Cafe Sapori — Restaurant in West Palm Beach

I don't always take the time to write a review, but sometimes it's worth the effort. We eat out ALOT. So admittedly, our expectations are somewhat high because we've eaten in some terrific restaurants in Palm Beach County, New York, and all over the world. Having said that, there are many Italian restaurants in Palm Beach County to choose from. But very few are authentic. We frequent the ones that are, but thought we'd try something new because friends of ours recommended Cafe Sapori and I had been wanting to give it a try. Well, we were disappointed. We were hoping to find a new place to add to our list of special, date night places with great food, top notch service and a nice, lively atmosphere. Sapori isn't any of those things. We were greeted warmly by the hostess, but it sort of all ended there, although it got a bit better by dessert, which I'll get to later. We wanted to have a drink at the bar so she told us to let her know when we were ready to be seated. The bar is small, but the bartender was lovely and she made us a couple very nice cocktails. We were then ready to be seated, but unfortunately, we were seated at a table very close to the kitchen so we heard lots of clanging and banging behind us. There weren't any other tables for two open so we didn't bother asking to be moved. The table was in a high traffic area so there were lots of staff going by with trays, etc. Not a romantic spot to be. Anyway, we were ignored for at least 10 minutes. Luckily, we had bread and water. Finally, a fellow I believe to be the maitre d', stopped by and asked if we were ready to order. I said I had a question first. He answered it, took our order and left. I was brought the wrong appetizer. My husband ordered the pappardelle bolognese as an appetizer. But he hates eating without me. They didn't offer to take his back so it was cold by the time my correct starter was brought. His pasta was just OK. And I swear there were only a few strands of pasta. I had a very nice poached seafood salad in lemon and olive oil. It was bland, but fine. For entrees, I had the lobster with homemade spaghetti and my husband ordered chicken Milanese. I think their sauce is very sweet and not very tasty. Again, the portion of spaghetti was small (which I'm OK with if it tastes good!) and it was served with a half lobster. It looked like it was thrown in the bowl. It was overly sweet and not memorable. The dessert was a winner. We ordered the Mille Foglie al Cioccolato. It was amazing. Overall, it was not a good experience. They were packed and it was a Saturday night. I get it. But honestly, we felt like we weren't being treated well because we were "newbies". Others seemed to be tended to while we weren't. And the food was just OK. Nothing special. We won't go back because there are just too many other options with better food and much...

This was very much a "yo-yo" dinner for me. It had it's ups and down.

To start, we had a very nice basket of fresh bread. The loaves were chewy and flavorful, the foccacia was warm and tender with a nice garlic flavor and tiny tomato halves baked into the crust.

From the great bread, we moved on to a very average to low average salad. The presentation was lovely, but the salad wasn't well chilled. It had a large amount of radicchio which added color to the salad but was more bitter than any I've ever had. The selection of greens was a nice variety. There were strands of carrot that were like angel hair pasta, long and difficult to manage gracefully. There were also some thin slices of grilled zucchini which just didn't seem to fit in with the salad. It was dressed with a bland dressing, I could taste only olive oil and a very small amount of vinegar. It was topped with a paper thin slice of parmesan, about 4x4 in. square. While this made for an interesting presentation, it would have been better shredded so that it could have been mixed more evenly with the salad.

Next was the entree. I went with a chicken breast topped with a white wine and butter sauce. Sides were mixed sautéed veggies and ricotta dumplings in a vodka sauce. Again, the presentation was very nice. The chicken was at a proper temperature. In the dim light, I noticed large patches of dark brown hiding under the sauce. The chicken was very thin, tender but a little dry. The dark patches were the problem, they were saltier than the rest of the breast and had a texture like very thin cardboard. It took me a bit to figure out that this was from the meat sticking to the pan when browning and being scraped off the pan for serving. I thought maybe it was just mine, but noticed the same thing in the other pics of the same dish in the reviews here, so I guess that's just how they do it. The sauce was very good with the right balance of butter, wine and lemon. It saved the dish.

As for the side dishes, the pasta was on the tepid side, and the veggies a few degrees cooler. The ricotta dumplings were chewy, maybe just a bit undercooked, but the sauce was terrific. The veggies had too much oil and not much flavor.

For dessert, I threw caution to the wind and had the tiramisu. It was cool, creamy and full of flavor. I shouldn't have, but I ate the whole thing and it was a good sized piece. At least if you're going to have a yo-yo dinner, it's really nice to end on...

Cafe Sapori it's my neighborhood gem, a culinary hug, and a place where you instantly feel like family. From the moment you step through the door, the warm, inviting atmosphere envelops you, and the tantalizing aroma of authentic Italian cuisine sets the stage for a truly memorable dining experience. What truly sets Cafe Sapori apart is its unwavering commitment to quality. The ingredients are clearly fresh and thoughtfully sourced, and you can taste the passion in every dish. Whether I'm indulging in their perfectly al dente pasta, savoring the rich, flavorful sauces, or delighting in their melt-in-your-mouth seafood, each bite is a testament to the chef's skill and dedication. The menu is a delightful blend of classic Italian favorites and innovative creations, offering something to please every palate. I'm particularly in love with their Bolognese Pasta, the amazing Lobster pasta, seafood risotto, their homemade gnocchi with truffle cream sauce, and the perfectly grilled branzino are a few of my favorites The portions are generous, ensuring you leave completely satisfied, but not uncomfortably full. Beyond the exceptional food, the service at Cafe Sapori is consistently outstanding. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, creating a welcoming and relaxed ambiance. They remember your name, your favorite wine, and always offer helpful suggestions, making you feel like a valued guest,like family! The wine list is carefully curated, offering a wonderful selection of Italian and international wines that perfectly complement the menu. And let's not forget the desserts! From the creamy tiramisu to the decadent panna cotta, they provide the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal. Cafe Sapori is more than just a place to eat; it's a place to connect, to celebrate, and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. It's my go-to spot forva good dinner, a casual weekend lunch with friends, or a celebratory family gathering. If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience that will leave you wanting to return again and again, look no further than Cafe Sapori. It's truly a...