Ristorante Sarnelli's

First time eating here. From the moment we walked in, the servers/hostesses were great. They were so nice and very prompt with service. The owner was so friendly. We were not dressed as nice as we should have been for a beautiful place like this but it didn't matter. My teenage daughter and her friend loved the food, atmosphere, service and music as much as I did. We had the fettuccine alfredo and it was superb. The best Italian I have ever had. Strongly recommend going if you haven't been. Service was fast and courteous. more

We have eaten here on numerous occasions and still go back. The food is low end authentic Italian, aptmospere is like ""low rent"" classy. Most authentic Italian run establishments have a much better attitude about service. The Sarnellis are only impressed by your ""apparent"" station in life. Strange when you consider that they own a business that could only allow them lower middle class status. The owner/hostess is very rude to most customers, and usually picks out a table of perceived affluence to spend all of the attention on (the staff follows her like the Germans followed Hitler),her Italian accent is worked on, but lends a little extra ambience... Never the less, Sarnellis is adequate Italian cuisine, and atmosphere. Much better than the immitation Italian that is the only alternative in our area. Ladies wear a dress, and men wear a suit and tie, if you care about being VIP status. She might even sing a little ""mamma mia"" for you if you look and act especially important. more

This is as close to an actual Italian restaurant as Ive ever gotten. The care taken in the decor blew me away. I went with a freind and we were not treated ""Rudely"" (I personally dont like to be patronized, even if i pay more I pay for the food. Not to be loved) They actually do the table setting the way high class restaurants do. i was very impressed and I was given good service The food. was good but it did not WOW me. It wasnt really spicey or anything and I thought the portions were small. I am American though , but dont go here expecting a plate overflowing with food. you will get european portions. I do not really like judging food but I will say I thought my little side dish of pasta had some really bland sauce. almost just tomato paste This would be a great place to take your girlfreind as it is VERY Romantic. Pink cloth napkins and roses on the table. She will definately be impressed. If you do not score after taking her here then you need to find a new girlfreind. I ended up taking a drinking buddy so that ended up being akward Pros: Decor, tablesetting Cons: Small portions more

Ambiance is like a tired old living room, it smells musty. more

I have been to Sarnelli's on 10 to 15 occasions. We find that Rosaria Sarnelli, the owner, is the hostess (dare I say it) and is CHOOSY on who she acknowledges and how she treats people (good and bad). On some occasions, she is delightful (it helps to be in a dress for ladies and a suit jacket for gentlemen). On others, we are scowled at. We are professional people and spend money at Sarnelli's but were told one night that she needed to attend to another table because they were doctors. Who cares! Pros: Food Cons: Attitude more

Ristorante Sarnelli’s 2023 Park Ave Orange Park, FL 32073 (904) 269-1331 When traveling I always try to... more

Ristorante Sarnelli’s 2023 Park Ave Orange Park, FL 32073 (904) 269-1331 When traveling I always try to find authentic little local Italian p... more

I recently organized a birthday dinner for my wife at Sarnelli's which included sixteen people. We had a delightful dinner and I can say that the service and quality of food were excellent. What's more, the total tab was much less than I expected it to be. I heartily recommend this restaurant. I am aware of some of the negative comments made and can only say that I have patronized this establishment for a number of years, have had many dinners there, and have never had a negative experience. more

Our family tried to eat at Sarnellis based on reccomendations from friends. We were ignored upon arriving for 10 minutes. (There were 5 empty tables plus we had reservations) We had to ask the waiter about the specials. He had to ask us to repeat everything we said 3 times minimum. We asked for a refill and our glass wasn't returned. After 30 minutes of waiting on our drink, we asked about it and we were told by our waiter that it wasn't his job. By that time I needed another drink too, and he refused to take my glass. The food was fair at best. The service was unacceptable. It's not my concern who's job it is to fill my empty cup. If you want to spend $$$$ to eat frozen shrimp, be ignored and treated like 2nd class citizens, by all means, go for it.. Pros: Small, Intimate. Could be a good thing if they treated you like more than an inconvenience. Cons: If you ask for a refill, the waiter might give you lessons on who's responsibility it actually is to get you a drink! more

Best EVER!!! Make a reservation, or you will not get seated and then enjoy. Everything is sooo fresh and tasty. I have to drive an hour but it is worth every min. My in-laws make it there first destination when coming in town from PA. Yea - it is that good! Pros: Best Italian around Cons: you have to have a reservation more

This place should be in a ""BIG"" city like Hotlanta, not a little place like Orange Park, but what can you do? Haven't found anyplace in ATL that can touch Sarnelli's, chef Manuel Sanelli is ""World Class"" He should get on that Iron Chef show and open up a case of u-know-what on Iron Chef Morimoto or Mario Batali! I am glad to read in the local newspaper that ""Manny"" is opening a new place just south of Sarnelli's and going to call it ""The Blue Grotto"" Pros: Food, Service, Ambience Cons: Can get packed sometimes, but what does that say to you? more

Three of us travel annually to Jacksonville on business and we always eat at least once at Sarnelli's. In our view, it is the best Italian restaurant in the southern U.S. We actually plan our stay around dining out at this exemplary restaurant. The food is painstakingly prepared, the wine list is outstanding, and the service wonderful. Mama Sarnelli has gone out of her way to ensure that we have our favorite dish--mussels. Fine dining in an unlikely place is what one experiences here. It is not fast food and for that we are grateful. Our next visit is in two weeks and our mouths are watering just thinking about it. Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance Cons: Parking more

We tried to dine at Sarnelli's. My husband, son, and I walked in and were glared at by an older female that was seating another couple. We were not welcomed or greeted in any way. A couple minutes later, she came back back and bluntly asked, ""Do you have reservations?"" We replied that we didn't and she walked away. Another woman came back and said ""We're totally booked, sorry."" We thought it was strange because of the rude vibe we got. There were only a few tables full and 60% of them were empty. I called the restaurant from the parking lot and asked if I could make reservations for 6:30PM that night. (At the time we were sent away, it was about 6:10PM) The man said that it wouldn't be a problem! Of course, we didn't return. We can only wonder why we weren't seated. Cons: Unfriendly more

At Sarnelli's you feel like you have gone to visit your Mom in Italy. Rosiara Sarnelli is always on the floor to make sure that your dining experience is just that ""An Experience""! If you have any concerns whatsoever Mrs. Sarnelli wants to know if you don't LOVE your food Mrs. Sarnelli is not happy. The ""FRESH"" homemade Mozarelli with Beefsteak Tomatoes along with fresh herbs and olive oil is out of this world. The Grand Marnier Fresh Snapper/Grouper and Shrimp is so great that you feel you are on the shores at Naples. Of course the Lasagne, Chicken Cordon Bleu and other dishes are prepared and presented with just as much flare. I say ""You Can For Get About"" not having the Dining Experience of your life at Sarnell's Italian Restaurnt In the Heart of Orange Park. Mama Mia... Also VERY ROMANTIC-- Fresh Flower and Candles at EVERY Table... more

Since having been stationed in Naples, Italy and in Catania, Sicily over 20 years ago I have been looking for an Italian restaurant that has the authentic Italian flavors and textures that made dining in that beautiful country such an enjoyable event. The search is over! Restorante Sarnelli is the answer. A bit pricey when compared to the chain Italian restraunts like Olive Garden but the atmosphere and the food are well worth it. The management goes out of their way to ensure you have an enjoyable dining experience. Pros: Individual attention, Good parking, Not crowded more