Sorrento Resturant

I work next door in a Legion Square office and eat there often. Franco's grumpy but sweet, authentic Italian guy & worth knowing. Breakfast all day, good, REAL food! This East Coast native isn't put off by the blunt mannerisms of the owner or the heavy filling food, but if you're a delicate person, by all means skip it and go eat tofu and sushi someplace else. I do wish he had better help, honestly, and that the bulbs in the dining room didn't make it a bit too hot in there, but those are my only complaints (by the way, you can eat outside now, too.) Also, this location has two elements, the main restaurant and the "cafe" where you can get coffee or short order food-to-go type stuff. The omelettes will kick your butt, they're HUGE. I will always go back because the food is delicious and Franco is so REAL that he's a novelty in today's fake/corporate/trendy/plastic world.

Posted 07/26/09 | Report Abuse

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My daughter loved Sorrento the first time she ate there a few years ago. Fast forward two years and I went for the first time with her and her boyfriend. It was my birthday and they had come up from Portland. Saturday night, not packed , we had reservations (after leaving 2 messages to get them and not having them returned, luckily the third time they answered and yes this was days before) The older waitress was indifferent and hurriedly sat us at a table that was propped up with chips of wood to keep it level, not a problem except it was really wobbling ,so we asked for more wood to level it out.SO she handed us a chunk.The bus girl never once smiled as she put a basket of bread (eight small bite size pieces... for three people) and asked if we wanted oil and garlic, of course ,so she dumps the oil out and none of the garlic comes out and she made no effort to correct it,so we stirred up the jar on the next table that was empty and got our own. The second bus girl was smiley yet when we asked simple questions, rather than find out the answer she said two different times..."I dunno, I' am new here".My daughter put herself through school waitressing and I have been in customer service my whole life. We support waitresses and wait staff 100% and always tip more than 25%. We were ignored and had to ask for everything.The new addition looked nice but the part we sat in the floor was dirty and looked unkempt and the owner was grouchy and his help reflected h is attitude.The food was "ok" not as my daughter had remembered it...still good...but nothing like it used to be....maybe the recession has them using lesser ingredients and has affected the overall attitude. It will be awhile before we go here again. Too many restaurants in Olympia with WONDERFUL, NICE wait people who really want to make your experience great. I felt like I was in a bad soup kitchen.

Posted 06/19/09 | Report Abuse

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Caution, if you believe that "Olive Garden" is an Italian dining experience, or if you believe that "Denny's" is about the right price for dinner, or if you think the drive-thru window at McDonald's is about the right time to spend consuming a meal, I can almost guarantee you will not enjoy Sorrento.

But if you like being greeted and interacting with the owner and his employees, like well prepared and interesting dishes, enjoy fine wines and desserts, and wish to make dining a leisurely experience, then this is probably your best bet in Olympia. I used to say that Olympia had one excellent restaurant (Gardner's), but now believe that we have two.

The owner, Franco, is a charming man. If you happen to go early in the week, when the place is usually not very busy, chances are he will spend some time at your table, telling you about his childhood (Sorrento, Italy) and various escapades. The next time you return, he will likely recognize you. It's much like being invited into someone's home, a very personal experience.

Try the veal...

Posted 05/06/09 | Report Abuse

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When Sorrento first opened they were FABULOUS. Every time we ate there, we had a great meal and a great time. We were confident that it would be a lovely experience for our guests.

So then they expanded (yea for them!) and it got all iffy in terms of service and quality.

If you go during a week night when it's not busy or for lunch you can not miss.

In fact lunch is a pretty sweet deal; you get good food quickly for a decent price.

We stayed away for a while but we've started going back. It SEEMS as though they have their feet under them again. Haven't tried a Friday or Saturday night or a theater night yet but we're building up to it again.

We live in hope because it was our favorite place.

Posted 01/13/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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My experience at Sorrento was absolutely amazing, I wish I could say so for some of the others that have frequented his establishment. My food was prepared wonderfully and even when desert came he offered to make it special since I was not to keen on a piece of 5000 calorie chocolate cake that I was sure would soon hit my portly ambiance with joy. After much deliberation I agreed to it and he said he would spice it up Italian style by dipping it into 20 year old port. Nothing shy of stupendous. The price was fair for food of this quality. I am only sorry that others have not had as wonderful a time as I.

Quality 10/10
Atmosphere 8/10
Price 7/10

Posted 11/25/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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STAY AWAY!!! The owner is not nice, he went off on a customer because she asked to split a bill, she started to cry and he yelled some more, NOT NICE!

Posted 03/31/08 | Report Abuse

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Visited Sorrento this past Sunday. Our party of 4 was hurried through our early dinner, our server "overlooked" telling us of the days specials, the ingredients in the Putanesca were of the lowest canned quality, the meat dish was basic and cooked well beyond the point of being unenjoyable. The owner, also acting as server to other tables, was wearing dirty sweatpants. When informed of our experience he bluntly responded "I see you ate the food anyways". Finally the prices asked for this level of service and kitchen competence are insulting. Never again Franco.

Posted 03/17/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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My husband and I were recommended to go to this restaurant and we Thank God that we did! It was wonderful! We were celebrating our Anniversary and they really took care of us!

The owner, Franko, came out and greeted us, sang us a little song, recommended our wine (very tasty) and meals!

Their food was FABULOUS! I am going back their in a couple weeks for my Birthday! I will eat there any chance I can get!

Their Bread and oil is the best I ever had! YUM YUM YUM! Go try it! I will be SHOCKED if you do not like it.

oh unless you are time restrained! They are slower at making the food, but WORTH THE WAIT! You know you are getting fresh quality food!

Posted 11/30/07 | Report Abuse

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This was a pretty good place to eat. I had the Pepperoni Pazzini, which was outstanding. They provide fresh bread and olive oil with seasonings to warm your appetite. The service was a little slow, and the portions a little small, but I enjoyed the visit.

Posted 06/27/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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