Sapori D'Italia — Restaurant in Fountain Hills

I honestly wish I could give this place 0 stars. I think this is by far the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant. While the food and service was decent let me tell you what happened when we went to pay.

The waitress brings the bill and card back processed and ready for me to insert my tip amount...we were still finishing our dessert when she comes back a couple minutes later and says that there has been a "mix up" with the cards. To which she takes my card and the bill back. I see 3 to 4 employees standing around the register discussing something. She then comes back and tell me in front of tables of other people that she can not accept the card (while not giving me my card back) because the credit card machine sent a response that it was stolen. Obviously making us look like criminals in front of a restaurant full of people and within earshot of this conversation. I inform her that my card is not stolen and has not been reported stolen and I ask her to explain to me how the card was processed and brought back to our table the first time if it was "stolen". She said that the machine had "just popped out" something from AMEX saying it was stolen 5 minutes later....while still asking for other payment and not giving me my card back.

Obviously I call AMEX to find out what the heck is going on. According to AMEX my card has been charged and they never sent anything saying it was stolen. This is all happening in a restaurant full of people after a $100 2 person meal. So I walk to where the employees are crowded around and ask for explanation as I have AMeX on the line and confirming that I have been charged and I should not remit other payment to the restaurant. To which I am told "Oh it's okay it's been fixed and was a misunderstanding." No. Its not okay. I paid $100 for a 2 person meal in an attempt to relax and enjoy myself. We were instead called theifs in front of a restaurant full of people.

Come to find out someone who shared my name had previously lost their credit card? So instead of coming to my table explaining the situation and verifying ID I am told that I am using a stolen card...according to AMEX who sent something to their machine. Absurd and ridiculous. Instead of an apology I am told "Oh don't worry it's okay." What? I wasn't apologizing and had nothing to apologize for. It's NOT okay. They took it upon themselves to assume it was stolen, cancel the transaction and then call us thieves in the middle of the restaurant...without so much as coming to my table, explaining the situation and asking for an ID.

You are not detectives. You have no business accusing people of crimes in the middle of a restaurant. You also have no business lying and saying that AMEX sent you a receipt that said it was stolen. I understand that misunderstandings and mistakes happen which is why I didn't complain when we weren't helped for a while after being seated. It's also why I still tipped over 20% to the waitress AFTER being embarrassed and being called a theif. The fact that we did not receive so much as an apology after the fact is ridiculous. If I were a business owner I would at least have comped the meal....especially after committing the crime of slander in a room full of people.

*Let me specify our issue is not with our server. She was great as was her service. Our issue is with the fact that the establishment looked at us...thought "they are theives"...canceled and kept our card and then didn't apologize for calling us thieves in front of everyone. I can't help but think that if we were 70 and dressed in sports coats this would not have happened. I guess being 30 and dressed as 30 year olds do means we are thieves who can not afford to eat there...

Updated: June 3, 2025 visit

Back again for Happy Hour and an early supper (because once you know the magic that happens at 4 PM, you plan your whole day around it). Snagged our favorite bar seats, because honestly—watching the wood-fired oven do its thing is half the fun.

Started with the Dell'Orto salad—spring mix piled high with cherry tomatoes, juicy strawberries, fresh orange slices, raspberries, and dried cranberries. It was like a farmers market in a bowl, and yes, I felt totally proud of myself about how fresh and healthy it was. But who was I really kidding since I knew the lemon blueberry cheesecake was in my future...again! No judging!

Then came the main event: chicken fettuccine Alfredo with just a little Cajun kick—because our favorite waiter, Natan J (seriously, he’s the best), knows exactly what to recommend because he takes the time to ask about preferences!

The Italian vibe? Still charming. The staff? Still friendly. The food? Still fresh, flavorful, and comfort in every bite. Basically, Sapori is still my go-to for a midweek mood boost and a full belly.

May 27, 2025 visit We popped into Sapori D’Italia right at opening time—4:00 PM sharp—because we had one goal: snag a seat at the bar for Happy Hour and soak up all that Italian goodness. Mission accomplished.

And for me, sitting at the bar here is a whole experience. You’re front row for the wood-fired oven magic show—pizzas bubbling, bread baking, and the air filled with that glorious mix of garlic, herbs, and a little something that just whispers, you’re about to eat well. Seriously, who doesn't love dinner and a show!

Natan J was our server, and he was absolutely fantastic. Super friendly, but what really impressed me was how thoughtful he was with his suggestions. He didn’t just rattle off the specials—he asked what we were in the mood for, and then gave detailed reasons why we’d love each dish. Love that. He's definitely my favorite!

From the Happy Hour menu, we went with the fried ravioli with marinara (crispy little pillows of happiness) and the spaghetti and meatballs—comfort food done right. I am obsessed with this simple but oh so flavorful dish!! And at $14 for both the spaghetti and meatballs, it is definitely worth that Happy Hour price.

Then we jumped over to the weekly specials and tried the Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli. Wow. Creamy, not too spicy, just the right kick of Cajun flavor. It was one of those dishes where you’re already planning your next visit just so you can order it again. And yes, I even loved the broccoli in this dish!

Dessert? Cue the dramatic music. Cheesecake. Two kinds. Mixed berry and chocolate raspberry. Both were rich, creamy, and completely decadent. Definitely big enough to share—or, let’s be honest, I am not sharing but I am saving some for later to enjoy the yumminess all over again.

The whole place has this great neighborhood feel. Small, cozy, warm lighting, and you can tell the staff genuinely cares. Service was on point—attentive without being overbearing.

Already counting down the days until our next visit. If you haven’t been yet, go. But maybe don’t tell too many people—I still want to be able to get a seat...

Went on Friday night and was greeted by a cold rude older woman who smirked when I asked for a table for two. She put is at a table in the middle of the foot traffic and under the air conditioner vent. The waitress was not proficient in restaurant service. Absolutely clueless on customer service. She said they were out of coke. If i owned a reataurant and it was prime time on a Friday evening I would have sent someone out or gone myself to pick up the most popular soft drink in the world. The ceasar salad was basically all lettuce with edges starting to turn brown. Three croutons and virtually no dressing. This was the large salad for two people. After the entrees were delivered the server never came back. The water glasses were empty. Our drink glasses were empty. The bread was basket was empty and she never asked if everything was good or if we needed anything. After we had to work very hard to get her attention to request the bill, that is when she asks if we needed anything else. Too late! Much too late! The ice cubes we were sucking on because no one came by to fill oir glasses were fine thank you. The stern faced woman passed our table several times while we were there and never stopped to notice our glasses were empty or that we were searching the room trying to get our servers attention. She did however promtly stop at our table later when our credit card was ready and waiting with the bill. But still them she never said anything to us. Not, how was everything or gee, I see you have empty glasses and half your emtree left, is everything alright? NOTHING BUT COLDNESS AND A FAST GRAB OF OUR CREDIT CARD. There were obviously regulars there who were fawned over and our server was back and forth to those tables offering them attention and service while we sat there ignored with empty glasses while other tables had water on the table. The server was simply horrrible to us as if we were just a thought in her mind only jarred when she had to walk past us to get to the regulars. The regulars stand out because Stone Face only smiles and is friendly to them. (Owners wife?) Sorry but the subbery needs to go and I wouldnt be left with negative adjectives to describe her. I felt like I should apologize to her for coming in. It was the worst experience we have ever had. We were going to get a bottle of wine after dinner and sit on the patio but we were invisible anyway to the staff and after the dining experience more of our money and time was not goimg to be spent there. The same stiff grayed hair woman manning the door needs to check her hospitality quotient. It ruined our entire evening. I had a physical discomfort from the lack of customer service and common decency. Too bad because I work for a local newpaper. Wish I was treated at least like I existed. But the ice...