Sonata's Restaurant
Sonata's Restaurant celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, October 24th and I had the opportunity to attend a special preview the weekend before. It's a gorgeous space designed by COO Deividas Molocajevas - sleek and modern with textural elements of stone and wood, a spacious dining room alit with custom lighting and sparkling chandeliers, and an expansive patio with its own bar, firepits, and comfortable banquettes.
Named after co-owner Sonata Molocajeviene Tuft, its modern menu celebrates her family's Lithuanian heritage along with dishes from Serbia, Russia, Poland and other European cultures. Executive Chef Josh Bracher, formerly of Tanzy and Second Story Liquor Bar, is at the kitchen's helm.
A red carpet beckoned guests through its doors, who were welcomed with glasses of bubbly and an array of grazing appetizers including mortadella, prosciutto di parma, truffle cheese, hummus with romesco, Caprese salad with tomato jam, and more.
As we settled in on the pretty patio, we dined on passed plates as an introductory sampling of the menu. I especially loved kepta duona (crispy sticks of buttery rye bread coated with decadent duck fat aioli and finely-shredded havarti cheese), potato pancakes topped with smoked salmon, semetana, dill and fennel pollen, and smoked pork belly confit with braised red cabbage and fermented kohlrabi puree. I can't wait to return to explore more of the menu.
Sonata's Restaurat also carries a wide range of Lithuanian spirits
Sonata's serves brunch lunch and dinner. Look for dishes such as borscht, pickled herring, and cabbage rolls, short rib stroganoff, hay-roasted lamb persillade, ukha (Russian seafood stew), and roast duck with elderberry sauce. At the Restart Juice bar, diners can choose from a variety of take-out options including smoothies, fresh fruit juices in eight flavors, sandwiches such as Reubens with housemade saurkraut and pastrami, and European pastries.
Sonata's Restaurant is located at 10050 N Scottsdale Rd #127, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 and is open daily 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. (to 10 p.m on Sundays).