Villa Sorriso

The night started with our hostess seating us at an unfinished table. Instead of taking us back to the hostess stand to wait while the bussers finished the table she sat three of us and had the fourth stand in the middle of the dining room for over 5 minutes. The soup had to be sent back because it was cold. Once it was reheated it was brought back the same time the other entrees were being served. The waitress asked if I wanted my entree kept under a warmer while I finished my soup. Are you kidding me? I was already unhappy with the cold clam chowder. I didn't want to be unhappy with a meal that was already cooked and kept under a warmer. We ordered a steak which had to be sent back because it came out medium well instead of medium rare. The steak was taken off the bill however, the horrible service overshadowed the nice gesture. When we made our reservation we let the person taking the reservation know we were celebrating a birthday. It was also conveyed again to the hostess when we arrived. There was no communication!!!! The server came out at the end of the meal with dessert menus. One of us left the table to find the waitress because apparently there was no communication between the hostess and the server. The bad service was reflected in the lack of tip our server received at the end of the night. Our server decided to pay our table one last visit before we left to let us know in a very snide and rude tone how much she appreciated our business. The staff from the hostess to the servers should definitely take a recourse on customer service and how to work in a restaurant that is being advertsied as "upscale". We left very disappointed because we were trying to entertain guests from out of town and thought we were bringing them to an upscale establishment that served good food and an above the bar wait staff. We will definitely not return to this restaurant and will not recommend it to anyone that inquires about restaurants in Old Town Pasadena. Pros: Valet Parking Cons: Food and Service more

My friends and I went there for dinner and drinks and dancing. I took a bite from my chicken and I felt sick. The good thing is that they took my meal off the bill, even though I didn't ask them to....so that was very considerate of them. Afterwards, we had some drinks by some AMAZINGLY hot bartenders! The DJ was one of the best I ever heard......GREAT music and doesn't change the song in the middle of it! Really great vibe there and good people. I'd def go there again......after dinner. Pros: Bartenders, DJ, Parking (valet is cheaper) Cons: chicken more

We had made reservations and STILL had to wait to be seated. We had addressed the issue with 3 different people including one of the managers and did not get a prompt response from ANYONE. About 30 min pass our reservation time we were beginning to blend with the furniture and felt pretty much invisible. Meanwhile, in our plain sight sat two empty tables one of which was ready and the other was not cleaned for another 10 minutes. In the meanwhile there was a wait line and people began seating themselves. One couple was even removed from their table because it was one that someone else already had asked for. The place was in complete chaos while the staff was coming around and going as if they didn't even work there at all. After a mediocre lunch, we were slapped with a mandatory "gratuity" fee that could cover a party of 6 (we were 3) for the service of the buffet which we served ourselves! Apparently it is customary to charge gratuity for buffet, however, neither one of the managers (there were two) could provide a decent explanation as to why and I eventually found out by calling other restaurants. On top of all that, we got overcharged, but that's another story... Pros: location Cons: service, food more

The Sorriso and Caprese Panini me and a friend ordered were very ordinary and not worth $8-9 per. But the loacation and service were nice and made up for the lacking dishes. Maybe they have other dishes that may measure up. Will come back to try again. Pros: location, serive Cons: The food more

I went there for dinner on a first date. We ordered two entrees and an appetizer. The appetizer arrives no problem. Then the waiter brings over the entrees, but they were both the WRONG ones. I tell him and he brings the correct ones over about 15 mins later. Maybe I should have reviewed the bill carefully because the next day, I realized that they charged me for the appetizer, our two entrees, and FOR ONE OF THE INCORRECT ENTREES. I basically paid another $20 for the waiter's stupid mistake. I called the restaurant the next day to complain and they said they'd refund me that extra entree. I didn't really care whether or not I got a refund, I wanted to make them aware of the terrible service. Nevertheless, a month later....still no refund. P.S. - The food was rather unremarkable as well. Never going back there and neither should you. Pros: Uh, the valet guy was pretty funny Cons: Service, food more

I don't normally comment on these types of things but after my experience at Villa Sorriso I could not keep my thoughts to myself. I can be a pretty harsh critic when it comes to restaurants, as I dine out often, so when something deserves praise, I want to make it known. My girlfriends and I had dinner there over the weekend and loved everything about the place. From the efficient host to the delightful server to the delectable food, we could not have been more pleased. I had the Mista Salad to start, then the Halibut for my entree and both were excellent. After dinner we enjoyed the nightclub atmosphere and a very attentive cocktail server took care of us for the rest of the evening. Be sure to sit on the patio, try their specialty martinis (the Desperate Housewife was my favorite) and make a reservation on Saturday nights. We are so glad we did. Pros: A lovely experience all around more

I am the birthday boy mentioned in the review below and I just wanted to add my 2 cents. This restaurant had fairly decent food and I really like the ambiance. Our waiter was cool too. The only problem that I had, as mentioned in the other review, was with the security staff. Our meal was interrupted no less than 4 times by these guys demanding that my friend take off his hat (he was well dressed by the way, actually dressed better than most of the other people in the restaurant.) After the first incident, the waiter said not to worry, since it was so cold out and the restaurant couldn't provide us with another heater, the hat was okay. Well, I guess it wasn't because the security came back 3 more times over the next hour and a half. The fourth time, they came back with 2 bouncers even. They said, either take off the hat or leave, and this was right in the middle of dinner! I can understand if they want to have a dress code for their "club" or whatever it was, but we were dinner guests in the restaurant. We came in without anyone mentioning a thing about the hat at the door. Our bill came out to well over $600 and these guys were treating us like some punks trying to crash the party. The even told my friend with the hat that it was a privilege for him to be eating there. What in the ??!? I felt like I was in a Ron White comedy sketch. On top of that, my brother arrived 30 minutes late to dinner and they wouldn't even let him in to join us without paying a $10 cover charge!! Basically, this whole incident put a damper on my birthday party. Even when we tried to talk to the manager, they started bad-mouthing my friend. I can accept a minor amount of snobby attitude at certain places, but Villa Sorriso is definitely not quality enough for me to put up with any of it. more

To start with the positive ? I got the patio table I reserved and the calamari and bread were okay. The server wasn?t too bad either ? well? nice guy, slow service. Now, to why I am writing the review. I had planned a small gathering for a friends 30th birthday and made reservations for 15 people for a Friday night casual patio dinner. It started off with the hostess refusing to seat us until at least 1/2 of the party arrived?. The place was empty, so I didn?t see the problem. After we finally got seated, it took at least 15 minutes for the server to first show his face and take drink orders. After another 15 minutes he returned with the drinks and we had to ask for the bread and if he could bring any appetizers. Finally, about 45 minutes after we sat down, we ordered our dinner. The food came quick but my $18 pizza was extremely dry. Now for the part that ruined any chance of my return. The restaurant turns into a dance club/lounge after dinner hours ? which seems to be around 10pm. Once this happened, the lights start flashing red and blue and the security begins to swarm. 4 security men, at separate times, came up to our table in the middle of our meal and requested ? with major attitude ? that my friend (1 of the 15 people) take off his hat. After the 4th interruption I went to speak with the manager to request he ask his security to stop the hassling. The manager refused ? said they have a strict dress code. When I mentioned that no one told me this during my reservation or when we sat down, he did not care. He responded by telling me I shouldn?t even be wearing the shoes I had on! He became very aggressive and flat out refused to help. When I walked back to the table the security was there again, this time in a group, speaking with our server. The outcome was that my friend was asked to pay the bill and leave right away. There was no apology and for the remainder of the evening I felt like the entire security staff was staring. Pros: Ambience is okay for a casual - but not for a restaurant that enforces a dress code. Cons: Management more

I mean, seriously???? Okay, my husband and I gave this place two tries: once for dinner, and another time just for drinks in the lounge. Dinner was pretty bad. I should say.. the food was pretty bad. The crowd was great. Serive, pretty good. But I can't get over how bad the food was. Bland and greasy. I love food, and I would have much rather had fantastic food, and bad service (although, having both would be great). Anyways... food was a no-no.... but I drank enough wine to make the food taste less bad. The second time around, we thought we'd just drop in for some martinis since we looooved the ambience of the restaurant. NO. Took forever to make a simply dry martini and cosmo... and the martinis were below par. We don't understand the raves this restaurant gets.... perhaps because there isn't a lot of great restaurants in pasadena?? no, that's not it. I eat out a lot... all over... and there are plenty of better restaurants/ martini/wine lounges in pasadena. I have to say though, it's a fantastic-looking space... but a great looking place doesn't make up for bad food and drinks. Pros: ambience Cons: food, drinks, service more

I mean, seriously???? \r Okay, my husband and I gave this place two tries: once for dinner, and another time just for drinks in the lounge. Dinner was pretty bad. I should say.. the food was pretty bad. The crowd was great. Serive, pretty good. But I can't get over how bad the food was. Bland and greasy. I love food, and I would have much rather had fantastic food, and bad service (although, having both would be great). Anyways... food was a no-no.... but I drank enough wine to make the food taste less bad. The second time around, we thought we'd just drop in for some martinis since we looooved the ambience of the restaurant. NO. Took forever to make a simply dry martini and cosmo... and the martinis were below par. We don't understand the raves this restaurant gets.... perhaps because there isn't a lot of great restaurants in pasadena?? no, that's not it. I eat out a lot... all over... and there are plenty of better restaurants/ martini/wine lounges in pasadena. I have to say though, it's a fantastic-looking space... but a great looking place doesn't make up for bad food and drinks. Pros: ambience Cons: food, drinks, service more

If you are young and single or just want to hang out somewhere were you do not want to see knuckle heads. This is the place to be at. This fine Pasadena establishment is a great place to eat and have drinking in the evening. I have gone to many places and at one time or another sometimes tell myself that certain places would be great if certain crowds were not here. Well this place did that for me. Everything about this place is good. See for yourself. Pros: Location Cons: It is not a club, so I don't know why they charge admission. more

I've been there a few times, and always had a great time. Their salmon are to die for, and also they have flavored iced tea that's really good. For dinner, you want to seat outside for more romantic feeling. Pros: Great food, great outdoor seating, great environment more

This place not only is great for dinner.. but also on friday and saturday nights after the restuarant hours turns into a bar/club scene. Great music is played, making u enjoy the whole night.. Great place to go to if u want to also have a birthday or a small shindig.. with a VIP lounge area. more

A great place if you want to get drinks and get in the social scene. Avoid at all cost if you want to go eat. This place serves badly cooked dishes at a VERY EXPENSIVE price. Fettucine Alfredo tastes like its from a can and only fills up half the plate for $15 the Lagsana tastes from Chef Boyardee for $15 Pros: Good Decoration, Sophisticated, Drinks Cons: EXPENSIVE BAD FOOD more

\r This is a great place to eat on a warm summer night, or to have a nice\r afternoon lunch. The patio is wonderful, the service is terrific and the\r food is very good.\r more

This is a great place to eat on a warm summer night, or to have a nice afternoon lunch. The patio is wonderful, the service is terrific and the food is very good. more

Extremely disappointed with the restaurant. They have a rodent running around in the restaurant and they still open the area for service. They knew about the situation and when we inform them that we saw a rodent their answer is that it's common in LA to have a rodent. Don't go to this restaurant. more

This food was absolutely terrible and the wait was too long. I also thought the service was terrible. I definitely wouldn't recommend this place! more

This place is fabulous. 12 of my coworkers and I had lunch there earlier in the week, and left the restaurant not only with full bellies, but smiles on our faces. We explained to both the hostess and server that we were on a tight time schedule, and they assured us that we would be taken care of. The service was quick, the food hot and fulfilling and where do I begin with how lovely the place is!? The staff was very helpful, boxing our leftovers quickly and even correcting a mistake on the bill very quickly and graciously. Needless to say, we were very happy with the afternoon, and we are even considering having our Holiday party there. Pros: service, food, timing Cons: slow valet more

I took my girlfriend out to Villa Sorriso for our 3rd anniversary last night, and I was super impressed with this place. My girlfriend and I were awestruck with the beautiful surroundings. Our server was pleasant and efficient. I ordered the Chicken Marsala which was so flavorful and succulent. My girlfriend got one of the pasta dishes and she barely looked up from her plate! We had an awesome time, and I recommend this place for anyone looking for instant romance. Pros: surroundings, food, quality Cons: needs BIG dancefloor! more