Sarducci's — Restaurant in Montpelier

I've periodically come here since they opened and in all honesty I have to say that I just don't get it. It's like the movie Uncut Gems; loved by all the critics but really a dreadful, ridiculous mess. Sarducci's does a great business and has great reviews but it's actually pretty mediocre.

First of all, it's not an Italian restaurant it's an Italian American restaurant. There's definitely a distinction between the two. Italian American restaurants go heavy on the sauce, too much cheese, oversalted, excessive portions, etc. Italians are slim, Italian Americans... The balance is all off. The texture of the pasta is off here too.

The main courses are mostly overly rich, again with the Italian American flair of too much sauce. The menu is pretty locked in with Sicilian American cooking, the stereotype of Italian food and frankly not the best Italy has to offer (and I'm part Sicilian American so back off).

The biggest tip off is Italian American restaurants expect you to order one thing. Italian restaurants: primo (usually pasta or rice); secondo (meat/fish) with a vegetable side. I don't just want to eat a big bowl of oversaused pasta. Lacks balance. And I don't want to just eat an oversized main. A simultaneous dish with both is frankly disgusting and not Italian.

The seafood has to be frozen because Vermont so I won't go there, why bother.

The pizza at Penzo's is much more Italian and I prefer it (I have no connection with them). So why bother (I make my own pizza and focaccia anyway).

I have left Sardicchi's feeling ill a few times. One time it was a run don't walk situation (about 9 years ago) the pasta Bolognese, rich sauce situation. I have gone to thousands of restaurants, and have traveled and lived throughout Europe and Asia. I usually have an iron stomach.

So why do I still go sometimes? Birthday dinners, etc. But I've learned what not to order: 95 percent of the menu.

My review will have zero impact, I know. People flock to this place. It's got a good vibe. My theory is one day when all the boomers are gone along with the older xers this place might have to up its game and learn how to make real Italian food. I'll be...

My husband and I were visiting our godson at Norwich University and decided to come here for a dinner celebration. We were not disappointed, the location was lovely we were seated right away, we ate outside right by the water, and our waitress was there within seconds to take our drink order and to ask if we wanted any appetizers. We went through the menu which is very extensive, and decided on three separate plates. Our meal arrived fairly quickly and it was fresh and hot and looked very appealing. To say that it did not disappoint would be an understatement! Each one of us was thoroughly pleased with our meal, the food was plentiful, fresh, and perfectly prepared. The waitress was very attentive throughout, removing empty plates and refilling glasses. The place was full both inside and outside and at the bar, and there were people waiting for tables. This was a Saturday night, we had gotten there just after 5:30 and when we left at 7:30 it was just as full and there were just as many people waiting to be seated. This place is clearly a local favorite and was well worth the visit. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was the very unfortunate fact that the entire restaurant has only two bathrooms. They are unisex, and thus there was a long line while people waited for an open bathroom. Unfortunately, the bathroom smelled like an old litter box and was highly unpleasant. Thankfully, we had finished our meal already and we're getting ready to leave so it didn't detract from the rest of my experience at the restaurant. All in all I would definitely recommend the restaurant, I highly recommend the excellent food and the wonderful service but I do suggest that you make sure that you either visit the bathroom before you get there or you can wait until you get home to use it when...

We thought that we found something special in Montpelier, but were extremely disappointed. Nice location on the river and a good vibe inside. Our server was effective, and was there when we needed her, but could have been a bit more personable.

We skipped the soup thinking that dinner, which came with a small salad, would be enough of a meal. That was a mistake. We ordered chicken parmigiana and chicken piccata for dinner. The piccata sauce was delicious. The parmigiana was just okay and arrived just warm with some seriously Al Dente pasta. The tomato sauce and pasta was somehow dry and the sauce lacked a fresh taste.

What was really insulting was the portion of meat on each dish. Both plates had three extremely small thin medallions of chicken. I would guess that the total amount of chicken on each plate was about three ounces. At the same price point, at any Italian restaurant in Northern NJ, these plates would have had at least three to four times as much chicken.

Vermont has so many terrific dining options, and we’ve never experienced such paltry entree portions at any of the restaurants that we’ve enjoyed here. We did order a 1/2 loaf of bread for a $6 charge that helped to fill us. But that didn’t take away the sting of paying $25 for the minuscule portions of chicken.

We return frequently to those places that we love, and were thinking that this would make it into the rotation. It’s really too bad because the river location is cool and the interior has a classic warm feel.

Unfortunately, Sarducci’s fell short for us, and we’ll pass on in the future. If you choose to dine here and you’re hungry, you may want to order an appetizer or soup with your dinner, or you may choose another dining option where you’ll get a reasonable...