First Look: Tutto Kitchen & Bar, Roswell

942 Alpharetta St., Roswell. 678-878-2525, tuttokitchenandbar.com.

From the team behind Peachtree Diner and the Diner at North Point, Tutto Kitchen & Bar opened in downtown Roswell in mid-November. The Italian-American concept took over a pair of quaint storefront spaces at the cusp of Alpharetta Street and Elizabeth Way.

The look: The L-shaped build-out features a spacious bar area on the Elizabeth Way side, and an intimate dining room facing Alpharetta Street. In total, the decor and ambiance come off as a swanky version of an old-school red sauce joint, with a bit of a clubby South Beach vibe — especially in the neon-blue running under the bar rail.

The scene: One recent afternoon, the crowd in the dining room was skewed toward ladies who lunch, and many seemed content sipping wine and picking at salads. Meanwhile, at the bar, an exuberant bartender offered guests samples of several craft beers on draft.

The food: The sprawling menu opens with a collection of small plates and appetizers, such as beef tenderloin carpaccio ($11), grilled octopus ($10) and veal meatballs ($9). Pasta dishes include rigatoni with short rib ragu ($17) and seafood Fra Diavolo ($24) with shrimp, scallops, clams and calamari. Entrees range from seared diver scallops with white truffle risotto ($24) to braised Colorado lamb shank with creamy polenta ($23).

The drinks: The full bar offers signature and classic cocktails, such as the No. 3 Negroni ($8), and some 70 wines by the glass and bottle ($7-$120). On the recent beer list, local drafts ($6) included Strawn IPA and Wild Heaven Ode To Mercy.

The extras: At lunch, served 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, look for sandwiches, soups and salads, and a $10 specials menu with the likes of a house burger and fries and grilled shrimp and polenta.

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