Spork This!: Sosta Café

Welcome to the first of many Raleigh restaurant reviews by yours truly. Quick intro: 

I’m a graphic designer by trade, but my real passion is cooking and eating, especially eating. Prior to my design career I worked exclusively in restaurants, and coming from a big Italian family where life revolves around the kitchen, I like to think I know a thing or two about food and the food business (but that could be argued). My love of all things gastronomic has become something of an obsession. I started my own food blog, GiustoGusto, to act as a creative and culinary outlet. Giusto lead me to the kind folks here at New Raleigh who in-turn recommended I use my powers for good and fill their readers in on some good eats and drinks around Raleighwood. That’s my spiel, now on to the food.

First on my restaurant review tour is not really a restaurant at all. Nestled underneath the Progress Energy building (located at the corner of Davie and Wilmington Streets) one door down from bu•ku is Sosta Cafe. Sosta is a breakfast and lunch hotspot for downtown Raleigh’s workforce whom you can find dining al fresco under the illy table umbrellas or strolling in and out, filling up countless cups of coffee with Raleigh’s own 8th Sin Coffee. A dry-erase board describes the days specials: Mortadella (a type of Italian bologna) Sandwich, Broiled Salmon Salad, and the Zuppa del Giorno which is not to be missed.

Walking thru the doors, one is greeted by a welcoming “Ciao!” from either Luciano Peddis or Jerome Lauck, proprietors and European transplants who opened the business together in 2004 and never seem to leave the cafe. The setting is contemporary casual: stainless chairs and tables, warm walls covered in local artwork, latin jazz streaming thru the speakers, and the friendly chatter of happy customers chowing thru Sosta’s impeccable lunch options.

The menu is a mix of Mediterranean flavors as well as variations on American classics like hot dogs, chicken salad, and East NC bbq. Most importantly, the menu holds sway around $8 which can get you a heaping sandwich and two sides of either chickpea, cannellini, or couscous salad. My personal choice this afternoon was The Piedmont, a ciabatta roll filled with Prosciutto di San Daniele, Taleggio cheese, Arugula, and ripe tomato. All of Sosta’s sandwiches are constructed with the utmost balance: not too much cheese, not too much meat, and just enough bread to hold the whole thing together. Another must-have item is the Sampler Salad including said chickpea, cannellini or couscous salads along with house-made curry chicken salad and tuna salad accompanied by a slice of fresh focaccia bread.

Sosta Cafe’s fresh, seasonal offerings of healthy Mediterranean flavors all for under $10 is the closest thing to an Italian “Bar” I’ve ever found in the States. A place to drop in, grab a coffee, a quick bite, and catch up with the owners before heading back to the grind. Between the high-quality grub, fresh brewed coffee, comfy atmosphere, low cost, and friendly staff it’s no wonder Sosta has remained a downtown staple while other restaurants come and go. So, if you’re looking for a refreshing break from the burgers or fried delights surrounding downtown look no further than Sosta Cafe. You’ll find me perched at the bar with a doppio espresso, shooting the shit with Luciano or Jerome and snacking on a righteous sammy.

Sosta Café: 4 Stars

1- Terrible
2 - Below Average
3 - Average
4 - Above Average
5 - Fabulous

See the Sosta Cafe page.

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Restaurants , Other posts by Paul.