Sapori Trattoria Italiana — Restaurant in Collingswood

Serendipity gets the credit for leading me to this sumptuous dining experience. I very recently relocated to the area and just happen to live 3 blocks away. While out on a casual stroll about town with my girl we wandered in off the street oblivious of the sublime treats awaiting us. The quaint, tasteful decor set such a pleasantly relaxed mood, enhanced by the welcoming, warm staff. And the intoxicating rich aromas! After we were briefed on the specialties of the house we were informed of the BYOB policy, so we decided to head home and back quick with a couple bottles of our choice. If the food is half as good as this wonderful first impression I'll be genuinely impressed...

Impressed I was, as was my girlfriend. We continually marvelled at the culinary perfections laid before us, one after another. My friend opened with the irresistible Cossi Saporite; fresh plump mussels in a garlic sauce sopped up with fluffy crunchy bread rolls. I started with the Carpaccio di Pulpo which set the bar very high for the rest of the meal as the thinly sliced octopus was so elegantly dressed and garnished, it was just as delicious to the eyes as the taste buds. Bellies prepped!

My partner then gorged upon an incredible Maiale Alle Mele; braised pork medallions glistening in an apple, scallion and honey demi glaze. Flavor explosions! And this deep pleasure was equalled by the light, fluffy mashed potatoes jazzed up just right with mascarpone cheese. I coulda made a meal outta them!

For my entree I eventually settled on a dish I'm normally very reluctant to risk at untried or unpredictable establishments because it's just so hard to get it right, apparently. But at Sapori I needn't have hesitated as the Risotto Allo Scoglio was sublime... Best risotto I've ever had, and that includes quite a few fantastic servings I've enjoyed in various trattorias all around Italy. This deep bowl of supremely sumptuous delights was drained poste haste. Succulent, tangy and tender mussels, shrimp, clams and calamari bathed in a soul bursting cacophony of white wine, garlic, herbs, pepper and roasted tomato, saturating precisely timed risotto pasta that defied time and space. WOW!! I fiercely defended my priceless treasure from my constantly infringing friend, I didn't wanna share another drop. Sux 2 b her! JK, I let her have one more teaspoon of the magical potion. Just one! Truly a superior rendition of a popular dish that's way too often simply sub par. Bravo Sapori!!

I was reluctant to despoil the gastronomic brilliance of that savory satisfying bowl with any other flavors, but we both soon found ourselves nodding yes to dessert and espresso, and I'm glad we did. She feasted upon her favorite, the classic tiramisu, which did not disappoint. Light, moist, fluffy lady fingers ensconced in luscious creamy coffee goodness. I devoured a new treat for me, a nutella and mascarpone cheesecake that demanded I lick the plate clean. Great finish to a really really great evening.

Highest recommendation, especially for the fair pricing, splendid accomodations, genuinely attentive and kind staff, and the added bonus of carrying in our own selection of red and white wines. I can't get back there soon...

Let me just start by saying the only reason they got 2 stars instead of 1 is that the salad we had was fabulous, that being said, here's my review. We made a reservation for 4 people on Tuesday afternoon for a Friday evening at 7:45. We arrived at 7:40 and promptly gave our name, 10 minutes went by, then 20, then 30. After 35 minutes we were finally seated. It took more than 5 minutes to even be approached by the wait staff. If a restaurant can't honor their reservations, they are just setting themselves up for a bunch of disappointed customers! We started with 2 apps, the mussels in red sauce and the "filet mignon" carpaccio. The mussels were very overdone and rubbery and the portion was very small. It almost seemed that they ran short on food as we didn't even get our appetizers until after 8:45. The menu described the carpaccio as "thinly sliced filet mignon served with a olive oil and lemon emulsion under a baby rucola salad with shavings of Parm". What we got was mashed up ground beef that was flatted out with what tasted like bottled Italian dressing and a few sprigs of wilted arugula thrown on top with a few slivers of cheese, very disappointing for $12. Next, the four of us shared 2 of the Speck salads, this was a very pleasing dish and the only menu item worth ordering again. For our entree's the other couple had 2 different chicken dishes that they said were pretty good. My wife and I each had one of the 2 specials, She had the chestnut flour pasta with a spring lamb ragout that was very nice, but overpriced at $26 for some fettuccini and some Lamb sauce. I had the other special which was "Fresh" halibut served with a light tomato sauce, mussels and sauteed calamari, The fish was NOT fresh tasting and had a mushy texture and probably came out of a bag of preportioned fish you find at Wegmans and again the dish had 3 lonely mussels that were also overcooked and dried out. The calamari also tasted like it was previously frozen and was very rubbery. For desert, we shared 1 creme brulee that had a great crust, but the custard was very lumpy and had a very strong egg taste. For $110 per couple including a very generous tip, I feel like I didn't get anywhere near our moneys worth for food that was just Meh, and the fact that they could not honor a reservation made me to not want to dine there again. For less money and better food, there are so many other choices to make besides Sapori's Trattoria. It's a real shame, because I really wanted to like this place, but I probably wont be back. I hope that the ownership takes these comments and makes some much needed changes! Good luck to those who think their reservations will be honored at...

My boyfriend got FOOD POISONING after eating their swordfish special.

We ordered 2 appetizers - the portabella mushroom with goat cheese and a eggplant special. The eggplant was mediocre but the mushroom was very good. The mushroom appetizer gave us hope about the place but unfortunately, it was an overwhelming disappointment that resulted in not only as waste of a decent amount of money but also physical suffering afterwards.

For entree, we ordered the lobster pasta and their swordfish special. First of all, when the waiter took our appetizers dishes away, he picked up our dirty utensils and put it back on the table. I've never seen this happen before, especially at a white tablecloth restaurant. When our entrees were brought out, the waiter put down the swordfish dish I ordered and introduced it as seabass and other kinds of seafood?! This made me extremely confused but we were seated outside and far away on the side of the building so we literally could not get anyone's attention for clarification. There was a piece of fish with calamari and mussels on top, served with mashed potato and spinach. I tried a piece of the fish and spinach, and immediately told my bf this food is bad. The cut looks like it's swordfish but the flavor tastes like nothing. The spinach was too salty. Being a good bf and someone with low survival instinct, my bf traded his lobster pasta dish with me and ate mine. He told me the calamari tasted stale and hmmm spoiled. He ate about 1/3 of the dish despite me repeatedly telling him to stop eating because he felt bad wasting food. He shortly after felt physically sick and we got the check and left as soon as we could. Btw, The lobster pasta had good flavor but the lobster was definitely not fresh either and was chewy.

While we were there, The chef came out to check on us in specific about 6 times and we were the only ones outside and the furthest point away from the kitchen. At the time we didn’t think much, just thought maybe that was how they deliver their service. But As my bf was throwing up last night, I made a joke putting it all together that they probably had to know the seafood was turned and was just checking on us to see if we were alive...

Needless to say, we’re never coming back. This will be an experience to remember for life... but not...