Take a look at the menu, and you'd better have new money. Yes, it's expensive. But the people in the dining room don't look like that concerns them much. The Common Plea has long been known as one of the city's top restaurants. It attracts judges and city and county government bigwigs at lunch, and a more general clientele at dinner.
Fish is a big drawing card, judging from a quick look around the dining room.
Veal, steak and lamb chop selections change daily. Owners are John Barsotti and Donna Barsotti, his wife, who is also the chef. They're Italian and make a trip to Italy usually once a year and bring back ideas to try in their own kitchen. But the five they have on the menu would make any Italian restaurant proud. One of the most popular is the dish I'm having tonight - orecchietti, or little ears of pasta, with fresh tomato, arugula and prosciutto.