Fratelli Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar — Restaurant in Lynchburg

Our family was excited about trying Fratelli's after reading about it online and knowing its owners are a part of other restaurants we had enjoyed. We were seated immediately and things started off good. Drinks Arrived...order taken...even the side salad came out quickly but then things started to turn. 1 hour later our waiter came to tell us they were plating our food now and said he was sorry for the delay. 10 min later - still no food which made me think he wasn't being honest earlier- about them plating our food. Then the food came. Well, mine did anyway. I ordered the Chicken Parm...there was a very little amount of red sauce under a bed of cold noodles and a well done piece of fried chicken on the outside but somehow not fully cooked inside. It was also cold to the touch with a cold melted piece of cheese over it. I told the server that it was cold and asked for a side of hot marinara. For this request I received an eye roll but 8 min later a side of marinara arrived (but not really that warm)...My wife's order then arrived - she had ordered the Panzella with Burrata - the menu describes this as Tomatoes, onions, Italian Bread, Basil, Olive Oil & Vinegar...it actually had no bread with it. When she asked the girl delivering the dish - about the bread she said it doesn't come with bread. My wife said - bread is actually in the name and description of the dish. She was annoyed but said hold on. About 5 min later she returned with a bowl of croutons....not grilled Italian bread - but literally croutons from a ceasar salad.

My daughter had ordered the chicken Alfredo and when it arrived it looked like it had just been made...it was hot and complete. She enjoyed it.

Our waiter repeatedly said he was sorry - and that they had a short kitchen staff. I would have appreciated knowing this on the front end. "Hi, we are glad you are here...but we are short staffed in the kitchen and dishes are averaging between 45-60 min - just wanted to make you aware of this before you order" that would have been a great way to start and we could have decided on our own our if we wanted to stay.

He also said he would talk to the manager and see what they could do...but that never happened. No manager, no glass of wine while you wait, no removal of items that were cold or incomplete...just nothing.

After being there for almost 2 hours because we had to wait over an hour for the food...I grew tired of waiting for the manager and flagged down the waiter and asked for the bill. He asked if we wanted some dessert...which we declined...he didn't say - we would love to send you home with something since you have a rough night...just took the bill and brought it back for me to pay close to $100...for a really bad meal and experience.

I get it when people are short staffed...it happens - but not doing anything to fix the problems, acting put out by any request to remedy the meal and not actually finding a manager to come talk with us...makes me think this place won't...

Second time. Hits and misses. Just a bit disappointing. White tablecloths, dark decor, staff in black, with long aprons. Trying to feel upscale and intimate, but not really hitting it. We had a reservation for two. When we arrived, the hostess directed us toward a side table in the bar. This is where we were seated the first time. Right on the path to the elevator. Too much traffic, and I hate sitting in front of televisions. I had requested a dining room table when I reserved online. Fortunately, we were accommodated in the dining room.

As we seated ourselves, I realized the exhaust fan noise from the open kitchen 30 feet away was quite apparent. Not unlike being in a subway tunnel. Definitely made the "intimate" atmosphere less so. This was to be a delayed Valentines Day dinner for us.

The menu hasn't been obviously changed from our previous visit. We ordered cocktails and dinner, as the appetizers were still too substantial for us. Our drinks arrived quickly as well as warm sliced rustic bread and a dish of seasoned olive oil. No bread plates just the two serving plates. A bit awkward, as we waited a few moments for bread plates to be brought. We gave up and managed without, as our server didn't come within calling range. At least we got bread this time.

Hubby ordered the chicken parmsean and I went with the Italian sausage and pepper pasta. These were brought out quickly. My pasta tasted Wonderful. The sauce had a fair amount of (red pepper?) heat. The sausage was delightful. My rotini pasta was broken up and didn't look nice. It wasn't overcooked, just "abused" looking. Hubby's chicken parmesean was well received. There was a thick slice of mozzarella on top of the sauced breast and the chicken had a nice brown crust. I was a bit surprised to see white, "naked" pasta underneath the piece of chicken - a dab of sauce underneath would have improved presentation.

Our server missed a chance to upsell us glasses of wine when we did not want cocktail refills. It occurred to me that wine would have been nice with our food, but we weren't asked.

We'll likely return once weather warms and try sitting outside. But I can't highly recommend...

Unfortunately, this restaurant is all style and I really wanted substance. You can trust the critical reviews.... Made reservations last Friday night to celebrate some good news.

The good: -We loved seeing the Tuscan art on the wall, and it really took us back to Florence... This place should be the best Italian restaurant in Lynchburg based off of decor. -My carrots tasted great and were well seasoned (came with my steak & risotto) -Risotto was okay, not bad but not good (slightly over & a little dry)

The bad: -The arancini balls were under seasoned, and we had to cut them open and put a pinch of salt in them (maybe some saffron, or at least a proper amount of salt could have helped the flavor -After the starter, they brought out our food and the server asked if I wanted a steak knife.... for my steak, while we had dirty silverware from the starter on the plate, so I said yes, but we also need silverware (as mentioned in other reviews) -We got the scallops w/risotto & truffle butter steak w/risotto.... Neither of us could even taste the scallops because there could not even have been a pinch of salt, seasoning, or whatever this dish was supposed to be seasoned with. My steak tasted like it was seasoned with black pepper and nothing else in the pan, and some butter (tasted no truffle so must have been some truffle oil)

I'd love to offer some advice to the restaurant management & would even consider changing my review. However, the other reviews also are consistent with servers missing easy things & poor seasoning from the kitchen. At this point, it's a one-star restaurant.

(update: emailed "owner" and...