Sabatiello's Italian Grill

I saw this place on Kitchen Nightmares. The guy Sammy was extremely rude to the customers and to the staff. No wonder the place closed down. Won't be long for his new place, either. He was using imitation crab meat, steak that wasn't Black Angus, false advertising, and he didn't understand the problem. CLUELESS!! Cons: Rude Sammy more

TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH MR. SABATIELLO YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT HE HAS LOST HIS NEW PIZZARIA IN RIVERSIDE BECAUSE HE NEVER PAYED THE RENT AND GOT EVICTED AND EVEN BETTER NEWS IS WORD ON THE STREET IS HE HAS BEEN SPENDING SOME TIME IN JAIL FOR WHAT HE DID IN STAMFORD... HE DESERVES EVERYTHING THAT IS COMING TO HIM HE IS A DISPICABLE HUMAN BEING... Pros: OWNER LOST NEW RESTAURANT & IS SPENDING SPARE TIME IN JAIL more

Can no one in CT spell? Pros: Closed Cons: Ever Open more

I was told about Sabatiello's in Stamford and how the owner was in a tough time financially. Being a past restaurant owner and having some compassion for local businesses ? I proceeded to set up an event there. Things seemed to be going smoothly with preparations and menu selections. However, to make a long story short in the end my event, which might I add ?was contracted!!? never took place. Come to find out Sabatiello's went out of business and locked its door. After numerous phone calls to the owner ? I heard nothing. I never received an explanation why or what happened? I was totally taken. The topper to this story is the slimball owner charged my credit card they had on file for close to 20 grand. Luckily, with police guidance, I was able to get the money back. Still though I am out the deposit I had to give to hold the space. Thanks Sabatiello's for manning up to your commitments. ALL READING ? I strongly!!! advise staying away from their new restaurant that just opened up in CT. I don?t understand how this owner is able to get licensing to open more restaurants. Goodluck. Pros: Locations Cons: Owner, Business Practices & Ethics more

Sammy actually owned a place in CosCob, CT years back ( 8-10 years ago). We sued to get Pizza & pasta. Food was decnt and a fair price. What bothered me, was he talked me into getting our local school PTA to do a "pizza night" fundraiser. For every pizza ordered, we were supposed to get a dollar kick back. I ordered, and knew of atleast 4 other families that did. ( I am failry certain there were more than 4, with over 400 students ). I went in the next day to pick up the cash, and was told there was $2.00...as only two pizzas had been ordered. He got free publicity, and a pick up in business, but didn't follow through on his end. We immediately stopped going there. Yes, he is opening a place in Riverside, on the Post Rd, next to Yanghzee (?) Chinese, by St. Catherine's church. more

This comment is in regards to the gentleman's below. I would just like to say that I personally have come to know the owner Sam over many years and he is a sincere and hardworking guy. Sabatiellos is getting a bad rep and know one even knows the real story. The landlord not only shut down his restaurant, but went behind his back to rent it to a franchise and gave him little to no time to even pack up! Its been a really hard time for Sam and his family. When Sam tried to convince the landlord to stay just for the holiday season so that he could cater the Christmas parties, the landlord had already closed down the restaurant. Sam is in a very tough position. He's given so much to the community and various benefits ranging all over Connecticut. Why should we crucify him for something that he had no control over? He's done nothing but try to please and satisfy every customer to the best of his ability. He?s an honest man and I?m sure he?ll do anything in his power to correct the situation. Pros: Honest owner, hard working, makes great food! more

I have never encountered a most despicable, heartless, scumbag a**hole of a business owner. not only did he basically commit credit card fraud when we booked a holiday party at his restaurant by charging us twice for the entire party instead of just a deposit but then he closed the restaurant without even telling us so now we not only have nowhere for our party but he took our money and we haven?t gotten it back and i have a feeling its going to be a while until we do! I have tried calling a number of times but no surprise he won?t answer or return any of our calls. By doing a little research I found out that Sammy is opening a pizzeria in riverside next to Yatzee Chinese so anyone that got scammed like we did you can find him there!!!!! Do yourselves a favor and NEVER EVER do business with this guy!!!!!!! more

The owner of this place is probably the rudest have ever had the displeasure to run into. SO unprofessional. The food sucked. Skip this dump. I feel sorry for his staff. You'll feel sorry for yourself if you waste your time and money here. Pros: His staff is friendly and professional Cons: The food was awful and the owner was incredibly rude more

I WOULD NEVER GO BACK HERE. The owner, Sammy is astrocious. He has the worst customer service skills that I have ever seen. He offended both myself and my husband. The food was OK, definitely over priced for what it was. There are so many great restaurants now in Stamford that I will NEVER go back. Charging double when you didn't like something you got in the first place. What an a-hole. more

I did intend to write this review earlier now I see where fate stepped in. When I had dinner here a month or so back my dinning experience was very different from the ones I had read about here on this site. I couldn?t quite figure out how I had such a polar opposite experience to the most recent reviews. Then I caught an episode of ?Kitchen Nightmares? with, Chef Ramsey which featured Sabatiello?s aired on 11/13/08. I knew it; all the recent good reviews were posted (4 of them) on 4/08/08 & the 5th one on 4/09/08. All these were more then mere good reviews they read like advertisements. All of which boasts a different and more appealing facet of this restaurant, including the 180% heroic generous turn about of the owner. My experience was our 15th anniversary and we never were treated to a free dessert, glass of champagne or appetizer. In fact our server was short with us as new dinners our food was way too slow coming out and poorly made with no flavor dirty plate rims and some mushy old greens in our salads. We never really got any sort of apology. My bet is the last 5 reviews were written by the owner himself. Mostly because they were self-serving in making a silk purse out of a jack#ss. We did hear him spouting off in the distance but at the time thought he was just some customer now we know. We did get a thank you on the way out and I remember thinking for what our hard earned cash that you just ripped us off for. If I could give a lesser score or negative stars I would Pros: how can you screw up a scotch on the rocks Cons: We'll never get that money or night back more

I had my engagement party at Sabatiello's about 3 months ago and I can?t begin to tell you how great it was! Everything was perfect from the music that was played to the flowers and candles on the tables. The room was set up perfectly, the servers were very attentive to all my 60 guests, and the food was out of this world. I picked an ultimate menu with a lot of choices but I decided to go with a gorgonzola salad, fried calamari, stuffed rolls, cold antipasto, salmon canapes, and teriyaki chicken, then we had lobster ravioli and then we had a melt in your mouth steak and shrimp Franchese. On top of all the food that I selected the owner surprised us with an additional appetizer of coconut shrimp and instead of 3 hours open bar he gave us 4hours! How can you beat a deal like that?! We were all so stuffed that we barely touched the desserts! The atmosphere was so beautiful and it really made my night unforgettable. Me and my fiance have been back to have dinner since the party and the owner was so nice and happy to see us; he even sent over 2 glasses of champagne and dessert! We love this place so much that we are even thinking about having our wedding reception here!! I definitely suggest that you go to Sabatiello?s you wont be disappointed!! Pros: perfect place for a special event! Cons: the food is so great that you end up eating too much! more

The negative comments that I have read about this restaurant couldn?t have been further from the truth in my opinion. here is a business owner doing all that he can to survive in a crashing economy and ignorant rude people are trying to take away business from him because they think they are high & mighty above everyone else. Apparently they think very highly of themselves to claim something is not worth their perfect standards & in that case they should stay home because no one wants to be around people like that. Not very many people seem to realize how hard it is to own their own their own business right now & thus have no right to be so harsh until they do. I am a regular at this restaurant for a reason & I have never had a complaint in the 2 years I?ve been coming. The food, the service, the ambiance are all wonderful. I even stay to enjoy the music & dance on a Saturday night which is a lot of fun! In the past few weeks I have noticed a number of changes to the restaurant such as the menu, new awnings and paint & a new attitude to survive. The change of menu in recent weeks is such a great way to try something new but still have the option to have my old favorites like the lasagna & chicken parm. It?s hard to pick my favorite entree since I like them all! The new steaks melt in your mouth & the side dishes compliment them perfectly, the double baked potato is a must! The lamb chops & the swordfish steaks are wonderful. There is a new chocolate truffle cake that is out of this world! I have never seen an owner or restaurant try so hard as I do here. Although the methods may not always be conventional to some people?s high standards, they are creative and I really give them credit for doing whatever they can to make it. I will continue to be a regular & I suggest that you give this restaurant a try! You shouldn?t let other peoples bad comments influence your decision to go to Sabatiello?s, because you will be missing out on great food! Pros: delicious food more

My entire firm orders lunch daily and uses sabatiello's for catering our exculsive events. Every order is made fresh to perfection. On my off time my girl friends and I love to kick back and enjoy the high energy of the dj while indulging ourselves in the fried calamari and apple martinis! The crowd is consistently hoppin' and the staff always makes me feel like a celebirty! The food presentation is a work of art and truly defines Italian culture. Sabatiello's is afordably priced and keeps me wanting more! Pros: affordable, great serivice, up beat crowd, terrific food! more

First off, these petty, negative comments must be out of frivolous spite or jealousy because I have had nothing but great food, service, and charity, from not only the staff at Sabatiellos, but the owner personally as well. I have had numerous Christmas, birthday, and company parties and have not one bad thing to say about Sabatiellos. Sammy the owner has always accommodated my family and co-workers in every way possible whether it be with catering, fair prices, or simply making us feel welcome. Also I recently herd that the landlord wanted to put something new in the building and kicked Sabatiellos out not even allowing them to finish upcoming Christmas parties! It's nothing but a shame. My deepest sympathies go out to Sammy his family, and the staff. Sam is a genuine person and I know that he would never cheat some one out of money or decency. His food is spectacular price is never an issue, and portions are always plentiful. Sammy and staff at sabatiellos don't let the ignorance of people stop you from being the pleasure and delight that you are to the community! I look forward to ordering food at your new location! Best of luck! Pros: Service, food, hospitality, modestly humble owner. more

I don't understand why this restaurateur gets such bad puplisicty and reviews when myself & my company have experienced nothing but flawless service and spectacular food. Everything from the appitizers to the delicious home made desserts are phenomenal. The environment is extermly upbeat and friendly and the owner gave us a privte tour of the resturant and even the kitchen! I hope that the public can share this fantastic experience that Sabatiello's has to offer. Pros: attentive serivce, friendly owner, amazing food! Cons: none. more

Stopped in one night by myself and took dinner at the bar. The owner spent the duration of my seating cursing out his teenage child over the phone at the bar. The 'F' bomb was ubiquitous throughout dinner. I feel really sorry for his family - at least I needed only walk out the door. Save yourself an evening to forget! Pros: N/A Cons: Detestable staff more

i just moved to stamford and found this wonderful restaurant right down the street. i love italian food and this is by far the best ive had in a while. it is convenient, delicious, and beautiful inside. ill admit i was a little nervous after reading the nasty reviews by some other people but please believe me they couldnt be further from the truth. my advice is to try it and judge it for yourself, you wont regret it! Pros: delicious food, conventient location, great atmosphere Cons: the desert looks so good you cant leave without trying it more

I had the worst experience at this restaurant. ANY other restaurant would be a better choice. McDonald's has better customer service. The waitstaff is not knowledgeable, attentive nor do they understand a word of English, which makes ordering extreamly frustrating. They do not seem to be trained well nor do they care if they are accomodating. The food is very average wanna-be italian food, very basic and overpriced for what it is. The owner is the most obnoxious human being I have ever dealt with. On one occasion he was sending the waiter over to tell my friend she was cute, on another occasion he was irate and yelling at a co-worker and myself. I will never return to this place and hand this owner a penny more of my money. He has no clue about the service industry. He charged for more people than attended and made very rude remarks on our way out. STAY AWAY, especially if you feel like enjoying your evening. Pros: Easy to leave and never come back Cons: Owner, Waitstaff, Customer Service, Inappropriate Behavior more

This is by far my favorite restaurant in CT! The food is absolutely delicious and the staff is very friendly. The atmosphere is wonderful and perfect for any occasion. I have been here so many times that I've lost count. I come with my husband, my children, and my friends and I am never disappointed. The weekends are the most fun and there is no reason to go anywhere else because you can have a wonderful dinner with a piano player and then you can dance the night away to the DJ or band. This is a definite must try restaurant for anyone who is looking for a great meal and a good time! Pros: delicious food! great atmosphere! entertainment! Cons: portions are big and sometimes there is no room for dessert more

the restaurant is in a prime location in Stamford and during the summer months its a nice place to be. Sabatiello's was previously Cafe Morelli, which was an overall good place for a long lazy lunch. Since the restaurant changed hands, it seems that the new owner has tried to capitalize on the boom in Stamford at any cost. The food quality has gone down and prices gone up. The service is not professional with a bunch of unexperienced staff who are neither friendly nor courteous and expect an 18% tip. Since becoming Sabatiello's, I've been there twice and have since decided not to go back. The restaurant business should be all about customer satisfaction, yet this place is all about milking the customer with bad service... Pros: Location Cons: service, food quality, cost more