Sardella’s: One of Newport’s Finest Places to Dine

By: Paul Rogers
Posted In: Entertainment

Sardella’s restaurant is one of the most established restaurants in Newport, and its reasonable prices and atmosphere make it a fine dining experience. The availability and personalities of the employees help enhance the experience, making the patron a priority. The restaurant business in Newport is especially competitive, and the need to establish a good reputation is very important. Many factors make Sardella’s one of the premier restaurants in Newport.

Sardella’s is open seven nights a week, and the doors do not close until approximately 11 p.m. each night. Reservations are welcome, especially during the tourist season when it is very hard to get a seat. Sardella’s specializes in Italian cusine and features several function rooms, a bar, and several dining areas, each serving a specific purpose.The main dining room is where most patrons enjoy their meal. This room has several romantic aspects that includes an antique set of books, a fireplace, and quiet candles setting the atmosphere. The bar area is the first room one sees when entering the front of the restaurant. It is easily accessible and can hold a capacity of 23 individuals. Other popular dining areas are the Side Patio and the Tuscan Room. Both are larger rooms with bigger tables for parties of four people or more. Sardella’s has several function rooms that are only used for private parties and events. Of the two rooms, the Oak Room holds 20, while The Salute holds upwards of 60 people. Quite possibly the nicest feature of the restaurant is the Garden Patio. This area is located outside and serves as a small dining space when the weather is nice. All of these rooms are moderated by the staff and wonderful cuisine.

The menus at Sardella’s include antipasto, salad, dinner, dessert, and wine and everything in between. All the prices at Sardella’s are affordable, enabling fine diners to have a meal at a reasonable cost. The appetizer menu has dishes such as soup, breads, clams, and calamari. The salad menu has options including a Caesar or House with several toppings such a peppers, dressings, and croutons. The main dining menu has several types of pasta mixed with dishes of chicken, veal, shrimp, or steak. The desserts are very traditionally Italian and include tiramisu, brulee, cheesecake, and cappuccino. The wine list consists of a wide variety of champagne, red, white, and sparking wines. Bottles range from $20 to $100, with just a few in the very expensive range for special occasions.

Upon arriving on a Saturday night, Sardella’s was quite busy. A table was not readily available, so I took a seat at the bar where only two other patrons were dining. The head bartender, Mark, was quite happy to share his experience at Sardella’s. Despite the typical problems like customers consuming too much alcohol, Mark enjoys his job and he said one of his favorite times to work is when couples rent out one of the private function rooms and celebrate their wedding in Newport.

The hostess did not have much time to speak, due to the restaurant being so busy, but Meredith told me that the patrons are typically small parties, couples and groups of less than four. Families and children rarely attend, partly because it is more of a private gathering for a romantic evening.

The waiter for our meal was a middle-aged man named Brian, a polite and courteous individual who helped us enjoy our two hour meal. While deciding on what to eat, Brian told me that Sardella’s specializes in their chicken dishes, with Pollo Alla Parmigana being their most popular dish. Pasta makes up many of the entrees, with Penne being the most popular type.

The dining experience at Sardella’s was quite enjoyable, and since they hae a great atmosphere and welcoming staff, it is no wonder Sardella’s has established themselves as one of the premier restaurants in Newport. With such a competitive market, Sardella’s does a wonderful job at coming out on top.

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