Serena Sicilian Influenced Cucina

Not sure how they are still in business. Stay away. Been there multiple times are always disappointed.

Neat place, but each time I’ve been here for happy hour/​supper time, they’ve had a large group there being loud. This is NOT a venue for a quiet, intimate chat. I had a draught cider, good, and garlic crème fries, tolerable but nothing to come back for. Some of the glowing comments for this place I’ve heard have not been borne out. Sorry, Serena.

I wasn’t expecting too much from this strip mall restaurant. I grew up in a heavily Italian American community and have been to Italy. So, I am picky about Italian food. But I have been to this place twice and both times I liked the food. One big draw is that my husband has to eat gluten free and they make a fabulous GF lasagna — the noodles are made from chickpea flour. I have eaten the traditional Sicilian chick pea crêpe-​like things and I guess this place got the idea from that but my husband is crazy about this stuff. (The rest of their GF pasta is no better or worse than most you get. Which is to say, just okay)
Their «gravy» is good — rich and a little hot but not a lot. The sauce is not light, either, with a good bit of garlic but it is also not cooked to death. ‘
They have a wide selection of items. In addition to their traditional Italian dishes they have many which are more contemporary with complex toppings and sauces. They even serve an amuse bouche of their tomato soup. Everything was very fresh. I do agree with another reviewer about the bread. They kept telling us it would be out – the waitress said she had put in an order for it when she brought our salads (which were not brown nor wilted like the other reviewer.). We had finished our salads and were halfway through our entrée when it came. We don’t eat much bread so it was not a big thing to me but it seems as though there is some problem with getting the bread coordinated with the meals.
They have an extensive alcohol menu.
THe atmosphere is pleasant with a low light level. My only real complaint is that in cooler weather for some reason the cold air seems to come right in with every customer so don’t sit close to the door. They really need an airlock.

I legit never do this, but dinner was a friggin mess:
1. Salad was wilted with brown spots
2. Waitress brought out drinks for four people one at a time! …? Who TH does that? &&& She forgot the last one
3. Waitress forgot appetizer; took about 45 mins to finally lay eyes on
4. Waitress forgot bread; which we did not get until dinner was served
5. Waitress would take orders then walk to another table INSTEAD of going to kitchen and handling one table at a time; forgetting all details such as what we were drinking & to grab straws
6. I never say this, for I am a grateful human being for having food to eat; but this food was terrible. Pasta was barely cooked (beyond Al Dente) & the recipes looked like something you would make up with 2 ingredients at home after not grocery shopping for 3 months…
Management needs to completely revamp their menu & restructure their operations. Period.

We have tried to find the glass half full here…
Tonight was the last straw
My husband went in to order take out — and was met with rude attitude behind the bar (not the first time). The bartender proceeds to chat with friends for 7 minutes after handing him a menu. Completely ignored him.
Then… The order (rigatoni and meatballs) was ridiculous. 2 meatballs and soggy pasta with hardly any sauce.
That’s it for us. No more chances

Was in Raleigh for the weekend and my family and I were looking for an Italian restaurant we hadn’t been to before, and after reading reviews we decided to try Serena Cucina. After making a reservation for 6:30 we showed up at 6:25 and we’re told it would be just a couple minutes til our table would be ready. While waiting 3 groups of guests showed up and we’re seated prior to us with a reservation. We ended up waiting 55 minutes to be seated.
Once seated we had some questions for the waitress who seemed to have an attitude and never really answered our questions. We all placed our order and after another 45 minutes our food came and 2 of the orders were items we didn’t order. The waitress grabbed the plates and once again another 20 minute wait to get the food. Out of the 5 of us only 2 liked there dinners.
All in all it was an awful and expensive experience. You may want to think twice prior to going to this restaurant.

Yes, North Raleigh, not so far.
Serena is superb with lovely presentation.
I had Manicotti, truly gourmet.
Reservations. deb g.

Great people, great great great food.
Not a huge fan of the alfredo. A little too much garlic. But that doesn’t hurt their rating. Everything else on the menu is crazy good.
Had an issue with a dish last time I was in. The manager literally couldn’t have been more apologetic and accommodating.
Keep up the great work, Serenas!

Okay officially in top 5 faves in Raleigh. Their build your own pasta is ridiculous. Anyone in your family can find something great to eat here. Brick or coal fired pizza is awesome (my MIL loved it and she’s a very particular eater!). Great wine selection and the music is always good too. Pricing not bad either! Go now!

Good food and generous portions! Staff was friendly and welcoming from the minute we walked in the door until we left. Will definitely be back!

The fresh gnocchi is some of the best pasta I have ever had. The wait staff was awesome, and there’s a discount on your bill if you eat before six. We will definitely be back.

A friend of mine suggested this place. Second time I’ve been here. First time I had pizza «excellent. Second time I had a salad. Fantastic. Try had these fried chick peas and peppers with spinach. Best salad I’ve had in a long time.
Definitely a place to go.

Hadn’t been in awhile but it still has fabulous food and portions. Very relaxing atmosphere and service was friendly. The bar has a very nice selection of beer and wine and the specials are always great.
The Coal-​fired oven has had issues. I haven’t had that pizza but I know that patrons are concerned and hope it is fixed. We hope so too. The small bites on the happy hour menu have changed and we hope that it isn’t a sign that the restaurant might close.
It is a wonderful family oriented neighborhood spot. We love having it in North Raleigh. Please keep the menu as is, and don’t change it. It’s terrific.
Meatballs are the best in town.

Let me say two things (1) they were out of the nightly drink special. Don’t you plan ahead for nightly specials? duh!
MORE IMPORTANTLY!!!
(2) I was sitting at the bar next to the pizza station. I see a guy training another guy on how to make pizza [on the other side of the glass]. Watching, I see guy # 1 spill pizza sauce, SCOOP IT UP WITH HIS HAND, and fling it back on the pizza to be cooked.
I summon the host over and am like: «That is revolting. You need to tell the manager there is a very unsanitary guy making pizzas; I am going to vomit.» I wondered then why the host guy was so nervous and anxious about my complaint. [no fault to him, he was trying to cover as I guess a good employee should]
YOU KNOW WHY ===== Turns out the the filthy guy was the owner. I nearly vomited. Can you imagine how disgusting this place is? I didn’t even know what to say or do. When the waiter came over to take our food order I said «no thanks, I have lost my appetite. I’ll just have this sub-​drink and leave.» BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

Pretty great place, consistently. The menu is awesome; you can design your own dish whether pasta, pizza, salad, or sandwich. They bring for your pizza a tray of hot peppers, tons of fresh grated Parmesan cheese, and baked garlic crunchies. The beer menu is quite substantial with lots of draft crafts.

Absolutely amazing. Best burger I’ve ever had. The menu is one of those that I have to try everything at some point.
Perfect atmosphere. Great music playing. Can’t wait to come back and I haven’t even left yet!

Finally checked out Serena, a hidden gem in a shopping center near my house. I had heard it was good from a few friends, and was pleased to find it met my expectations.
We went the evening of ice-​pocolypse 2015, which meant there were fewer patrons than normal so the wait staff was quite attentive and pleasant. The menu provided a wide variety of appetizers, salads, pastas and pizzas. I opted for meatballs over gnocchi — YUM. The portions were generous, so I enjoyed it for lunch the next day as well. The chef’s tomato sauce is divine with just enough flavor to remind me of my grandmother’s cooking. And as wonderful as my meal was, my friend ordered a white pizza that was out of this world.
I hope to make it back to Serena for happy hour — if you dine at the bar the appetizers under $ 5. Can’t beat it!

Came here on a rare snow day in Raleigh and it was a nice surprise how good it was! First off, let’s discuss the music. Awesome! They play oldies and Motown type music– great atmosphere.
The food was very good. It was on par with places like Gravy downtown. I got white pizza and it was delicious. A friend got the meatballs and gnocchi. Both were much better than you’d expect from an Italian place that’s not known for gnocchi or anything.
So what about the prices? It’s not crazy expensive– I definitely spent more at Bella Monica down the street. However anything to substitute or add costs extra. They also have make your pizza and pasta sections and it can add up extremely quickly. You won’t get out of here for les than $ 15 – 20 even if you don’t get any apps or drinks.
By and large, very enjoyable. I would certainly come back

You’re hooked by the aroma of the wood fired pizza oven walking through the door. You might need a little help navigating the menu but your server is more than happy to help. Recommendations… everything. No wimpy tomato sauce here, we’re talking bold and beautiful. Large portions, pastas, sandwiches, entrees… anything and everything you could wish for. Just check them out. It might be your first time, it won’t be your last.

Finally made it here for a dinner, and as I expected, it was terrific! First thing I noticed was it was half price bottle wine night (Monday). And yes, you can take it home if you don’t finish it. Bottle of wine…$ 12.50! (am in love).
I will say that the menu might be slightly intimidating as you have so many choices. Sauce, Pasta, and Toppings… oh my! Some might want to click heels and be back in Kansas, but not this gal… bring on choices! Husband played it safe with Tomato Sauce with Gemelli and Moorish Meatballs (balls made with just beef).
I opted for Biagia Picchi Pacchiu — Roma Tomatoes, EVOO, Davis Park Rosemary, Basil & Fresh Mozzarella, with Gemelli (tight pasta spirals, by the way), and thinly sliced sausage. I also added the spiced ricotta (YES!)
We were brought half a pizza size garlic bread with dipping tomato sauce. Also were brought a very tasty amuse bouche of a creamy tomato type soup. Impressive! Then our entrees arrived and I was more in love. Can HIGHLY recommend the combination I ordered if you love bold flavors. Also love that they (once again) brought crushed red pepper, parmesan and some kind of spice blend with it.
Both of us took part of our meals home. Husband got one more meal out of his. I got three. And loved every one of them.
Service was just right (loved Alvin!).
Do note if you’re unsure about making your own tasty combo, they do have wonderful sounding ones like their manicotti or lasagna. Although I highly recommend the delightful combo I came up with. :)