For starters, no merlot... Waitress was rude. They were not that busy for her attitude. My vegetarian meal had a hard piece of salmon in it a as well as chilled mozzarella. She snatched it up and left. Came back and said "is there anything else you would like." I was surprised, I told her I thought she was bringing me what I had ordered, this time properly prepared. Blank look.... Nothing else, thank you. We will not be back. Far too many options with a more pleasant staff.
(2)
Jonathan C.
This past winter, I made a reservation for dinner. Since I made the reservation relatively early and it was the dead of winter, my girlfriend and I were able to sit right next to this roaring fire that kept us toasty for the entire meal. Being from an italian family, I have a pretty high standard when it come to italian food. But I was pleasantly surprised at the authenticity of the food that we received. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer. The bread could have been toasted longer to get more crunch but the mix of the tomatoes and mozzarella was delicious. For our entrees, we ordered the Frutti di Mare special and the Chicken Parmigiana. The Frutti di Mare had an incredible amount of seafood, compared to other restaurants, that tasted very fresh. The Chicken Parmigiana had a little too much breading but the sauce masked that with its bright flavor of tomatoes. Both of the entrees were large enough for us to eat our fill and take some home for extras. Overall, this place had decent italian food and great service. I think it is probably some of the best italian food in Newport.
(4)
Tim C.
Was very happy with our experience here. I was particularly impressed with their "Pepperchetta" which is a bruschetta using peppers opposed to tomatoes. It was outstanding. Sat outside on a busy night with no reservation. They were very helpful
(4)
Alan C.
Well I tried Sardella's again after two years and the food was excellent ,the entertainment was great and we had a great singer the wonderful Angela Bacari and wow she sure can sing .
(5)
Jane M.
Really good veal parm ...salad was very good ..drinks were perfect...tiramisu was just OK...we would go back for sure if we lived around here! Waiter was good...4 star for sure!
(4)
Rick A.
This was a great place for dinner. We were a party of 6. Our service was very good and took wonderful care of us. I couldn't make up my mind so had three appetizers. First a huge serving of muscles in a red sauce. I had the appetizer portion of the meatballs and braised short ribs. Everything was hot and delicious. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Doug P.
Surprisingly, they were able to seat our table of 8 quickly out on the porch. Service was very good and the waitress was friendly. The food was good. I had the linguine puttanesca -- a little too saucy -- but very tasty nonetheless. The mussels over linguine was very good. Overall, I would definitely return.
(4)
Peter K.
Good Italian food in Newport. Convenient location too.
(4)
Michael K.
The food was good, but our service wasn't as good as we have had in the past. We felt like our server just didn't want to be there. The food was good and the atmosphere was nice. The price was very affordable. The food came out in reasonable time. Overall I would still recommend this restaurant.
(3)
Skye G.
Wow, the best meal and service! I want to go back now. Our waitress, Ruby, was right on super! She was so thoughtful and polite and went way out of her way to make our time there really wonderful. I got an amazing eggplant parm. Thinking about the flavor of the sauce, melted cheese and layers of deliciousness makes me drool as I write this. Mr. G ordered a pizza and was also super happy. His dirty martini was also perfect, which I don't think I've ever heard him say. I was stuffed but pass up dessert, well back no. To go, please. Cheese cake with strawberry, choc cake and creme brulea. The second night we were doing to order pizza and the place was closed so you guessed it, we ordered pizza. Again, rock solid food. So happy we didn't change our plans to go to mamas.
(5)
Chelsea F.
My boyfriend and I LOVE Sardella's. We have come here for three valentines days and everything has been great! The week night deal is unbeatable! A bottle of wine and two entrees for under thirty dollars!? Yes, please! Every dish we have gotten has been delicious. From chicken parmesan to mussels--everything has been nothing short of amazing. The service has always been comforting and attentive. We hope to return for many valentines day dinners to come!
(5)
Dina B.
Been here many times. This by far was the worst. Waiters non attentive. Food was terrible. Tasteless, quality was poor. Calamari swimming in oil. Pieces were tiny, tasted like it was previously frozen. Clams that you could barely chew...they were tough. My husbands chicken Parmesan was again tasteless. The chicken was so thick you could barley cut it. Unfortunate....I like the atmosphere here. Quality of food is key! Just make that work and I wouldn't be so pissed that I spent $150.
(1)
Ferenc K.
I really like this place. The food is always very good and the service is excellent. Restaurants are funny in that an awesome meal can make up for lousy service and vice versa. The food here is not outstanding but it is very good. The service tonight was spot on. The waiter was attentive but not overbearing and the rest of the staff picked up on when to remove plates and refill water. Just classic good service. The combo makes this a great place to eat. The chicken parm was good but not great. I'm a traditionalist and like the breast pounded thin and this parm was left thick but the flavor was there. My son had the cioppino which had a great flavor and plenty of seafood. It lacked fish but had shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, and shrimp. The lobster ravioli was very good also. We left room for desert which was also very good. I really like the biscotti and cannoli. If you haven't been it's worth going. This is the kind of place you go to regularly with the fam for a solid Italian meal.
(4)
S C.
Worst restaurant in a long while. Ordered a simple salmon dish and they served it burnt on the bottom and cooked beyond dry. Baffles me that a chef would not check the food before serving it unless they want to serve Salmon Jerky. It's really an overrated restaurant that's not worth your time or money. Also had kids with us and they took over an hour to deliver the kids meals and 45 minutes to deliver the bread. Gut feel on this place is that its for an older generation trying to re-live the glory days of this restaurant's past. Go somewhere else as there's so many better choices in Newport. Since they can't even cook Salmon I'm henceforth nicknaming them Salmonella's.
(1)
Joan S.
Really disappointed. The Caesar salad dressing tasted bad and the cioppino was watery and tasteless. Also had shrimp genoa and the shrimp had a freezer burnt taste. Maybe a Newport institution, but there are far better Italian restaurants than sardellas.
(2)
Chloe L.
The service was great as well as the atmosphere. As for the food... Some improvements could be made. The chicken parm is great but the marinara sauce was a tad sour. The linguini was slightly overcooked too. The veal had a dull flavor and the mashed potatoes tasted somewhat like boiled peanuts. The pizza, however, was amazing. The pizza of the day had tomatoes, spinach, and goat cheese, but a switch to mozzarella cheese could be done for those who don't particularly like goat cheese. The pizza was thin crusted and it was crispy when hot.
(3)
Di B.
We went here for dinner with friends who were visiting. In general, the food and service was good, not great. The waitress was great, but my friend asked her opinion on the mussels, were they plump or tiny. The waitress said she had not seen them but their's were always medium to plump. And that she had been to a competitor's in town (she wouldn't say who) and they were miniscule. So my friend decided to have the mussels. Trust me, they were miniscule. There were a lot and she said the flavor was great, but this waitress, who has been there for 20+ years and is related to the owners and part of the family ownership should have known better when she served them! We also had the chicken special, parmesan and lobster ravioli which were all good, but not great! We have tried this restaurant twice and will not return. There are too many other great restaurants in Newport.
(2)
Amy M.
Went here when I was on vacation. We had a party of four, all ordered something different and we were all impressed. Personally, it was the best chicken parm I've ever had, hands down. Love that they do oil with the bread instead of butter. We had seconds. For the quality, the prices are surprisingly good. Minus half a star for the waiter forgetting our appetizer. Honestly though, we didn't need it.
(5)
Kim B.
Newport has a wide variety of different types of restaurants. However, if you want classic Italian, there were really only 2 ever good ones that were reputable, and sadly the other one just recently closed down(they were RIGHT next to one another!). If you want a delicious, Italian meal, Sardellas is perfect for that. Lauren and I went after work one day, she got the chicken parm and I got the meat sauce. We both loved our meals. What's great about their menu is you can choose a "appetizer size" meal so that it is cheaper, and easier to finish (otherwise the servings are huge!) The service was really fast and we were both surprised at how busy it was for a Monday night in the off season (we went in March). Typically, Sardella's is a bit pricey ( what do you expect for a good Italian place!) but thankfully we are part of the Newport Dinner club so were able to save some money. The ambiance is extremely romantic and classic Italian. In the summer, it is definitely a fine dining establishment where you probably shouldn't wear jeans. Lauren and I enjoyed are rare, after work date to catch up!
(4)
Erica S.
Service was great. Food not so much. Granted, it was New Year's Eve so I know they were busy in the kitchen, but there's no excuse for food to be served luke warm at best. My raviollis were OK. Sauce a bit creamier than I would've liked it, but tolerable. Not a good choice to eat if you plan on going out for a night of drinking. My boyfriend ordered the prime rib, and every single bite was fatty, there wasn't one part you could cut into that didn't have fat going through the meat. While prime rib is a fattier meat, for 35$ I expected a better cut. Heaping portion, but not much actual meat. Chicken dishes looked good, id go for those. 2 stars for service, she was very nice.
(2)
Debrin S.
It's good to rest your bones & dine al fresco under the twinking lights w a glass of proseco after a long day walking all over Newport! The cuisine is above average & a pleasant option. Gracious service. Good wine list. Love the stone wall, nice ambiance, appropriate music. Ample portions. I've tried a variety of things over the years when in town. I like: Arancini w peas & mozzarella, steamed little necks w garlic & wine, Tuscan salad, scampi, & lobster ravioli.
(3)
Nick S.
My favorite restaurant in newport. Although not on the waterfront it is a solid atmosphere.Great italian food! Very accommodating! Would make a rezzie just in case.
(5)
Devin J.
Food was mediocre at best. Service was a bit sluggish, partly due to Obama being in town and there was a large wedding rehearsal party going on. First and only for me.
(3)
Chris C.
OK I tried Sardella's again... this time it was terrific, I had the spaghetti with meat sauce, which was outstanding. The service was great and the check was very reasonable.
The worst dining experience I've had in a while. The waiter was rude and abrupt. We had the special - which I know is supposed to be a deal at $28 for two meals and a bottle of wine, but that doesn't mean it should be awful, right? I had the chicken cacciatore, two sad dry chicken tenders swimming in tomatoey water and overcooked linguine, joined by some canned mushrooms and slimy onions. My husband's chicken parm tasted like it was fried in old oil. From start to finish the meal lasted 20 minutes. We had a gift certificate and I still felt ripped off. We could only stomach a glass of wine each so I'll try to salvage the rest of the bottle by cooking with it.
(1)
Mike R.
Had dinner here last year. As usual, my wife and I went to Sardellas after going to the beach. We would go here whenever we went to newport, maybe four to five times every summer. The food was always okay to mediocre. I was a bigger fan of the outside seating. On this occasion, as usual, the food was okay. I got the chicken parm., (as usual) a dish that is really hard to mess up. But it really wasn't anything amazing either. The atmosphere however was horrible. They sat us outside, as we asked. There were lots of tables but they sat us literally on top of another couple. This wasn't the worst part. The manager, then went over to the table and started talking to the other couple. He was literally standing right next to me as he loudly talked. And he could not have been louder. My wife and I could barely have our conversation. After five or ten minutes of this, we asked to switch tables. You would think this would be a hint but the loud conversation went on for at least a half hour to forty five minutes. Just about the entire time that we were there. We literally rushed through our meal to get away from it. After this experience, we have yet to go back and I can't imagine we will ever go back.
(1)
Dan R.
Came in late for dinner Sat night and had no trouble getting table. Service was decent. Calamari app was tasty, but all tubes, no squids. We split the pizza special which was good, but a little heavy on the cheese and not as hot as we would've liked. Also shared the app portion of the totertellas which were rich, but tasty.
(3)
Mandy S.
I recently purchased a substantial $100 gift card online to give as a special thank you gift to my best friend for throwing me an amazing, memorable baby shower. I was sent a DISGUSTING, used gift card in the mail. There were previous balances scratched into the back of the card and the front of it has goop everywhere, and there were clearly scratches all over it. I called three times and got only one phone call back- I tried to return the phone call within 20 minutes and the manager had miraculously "stepped out" again and wasn't available. This was such a disappointment, In what universe does someone who is purchasing a gift card want a gross used one? It's a GIFT CARD, I'm using it as a GIFT. FAIL Sardellas, Fail.
(1)
Allen R.
My chicken parmesan was average. Service was okay. The place was very crowded for a Wednesday night. It's a beautiful building in a good location. I would eat there again though. My friends all said their meals were good.
(3)
Gina I.
Hands down our favorite spot to eat dinner in Newport. The food is delicious. The staff is always welcoming and polite. The prices are very fair. Never a long wait. We live in NJ but every time we visit Newport, Sardella's is a must!
(5)
Alicia D.
Even though it's busy the waitress on her game. Appetizers were great but the dinners a bit dry and lacking a wow factor. Great family atmosphere though. Cozy and warm.
(4)
Jeffery T.
We were here for the Christmas at the mansions events. Our friends from NH secured the reservation. We're glad they did. We parked in the free lot and simply walked to the rear entrance. We were immediately seated next to the roaring fire in the fireplace. That felt really good on a cold night. Our server was prompt, extremely friendly and helpful. The service never varied as the place filled up in a hurry to a full house. She was always timely with her attending to our needs. Our meals were all fantastic, especially the Lobster Ravioli and Veal Marsala. Bread was plentiful and fresh baked. Our dessert, the Napolean, was a huge ice cream filled, light pastry, with strawberries. Perfect for TWO. Nothing like the ones you get in the local bakery. A great evening. Would highly recommend.
(5)
Jon S.
Good food, but come on a M-W night when prices are more reasonable. Lobster ravioli is a solid bet as evidenced by many reviews. It's not as filling as most of the other dishes, however gives you room to enjoy a nice salad (beet salad is recommended). Ingredients rule here - seemed pretty fresh from the presentation to the taste. Also had the Gemelli Napoli with gorgonzola in a light cream sauce. Didn't mind it, but it is a bit strong. I would recommend the dinner for 2 at Sardella's. With a bottle of wine, it's only $28 in the early week. If you go on the weekend, you'll spend 3x as much. Good ambiance, including patio seating if you wish to people watch.
(4)
Ashley P.
Sardella's was a beacon of warmth and hospitality on a recent wintery visit to this establishment. After a night of gift exchanges, two friends and I were in search of a pleasant, but affordable, meal out. We found ourselves here, having easily found a parking space across the street. (I imagine in the summer months these are rare to come by, but with the restaurant within walking distance of Thames, it can't be hard to mosey on over here.) It being a Tuesday, our group was able to take advantage of their "Dinner for Two Special". The "Dinner for Two Special" consists of two entrees and a bottle of wine for $24. Finding ourselves in the predicament of having three in our group, we were happy to find out we could each order from the listed entree's and pay the discounted price of $7 per plate. In fact, there is a great deal of flexibility with this deal. If you don't want the bottle of wine, the couple pays $14 instead. I ordered the Baked Manicotti which was delicious. The manicotti was a delectable mix of cheeses and marinara sauce. I also ordered a side of sicilian meatballs. They were nothing special but tasty none-the-less. My friends ordered the Grilled Pizza Margarita and the Chicken Cacciatore. Both were of generous portion size and looked just as good, if not better, than my own dish. The atmosphere here was extremely cozy. With two fireplaces going and Christmas decorations adorning the mantle, our booth was a safe haven from the frigid ocean breezes of downtown. I would certainly return here to take advantage of their specials on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Great deal, inviting atmosphere, attentive waitstaff!
(4)
Camille R.
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT EVER!!! and I am from NEW YORK!!! Best place I have been to for italian food in the USA - sooooo delicious and excellent - never disappoints I go here each time I'm in Newport - RECOMMEND A+++++++
(5)
N P.
OK, my experience at the restaurant was not what I was expecting based on the reviews, etc. Here are the reasons I gave it a 3. First, we sat down and we had to wait to get some bread (I guess it is an Italian restaurant..). We ordered drinks and still no bread... the waiter was waiting for us to order food, before they brought us bread...not sure what the reasons are.. but I don't want to wait 10+ minutes get bread, especially at an Italian restaurant... Then the bread came... it was my girlfriend and me... we got two slices of bread.. yes, 2 slices of bread... again, not sure why... do they really save any money by pissing off customers for bread and before you even started dinner? At any rate... My girlfriend ordered a gluten free (appreciative and thankful they had that!!!) pasta dish with creamy tomato sauce.. it was very tasty!!!! then came my dish... chicken Romano.. the chicken was great, but the pasta was like I was eating out of the boiling water... no flavor at all... no sauce... not what I expected.... One more thing, if you have gluten free menu (which is great!!!) why would you not offer gluten free bread? Yes, back to the bread.... My girlfriend is on a gluten free diet, and she was suffering not being able to dip some bread in the olive oil... Small things make a big impression... At any rate, it was an average night based on my experience... Would I go there again? With so many other restaurants, I would want to experience them first before I went back to Sardella's.....
(3)
Martin G.
I wanted to give this a higher rating -- maybe a 3.5 but not beyond that. Here's why: This was my first visit but my girlfriend had been here before. The man (not owner, but maybe the manager?) checking people in for inside seating was a bit rude right off the bat. That was a huge no for me. Appetizers were good. We had Campobasso as an appetizer.. was light and very flavorful. What I liked was that they offered smaller appetizer sizes for some of their signature pasta items. I felt that the portion (considering the price) was lacking. I had the Chicken Piccata which was good. I felt the chicken portion, again, was a little small, and looked small in comparison to the huge mound of angel hair pasta that was served with it. My girlfriend had lobster ravioli and loved it. Now onto dessert: Big mistake. I tried a new dessert they were offering. Basically vanilla ice cream, some peanut butter, and some chocolate sauce. It was $9 and considering it was more expensive than the rest of the desserts, again, I figured I'd be getting something substantial. Nope. Huge miss. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, served with a spoonful or two of peanut butter and some Hershey's syrup served in a wine glass. HUGE HUGE fail on this. Not only was the dessert not good but it was just way to expensive and the restaurant really should rethink the price too. For those of us that like to share desserts, it was barely enough for one person, let alone two. We got a second dessert as the first one was too small to share. It was a flaky pastry served with ice cream. The menu said it was a triangle shaped pastry, which was actually square. It didn't really have any flavor. I don't know if it wasn't fresh, or just another miss at an attempt to have a fancier dessert than they were capable of pulling off. Either way, it was another miss for us. They advertise a Mon-Wednesday dinner menu for $28 (w/ bottle of wine) or $16 without. This would be a much better deal in my opinion than what we experienced last night. The service was so-so. I had to keep asking for my water to be refilled. It wasn't particularly busy when we went (6:30pm) so I don't know if there were some issues behind the scenes that we weren't aware of. I would suggest coming here for one of the deal nights. We spent about $115 in total for an "OK" experience. In seeing how many other restaurants are near here, we'll definitely skip the return visit here. There's just too many options close by, more affordable, with seemingly better food for the cost.
(3)
Pete D.
Had a reservation for 18 on Saturday night. 2 hours prior to our reservation, our group grow to 23. We called to let them know and it was no problem. Had the semi-private room upstairs. When we got there it was all set up for us. Our waiter Jeff was fantastic. The appetizers were great. Did not hear one complaint about any of the main dishes. It was a wonderful night. Will definitely go back when I am in Newport.
(5)
Laurie F.
Two people put at a table in the very back room with a table of approximately 17 people and then another table with 10...not a great idea. My daughter and I could barely have a conversation due to the noise level. Our waitress didn't seem overly concerned if our dining experience was very pleasurable. So...our next trip to Newport, we'll find someplace where the food and staff our better.
(2)
Lauren M.
Overpriced, even for the deal. The waiters and management are not accommodating, even with allergies. The manager on last night, in particular, spoke to our table in a degrading and passive aggressive manner. It made for an awkward evening at best, and we will not be returning. I had been there many times before, but this was the last for certain. With the array of restaurants in Newport, I suggest going somewhere else for better food, prices, and service. I would even suggest driving the 40 minutes to Providence to get a true Italian meal and to be treated with respect. If said manager is reading this, I suggest you read the following site, or go to one of the seminars. Your business is in great need. giveemapickle.com
(2)
John M.
Enjoyed dinner here with a party of 5 on a Friday evening in the summer. We made a 7pm reservation. Our inside table was ready for us when we arrived. Nice U shaped booth - comfortable for our party size. The good: Table ready when requested. Pleasant server, fairly prompt service. The entrees were all excellent. We had the veal marsalla, tortellini, chicken romano, pasta maranara, eggplant parm. All were well prepared, presented, with flavorful sauces, and very tasty. The reserve chianti was very good. The not-so-good: The prices are high for the level of service and what you get. For this price range, we would expect more than simple (somewhat dry) sliced bread and plain olive oil. But hey, this is Newport, and most everything is overpriced. Outdoor seating looked really nice - facing Memorial Blvd. Might try that next time.
Nice waitress, but horrible food. The soup had over cooked veggies. Salad was tasteless with creamy dressing. The cheese pizza had no sauce and short ribs were fatty and overdone with garlic, but still had no taste.
(2)
Thomas P.
Last Wednesday, my wife, friends, and I had dinner at Sardella's. As always, the atmosphere, food, and service were good. Sadly, when the server reached over me to place my wife's dish of pasta with mussels on our table she accidentally spilled hot white sauce on my lap, shirt, and table. Obviously, this person was embarrassed, apologized, and brought over some napkins to clean up the mess. What displeases me is in the way that this mishap was dealt with. I don't think that the waiters realized what a mess I was in! I sat there soaked in hot sauce. The lack of attentiveness was a bit of a surprise! Will I return? Not too soon. PS I emailed the manager a week ago. As of this posting I have not heard from anyone. I guess no one cares.
(3)
Jane R.
We went here on a recommendation from the Viking Hotel where we were staying to attend a conference. We didn't have a reservation and were told it would a 10-15 minute wait for the table, so we went to the bar and each had the Headless Horseman special drink (yum) while we waited. WIthin 10 minutes we were seated at our table. The wait staff were very pleasant; our waiter seemed very busy but was attentive nonetheless. I had the chicken loretta which was excellent and my guy had ravioli in a cream sauce. Both of us enjoyed our meal and had a wonderful experience.
(5)
John R.
It was a first time visit and we were all very happy with the meal. For a starter we had the Crispy Calamari with Cherry Peppers, Lemon, and Olive Oil. A seemingly common dish but everything came together fabulously for a unique experience that I strongly recommend. For me this was followed by a very good Classic Caesar salad and finally the Grilled Shrimp Wrapped in Prosciutto, pesto cream sauce, and linguini pasta. It was another unique experience that was very enjoyable and the quantity was certainly more than enough.
(4)
An L.
Average Italian food. Many rooms would make for a nice private party. Very accomodating. For Newport, views are not great. The Monday-Wednesday deal is very good as most people wrote. Pasta primavera was ok, bathed in too much oily food. Eggplant fries were average. The Wednesday jazz group was very good; nice music and atmosphere. Service was very nice and friendly.
(3)
Kellysue H.
It was a great evening all around. The food was wonderful. The pork shank was so big it was a perfect meal to share, and was so tender the meat fell off the bone.
(4)
sammie j.
I went here for my birthday with a friend. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint especially with a live fire place. It was also more casual than I expected, I actually felt overdressed. There weren't really any young people there so it seems more for a more mature crowd. I forgot the wine but it begin with a P, it was mild and sweet. Not a big drinker but it was light w/ a slight sweet undertone. I tried the poached beef with mashed potatoes and I wasn't crazy over it. So, I switched plates with my friend and ate the risotto with shrimp and chicken. It was nice and creamy but lacked that oomph, it need more seasonings and more cheese. However, my friend liked the poached beef. I had the nepoli dessert and it was ok. Prices are decent.
(3)
Alex P.
This is a fun place for a group. The specials and portions make it a relatively cheap night out with friends or family. The location is also convenient and decor and entertainment is nice. However, the food is just OK. I was disappointed to find that the "special" wine choices were only chardonnay or merlot, both of which I dislike. The pizza was doughy, the salad wilted. But people who like walking out with leftovers will be in heaven!
(3)
George N.
Wow, I am really surprised at my other Yelp mates... I can not imagine anyone ever enjoying anything at this restaurant. THE ONLY WAY THIS PLACE COULD BE IN BUSINESS IS THAT IT IS THE PROVERBIAL TOURIST TRAP ~ Stay away.... Nine of us went with a reservation for a business dinner in peak season. All the diners were from various parts of the US (some as fancy as NYC, others not so much) The ante-pasto was anti pasto (get it :-) ) No really two plates with furry anchovies and meat and cheese that had been sitting way too long in a refrigerator, waiting for some dunce to order it The several fish dinners were over cooked and dry. The Lasagna (which, in theory, should be good) was terrible. The steak I had was typical but smothered in some awful sauce that I don't trust. Service was fine, pricing would have been fine if the food had been good. My advice, Stay away stay far far away.
(1)
Ashley P.
I thought our meals totally missed the mark. I love to eat and cook Italian food. Something about it all was way off. Chicken Marsala was watery and oily. You could actually see that the sauce was not put together at right time. We had an escarole and bean type dish that was anything but authentic. I would save the money and eat somewhere else....on our way in our friend told us that she had just had the worst meal there...thought we'd try. Wished we listened.
(2)
Christopher H.
The mussels came out dry, for some reason, the oil, wine and broth was only in the ones swimming at the bottom. Somehow they failed to let the top ones soak. Though these mussels were huge, they actually tasted better than I thought, at least the bottom ones. I ordered their fish of the day, something with salmon blah blah. It just tasted bland. The tomatoes seemed out of place. Dessert was probably the most enjoyable part, had the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream on the side, very decadent, for an additional dollar. The server basically gave the prices for the specials at the beginning and told me of the extra charge on the ice cream. I'm never told prices for specials or extra charges anywhere, this was the first time ever. I'm here to enjoy the dinner not regret paying the bill. Needless to say, I regret coming here. I don't know who they paid off to win that Best Italian Restaurant in Rhode Island, but they need to keep money in the budget every year to keep winning.
(2)
Joseph F.
The food is tasty, the drinks are great and the staff is friendly......
(4)
Bruce C.
I consider myself an expert on Italian Food and this was one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The meatballs were outstanding and the chicken parm was top notch. If you are looking for authentic homemade Italian Food in Newport do yourself a favor and go here.
(5)
John L.
Always consistently good food and service, and a good value as well. We come back every year and catch the Monday thru Wednesday specials. Then walk to the Creamery for dessert.
I had been to Sardella's a few times in the past, but recently reacquainted myself with it since my sister had her (very small) wedding reception there. She had reserved a pseudo-outdoor portion of the restaurant - while it had a roof covering, the walls were made of stone and parts of the room were open air. The room was really cool. It was private and had a lot of greenery and candles, making it have a lovely European vibe. The room wasn't ready for us when we arrived, so we had to wait in the bar for a bit while they prepped everything. When we got in there, the servers started arriving with the appetizers. The first one was a really tasty skewer of sun-dried tomato, fresh mozzarella, kalamata olive, and artichoke, with a balsamic drizzle. We then got a couple different types of bruschetta (one cooked, one not), and both of those were good as well. There were some meat apps that we didn't try, but everyone enjoyed them too. The dinners arrived on these massive three-tiered platters. The first level had chicken marsala, the second had beef tenderloin, and the third had vegetable lasagna. Bread, pasta, and vegetable risotto also arrived on the side. The risotto looked awesome, but unfortunately wasn't vegetarian (chicken stock) so I didn't get to try it. The pasta was really good, especially considering that it was just plain penne with sauce, and the bread basket had a nice variety of breads. The vegetable lasagna was really really good. Service was fine overall, and the location made everything that much better. A nice spot for dinner in Newport.
(4)
Dorian G.
Amazing. I've had this place on my "to try" list for about 5 years now. I'm so glad I finally got a chance to eat here. The bread basket is full of fresh rosemary foacaccia and crusty rustic Italian bread. The salads are a little pricey, but big enough to share. My husband and I shared the Warm Tuscan Salad (field greens, roasted tomatoes, warm goat cheese and balsamic). it was great. For dinner, we all went pretty traditional on the entrees. Veal parm, veal brasciole, linguine with clams, and eggplant parm (mine). The best damn eggplant parm I've ever had, TYVM. Their red sauce is tangy and sweet, the pasta was cooked to perfection, and the eggplant wasn't overbreaded or over-fried. Just perfect. Everyone else raved about their dishes as well. I cant't wait to come back.
(5)
Lawrence J.
I've been coming here each time I can when I travel to Newport over the last ten years and I think the meals are always tasty and truly Italian cuisine, The staff although friendly had been a little slow or forgetful at times, yet I always go with a crowd of 6-8 and this has been a few occasions in over a decade. The prices are fair and the atmosphere is optional for open rooms, a bit more secluded room or outdoor patio dining, NOT on a hill as described by another review.
(5)
Amar P.
Classic ambience, good food and service. Mid week specials.
(4)
Carl E.
Ambiance was great on live Jazz night. Toasted garlic bread was very good. Spaghetti and meatballs were pretty good, but expected a little better. The pasta fag. soup was very creamy and had very good taste, but would have liked more hardy ingredients. The reason for 3 and not 4 stars was the rushed, impersonal service from our waitress. She had too many tables to serve in the terrace section.
(3)
Jeffrey R.
Campo basso was great last night. Other fan favorites include the lobster ravioli and lasagna. Large portions and great atmosphere. I've been coming here for 25 years. Never a disappointment.
(5)
ImaYesfa N.
Enjoyed this place very much, Especially on Mon-Wends 24$ per couple special including a bottle of good chilean wine! Plus 2 nice tasty meals. We had Chicken Parm plus Mussels with a nice pasta underneath. I would go back in a heartbeat..matter of fact that will be soon. Didnt get to have dessert, but next time i will. Smallish portions but decent tasty food for sure. Very good atmosphere and fireplace, but on the loud side. Nice people too.
(4)
Debra C.
Worst experience ever!! We had a reservation for a party of nine and left after two hours without food !!! The service was horrible and the manager very rude !!
(1)
Earl C.
i thought the pricey menu was worth it! I ordered something good, but can't remember the name! (it was in italian, how difficult!) the memorable thing on my plate was the delicious cheese sauce, it was rich and smooth and i couldn't stop eating it. I just wish they gave me a lot more than what i paid for. I think the hostess lost part of her dress while working her shift the night i was there cause she seemed a little too "revealing". people were staring at her breast!! believe me, it was noticeable. a little coverage please or at least a dress code for the hostess. everyone else around there is wearing a tie and long sleeve shirt (the servers).
(4)
Jessica S.
Love this place
(4)
Phyllis M.
We had a reservation for 8:00 PM and were seated right away at a lovely table outside in the corner. We had to light our own candle. The waitress was very nice. I never received my salad (which was my dinner) even after asking for it four times. The sauce on chicken parmagiana was thick with not much taste. The parmagiana risotto (which I ordered a side dish of, thank goodness) was terrific. We had to repeatedly ask for things like bread and my salad. I finally got my salad after everyone was finished with their meal, I refused it. The staff to clear the plates were over eager to do so. They kept coming to the table to clear when others in my party weren't even close to being done. When we received the bill we were charged for items we never even ordered. Be careful here. The atmosphere is great, the food not so much, service iffy at best.
(1)
Ester B.
Went there with the family on Saturday night. The place is just ok. Not special. The food was expensive and below average. The service was a little slow.
(3)
Felecia W.
Meh... I know a lot of locals that LOVE this place. I gotta say though, I wasnt very blown away. I started with the Escargo which came in a gorgonzola creme sauce, and I am convinced that there was something wrong with it. Maybe bad creme? I followed that with the Rissoto which was ooookay. It seems that it had way too much liquid in it. I dunno, The staff was really nice and obviously this place does well cause it was packed (with lots of screaming kids as well). Ill give it another shot maybe during the week and not on a weekend night.
(3)
Kristen L.
I just recently went to Sardella's for the tame part of a friend's bachelorette party. Gotta start off classy right? There were about a dozen of us and we were able to sit down right away and got to enjoy a nice summer night dining outside. They have a great wine list...we must have ordered 10 bottles and no one was disappointed. Apps for the table were good...we got calamari and eggplant fries. The bread was good too. Portion size for dinner was decent, not too big, not too small. Eggplant parm was pretty good and the price on it was decent. This place definitely seems more of a place to take a date, but we were satisfied as a group. It's also an easy walk from the main drag in Newport.
(3)
Maryanne A.
Food was great, service was poor. Very rude person sat us, not a good start to any dining experience.
(3)
Neha S.
This place was awful. It's crowded and loud, the service was horrible and the food was average at best. I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, which I was told doesn't have veggies on the inside but only the pasta is made from it. However, when i received my dish, it had veggies inside it. How does the waitress not know all the dishes on the menu? Then the busboy dropped silverware which hit my friend, but didn't even say sorry! The food was average at best. My ravioli came in a pesto cream sauce, which lead to a pretty gassy night! Wouldn't recommend food, service or atmosphere. Go to pasta beach instead!
(1)
George S.
Sardella's is your typical tourist spot in Newport. If you are lucky to get a table outside on the patio then it might be worth the stay just to people watch. If you are interested in good food then I would suggest that you choose another spot. When I last visited I was walking by and friends asked me to join them. The pasta was blah and my eggplant parm was like mush. But I had a nice glass of wine.
(1)
Gina M.
I have dined here numerous times. Great decor, very accommodating, friendly staff. I have enjoyed my meals, the food is very good!
(5)
Antares S.
Have you ever heard the expression Tourist Trap? While not completely awful, the food is pretty banal for Italian fare. Food takes a long time to reach your table once you've placed an order. Service is adequate and they have a good variety of wines by the glass and bottle. But for my money, I can think of at least three other Italian restaurants in Newport that are superior.
(2)
Elizabeth F.
Nice Location, very cozy inside, and the employees were all very friendly. It only gets 3 stars though because the food wasn't really anything to write home about. This is Rhode Island! There are like over 9000 Italian restaurant, and at least half have better food then this place. It's a bit pricey, you'll get plenty of pasta, but not much meat, compared to similarly priced places. The gravy/sauce is a bit bland. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but as someone else said, it's probably an excellent place to take a date. -Since the sauce is bland, you don't really have to worry about garlic breath. -Since the servings aren't that large, you don't need to worry about getting too full to enjoy the rest of the date ;) - There is a Mon, Tues, Weds dinner for 2 special - The waitstaff is friendly and the chef willing to switch things around which will accommodate even the fussiest of eaters. - It's pricey enough to impress your date, but not so pricey that you'll have to go without food for a week to afford it. - There's a nice wine list and a full bar. - The atmosphere is nice, and there's a fireplace *cue the romance* So great for a date but keep in mind the food is mediocre.
(3)
Theresa G.
I had heard this place was pricey and wanted a break from the slightly elevated prices of Newport. Opted in when I saw the Mon-Wed Dinner for 2 specials. The squash raviolli with cranberry sauce caught my eye. THEY WERE OUT! Hence the 4 stars. Desperate for veggies among a town and place drowning in bread bowls, fried clams and lobster =) Tried 2 the Fennel and the House Salad were fresh, filling and well done. The overall winner and reason for the review was the spumoni! Beautiful. I have NEVER had this dessert done in such an elegant fashion. For $8. It's enough for 2 and worth the 8. =)
(4)
Danielle T.
We went here because it was dog-friendly. The pasta was OK. The wines by the glass inspired thoughts of "hangover headache". The scallop appetizer was wonderful - a standout. We were told this restaurant is owned by the same group as Marina Cafe on Goat Island. Hard to believe - food at Marina was fantastic! (We went there twice and highly recommend it.)
(2)
Kevin W.
I took my wife & 3 month old son. The waitress was VERY patient and helpful. We had great service. The food was outstanding. The atmosphere was very cozy... We would definitely go back!
(5)
Jason B.
It's decent Italian in Newport, though I haven't tried the competitor next door. I would go back with friends if they were visiting the area.
(3)
Sean M.
Sardella's seems a bit confused. The menu is torn between, "Red Sauce" Italian and inspired Northern Italian cuisine. In that context I favor the Northern Italian dishes as these remind me of the food in Emilia Romagna. We did a walk-in on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm in August. We waited 5 minutes in line and we were seated on the back patio in under a minute, proving that indeed "Audentes fortuna iuvat.". This is a tough table to get without a reservation and my two sons and I were attired in slightly upscaled beachwear. We had long sleeve light sweaters, because it was actually chilly, shorts and flip-flop sandals shod. Most of the other patrons were dressed slightly more formal. I started with escargot prepared with a rich creamy garlicky gorgonzola sauce. The boys munched on focaccia that was too doughy and wonderful white bread that reminded me of some I'd had Reggio Emilia. The escargot were served "free" not re-shelled with olive oil toasts I devoured these perfectly cooked lovelies in short order. My ceasar salad was crisp and fresh but not a standout. My younger son had the children's cheese ravioli in butter sauce. Again these were tasty and he finished them but nothing special. The older son had the "Linguini alla Bolognese", a fair execution, more meat and a tad dryer sauce would have made it better. My personal preference is Spaghetti not Linguine with this sauce. I had the Vitello al Saltimbocca which was prepared with a Northern flare that was light and delicious. The dish was served with garlic mashed russets a perfect accompaniment. The boys had Tiramisu and Creme Brulee, I sampled both and preferred the Tiramisu, although it was too "wet". I'm a Creme Brulee fiend, this one was 3.5 on the 5 scale. The only hitch was that I tried to order Armagnac, which was on the menu, once the waitress came back empty handed I pointed to the menu, again, upon return she had brought port. I sent that back and instead got a Remy VSOP for my double espresso. * My first visit in over 10 years, Sardella's has still "got it". * It was cold and the manager brought out a space heater to the patio which made everything toasty. * You really should think about reservations here.
(4)
Chris K.
The food here is ok, The draw is that during the week they have a dinner special 2 meals with wine for 28. Or without wine for 16..... It is worth the price paid, especially with Newport prices.... But ordering off their regular menu paying "normal" prices isn't worth it. I'm from ny, so maybe I'm biased but I'd say below avg
(2)
Bailey R.
I've been going to Sardella's for years now. In college it was a great date place during the week, because we usually ordered 2 meals and a bottle of wine for about $30.00. After graduating, I found myself coming back often to dine with friends and coworkers. All the food is good and well portioned. The drinks are fantastic and quite addicting, I must say. While, I don't have reviews on specific menu items, I would recommend this place to anyone in the area.
(4)
Allison C.
Although its a little on the pricey side for pasta, this is our favorite place to eat when we come to Newport. The atmosphere is nice and warm and sort of romantic with little candle lights on each table. To start, we had the calamari, one of my favorites. I had the Melanzane alla Parmigiana (eggplant), which was EXCELLENT, all layered almost like a lasagna. And even with a big appetite, can never finish it. My boyfriend had the Puttanesca which he also loved. They've got a good selection of desserts as well. The couple of times we've been, weve never deen disappointed by the food. But we've felt a bit underdressed, so make sure to take off your hats before entering! I don't give it a 5 because although the waitresses were decent enough, I felt that the hostesses weren't always the most friendly or welcoming.
(4)
Austin J.
Sardella's is just what I expected. A nice facade. Great patio area on either side of the entrance with tents and heaters for winter. Quaint entry with a little fireplace and a nice looking bar. We were seated almost immediately, impressive for a Friday night...I attribute that to the fact that it's January...no doubt it's packed when it's not 30 degrees outside. I would classify the dress as casual. Everything from men in blazers and ties to sweatshirts. They welcome all. The service was very good. The house cabernet was very good. The bread could use some improvement, but that's a good thing because it left me hungry for my outstanding risotto with shrimp and chicken. The best risotto I've ever had. It was enough for two people no question. And I didn't mind paying $24.95 for it. On Wednesday nights they have a dinner for two special that includes a bottle of wine and two entrees for $24.95. You can't beat it. Bottom line: Visit Sardella's. Take a date.
(4)
Chuck A.
Sardellas....oh, how I want to love ya. But.....not a great experience there. The wait staff was snooty (and slow), which is a decidely bad combination. The meal - pretty tasty and it was certainly a very affordable menu. But geesh.....not worth the pain of interacting with the staff.
(3)
Gulshan I.
Good atmosphere. Outside seating. Good portions but expensive. Next time when I am in Newport I might try a different Italian restaurant.
(3)
Jen E.
We really enjoyed our dinner at Sardella's. Cute, cozy inside. Liked the northern Italian fare, when you want something different than the traditional "italian" (ie: heavy on the red sauces) this place has great variety. Everything was good, from the bottle of wine, salad, entree, to the dessert (chocolate decadance, yum!)
(4)
Area W.
Still calming down after my worst dining experience ever! My sister and brother-in-law, their two young children and I showed up at 6:00 on Saturday. We were happy enough to get a table without reservations that we did not mind that we were right near the bar. Shortly after we arrived - it got incredibly crowded and the bar was full. We were pretty quick to peruse the menu and make our selections - but it took more than 1/2 an hour before the waitress came to take our order. She only wanted to know what we wanted for drinks, but we gave her our entire order. In due time she returned with our chosen drinks, but rushed off with the waters we had requested still on her tray! Then our incredibly LONG wait began. For water, bread, food - anything. We were able to flag down our overworked waitress and enquire about the food and she told us she would check. It still took forever. My sister took her very tired and hungry kids out for a short walk. Our frustration at the wait mounted and was intensified when we saw all the tables around us getting bread and then their meals - at least three of those tables had come in after us. Since it was clear that the waitress was very busy and we were upset with the way the restaurant was being run - not with her in particular, my sister approached the manager and explained that it was taking an inordinately long time for our food to come. He said that he would check when the order went into the kitchen - not minding the fact that it also took a long time before we could place our order. He came back to the table and said rather defensively that our order had gone in 45 minutes ago and that was the normal time for them to expect food to be ready and that our order would be out soon. What would have helped us and our mood would have been if he had been apologetic, not angry. It was hard to buy the "45 min" average time because that seems like 1.) a pretty poor business model and 2.)couldn't possibly have applied to the people at nearby tables who clearly had had a shorter wait. My brother-in-law approached the manager to explain this to him. At this point things began to really sour as the manager became angry at us. The food finally arrived (after 7:30 - more than an hour and a half after we walked in!) and though it was fairly average in taste, it was made nearly unpalatable by our current mood. The lasagna portion was small, dried and crunchy on the edges, the campobasso was swimming in olive oil. We shared a tuscan salad and the goat cheese was definitely not "warm" as advertised. The kids meals were fine, nothing above or below what you would expect from an average kid's meal. We had a side of eggplant fries which came 5 minutes later than the other items and with regular ketchup not the "black ketchup" which was on the menu. When we got the bill we were frustrated to see that absolutely nothing (a kid's meal or a drink) was comped to make some amends for our poor dining experience. Though usually generous tippers (20% on average and more for great service) we were not inclined to leave anything after such a bad experience. The manager who was nearby and saw that we were leaving cash said VERY LOUDLY to the waitress, "make sure you count that!" at which point we told the waitress apologetically (and the manager overheard) that she should get her share - what she deserved - out of the food bill. At this point he told us to leave and told us that he would call the police - picking up his phone and pretending to start to call. In front of the kids who were then worried and confused. All in all - a horrible dining experience. I am still surprised that the manager had made no effort to be accommodating and apologetic but was instead of defensive, belligerent and threatening. Sorry to have such a long review, but I wanted to present the whole story.
(1)
Anne C.
Loved this place! We had a reservation and were seated promptly on the side, which was on a patio with a tent. Had the special Mon-Wed dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine special for $28. My friend and I had the chicken parmigiana and her daughter and husband had the pizza. They were VERY busy and the waitress let us know when we ordered that it would be 20-25 mins until our dinner would be ready and immediately brought us bread, olive oil and parmesan cheese and some crayons for her daughter. She also lit our candles on our table. I ordered my dish without dairy and it arrived as ordered. The dishes were brought to us hot. They make their own chicken parmigiana, marinara and pizza dough. The chicken dishes came with pasta that is made locally. I thought their homemade meatballs, which we ordered 1 on the side, was a bit mushy and seemed to have a lot of filler, so I wouldn't recommend that. Not fancy, but tasty and well done and our tab for the 4 of us was $47, including the bottle of wine!
(5)
Michael F.
We were disappointed. The bread was not fresh, always a yellow flag. The pasta fagioli was a thin tomato broth with little substance. The Eggplant Parmigiana was almost not worth eating. The breading was mealy and not crisp. It was probably reheated badly. I left half of it in disgust. The Veal Parmigiana was mediocre, but acceptable. The vegetable ravioli came out cold, was returned to the kitchen and then came out way overcooked. The service was good, but they were serving a large group and the waitress volunteered an apology because our main courses took a long time to come out. Perhaps we chose the wrong dishes, but for us it was definitely an evening to forget.
(2)
Allison B.
Great specials on certain nights. Can accomodate a crowd. Outdoor dining in the summers. Live Music sometimes on the weekends. The details like bread and salad are what I come back for. The entrees are just "good food". I enjoy their veal marsalla with mashed potatoes or over linguini. And sometimes I get clams or mussels. If it is a night you can order off the specials menu I will opt for that affordable option as it is always good. And nights that they have these specials make the place hopping. On these nights you are sure to run into someone you know. It is a convenient place to meet your friends when you are all in Newport because there is always parking in the back. I always have a blast. And I find the staff welcoming and friendly. There is a lot of interaction and sense of family here. A lot of loyal locals keep coming back. And I will try to make it there soon. Try to get a seat in the front instead of the back. I always have a better time in the front.
(3)
Jane B.
Sardella's was a fantastic location for our family reunion dinner. They were easy to work with, and set us up in a perfect, charming room. Private bar, balcony, little side room to seat the kiddies - it was all excellent. There were plenty of tempting menu items to choose from, and the presentation and quality were first rate. The staff were fun and worked very hard to make sure that everyone had a good experience. Highly recommended for group events!
(5)
Erin R.
Sardella's was the perfect end to mini vacation for my boyfriend and I (and our dog!) Service was great and the food was even better! I highly recommend the calamari and lasagna. Our black lab enjoyed his time just as much as we did. He was given his own water bowl and the table/patio area was big enough for him to lay without being in the way. Definitely a place to grab a delicious bite with your furry friend!
(5)
Sally T.
The place was packed when we got there and we had to wait about 15 min. to be seated which wasn't bad at all. After getting a table, they brought us bread which was still frozen in the middle (not a good sign). We ordered 2 appetizers, fried calamari and antipasto, both were really good. We also ordered a bottle of Merlot for only $38, which I thought was a great price. The actual dinner was good, but the service was lacking. Our dinner was close to closing time and I think that they didn't really care anymore and just wanted us out of there. A couple of waitresses sat at a table near us talking about their day and counting their tips...not cool. We asked for a bag to take home our wine and never got it. We ended up having to go get one ourselves. If I was rating the food alone I would have given it 4 stars, but the overall experience dropped it to a 3 star.
(3)
kevin c.
Since we are on vacation, reading reviews is a must. Bicycling past Sardella's twice sealed the deal. A beautiful summer evening, inviting outdoor seating convinced us to go Italian. Undercooked chicken, bland marinara sauce and over fried eggplant convinced us we made a mistake. I don't get all the rave reviews. Oh well, NEXT.
(1)
Diane K.
Delicious lobster ravioli, hubby loved it. Very happy with my veal parm.. A very nice wine list, fabulous tiramisu . Old fashion Italian restaurant .. Lovely wait staff..
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
r h.
For starters, no merlot... Waitress was rude. They were not that busy for her attitude. My vegetarian meal had a hard piece of salmon in it a as well as chilled mozzarella. She snatched it up and left. Came back and said "is there anything else you would like." I was surprised, I told her I thought she was bringing me what I had ordered, this time properly prepared. Blank look.... Nothing else, thank you. We will not be back. Far too many options with a more pleasant staff.
(2)Jonathan C.
This past winter, I made a reservation for dinner. Since I made the reservation relatively early and it was the dead of winter, my girlfriend and I were able to sit right next to this roaring fire that kept us toasty for the entire meal. Being from an italian family, I have a pretty high standard when it come to italian food. But I was pleasantly surprised at the authenticity of the food that we received. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer. The bread could have been toasted longer to get more crunch but the mix of the tomatoes and mozzarella was delicious. For our entrees, we ordered the Frutti di Mare special and the Chicken Parmigiana. The Frutti di Mare had an incredible amount of seafood, compared to other restaurants, that tasted very fresh. The Chicken Parmigiana had a little too much breading but the sauce masked that with its bright flavor of tomatoes. Both of the entrees were large enough for us to eat our fill and take some home for extras. Overall, this place had decent italian food and great service. I think it is probably some of the best italian food in Newport.
(4)Tim C.
Was very happy with our experience here. I was particularly impressed with their "Pepperchetta" which is a bruschetta using peppers opposed to tomatoes. It was outstanding. Sat outside on a busy night with no reservation. They were very helpful
(4)Alan C.
Well I tried Sardella's again after two years and the food was excellent ,the entertainment was great and we had a great singer the wonderful Angela Bacari and wow she sure can sing .
(5)Jane M.
Really good veal parm ...salad was very good ..drinks were perfect...tiramisu was just OK...we would go back for sure if we lived around here! Waiter was good...4 star for sure!
(4)Rick A.
This was a great place for dinner. We were a party of 6. Our service was very good and took wonderful care of us. I couldn't make up my mind so had three appetizers. First a huge serving of muscles in a red sauce. I had the appetizer portion of the meatballs and braised short ribs. Everything was hot and delicious. I would definitely recommend.
(4)Doug P.
Surprisingly, they were able to seat our table of 8 quickly out on the porch. Service was very good and the waitress was friendly. The food was good. I had the linguine puttanesca -- a little too saucy -- but very tasty nonetheless. The mussels over linguine was very good. Overall, I would definitely return.
(4)Peter K.
Good Italian food in Newport. Convenient location too.
(4)Michael K.
The food was good, but our service wasn't as good as we have had in the past. We felt like our server just didn't want to be there. The food was good and the atmosphere was nice. The price was very affordable. The food came out in reasonable time. Overall I would still recommend this restaurant.
(3)Skye G.
Wow, the best meal and service! I want to go back now. Our waitress, Ruby, was right on super! She was so thoughtful and polite and went way out of her way to make our time there really wonderful. I got an amazing eggplant parm. Thinking about the flavor of the sauce, melted cheese and layers of deliciousness makes me drool as I write this. Mr. G ordered a pizza and was also super happy. His dirty martini was also perfect, which I don't think I've ever heard him say. I was stuffed but pass up dessert, well back no. To go, please. Cheese cake with strawberry, choc cake and creme brulea. The second night we were doing to order pizza and the place was closed so you guessed it, we ordered pizza. Again, rock solid food. So happy we didn't change our plans to go to mamas.
(5)Chelsea F.
My boyfriend and I LOVE Sardella's. We have come here for three valentines days and everything has been great! The week night deal is unbeatable! A bottle of wine and two entrees for under thirty dollars!? Yes, please! Every dish we have gotten has been delicious. From chicken parmesan to mussels--everything has been nothing short of amazing. The service has always been comforting and attentive. We hope to return for many valentines day dinners to come!
(5)Dina B.
Been here many times. This by far was the worst. Waiters non attentive. Food was terrible. Tasteless, quality was poor. Calamari swimming in oil. Pieces were tiny, tasted like it was previously frozen. Clams that you could barely chew...they were tough. My husbands chicken Parmesan was again tasteless. The chicken was so thick you could barley cut it. Unfortunate....I like the atmosphere here. Quality of food is key! Just make that work and I wouldn't be so pissed that I spent $150.
(1)Ferenc K.
I really like this place. The food is always very good and the service is excellent. Restaurants are funny in that an awesome meal can make up for lousy service and vice versa. The food here is not outstanding but it is very good. The service tonight was spot on. The waiter was attentive but not overbearing and the rest of the staff picked up on when to remove plates and refill water. Just classic good service. The combo makes this a great place to eat. The chicken parm was good but not great. I'm a traditionalist and like the breast pounded thin and this parm was left thick but the flavor was there. My son had the cioppino which had a great flavor and plenty of seafood. It lacked fish but had shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, and shrimp. The lobster ravioli was very good also. We left room for desert which was also very good. I really like the biscotti and cannoli. If you haven't been it's worth going. This is the kind of place you go to regularly with the fam for a solid Italian meal.
(4)S C.
Worst restaurant in a long while. Ordered a simple salmon dish and they served it burnt on the bottom and cooked beyond dry. Baffles me that a chef would not check the food before serving it unless they want to serve Salmon Jerky. It's really an overrated restaurant that's not worth your time or money. Also had kids with us and they took over an hour to deliver the kids meals and 45 minutes to deliver the bread. Gut feel on this place is that its for an older generation trying to re-live the glory days of this restaurant's past. Go somewhere else as there's so many better choices in Newport. Since they can't even cook Salmon I'm henceforth nicknaming them Salmonella's.
(1)Joan S.
Really disappointed. The Caesar salad dressing tasted bad and the cioppino was watery and tasteless. Also had shrimp genoa and the shrimp had a freezer burnt taste. Maybe a Newport institution, but there are far better Italian restaurants than sardellas.
(2)Chloe L.
The service was great as well as the atmosphere. As for the food... Some improvements could be made. The chicken parm is great but the marinara sauce was a tad sour. The linguini was slightly overcooked too. The veal had a dull flavor and the mashed potatoes tasted somewhat like boiled peanuts. The pizza, however, was amazing. The pizza of the day had tomatoes, spinach, and goat cheese, but a switch to mozzarella cheese could be done for those who don't particularly like goat cheese. The pizza was thin crusted and it was crispy when hot.
(3)Di B.
We went here for dinner with friends who were visiting. In general, the food and service was good, not great. The waitress was great, but my friend asked her opinion on the mussels, were they plump or tiny. The waitress said she had not seen them but their's were always medium to plump. And that she had been to a competitor's in town (she wouldn't say who) and they were miniscule. So my friend decided to have the mussels. Trust me, they were miniscule. There were a lot and she said the flavor was great, but this waitress, who has been there for 20+ years and is related to the owners and part of the family ownership should have known better when she served them! We also had the chicken special, parmesan and lobster ravioli which were all good, but not great! We have tried this restaurant twice and will not return. There are too many other great restaurants in Newport.
(2)Amy M.
Went here when I was on vacation. We had a party of four, all ordered something different and we were all impressed. Personally, it was the best chicken parm I've ever had, hands down. Love that they do oil with the bread instead of butter. We had seconds. For the quality, the prices are surprisingly good. Minus half a star for the waiter forgetting our appetizer. Honestly though, we didn't need it.
(5)Kim B.
Newport has a wide variety of different types of restaurants. However, if you want classic Italian, there were really only 2 ever good ones that were reputable, and sadly the other one just recently closed down(they were RIGHT next to one another!). If you want a delicious, Italian meal, Sardellas is perfect for that. Lauren and I went after work one day, she got the chicken parm and I got the meat sauce. We both loved our meals. What's great about their menu is you can choose a "appetizer size" meal so that it is cheaper, and easier to finish (otherwise the servings are huge!) The service was really fast and we were both surprised at how busy it was for a Monday night in the off season (we went in March). Typically, Sardella's is a bit pricey ( what do you expect for a good Italian place!) but thankfully we are part of the Newport Dinner club so were able to save some money. The ambiance is extremely romantic and classic Italian. In the summer, it is definitely a fine dining establishment where you probably shouldn't wear jeans. Lauren and I enjoyed are rare, after work date to catch up!
(4)Erica S.
Service was great. Food not so much. Granted, it was New Year's Eve so I know they were busy in the kitchen, but there's no excuse for food to be served luke warm at best. My raviollis were OK. Sauce a bit creamier than I would've liked it, but tolerable. Not a good choice to eat if you plan on going out for a night of drinking. My boyfriend ordered the prime rib, and every single bite was fatty, there wasn't one part you could cut into that didn't have fat going through the meat. While prime rib is a fattier meat, for 35$ I expected a better cut. Heaping portion, but not much actual meat. Chicken dishes looked good, id go for those. 2 stars for service, she was very nice.
(2)Debrin S.
It's good to rest your bones & dine al fresco under the twinking lights w a glass of proseco after a long day walking all over Newport! The cuisine is above average & a pleasant option. Gracious service. Good wine list. Love the stone wall, nice ambiance, appropriate music. Ample portions. I've tried a variety of things over the years when in town. I like: Arancini w peas & mozzarella, steamed little necks w garlic & wine, Tuscan salad, scampi, & lobster ravioli.
(3)Nick S.
My favorite restaurant in newport. Although not on the waterfront it is a solid atmosphere.Great italian food! Very accommodating! Would make a rezzie just in case.
(5)Devin J.
Food was mediocre at best. Service was a bit sluggish, partly due to Obama being in town and there was a large wedding rehearsal party going on. First and only for me.
(3)Chris C.
OK I tried Sardella's again... this time it was terrific, I had the spaghetti with meat sauce, which was outstanding. The service was great and the check was very reasonable.
(4)Krista L.
This restaurant was the perfect find if you are craving some authentic Italian and are looking for a relaxing environment. The atmosphere was great: nice ambiance (casual yet romantic). The service was amazing: We were seated right away, the waitress was friendly and our courses came out at exactly the right time. The check was also handled quickly. Food: For a starter I ordered the Caesar salad-The dressing was homemade and it was DELICIOUS. It was a nice sized portion also. Food: For a main dish my fiancé and I split the chef's special pizza (goat cheese, tomato and spinach). The crust was so yummy and it was the perfect size for the 2 of us (you would need 2 pizzas if you didn't get a starter). It wasn't greasy at all and it was nice and warm. I was very impressed!! I paired this with a nice red Pinot Nior and it really complimented the dish. Overall this was a really great find for what we were looking for. If you wanted somewhere high end and fancy, I agree with some of the lower reviews that this is not the best place in Newport.
(5)Suzie B.
The worst dining experience I've had in a while. The waiter was rude and abrupt. We had the special - which I know is supposed to be a deal at $28 for two meals and a bottle of wine, but that doesn't mean it should be awful, right? I had the chicken cacciatore, two sad dry chicken tenders swimming in tomatoey water and overcooked linguine, joined by some canned mushrooms and slimy onions. My husband's chicken parm tasted like it was fried in old oil. From start to finish the meal lasted 20 minutes. We had a gift certificate and I still felt ripped off. We could only stomach a glass of wine each so I'll try to salvage the rest of the bottle by cooking with it.
(1)Mike R.
Had dinner here last year. As usual, my wife and I went to Sardellas after going to the beach. We would go here whenever we went to newport, maybe four to five times every summer. The food was always okay to mediocre. I was a bigger fan of the outside seating. On this occasion, as usual, the food was okay. I got the chicken parm., (as usual) a dish that is really hard to mess up. But it really wasn't anything amazing either. The atmosphere however was horrible. They sat us outside, as we asked. There were lots of tables but they sat us literally on top of another couple. This wasn't the worst part. The manager, then went over to the table and started talking to the other couple. He was literally standing right next to me as he loudly talked. And he could not have been louder. My wife and I could barely have our conversation. After five or ten minutes of this, we asked to switch tables. You would think this would be a hint but the loud conversation went on for at least a half hour to forty five minutes. Just about the entire time that we were there. We literally rushed through our meal to get away from it. After this experience, we have yet to go back and I can't imagine we will ever go back.
(1)Dan R.
Came in late for dinner Sat night and had no trouble getting table. Service was decent. Calamari app was tasty, but all tubes, no squids. We split the pizza special which was good, but a little heavy on the cheese and not as hot as we would've liked. Also shared the app portion of the totertellas which were rich, but tasty.
(3)Mandy S.
I recently purchased a substantial $100 gift card online to give as a special thank you gift to my best friend for throwing me an amazing, memorable baby shower. I was sent a DISGUSTING, used gift card in the mail. There were previous balances scratched into the back of the card and the front of it has goop everywhere, and there were clearly scratches all over it. I called three times and got only one phone call back- I tried to return the phone call within 20 minutes and the manager had miraculously "stepped out" again and wasn't available. This was such a disappointment, In what universe does someone who is purchasing a gift card want a gross used one? It's a GIFT CARD, I'm using it as a GIFT. FAIL Sardellas, Fail.
(1)Allen R.
My chicken parmesan was average. Service was okay. The place was very crowded for a Wednesday night. It's a beautiful building in a good location. I would eat there again though. My friends all said their meals were good.
(3)Gina I.
Hands down our favorite spot to eat dinner in Newport. The food is delicious. The staff is always welcoming and polite. The prices are very fair. Never a long wait. We live in NJ but every time we visit Newport, Sardella's is a must!
(5)Alicia D.
Even though it's busy the waitress on her game. Appetizers were great but the dinners a bit dry and lacking a wow factor. Great family atmosphere though. Cozy and warm.
(4)Jeffery T.
We were here for the Christmas at the mansions events. Our friends from NH secured the reservation. We're glad they did. We parked in the free lot and simply walked to the rear entrance. We were immediately seated next to the roaring fire in the fireplace. That felt really good on a cold night. Our server was prompt, extremely friendly and helpful. The service never varied as the place filled up in a hurry to a full house. She was always timely with her attending to our needs. Our meals were all fantastic, especially the Lobster Ravioli and Veal Marsala. Bread was plentiful and fresh baked. Our dessert, the Napolean, was a huge ice cream filled, light pastry, with strawberries. Perfect for TWO. Nothing like the ones you get in the local bakery. A great evening. Would highly recommend.
(5)Jon S.
Good food, but come on a M-W night when prices are more reasonable. Lobster ravioli is a solid bet as evidenced by many reviews. It's not as filling as most of the other dishes, however gives you room to enjoy a nice salad (beet salad is recommended). Ingredients rule here - seemed pretty fresh from the presentation to the taste. Also had the Gemelli Napoli with gorgonzola in a light cream sauce. Didn't mind it, but it is a bit strong. I would recommend the dinner for 2 at Sardella's. With a bottle of wine, it's only $28 in the early week. If you go on the weekend, you'll spend 3x as much. Good ambiance, including patio seating if you wish to people watch.
(4)Ashley P.
Sardella's was a beacon of warmth and hospitality on a recent wintery visit to this establishment. After a night of gift exchanges, two friends and I were in search of a pleasant, but affordable, meal out. We found ourselves here, having easily found a parking space across the street. (I imagine in the summer months these are rare to come by, but with the restaurant within walking distance of Thames, it can't be hard to mosey on over here.) It being a Tuesday, our group was able to take advantage of their "Dinner for Two Special". The "Dinner for Two Special" consists of two entrees and a bottle of wine for $24. Finding ourselves in the predicament of having three in our group, we were happy to find out we could each order from the listed entree's and pay the discounted price of $7 per plate. In fact, there is a great deal of flexibility with this deal. If you don't want the bottle of wine, the couple pays $14 instead. I ordered the Baked Manicotti which was delicious. The manicotti was a delectable mix of cheeses and marinara sauce. I also ordered a side of sicilian meatballs. They were nothing special but tasty none-the-less. My friends ordered the Grilled Pizza Margarita and the Chicken Cacciatore. Both were of generous portion size and looked just as good, if not better, than my own dish. The atmosphere here was extremely cozy. With two fireplaces going and Christmas decorations adorning the mantle, our booth was a safe haven from the frigid ocean breezes of downtown. I would certainly return here to take advantage of their specials on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Great deal, inviting atmosphere, attentive waitstaff!
(4)Camille R.
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT EVER!!! and I am from NEW YORK!!! Best place I have been to for italian food in the USA - sooooo delicious and excellent - never disappoints I go here each time I'm in Newport - RECOMMEND A+++++++
(5)N P.
OK, my experience at the restaurant was not what I was expecting based on the reviews, etc. Here are the reasons I gave it a 3. First, we sat down and we had to wait to get some bread (I guess it is an Italian restaurant..). We ordered drinks and still no bread... the waiter was waiting for us to order food, before they brought us bread...not sure what the reasons are.. but I don't want to wait 10+ minutes get bread, especially at an Italian restaurant... Then the bread came... it was my girlfriend and me... we got two slices of bread.. yes, 2 slices of bread... again, not sure why... do they really save any money by pissing off customers for bread and before you even started dinner? At any rate... My girlfriend ordered a gluten free (appreciative and thankful they had that!!!) pasta dish with creamy tomato sauce.. it was very tasty!!!! then came my dish... chicken Romano.. the chicken was great, but the pasta was like I was eating out of the boiling water... no flavor at all... no sauce... not what I expected.... One more thing, if you have gluten free menu (which is great!!!) why would you not offer gluten free bread? Yes, back to the bread.... My girlfriend is on a gluten free diet, and she was suffering not being able to dip some bread in the olive oil... Small things make a big impression... At any rate, it was an average night based on my experience... Would I go there again? With so many other restaurants, I would want to experience them first before I went back to Sardella's.....
(3)Martin G.
I wanted to give this a higher rating -- maybe a 3.5 but not beyond that. Here's why: This was my first visit but my girlfriend had been here before. The man (not owner, but maybe the manager?) checking people in for inside seating was a bit rude right off the bat. That was a huge no for me. Appetizers were good. We had Campobasso as an appetizer.. was light and very flavorful. What I liked was that they offered smaller appetizer sizes for some of their signature pasta items. I felt that the portion (considering the price) was lacking. I had the Chicken Piccata which was good. I felt the chicken portion, again, was a little small, and looked small in comparison to the huge mound of angel hair pasta that was served with it. My girlfriend had lobster ravioli and loved it. Now onto dessert: Big mistake. I tried a new dessert they were offering. Basically vanilla ice cream, some peanut butter, and some chocolate sauce. It was $9 and considering it was more expensive than the rest of the desserts, again, I figured I'd be getting something substantial. Nope. Huge miss. A scoop of vanilla ice cream, served with a spoonful or two of peanut butter and some Hershey's syrup served in a wine glass. HUGE HUGE fail on this. Not only was the dessert not good but it was just way to expensive and the restaurant really should rethink the price too. For those of us that like to share desserts, it was barely enough for one person, let alone two. We got a second dessert as the first one was too small to share. It was a flaky pastry served with ice cream. The menu said it was a triangle shaped pastry, which was actually square. It didn't really have any flavor. I don't know if it wasn't fresh, or just another miss at an attempt to have a fancier dessert than they were capable of pulling off. Either way, it was another miss for us. They advertise a Mon-Wednesday dinner menu for $28 (w/ bottle of wine) or $16 without. This would be a much better deal in my opinion than what we experienced last night. The service was so-so. I had to keep asking for my water to be refilled. It wasn't particularly busy when we went (6:30pm) so I don't know if there were some issues behind the scenes that we weren't aware of. I would suggest coming here for one of the deal nights. We spent about $115 in total for an "OK" experience. In seeing how many other restaurants are near here, we'll definitely skip the return visit here. There's just too many options close by, more affordable, with seemingly better food for the cost.
(3)Pete D.
Had a reservation for 18 on Saturday night. 2 hours prior to our reservation, our group grow to 23. We called to let them know and it was no problem. Had the semi-private room upstairs. When we got there it was all set up for us. Our waiter Jeff was fantastic. The appetizers were great. Did not hear one complaint about any of the main dishes. It was a wonderful night. Will definitely go back when I am in Newport.
(5)Laurie F.
Two people put at a table in the very back room with a table of approximately 17 people and then another table with 10...not a great idea. My daughter and I could barely have a conversation due to the noise level. Our waitress didn't seem overly concerned if our dining experience was very pleasurable. So...our next trip to Newport, we'll find someplace where the food and staff our better.
(2)Lauren M.
Overpriced, even for the deal. The waiters and management are not accommodating, even with allergies. The manager on last night, in particular, spoke to our table in a degrading and passive aggressive manner. It made for an awkward evening at best, and we will not be returning. I had been there many times before, but this was the last for certain. With the array of restaurants in Newport, I suggest going somewhere else for better food, prices, and service. I would even suggest driving the 40 minutes to Providence to get a true Italian meal and to be treated with respect. If said manager is reading this, I suggest you read the following site, or go to one of the seminars. Your business is in great need. giveemapickle.com
(2)John M.
Enjoyed dinner here with a party of 5 on a Friday evening in the summer. We made a 7pm reservation. Our inside table was ready for us when we arrived. Nice U shaped booth - comfortable for our party size. The good: Table ready when requested. Pleasant server, fairly prompt service. The entrees were all excellent. We had the veal marsalla, tortellini, chicken romano, pasta maranara, eggplant parm. All were well prepared, presented, with flavorful sauces, and very tasty. The reserve chianti was very good. The not-so-good: The prices are high for the level of service and what you get. For this price range, we would expect more than simple (somewhat dry) sliced bread and plain olive oil. But hey, this is Newport, and most everything is overpriced. Outdoor seating looked really nice - facing Memorial Blvd. Might try that next time.
(4)Mark H.
Excellent appetizers, excellent entrées - very fresh seafood. Great service and great atmosphere. Gluten free options available. Highly recommended!!
(5)Tracey B.
Nice waitress, but horrible food. The soup had over cooked veggies. Salad was tasteless with creamy dressing. The cheese pizza had no sauce and short ribs were fatty and overdone with garlic, but still had no taste.
(2)Thomas P.
Last Wednesday, my wife, friends, and I had dinner at Sardella's. As always, the atmosphere, food, and service were good. Sadly, when the server reached over me to place my wife's dish of pasta with mussels on our table she accidentally spilled hot white sauce on my lap, shirt, and table. Obviously, this person was embarrassed, apologized, and brought over some napkins to clean up the mess. What displeases me is in the way that this mishap was dealt with. I don't think that the waiters realized what a mess I was in! I sat there soaked in hot sauce. The lack of attentiveness was a bit of a surprise! Will I return? Not too soon. PS I emailed the manager a week ago. As of this posting I have not heard from anyone. I guess no one cares.
(3)Jane R.
We went here on a recommendation from the Viking Hotel where we were staying to attend a conference. We didn't have a reservation and were told it would a 10-15 minute wait for the table, so we went to the bar and each had the Headless Horseman special drink (yum) while we waited. WIthin 10 minutes we were seated at our table. The wait staff were very pleasant; our waiter seemed very busy but was attentive nonetheless. I had the chicken loretta which was excellent and my guy had ravioli in a cream sauce. Both of us enjoyed our meal and had a wonderful experience.
(5)John R.
It was a first time visit and we were all very happy with the meal. For a starter we had the Crispy Calamari with Cherry Peppers, Lemon, and Olive Oil. A seemingly common dish but everything came together fabulously for a unique experience that I strongly recommend. For me this was followed by a very good Classic Caesar salad and finally the Grilled Shrimp Wrapped in Prosciutto, pesto cream sauce, and linguini pasta. It was another unique experience that was very enjoyable and the quantity was certainly more than enough.
(4)An L.
Average Italian food. Many rooms would make for a nice private party. Very accomodating. For Newport, views are not great. The Monday-Wednesday deal is very good as most people wrote. Pasta primavera was ok, bathed in too much oily food. Eggplant fries were average. The Wednesday jazz group was very good; nice music and atmosphere. Service was very nice and friendly.
(3)Kellysue H.
It was a great evening all around. The food was wonderful. The pork shank was so big it was a perfect meal to share, and was so tender the meat fell off the bone.
(4)sammie j.
I went here for my birthday with a friend. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint especially with a live fire place. It was also more casual than I expected, I actually felt overdressed. There weren't really any young people there so it seems more for a more mature crowd. I forgot the wine but it begin with a P, it was mild and sweet. Not a big drinker but it was light w/ a slight sweet undertone. I tried the poached beef with mashed potatoes and I wasn't crazy over it. So, I switched plates with my friend and ate the risotto with shrimp and chicken. It was nice and creamy but lacked that oomph, it need more seasonings and more cheese. However, my friend liked the poached beef. I had the nepoli dessert and it was ok. Prices are decent.
(3)Alex P.
This is a fun place for a group. The specials and portions make it a relatively cheap night out with friends or family. The location is also convenient and decor and entertainment is nice. However, the food is just OK. I was disappointed to find that the "special" wine choices were only chardonnay or merlot, both of which I dislike. The pizza was doughy, the salad wilted. But people who like walking out with leftovers will be in heaven!
(3)George N.
Wow, I am really surprised at my other Yelp mates... I can not imagine anyone ever enjoying anything at this restaurant. THE ONLY WAY THIS PLACE COULD BE IN BUSINESS IS THAT IT IS THE PROVERBIAL TOURIST TRAP ~ Stay away.... Nine of us went with a reservation for a business dinner in peak season. All the diners were from various parts of the US (some as fancy as NYC, others not so much) The ante-pasto was anti pasto (get it :-) ) No really two plates with furry anchovies and meat and cheese that had been sitting way too long in a refrigerator, waiting for some dunce to order it The several fish dinners were over cooked and dry. The Lasagna (which, in theory, should be good) was terrible. The steak I had was typical but smothered in some awful sauce that I don't trust. Service was fine, pricing would have been fine if the food had been good. My advice, Stay away stay far far away.
(1)Ashley P.
I thought our meals totally missed the mark. I love to eat and cook Italian food. Something about it all was way off. Chicken Marsala was watery and oily. You could actually see that the sauce was not put together at right time. We had an escarole and bean type dish that was anything but authentic. I would save the money and eat somewhere else....on our way in our friend told us that she had just had the worst meal there...thought we'd try. Wished we listened.
(2)Christopher H.
The mussels came out dry, for some reason, the oil, wine and broth was only in the ones swimming at the bottom. Somehow they failed to let the top ones soak. Though these mussels were huge, they actually tasted better than I thought, at least the bottom ones. I ordered their fish of the day, something with salmon blah blah. It just tasted bland. The tomatoes seemed out of place. Dessert was probably the most enjoyable part, had the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream on the side, very decadent, for an additional dollar. The server basically gave the prices for the specials at the beginning and told me of the extra charge on the ice cream. I'm never told prices for specials or extra charges anywhere, this was the first time ever. I'm here to enjoy the dinner not regret paying the bill. Needless to say, I regret coming here. I don't know who they paid off to win that Best Italian Restaurant in Rhode Island, but they need to keep money in the budget every year to keep winning.
(2)Joseph F.
The food is tasty, the drinks are great and the staff is friendly......
(4)Bruce C.
I consider myself an expert on Italian Food and this was one of the best meals I've ever eaten. The meatballs were outstanding and the chicken parm was top notch. If you are looking for authentic homemade Italian Food in Newport do yourself a favor and go here.
(5)John L.
Always consistently good food and service, and a good value as well. We come back every year and catch the Monday thru Wednesday specials. Then walk to the Creamery for dessert.
(4)Alissa D.
I loved this dining experience, every last bit of it. What brought my friends and I here was yet again the 2 for $14. However we found out one of our friends wasn't going to be able to make it. They let all 5 of us do the $7 entree. Yay! Our waitress was really nice and attentive bringing us water refills often and even asked us if we wanted more bread, oil & cheese when we were low. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs which were seasoned just right, noodles cooked and the meatballs were how they should be, no room to complain! Two of my friends ordered the squash ravioli with cranberry sauce and there were several "oh wow"s said after the first few bites. It did look delicious and creamy! The other two ordered a fish dish and chicken Parmesan. Both said they were amazing. For dessert we all picked on a creme brûlée which was really tasty! Monday through Wednesday is the 2 for $14 or 2 for $24 with a bottle of wine, come on a Wednesday for jazz night! It was packed and loud in the jazz room perfect for grabbing some drinks and listening to music. The back room is nice and not as loud better for having conversations. I would recommend this place again, I'll definitely be coming back!!
(5)Kelly A.
I had been to Sardella's a few times in the past, but recently reacquainted myself with it since my sister had her (very small) wedding reception there. She had reserved a pseudo-outdoor portion of the restaurant - while it had a roof covering, the walls were made of stone and parts of the room were open air. The room was really cool. It was private and had a lot of greenery and candles, making it have a lovely European vibe. The room wasn't ready for us when we arrived, so we had to wait in the bar for a bit while they prepped everything. When we got in there, the servers started arriving with the appetizers. The first one was a really tasty skewer of sun-dried tomato, fresh mozzarella, kalamata olive, and artichoke, with a balsamic drizzle. We then got a couple different types of bruschetta (one cooked, one not), and both of those were good as well. There were some meat apps that we didn't try, but everyone enjoyed them too. The dinners arrived on these massive three-tiered platters. The first level had chicken marsala, the second had beef tenderloin, and the third had vegetable lasagna. Bread, pasta, and vegetable risotto also arrived on the side. The risotto looked awesome, but unfortunately wasn't vegetarian (chicken stock) so I didn't get to try it. The pasta was really good, especially considering that it was just plain penne with sauce, and the bread basket had a nice variety of breads. The vegetable lasagna was really really good. Service was fine overall, and the location made everything that much better. A nice spot for dinner in Newport.
(4)Dorian G.
Amazing. I've had this place on my "to try" list for about 5 years now. I'm so glad I finally got a chance to eat here. The bread basket is full of fresh rosemary foacaccia and crusty rustic Italian bread. The salads are a little pricey, but big enough to share. My husband and I shared the Warm Tuscan Salad (field greens, roasted tomatoes, warm goat cheese and balsamic). it was great. For dinner, we all went pretty traditional on the entrees. Veal parm, veal brasciole, linguine with clams, and eggplant parm (mine). The best damn eggplant parm I've ever had, TYVM. Their red sauce is tangy and sweet, the pasta was cooked to perfection, and the eggplant wasn't overbreaded or over-fried. Just perfect. Everyone else raved about their dishes as well. I cant't wait to come back.
(5)Lawrence J.
I've been coming here each time I can when I travel to Newport over the last ten years and I think the meals are always tasty and truly Italian cuisine, The staff although friendly had been a little slow or forgetful at times, yet I always go with a crowd of 6-8 and this has been a few occasions in over a decade. The prices are fair and the atmosphere is optional for open rooms, a bit more secluded room or outdoor patio dining, NOT on a hill as described by another review.
(5)Amar P.
Classic ambience, good food and service. Mid week specials.
(4)Carl E.
Ambiance was great on live Jazz night. Toasted garlic bread was very good. Spaghetti and meatballs were pretty good, but expected a little better. The pasta fag. soup was very creamy and had very good taste, but would have liked more hardy ingredients. The reason for 3 and not 4 stars was the rushed, impersonal service from our waitress. She had too many tables to serve in the terrace section.
(3)Jeffrey R.
Campo basso was great last night. Other fan favorites include the lobster ravioli and lasagna. Large portions and great atmosphere. I've been coming here for 25 years. Never a disappointment.
(5)ImaYesfa N.
Enjoyed this place very much, Especially on Mon-Wends 24$ per couple special including a bottle of good chilean wine! Plus 2 nice tasty meals. We had Chicken Parm plus Mussels with a nice pasta underneath. I would go back in a heartbeat..matter of fact that will be soon. Didnt get to have dessert, but next time i will. Smallish portions but decent tasty food for sure. Very good atmosphere and fireplace, but on the loud side. Nice people too.
(4)Debra C.
Worst experience ever!! We had a reservation for a party of nine and left after two hours without food !!! The service was horrible and the manager very rude !!
(1)Earl C.
i thought the pricey menu was worth it! I ordered something good, but can't remember the name! (it was in italian, how difficult!) the memorable thing on my plate was the delicious cheese sauce, it was rich and smooth and i couldn't stop eating it. I just wish they gave me a lot more than what i paid for. I think the hostess lost part of her dress while working her shift the night i was there cause she seemed a little too "revealing". people were staring at her breast!! believe me, it was noticeable. a little coverage please or at least a dress code for the hostess. everyone else around there is wearing a tie and long sleeve shirt (the servers).
(4)Jessica S.
Love this place
(4)Phyllis M.
We had a reservation for 8:00 PM and were seated right away at a lovely table outside in the corner. We had to light our own candle. The waitress was very nice. I never received my salad (which was my dinner) even after asking for it four times. The sauce on chicken parmagiana was thick with not much taste. The parmagiana risotto (which I ordered a side dish of, thank goodness) was terrific. We had to repeatedly ask for things like bread and my salad. I finally got my salad after everyone was finished with their meal, I refused it. The staff to clear the plates were over eager to do so. They kept coming to the table to clear when others in my party weren't even close to being done. When we received the bill we were charged for items we never even ordered. Be careful here. The atmosphere is great, the food not so much, service iffy at best.
(1)Ester B.
Went there with the family on Saturday night. The place is just ok. Not special. The food was expensive and below average. The service was a little slow.
(3)Felecia W.
Meh... I know a lot of locals that LOVE this place. I gotta say though, I wasnt very blown away. I started with the Escargo which came in a gorgonzola creme sauce, and I am convinced that there was something wrong with it. Maybe bad creme? I followed that with the Rissoto which was ooookay. It seems that it had way too much liquid in it. I dunno, The staff was really nice and obviously this place does well cause it was packed (with lots of screaming kids as well). Ill give it another shot maybe during the week and not on a weekend night.
(3)Kristen L.
I just recently went to Sardella's for the tame part of a friend's bachelorette party. Gotta start off classy right? There were about a dozen of us and we were able to sit down right away and got to enjoy a nice summer night dining outside. They have a great wine list...we must have ordered 10 bottles and no one was disappointed. Apps for the table were good...we got calamari and eggplant fries. The bread was good too. Portion size for dinner was decent, not too big, not too small. Eggplant parm was pretty good and the price on it was decent. This place definitely seems more of a place to take a date, but we were satisfied as a group. It's also an easy walk from the main drag in Newport.
(3)Maryanne A.
Food was great, service was poor. Very rude person sat us, not a good start to any dining experience.
(3)Neha S.
This place was awful. It's crowded and loud, the service was horrible and the food was average at best. I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, which I was told doesn't have veggies on the inside but only the pasta is made from it. However, when i received my dish, it had veggies inside it. How does the waitress not know all the dishes on the menu? Then the busboy dropped silverware which hit my friend, but didn't even say sorry! The food was average at best. My ravioli came in a pesto cream sauce, which lead to a pretty gassy night! Wouldn't recommend food, service or atmosphere. Go to pasta beach instead!
(1)George S.
Sardella's is your typical tourist spot in Newport. If you are lucky to get a table outside on the patio then it might be worth the stay just to people watch. If you are interested in good food then I would suggest that you choose another spot. When I last visited I was walking by and friends asked me to join them. The pasta was blah and my eggplant parm was like mush. But I had a nice glass of wine.
(1)Gina M.
I have dined here numerous times. Great decor, very accommodating, friendly staff. I have enjoyed my meals, the food is very good!
(5)Antares S.
Have you ever heard the expression Tourist Trap? While not completely awful, the food is pretty banal for Italian fare. Food takes a long time to reach your table once you've placed an order. Service is adequate and they have a good variety of wines by the glass and bottle. But for my money, I can think of at least three other Italian restaurants in Newport that are superior.
(2)Elizabeth F.
Nice Location, very cozy inside, and the employees were all very friendly. It only gets 3 stars though because the food wasn't really anything to write home about. This is Rhode Island! There are like over 9000 Italian restaurant, and at least half have better food then this place. It's a bit pricey, you'll get plenty of pasta, but not much meat, compared to similarly priced places. The gravy/sauce is a bit bland. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here, but as someone else said, it's probably an excellent place to take a date. -Since the sauce is bland, you don't really have to worry about garlic breath. -Since the servings aren't that large, you don't need to worry about getting too full to enjoy the rest of the date ;) - There is a Mon, Tues, Weds dinner for 2 special - The waitstaff is friendly and the chef willing to switch things around which will accommodate even the fussiest of eaters. - It's pricey enough to impress your date, but not so pricey that you'll have to go without food for a week to afford it. - There's a nice wine list and a full bar. - The atmosphere is nice, and there's a fireplace *cue the romance* So great for a date but keep in mind the food is mediocre.
(3)Theresa G.
I had heard this place was pricey and wanted a break from the slightly elevated prices of Newport. Opted in when I saw the Mon-Wed Dinner for 2 specials. The squash raviolli with cranberry sauce caught my eye. THEY WERE OUT! Hence the 4 stars. Desperate for veggies among a town and place drowning in bread bowls, fried clams and lobster =) Tried 2 the Fennel and the House Salad were fresh, filling and well done. The overall winner and reason for the review was the spumoni! Beautiful. I have NEVER had this dessert done in such an elegant fashion. For $8. It's enough for 2 and worth the 8. =)
(4)Danielle T.
We went here because it was dog-friendly. The pasta was OK. The wines by the glass inspired thoughts of "hangover headache". The scallop appetizer was wonderful - a standout. We were told this restaurant is owned by the same group as Marina Cafe on Goat Island. Hard to believe - food at Marina was fantastic! (We went there twice and highly recommend it.)
(2)Kevin W.
I took my wife & 3 month old son. The waitress was VERY patient and helpful. We had great service. The food was outstanding. The atmosphere was very cozy... We would definitely go back!
(5)Jason B.
It's decent Italian in Newport, though I haven't tried the competitor next door. I would go back with friends if they were visiting the area.
(3)Sean M.
Sardella's seems a bit confused. The menu is torn between, "Red Sauce" Italian and inspired Northern Italian cuisine. In that context I favor the Northern Italian dishes as these remind me of the food in Emilia Romagna. We did a walk-in on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm in August. We waited 5 minutes in line and we were seated on the back patio in under a minute, proving that indeed "Audentes fortuna iuvat.". This is a tough table to get without a reservation and my two sons and I were attired in slightly upscaled beachwear. We had long sleeve light sweaters, because it was actually chilly, shorts and flip-flop sandals shod. Most of the other patrons were dressed slightly more formal. I started with escargot prepared with a rich creamy garlicky gorgonzola sauce. The boys munched on focaccia that was too doughy and wonderful white bread that reminded me of some I'd had Reggio Emilia. The escargot were served "free" not re-shelled with olive oil toasts I devoured these perfectly cooked lovelies in short order. My ceasar salad was crisp and fresh but not a standout. My younger son had the children's cheese ravioli in butter sauce. Again these were tasty and he finished them but nothing special. The older son had the "Linguini alla Bolognese", a fair execution, more meat and a tad dryer sauce would have made it better. My personal preference is Spaghetti not Linguine with this sauce. I had the Vitello al Saltimbocca which was prepared with a Northern flare that was light and delicious. The dish was served with garlic mashed russets a perfect accompaniment. The boys had Tiramisu and Creme Brulee, I sampled both and preferred the Tiramisu, although it was too "wet". I'm a Creme Brulee fiend, this one was 3.5 on the 5 scale. The only hitch was that I tried to order Armagnac, which was on the menu, once the waitress came back empty handed I pointed to the menu, again, upon return she had brought port. I sent that back and instead got a Remy VSOP for my double espresso. * My first visit in over 10 years, Sardella's has still "got it". * It was cold and the manager brought out a space heater to the patio which made everything toasty. * You really should think about reservations here.
(4)Chris K.
The food here is ok, The draw is that during the week they have a dinner special 2 meals with wine for 28. Or without wine for 16..... It is worth the price paid, especially with Newport prices.... But ordering off their regular menu paying "normal" prices isn't worth it. I'm from ny, so maybe I'm biased but I'd say below avg
(2)Bailey R.
I've been going to Sardella's for years now. In college it was a great date place during the week, because we usually ordered 2 meals and a bottle of wine for about $30.00. After graduating, I found myself coming back often to dine with friends and coworkers. All the food is good and well portioned. The drinks are fantastic and quite addicting, I must say. While, I don't have reviews on specific menu items, I would recommend this place to anyone in the area.
(4)Allison C.
Although its a little on the pricey side for pasta, this is our favorite place to eat when we come to Newport. The atmosphere is nice and warm and sort of romantic with little candle lights on each table. To start, we had the calamari, one of my favorites. I had the Melanzane alla Parmigiana (eggplant), which was EXCELLENT, all layered almost like a lasagna. And even with a big appetite, can never finish it. My boyfriend had the Puttanesca which he also loved. They've got a good selection of desserts as well. The couple of times we've been, weve never deen disappointed by the food. But we've felt a bit underdressed, so make sure to take off your hats before entering! I don't give it a 5 because although the waitresses were decent enough, I felt that the hostesses weren't always the most friendly or welcoming.
(4)Austin J.
Sardella's is just what I expected. A nice facade. Great patio area on either side of the entrance with tents and heaters for winter. Quaint entry with a little fireplace and a nice looking bar. We were seated almost immediately, impressive for a Friday night...I attribute that to the fact that it's January...no doubt it's packed when it's not 30 degrees outside. I would classify the dress as casual. Everything from men in blazers and ties to sweatshirts. They welcome all. The service was very good. The house cabernet was very good. The bread could use some improvement, but that's a good thing because it left me hungry for my outstanding risotto with shrimp and chicken. The best risotto I've ever had. It was enough for two people no question. And I didn't mind paying $24.95 for it. On Wednesday nights they have a dinner for two special that includes a bottle of wine and two entrees for $24.95. You can't beat it. Bottom line: Visit Sardella's. Take a date.
(4)Chuck A.
Sardellas....oh, how I want to love ya. But.....not a great experience there. The wait staff was snooty (and slow), which is a decidely bad combination. The meal - pretty tasty and it was certainly a very affordable menu. But geesh.....not worth the pain of interacting with the staff.
(3)Gulshan I.
Good atmosphere. Outside seating. Good portions but expensive. Next time when I am in Newport I might try a different Italian restaurant.
(3)Jen E.
We really enjoyed our dinner at Sardella's. Cute, cozy inside. Liked the northern Italian fare, when you want something different than the traditional "italian" (ie: heavy on the red sauces) this place has great variety. Everything was good, from the bottle of wine, salad, entree, to the dessert (chocolate decadance, yum!)
(4)Area W.
Still calming down after my worst dining experience ever! My sister and brother-in-law, their two young children and I showed up at 6:00 on Saturday. We were happy enough to get a table without reservations that we did not mind that we were right near the bar. Shortly after we arrived - it got incredibly crowded and the bar was full. We were pretty quick to peruse the menu and make our selections - but it took more than 1/2 an hour before the waitress came to take our order. She only wanted to know what we wanted for drinks, but we gave her our entire order. In due time she returned with our chosen drinks, but rushed off with the waters we had requested still on her tray! Then our incredibly LONG wait began. For water, bread, food - anything. We were able to flag down our overworked waitress and enquire about the food and she told us she would check. It still took forever. My sister took her very tired and hungry kids out for a short walk. Our frustration at the wait mounted and was intensified when we saw all the tables around us getting bread and then their meals - at least three of those tables had come in after us. Since it was clear that the waitress was very busy and we were upset with the way the restaurant was being run - not with her in particular, my sister approached the manager and explained that it was taking an inordinately long time for our food to come. He said that he would check when the order went into the kitchen - not minding the fact that it also took a long time before we could place our order. He came back to the table and said rather defensively that our order had gone in 45 minutes ago and that was the normal time for them to expect food to be ready and that our order would be out soon. What would have helped us and our mood would have been if he had been apologetic, not angry. It was hard to buy the "45 min" average time because that seems like 1.) a pretty poor business model and 2.)couldn't possibly have applied to the people at nearby tables who clearly had had a shorter wait. My brother-in-law approached the manager to explain this to him. At this point things began to really sour as the manager became angry at us. The food finally arrived (after 7:30 - more than an hour and a half after we walked in!) and though it was fairly average in taste, it was made nearly unpalatable by our current mood. The lasagna portion was small, dried and crunchy on the edges, the campobasso was swimming in olive oil. We shared a tuscan salad and the goat cheese was definitely not "warm" as advertised. The kids meals were fine, nothing above or below what you would expect from an average kid's meal. We had a side of eggplant fries which came 5 minutes later than the other items and with regular ketchup not the "black ketchup" which was on the menu. When we got the bill we were frustrated to see that absolutely nothing (a kid's meal or a drink) was comped to make some amends for our poor dining experience. Though usually generous tippers (20% on average and more for great service) we were not inclined to leave anything after such a bad experience. The manager who was nearby and saw that we were leaving cash said VERY LOUDLY to the waitress, "make sure you count that!" at which point we told the waitress apologetically (and the manager overheard) that she should get her share - what she deserved - out of the food bill. At this point he told us to leave and told us that he would call the police - picking up his phone and pretending to start to call. In front of the kids who were then worried and confused. All in all - a horrible dining experience. I am still surprised that the manager had made no effort to be accommodating and apologetic but was instead of defensive, belligerent and threatening. Sorry to have such a long review, but I wanted to present the whole story.
(1)Anne C.
Loved this place! We had a reservation and were seated promptly on the side, which was on a patio with a tent. Had the special Mon-Wed dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine special for $28. My friend and I had the chicken parmigiana and her daughter and husband had the pizza. They were VERY busy and the waitress let us know when we ordered that it would be 20-25 mins until our dinner would be ready and immediately brought us bread, olive oil and parmesan cheese and some crayons for her daughter. She also lit our candles on our table. I ordered my dish without dairy and it arrived as ordered. The dishes were brought to us hot. They make their own chicken parmigiana, marinara and pizza dough. The chicken dishes came with pasta that is made locally. I thought their homemade meatballs, which we ordered 1 on the side, was a bit mushy and seemed to have a lot of filler, so I wouldn't recommend that. Not fancy, but tasty and well done and our tab for the 4 of us was $47, including the bottle of wine!
(5)Michael F.
We were disappointed. The bread was not fresh, always a yellow flag. The pasta fagioli was a thin tomato broth with little substance. The Eggplant Parmigiana was almost not worth eating. The breading was mealy and not crisp. It was probably reheated badly. I left half of it in disgust. The Veal Parmigiana was mediocre, but acceptable. The vegetable ravioli came out cold, was returned to the kitchen and then came out way overcooked. The service was good, but they were serving a large group and the waitress volunteered an apology because our main courses took a long time to come out. Perhaps we chose the wrong dishes, but for us it was definitely an evening to forget.
(2)Allison B.
Great specials on certain nights. Can accomodate a crowd. Outdoor dining in the summers. Live Music sometimes on the weekends. The details like bread and salad are what I come back for. The entrees are just "good food". I enjoy their veal marsalla with mashed potatoes or over linguini. And sometimes I get clams or mussels. If it is a night you can order off the specials menu I will opt for that affordable option as it is always good. And nights that they have these specials make the place hopping. On these nights you are sure to run into someone you know. It is a convenient place to meet your friends when you are all in Newport because there is always parking in the back. I always have a blast. And I find the staff welcoming and friendly. There is a lot of interaction and sense of family here. A lot of loyal locals keep coming back. And I will try to make it there soon. Try to get a seat in the front instead of the back. I always have a better time in the front.
(3)Jane B.
Sardella's was a fantastic location for our family reunion dinner. They were easy to work with, and set us up in a perfect, charming room. Private bar, balcony, little side room to seat the kiddies - it was all excellent. There were plenty of tempting menu items to choose from, and the presentation and quality were first rate. The staff were fun and worked very hard to make sure that everyone had a good experience. Highly recommended for group events!
(5)Erin R.
Sardella's was the perfect end to mini vacation for my boyfriend and I (and our dog!) Service was great and the food was even better! I highly recommend the calamari and lasagna. Our black lab enjoyed his time just as much as we did. He was given his own water bowl and the table/patio area was big enough for him to lay without being in the way. Definitely a place to grab a delicious bite with your furry friend!
(5)Sally T.
The place was packed when we got there and we had to wait about 15 min. to be seated which wasn't bad at all. After getting a table, they brought us bread which was still frozen in the middle (not a good sign). We ordered 2 appetizers, fried calamari and antipasto, both were really good. We also ordered a bottle of Merlot for only $38, which I thought was a great price. The actual dinner was good, but the service was lacking. Our dinner was close to closing time and I think that they didn't really care anymore and just wanted us out of there. A couple of waitresses sat at a table near us talking about their day and counting their tips...not cool. We asked for a bag to take home our wine and never got it. We ended up having to go get one ourselves. If I was rating the food alone I would have given it 4 stars, but the overall experience dropped it to a 3 star.
(3)kevin c.
Since we are on vacation, reading reviews is a must. Bicycling past Sardella's twice sealed the deal. A beautiful summer evening, inviting outdoor seating convinced us to go Italian. Undercooked chicken, bland marinara sauce and over fried eggplant convinced us we made a mistake. I don't get all the rave reviews. Oh well, NEXT.
(1)Diane K.
Delicious lobster ravioli, hubby loved it. Very happy with my veal parm.. A very nice wine list, fabulous tiramisu . Old fashion Italian restaurant .. Lovely wait staff..
(5)