My Corner Table

SOGNO – Where Dreams Come True

By Leigh Cort

In the 1950s, when dining out was a celebration of style, taste, and culture, dinner

wasn’t just a menu of food; it reflected an amalgam of American life. The story

of Italian food in America is fascinating. Spanning over a century influenced by its

beloved integral part of American culinary culture!

Owners of Sogno Stacy Critelli and Brian Rinehart

The post WWII era was a turning point when American soldiers from Italy brought

back a newfound appreciation of flavors. Its popularity will endure for generations ~

with current and celebrated restaurateurs paying homage to recipes, ingredients and

cooking techniques that are the foundation of Italian-American cuisine. Many of us

can conjure images of red-and-white checkered tablecloths, carafes of chianti and a

red sauce carte~du~jour of classics like eggplant parmigiana.

SOGNO in St. Augustine doesn’t look anything like this stereotype. While owners

Stacy Critelli and Brian Rinehart respect their heritage of families and careers, they

have created a contemporary high-end dining room and dazzling speakeasy-inspired

bar that would rival any trattoria from New York City to Milan! “We designed a

space where we, and our guests, feel like family. My mother and grandmother always

set a big Sunday table where everyone was welcome. This is the heartbeat of Brian’s

family, too. St. Augustine is where we love to welcome our guests who know our

door is always open”. With a successful design career in Manhattan, Stacy knew that

bringing her favorite antiques, chandeliers, fine art and Waterford glassware to open

Sogno in December 2023, was exactly the ‘dream’ she imagined. For Brian, whose

illustrious restaurant & spirits career was grounded in the who’s who of international

guests and celebrities from his early years at Tavern on the Green, Sogno weaves

together all his top-tier experiences in service and training. Within moments of

naming their restaurant, what could be more ideal than Sogno (Italian for dream)!

Sogno creates a sense of belonging, as it ranks high with guests who enjoy

knowledgeable service and classic food preparations with a unique interpretation,

reminding you of eating in mama’s dining room. Seeing Stacy and Brian throughout

dinner caring for guests along with the staff is an important facet of dining out

today. In a world of chain restaurants and absentee owners it’s comforting to meet

proprietors who enjoy delighting their ‘family’. NOTE: Don’t be shy about tucking the

dinner napkin into your collar. Your server will recognize how much you appreciate keeping traditions

alive at Sogno.

With a robust wine list, Stacy loves to recommend her favorites that are part of the

furnishings of the dining room. Warm crusty bread is a treat that pairs well if you begin your evening with Meatballs Al Forno richly dressed in espagnole sauce ~ or

Mussels Arrabbiata sauteed with spicy tomato sauce (one can’t get enough of the grilled sourdough)! The Vegetarian Flatbread created with seasonal vegetables and

house-made pesto is worthy of a weekly visit!

What Italian bistro doesn’t prize their Melon & Prosciutto Salad or Caprese Burrata Salad with a parmesan tuile? This healthy course evolves into a beautiful entrée

when adding salmon, chicken or shrimp. With a dozen entrees to consider, it’s refreshing to not be overwhelmed with a volume of selections. For hearty appetites, classic

Chicken Parmesan served over capellini is unpretentious and savory; the presentation of Osso Bucco pork shank served over pappardelle in a rich tomato sauce is

another culinary treasure. Sogno’s Linguine and Clams prepared with whole and chopped clams swimming in a light seafood broth is a ‘law’ for any visit ~ and gossip

is swirling about Seafood Cioppino, a pescatarian delight with mussels, shrimp, clams and fresh seasonal white fish. Classic desserts are offered (cheesecake, tiramisu,

cannoli) but it’s the dark coffee and popular cappuccino that might be the finale with a vintage cordial. So, if it’s a romantic Italian dinner for two or family celebration,

Brian and Stacy are saving a seat for you at their favorite family table with a story. That’s part of the dream ~ they make guests feel like elite family every night!

"Loving Our Town" October 4, 2025