HOLIDAY SEASON AT SUGO

As the Cape Fear region slips into the glow of the holiday season, we’re celebrating the places that make this time of year feel especially meaningful — the restaurants where we gather, linger, toast, and savor. Our annual holiday series showcases the spaces that shape the way we eat and connect, each offering its own unique spirit of warmth, generosity, and celebration.

Sugo Italian Steakhouse, Wilmington, NC

We begin with Sugo Italian Steakhouse, a restaurant where the joy of the season seems to rise naturally from the table. Overlooking the Cape Fear River, Sugo was created for moments just like these — when great food brings people together, and the simple act of sharing a meal becomes something memorable. This year, the restaurant leans into everything we love about winter dining: dishes rooted in Italian tradition, rich and comforting seasonal flavors, an elevated yet intimate atmosphere, and the kind of attentive hospitality that makes every guest feel at home. We caught up with owners Ace & Jamie Alfala to find out what makes the holidays at Sugo Italian Steakhouse so special this year.

From handcrafted pastas and signature steaks to curated wines, festive cocktails, and chef-driven holiday features, Sugo sets the stage for celebrations big and small. Whether you’re planning a holiday dinner, a gathering in their private Drawing Room, or a sparkling New Year’s Eve, Sugo offers an experience that feels both luxurious and heartfelt — a true embodiment of the season.

What will make the holiday season at Sugo Italian Steakhouse memorable?

This season at Sugo feels especially magical because the restaurant was built on the idea of gathering around incredible food — and the holidays bring that spirit to life. Guests can expect a warm, elevated atmosphere overlooking the Cape Fear River, dishes rooted in Italian tradition, and the kind of personal hospitality that makes every table feel like family. From handcrafted pastas to our signature steaks and winter cocktails, Sugo becomes the perfect place to celebrate, reconnect, and indulge.

Are you offering any special menus, events, or experiences this year?

Our sommelier has curated a selection of exceptional wines, ranging from small, family-owned vineyards throughout Italy to some of the most iconic and celebrated producers worldwide. We’re also featuring large-format and magnum bottles to make your holiday celebrations feel even more special.

Our sommelier is available most nights and is always happy to help hand-select the perfect wine pairing for your meal or to guide you through something new. If you’d like recommendations or pairings for a specific menu, we’d love to assist.

As for holiday specials, we continually bring in fresh, high-quality ingredients to inspire new features from our Chef. Our offerings evolve throughout the season, but one of the more exciting recent additions is our upgraded Oscar-style preparation — our steaks are now crowned with king crab for an elevated, luxurious twist.

This season we’re curating:

• Seasonal features inspired by winter flavors and Italian classics.

  
  

• Chef-driven pairings that highlight our Wagyu, dry-aged steaks, and house pastas.

• New Year’s Eve reservations with exclusive dishes and celebratory touches.

We also offer private and semi-private dining for holiday parties in our Drawing Room, perfect for corporate gatherings, intimate celebrations, and family events.

What ingredients or flavors define your winter menu and reflect the spirit of the season?

Winter at Sugo leans into richness, warmth, and elevated comfort, bringing together truffle, Parmesan, and roasted garlic; silky marsala cream with pancetta, brown butter, and sage; hearty cuts like Wagyu, dry-aged ribeyes, and braised short ribs; and seasonal vegetables such as Brussels sprouts with apricot and honey. These flavors are bold, nostalgic, and deeply comforting — exactly what guests crave during the colder months, all crafted with Sugo’s modern Italian touch.

Is there a signature dish or cocktail guests shouldn’t miss during the holidays?

Absolutely — our Filet Tartine with truffle and Parmesan is always a guest favorite, and the Tomahawk Ribeye (aged and sliced in-house) turns any holiday celebration into an occasion.

For pasta lovers, the Lobster Pasta or Shrimp Alfredo Tortellini are rich winter standouts.

Cocktail-wise, the bar will be highlighting seasonal global-inspired holiday cocktails — think in-house limoncello and coquito, cocktails featuring warm spices and citrus, a wide selection of amaro, and festive twists on classics.

If you could capture the essence of the holidays at Sugo in a single moment, what would it look — or taste — like?

It would be the first cut into our traditional Beef Wellington. It’s the anticipation of cracking through that golden, flaky pastry and revealing the tender center — the aroma of herbs, butter, and perfectly roasted beef filling the room. It’s a dish that feels like Christmas the moment it hits the table: rich, warm, celebratory, and shared with the people who matter. At Sugo, that Wellington isn’t just a menu item; it’s the heartbeat of the season and the flavor of coming together.

What are you most proud of as you head into the new year at Sugo?

We’re proud that Sugo has become a place where locals and travelers alike come to celebrate life’s most significant moments. This year, we refined our menu, expanded our private dining options, and continued elevating the guest experience. As we head into the new year, we’re excited to build on that foundation — offering even more exceptional food, thoughtful service, and unforgettable evenings on the river.