The menus were flimsy and worn out. They did not include the children's menu per the website, and there were not enough menus to distribute to everyone at our table.
- Get the hostess a format of the tables that are open and use dry erase to keep it updated, instead of going back and forth
Sorrento's offers a rather pleasant atmosphere with competent and attentive service. The food was good, but didn't particularly dazzle. I can see why it might be popular with the locals given the relative few options available for this class of dining nearby. But I would suggest "dinner for two" rather than "family night out", as I'm not quite convinced that the cost premium is entirely justified.
Do not be alarmed by the prices at Sorrento's. The food quality is well worth the price and wait. The inside is very soothing with very nice art canvases hung up around the room. It is a very cozy and quaint setting. I recommend the spaghetti and meatballs. Excellent service as well. A+++ experience.
We had a great experience with service and food. The chicken parm is excellent, as is the wine selection. Riley was a stellar server! We enjoyed talking with her and learning more about the area. The artwork is phenomenal. I wouldn't hesitate to go back!
The atmosphere was a little strange. There was the bar area, which seemed to be exciting and festive and casual, and the sit-down area located in another room altogether was formal, however lacking in that high-end appeal. The door to that room off to the side would often SLAM SHUT do to the wind. The wait staff kept the door open because the kitchen was connected to that room. However, it was pretty cold outside for Thanksgiving weekend and the cold air quickly frustrated the mood and ambience.
The host at the front didn't have a clue what was going on and had to go back and forth to the bar to find out whether we could even be seated. Several other guests who had arrived AFTER we had, were seated ahead of us by another host.
Quick Suggestions:
My sense was that there was a change in ownership or management, but I'm not sure. There just didn't seem to be a collective effort of everyone working together.
- update the menu. A must...
- somehow connect the kitchen with the two separate bar areas and the two separate sit-down dining areas. It was odd seeing the wait staff open one door, go outside, only to go back inside to a bar area. On several occasion upon waiting to be seated, we noticed wait staff stumble, (almost losing the dish altogether), with food carrying it through the doors, up a step, outside, and back into the bar.
We saw the hostess, she seated us outside, but after about 15 minutes they hadn't even taken our drink order. This wouldn't bother me as much if they hadn't started taking drink and food orders from other tables seated after us. We made eye contact with servers and staff and tried to get their attention. At one point a woman (who seemed to be a manager) asked the table next to us if their orders had been taken yet (they had, the drinks were in front of them), but still ignored us. When we finally walked out, a server asked "are you dinning in with us tonight?" We explained the situation and kept walking.
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Overall, the food was wonderful and tasty, however, most everything else needs to tweaking....
- close off the covered area where there is the "horse" and make it a warm waiting area for guest, and keep the doors closes especially during the colder season. Create a way to open up the area in the warmer months, as was the bar area.
I don't know why it happened. It felt a little embarrassing like we had done something wrong. There are plenty of other places to eat, don't waste your time here.
- Train all the staff
The food was incorrect. We had ordered a shrimp salad and it came out with anchovies. Really? Anchovies? The waitress apologized and the shrimp eventually came out as a separate side item, in which we were then charge additionally for that "side". The table next to us was told by the wait staff that they had discontinued giving rolls during the lunch hour, however, shortly thereafter, we were given a whole basket full of rolls. The table next to us couldn't help but to notice, and we gladly shared with our neighbors. Again, there was a collective feeling that service was slow, food wasn't correct, and the atmosphere was not very comforting. The food was though very flavorful and delicious.
Sorrento S Italian Bistro is a US Bar based in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Sorrento S Italian Bistro is located at 140 Azalea Cir SE, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA.
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