One of the most rewarding aspects of traveling to a new state is tasting the flavors and cuisines offered. It allows you to feel a connection to the area you’re traveling to. Whether you’re an avid planner who researches the best local spots to dine at or you’re more of a spontaneous traveler who enjoys finding places off the beaten path once you arrive, discovering the hidden foodie gems is a must. Georgia is home to a plethora of cities that have unique restaurants and stories waiting to be explored. Johns Creek in particular is a multi-cultural hub with cuisines including Italian, Indian, Greek and much more that visitors can enjoy.
With over 125+ restaurants that aren’t your typical chain, Johns Creek lets you support local businesses and their owners who all have a story to share. It may seem overwhelming trying to choose which restaurant to dine at during your stay, which is why I’ve done all of the hard work for you! I had the pleasure of dining at Sugo, a family-run restaurant that melds together the family’s ties to Italy and Greece. Each dish has a story to share which is why this restaurant needs to be your first stop during your visit!
The Backstory of the Castellucci Family Legacy
What makes Sugo a hidden gem besides its outstanding dishes is the welcoming atmosphere, it feels like the type of place where you can take a first date, go for a family outing or simply relax with friends. Scattered throughout the restaurant are pictures of the owner and his entire family going back generations, bringing the story of the restaurant’s beginnings to life. I spoke with owner Federico Castellucci II and he instantly brought me to a picture located in the Puttanesca room of the restaurant. The photo shows the interior of his parent’s restaurant known as Archie’s Tavern with the staff and a curious young woman in a striking black dress. Mr. Castellucci or Mr. C as he’s known as, lovingly shared that the young woman was in fact his mother and the picture was from June 1917. His father Arcito Castellucci, an Italian-born man married his mother Sophia Zavanlagos who came from Greece. This was back in 1947 and the immigrant family had opened up Archie’s Tavern in Rhode Island. On the other side of the wall is another family picture from the family restaurant with Mr. C’s father behind the bar. Mr. Castellucci learned how to run a business from his father, maintaining their legacy through Sugo.
History in the Recipes and on the Walls
Besides the charming photos around the restaurant which creates an inviting atmosphere, the interior ambiance has been carefully crafted so that each patron can enjoy their meal in a cozy environment. The restaurant is divided into multiple sections from their special areas that are perfect for a private dining experience such as the Basil Room and Brodetto Room to the Main Dining Room. There’s a richness in the tones inside from dark leather and black seats accompanied by dark wooden tables to the neutral-toned cloth curtains which can provide privacy if a room gets booked out as well as block out any outside light. The interior utilizes a variety of warm Edison-style chandeliers as well as tea lights that adorn each table, creating this moody and truly cozy background for your dining experience. Having the curtains block the outside environment, in turn, creates this ambiance that allows you to tune out the outside world and focus on having a genuine connection with your dining party. As I sat at a table alone, I noticed that the patrons ranged from couples on a romantic evening out to large groups of families who were more casual to even a grandmother and granddaughter across the room who were having a special date night out together. What made the experience even more memorable was seeing Mr. C personally greet each table and check on how they were doing.
A Balance of Gastronomy and Family Tradition
Taking a look at the dining menu which also includes Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options, is divided into traditional Italian categories including Antipasti, Insalate and Secondi which can be easily inferred as the appetizers, salads and entree selections. The Executive Chef Soto explained to me each dish and his intention behind each one. He shared that having a balance within your meal is important as each component contributes something unique taste-wise but ultimately comes together in harmony.
Antipasti- Signaling the Beginning of an Italian Meal
For Antipasti, I tried the Meatball Al Sugo which features Italian sausage, roasted tomato, caramelized onions, dates, tomato basil sauce and pecorino. Chef Soto shared that he intentionally leaves the vegetables in the sauce whole to add a bit of texture and a visual appeal to the dish. The sauce in part originates from a family recipe, incorporating a bit of the past and present into one. My first impression was that I’ve never had a meatball and sauce that was so well balanced from the savoriness of the pork sausage to the sweetness and acidity of the sauce and dates. This is the perfect appetizer for those who want a bit of richness before their main meal. I also tried the Grilled Octopus which comes with chorizo, potatoes, salsa verde and garlic aioli. Chef Soto explained when we brought out the dish that he marinated the octopus for 2 hours to make it tender and I can attest that it truly was. I’ve had your typical calamari before from restaurants but there’s something so unique with having octopus grilled to experience its subtle sweetness. The potatoes that come with are flash-fried to add something new to the dish as Chef Soto stated.
Secondi
For my main meal, I tried their most popular dish which is their Hanger Steak which comes with Gigante beans, mushrooms, aged feta, roasted red peppers and arugula. The process for the hanger steak as Chef Soto explained comes together in three parts first cold smoking the meat, then it goes into a sous vide to bring it to the perfect temperature and finally it gets grilled on a Big Green Egg. This entire process truly pays off because the steak was cooked perfectly to a medium-rare and had such a smoky flavor. An interesting aspect of the dish was that the Gigante beans had a vinegar component to them and the arugula was lightly seared which paired so well with the steak.
Sugo offers an extensive wine selection as well as curated cocktails from their full bar which can easily par with any of their dishes. Whether you’re passing through Johns Creek during your Georgia adventure or staying in the area, stopping by Sugo needs to be on your list. From the friendly atmosphere of the owner and his family’s legacy to the delicious dishes that Chef Soto carefully curates, your meal becomes more than the food on your plate, it becomes an experience.
