Sorrento's Italian Bistro — Restaurant in Banner Elk

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Quick Suggestions: Train all the staff

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

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.

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.

update the menu. A must...

Overall, the food was wonderful and tasty, however, most everything else needs to...

Not As Good As Before

My husband and I had reservations here on a Friday evening. We were seated on the patio. The ambiance was okay but extremely loud between the music and adults/children running past. Very crowded. Not really the relaxed atmosphere we were looking for. Food was as good as we remembered. The calamari and Veal Francaise are my husband's favorites. This time, he enjoyed the calamari with marinara sauce. Mine are the chicken parm and supreme pizza...The pizza this time was very good with a crispy crust and lots of toppings. Entrees aren't cheap but your favorites don't disappoint. Now for the bad...Our service on the patio was beyond horrible. The young woman assigned to us just wasn't good at her job. Everyone is good at something...she needs to find what she is good at because it isn't in the food service industry. She was disorganized, forgetful, overwhelmed. She had three tables...our table of two, a table of eight, and a table of six. She was pleasant initially. But as the clock ticked on and 45 minutes later, our drinks hadn't appeared. No salad. No sweetner for my husband's tea. No ice for the tea. No rolls or EVOO. Multiple times, she asked us the same questions over and over. She came by once and blamed the kitchen and bar. When she finally brought our drinks, we asked if we were going to get our salad soon because we didn't want all the food to come at once. She got irritated with us and was a little confrontational, stating, "i'm sorry. What do you want me to do? What am I supposed to do tp make this what you want?" We just wanted some food one hour in. The drinks arrived warm with melted ice. The salad came, not divided as asked and without an additional plate. Finally, my husband spoke to the management. Hats off to Susan...she took over our table. Entrees came out almost immediately which we didn't want all the food at once but at least things started appearing. Our original server became all smiles (her table of eight left and we were reassigned so she only had the table of six which she stayed by their side). Susan did an amazing job at trying to make our evening out pleasurable...She even gave us complimentary desserts. Hats off to her. I hope Sorrentos values her.

We will probably be back because we enjoy the food. We will never have that...

I really wanted to love this place. I’m a transplant from Boston and grew up on great Italian so was really wanting to find a go to Italian spot . We brought visiting friends and our entire party was disappointed. Here we go….No Bread brought to the table at an Italian restaurant?!? Oh no…..Drinks 10/10( beer & wine) Apps: Calamari-lovely, lightly breaded, marinara was bland 7/10. Mussels-perfect and marinara was nice and garlicky, like it should be for seafood 9/10. Mediterranean salad was decent 6/10. Entrees: Chicken Franchese-sauce was good but thick (not like a traditional franchese) but chicken was wayyy overcooked. Weirdly, most of the dishes came with mashed potatoes and a slightly elevated version of the early 80’s vegetable medley….no self respecting Italian restaurant serves those items with classic Italian dishes. We had to ask (AND PAY EXTRA FOR) pasta as a side and they only had 2 kinds -rigatoni & fettuccini (not fresh). Chicken Marsala-taste was decent but again, chicken overcooked 6/10. Eggplant Sorrento-Jesus, this was just horrible all around, rubbery pasta, ricotta overload, eggplant was funky. Rigatoni w/ Bolognese: I don’t know where that cook ever experienced Bolognese, but this sauce was just bananas-tons of cream (only a little milk is needed!!!), no carrots,celery ,onion that I could taste- it was like a pink vodka sauce with hamburger. I feel sorry for the people in the area that think this is Italian. Probably works great for the elderly FL population in the summer but just pass on by if you know good Italian. Staff /Service was great. Way overpriced for what you...