Recommend this business?
May 03, 2013
My daughter and friend chose Savelli's to celebrate my daughter's 26th birthday... We had 7 pm reservations... I arrived before my daughter and her friend at 7 pm and was greeted by no one... No hostess at the front door... Only 2 couples waiting before me, with one couple also waiting on a hostess to greet them... When the hostess/waitress showed up, she told the couple in front of me that she would seat them as soon as she could... She totally ignored me... I noticed a few empty tables and wondered why she had not seated anyone waiting at those tables... I also noticed that the hostess/waitress was the only person waiting on the entire room (at least a dozen tables)... At around 7:25 pm my daughter and her friend arrived and because we demanded to be seated (having made reservations), the hostess/waitress seated us... She gave us menus and then we never saw her again... We chose what we wanted for dinner and wondered why she never came back... Finally, my daughter walked up to the counter and ordered our meals... Within a reasonable time, a young man (very polite) came with our meals...The food was marginal, and not the food I remember eating there in the past... The food was overcooked, over seasoned and very salty... We ate... Never saw the waitress or waiter again... We were ready to leave and no one had brought the bill... Again, my daughter got up and went to the food counter and asked for the bill to be brought to us... I put my credit card in the bill folder... After a good bit of time, no one came to pick up the ticket and my card... Again, my daughter gets up and takes the bill to the counter... We continue to visit among ourselves for quite a while... We decide its time to leave and I notice my credit card has not been returned... I get up to go find it... The restaurant staff is grouped together behind the food counter having a gab session... They have my credit card and bill taped on the wall and say they lost track of whose it was... Couldn't believe it... Worst restaurant experience I have ever had in the over 30 years that I have lived in Knoxville... Do NOT patronize this restaurant... They do not deserve your business... The next day I noticed on my online banking that the restaurant had charged me incorrectly... I had signed a bill for $24.59 + $5 tip and had been charged $54.59... I called the restaurant and spoke with the waitress (Kat or Cat) who seated us... I explained that the bill might be incorrect... She said that she had mixed up 2 bills the night before... She then reviewed what we ordered and I agreed with her on the amount of $54.59... I explained to her what a bad experience we had had the previous night... She told me that they were short staffed and had many people coming with groupons that they didn't have room to seat... I told her that should not have affected us because we made reservations and did not use a groupon... She offered to mail me a check for $10 because the service had been so bad... I gave her my address and she said that she would mail the check on the following Monday... I called back a few minutes later realizing that it would be a good idea for her to also mail me a copy of the correct receipt ($54.59)... A lady named Liz answered... I identified myself and she immediately lit into me telling me that I owed them $30... She yelled at me... Was accusatory... Told me that I needed to drive up there to pay them the $30 that I owed them... Would not let me speak... I finally told her that I had agreed on the amount that I had been charged ($54.59) and just wanted a corrected receipt mailed to me with the $10 off that Kat said she would mail to me... She continued to berate me... She sounded drunk... like a crazy person... Couldn't believe it! This restaurant should not be in business... I finally had to hang up on Liz because of her abusive language toward me... Can't wait for my next Italian meal at Naples, Altrudas or Bravos! Bon appetit!
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Heart
October 29, 2012
Lucky for me, my wife bought a Groupon and we gave this place a try. what a wonderful find. (Groupon was seamless and saved us some $$). simply outstanding food. we travel all over the world with Italian being the default "go-to" cuisine - hence lots to compare too. Wonderful owner/hostess. exquisite food in an off-the-beaten-path setting. go to this restaurant and have a fine time!
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Heart
May 15, 2012
I loved everything about it.. The crazy room, the tremendous food, the great service! I felt like I was back in Italy. I enjoyed a Greek salad, which was delicious. Then I had spinach ravioli with walnuts and gorgonzola and a creamy pesto sauce! Unbelievable how great it tasted! The service was wonderful! And we did not have reservations. We only waited about 10 minutes. I'll definitely go back!
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Heart
May 07, 2012
Unpretentious and economical. You want a romantic little Italian bistro in an unassuming building to impress your lover that you are THE cool, and now you've found it. You might even get one of the four parking spots in front. This is it. Then order the calzone. OK, you're from the South. Order the fried calzone to split with your lover My fav is to add the Italian sausage. You'll take enough home to lunch on the next day. And, don't forget to bring a bottle of her favorite red wine from home. Your waiter will bring you a bottle opener and 2 wine glasses. You can open, pour and toast to how beautiful her eyes are tonight. Then the giant calzone will arrive with its delicious marinara sauce. Time to refill the glasses. The calzone end is a little bready-good thing, cause she digs it. Cut it off and it oozes hot cheese spilling out feted with chunks of Italian sausage. You share it all, which is suggestive of sharing later on in the date, and the next day. Savelli's is one of of my favorite restaurants in the world, because it is all about romance and sharing. Unpretentious and economical. My perfect meal for sharing--under $20 plus tip.
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Heart
May 04, 2012
love the environment of this place. love the environment of this place! its a small restaurant thats "off the beaten path"! the food is great. the server actually seems concerned about whether or not you enjoy your meal. this is a byob place if you want a glass of wine with your dinner and the prices are reasonable. i would suggest checking this place out, dont let the neighborhood or location change your mind!!
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Heart
May 01, 2012
Amazing alfredo sauce. Amazing alfredo sauce. Also, if you have an appetite try the sampler! Sooo much food! As far a something sweet- the banana fosters bread pudding or the chocolate ecstasy cake!
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Heart
April 26, 2012
The service was professional, courteous, and genuine. My wife and I have eaten at Savelli's on different occasions and selected this restaurant for our anniversary dinner. Reservations were made and upon our arrival Melanie seated us and we were off to an excellent evening. The service was professional, courteous, and genuine. Our wine was quickly opened and the first round (appetizers) were wonderful, the seafood bisque was the best of anywhere we have eaten(being Outer Banks fans, that is saying a lot). The main course of chicken Marsala was unbelievable and the lemon mascarpone dessert was rich and refreshing at the same time. Melanie's service was excellent and she worked with the other employees controlling the very busy restaurant meeting the needs of its various Christmas parties and other customers. We had a very wonderful experience for under $50. Highly recommend this restaurant.
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Heart
April 18, 2012
that was amazing. Seriously craving that antipasto salad... that was amazing.
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Heart
February 16, 2012
Food was "piled" on the plate. We took out of town guests to Savellis for Valentines day. What a mistake. Atmosphere was OK. Service was OK. Food was bad. Our friend's husband and I ordered the "meat" plate. Everything was piled on the plate like a college cafeteria. Everything pretty much tasted the same. Not really bad, just very poorly presented and rather bland. My wife and her friend had the eggplant parmesan and pasta. Eggplant was borderline inedible. $5/glass pour fee for wine was too pricey for the decor and service. We won't be back.
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Heart
November 10, 2011
Savelli's Lover. Being a Savelli's employee I would first like to say that I love my job and all the people I work with. I think of everyone there as family. With that said I want to thank all the loyal supporters of Savelli's. I would also like to appologize for anyone's inconvenience during the coupon fiasco. Anyone who has been to Savelli's knows how tiny we are, which is part of its charm, and it is very hard to accommodate everyone on a busy evening, although we sure try. I hope everyone will continue to enjoy Savelli's unique atmosphere and home-cooked Italian food (not frozen :) )
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