Sardella's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Newport

I booked our table 3 months ago for our final night in Newport, it was a let down!

The evening at Sardella’s started well, we were seated outside and had booked specifically for the Wednesday night as they have live jazz music. The food looked great too and the reviews are mostly positive.

We were shown to our table and Gabriel introduced himself to us as our server, he is a lovely Romanian guy. He brought us bread and water, took our drinks order and when he brought them took our food order. So far so good.

Except that was the last we saw of him for a while.

Our starters (appetisers) were brought by someone else and whilst they were delicious (arancini and deep fried mozzarella) our main course was brought within minutes (possibly 3). Our new server said to us “I know I have only just given you your ‘apps’ but would you like your main course now or shall I put it on hold?”

We pointed out that we had only just started eating our starters and that we wouldn’t be ready for our main course for some time.

The new server then proceeded to walk past multiple times assessing how far through our starters we were.

No sooner had I finished my starter, the plate was whisked away and again our main course, which has now been standing for about 15 minutes were brought to us, whilst my partner was still eating her starter. We pointed out that we wear still not ready for them and that they would need to be freshly prepared. For context, I had ordered the lobster ravioli.

Gabriel eventually appeared again and I asked him for the wine menu, he was a bit confused because he had brought dessert menus for us, even though my partner was still eating her starter.

After finishing it, she went to complain to the host and asked if they were rushing us because they wanted the table. She was told this was not the case. The manager came to speak with us and apologised for the poor service we had received so far. We asked to pay for what we had consumed so far as we intended leaving. He went to get the check!

Gabriel then appeared with our main courses, this was now the 3rd trip they had made from the kitchen. He was a bit confused when we told him what had happened and that we were settling up and leaving.

The manager apologised again as we paid.

I have tried to give as much detail as I can so that it is evident this is a genuine account of what happened. Nobody in the area where we were seated had this poor degree of service from what we saw during the time that we were there.

It’s a shame because we were looking forward to eating here. The restaurant was really busy which is always a good sign but our experience was disappointing, largely due to the service not the quality of the food, which was...

Was on vacation in the area and thought I’d check this place out because the good reviews. Usually being in nyc, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away by the food. That being said, I was thoroughly disappointed. The food gets about 3 stars. Overall, pretty bland and the sauce tasted like a store bought brand in a glass bottle that starts with a P and ends in a GO. The chicken parm was cooked well though lacked much flavor. The tortellini did not taste fresh. The brussels sprouts were great and fresh though. What was most disappointing was the service, especially considering the price point. The waiter took forever to refill a water even after being politely asked. What was even worse was that she ordered the wrong side (broccolini instead of brussels sprouts). She then realized and sent it back to the kitchen. I at this point asked where our salad was as our entree was out. She completely forgot. The brussels sprouts finally came and the salad was there much later than our food. It should come prior. She thoroughly apologized but this seemed like one mistake after another in a restaurant that was not busy and she was mostly standing around. What was even worse is that the day after (today) I noticed she still charged us for both the brussels sprouts AND broccolini. In addition, she told us, unprompted, that there would be no charge if we wanted to split the Caesar salad. However, I now notice I was charged for two 1/2 salads and not one salad which was more expensive. To make matters worse, I am unable to reach anyone at the restaurant to rectify this. To be honest, I was a little peeved they didn’t comp the salad and/or Brussels sprouts; instead, they just apologized which is whatever BUT then they overcharged me as well! I’d give the service negative stars if I could.

TLDR: food is pretty bland and nothing to write home about. The service is lousy and they overcharge with extra items on your bill. Do not recommend this spot.

PLEASE SEE THEIR RESPONSE BELOW as I cannot reply. And apparently me editing deletes it but it said: “David Packer I do not recommend you to write a review 🤣”

MY RESPONSE TO THE OWNER: Wow. I am unable to reach your restaurant by phone but it’s great to see you can make fun of my issues on here rather than try to help/resolve me being overcharged!

FOR READERS: I guess their reply and my inability to reach them sums up the culture and horrendous service...

This review pains me to write…

I wanted this place to be good…I wanted the food to match friendly staff and awesome decor! I wanted to come back here…

Place was busy no such thing as a bad seat in this place. I wanted to be outside and my wife was unsure. Tall skinny guy was really polite and accommodating and walked us through the entire place which is YUGE! We ended up outside…decor, vibe and weather was PERFECT! Never seen canned olive oil on the table (said it was sweet)

When we walked through the restaurant I saw a brick oven pizza and I my mind went to heaven. I’m semi lactose and tolerant so when I seen alot of cheese my butt hole squeezes!

Brick oven pizza paired with vibe and all was going to be worth the all pain and suffering I was going to end up with in a few hours.

We got the Fried Calamari and it was AWESOME! Really crispy which I know most won’t like but we love our food crispy and cooked! We also really love it was all rings and no tentacles.

Our waiter was awesome and answered all my wife’s questions as there was some good items on the menu. She ended up getting the lobster ravioli which she said she couldn’t even taste the lobster. She thought it was the cheese ravioli. I ordered the Pepperoni Pizza and I was excited for that. On the menu they said they use San Marzano Tomatoes so I knew it was gonna slap!

Pizza came out and it looked AWESOME! I picked up my first slice and ZERO FLAP. I took my first bite and TASTED NOTHING! ZERO TASTE…just burnt pepperoni WHICH WAS FINE…where is the cheese/sauce and other ingredients. I dressed up the pizza with the sweet olive oil, pepper flakes and grated cheese to salvage the pizza.

If you are from Long Island or any of the boroughs don’t bother.

Someone got Chicken Parm and it looked great but in reality we can get that anywhere. Brick oven pizza for us a few towns over back home.

Not sure if we will be back…as we were walking back into town we walked past Nikolas and group of people saying the pizza sucked as well. Guess Newport isn’t the place for a decent slice.

*update after talking to a few locals they say Providence is the best for Pizza. Don’t feel like traveling

Their home made bread was awesome and YOU HAVE...