Wow, GET the lobster and shrimp fettuccini and you won't regret it!…read moreThat "light" cream sauce was on point. It was exactly as I imagined from the pic. Saucy, yet creamy, and the lobster was bursting with flavor. I couldn't have had this as a better dish in many other places. I think the chefs, whoever they were, were on point tonight! This was a Wednesday. For my "dessert" I had an espresso martini. Also excellent. I don't give these good reviews lightly, but this place was on point! You won't regret this dish. I WILL get it again! The only drawback @brio is your bread, it's too hard. I couldn't mop up my sauce and clean my plate if I wanted to, which I did! But I made it work by "soaking" the bread for about ten minutes before finishing it off. Kudos to you guys. If you're lactose intolerant, it's probably worth the price you'll pay

We used to patio dine at Brio's in Charlotte frequently...but so disappointed to see that it was…read morereplaced by another Italian joint. Fast forward several years, and I realized that they had this place inside the Harrah's Cherokee Casino...just 3 hours away. We wanted to do a quick tour of Cherokee, NC anyway, so this fit perfectly with our plans. Well, this was a nice, lofty version of Bio in Charlotte (but without the authentic patio dining space...I say "authentic" because they did have a fake patio area lol). The menu seemingly stayed the same...and I ordered one of my old favorites, Pasta Brio...and my husband tried their Lasagna. We also got the Fried Calamari. First of all, this was one of the fanciest presentation of Fried Calamari I've seen...and it was quite tasty too, with a good batter. Loved my pasta too...and so did my husband. The only thing that could have been better was the service. Our waitress wasn't bad (quite perky, in fact)...but she seemed a bit stretched thin. I didn't see too many waitresses. Not sure if it was because it was Sunday, but the casino seemed to be thinly staffed in general. Overall, though, we really enjoyed revisiting Brio...and all the foods tasted about as good as we remembered them to be!

There I was, hungry, chunky, tired from white water rafting. I walk into this lovely establishment,…read moregreeted by a man with a fantastic accent and a dining room with impeccable taste. This place brought me so much happiness and joy. I got the salmon Alfredo as a test of sorts. I'm picky, VERY picky when it comes to pasta, even worse with sauces. I taste the avocado salad first. One singular tear of pure joy falls from my eye. The chicken was fried perfectly. The food didn't stand a chance against my appetite. I didn't even get to get a photo of my meal before I was violently destroying my plates (with love.) My sweet tea was perfect. Not sugar water, not overly sweet nor under sweetened. I didn't even need to ask for a refill, they just offered right when k was low. Then I tasted the salmon Alfredo. You know those scenes in ratatouille? When remy tastes the cheese and the strawberry together? Then when the food critic had the ratatouille? That's exactly what happened. It was as if the chef and waiters were ethereal beings sent from heaven solely to give my meager human taste buds a chance of experiencing pure bliss. It was gorgeous. I will be back if only to experience the beauty of such blessed Italian food. Other restaurants wish they can be like Mariolino's, I guarantee you, that other restaurants fall short.

Decent Italian restaurant in town. Pizza was ok, there are better options in the area if you want a…read moresolid pie. Calzone was cheesy and flavorful. Ambiance here is mixed as the lighting and staff dress looks upscale but it's really more casual. Come as you are is what I'm saying. Basically if you're craving Italian and don't want to drive far from Andrews this is your best option.

We were 1 of 2 tables in the place. You order at the counter - they upcharged for several items…read morewithout telling us. We ordered a small pizza and the garlic rolls. When the garlic rolls came out, they were just Hawaiian rolls that they poured a little butter on and put in the broiler. The tops were burnt, and the centers were cold. The pizza was very greasy - again, burnt on the edges and gooey in the center. I would not come back - sad, as there really arent many restaurants in Cherokee!

Yum! Excellent taste and the cook came out to make sure my order would be just as requestedread more

Wow! Everything was delicious, from the lobster ravioli with Alfredo to the Tiramisu. Each dish was…read morefresh and had amazing flavor. Topping it off was attentive, friendly service from Lexus. Best meal we had while staying in Pigeon Forge and worth driving 10 minutes off the main strip!

The best Italian food we've had since moving to East Tennessee from Chicago. We've been searching…read morefor an Italian restaurant that really reminded us of the quality and flavor we were used to back home, and that we too cook at home. We finally found it at Ristorante DellaSantina and I can't believe we hadn't heard of this place before! My husband ordered the Filet Special, which came with two 4 oz. filets, shrimp, and a choice of pasta. He chose the capellini with their Valentino sauce, and everything was fantastic. The filets were perfectly tender and seasoned beautifully (enough seasoning to enhance the flavor of the meat without overpowering it). The shrimp and pasta were excellent as well. He also tried the Pecan Old Fashioned, which was definitely on the sweeter side but still very good. It was gentle enough for me to enjoy, although probably a little too bite-free for my husband, who prefers his drinks with a little more punch. He also ordered a blue cheese dirty martini and was thrilled that it was made with real blue cheese. He absolutely loved it. He finished with the salted caramel cappuccino, which was fantastic. I had the lasagna, and it was delicious. The sauce very clearly tasted homemade, and that made all the difference. We each chose the Caesar salad that came with our meals, and it was actually a really pleasant surprise as it was incredibly flavorful and much better than the typical obligatory side salad you get at a restaurant. I also had an espresso martini, and it was perfect. We started with the bruschetta, which was good, but then came a really nice surprise: warm focaccia bread provided complimentary. That focaccia was wonderful and such a thoughtful touch. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu. It was very good, although I personally would have liked a stronger espresso flavor. We also ordered cannolis to take home, so we'll get to enjoy those later! Honestly, I don't have anything bad to say about this restaurant. From the food to the drinks to the little touches, everything felt thoughtful and genuinely well done. Our server Lexus was wonderful. We will absolutely be back. I'm just kicking myself that it took us this long to discover Ristorante DellaSantina. If you're looking for truly good Italian food in East Tennessee, this place deserves your attention!

Oh my goodness! Our 2nd time @ this place! They have…read moreanything for anyone! From pizza to burgers, chicken tenders, wings and so much more! Kaylee took our order at the counter. She was sweet & welcoming & recommended the best for us. We both had the O.M.G burger & it was delicious!! Fries were hot & fresh, the wings were meaty & so good & the cheese curds were great! Really simple, family restaurant. You order at the counter, they give you a number & they bring it out to you. They have plenty of parking, seating & handicap assessable. Don't pass this little clean spot up if passing by!

Pizza and service were outstanding! First time trying this restaurant and was very pleased with…read morethe quality of the ingredients used in making their pizzas. Highly recommended!

The location is excellent, and the atmosphere immediately stands out. It gives you that warm,…read morecomforting feeling of sitting down for dinner at an Italian mom or dad's house -- without actually being part of the family. It's inviting, intimate, and thoughtfully designed. This is a great spot for a date night or a dinner with family. That said, the overall vibe leans more toward a romantic evening setting than a kid-focused restaurant. It's the kind of place you take your wife for a nice night out or bring someone on a first date when you want to make a solid impression. When we arrived, we were seated quickly. The restaurant was about half full, yet it maintained a calm, relaxed energy. It wasn't loud at all, which made conversation easy and enjoyable -- something that's becoming rare in many dining spots. Our waiter was extremely helpful and genuinely kind. He answered every question thoroughly and spoke very positively about both the food and the restaurant overall. You could tell he believed in what they were serving, and that confidence matters. The only real drawback for me was that the desserts weren't made in-house. For a restaurant with such a strong, authentic feel, house-made desserts would have elevated the experience even more. For my entrée, I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with salad and pasta topped with marinara. The dish was good, but if I'm being completely honest, I felt it needed more seasoning. When I eat Italian food, I want bold flavor -- I want to get hit with basil, garlic, herbs, and depth. The seasoning felt a little light, and that was the main thing missing for me. Outside of that, the meal was enjoyable. One thing I truly appreciated was that the owner personally walked around checking on guests and asking how everything was. That's a touch many restaurants could learn from. It makes people feel valued and welcomed -- like family. And that hospitality element is something they absolutely got right. Overall, I think this is a place most people should try if they haven't already. It delivers a warm atmosphere, solid service, and a dining experience that feels personal. I'll definitely be back.

The good: No reservations required when we went for dinner. Our server was polite and attentive…read more The less good: The decor is circa 1975 and communicates tired and drab. The food, while fresh, is mediocre-tasting. Nothing to write home about. It'll do if you go in with tempered expectations.

This place was AMAZING. Went here for Mother's Day with my wife and kids. Service was top notch,…read morefood was perfect, and overall it's just an amazing experience all around. My daughter absolutely loved their "pasketti" as well. Will be back for sure.

My first night in town I was lucky enough to find Vinnie's. It seemed like it was an Asheville…read morestaple and nearby. I ordered the breaded flounder and tiramisu. The serving of flounder was so generous I had the second half the next night. The mashed potatoes and broccoli with capers was very good. What I will definitely get again is the tiramisu. It was delicious. I can't express that enough. It was enough for two servings but I gladly finished it off in one.

This is my second time here. Menu varies throughout the year and always very interesting items. My…read moreonly complaint is the serving sizes. For example, I love the meatball over polenta appetizer but there is such a small amount of polenta. And for the price, it would be nice to be have a little more pasta served with the entrees. I've never gotten a doggie bag here because the portions are small and after spending over $100 for 2, it would be nice to have a little bit of leftovers. That said, food is delicious and obviously all homemade. Cocktail selection is very unique, hip and good. Service is excellent and the servers really know their stuff! Service

This was my first time at Ilda and it was really good! We started with the grilled caesar salad…read morewhich was my favorite thing! We also tried the mussels, mushroom fettuccine and a rabbit dish that I'm totally forgetting the name of. The rabbit dish was amazing but it had too much salt. The mushroom fettuccine on the other hand was lacking something, it didn't have that umami flavor to it. However, both were really good selections and you could tell that the pasta was handmade. As for the mussels they were good, but I probably wouldn't order them again. Our server was wonderful and the inside of Ilda is super cute! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends, but I think you need to make a reservation in advance. Also - give yourself some time to find parking ahead of time - they don't have a designated lot.

Since this place changed owners from Pavino's to Bizzaro's, every single review is 5 Stars when…read morefocused on food! Well, actually, aside from one that I just remembered. I don't know what was wrong with that guy, but as a writer and a human, I can assure you that no matter what you do, you can never make everyone happy all the time. That's why it's best to just be authentically you. I got a little off-topic there. What I saying was ... the only negative reviews are for long wait times for takeout or if the dining-in crowd thinks the takeout orders have taken priority over their food. It has nothing to do with the quality of the food. I dined-in and sat outside. The wait times for food were right on the money. I didn't feel rushed and it didn't take too long. I could enjoy my meal and the experience. I have been to Frankie's across the street and had two meals there: Chicken Parm and the Spaghetti & Meatballs. The Chicken Parm was much stronger than the Spaghetti & Meatballs. So when comparing the two Chicken Parm dishes, they are equal but polar opposites. Frankie's is a fancier place with all the bells and whistles. It's a great vibe but also a little expensive. The Chicken Parm is thicker and you get a side of pasta but have to pay for the salad. At Bizzarro, the Chicken Parm is a much thinner cut but still a large portion, you can get angel hair pasta (a rare treat), and you don't have to pay for the salad. For bread, you get traditional at Frankie's and garlic knots at Bizzaro's. I'm not a huge fan of garlic but during this meal, I realized I like garlic knots if I eat them upside down. As for vibe/atmosphere, at Bizzaro, I walked through the little service area to get to the outdoor tables. As I ate, there were parked cars right there, someone mowing a lawn in the distance, and the TV was on from the service area. I would usually not like these things, but I loved it here. It completely fit the vibe of feeling at home and just chilling on the deck. Add the friendly staff and you will feel very welcomed. While the Chicken Parms are different yet equal, Bizzaro's definitely wins for value as you get similar portions plus a salad at a much lower price. I'm glad I found Bizzaro's and I have added it as a go-to when in town. I'll still hit Frankie's too, but maybe Bizarro more often. It always depends on the second visit. I didn't try the pizza yet but I'm sure it's good. The only negative here is the awkward and small parking lot but no big deal. Highly recommended!

Decent pizza place. Pizza is tasty. The meat lovers pizza was heavy on the toppings. I wish the…read morecrust had a little more flavor. The garlic knots are tasty but small. The sauce has a strong tomato acid taste and is liquidy. The restaurant is small. Service is ok.

This is the most wonderful Italian restaurant that I have tried around the sylva/cullowhee area…read more The food is really delicious, the drinks were really crisp and good, and the servers and cooks were very quick and friendly. The inside is very cute and nicely decorated with an earlier 2000s tuscan look. There is awesome popular music playing as you eat. the price for the portion size is also not bad at all!!

Service was so late as we ordered and were quoted a pickup time of 7:23-7:27, stood inside the…read morestore over 20 minutes after our quoted time waiting for our food. It gets better! At 7:48 they told us they forgot one of our dishes LOL absolute worst experience I've ever had They also don't have any take out silverware so bring your own lol! Ambiance is not all that you're eating in a sav-mor plaza. Food was decent but nothing worth waiting an hour for, really. I'd cook this same dish at home in half the time it took them to make it.