For small towns, Salisbury and Spencer are truly fortunate to have so many great, locally owned choices for dinner! For me, Pinocchio's is at the top of that list. This review is the sum of dozens of visits (we live in Salisbury). As background, I've lived all over the country, from FL to CA to VA, and I love good food! I've been to Italy many times, but I was on an aircraft carrier at the time, so I don't think that counts.The setting is an older building. Not a hole in the wall, more of a small, intimate and (to me) surprisingly cool setting. I would suggest reservations. The interior is a bit older. I think beauty sometimes requires imperfections, but I'm sure that's just me. Personally, I love the interior.Pinocchio's strives to use local ingredients as much as possible in new and interesting ways. Favorites stay on the menu while weekly specials showcase the chef's ingenuity and skill. Plating and presentation are always spot-on, as are the portions. Service is great without being intrusive. And the food never disappoints. I'm partial to the salmon, and would recommend it regardless of garnish-of-the-day. Desserts are always a delight. As to the wine selection, it looks impressive, but honestly I always get Prosecco, so I will let others critique the wine list.Two thumbs up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Gray
Original Italian food cooked by Italians. It doesn’t get any better.Parking: There is a parking lot located beside the building.Kid-friendliness: This place is more for adults, but welcomes children of any age.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Blackened Shrimp over Fettuccine Alfredo
Lisa N
We popped in right as they opened and they had a table available - plan on making a reservation if you go.The service was excellent. We started with bruchetta which was nicely plated. I had a spinach and goat cheese lasagna which was excellent (but not as hot as I would have liked). My husband had shrimp with diavalo sauce requested as spicy. His meal arrived piping hot and was nice and spicy with perfectly cooked shrimp. We shared a limoncello cake for dessert which also was light and tasty.We were not rushed. The waitstaff was attentive but not intrusive. Not inexpensive but a good value. We'll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly Warner
A very quaint and beautiful atmosphere. The food was fabulous! Our waiter was phenomenal! We truly enjoyed the time we spent there and they were extremely kid friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ricotta Dumplings
Dodd Harrell
Always a great place! Staff and food are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken Parmigiana w Spaghetti, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Blackened Salmon
T P
What a gem! This place has a lovely atmosphere with intimate seating and well decorated tables. The wine list is huge and the service is wonderful. And the food is incredible!Everything is homemade and the flavors are outstanding! It's worth the drive to Spencer for the experience and we'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken Parmigiana w Spaghetti
Jeff M
We recently relocated to the Spencer area. We found this sweet gem and decided to give it a try. First, we were enchanted by the atmosphere. Nice tables, impeccable service. We enjoyed a great bottle of Moscato and started with sauteed mushrooms. Both excellent and highly recommended. She ordered meat lasagna, I ordered shrimp alfredo. She added ceaser salad with ceaser dressing, I added chef salad with blue cheese dressing. Dressings are made in house and I must say excellent. All fresh greens. Bread was served with an oil dressing that was very good. The entrees were absolutely unbelievable. Best meal we have had in this region. This hidden gem is worth experiencing if you are visiting the area or local. I give this 5 stars all around. Put this one on your bucket list!
Matthew Amerson
Was unaware this was a suit and tie kind of place so I brought my family in and instead of being told that we were under dressed and needed a reservation, the waiter simply said NO to me before I even said a word. Rude and snotty restaurant and will never consider eating there again. If the waiter would have simply explained that we needed a reservation and it is preferred that we dress up then I would have been happy to leave and try it again with a reservation and the proper attire but because of the rudeness I would never consider this restaurant again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Travis Eads
This is no doubt the best local Italian restaurant around. Small business with great food. The service here is outstanding. Been here a few times now & each time same excellent food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Knots, Chicken Piccata
Dana Holmes
Incredible all the way, wait staff was phenomenal, the food was the best I've tasted. Home made and fresh. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant.
Such a great Italian diner, a lot of pretenders but this place is legit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken
Amy Bacigalupo
Authentic Italian cuisine with an extensive menu and seasonal specials weekly. Small and intimate so be sure and get a reservation during peak times. We went on a Tuesday and it was not crowded. Service was impeccable and the good delicious. Came highly recommended by friends and it didn't disappoint.Kid-friendliness: Not really a restaurant for children
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Knots
Lee Robison
The most unique dining experience in the county. I highly recommend there specials which are very special. Love their Gelato.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Knots
Joseph Dumke
I'm from California and this is by far the best Italian restaurant I've been. It was amazing. The atmosphere fits it and the food taste amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TamiW771
We stopped in for a quaint dinner tonight and we’re very pleasantly surprised. It was such a welcoming little restaurant and the menu had a wide variety of selections. They also had a special page in addition to the menu. Dinner was awesome, wine was delightful and the staff was warm and friendly. We will go back⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For small towns, Salisbury and Spencer are truly fortunate to have so many great, locally owned choices for dinner! For me, Pinocchio's is at the top of that list. This review is the sum of dozens of visits (we live in Salisbury). As background, I've lived all over the country, from FL to CA to VA, and I love good food! I've been to Italy many times, but I was on an aircraft carrier at the time, so I don't think that counts.The setting is an older building. Not a hole in the wall, more of a small, intimate and (to me) surprisingly cool setting. I would suggest reservations. The interior is a bit older. I think beauty sometimes requires imperfections, but I'm sure that's just me. Personally, I love the interior.Pinocchio's strives to use local ingredients as much as possible in new and interesting ways. Favorites stay on the menu while weekly specials showcase the chef's ingenuity and skill. Plating and presentation are always spot-on, as are the portions. Service is great without being intrusive. And the food never disappoints. I'm partial to the salmon, and would recommend it regardless of garnish-of-the-day. Desserts are always a delight. As to the wine selection, it looks impressive, but honestly I always get Prosecco, so I will let others critique the wine list.Two thumbs up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Original Italian food cooked by Italians. It doesn’t get any better.Parking: There is a parking lot located beside the building.Kid-friendliness: This place is more for adults, but welcomes children of any age.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Blackened Shrimp over Fettuccine Alfredo
We popped in right as they opened and they had a table available - plan on making a reservation if you go.The service was excellent. We started with bruchetta which was nicely plated. I had a spinach and goat cheese lasagna which was excellent (but not as hot as I would have liked). My husband had shrimp with diavalo sauce requested as spicy. His meal arrived piping hot and was nice and spicy with perfectly cooked shrimp. We shared a limoncello cake for dessert which also was light and tasty.We were not rushed. The waitstaff was attentive but not intrusive. Not inexpensive but a good value. We'll be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A very quaint and beautiful atmosphere. The food was fabulous! Our waiter was phenomenal! We truly enjoyed the time we spent there and they were extremely kid friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ricotta Dumplings
Always a great place! Staff and food are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken Parmigiana w Spaghetti, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Blackened Salmon
What a gem! This place has a lovely atmosphere with intimate seating and well decorated tables. The wine list is huge and the service is wonderful. And the food is incredible!Everything is homemade and the flavors are outstanding! It's worth the drive to Spencer for the experience and we'll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken Parmigiana w Spaghetti
We recently relocated to the Spencer area. We found this sweet gem and decided to give it a try. First, we were enchanted by the atmosphere. Nice tables, impeccable service. We enjoyed a great bottle of Moscato and started with sauteed mushrooms. Both excellent and highly recommended. She ordered meat lasagna, I ordered shrimp alfredo. She added ceaser salad with ceaser dressing, I added chef salad with blue cheese dressing. Dressings are made in house and I must say excellent. All fresh greens. Bread was served with an oil dressing that was very good. The entrees were absolutely unbelievable. Best meal we have had in this region. This hidden gem is worth experiencing if you are visiting the area or local. I give this 5 stars all around. Put this one on your bucket list!
Was unaware this was a suit and tie kind of place so I brought my family in and instead of being told that we were under dressed and needed a reservation, the waiter simply said NO to me before I even said a word. Rude and snotty restaurant and will never consider eating there again. If the waiter would have simply explained that we needed a reservation and it is preferred that we dress up then I would have been happy to leave and try it again with a reservation and the proper attire but because of the rudeness I would never consider this restaurant again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This is no doubt the best local Italian restaurant around. Small business with great food. The service here is outstanding. Been here a few times now & each time same excellent food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Knots, Chicken Piccata
Incredible all the way, wait staff was phenomenal, the food was the best I've tasted. Home made and fresh. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Such a great Italian diner, a lot of pretenders but this place is legit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken
Authentic Italian cuisine with an extensive menu and seasonal specials weekly. Small and intimate so be sure and get a reservation during peak times. We went on a Tuesday and it was not crowded. Service was impeccable and the good delicious. Came highly recommended by friends and it didn't disappoint.Kid-friendliness: Not really a restaurant for children
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Knots
The most unique dining experience in the county. I highly recommend there specials which are very special. Love their Gelato.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Knots
I'm from California and this is by far the best Italian restaurant I've been. It was amazing. The atmosphere fits it and the food taste amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We stopped in for a quaint dinner tonight and we’re very pleasantly surprised. It was such a welcoming little restaurant and the menu had a wide variety of selections. They also had a special page in addition to the menu. Dinner was awesome, wine was delightful and the staff was warm and friendly. We will go back⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️