il Pomod'Oro Restaurant & Pizzeria — Restaurant in East Lyme

Came here the other night for the first time, and im sad to say I don't think I'll ever come back. Waiter was very pushy and just down right awkward and over stepping of personal space. He attempted to talk me out of ordering food I wanted insisting I couldn't eat it all. Guess what? Your job is to take my order not refuse it. He also was just getting to close into my personal space, covid season or not, hand on my shoulder, talking to us for way to long, and interrupting our conversations too. I also noticed him doing the same to other customers there at the bar too. I'm not a regular, it was my first time, I don't know you, leave me alone please. I also noticed there seemed to be too much staff on hand, I constantly noticed employees standing about doing nothing more than staring at me or other customers which just made me feel more awkward. And I tired to get a long Island ice tea, I don't know if the person working the bar acruslly knows how to bartend but it was not a long Island, no sweet and sour mix and possibly no coke as well. It was basically just a glass full of alcohol. The food wasn't bad but not good enough to make me put up with the rest. My spaghetti seemed slightly undercooked, not quite al dente yet. It's pasta, like, cmon, I was able to make that when I was 7. The Parma and baratta is excellent though and I'd recemend ordering it as long as your waiter isn't the bald guy with the big gut (sorry I don't know your name but that will surely identify you) because otherwise he will insist you can't get it because it'll be too much food. Maybe he forgot that they have take out containers.... I also can say the wedge salad tasted like dirt all throughout, only reason I ate it was out of spite to baldy who claimed I couldn't eat it all. I've heard many good things about this place so I was very disappointed to get what I got but I guess that's what happens. If you want a good meal in town, there's plenty of other restaurants that will actually make what you order and let you order it too, like literally any...

So very sad to have to leave such a low review. The food, delicious. The lasagna, was very unique and very tasty. So many layers of flavors. The bread was nice, the salad plentiful, the starter cooked perfectly. Why the score? Terrible, pitiful service. The waitress couldn't have cared less for us. Sure maybe it's because we are 2 guys not sure. There were only 3 other tables a 4 top and 2 other 2 tops. A couple sharing an anniversary had just left. Us? We were left in a room, waiting the whole time for water. Never once even being asked if the food was OK. Heck, it took her 30 minutes to bring the bill over despite visiting the 4 top and the other 2 tops at least 3 to 4 times each. So would we come back? No sure, the food was fantastic, but we weren't even given the chance to order the drink we told her we would with dinner as she walked off with that menu and never bothered to checked back. Hard to say to be honest. Maybe an off night, or maybe against 2 guys dinning together. Either way, plenty of other options out there who understand service.

Edit: return visit just for apps and drinks, big fact no. Once again, app was cooked to perfection, wine at the right temp. But what about after that drink? Never saw the server again. Literally had to get up, stand at the host stand for the host who walked around about 5 times before coming over. Asked if we could place another drink order, waitress came over for the order and never returned with the drinks. This time, I told the host were done, give me my bill and take the last 2 drinks off. Never showed up at the table, which she didn't believe and checked the table. Once it was discovered that they weren't at the table she, with out a word of apology or care removed them and asked for the payment. This will be the last visit to this...

To get straight to the point; the owner and staff absolutely knocked it out of the park on this newly opened property! I have eaten at Buon Appetito in North Stonington (Il Pomod'Oro's sister restaurant) a few times and all were wonderful experiences. So when I heard Il Pomod'Oro opened up, I knew I had to try it out. I figured it would be a decent place to go on a first date. As soon as we stepped in the door, I knew i would not be disappointed. Even though pretty much every seat was filled, there was enough room between tables for my date and I to have uninterrupted conversation. Not noisy at all!

The wait staff were professional, introduced themselves, walked us through the menu and did not pressure us to order quickly. The table wear was immaculate and paired nicely with the decor of the restaurant. The feel was modern and a bit elegant, but I could still feel I was eating in a traditional Italian restaurant. The food was fantastic! Hats off to the Chef! The Organic Bell & Evans Roasted Chicken was moist and flavorful and served over creamy Risotto. My date had the Grilled Swordfish which did not disappoint either. I have never had swordfish before, but one bite of it was so darn good. Was not over cooked and there was just enough char on it to give that slight crunch and not overpower the taste of the fish. We finished with the Passion Fruit Panna Cotta for dessert and the sweetness and flavors were just outta this world. We were so full from dinner, I had my date take the Panna Cotta to go cause it deserved to be eaten. Lastly the palette cleansing Lemoncello sealed the deal for me!

Great Italian Restaurant! Great Date Spot! Gentlemen, Could possibly guarantee you a...