Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro

Review summary

1. C

   Cynthia

   VIP

   New York City

   8 reviews

   3.0

   8 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Very disappointed in our dinner at Sal e Pepe on December 27th. We have always been so pleased with the food at this restaurant which is not local to us. So we were excited when we discovered that our trip home from vacation would take us past Sal e Pepe’s and we were able to get dinner reservations. My husband had the “Fettuccine Pescatore spicy plum tomato sauce, bay scallops, shrimp, clams, calamari” and I had the “Short Rib Ravioli sherry cream sauce, mushrooms, caramelized onions, sweet red peppers”. We also had the baby Caesar salads and ordered the “Pecan Bourbon Bread Pudding vanilla ice cream, bourbon caramel sauce”. Our issue was entirely with the sauce or lack thereof. (I actually looked up the definition to be sure that I wasn’t misinformed. Merriam Webster does define sauce as “a thick liquid that is eaten with or on food to add flavor.”) My husband’s pasta was so lacking in sauce as to be almost dry. When he pointed out the lack of sauce and said that he had expected “more”, the waiter asked if he wanted some hot peppers to sprinkle on. (We scratched our heads at that one.). My short rib ravioli had a watery sherry cream sauce but at least I could see it and taste it. (In contrast our salads had actually been overdressed and coated in parmesan cheese.). When I ordered the bread pudding and it came with no sauce whatsoever, clearly steaming from being microwaved, I pointed out to our waiter that there was no sauce on the bread pudding and he replied that it was “drizzled on”. I said no there was no sauce and I would like to send it back. At that point, a person who may have been a manager (she did not identify herself), came over and said that the sauce was baked into the pudding and it was indeed microwaved. (Refer to definition of sauce. Clearly they need a new dictionary or cookbook.) I was offered another dessert since they “didn’t want us to be disappointed”, which I declined. Not the best experience.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. P

   Paula

   New York City

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   I have never been disappointed and I have tried almost everything on the menu. Wonderful selections, excellently prepared.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. M

   Michael

   VIP

   New York City

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Exceptional!! Our server was kind and helpful, and the food was absolutely delicious. It was the perfect place for Christmas Eve Dinner. Highly recommend the chicken francese and their vodka sauce on pasta!
   

   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. R

   Rocco

   New York City

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Went there for Christmas Eve with the family. Everybody had a nice time. Everybody loved the food and the service staff members were courteous and very helpful. The special seafood soup was outstanding and a dessert. A chocolate soufflé gosh was unbelievable. Be going back soon 
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. S

   Susan

   New York City

   32 reviews

   5.0

   32 reviews

   Dined on December 16, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had delicious meals with very attentive service.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. M

   Mark

   New York City

   10 reviews

   4.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on December 15, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   First time at this restaurant, was recommended by friends. Good menu selection and overall experience. We would defitely go back.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. N

   Nancy

   VIP

   New York City

   27 reviews

   5.0

   27 reviews

   Dined on December 6, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Sal e Pepe is one of our favorite restaurants in Newtown. Consistently great food- never disappoints. Friendly yet professional staff- make you feel like you are the only customer. Noise level is minimal- they had a private party in the side room but doors closed so you wouldn't know there was a party going on.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. G

   Greg

   New York City

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 1, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We have loved our previous dinner outings here for years past this was unfortunately not the case, meal portions are extremely small for the price point, calamari was enormous and tough to chew, best part of the dinner was the desserts that were ordered, staff was attentive and polite but food quality and portions were not what we have come to know and love. Quiet evening with maybe 4 other tables being served so it was not the case the restaurant was slammed with customers.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. R

   Reetsy

   VIP

   Naples

   23 reviews

   4.0

   23 reviews

   Dined on November 30, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Excellent food mussel app very good girders were impressed
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. R

    Robert

    Seattle

    79 reviews

    4.0

    79 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Our server was very friendly and attentive. My wife ordered the Manilla Clams which were excellent and the Pistachio Encrusted Salmon which was over cooked. I ordered the Baked Rigatoni which was excellent.
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report