Restaurant Round-Up: Piazza Sorrento, Zia’s & Back Door Café

This week, Fran checked out Piazza Sorrento in Hershey for the first time and left underwhelmed, Dori checked out Zia's for the first time and liked it so much she went right back and I went somewhere I've probably eaten 100 times. Variety is the spice of life, but there's something comforting about going back to an old favorite. Who knows, maybe you'll read something here that will make you check out somewhere new and find a favorite of your own. If you have anything to add about any of these places, feel free to do it in the comments section.

Piazza Sorrento
Name: Fran
When: 7:30pm
Been Before: No
Ordered: Starter: Shaved cabbage salad with walnuts, Gorgonzola and a vinaigrette reduction dressing. Entree: Swordfish fillet on a bed of bow tie pasta, with tomatoes and steamed clams.
The Food: The salad was incredible, and at $4, was a definite value—it could have been a light meal with a side of soup. The entrée seemed fresh and the ingredients high quality—I couldn’t obviously detect that anything had been frozen or pre-made. The fish was cooked perfectly. The tomatoes and accompanying light scampi sauce was enjoyable and well balanced, however the dish was overall slightly bland. At $16, the price was reasonable. Perhaps some traditional Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, garlic) would have improved the entrée. I would have loved some salt and pepper.
The Ambiance: The main foyer is nice and feels like it could be a nice Italian restaurant. However, by the time you make it to the actual dining area, you quickly realize that it’s a renovated Kreider’s. I’m fairly sure they left the old window shades hanging. The floor looked like a cheap laminate. The seating felt like it belonged in a pizza parlor. Too bad they cut corners here, because it had so much potential.
Company: My wife.
Did Others Like Their Meals: No—perhaps it was the perfect storm of terrible service and atmosphere and the fact that her meal was so simple, a white pizza, which was also bland.
Cost: Before the manager comped our drinks (two glasses of wine), our bill totaled $45 for two. He offered dessert (which actually looked amazing—nothing that looked frozen or generic), but we declined.
The Service: This is where our experience fell through the floor. We never received any bread and oil (which, by my standards, is required at an Italian restaurant). I had to ask twice each time that I wanted my water glass to be filled. As I mentioned, my entrée was bland, so I would have liked some seasoning—by the time our server came back to check up on us, my water was empty, my food was uneaten and cold, and instead of asking if the food was satisfactory, she offered me a box.
Notes: What a shame—Piazza Sorrento has a great menu, a chef that can cook and a great location. As I wrote on my check as I left—Tthe basics are expected and the devil’s in the details.” As much as I’d like to try again, we probably won’t be going back.
Recommendation: No

Zia’s at Red Door
Name: Dori P.
When: Twice for lunch over the past two weeks
Been Before: No
Ordered: First time, I got fettuccine alfredo with blackened chicken, with a side salad and a dinner roll. Second time, I got chicken parmesan, again with a side salad and roll. The rolls were warm and yummy and the side salad is the bargain of the century for just 75¢ with an entrée. Portions are large. The food quality is very high, and I found the pasta sauces to be nearly perfect in texture, flavor and consistency
The Food: 9 out of 10—Among the best I’ve had in the area.
The Ambiance: The first time, we ate outside and it was very nice, aside from one super pesky bee. The second time, we were inside, near the back. I thought the décor was elegant, the acoustics were good (though it was not crowded) and the lighting was just right.
Company: First time, two coworkers and a client. Second time, a childhood girlfriend.
Did Others Like Their Meals: Two of the guys raved about their Swordfish Salad and Fresh Mahi Mahi Sandwich. The third got a blackened chicken Caesar wrap, which was okay—too much dressing for him. They loved their olive tapenade appetizer. Second visit: my friend ordered a loaded gourmet burger with a side of pasta salad and really enjoyed it.
Cost: No alcohol either time. First outing for four with tax and tip was about $67. For the girls lunch, it was only $28 all totaled.
The Service: 9 out of 10. Knowledgeable. Timely. Pleasant.
Recommendation: DEFINITELY

Back Door Café
Name: Justin
When: Last Friday, around 7:00pm
Been Before: Many, many times
Ordered: Pizza with sausage, green peppers & onions.
The Food: I’ve never had a bad meal at Back Door Cafe and they have a nice variety of food on the menu. I’ve ordered the specials from time to time and really enjoyed them, but it’s the pizza that keeps me going back. It’s not really your everyday pizzeria pizza per se—most of Back Door’s food is influenced by Greek cooking, the pizza included—and it’s the crust that makes it great. It’s thin, with the perfect texture, and the exterior crust is brushed with olive oil. The best thing about the pizza though, is that you can eat more of it than you should, and still not feel stuffed. It’s so light.
The Ambiance: It’s a charming little place, with the emphasis on little. Maybe 12 tables total. It’s very close to Dickinson College and has large front windows that look out onto High Street.
Company: My fiancé.
Did Others Like Their Meals: Yes. She ordered a Greek Salad and stole a few pieces of my pizza. I’ve also had Greek salads there and love the dressing.
Cost: It’s a BYOB and we didn’t B, so no drinks. I don’t remember exactly, but I think the meal was about $22 for both of us.
The Service: It’s a small place that often has only one waitress working. It was a bit slow, but nothing to get worked up about.
Notes: This is one of my favorite little restaurants in the area. It’s so relaxed, and has a great vibe and great food. It’s especially cozy on cold winter nights, but be warned; they aren’t open for dinner Monday through Wednesday and they aren’t open at all on Sundays.
Recommendation: Absolutely. Check it out the next time you are in Carlisle.