Savelli's Italian Restaurant

01/27/09

In response to...

by Julie37918

IN RESPONSE TO TOPCHEF7:

Maybe you didn't read my review...I DID CALL FIRST to make a reservation for 8:30! I was told it wasn't needed and to come on down. Excuse me for assuming that response from the restaurant meant I should have a table or at least an open restaurant to eat at when I arrived. I do believe their food is great! Thanks for clearing that up with your food critic friends opinions. I don't complain about the parking or size of the restaurant but I do however know when service is bad and not friendly. I was a server all through college at various nice restaurants and therefore I'm not picky about service and I do understand we all have bad days. Unfortunately there are a few servers, family members, whatever that are there and have no people skills and shouldn't be serving food. I realize it's not corporate and family owned but geese does kindness go out the window with that!! I'm sorry my review isn't from a family member or friend of the family. I don't know the owner. I'm sure she's great but from an outside (non-family member/friend) view some things could stand a little change for the better. The food is good but come on, don't tell somebody to "come on down" and then close. Again, that wasn't the only time that has happened to myself or friends!!!

• Pros: food
• Cons: Service and inconsistent closing times( calling ahead will not make a difference)

01/26/09

One of a Kind

by topchef7

Savellis has been in the same location for almost 17 years. dont you think they are doing something right? i mean closing at 8:30 because they all have families to go home to... If you are driving from somewhere far away, dont you think you should call ahead of time and make a reservation? anyone who knows savellis knows that everyone there is related and everyone has the up most respect for that. the owner elizabeth has not only been one of the nominees for top chef of knoxville, but i also have personal friends that travel the nation to critique food and savellis is in their top 3 restaurants nationally. i mean yes it is a small place but this is what they are known for. having a cozy comfortable italian restaurant that has nothing corporate about it. people that like to complain about parking and service just should not go out to eat. i have never heard anything negative about savellis so maybe you are the problem. good food and good service! i would go there everyday for lunch and dinner if i could!!! highly recommend!

• Pros: the quality of the food...
• Cons: nothing

01/25/09

good food

by hjalde

I do love this place and always have. I do agree that the service can be iffy at times and not always perfect, but let's remember that this place is totally anti-corporate and not the average place. The hours do vary and you just have to be aware of it. The food definitely makes up for any blunder and sometimes the service is not so bad. In fact, I last heard that the oldest daughter, Jess, who was a great server , is moving back from Los Angeles to open a second location. I sure hope so. I have been a return customer for over 10+ years and know that the food is always consistent . Elizabeth is a great chef and most locals already know that.

• Pros: food, ambience
• Cons: parking?

01/12/09

Good food/Poor service & management

by JulieKnox

Savelli's is a whole in the wall with good food! I would love to give them 5 stars but I can't. The service isn't always with a smile. On a busy night I feel like they treat you like you are a burden. I lost count how many weeknights we have attempted to eat at Savelli's only to drive all the way there and find that oh they just decided to close early that day. The last straw was a few weeks ago when I called at 6pm to make reservations for 8:30pm. They said oh don't worry you won't need reservations just come on down...so we got there at 8:20, walked in and what do you know "sorry guys we closed early". I know many people that have had this same issue with Savelli's. Not a good way to treat your customers. They might not always return. I probably won't!

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Closing early just about every night even after you call to confirm closing time

10/08/08

My Second Family

by lovelygirl222

I have been going to Savelli's for years and have always recommended this tiny little gem of a place. This place is unique, anti-corporate and has what every other corporate over rated place doesn't have. The review below is right- don't go if you are a whiner or like to complain. As a native New Yorker I think I'd know good Italian food and the patrons who complain about this place are just plain stupid . Good food takes time . And if the waitress ignores you, it's probably because you are rude. Great food, great family and great atmosphere!

• Pros: food, family,
• Cons: parking

08/13/08

Always Great Food

by ktownwineguy

I've been to this restaurant several times and have found the food and atmosphere consistently great. Service is as quick and efficient as a small restaurant can be. I admit I always get the manicotti, and a salad, but we shared a pizza there once, very nice. The BYOB policy is a real reason to come back, especially with friends.

I personally have found the food to be fresh, I can imagine an Itallian restaurant goes through a lot of cheese, so the review below looks a little misinformed. Perhaps someone just wanted free food? Or doesn't like the aroma of real cheese. Maybe they should have brought there own.

Thanks to the everyone who makes this local gem possible. See you soon. Oh yeah, Zinfandel goes with with Italian dishes.

• Pros: Great food, great prices with BYOB, quick staff doesn't waste time
• Cons: Not for people who don't know good food, not for whiners

08/12/08

Disappointment at Savelli's

by jennilu

Savelli's has been one of our favorites for Italian food, but most recently we were very disappointed in the food quality and service. Our orders arrived at different times; the parmesan cheese on the table was spoiled (resulting in 3 meals having to be remade); the ricotta cheese in the shells was spoiled (on the second go round with my meal); our server was unattentive and didn't even offer an apology after taking our meals away to be remade. We have yet to get any type of response or accommodation from the restaurant for the unsatisfactory food quality and poor service. I don't think we will be returning.

• Pros: Very cozy and quaint
• Cons: Poor food quality and poor service

02/15/08

Best Kept Secret- Local's Fave!

by reggaemon

To those of you who aren't familiar with Savelli's are clearly missing out. Great authentic Italian food is far and few between in the South, let alone in Knoxville. This place is great. Great for bringing a bottle of wine (or jack, whatever your preference is per se) , a romantic first date (c'mon, all of us local knoxvillians all know at least one couple who have popped the big question here) , great for bringing in the whole family after a football game(go vols!!) or just dining solo. The servers are all family and super sweet. It seems so incredible that the whole family willbe working at the same time. Besides that, the food is delicious! I have tried a plethora of dishes and have enjoyed each and every meal. As for the brng your own wine- YES!!!! Who would want to spend a billion dollars on a a mediocre bottle of wine?! It is a nice addition given there is only a$2.50 cork charge compared to the $15+ charge elsewhere. All said- this place is great, amazing quality food which ultimately is the reason why it has been in Ktown for almost 20 years!!! Obviously they are doing something right!!

• Pros: food, service
• Cons: parking- But worth iT!

12/30/07

A bit of Little Italy in Knoxville

by st_grace

Savelli's refreshing & authentic, Italian restaurant. The menu's surprisingly varied, given its size. From salads (try the house dressing!) to main dishes, desserts, & coffee, all I've had are splendid, sans 1 dish- chicken with capers. The chef will benefit from learning with capers less is more & more is far too much! That dish aside, don't hesitate to ask for a variety of pastas; they're happy to accommodate.

The pasta's cooked to perfection; the vegetables are fresh; the sauces varied and homemade. You can get salad to pizza to calzone (say doggy bag) to shrimp fettuccine or chicken Parmesan, & be assured you'll leave satisfied. If you want fresh ground cheese, ask & they'll bring it; if not, dry powdery Parmesan is on all tables. If you enjoy a fine wine with an Italian (and who doesn't?!) BYOB.

All restaurants have drawbacks-Savelli's is no exception-location, parking, size, & no wine-3 minor & 1 major; but the meal-it's worth it. Some say location, location, location; I'd agree; yet, Savelli's off the beaten path has no trouble drawing crowds. Dining room size makes it crowded & easy to overhear the next table. Expect a difficult time with large parties, wheelchair, using a walker, or cane. Parking's almost non-existent. Wines (lack of) is the biggest drawback. With such outstanding meals they should have a wine list, & not expect diners to BYOB.

The most important thing about a restaurant is the food & Savelli's food's of the highest-quality, so I have no qualms in giving the restaurant 5 stars & just hope they'll lease a larger place with more parking & start a wine list.

About the reviewer: I refuse to write a review on an establishment with less than 6 meals-not all my own, but all I can try. I've had meals varying from $1000 per plate to $2.99 early bird specials. I've worked in the field for many years & expect a certain level of service, even at a hole-in -the-wall. I've written reviews for a small New England paper & dine in family to up-scale.

• Pros: Food - house dressing, fresh warm bread, portion size, local and not a chain
• Cons: Size of dining area, no wine list, crowded, parking

11/11/06

BEST PIZZA & ITALIAN KTOWN HAS TO OFFER- HANDS DOWN!

by calija

CUTE LITTLE QUAINT ITALIAN PLACE JUST OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN KNOXVILLE...ONE OF THE BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANTS I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!! THE PLACE IS FAMILY OWNED AND IT'S GUARANTEED THAT ONE OF CHEF LIZ SAVELLI'S DAUGHTERS WILL WAIT ON YOU...BRING YOUR OWN WINE AND PLAN ON HAVING A GREAT MEAL AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE...WAYYYY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER ITALIAN IN KNOXVILLE!! DON'T FORGET TO TRY THE HOMEMADE TIRAMISU AND ASK ABOUT THE "LOVE ROOM"!!

• Pros: AMBIENCE,BYOW,CUTE SERVERS,INTIMATE
• Cons: MAKE RESERVATIONS ON WEEKENDS!!!IT TENDS TO FILL UP FAST!