We've tried a couple of Italian restaurants at the Beach and been happy but wanted to try a new…read morespot. Sorella's is just steps from the oceanfront and although (online) they were booked solid on a Monday night, we called in and were able to get a table for three at 5:30. Higher ceilings with a bar area near the entrance and spacious interior as well some outdoor seating. Our kind Server gave us all the information we needed and we didn't plan on Happy Hour but why not as they offered delicious apps and drinks. We ordered the Fritto Misto (perfectly fried calamari/shrimp), Baked Meatballs (delicious) and a Caesar Salad that came with anchovies (we usually have to ask). For wine (all part of Happy Hour), it was Pinot Grigio Sassi), Rose (Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo) and Pinot Noir (Franco Serra)-all tasty and paired well with our dinner. We all wanted pasta especially since they made their own and they had a few options. We ordered the Malfadine (first time having this pasta -resembles torn up lasagna pieces given the ridges, sausage, pesto all played nicely together), Lumache (short rib and vodka sauce-delicious!-who knew?) and Radiatore (Carbonara with Pork Belly-usually Guanciale, pancetta etc. but the Belly worked!). We liked that the Pasta portions were just right (still had leftovers despite) and priced accordingly. Evan took great care of us. He was attentive and so engaged! What a find! Our entrees reminded me of the deliciousness we had in Rome. Happy Hour was also impressive. Definitely now on our list of musts at the Beach-we will be back!

This was a beautiful spot that felt really relaxing and the food was fantastic! Lots of seating…read moreindoors with an outdoor option as well and a horseshoe bar. It is a very clean place and I was impressed with how efficiently tables and the bar were cleaned and turned over without rushing anyone. We sat at a high top near the bar and admired the decor as we enjoyed the arancini to start that was light and crisp and creamy. My husband had the Gnocchi and I had the fettuccine. Both of us really enjoyed what we had and all pasta is made in house daily. The portions were generous but not overwhelming which was nice. Our server was very kind. At one point mg husband accidentally knocked off his glass and it broke. The bar back came over and said "before anything else, is everyone ok?" And then promptly cleaned it up. I thought that was so kind. So few people put people first in the little ways. We are here on vacation, but the next time we are in Virginia Beach we will be sure to stop by again!

Absolutely amazing! The food was fantastic! I mean really fantastic! Cannot say enough great things…read moreabout the food! Just mind blowingly good! Great vibe too! everybody laughing and enjoying themselves. There's a beautiful old school wine rack above the bar, outstanding wine selection! They have an Atrium with a big Ficus tree growing in the foyer! Extremely considerate wait staff with impeccable timing! Just a really great atmosphere. We live in Chesapeake and I have to say, it's definitely worth the trip! The Executive Chef Jaime Young was super nice! To find time to greet some customers and just to say thank you for coming speaks VOLUMES to there character! Please go and have the best dinner of your lives! Thank you IL Giardino!! We WILL be back!!!!

We have been coming here every summer for the past 10 years, and this was by far the worst…read moreexperience we've had. The food was good once it arrived, but we waited nearly two hours to receive it. Unfortunately, the service was just as disappointing--slow, inattentive, and far below what we've come to expect. After so many great visits over the years, this experience was especially frustrating. As a result, we'll be taking this destination out of our annual vacation rotation next year and trying somewhere else instead.

Very small but oh such great food and service. This is my go to Italian food restaurant. Even…read morebetter treat is it is affordable.

The food was delicious!! I came here on a Tuesday night and it was packed! I guess it's no longer a…read morehidden gem. I am not sure if that is the norm but it was busy! Several people had reservations and I wish I had made one too. Next time, I will. We definitely had to wait for a table. There were only 2 servers. Our waitress was very very nice but service was definitely slow. I feel bad even saying anything because she was so nice but very busy. Forgot a few things but never seemed flustered or rushed. We ordered 2 pizzas and a pasta with meat sauce. It was delicious. The pizza crust was thin and crispy. Pasta was cooked perfectly. We did get bread and it was okay. Nothing special. But the everything else was delicious. Make a reservation and enjoy the food.

Manga Qui is always a fun stop! The staff is friendly, the service is great, and I've never had a…read morebad experience. Now, as an Italian, I have one tiny (okay... gigantic) complaint: the garlic! If you're using garlic from a jar, I'm begging you--stop the madness! Fresh garlic is one of life's greatest gifts, and anyone who loves to cook can taste the difference from a mile away. Jarred garlic has its place... but that place is not in restaurant food. Come on, Manga Qui--you're so close to perfection! Spend the extra few bucks, use fresh garlic, and you'll have this Italian singing your praises instead of staging a garlic intervention.

Still the best food, service and local atmosphere! It's the best kept secret in VB. It's not just…read morethe food, it's also the custom cocktails that make the place.

Great food and friendly people. We have been there often and will definitely continue to visit.read more

Food was just okay. The $10 meatballs were absolutely not worth it. They tasted frozen, lacked any…read morereal flavor, and were basically oversized Chef Boyardee meatballs--which is honestly an insult to Chef Boyardee. The restaurant itself also had some issues. The ceiling tile above our table was literally falling out and looked like it was one bump away from landing on someone. On top of that, it was uncomfortably hot inside. Considering how hot it was outside, it seemed like the air conditioning either wasn't working or wasn't turned on. The biggest disappointment was the service and how the restaurant handled multiple mistakes. We had a party of eight, and our checks were completely messed up--including one check that somehow had a 42% gratuity added. That's the kind of error that should have been easy to correct. Things only got worse from there. One person's leftovers were taken to be boxed up and never came back. When we asked about them, they returned with a steaming hot container of broth and tomatoes... except the original meal was seafood with shrimp, mussels, and fish. It was obvious the food had been lost and hastily replaced. Another friend had his leftover pizza dropped in the kitchen. To make up for it, they offered him a complimentary dessert... then actually charged him for it. The final straw was the interaction with the "manager." When one of our friends politely questioned her bill, he immediately became aggressive and said, "How can I fix this problem? I'm not a mind reader." Instead of listening, he became defensive from the start. He first offered about $80 worth of desserts, then agreed to remove part of the bill instead. A short time later, he returned and claimed he couldn't do anything because "the manager wasn't in yet"--despite presenting himself as the manager moments earlier. The entire interaction was rude, unprofessional, and completely unnecessary. The only bright spot of the evening was our waitress. She was kind, attentive, and clearly doing her best despite everything going wrong around her. Mistakes happen, but she handled herself with professionalism and kindness all night. Unfortunately, between the mediocre food, the multiple service failures, and the way management treated our group, this was not an experience I'd want to repeat.

Absolutely amazing! Outstanding everything!…read moreHighly recommend! Clean, knowledgeable, service, food,

Came for a celebratory dinner with our closest friends. Overall, everything was fantastic. The…read moreonly complaint was my husband wished the pasta had sauce on it and most of our dishes were just a bit over salted. That said, I would definitely come back.

First time here and won't be the last. Fresh delicious food, bartender was friendly, welcoming and…read morehelpful with helping us to choose an entree. Such a real authentic experience with Italian cuisine, loved it!

The server was very friendly, but I felt neglected. Our reservation was for 7:30. It took them over…read morean hour to take our order and then when we were ready for the check, that also took awhile. The oysters were DELICIOUS!! Definitely a must try!! I ordered the Alfredo. The sauce was tasty and noodles perfectly cooked. I didn't like the quality of the sausage or the chicken in the dish.

I was really excited to try Gaston's Italian Steakhouse because I'd been looking forward to having…read morea great steak. Our first impression was very good. We were greeted immediately, seated right away, and our waitress was attentive and friendly throughout the evening. Before ordering, I actually spoke with the owner, Gaston, because I wanted his recommendation for the best steak on the menu. He confidently recommended the Cowboy Ribeye, assuring me that it was one of their signature steaks. I ordered it medium rare with a little char, exactly the way I enjoy it. I also asked if I could substitute the mashed potatoes and broccoli for another side since I don't eat either of those. I was told substitutions were not allowed. For a $60 steak, I found that disappointing. I wasn't asking for anything extravagant--just a different vegetable or a simple side salad. When my steak arrived, it was much smaller than I expected for the price and didn't resemble the Cowboy Ribeye I was anticipating. It was cooked slightly over medium rare, and while it wasn't terrible, the flavor was only average and had a slightly off taste, almost as if the broiler hadn't been cleaned recently. To make matters worse, the mashed potatoes and broccoli I had specifically asked to leave off the plate were served anyway. To be fair, the service was excellent. Our waitress handled everything professionally and even apologized for the sides, explaining the kitchen had plated them before she could stop it. The chicken scallopini ordered by someone else in our party was very good, and the other chicken entrées were also enjoyed. Unfortunately, I came for the steak, and that's where the experience fell well short of expectations. At this price point, I expected a high-quality cut of beef, some flexibility with side dishes, and an overall experience that matched the cost. Instead, it felt like every effort was made to minimize portions and avoid accommodating a simple request. I always try to support local restaurants, and I don't enjoy leaving negative reviews. But when you're paying premium prices, the food should reflect it. Based on my experience, I can't recommend the steaks here.

While in the area finishing up a wine event, my friend and I decided to stop by Gaston's for…read moredinner. With it being a Thursday evening, we were able to be seated right away because it was practically empty. Gaston's is absolutely beautiful. The entrance displays a beautiful, vibrant picture of Italy. There's also a stand that displays the Dining Area Dress Code, which is Business Casual Attire. Our server stopped by our table and was very pleasant. She was able to answer all of our questions and gave us some time to look over the menu. The complimentary Focaccia Bread with the fresh tomatoes were simple yet delicious. We had olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the table as well that could be used as a dipping oil for the bread. I decided on the Onion Soup to start, which was very savory and delicious. For my entree, I ordered the Wagyu Bolognese and my friend ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo. Unfortunately, the pasta in our dishes were a bit hard and chewy, it should've been cooked a tad bit longer. Also, my friend asked if the pasta was homemade and the server let us know that it wasn't...we could tell! You would think for an Italian restaurant like this, they would've had homemade pasta, it definitely would've helped the dish. The Bolognese was okay but lacked a lot of flavor. I barely ate it. The restaurant was beautiful and the service was great but I've had better pasta elsewhere. If I were to return, it would probably be for the soup and appetizers.