Sapori Ristorante — Restaurant in Newport Beach

Popped in for some dinner with friends over the weekend. This establishment is connected with Pizzeria Sapori, which was a little confusing to us.

First impressions, definitely has a nice ambiance and atmosphere. We made reservations for Saturday night and got seated right away upon arriving. The service was very friendly and helpful. We opted for both the main menu and the pizza menu for the attached pizzeria.

Once seated, we had fresh bread, oil and vinegar brought to our table. They have a great selection of wine, but the price per glass to bottle $$ was not worth snagging a bottle for the table.

I thought the food was good, but nothing that clew my mind. I ordered the PENNE OTERO CHEF'S SIGNATURE DISH - which of course seemed like a no-brainer bring the chef's signature dish. I subbed the bacon for chicken to be a bit on the healthy side. The portion was generous, and the flavors were good - but it didn't have a pop of wow that would make it seem like I couldn't do this with some Prego and pasta at home.

Overall, great service, nice ambiance, but the food was just...

I ordered a sausage and pepper on fusilli with parmesan reggiano to go. The dish was prepared with small pieces of sausage that looked like they were purchased frozen for breakfast burritos at Taco Bell. The sauce was definitely not a cooked from raw tomatoes and herbs. It could have been from a jar purchased at Pavilions. The peppers were soggy. The parmesan reggiano, plastic-ware, and napkins must have been extra since they were not included. The fusilli was spaghetti. The bread was plain bread, not garlic bread. The butter and taste excluded. This was a plate of mediocre spaghetti for $19.98. I am certain this same stuff is available in a frozen food section in a grocery store for $8.95. When I arrived to collect my dinner, there weren’t any patrons and the wait staff was standing near the entrance waiting for the crowds. It was Friday...

Friends in Newport and Lido Island recommended Sapori as a popular locals spot for a casual dinner. We made an early reservation including out of town guests visiting for a family wedding. Travel issues occurred and two guests out of a party of twelve were unable to join us .The hostess was exceptionally rude, chastised us repeatedly and told us she could have used the table for another party.We offered to wait if the staff wanted to rearrange the table and remove a table for two from our combined seating arrangement. We were told it was too late, and it would have been nice if we could have let them know earlier. The restaurant at 5:45 was not crowded.. Our table was in a dark corner near the kitchen doors. As the hostess, I was embarrassed and offended. Our waiter was very cordial and professional, the dinners were fine, but I would...