This is always our go to place for upscale Italian dining in Banner Elk. Consistently great drinks and reliable service with an extensive menu. I am from NYC originally so I know quality Italian food and this place earns the vote. The nicest part is the distinctive ambience compared to other venues in town.
I checked in with the hostess. She said it would be a few minutes. I checked in again a little bit later. Same hostess said a few more minutes. They were calling names out when it was time to be seated. I was also sitting across from her. Instead of looking at me and calling my name she sent me a text. Which I didn't receive first 15mins. We found hair in the food. They did take the one salad off of the bill. The food wasn't very good for the price. The service was okay. I wouldn't go back.
It used to be good now it is totally mediocre. I don't know if they stopped caring or changed chefs but the last 2 times driving 1.15 hours was not worth it at all! Dissapointing
Robert Connors
Apparently Barra’s is no more, remodeled into “upscale” bar according to receptionist. No karaoke, just a DJ Saturday night 10:00-12:00 midnight.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first time here. What a delightful evening!! The entire staff was awesome, the ambience amazing, and the food absolutely superb!!! Can't wait to come again!
I thought the menu at Primos would be different than the one at Sorrentos. We were given the same one so we could've eaten at Sorrentos. The only difference was the ambiance. Primos is fine dining with the same food.
BuckeyeGirl
There were problems with the reservation made through Open Table and the first person at the desk was quite rude about us not calling in to make a reservations, although their website took me to Open Table. However another young lady found us a table in the Bistro - not in the section requested, and apologized for the mix-up. Food and table service were very good and I would recommend this restaurant but would suggest you also call when making a reservations for the more upscale areas of the restaurant.
FoodGuru
An absolute gem in Banner Elk. Not many upper end restaurants to choose from in this area, but these folks knock it out of the park! Manager/Head bartender was very accommodating. Friendly front desk hostesses. Excellent wait service. Food was pricey but delicious. This is now my new go to place when I head to this region!
Clovette
We were seated promptly, but no server appeared at our table for 20 minutes. I had to go up to the hostess stand and ask if a server had been assigned to our table. I got a « what do you want! » look from the hostess, but a gentleman who was standing nearby who appeared to be a manager of some sort came back to the table with me and quickly summoned a waitress. The waitress was pleasant and helpful to the point of being almost intrusive at that point. The food was very good, but everything was a la carte any quite pricey. The garlic knots were hard from being reheated and the dessert choices were disappointing. We have eaten here in the past and somehow it just did not live up to my expectations this time.
We arrived two hours early because of extremely heavy July 4th traffic. We called and were welcomed to our table. Our fantastic server, Angela, was outstanding. Food was outrageous, the outside seating was very relaxing, and service impeccable. We still are talking about the magnificent carrot cake desert!!! We rarely are in this area, but we have Sorrento's highlighted for our next time in town.
We enjoyed the full bar and low key, relaxing vibe. Great place to hang with friends. The food menu from Sorrento's is available here.
Lindsey S.
We grabbed some drinks from the bar after coming back from a day of skiing! Service was very friendly and the Martinis were good! We wanted to stay out longer, and the bartenders were helpful telling us where to head to next after they closed.
Braxton Perry
We are regulars for the Thursday prime rib special.Everything on the menu is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hadley V.
We're finishing up a great dinner here and could not recommend this place more. The sports bar (The Barra) is connected to Sorrentos Italian so they share a menu. The food: My husband and I shared the Vodka Pasta with chicken and STILL had leftovers to bring hope so its safe to say that portion sizes here are large and justify the prices. Service: Will is amazing! Extremely attentive and friendly. He is the epitome of what a server should be! The drinks: we both had local wines. I had the Banner Elk white and it was great! My husband had the local cabernet and he also loved it. We also tried the port wine for dessert and loved it- perfectly sweet. The atmosphere: we sat in the sports bar at a high top to be able to watch the games and we loved it! They have a karaoke room, but its separate so if thats not your thing you won't hear it. Dessert: Will talked us into the tiramisu with the accompanying port wine and it did not disappoint! Seriously, split dinner and save some room for it! Oh, and put The Barra on your "must-go" list in Banner Elk!
Barbara dillinger
Go here once a week for the amazing staff and the chefs tables rib eye, sautéed vegetables. Logan, Kevin, amber and Ryan are all great bartenders. They remember us, and what we drink. Admittedly the place itself needs a little upgrade from the owner. But the staff keeps me coming back.
This is always our go to place for upscale Italian dining in Banner Elk. Consistently great drinks and reliable service with an extensive menu. I am from NYC originally so I know quality Italian food and this place earns the vote. The nicest part is the distinctive ambience compared to other venues in town.
I checked in with the hostess. She said it would be a few minutes. I checked in again a little bit later. Same hostess said a few more minutes. They were calling names out when it was time to be seated. I was also sitting across from her. Instead of looking at me and calling my name she sent me a text. Which I didn't receive first 15mins. We found hair in the food. They did take the one salad off of the bill. The food wasn't very good for the price. The service was okay. I wouldn't go back.
It used to be good now it is totally mediocre. I don't know if they stopped caring or changed chefs but the last 2 times driving 1.15 hours was not worth it at all! Dissapointing
Apparently Barra’s is no more, remodeled into “upscale” bar according to receptionist. No karaoke, just a DJ Saturday night 10:00-12:00 midnight.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first time here. What a delightful evening!! The entire staff was awesome, the ambience amazing, and the food absolutely superb!!! Can't wait to come again!
I thought the menu at Primos would be different than the one at Sorrentos. We were given the same one so we could've eaten at Sorrentos. The only difference was the ambiance. Primos is fine dining with the same food.
There were problems with the reservation made through Open Table and the first person at the desk was quite rude about us not calling in to make a reservations, although their website took me to Open Table. However another young lady found us a table in the Bistro - not in the section requested, and apologized for the mix-up. Food and table service were very good and I would recommend this restaurant but would suggest you also call when making a reservations for the more upscale areas of the restaurant.
An absolute gem in Banner Elk. Not many upper end restaurants to choose from in this area, but these folks knock it out of the park! Manager/Head bartender was very accommodating. Friendly front desk hostesses. Excellent wait service. Food was pricey but delicious. This is now my new go to place when I head to this region!
We were seated promptly, but no server appeared at our table for 20 minutes. I had to go up to the hostess stand and ask if a server had been assigned to our table. I got a « what do you want! » look from the hostess, but a gentleman who was standing nearby who appeared to be a manager of some sort came back to the table with me and quickly summoned a waitress. The waitress was pleasant and helpful to the point of being almost intrusive at that point. The food was very good, but everything was a la carte any quite pricey. The garlic knots were hard from being reheated and the dessert choices were disappointing. We have eaten here in the past and somehow it just did not live up to my expectations this time.
We arrived two hours early because of extremely heavy July 4th traffic. We called and were welcomed to our table. Our fantastic server, Angela, was outstanding. Food was outrageous, the outside seating was very relaxing, and service impeccable. We still are talking about the magnificent carrot cake desert!!! We rarely are in this area, but we have Sorrento's highlighted for our next time in town.
Restaurantji Recommends
We enjoyed the full bar and low key, relaxing vibe. Great place to hang with friends. The food menu from Sorrento's is available here.
We grabbed some drinks from the bar after coming back from a day of skiing! Service was very friendly and the Martinis were good! We wanted to stay out longer, and the bartenders were helpful telling us where to head to next after they closed.
We are regulars for the Thursday prime rib special.Everything on the menu is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We're finishing up a great dinner here and could not recommend this place more. The sports bar (The Barra) is connected to Sorrentos Italian so they share a menu. The food: My husband and I shared the Vodka Pasta with chicken and STILL had leftovers to bring hope so its safe to say that portion sizes here are large and justify the prices. Service: Will is amazing! Extremely attentive and friendly. He is the epitome of what a server should be! The drinks: we both had local wines. I had the Banner Elk white and it was great! My husband had the local cabernet and he also loved it. We also tried the port wine for dessert and loved it- perfectly sweet. The atmosphere: we sat in the sports bar at a high top to be able to watch the games and we loved it! They have a karaoke room, but its separate so if thats not your thing you won't hear it. Dessert: Will talked us into the tiramisu with the accompanying port wine and it did not disappoint! Seriously, split dinner and save some room for it! Oh, and put The Barra on your "must-go" list in Banner Elk!
Go here once a week for the amazing staff and the chefs tables rib eye, sautéed vegetables. Logan, Kevin, amber and Ryan are all great bartenders. They remember us, and what we drink. Admittedly the place itself needs a little upgrade from the owner. But the staff keeps me coming back.