A new restaurant in downtown Sarasota, co-owned by twin sisters and featuring chefs from fellow area Italian eateries, should soon open its doors.
Sorella (Italian for "sister") hopes to open by the end of September at 1532 Main St. in Yume Sushi's former space, said Dana Malcolm, who co-owns the restaurant with her sister Danielle.
Its team also includes head chef Giancarlo di Cosmo from 15 South by Napulé on St. Armands Circle and pizza chef Simone Di Marco from Malmosto, Malcolm said.
While the sisters are new to the restaurant industry — they previously worked as elementary school teachers in New Jersey — Malcolm said they've always had a love for the industry.
"We’re foodies at heart, so we were like, ‘Let’s open a restaurant,’” Malcolm said.
"My mother moved down to Sarasota about five years ago, and we resigned from our jobs and just ran head-first into the project, our labor of love.”
What food and drink will Sorella in downtown Sarasota serve?
Sorella will serve a variety of pasta dishes, including cacio e pepe and carbonara, and Neapolitan pizzas made using an oven from Italy. It will also offer other Italian dishes including molten-pour chicken parm and osso buco, seafood such as octopus, and salads including a "girl dinner" with a Caesar salad, fries and choice of martini.
The full-liquor bar will feature craft cocktails, such as a gin and jam served with a spoonful of seasonal jam, as well as beer and wine. The restaurant will seat 120, including lounge, window ledge and pizza counter seating, with plans to offer some outdoor seating in the future.
Sorella is one of several restaurants opening or recently opened in downtown Sarasota. Others include Mediterranean restaurant Baldoria, Filipino eatery Taste of the Philippines, and Sarasocial in the former Fork & Hen space.
Initially, Sorella plans to open for dinner at 4 p.m. — with extended hours Friday and Saturday offering pizza after the kitchen closes — before later adding lunch and Sunday brunch. For more information, call 941-906-7692 or visit instagram.com/sorellasrq and sorellasrq.com.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New downtown Sarasota restaurant with acclaimed local chefs opening soon
