Trattoria da Sofia

While most of Adams Avenue feeds you brunch or quick bites, Sofia's fills the proper-dinner gap—the kind of meal where you sit for two hours and nobody checks their phone. The kitchen rolls pasta by hand daily, and it shows in the texture: the cacio e pepe gnocchi hits pillowy without turning gummy, and the spicy rigatoni vodka comes with enough sauce to justify dragging bread through it. The fiori di zucca—fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta—disappears fast if you're sharing, and the arancini arrive crisp-shelled and molten inside.

The tiramisu gets wheeled to your table and plated in front of you, which feels a little theatrical for Kensington but lands as charming rather than precious. Portions run generous enough that takeout containers are common, and prices stay reasonable for what you're getting—this isn't white-tablecloth markup, just solid Italian cooking done right.

Practical notes: Make a reservation on weekends unless you enjoy waiting on the sidewalk. Parking's easy in the residential blocks just off Adams. The space skews bright—some reviewers wanted moodier lighting—but the casual vibe means you can bring kids or show up in jeans without feeling underdressed. Vegetarian options run deeper than just pasta primavera, and the wine list covers Italian standards without getting fussy about it.

The service gets consistent praise for staying friendly without hovering, and the staff seems genuinely happy you're there. For a neighborhood that leans hard on casual comfort, Sofia's offers the rare spot where you can mark an occasion without leaving the zip code.