Is Sorellina’s, which some are calling Victoria's Little Sister, open? We've been asked that question a bunch because there's still construction stuff outside the restaurant. The answer is yes, open as open can be.

Rabe
Rabe
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Sorellina's Officially Opened June 14, 2022

Sorellina's - Used with permission.
Sorellina's - Used with permission.
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Rochester, Minnesota's newest Italian restaurant is being run by cousins, Nadia Victoria and Jordan Victoria. Both are steeped in restaurant experience growing up in and around Victoria's. I stopped by on their first Friday night and it was bustling.

Inside it is bright, warm looking, with a pizza oven in the center of one wall, and a counter around it so patrons can watch the magic happen (watch quickly, the pizzas cook super fast). That pizza oven is a big part of the menu. Nadia Victoria told me,  "You'll find Victoria's Italian Restaurant favorites and a lot more pizza."

Rabe
Rabe
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The pizza part of the menu begins with a Berry Fire 'Za, with fresh strawberries, prosciutto, arugula, ricotta, and mozzarella drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Also, veggie, Margarita, Hawaiin, and many others fill out the section. A nice selection.

Pizza, locally produced tap beer, cocktails, and entrees that feature all kinds of traditional fare to Walleye Portabella. Click here to see the menu.

A Conversation With Nadia Victoria about Sorellina's

Nadia Victoria and Jordan Victoria (used with permission of Sorellina's)
Nadia Victoria and Jordan Victoria (used with permission of Sorellina's)
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James Rabe - Let's start with the big question, Nadia...why Sorellina's?

Nadia Victoria - So it's always been kind of our dream, uh, Jordan and I, as we're younger, growing up, kind of continue in the footsteps of our parents and, we just happened to just casually bring it up. Oh, have you seen that Mt. Bank building? Oh yeah. That would be awesome. And then all of a sudden it turned into something real.

JR - What can people expect here, that's different from other restaurants in town?

NV - It's just something different, something you don't see in Rochester. It's, bright, it's modern, and once that patio is open...

Rabe
A look inside from the unfished patio. Rabe
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JR - Oh, that patio is huge.

NV - It's going to be something amazing. Right. It'll be a four-season patio and it'll also have the nanowall that we have kind of going on in that bar area. And it's heated in there, so be able to utilize it in the winter.

FYI: A nanowall is a wall made of glass doors, as you see here in the architectural drawings.

Used with permission of Sorellina's.
Used with permission of Sorellina's.
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NV - They'll be open in the summer when it's nice, and we'll be able to close them in the winter, and then the patio will extend out towards the river with a fire pit eventually out by the river.

And in the winter, I think that it will be kind of like you're sitting outside in the winter mm-hmm...you'll be up there drinking your cocktail and watching the snowfall

JR - Does this all come from having worked in and around a restaurant since you were little?

NV - Definitely. I grew up there. It started off as my playground <laugh> and we run around and play there and then it turned into, okay, well now you're gonna help. And then, started with you roll, Nadia (silverware), and then how to serve. And then I learned how to bartend and then I was eventually managing that, which turned into, learning how to do all the food and the liquor.

Floral arrangements inside the restaurant. Rabe
Floral arrangements inside the restaurant. Rabe
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JR - Tell me about your menu...some items that stand out to you.

NV - I think our pizzas are phenomenal. We have a Strawberry fire pizza, which is a little sweet. We have a brussels sprout salad. That's phenomenal. And then the other favorite of mine is the Mango blackened salmon.

Credit_ Victoria's Ristorante & Wine Bar
Credit_ Victoria's Ristorante & Wine Bar
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JR - They're calling Soriella's Victoria's sister, do you think Victoria's will have another baby?

NV - Absolutely. Why not? <laugh> yeah.

JR - One last question...you played in the restaurant as a kid...did you ever get in trouble for messing around there?

NV - Yeah. All the time.

JR - What was the, what was the thing you got in trouble for most?

NV - Running around when it was busy and you're on people's way. <laugh>

JR - Did you ever make anything, any plates fall in crash and bang?

NV - No, not that I remember. I might have, but I don't remember. <laugh> That's a key part, forgetting.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

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