the associated prices) weren’t initially met. The host should have removed the extra plates and glasses from our table and he should have filled water glasses — not just for us, but to help out all the servers.
Fortunately, our server ultimately shined, so we were glad we stayed; the food was exceptional!
Ristorante di Sopra
Fine dining Italian cuisine
Location: 4 S. 2802 W. Colorado Ave. (upstairs)
Contact: 719-344-8119; ristorantedisopra.com
Prices: $10 to $69
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. daily
Details: Credit cards accepted. Alcohol. Wi-Fi. Covered outdoor dining.
Favorite dishes: Caprese salad and halibut.
Other: Gluten-free and vegan options available.
Wild-caught halibut at Ristorante di Sopra.
Sopra Restaurant (Located at: 4 South 28th St.) “Malfda con Manzo Brasato” Tuesday February 27, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
Sopra Restaurant (Located at: 4 South 28th St.) Tuesday February 27, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kearney.
