Sotto Sopra   

While Sotto Sopra is unmistakably Italian, it's not the kind of place where grandma dishes up big plates of homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Instead, the cuisine is cutting-edge and the environment elegantly hip; walls are adorned with frescoes, high ceilings force you to gaze upward, and colossal mirrors add a magnifying touch. A stately house in historic Mt. Vernon is Sotto Sopra's stylish, state-of-the-art locale. Everything about the restaurant proves that the pairing of casual and high-class is a winning combination. Light jazz paired with flickering candles sets a subtly elegant and romantic mood. You might never see the same menu twice, thanks to owner Riccardo Bosio's concept of chef-switching every 18 months. Determined to offer innovative, constantly changing cuisine, his idea has worked successfully since the beginning. For proof, try the smoked salmon with asparagus or paper-thin beef carpaccio served with shaved Parmesan in lemon truffle oil -- scrumptious starters. For entrees, try the house specialty homemade risotto, and the Chilean Sea Bass done with a white-grape mint sauce is a unique, refreshing choice. -- Rachele Lawton