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Sensi Restaurant Charlotte Ristorante Italiano image

Sensi Restaurant Charlotte Ristorante Italiano

Restaurant ‱ Italian restaurant

😠 Overpriced food with terrible service. Went there with friends. Dinner took 3 hrs. We were waiting 30 to 40 mins between courses. When I complained, after being charged $300 for two people, I was told they were short staffed but that I should be privileged to eat with a Michelin starred chef. I wo... People often mention Italian, restaurant, menu, experience, Charlotte, good,


Address

9825 Sandy Rock Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277

Rating on Google Maps

3.80 (83 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

Permanently closed.

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Italian (13) restaurant (12) menu (10) experience (9) Charlotte (7) good (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Matt T. 4 years ago on Google
    Overpriced food with terrible service. Went there with friends. Dinner took 3 hrs. We were waiting 30 to 40 mins between courses. When I complained, after being charged $300 for two people, I was told they were short staffed but that I should be privileged to eat with a Michelin starred chef. I won't be eating here again unless I am looking to be ripped off by rude management. Shame as I came in hoping to find a great Italian in the neighborhood. Oh well to that. For those reading the mangers response, I tipped the waiters because the kitchen delays and the condescending attitude of the manager is not their fault. Also, restaurant was half full on a Saturday night. It's easier to dismiss me than think critically about the issues in a brand new restaurant. They should work on the basics of their kitchen before trying to do a tasting menu for big city prices.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Yvette S. 4 years ago on Google
    We had heard so many rave reviews about this restaurant so were very excited to try it. We went during Queen’s feast. I don’t feel they put their best foot forward on this one. It started off well, interesting bar set up and fun decor. we were seated immediately with fast and friendly service. Our server Camille really made the experience for us, she was fun, funny charming and knowledgeable about the menu and the wines.The bread basket and oil presentation was original and delightful. And then things sort of went sideways. My husband and I had two different salads and both were highly salted. We then had two different pasta dishes and both were very al dente. The spaghetti being the best of them. My beef dish was so fatty I couldn’t eat it. Although the sauce and the sweet potato mash were fabulous. Our server noticed I wasn’t eating and immediately replaced my dish with a new one. Desserts Had a nice presentation but both cakes were a little dry. Maybe seem they’ve been sitting out? the lemon cake being the best. We want to try again off the regular menu because I’ve heard so many good things but it didn’t happen for us the night we ate there.

  • 5/5 Stephanie L. 4 years ago on Google
    I love this restaurant. After having lived in Italy for 2 1/2 years, it is pretty hard to find "authentic" Italian food in the Charlotte area. Sensi is one of the few places in Charlotte. The chefs hail from Rome and Naples, and are Michelin starred -- and it shows. The food is beautifully plated and delicious. The atmosphere is upscale, yet not overdone, and the staff is friendly. My husband and I have celebrated both of our birthdays here and we brought our 16 year old daughter tonight to celebrate Valentine's Day. This has become our go-to spot. We look forward to the next time.

  • 5/5 Mike M. 4 years ago on Google
    Look here folks. I heard a lot of opinions about Sensi and read every Yelp review and every other review. Expectations are everything. This is not an Italian restaurant as you are thinking about it. It is a very European culinary experience centered around Italian food. You won't get a bottomless bowl of pasta or unlimited breadsticks. You will get attentive service, knowledgeable wait staff and a unique dining experience and a nice Italian wine list, among others. When you order pasta it will be al dente. That's how they want it. Enjoy it. It's different. The cacio y pepe was phenomenal. Super cheesy. Loved it and the buffalo mozzerella salad as a first course. My wife got the risotto and that was phenomenal. The desserts, outstanding. The lemon cake was so light and beautifully prepared. The cannoli tacos incredible and just enough. I really wanted to get the steak for the 3rd course but it was our Valentines day and it was time to head home. Next time for sure.

  • 5/5 Chris T. 4 years ago on Google
    An outstanding culinary journey that I don't need to travel to Uptown to experience! A very uniquely designed space as well, with hundreds of wine bottles hanging from the ceiling to produce chandeliers and waves of beautiful glass. It was very cool. A diverse and interesting selection of specialty cocktails are on their menu with a nice bourbon selection too. My wife and I decided to drink wine, as they had a fantastic selection from Italy. I had a montepulciano d'abruzzo that was delicious and my wife had a cabernet that was very good as well. They brought us a small complimentary basket of freshly in-house baked bread that was DELICIOUS. Be aware that additional baskets are $2.50 each, which we happily ordered because we wanted more to go with our entrees! We both had the caprese salad for an appetizer. (Very good flavor) For entrees my wife had the fresh handmade raviolis made with smoked provolone. She LOVED it and I tried a bit too. The flavor profile was phenomenal. I had the gnocchi and it was sublime. Delicious little pillows from heaven with a tasty tomato sauce that was unlike anything I've ever tasted! For dessert we both had espresso (which was very good) and the chef's take on tiramisu which was OUT OF THIS WORLD. If they take this off the menu the next time they refresh it, I might never go back as a protest, haha. It was that good! The de-constructed concept of the dish was very unique and was assembled on the bowl more like a shepherds pie than what you'd typically expect a tiramisu to look like. And the flavors of that dish were absolutely spectacular. If you're looking for an exceptional Italian culinary experience and don't want to travel to the busy streets of Uptown, then this should be the first restaurant on your list!

  • 5/5 Nancy R. 4 years ago on Google
    Sensi is a wonderful dining experience! Our server Rebecca, was delightful! She was very knowledgeable about the menu, made great suggestions and was so sweet! We ordered from each course on the menu from appetizers , to pasta, main course, & dessert. Chef Simone did an outstanding job!! The portions were great and everything tasted delicious!! I am Italian and this was not like any Italian restaurant I’ve experienced here in the US. I cannot wait to go back and try other dishes! So glad we tried out this new restaurant!!

  • 5/5 Rachel E. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing dining experience!!! A must go-to if you like authentic Italian food. The portions are small but wholesome and delicious... you will leave feeling completely satisfied and not overly stuffed. Best Italian restaurant in the area. The chef and owner are from Italy and they truly know how to cater to your tastebuds. 5 stars!

  • 5/5 Nicole I. 4 years ago on Google
    I love it when another great restaurant opens up in the Charlotte area! Had an amazing 5 course dinner with wine pairings and I couldn't be happier. It's even better when it's an Italian restaurant owned and operated by an Italian . The dishes were beautifully presented and the service was top notch (which sometimes is a hard find in Charlotte) I heard the chef is Michelin rated too♄

  • 5/5 Lindsey C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere for a nice dinner out. My husband and I went during the Queens Feast week and there were a ton of good options on the menu. However, even better than the food was the service! Our waitress, Camille, was so attentive and friendly. We would come back just to see her! Also, the cappuccinos with dessert at the end were divine.

  • 5/5 Hi 4 years ago on Google
    I had dinner here on 6/28/19. The hostess, bartender, manager, and owner all were beyond nice and were sincerely warm and engaging. The food (with a menu that apparently updates and changes every few months) was incredible. I had the rabbit and the ziti. Both were authentic Italian. Taste and portions were perfect. This restaurant is clean and new. The value is exceptional. It’s in a safe and stunning area. Don’t hesitate to go! It was rightfully recommended by the Ballantyne Hotel Concierge. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

  • 5/5 Johna 4 years ago on Google
    I was told Friday night about this new gem. By Saturday I had the pleasure to be sitting at one of their fine tables to enjoy one of the best meals in Charlotte. Our waitstaff Brandon was top level. A warm welcome with a fond farewell. The right recommendations were offered and he touched on each item we ordered. I personally enjoyed that ....I was aware of what to expect yet surprised by the brilliance of flavor that followed. I especially enjoyed when one of the kitchen staff came out to introduce herself and the off menu espresso gelato which all I can say is experience it for yourself. It’s not just a simple scoop of ice cream. Eva was the one to introduce the final dish along with Brandon...those extra efforts made it worth it! The rest of the house staff would come by and check in and remove items as you no longer needed them.The satisfaction behind that is I didn’t have to stop conversation to let staff remove items from the table. The wait time between meals was perfect ...it allowed you to digest and enjoy your meal and have a moment to enjoy wine and conversation. Before you know it the next course is being beautifully presented in front of you. I’m thrilled that this place exists not too far from home. I will say I was reading some of these reviews prior and I’m frankly shocked. As we all are entitled to our opinions on our experiences. I can only speak for mine. Charlotte is growing and so are the options on where to eat.... everything from Mediterranean to Asian. So it’s no surprise why some local people are frustrated that they can’t detect a flavor or seasoning beyond the salt and pepper that seasons their dull appetite. Not to worry.... thankfully there are chain restaurants for a reason. They’ll consistently offer the bland meals they crave. I personally take a yearly trip with the objective to dine at the best restaurants the US has to offer. One of my personal favorites is Costa Di Mare inside the luxurious Wynn & Encore resort. Not just because the perfected balance of experience and taste, but when you leave you daydream about it for many months after. Sensi Charlotte has brought a similar feel right at home. Excited to dine there again....hopefully very soon!


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