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closeSorci’s expands its Italian core with tango and tapas
‘Sumner’s Little Italy’ aims to become an international dinner club, offering a variety of ethnic foods, cultural experiences to customers
Roxanne Cooke
The Sorci’s Italian Café and Market experience is about more than just the food.
Owners George and Jeremy Annillo, father and son, have turned “Sumner’s Little Italy” into an international dinner club, with emphasis on eating slowly, enjoying friends and experiencing a little culture at the same time. They’ve hosted several international dinner nights, which offer a meal from a country other than Italy.
“We’ve been getting fabulous feedback,” George Annillo said. “We’re just glad they’ve done so well.”
Last Saturday, Sorci’s hosted its second sold-out Spanish dinner, paired with tango lessons and tapas, which are small dishes typically served as appetizers in Spanish bars.
Tango instructors Jenny Mulligan and Mark Anderson said Sorci’s small space makes it almost impossible to teach the dance, but it’s still fun. After dinner, tables were moved aside to help create a bit more room.
“Tango is a walking dance,” Anderson said.
The two came from Studio 6 Ballroom in Tacoma, where they teach Argentine tango, Latin and club dances. Argentine tango was the focus at Sorci’s. It’s different than the well-known ballroom tango often seen in movies.
“I think we need practice,” joked Brenda Sherwood, who came with her husband and some friends. The Auburn couple has traveled extensively, and said they plan to become regulars at Sorci’s.
“This is so authentic,” Sherwood said. “I was so impressed.
“We were so pleased with the service.”
The Annillo duo hope to host at least one international dinner night each month and want to enhance the events by offering something else that represents the country, such as the tango lessons. The two have imported authentic ingredients for the meals — for example, Spanish saffron was used in the meal Saturday.
The aim is to make the experience about dining, rather than just “eating out,” George Annillo said.
That wasn’t lost on the customers who attended Spanish night.
“It was just like a home,” Sherwood said. “We can’t say enough about it.”
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UPCOMING SORCI’S EVENTS
> Feb. 28: French dinner and movie “Amelie,” 7-9:30 p.m., $25
> March 15: Cooking class (topic to be announced), 9-10:30 a.m., $35, includes breakfast
> March 22: Greek dinner and belly dancing lessons, 6-9 p.m., $30
> March 27: Wine appreciation class and tasting, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $30