Fiorino Ristorante & Bar — Restaurant in Summit

Excellent example of why nepotism is never a good idea. We (a table of five celebrating a birthday) had an 8:15 reservation and arrived early to get a drink. The bar was packed and the host told us he'd seat us before our reservation because we couldn't get a spot at the bar. We waited but no one approached us for over fifteen minutes. I went to ask the host about it and he said he'd be back to us in a few minutes, our table had finished long ago but were not leaving. Fine. Another fifteen minutes went by. Again no one came to update us. I went back to the host and he, unapologetically, said the table had paid but wasn't leaving but that he'd update us. Another fifteen minutes go by, my husband went to see what was going on, same story and no apology (we are now thirty minutes PAST our reservation and we have had to chase down the host, no one has come to us once, nor have they apologized for the wait, offered to comp a drink, etc). Finally at FIFTY minutes past the reservation I ask the manager to come speak to us. Turns out the manager was the host we'd been speaking with and, we found out later, the owner's son. He finally came to us, again after a wait, and said the table was leaving. As the table was leaving he apologized to them, not us, over and over and over. I then said, politely again because that's how you should speak to people, that I didn't think it was acceptable that: (1) we'd been waiting for almost an hour after our reservation, been polite, but needed to chase updates at every turn; (2) never been offered even a drink by the management; and (3) more egregiously never even been apologized to, something that was especially noticeable because of how the owner's son tripped over himself apologizing to the other table (who stayed for over an hour beyond paying on a crowded Saturday night). The manager, the owner's son, then said in a mocking voice "well I am really REALLY sorry" to me. His tone was so mean, so mocking, that I was taken aback and actually recoiled away. I couldn't believe someone, most especially a manager, most especially the son of the owner, would speak to a customer (let alone one waiting over an hour past the reservation for her table) that way. I got upset and this owner's son then said he was only "joking" and "trying to make light." My husband saw my face and it was only when my husband, a male, came over that this manager apologized. He then said he would pay for our drinks (he did not, they were on the final bill and my husband had to ask about it). He sent over some appetizers, but only because my husband was irate at how he spoke to me and the whole situation. He also told us he would comp our bottle of wine (would have been a nice gesture but he did not, it was on the final bill, and we didn’t follow up because we wanted out).

Now the food was good, and our waiter was lovely, but there are a lot of excellent restaurants in Summit, Madison, and Chatham (we were at Scalini Fedelini recently and they were so lovely) that we will not be back to a place where the manager is so rude to customers. My husband and I moved from NYC not long ago and understand that waits happen, but this wait was exceptionally long and, more importantly, never have we been treated in such a manner by anyone at any establishment.

I hope the owner reads this and discusses with his son what customer service means and that his treatment of us was completely...

We have been frequenting Fiorino’s for decades. We enjoyed the “old place” and also the “new” renovated place over the years. They run a very good restaurant and we have admired how they have grown it.

Food - the food quality is excellent. The signature dishes and the specials are always very good, it is often hard to decide what to have (which is a great problem). They serve a nice cold draft Peroni at the bar.

Service - the table and bar service is generally good and sometimes very good (it is rarely “excellent”).

Experience - the experience is always good.

Overall, given the food quality and experience, the value is very good.

Feedback

Servers - the experience can be inconsistent, some of the long-tenured servers are very good and some are so-so at best and could be better.

Staffing - would love to see Fiorino’s hire, train, and develop more strong women as servers and in the management team.

Reception- we are longstanding “occasional” guests but not “regulars” nor “first-timers.” The reception tends to treat occasional guests the same as first-timers, which is somewhat awkward and underwhelming. Reservation data could inform reception to improve.

Menu - we have observed over the years that they could refresh the main menu more frequently.

Experience - as they have grown the business, the restaurant has sometimes become a more chaotic experience. For example, there are more tables closer together. In addition, it has become difficult to eat at the bar without being hovered over by bar patrons 2-3 deep. Finally, dinners can sometimes be rushed as they manage turning tables.

Expansion - Fiorino’s is killing it, they run a very good restaurant. They could easily open another restaurant in the town center. Maybe that would create some capacity to enhance the experience at this location.

Just my opinions and suggestions here, offered with...

My husband and I were lucky enough to enjoy our Valentine’s Day dinner at Fiorino. We recently moved to the area and had heard great things about the local Italian institution.

The prix fixe menu did not disappoint. My husband ordered pappardelle bolognese and osso buco, and I order Caesar salad and NY strip steak. All were fantastic! I can’t have sugar, so for the dessert course, they insisted on sending me home with a takeaway box of berries for breakfast. Very thoughtful of kind. My husband really enjoyed the dessert. Though we didn’t order these dishes, the duck breast, the veal chop and the burrata will be on our list for our next visit.

The atmosphere and service were also extremely lovely, and perfect for a Valentine’s Day celebration. Our servers constantly checked in on us and offered great suggestions on the menu and wine list. There was a warm and welcome diversity of patrons, including a few adorable young couples (high school age? So cute), suggesting this is not the “see and be seen” vibe of some other Summit eateries. It felt much like the family-owned institution we’d been hoping for. Very down-to-earth, comfortable, family-oriented. In fact, as we arrived, it seemed two separate parties were a parent taking a child out for a Valentine’s Day meal (adorable!).

It has such a wholesome family feel that, as we look forward to our next meal at Fiorino, it feels a shame not to...