It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Matteo Sogne’s namesake restaurant, Matteo Ristorante Italiano. And, I’m not alone. Matteo has made a big splash with lovers of Italian cuisine in Utah.
So I am happy to report of a new venture by Sogne and his team: Strada Cucina Italiana by Matteo – a fast-casual eatery with Italian street-inspired fare (Strada means “street” in Italian). Open for lunch and dinner, Strada is very affordable with an emphasis on pasta dishes, paninis, and fresh salads, which customers can order in person at the counter or online. According to the folks at Strada, “Matteo’s mom, Manuela, and Executive Chef Damiano Carlotto have partnered on Strada’s menu to deliver made-in-house comfort food. Manuela, celebrated for her focaccia and desserts at Matteo, bakes the ciabatta for the paninis and her cannoli are made to fill upon order. Damiano sources all charcuterie from Italy and prepares roasted pork, homemade sausage, polpette, and chicken cutlets daily.”
With the opening of Strada, Matteo Sogne told me that he not only was bringing hearty, inexpensive Italian street fare to SLC, but he was also solving some tricky staffing challenges. Since Matteo only serves dinner, he was only able to give some of his staff at Matteo – such as prep cooks – three hours or so of work per day, even though he pays living wages and provides benefits such as health insurance to his employees. Since Strada is a mere block from Matteo restaurant, Matteo’s kitchen is used to prep food for Strada. And, since Strada is open for both lunch and dinner, Matteo Sogne’s employees are able to work longer hours and earn more – a win-win for everyone.
In discussing the genesis of his new restaurant, Matteo said “Strada is our answer to Salt Lake City’s call for an authentic, high-quality sandwich shop where classic Italian meets old school New York City vibes that have never before existed here. This is more than just a new concept. It’s about my family who moved here from Modena, and our excitement to share the cuisine enjoyed at home. We strive to be an inviting dining option in downtown Salt Lake City for family and friends to gather and experience our joy and togetherness.”
The decor at Strada is modern, bright and airy – a very popular new downtown lunch destination. Part of the popularity lies in the fact that the most expensive dishes on the menu – Lasagna al Ragu and the Bistecca Bowl – are only $17. Panini sandwiches can be ordered whole or as a half sandwich. For the record, I could barely finish the half-size paninis, which are more than generous.
Polpette
There are a few items on the Strada menu that can serve as shared appetizers. The Whipped Brie ($13) with caramelized brie, raisins, walnuts, and crostini is a popular one. I loved the Polpette ($13). It’s a bowl of hearty homemade meatballs made by Chef Carlotto and bathed in a vibrant pomodoro sauce with shaved parmesan and minced Italian parsley on top, plus toasted crostini on the side for dipping into that luscious sauce.
Nonna Romana…