J David H.
Yelp
First time visit after hearing rave reviews and I could not imagine that it would not be a great visit. So the just at, or above par is a little surprising.
The location off of N. Great Neck may be a little difficult to see from the road. Look for the Food Lion and this will be helpful. Signage cannot be seen until you are close. Parking is plentiful and the lot was clean as was the walk in front.
I visited Sirena for lunch and arrived around 10 minutes prior to their open at 11:30 AM. I did not know that and tried the door which was locked and then saw the posted time. Our party waited only seconds for the door to open and then close as if to say we are open, come in. So we did just that and stepped in to have a man who would later be our waiter ask us to step outside until they opened. Of course they have every right to do so, but awkward to do so when standing inside and could have just as easily waited by hostess check-in.
Our party of three was seated with menus and drink order completed. The menu is large and lots to choose from, so guidance by a well trained wait staff is always appreciated. The waiter came back with drinks and when asked about recommendations he said "everything is good"...well okay I guess no recommendations. We looked a bit more and our waiter came back to take our order. No bread was offered, but they have bread plates at the table. The entrees are served with a house, or Caesar Salad. I thought the waiter was professional, maybe too much so that there was no personality, no smile, but polite at all times. I asked the waiter how long they had been open and they are almost at a one year anniversary at this location and previously were in downtown Norfolk on Granby St.
I recall coming to this establishment years back when it was a breakfast-lunch diner joint called Beckett's. It has been transformed with booths taken out and tables and chairs installed. Tile floors and attractive crimson walls. The art on the walls is pleasing decor for an Italian restaurant. A partition divides the dining room and small bar that was the same location of previous business. The bar had paper work and office supplies to the side and appeared messy to me. The most striking issue that I had was the lack of lighting. I can see for a dinner service, but not lunch. The restrooms are also in the same location to the back right. I did wash up prior to eating and found them in excellent condition with proper supplies.
Our salads were served quickly. I thought my Caesar was fresh and scrumptious. The house salads were large and looked fantastic. There were a few customers beginning to trickle in, but they were never busy during our entire stay of a few hours. Probably around 15 minutes after our salads were served the entrees came out. Two out three had finished their salad and one had not and got a bowl of some type of soup. The tables are small so it was somewhat challenging to maneuver. The one person in our party questioned the waiter as to what she had and told him that is not what she ordered. The waiters retort was that is what you pointed at. Instead of immediately just taking care of replacing the meal it was discussed and my friend said she would accept it.
Our party was in no hurry at all and enjoyed the meals. My Penne alla Vodka portobello was delicious. It would have been nice to have bread with it is my only complaint. Also no grated cheese was offered which I do usually add. My friend who got the incorrect order was not enjoying and her portion size was miniscule compared to mine. I had no idea at the time on the price of her entree, but mine was $10.50 and I thought a very fair price point for the size and inclusion of a salad. My friend did not want question the bill, but was shocked her cheese ravioli was $17.28 with tax. I must say something just seems wrong and she was planning on calling them back to discuss this and service issues. During our meals waters were slow to be refilled, but never hit the bottom at this point.
After we all finished up I recalled my favorite desert on their menu and wanted to try the creme brulee. However, the waiter said they were out which was disappointing. Our waiter never asked how to deliver the check, together or separate. So when it arrived on one ticket we asked for it to be split which was done without a hitch. We visited at the table for over another hour and was never approached again for water refills even though two, out of three were empty. We needed next to no maintenance, but service should have continued until we left. The ball was dropped here. When we left to my recollection the waiter was no where to be found to say thank you and please return.
The service alone was weak enough to peg them at a 2.5 and will round up with a clean and attractive dining room and delicious dish. I probably will not rush back, but would like to see how a dinner service compares as well another waiter.
