sarafino's

we called to see if we could reserve space 3 or 4 weeks in advance. they told us they don't take reservations, but that we shouldn't have a problem. they took our name and also told us to call the day of. sounds suspiciously like a... i don't know... reservation?? so we did that. we show up for our "reservation" and guess what? restaurant is full, and the rude employees are claiming they have no idea what we're talking about and have no record of our name. ok, how long will we have towaitfor tables to open up? they have no idea, could be hours. did i mention this was my wedding rehearsal dinner? i was pisssssssssssssssed. maybe don't tell people that their wedding rehearsal party of 17 will have no problems getting into your restaurant? this was several years ago and out of the kindness of my heart then, i didn't post a scathing review. fast forward to this new year's eve and we find ourselves at sarafino's with a group of friends. we get seated and in my absent-mindedness of their byob policy, order a titos and soda. a large, sloppy, obviously drunk man proceeds to make fun of me the entire night because of it. "how's your titos??!!" he yelled to me several times. did i mention the sloppy man was the owner of sarafino's? my friend called the restaurant ahead of time on nye to see how late they're open etc. they tell her we can't arrive until 5 or 6 pm because there's a private party scheduled for 4 pm that day. you mean a private party that was reserved for 4 pm that day? i thought to myself, "that sure as hellllllll had better be a sarafino's employee party." i suspect sarafino's caters to their "regulars" in the italian crafton mob. although our waitress was polite and efficient, and the food is good, the service is reprehensible. if you're not the owner's friend, you don't matter. why be professional and kind to customers or keep your filthy restaurant clean when you can get by on the business of your friends?

a bit of italy in crafton. those who've lived and dined in italy will appreciate the atmosphere and food at sarafino's. a favorite of pittsburgh's own rick sebak and many others, this place will make you happy. great food. kind staff. i have never had a bad experience. in fact, i have taken groups of people for lunch and dinner and we have always enjoyed the food and thewaitstaff. a nice place in crafton.

it is what it is!. the call ahead seating is a joke. i called two days before and 45 min. before our visit. why bother calling at all? got there at 7:30 pm, didn't get served our dinners until 9:30 pm. told the owner he should take reservations. he said" we never have" and that was the end of our conversation. yes the place is dirty, crowded, there is no place to stand while you wait, so you're automatically in the way of thewaitstaff. and they were frazzled. they were just too busy for their own good and they're shooting themselves in the foot. you just get the feeling that they just don't care to get any better. yet people will still probably keep going because the food is very good and it's byob. some of the early dinner patrons just stayed too long and drank their wine. they actually had to ask one table to leave. then the chef starts yelling from the kitchen, "we need tables!" in other words, "get the hell out!". the wine glasses are little jam glasses. the men's room was clean. it will be a long while before we consider returning.

another great meal. had a fine meal last weekend, vodka penne my fave. daughter had the bolonaise and my son had the pizza. everything was great and not a longwaitfor food. looking forward to the veal chop next time as it looked yummy!


-----05 oct, 2012-----

family fare. have visited sarafino's on many occasions and find it delightful. food is good, staff is friendly, place is small and sometimes thewaitis abit long but well worth it. i usually opt for the vodka penne with rita sauce....bread and dipping oil goes well with the house salad....byob is great on the wallet......will have to try the pizza sometime..looks very good.

real italian. i have become a regular at sarafino's. actually, i am an addict. the food is soooo good and homemade. our new york friends always ask to make a visit to sarafino's. the space is small so at times there may be a wait, although we have never had a problem waiting at a byob establishment! lol
some tips for those wanting to become regulars at sarafino's......
1. attend a few funerals at mcdermott's.
2.tell joey that his son's baby photo is the cutest you've ever seen.
3. tell joey that his baby photo is the cutest you've ever seen.
4.mention the fact that you know the circle inn used to be a funeral home.
5.discuss how you saw "the blob" in sarafino's when it used to be the crafton theatre.
6.know at least one grandma ducky story.
7. be able to identify a family member in the photos with your favorite recipe.
8.bring your appetite, the portions are big.
9 bring your personality if you have one. don't expect them to be your entertainment.
10. lastly, strap on a set,waitin line, quit your whining, and before you know it...... you will be a regular too!
bon appetit!

just went for the first time last night based off a recommendation from a friend. the food was great and came out hot, however thewaitstaff was not very friendly or attentive. also, they seated our reserved party of 7 directly across from the door which meant that we constantly got blasted with cold air not to mention the person sitting at the end of the table had to keep moving his chair every time patrons came and left...very annoying! when we asked if we could be seated in the back we were told that we couldn't.

food is fine but the service is often spotty. don't pick a night when thewaitstaff is in a bad mood.

good food. the food we ordered was good, not great; the prices are very reasonable. enjoyed the casual atmosphere; however, it was a very hot day and it was very hot, almost uncomfortable, in the restaurant. we were extremely unimpressed with ourwaitperson. she was curt and not in the least attentive. this comes from a person who does not like to be overly obsessed over while dining. but the worse thing she did, and i really detest this from anywaitperson, is when she took our money, asked, "do you want change?"waitpeople of the world: this is the absolute worse thing you can say to a customer. when someone says that to me, i have an almost uncontrollable urge not to leave them a tip whatsoever. what should be said is, "i will be right back with your change." just a note, although not my primary job, i have waited many a table. if we do not return or give an outstanding review to friends, it will be because of ourwaitperson. we would not go back there and have herwaiton us.

italian gem. we can't believe that we've lived a few miles from this restaurant and just discovered it in december. the restaurant is small and intimate, but worth thewaitfor a table! we have always found the waitstaff friendly and attentive.

the standard menu has a lot of good options, but the specials really rock. we try something different on each visit and have never been disappointed.

the restaurant is byob.

be back for pizza!. took a party with me on sat. and thewaitwas worth it! hadn't been there for a couple of years and just as good as remembered. shannon and her waitstaff treated us to a delicious time. get the greens and beans. fantastic. hey, gnat woman:get over yourself! glad you are not going back-lesswaitfor me!

loved it!. we had a very nice dinner here last night. the atmosphere is so relaxed. though sarafino's doesn't serve alcohol you are welcome to bring your own.

we were started off with complimentary warm, fresh bread alongside sun dried tomato infused olive oil. always a nice start.

our appetizer, greens and beans, were fresh, plentiful and heaped with onions, sausage and sun dried tomatoes. there was just a hint of heat to the seasoning which i liked.

entrees were rita's, penne pasta served in a vodka cream sauce with sauteed garlic, pancetta and parmigiano cheese. and della's spring diavola, rotini pasta with pancetta, peas, sauteed garlic and sage leaves. all dishes were well portioned and well perpared.

we all decided that returning to srafafino's is a must. i cannotwaitto try the polenta.

if you want to eat good food in a relaxed comfortable atmosphere with attentive service then i highly recommend sarafino's.