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Name: Vita
Address: 1575 Boulder St, Denver, CO, 80211
Telephone: (303) 477-4600
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.23

Vita

1575 Boulder St, Denver, CO, 80211

(303) 477-4600
Store is closed

Vita Menu

Drinks

Limeade

Citrus Soda

Ginger Spice

Pineapple-Pepper

Limeade

Citrus Soda

Ginger Spice

Pineapple-Pepper
Appetizers

Vita Caprese

PEI Mussels

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie

Calamari

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Bruschetta

Crispy Tiger Shrimp

Mahi Tacos

Vita Caprese

PEI Mussels

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie

Calamari

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Bruschetta

Crispy Tiger Shrimp

Mahi Tacos
Salads and Soup

Tomato Basil Soup

Soup of the Day

Garden Salad

Butter Leaf Wedge

Spinach Salad

Arugula Salad

Cobb Salad

Tomato Basil Soup

Soup of the Day

Garden Salad

Butter Leaf Wedge

Spinach Salad

Arugula Salad

Cobb Salad
Dinner Entrees

New York Strip

Atlantic Salmon

Mahi Mahi

Chicken Marsala

Penne Roberto

Tortellini Carbonara

Penne Monza Fresca

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine

Chicken Parmesan

New York Strip

Atlantic Salmon

Mahi Mahi

Chicken Marsala

Penne Roberto

Tortellini Carbonara

Penne Monza Fresca

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine

Chicken Parmesan
Sandwiches and Burgers

San Francisco Burger

Flank Steak Gyro

Garden Sandwich

Applewood Bacon Burger

Reuben

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Salmon BLT

San Francisco Burger

Flank Steak Gyro

Garden Sandwich

Applewood Bacon Burger

Reuben

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Salmon BLT
Lunch Appetizers

Vita Caprese Lunch

PEI Mussels Lunch

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie Lunch

Calamari Lunch

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Lunch

Bruschetta Lunch

Crispy Tiger Shrimp Lunch

Vita Caprese Lunch

PEI Mussels Lunch

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie Lunch

Calamari Lunch

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Lunch

Bruschetta Lunch

Crispy Tiger Shrimp Lunch
Lunch Salads and Soup

Soup of the Day Lunch

Tomato Basil Soup Lunch

Arugula Salad Lunch

Butter Leaf Wedge Lunch

Spinach Salad Lunch

Chinese Chicken Salad Lunch

Cobb Salad Lunch

Soup of the Day Lunch

Tomato Basil Soup Lunch

Arugula Salad Lunch

Butter Leaf Wedge Lunch

Spinach Salad Lunch

Chinese Chicken Salad Lunch

Cobb Salad Lunch
Lunch Sandwiches and Burgers

San Francisco Burger Lunch

Blue Burger Lunch

Applewood Bacon Burger Lunch

Reuben Lunch

Flank Steak Gyro Lunch

Salmon BLT Lunch

Fish Tacos Lunch

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich Lunch

Chicken Walnut Sandwich Lunch

Garden Sandwich Lunch

San Francisco Burger Lunch

Blue Burger Lunch

Applewood Bacon Burger Lunch

Reuben Lunch

Flank Steak Gyro Lunch

Salmon BLT Lunch

Fish Tacos Lunch

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich Lunch

Chicken Walnut Sandwich Lunch

Garden Sandwich Lunch
Lunch Pasta

Penne Roberto Lunch

Tortellini Carbonara Lunch

Penne Monza Fresca Lunch

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine Lunch

Penne Roberto Lunch

Tortellini Carbonara Lunch

Penne Monza Fresca Lunch

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine Lunch

Healthy Meal suggestions for Vita

Drinks

Limeade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Citrus Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Spice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple-Pepper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Limeade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Citrus Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Spice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pineapple-Pepper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Appetizers

Vita Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

PEI Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach and Artichoke Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Tiger Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vita Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

PEI Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach and Artichoke Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Tiger Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads and Soup

Tomato Basil Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Leaf Wedge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobb Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Basil Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Leaf Wedge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobb Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dinner Entrees

New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Roberto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Monza Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Roberto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Monza Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches and Burgers

San Francisco Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flank Steak Gyro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Bacon Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Jerk Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Francisco Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flank Steak Gyro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Bacon Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Jerk Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Appetizers

Vita Caprese Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

PEI Mussels Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Tiger Shrimp Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vita Caprese Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

PEI Mussels Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey and Cashew Encrusted Brie Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Tiger Shrimp Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Salads and Soup

Soup of the Day Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Basil Soup Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Leaf Wedge Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chinese Chicken Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobb Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of the Day Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Basil Soup Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arugula Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Leaf Wedge Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chinese Chicken Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobb Salad Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Sandwiches and Burgers

San Francisco Burger Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Burger Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Bacon Burger Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flank Steak Gyro Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon BLT Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Walnut Sandwich Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Sandwich Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Francisco Burger Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Burger Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Bacon Burger Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Reuben Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flank Steak Gyro Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon BLT Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Tacos Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Walnut Sandwich Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Sandwich Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Lunch Pasta

Penne Roberto Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Carbonara Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Monza Fresca Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Roberto Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Carbonara Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Monza Fresca Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp and Sausage Linguine Lunch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

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Write An Anonymous Review

Natalia K.

I expected a lot more from Vita just from looking at their menu. At the end of the night, the best thing I'd had was probably the House Made Mozzarella (essentially a bruschetta) -- and I'm a carnivore that loves meat above all else -- so that should say something. The pork belly appetizer was good, but not great (and I rarely say that about anything pork-belly-based). The pork belly itself was goof, but I don't think the pairings were quite right. The apple & white onion chutney didn't have a whole lot of flavor or seem to add to the pork belly. The Short Ribs, which I was really excited for, were a huge disappointment. It should have been called the "Brown Rice With a Side of 2 Tiny Pieces of Short Rib -- All Overpowered by the Horseradish Gravy" (and I'm Russian and can eat horseradish for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- so that's saying something). My friend's New York Strip was good, but for $32, there's a LOT better steaks you can get in this town (Capital Grill, Ocean Prime, etc). So like I said, the $11 Mozzarella appetizer was my favorite thing there. Hardly something to come back for.
(3)
jacob s.

Â¡HORRIBLE SUNDAY BRUNCH! "Well if you would have called a reservation for a large party, we would have staffed the restaurant to meet your needs" is what the nerve racked waitress just explained to me. We're a party of 17 that showed up right at 10 when the restaurant was opened and the only ones here mind you. It took an hour and a half to get food... The first plate, a "Grits and Shrimp" ordered with "poached eggs" arrived pasty looking with two over poached (more like hard boiled) eggs at that hour and a half mark. If you include not being given creamer for coffee or glasses for water, I easily can say that this experience sucked BIG TIME! We've been here now for close to two and a half hours, waiting now for the waitress to get around to getting us our check. STAY AWAY for Sunday brunch!!!!
(1)
Shenan P.

Been here twice now and it has definitely improved after my second visit. All 4 of our dishes were overly salty the first time, but much better the next. The flank steak is delicious and cooked perfectly. Good food in a nice location.
(4)
Jelle L.

Somehow amazing that this block is so busy and full of restaurants but being there yesterday this place was empty - everything around was quite packed! 1 beer on tap but lots of wines had kale salad, pork chop, spaetzle and cheese cake with a merlot and pinot grigio - overall tasted great, solid for my taste buds
(4)
Stuart M.

I have to say I live blocks from this restaurant and don't come here enough. This is one of the original gems in LoHi. When I've gone lately there's never a wait and I don't understand it. In fact, we went last night for dinner and there was a total of 16 people in the restaurant. I don't get it because the food is phenomenal. I've never had a bad meal here. Last night we started with the Ten Hour Pork. Mouthgasm #1! Next we split (we weren't super hungry) the Winter Kale salad. Delicious! Then we had the Caramel & Pecan Baked Brie for dessert. Mouthgasm #2!! You cannot go wrong at this restaurant. Absolutely delicious food.
(5)
Stephanie R.

I came here about 1 1/2 months ago and had a terrible experience as noted from my previous post. I came back here with 5 other people to give it another try and it couldn't have possibly been any worse. This might, in fact be the worst dinner experience I've ever had. We went to the rooftop deck and sat at a nice table. Matt, was our server and was so sweet. We all put in our order and that's where problems started. Emma asked for a salad with no onions. She had onions on her salad. They took it, removed the onions (not making her a new one) and gave it back. There were onions on the bottom of the plate. I ordered a risotto. I did not order a black hair, which looked like a chest or arm pube. Aliece ordered a salad that also had some type of dog hair or pube in it. My risotto came out first and the salads came out last. How does this make sense? It takes 2 seconds to throw kale, carrots and nut together. Risotto, much longer. Now were 40 min or so into service. Matt was super sweet and offered us a free round of drinks but because some of us had pubes in our food he also told us we would get our entrees for free. We got our check and he said his manager wouldn't allow us the free entrees because they still re-made them. The manager never came up and show his/her face or to apologize. We were such a nice and understanding group and Matt was really a pleasant guy and felt so bad. I'm just not sure how many bad things can happen to one table in an evening. This night warranted a visit from the manager for sure. Disgusted and will never return.
(1)
Gretchen G.

Vita isn't as hopping as it once was; stupid big building went up in front of it and blocked what was the best view in Denver. Maybe no one noticed that they 2 for 1 happy hours are awesome and that the food is still good. I've been for lunch but really its the happy hour that gets me. Happy hour everyday, 2 for 1 appetizers and drink specials. Try the baked brie. They have a patio and a front porch. There is valet parking (if you've tried parking in that neighborhood, you'll appreciate it).
(4)
B I.

Really bummed. We went out with another couple for resturaunt week. The appetizers were great, the mussels and nachos had alot of flavor and depth. My husband had the calamari, he really liked it (I think all calamari tastes like rubber, so I'm not a good judge). The salads were good but it's hard to mess up a salad. The entrees fell short however. I ordered the filet and my husband ordered the flat iron. He ordered his medium rare and I ordered mine medium, both came out well done. We sent them back and I was told they were out of filet, so I substituted the risotto. Butternut squash with shrimp risotto although all I could taste was rice and cream. It was really one dimensional and pretty unimpressive. They brought the flat iron back more rare, raw then medium rare, but he ate it ( the edges at least) . Overall not a great expierence we won't be back.
(2)
Amy D.

We met up with a couple that moved to Denver from Austin and they suggested we meet at Vita. We had reservations and thought we would be seated rooftop but were seated downstairs. The plus was the live music indoors made for a great atmosphere. They have an extensive wine list and I easily found a couple I liked to accompany both the appetizer and dinner. We shared the pork belly appetizer which was tender and not too rich or greasy. For dinner I had the small plate size of blackened sea bass. The sea bass was served with sweet potato and crawfish hash, grilled onion and dill cream sauce. The flavors completely complimented each other and the slightly sweet sea bass melted in your mouth. The sea bass dish was easily one of the best dishes I had while in Denver. The small plate was not your tapa style small plate easily satisfied my appetite. I also tried a bite of the pork tenderloin served with confit potatoes, spinach, roasted red peppers, shallots with a port wine glaze. This was also an exceptional dish. Everything was perfect from the service, food and atmosphere.
(5)
Lu T.

I met a few friends for drinks and it was happy hour at 6PM! Some of the wine and beer on tap were for a great price and the options of wine are decent. The food is OK. We shared a few appetizers. The service was fine - there were some between seeing out server despite it being a slower night. Also due to the delay, our last order of drinks missed happy hour which was a little disappointing but it happens. We ordered more anyway. This food was OK, and the price for the drinks were quite reasonable for Denver. I would come back again for happy hour (they offer 2 for 1 drinks) but I'm not sure I'd come back for the food. Also, parking on that street is all street parking so be prepared to park where you can and walk in. This is handy news for those not wearing comfortable shoes after a work day.
(3)
Courtney S.

We went here on a whim and loved it. The Black and Blue burger was fabulous and the 'sweet and salty' fries were an interesting change up. Darrel the server was really friendly and got everything perfect. There was no pressure to leave or order more.
(5)
Greg P.

We had a great experience and a great vibe when we walked in the door. Fun happy hour with great deals.
(4)
Bob S.

Very good experience. Everyone in our 10 person party was satisfied with their brunch selection. Service was as good as the food. Why isn't this place busier at brunch time?
(5)
Alissa R.

Okay, so I have to raise my original rating, as Vita has redeemed itself on the Happy Hour menu alone. The hh times are Monday-Friday 3:00 - 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 2:00pm - 6:30pm. Here is what is offered 2-For-1 Appetizers, 2-For-1 Wines by the Glass (26 Different Choices!), $3 Drafts of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, here is the real kicker for me-$5 Well Cocktails (Served double tall in a pint glass!), and $2.50 Bud and Bud Light Bottles. This along with their nice rooftop patio makes for a happy time, indeed. The drinks did a great job on getting me buzzed and the Snake River Pork Belly deliciously hit the right spot. I will return for Happy Hour to most definitely leave a bit more happy.
(3)
Jennifer B.

Four Stars for the HH only. This place is located in the heart of the Highlands and has a beautiful seat yourself roof top patio, first come first serve. I feel sad that they have lost their amazing view of downtown Denver due to an apartment building but with that said their patio is still quite lovely. A group of us were looking for a good HH one sunny Saturday afternoon and decided upon Vita as a good option. We were able to poach a table on the patio as we saw a table getting up and were the crazy people hoovering to make sure we got the table. Needless to say we got the table and were overjoyed with the surroundings. This HH is outstanding. Here's a breakdown: Monday-Friday 3:00-6:30 Saturday and Sunday 2:00-6:30 2 for 1 appetizers 2 for 1 wine by the glass (26 choices) $3 drafts $5 double well drinks (Skyy is the well vodka here - bonus) $2.50 Bud and Bud light bottles Don't bother eating, the food is on the pricier side in my opinion and will not add anything to your evening. Come and get your drink on and enjoy the patio. It's completely worthwhile.
(4)
Crys A.

Vita was an epic disappointment. It is quite simply just wayyyyy overpriced for what is essentially very little food. I ordered the ribeye entree for $29 and was shocked when I was presented *not* with a ribeye steak, but rather three small cuts of meat and some potato cakes. The meat didn't even seem like ribeye but rather another cut entirely. What's worse is all three measly pieces of steak were beyond bland. First, gyp me out of the steak I ordered and second don't even season it? Frustratingly, the doughnut dessert I ordered was also as miniscule as the steak: five small marble sized doughnuts with very little sauce to accompany them. Dry, flavorless, and too expensive for what you get. The only saving grace that night was our great waiter, Coleman. He was attentive and nice, which somewhat goes against the scores of other Yelp reviews citing alarmingly bad service at this restaurant. Still, even Coleman wasn't enough to make me give this place more than one star. This place has historically been incredibly over-hyped. Appropriately, however, enough Yelp reviews are stacking up to lower Vita's rating measurably -- though three stars (which it has at present) is two too many. Stay away from this place. Go to Lola and Linger instead.
(1)
Elizabeth K.

Went here today for late lunch and were some of the only people there! We thought it was closed! We all ordered sandwiches, option of salad, chips or French fries. Good prompt service. Nice decor and atmosphere. The food was good but nothing to boast about. Would go back if I was in the area but wouldn't make a trek to get there.
(3)
Joanna L.

I've been here a few times in the past for happy hour and have always had a nice time on the patio. I went to a party for a friend recently and they did a really great job with a group of about 14 people. Our waiter was very pleasant, got everyone's order right, and had no problem splitting up the checks. I was surprised that the restaurant seemed virtually empty compared to usual. Not sure what was going on there, and maybe that's why our waiter was awesome--he didn't have much to do. My food was wonderful, I had the kale salad and red pepper soup and they were both delish. The mozzarella appetizer looked great too. I think I'm going to have to try it next time I am there.
(4)
Nick C.

We settled on Vita after realizing Lola, our first choice, had the day off just like the rest of us did on Memorial Day. Wanting a rooftop feel while knowing Linger would be packed, we settled on convenient and ended up at Vita. The place was pretty empty for a Memorial Day lunch. We had our choice of spots on the pretty scarce looking and viewless rooftop. The cocktail selection was not all that appealing nor was the draft list. They had one beer on draft and it wasn't even a local brew. Although I am a sucker for a Deschutes Mirror Pond, how could you not have just one local brew on draft with all the great breweries in and around the Highlands. The girls ordered mimosas, which the waiter indicated after dropping the beer and my weak and watered down mojito, it would be a while as we have to go round up orange juice. Not having OJ during brunch/lunch at a bar with mixed cocktails galore or just indicating it like it was a hassle to go get after the fact was entirely rude and off putting just like the rest of his comments and attitude the remainder of the meal. Beyond the servers too cool for school attitude with his shades and cocky demeanor, the food also fared just as poor. Prior to going, I had always wondered why they got such average reviews on the food when the menu looked so appetizing. This was much the case here. The menu looked great as we all had a tough time deciding between items. The kale salad with added shrimp was measly in size and at $15 with just 4 shrimp made my head hurt and stomach rumble. The turkey club was all bread with next to no meat which is fine if you are paying for a $5 footlong and not a $14.50 sandwich. The burger performed the best of all the dishes, but rarely does one take exception with a burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions. Despite wanting to end our interactions with our server we hung around to chat and catch up with one another. Ironically enough, rather than on our own accords, it was him that urged us to leave passive aggressively by placing new menus and sets of silverware down as we lingered. Overall, it was a shame Lola was closed and that we didn't suck it up and venture to Linger where maybe we could have lingered and enjoyed one another's company (and possibly over better food). Instead we were left with a pretty subpar experience and meal at a restaurant that I had high hopes for.
(2)
Lindsay P.

Have been to vita a few times before and usually had decent service. This time it was unfortunately different. The food and drinks were still good but after happy hour ended we sat for about 30 minutes all with empty drinks. Wait staff would pass us and not even give us a second glance even after we tried to flag someone down, and we were right across from the bar. Once we decided to get the check, we gave our cards to the server to split 4 ways. Apparently the server has trouble splitting the bill and charged us twice (once for the right amount and once for $42) but never told us. We only found out when one person got a notification from their bank. I understand thing happen but not letting us know we would see two charges and not giving us the cancelled transaction was very unprofessional. I'm definitely not going to be suggesting vita any time soon.
(2)
Heather M.

My favorite thing about Vita is the rooftop patio and the happy hour. Sunday afternoon happy hour consisted of numerous delicious items, including drinks, all being half off. Which might not seem so great until you are 5 drinks and 6 appetizers in and realize it's still only $50. The happy hour is really hard to beat. The rooftop patio is also excellent (I've actually never dined inside), though made slightly less-excellent by the fact that a large apartment building was erected to the east, blocking the lovely view of downtown. But whatever. Vita compensated for this incident by installing super comfortable couches, so now people fight for the seats that look away from downtown. This is definitely a great place to dine when the weather is nice and you're ready for people watching.
(4)
Katherine R.

If I could give zero stars, I would. Do yourself a favor and don't sit outside at the bar as the bartender will make sure you are completely ignored. Horrible service. Won't ever be back.
(1)
Liz P.

This is my third time here. The first two times were great, but this time has been a dissapointing experience. The drink menu i received was coverd in food and some sort of sauce! I have not had an actual waiter the entire time I have been here (45mins). The hosts have been helpful, taking my drink and food order. But the wait for the food was pretty long and had to ask 3 people for my beer. Side note - the first two times they have had no problem accommodating my vegan diet but this time seemed like more of an issue and on top of everything else, they ran out of french fries!!!!
(2)
Shanna K.

I had gone here once years ago for dinner, and all I can remember of it was fancy drinks and tasty mac and cheese. Then last year, I went here for lunch with my boss -- not a ton of vegetarian options, but the sandwich was tasty. Fast forward to last weekend, when we hit them up for Restaurant Week with two other couples. I was a little cranky about the 8pm reservations (we usually eat at 5:30 or 6), but sucked it up because they had more than one vegetarian option on the menu. We arrived a little before 8, and used the free valet (+10, given the parking situation in that area). However, our table wasn't ready. We waited. 8:20. Table wasn't ready. Finally, at 8:30, they let us sit at the bar, and offered us a free appetizer to assuage our hungry tummies - hurray! 8:45 - the table we were waiting on decided to order dessert. Finally, we got sat a little after 9pm. Not impressed at this point. And then I was, impressed that is. The hostess and server knew the 5280 menu incredibly well, down to whether certain dishes had meat stock or not. I loved that there were at least two vegetarian options for each course! I started with the Gnocchi, went on to the Butter Lettuce Salad and finished with the Mushroom Risotto. Leo began with the Roasted Vegetable Burrata, had the Kale Salad and hit home with the Steak and Frites. Both of us (as well as everyone else at the table) LOVED everything we ate, and our server kept our water, wine and iced tea well filled. Best yet, the manager came by to apologize for the delay, and brought out some free dessert (Pumpkin Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake and Little Man Sorbet). He didn't have to do it, since the food and free appetizer had already erased the memory of our wait...but he did. And that it what will forever standout with Vita is that their service was amazing, their food was tasty, and when something was not up to snuff, they did everything and more to make it right. We'll be back.
(4)
Jessica M.

Ugh, went to Vita last night with my boyfriend and 2 friends - we are all either throwing up or feeling very ill. I do not recommend this place - even if we didn't get sick, we still thought it was overpriced and poor quality food.
(1)
Carla C.

Way overpriced food. Not only that, I ordered the short ribs, it was extremely salty. Actually, I could not eat anything. My husband's food was very salty as well. It is a nice place but not good food.
(2)
Lauren T.

We came here for drinks and dinner on their upper patio. It's a great spot - if you can find a spot or get any service. We waited for a table to open, but once it did the service was slower than a salty snail. We sat for about 15-20 with empty drinks before anyone came over to ask if we wanted another round. We ordered the hummus appetizer which tasted like refried beans and had a black hair on the veggies. We brought this up to the waiter's attention and he simply took the celery stick that had the most hair on it and tossed it in the nearby trash - pretty disgusting. At this point we decided that we weren't going to stay for dinner and got our check. Thankfully, they took the hummus off of the bill. Overall not worth the wait or hype.
(1)
Sara B.

2 for 1 wine during happy hour 3-6:30. Order the caramel and pecan baked Brie it's amazing.
(5)
Terry L.

Combine trendy decor, great Kobe Beef Sliders with caramelized onions, 1/2 price wine and a packed patio full of ridiculously sexy people overlooking downtown Denver--and you get my Vita experience last Tuesday for Happy Hour. I have been by this place and have been wanting to try it out for quite a few months-- and was not disappointed. I am thinking I need to sort up another Happy Hour on the now-famous Vita patio with some good friends sometime very soon!
(4)
Steven B.

I was told this restaurant was excellent and that I wouldn't be disappointed. Unfortunately our fixed price dinner with wine pairings was an absolute mess. The food was alright, certainly not bad, but the timing and pacing were all off and it quickly became more about the wine with the server than the pairings with the flavors of food. Sure, I am all for getting drunk... but at a bar. Not a fixed price dinner. It's too bad, as it will influence my decision to go back.
(2)
Kate K.

Honestly I'd say 3.5, but with no half stars, I'll go with 3. Been to Vita twice, once on half price wine night. And once for happy hour. Love the location and we've had good service both times. The happy hour sliders and chips were awesome. The cherry BBQ sauce on the sliders was super tasty. As was the full priced Chef's Selection Antipasto - $25 was a bit much for what we got, but I think that's usually the case with charcuterie. I do wonder what the view will be like when the condos across the street are completed, but I'm hopeful it won't totally ruin it.
(3)
Alicia R.

Food was good but not worth the money. Service was absolutely horrible. Waited an hour for food and 2 hours just for my second beer.
(2)
Lyndsey K.

My visit to Vita on Sunday was by far the worst experience at a restaurant I have ever had. We had a reservation for 15 or so people for brunch on Sunday 6-30-13, and we were the only people in the restaurant, which should have been our first clue. PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW - HAIR IN FOOD * It took multiple attempts to order drinks; the server appeared to be making them herself while other members of the staff walked around. Some people in our party did not receive their drinks at all. When asked about their drinks, the server said, someone else must have grabbed them. * We asked for more water for the table and the server said she would bring it, but wanted to know if we were aware that we are in a drought. * She took an additional drink order and disappeared or another 20 minutes or so. * We finally ordered our meal and luckily reinforcements came. An additional server asked if we were doing ok and that our server was just finishing putting our orders into the computer. This was another 20 minutes later. At this time we had been at the restaurant for over an hour and a half. One of our party went downstairs to seek out a manager and was told that the server was new. * Once the food started to arrive, it came two to three plates at a time. The first half of the party was done eating before the second half had even received their food. The server blamed the kitchen, which usually happens when the server messes up. She took no responsibility. * The plate that took the longest to be delivered was a veggie sandwich which does not require any cooking at all. One person in our party NEVER EVEN RECEIVED HER FOOD. After she requested to cancel the order because everyone was done, the manager told her that at least she was going to the Rockies game and could get food there. Does that sound like an apology? * As I was finishing my burger and fries, I found a very appetizing short black HAIR. I took my plate to the server and said that this was unacceptable. The manager did find me later and said that she doesn't know how that could have happened, all of the cooks wear hats. Another apology?? She said it would be removed from my bill. When we received the bill, it had not been removed after all. * To top it off, the server only added gratuity to half of the party and awkwardly explained to us that she had removed it because she didn't want to force us to tip her. I would never not tip a server, even for service like this, but the fact was she did not remove the gratuity at all. The behavior of the server was completely unacceptable, but even more disturbing was the behavior of the manager. Not once did she come up to our table and apologize or try to make it right. Quite the opposite, we got the feeling that they were upset with us. Highlands is quickly becoming a hot spot for new hip restaurants, and if their behavior continues this way, Vita does not stand a chance. I will never go back to this restaurant and will encourage all of my friends to do the same, all of whom spend a lot of money dining out. If there was an option for zero stars, that would be my rating. This restaurant should be embarrassed and ashamed by the behavior of the staff that they have hired, especially on a managerial level. While most other restaurants around them are thriving, Vita will sit empty, wondering why....
(1)
Kristin W.

We hosted a birthday party for about 30 guests at Vita recently and the did a great job. The staff was organized, everything ran smoothly and the service was very prompt. The event coordinator was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire planning process. I can't comment on the food because I didn't actually eat any but I think everyone enjoyed it.
(4)
Kelly T.

Yes. This place is still getting 5 stars from me. But I wanted to update my review to commend the staff on some of the best customer service I've ever experienced at a restaurant. So, there I was, albeit 5 minutes late for the 8:30 reservation I had made for my party of 14, but I was standing in the waiting area of Vita waiting for the rest of my party to arrive. Luckily, the hostess had informed me that they were just waiting for a party of 6 to leave before our table was ready, so I wasn't too upset that no one (except my BFF, who knows better than to be late for things that I plan) was there yet. Cut to half an hour later. It's 9 PM. All 14 people are there. Our table is still not ready because this 6 top (even though they paid the bill 30 minutes ago) will not leave. This is NOT Vita's fault. Apparently, this party arrived 45 minutes late for their reservation and then they just stopped paying attention to the world around them. So, I kindly walked over and informed the table that we were, in fact, waiting for them to leave. We had 8:30 reservations and we'd been waiting on them for 45 minutes now. Would they mind going to the bar or somewhere else so that we could eat? Now, this is where the staff stepped in and really won me over. The hostess kindly, but firmly backed my request when this party complained and when they finally did leave (only to complain about me for another 10 minutes to the manager), the staff swooped into action and the tables were cleared and ready to go in 30 seconds. We sat down and they gave us a complimentary round of champagne as well as 3 complimentary apps almost immediately. The hostess said she was sure we were all starving by this point and she didn't want us to have to wait. The rest of the evening was spectacular and our servers were great. Also, my tuna tartar was delish! I really don't like cucumbers, but I devoured them on this dish. Also, they split the tabs on dinner without us even having to ask! It made paying a total breeze. Also, I'd like to include a personal message to all you entitled rich, white 50 somethings: Just because you have everything doesn't mean that you get to treat everyone else in a restaurant, including the hosts, servers and patrons like crap. Be respectful and you'll get respect back. Age does NOT automatically earn my respect.
(5)
Tiffany N.

I can't believe how long it took me to get to Vita for dinner. And I can guarantee it won't take as long to get back. I went here just after 5280 had ended only to find out they were still doing the 5280 menu. Normally I'm not a huge fan of this menu because it excludes so many things from the regular menu, but much to my delight almost everything from Vita's regular menu was also on the special menu so we ordered from that. But, before we started our three-course feast we had to order a baked brie that came with walnuts and apples and was quite delightful. For my three courses I started with the tuna tartare. This had a great flavor and texture and was two rather large chip-like wontons topped with the tuna mixture. I then moved on to a spinach salad - fairly basic, but with lovely seasonal ingredients and a nice dressing. And for dinner I had a perfectly cooked steak with frites. My favorite part of this was that I was allowed to pick two sauces to go with my steak and frites and I chose a horseradish cream sauce and a jalapeno sauce. I wasn't really a fan of the jalapeno (it was red which surprise me and I didn't really enjoy the flavor), but I ate the heck out of the horseradish one. Our server was great and the view of downtown is awesome. But, even if you don't get a seat with a view, the inside atmosphere is sexy so you can enjoy that with your dining partners.
(4)
Abby R.

My friend and I went to Vita last night for the first time. We came with the intention to try a couple appetizers and sit on the rooftop. When we arrived they were having free live music on the patio which turned out to be very good. Unlike many of the reviews I've read about poor service, our server, as well as woman that appeared to be more of a M.O.D., were attentive throughout, therefore I have no complaints (it was a full patio)! We ordered a couple apps; the house-made mozzarella with tomato and arugula pesto, and the pork belly over succotash. The overall flavor-profile for both was underwhelming. The mozzarella was sliced-thin and a bit dry. The arugula pesto was more like an arugula coulis; unlike a basil or any herb pesto for that matter, the arugula is not aromatic. It was flavorless and without any detectable seasoning. It was topped with dry arugula lettuce and slivered almonds, neither of which added any character to the dish. The final element, tomatoes, were simply mediocre. As for the pork belly appetizer (recommended in many reviews), the succotash did not support it in the way it could have. It lacked any acidity or spice, which would have been a nice accompaniment to the fattiness of the pork belly. It too, lacked seasoning. I only tried a couple bites of it but the succotash had a thick creaminess to it which could have been cream or mayonnaise-based. I'm not quite sure, but it wasn't very appetizing. In the end, I feel the execution undermined the concept of both dishes. Due to the price point for the majority of their items, I doubt I'll return with an appetite to try more food.
(3)
Sylvie L.

The worst. Nice rooftop, but horrendous service. It started with purple lipstick on my waterglass. My friends' bloody marys were way too spicy to drink. Took forever to get someone to take our order. About 45 minutes later the waitress said the kitchen lost our ticket but they'd rush it. Two hours later we left - never got our food.
(1)
Michael K.

I've only been to Vita three times, which represents the maximum number of chances I'm willing to give any reputable restaurant. The most recent time was for Denver Restaurant Week. I chose Vita because I knew it wouldn't be too busy, and I figured I'd give them another shot. And there began the worst experience I've had there. Previously, their food seemed reasonably prepared but the experience was somehow lacking. This time, the preparation seemed rushed and careless, something I can't tolerate outside of a greasy spoon. Sure, Restaurant Week is a busy time, but it's also a practiced menu the chefs should be able to nail, every time. Not so at Vita. My lamb chops came out near-raw, still cold and uncooked at the center (I had requested medium), and I had to send them back for an additional minute on the heat. My partner ordered the salmon entree, but a whitefish entree arrived instead. When alerted, the server apologized and returned with the exact same plate, now sporting a chunk of salmon instead of the white fish--a totally different menu item, not designed around the flavor of salmon, but the kitchen decided that was easier than making the dish as ordered. A starter also had to be sent back, as it arrived not gluten-free as requested (and as we were assured it would be 'no problem'--otherwise I wouldn't have asked for it). In the end, our server comped us our drinks--she seemed as baffled as we, but she also admitted to being new and seemed a little in the weeds. So, in a neighborhood bristling with good restaurants, I say skip Vita.
(2)
Isabel Z.

Happy hour is fantastic! Although I did not partake in the bogo apps, I did have the spinach salad and it was perfect!! Service was great too! Love Vita
(5)
Kane P.

Good roof top patio (even though its blocked by the ugly bulding next door), service is always good-the staff is friendly. The food is good, but not great but overall its a great little spot in the highlands.
(4)
Kyle S.

Excellent Service, Excellent Food and Reasonably Priced. We arrived right before the end of happy hour so we received 2 for 1 drinks and 2 for 1 appetizers. Service was very prompt and attentive, water glasses were Never empty. The Caramel & Pecan Baked Brie was way better then expected as was the Hummus & Charmoula. The kid filling up our water recommended the Grilled Pork Tenderloin and the Flat Iron Steak. Everything was perfect. I like a medium rare steak and there are very few restaurants that cook a true medium rare (Elways, Capitol Grill etc . . ) (most tend to over cook) this place hit the nail right on the head. What was really nice is I am a big eater and my wife very seldom finishes her plate. they have both Entree size and small plate sizes. 4 happy diners. We will be back for happy hour as you can fill up just on the appetizers alone. I am not sure what they could have done to make the service better.
(5)
Chase L.

Food has changed a tremendous amount since the last time I ate here. In a great way. Happy hour is great and a very manageable price for the high quality of the food. Seriously recommend the patio during happy hour or dinner as well.
(5)
Shane A.

I've been meaning to write a review for this place, but just now getting around to it. I live in this neighborhood, so many amazing restaurants.......then there is Vita. Worst service, waitress came and went as she saw fit. Drinks were so overpriced and weak. And the food was terrible. I ordered some kind of fried chicken dish and all i tasted was a fist-full of salt. Patio on sunny summer days used to be enough to get me here for drinks at least, but now with the new structures going up in the neighborhood blocking the view of Denver, i give this place another 6-12 months. They need to turn it around, or they will die in this neighborhood. Too many other (better) options.
(1)
G D.

Went to Vita for lunch with a friend -- he'd been here before and liked the place so I was expecting a good experience. First red flag, the hostess handed me a menu that was filthy. I tipped it in the light and saw literally dozens of dirty fingerprint marks all over it. From then on I was wary -- but my water glass and silverware looked clean. I had the portobello mushroom slider -- underseasoned -- and I was underwhelmed. But as I was eating discovered A HAIR IN THE SLIDER... in my mouth. GAG. I spit it out. Didn't mention it to my friend who fortunately was looking elsewhere, lol, and thought rather than ruin the afternoon for my friend I'd Yelp about my experience. Dirty menus. Okay service. Blah food. Hairs in your dish for free. Won't be going back. (Even writing about it makes me gag.)
(1)
Truman B.

This is a review for Vita's happy hour only. I have never eaten there when it wasn't happy hour. Obviously the crappy part about Vita is that someone decided to destroy Vita's sweet view of Downtown Denver by building an ugly apartment complex right in the way. On to things they can control: The happy hour is really good. They've changed it a bit. Now it's 2 for 1 appetizers and drinks but you can mix and match to get different things. Why do I give it 5 stars? The food and drinks are great and the price is solid. Simply put the baked brie on the happy hour menu is insane! It's quite large and incredibly tasty. It comes with two kinds of crackers, apple slices, pear slices, and (randomly) grapes. Mine was warmed to perfection. My wife and I also got the Mussels (solid but nothing special), the sliders which were good and pretty large, and calamari which was good. We couldn't finish everything there was so much food. Including two glasses of wine the bill came to less than $40. After a long week, $20 per person at Vita for Friday happy hour is the best/cheapest therapy around.
(5)
Sarah W.

We went to Vita last night for restaurant week. The night started on a slightly sour note (they were running behind so our 7:30 reservation ended up with an 8:00 seating) but the rest of the night was pretty great. Our server was very knowledgeable and had recommendations on hand, but didn't push menu items. Our table ordered several different options of the 5280 menu, the hits were the salmon tartar, the soup, the kale salad, the salmon and the mahi mahi. This place does it's fish well. My fiance and another friend ordered the steak and frites, I would say that was the only mediocre dish of the night, the ratio of steak to frites was disappointing. Over all a positive experience. I somehow always forget about Vita, but I will try to make it back sometime soon!
(4)
julie n.

Rooftop happy hour with some friends. They have happy hour on the weekends from 3-7 (I think). The waiter forgot my gf's drink and I overheard another table ask him if he was having a rough day. ha. We had some sliders, fries, calamari, antipasto plate, and everything was ok. $5 Appetizers $3 Sliders 2-For-1 Wines by the Glass $5 well drinks
(3)
Lauren M.

I went to Vita on Christmas Eve with a friend. We enjoyed the spinach salad (me), the kale salad (him), the seafood fettucine (me) and the pork tenderloin (him), plus a bottle of wine. The wine was half off that night, and always is for bottles on Tuesdays. That was great, but our server said he knew nothing about wine and we had to wait for the manager instead. Sort of odd, but okay. The food itself was excellent and the timing was also well-managed. Waters were refilled promptly. Overall, my experience here was satisfactory if not mind-blowing. I'd go back in the summer, maybe, to check out their rooftop patio.
(3)
Ashley B.

2012 Review #86: We came here for happy hour a week ago, and those people who have mentioned how hyped this place is are right, in my opinion. I hadn't heard that much about Vita but I knew about it and when we thought we needed a new happy hour, we checked it out. The happy hour is OK in my opinion, but not much better than that. The cheapest beer on happy hour is $3, which for beer, is not that cheap for an arguable micro-brew. That's also their only beer offering. Wines are 2-for-1, which is nice but you cannot split the 2 glasses across 2 people, which to me, defeats the purpose of 2-for-1. Anyway, the food options are about $3 for sliders, $5-7 for "plates" like pulled pork, bruchetta, etc. The pork on the plate is exactly the same as the pork on the slider, so that seems redundant to me. I ordered the portabello slider, my husband got the pork plate, and we got a side of fries. Our server was sort of a Bro, who came to our table a little late, was a little out of it, and was a little slow. He also favored other tables over ours. He brought out bread, which was beyond unremarkable. No way they make it there. Dry, chewy, bland, blech. It came with butter, which clearly does not sit at room temperature and had just come from the fridge because it was rock hard. It also wasn't salted. When our food arrived, my slider was definitely solid, but the bun is obviously not housemade. I liked the portabello flavor, and the pesto, but the bun wasn't worth eating. My husband's pork was good but didn't blow me away. We also had fries, which were good but they were covered in a strong herb mixture. Also, serving fries with aioli is basically serving them with mayonnaise, and that's a bit too rich for me. Our server kind of disappeared after this, didn't really ask how food was or if we needed anything, etc. My other issue with this place is that it's just not well-constructed. Seriously, look around next time. The trim around our table had exposed wood and screws that hadn't even been painted over. The area with an expandable screen, to help split the room in half, had been finished with a nail gun and they didn't bother to cover up those nails either. The flooring was so worn that the floor was 2 distinct different finishes. The tables and walls were scuffed, paint was chipping, etc. That lent an extremely cheap feel to this place. Certainly not somewhere I would return for $20-30 entrees.
(3)
Aileen D.

Disclaimer: GNO during DRW Great view. Awesome service, esp. from our server who was only on his 2nd night. Portions were perfect. Everyone loved their selections from the DRW menu. I had the spinach salad, ahi tuna crispy things and pork. All were amazing and I would definitely order them again. Disappointed that they are building a 5-story complex which hinders viewing of the city lights. Must come back in the spring/summer to sit on the upstairs patio.
(4)
Leah O.

OOoooook, so the food the first time around should have prepared me for my second Vita visit. Not so. I'm sorry to say that I tried three different happy hour small plates, and all of them were awful. The bruschetta, the flatbread, and the mushroom sliders all had a distinctly wretched flavor. Like, maybe something happened. Like, maybe Lysol spilled into the dish? This restaurant seems to rely completely on its location and patio to attract guests, and then falls flat on its face when it comes to the execution of its food. The one high point: its virgin mojitos are quite nice.
(1)
Rachel K.

Overpriced for the poor service and only "decent" food. My boyfriend and I have been here twice and neither time were we impressed. In fact, both times we left thinking we paid way too much for a mediocre meal. This last time was during 5280 week and we went with a couple of friends. My boyfriend and I ordered from the 5280 menu while our friends did not. They apparently failed to plan appropriately for a sunday evening because there seemed to be several open tables though we were told there was a long wait or to sit in the bar. Though we sat in the bar, we still had to wait an exorbitant amount of time for our appetizers and food to come out. The portions on the 5280 menu seemed incredibly small and were not fulfilling. Could be a great place, but over all, it's just not worth the money and waste of your time due to poor service.
(2)
Jennifer H.

We went to Vita over Fourth of July for a view of fireworks from the roof top deck and dinner. From the beginning things were not so great. We did not get any service until 30 minutes had passed. The main points are: - Waitstaff incompetent. Lost our order twice. Waited more than 90 minutes and they never brought food. - One of the water glasses had lipstick on them. They gave us dirty glasses, - The Bloody Mary's we order were way too spicy. We could not drink them. - No Food. No View. No Service. Pass on this place. This was a bad choice. We will never go back.
(1)
Michelle C.

I ordered 2 meats and 2 cheeses from the antipasto menu, which seemed fine. I had the mushroom risotto for $16 with the $6 up charge for chicken as my entree. The risotto was horribly under-seasoned and mushy. It looked more like oatmeal and there was a very odd flavor to it, something just didn't taste right. The dish certainly was not worth the $22 I paid for it. I didn't bother ordering from the bar menu because the drinks seemed way overpriced and I was driving anyway. Service was mediocre, but I'm willing to forgive that since it was a Friday night. Because of the reviewing system here I am forced to give this place at least 1 star, but I would give negative stars if I could. I became violently ill after dining here. About an hour & a half after I left, I came down with a severe case of food poisoning. I spent the next 3 hours vomiting and the rest of the weekend in bed with chills, sweats and more vomiting. I'd had plans to meet up with friends later and I was forced to cancel due to my situation. I had skipped breakfast & lunch, so I'm 100% certain that Vita is to blame for ruining my entire weekend. When I recovered, I placed several phone calls to the restaurant over a 2 day period. I wanted to make the manager aware of what happened so they could take the necessary measures to prevent anyone else from getting sick. Apparently, answering the phone is not a priority for these people. When I was finally able to reach someone, I explained that I would like to speak with the manager. The girl on the phone informed me that the manager was not available, but that she could assist me with whatever I needed. When I told her what happened, the tone of her voice immediately changed and she became very curt. Her response was "you could've gotten sick from anywhere, how do you know that it was our food?" I was then told that the manager would call me back soon so I held off on writing this review. That never happened so here we are. Incredible. I will not be going back. Ever. I advise anyone who reads this to stay away & I've already told all of my friends and associates about my experience. Shame on you, Vita.
(1)
Amy D.

I discovered the big draw at Vita is the killer rooftop patio and views, but unfortunately it was a little chilly when my sister and I arrived Sunday afternoon for lunch, so we opted to sit inside. Maybe that's why I didn't get what all the fuss was about. We're promptly seated, our server takes our drink order (heads up, Vita makes a GREAT Moscow Mule) and we start perusing the menu. We were starved, and everything sounded great. My sister got the Cherry/Habanero pulled pork sandwich and I went with the turkey club. Meh. The club was all right. You couldn't taste the apples at all and walnut pesto was lacking...something. The fries were way yummy - they have a sweet/spicy bbq thing going on so I can definitely get on board with that. The pulled pork was actually pretty tasty but by then it had lost some of its heat (temperature wise), so I would recommend eating that as soon as it arrives. My biggest disappointment was the response when we asked our server what he'd recommend or what his favorite was. The response: "Honestly, I haven't worked a day shift in like a year and half so I don't really know. Uh, the Cubano?" Really? Way to get me excited about the menu, dude. I guess overall it was just an "all right" experience at Vita. I'd definitely check it out again when the weather's more conducive to sitting on the patio.
(3)
Kalani F.

I want to like Vita. I do. But I just don't. I would like a hostess to tell me if the roof top seating is available before I trot up a flight of stairs; I would like the hostess to be available to show me on my first visit where those stairs are. I know that people love Vita's rooftop seating; I do too, I just wish a hostess would be around below to tell me what to do. More than once I have been to this resturant where no hostess was to be found when I walked in. It's awkward to have to ask the bartender where to sit. Just weird. It's even weirder to have to walk up stairs and select a table yourself when the downstairs is devoid of staff. This last time the service was so slow it was unbelievable. My food was hot, but between actually delivering water, drinks, meal and dessert menu, I think it was somewhere in 15-20 minute intervals. I gave up on ordering desert because I figured I would have to wait another 30 minutes. I had the portobello sliders. Good, but for 10 bucks, I only recieved 2 and they were the size of a tangerine. This is a good place to go for portion control. No gigantic portions here. Had the famous pomegrante mimosas. Those took about 20 minutes to get- and they were bland. The champagne was all I could taste. Did they just pour in champagne and color it with red food coloring? It wasn't too crowded for a Sunday, which was nice- a few open tables and the day was beautiful. I had a couple of hours to kill but if you were in a hurry, I would avoid. As a horrible side note, my friend's fritatta made her quite ill. Not a fun way for either of us to spend the rest of the afternoon. Vita, I'm gonna spend my brunch life somewhere else.
(2)
Matt H.

Had the Ahi Tuna Salad with Wonton Noodles...these aren't your typical panda express noodles. These have substance. You can tell Vita cares about their menu. Also live music with a guitarist ripping on a steal guitar! Awesome!!
(5)
Dale Z.

We stopped in here for drinks (we just missed happy hour) prior to going to Linger. The service was really good. The manager, who stopped by the table was very personable. The drinks were excellent. I continued my obsession with Moscow Mules, and was not disappointed by my libation. These potent concoctions seem to have caused me to have some short term memory loss as to whether I actually ate anything while at Vita. But, since there are no pictures on my phone . . . I will assume I did not.
(4)
Karen L.

Great Happy Hour menu and drinks and really friendly people!!
(5)
Kathleen A.

I came back for Restaurant Week. I was a bit hesitant at first, because I remembered I wasn't wowed with the food the first time around. Turns out, I was right. It was just a travesty of wrong thing after thing...first, a water glass with lipstick on it. Then, a martini served in a broken glass. The food runners weren't timing our food right, so half of us had food while the other half didn't (there were 5 of us). We waited about 10 minutes for our food until the waiter came around and saw we didn't have our first course yet. The timing between the second and third course was even longer-about 20 minutes. I couldn't figure it out since the restaurant wasn't busy. When we finally got our entrees, half of them were cold! I had to send my steak back because it was too rare (I asked for Medium). My veggie friend had ordered the squash, and it had a rubbery texture so she sent it back, and didn't want anything else to be substituted. Let me say-the food was decent. The caesar salad was as tasty as I had remembered from a few years back. And, I should have gone back to read my previous review from 2 years ago when I said I should have gotten the pork tenderloin that the bf ordered. It was like deja vu, he ordered it again and it was delicious. My hangar steak and frites was just OK. We were comped a dessert by the manager, and decided on the brownie w/ice cream. That was also delicious, and I love anything that is sweet and salty at the same time. The manager came around, apologized, and offered us a discount on our meal. I feel like there wasn't really a reason we should have had all these problems, what with the restaurant not being crowded and all. This last visit left a bad taste in my mouth..I'll probably never come back for the food, but maybe a HH drink on that awesome rooftop.
(2)
Sherri K.

yeah not so much Everytime I have gone here the hostess and waitstaff act like they are doing me a favor by waiting on me - if I treated people like this at my job - I'd be working at a restaurant too. Last time I went in for HH, my friend and I waited 20 minutes and mid conversation, after realizing we still had no drinks, nor had we even been approached - decided to spend our money someplace else - we walked out before even getting our 1st drink. a half hour we'll never get back. The 2nd star is for the bartenders who look like they are busting ass in poserville.
(2)
Sienna Q.

If I could give Vita zero stars I would... We went to Vita for a friends birthday brunch and were so surprised how empty it was. Great patio, good location, nice menu. After our experience I'm no longer surprised. First it took over an hour for our server/bartender to take our order and over a half hour for her to ENTER our order in their system. Note there was ONE other table in the entire restaurant, just one. After two hours I finally canceled my order and had a birthday cupcake instead. When we asked to talk to the manager she said "it wasn't our fault but it had just been a perfect storm"... um excuse me? Was it a perfect storm that you had two tables at one time on a Sunday afternoon? There were two bartenders/waitresses, multiple bus boys and a manager on with two tables in the entire place - there is NO excuse for service that bad and that kind of attitude. I will never go back to Vita. Ever. But don't worry they did add 20% to everyone's bill.
(1)
Michelle A.

Yum for the Kobe beef sliders and chips. Great white wine at half price and ok cheese and salami choices. The manager was very nice to us because we we got there about five minutes before HH ended. He let us have our food and first glass of wine at HH prices. The bartender and waitress was also very nice and friendly. We sat out on the front patio was full. We tried to get into Linger but there was a long waiting list. The manager at Vita was unaware of this but I told him and he was happy we were at hisn place. Yes I would definitely go back. I was there one winter night and between the summer and winter it is like 2 different restaurants. I like the summer I think better but the winter atmosphere was not bad from what I remember. .
(4)
BJ E.

Made reservations and went in this last Saturday night. Didn't realize i was happy hour, which as it turns out is awesome. 2 for one app's and drinks. Their well liquor is SKYY, Seagrams, etc (decent stuff) and they've got a good wine selection. The appetizers we're great, try the Spatzle, it's probably horrendous for you but amazing. Lots of vegetarian friendly options for dinner, we ordered salads, the tofu and seafood pasta, both of which were fantastic. Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The entire staff was very friendly for that matter. Vita's not the cheapest of places, but it's well worth every penny. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Brian R.

Went during happy hour, which includes a selection of lower-priced small plates. The plates are by no means "small." Excellent pulled pork sliders and plate. Kobe beef slider was great, too. Only downside is the limited beer list; for a hip Denver restaurant, the lack of local microbrews is questionable.
(4)
CJ P.

I've been to Vita now about six times, and I keep waiting for the reviews to match my experience. It's a so-so atmosphere (sometimes the jazz is way too loud), the food is pretty good, the service was not memorable but the price can be a little costly. I think Yelp's 2-star rating of "Meh. I've experienced better." pretty much sums up how I feel about Vita--especially when it's so close to Linger and Lola.
(2)
Kelly W.

The food is fine, but after waiting 30 minutes for a table when we reserved a spot a month in advance I couldn't recommend this place. If they'd be remotely apologetic it'd have helped, but there are much better places in the highlands with much better service.
(1)
Kimber S.

The hubby and I had our anniversary dinner here last night and it was great! Loved the sexy classy atmosphere. Our waitress was adorable, prompt, friendly, and efficient. We started with the bruschetta - fantastic! I've never had bruschetta with capers in it but what a great addition and it added a new dimension to the fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and balsamic reduction. My only beef is that it only came with 2 slices of grilled bread (we could have used about 6). But we also had some fresh bread on the table that was a decent substitute for scooping up the rest of the tomato fabulousness, so it wasn't a fatal error. For entrees, I LOVED the vegetable risotto with seared sea bass! The risotto was perfectly cooked, creamy, soothing, with bits of corn, cherry tomatoes and crispy tortilla strips, which I thought might be a little weird, but was actually a nice punctuation. The sea bass was seasoned very nicely and browned on all sides. The hubby's skirt steak frites was well seasoned, perfectly cooked and served with creamy horseradish sauce and an unusual black cherry sauce. I thought the sauces were a bit extraneous since the meat had such a great flavor on its own (why gild the lily?). At the end of our dinner, our waitress brought over a couple of glasses of bubbly to help celebrate our anniversary - very classy! We love this neighborhood and will definitely be back when it warms up so we can take advantage of cocktails on that fabulous-looking rooftop deck!
(4)
Sarah W.

I went to the restaurant for dinner. The food was ok, wine wonderful, service - terrible. I left a cash tip for this waiter. I did not give 20% but 12% because of the food and service. This man decides to put an additional $20 on my credit card after I left a cash tip. This is theft, pure and simple. There is no mistake - the mistake was going to this POS place in the first place. Skip Vita, there are much more wonderful places to eat in Denver - and they wont steal from you.
(1)
Jenni D.

My friends and I prompted for brunch at Vita this past weekend, and we were all pleasantly surprised. The $3.00 bloody marys and mimosas were a nice touch, along with the new addition of sandwiches to their menu. The server and waitress were very friendly, and mentioned that they would be incorporating their sandwiches fully by April 1st. I highly recommend the Pulled Pork... it was succulent and amazing! The cabbage and sprout mix layered in between the soft buns was tasty, and the plate came with a side of homemade potato chips.
(4)
Zina S.

I have always been satisfied with service and the food at Vita. The salads for dinner, and the beef/seafood for dinner have always left my taste buds content and satisfied. I was disappointed to see that the view is now blocked by the ugly building across the street. At no fault of Vita's of course. I will keep coming back in spite of the new surroundings, and will continue to support this locally owned business. I can't help but be saddened by the new building development.
(4)
Katie L.

I am not a hater, I swear! Check my reviews, I use yelp to let people know about good places they should go, not to bash places.... But this place.... We went on a Friday night, the place was packed, the patio is fantastic and I didn't mind hanging for an hour at the bar until our table was ready. Our server was nice, took our order, made recommendations, remembered waters,etc. But it went downhill fast. After placing our order, our server returned to our table and apologetically announced they were backed up in the kitchen and the food would probably take about 2-2.5 hours. Apparantly the owner had pushed the opening of the patio for the season at the same time he had hired new kitchen staff. Way to go, bro. So we politely informed her we would not stay and to cancel our order. She continued to be professional and went back to the kitchen. By this time, it's about 9:30 and we are BEYOND starving, so when she brought us out the calamari we had canceled (in a to go box?) we literally fought each other for it. Worst calamari ever, by the way, and that's coming from a group of people who would have eaten the leftover food off the table next to us at that point. By now we are CHUGGING our wine, trying our best to get out of there to find a Subway, and the BF goes to look for the manager to talk to him. I went downstairs to watch some March Madness while I waited and I hear an argument behind me, escalating to the point of absurdity. Oh yeah-it's the BF and the manager, keeping it classy. Turns out the manager got pretty heated about hearing a patron explain to him why a table of 5 was departing due to the restaurant's poor planning. Manager, being the professional he was, decided to throw a tantrum instead of a) offering us any incentive to come back (like a free glass of wine?) or b) calmly apologizing for the situation at hand. What a guy. So I get that maybe it was just a really bad night, but that Calamari (and the you-know-what manager) is seared into my brain. Gross. There are tons of places around there to eat, this place does not deserve your business.
(1)
Maria B.

Love the rooftop with the downtown view! This place is perfect for a casual date or a night out with friends. We ordered all the apps, the hangar steak, and a salad. By far my favorites were the sliders (kobe and pork) with the homemade chips, the bruschetta and the 7 hour pork. bomb! Sadly, the crabcake was a bit repugnant. I broke my rule of no seafood in a landlocked state and was disappointed! Oh well. Now, for the best part... we did have an issue with the martinis. You would think that after two you would feel a slight buzz? Negative. We got the manager involved and he made us proper top shelf martinis. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Courtney R.

The happy hour specials are pretty good but the food is nothing special. Nothing memorable or exciting.
(3)
J A.

Spinach salad is delicious!! Service & ambience great as well!!!! Happy hour is bogo for both wine & appetizers!!!
(4)
Beth B.

If I could give this place zero stars I would. I recently moved to the neighborhood and all the restaurants around here have been great to locals EXCEPT this one. The manager is a total jerk. The food was cold and slow to come out - even though the place was dead. I was shocked that a locally owned restaurant can treat local guests so badly. I will be telling every one I know to boycott this awful place. Too bad Vita. Coulda had some loyal customers.
(1)
Cory D.

Horrible! My friend and I went there over the past weekend as the patio is very enticing, ordered 2 Proseccos, drank them and our waiter seemed to have vanished? We had to hunt another server down so we could figure out who to pay or whatever... the little buggers charged us $10 for each glass.... um that really makes no sense to me as you can get an entire bottle for less than $15 retail. I think what may be going on here is a SERIOUS management issue, the dude needs to move on to Olive Garden or something. Whoever owns this place needs to re-think staffing cause it was great back in the day... actually really great. Sad to see another Denver gem bite the dust. I really hope they get it together. It just keeps getting worse and worse. Sorry Vita.
(1)
Melanie W.

The food was fair and the service was abysmal. The servers were genuine in their apologies for the failure of this restaurant. They obviously have practice.
(1)
Lux B.

Not sure why this place only has three stars. It was a solid four for me, in terms of what you get for your money. The service was five stars! We had a reservation and were placed at kind of a shitty table, and we asked to be moved to a window seat which was fine, though we weren't sure why we were not just sat there in the first place. Aside from that, we had a really attentive and amiable waitress. The bruschetta was really delicious, with capers mixed in to the tomato and onion mix. They offered extra grilled bread for the rest of the tomato mixture, without us having to ask. We shared two small portions of entrees; my boyfriend really likes to eat a lot (though I have no idea where he puts it), and I had a difficult time convincing him to sharesies with me. However, the portions were large of both the steak-frites and the pork tenderloin. I like a chef that knows the dangers of trichinosis in pork have been almost non-existant from the late fifties and that pork DOES NOT have to be well done to be safe to eat. We were allowed to order it cooked medium and it was delicious. The potatoes on both dishes were really fantastic, and my boyfriend left full. The moscow mules are always good here, though I really hate paying $9 for a drink. I might not order those next time to keep down on the tab.
(4)
Rena R.

Went to Vita for brunch but the service was extremely slow! Even though the food sounded good on paper, it was just average... Blahhhhhhhhh I am giving them two stars only because the location is awesome!
(2)
Lis R.

2 stars for the food. Sorry. The menu looks like it has a lot of potential, but the food is, well, bland and generic. We got excited for the pork tenderloin and the sea bass. The pork tenderloin was overcooked and under-seasoned. The blue cheese polenta it was served with was mushy and cold when it came. And not actually blue cheese polenta - there's just a drizzle of blue cheese dressing on top of the polenta. The sea bass was soaked in some oily sauce that ruined it, and the crawfish/sweet potato hash was also oily. Gross. But the 7 hour pulled pork appetizer was decent, so maybe small plates and apps at HH are ok? The atmosphere *outside* is awesome though. Would not want to sit inside, but if you get a table on the rooftop or front patio - awesome people watching, b.e.a.uuuutiful view of the city, and fun atmosphere. Bottom line: Go for drinks outside, not for food.
(2)
Carly B.

If I wasn't so silly and lusty for Vita's Honeysuckle Mint cocktail, this place would easily be a one or two star experience. First off, the drink: $9 and worth every penny. It's a 16 oz glass with Skyy Vodka, St. Germain, lavender, mint, and honey. 100% pure drinking bliss. The happy hour: Fine if you're in a wine mood, but I wasn't. I actually didn't order anything that was happy hour price. The food is either sliders (boyfriend had chicken and didn't like them) or pork based. Nothing for the fish-eating or veggie-eating crowd. They could have easily added the bruschetta as a happy hour small plate but instead charged $9.50 for two pieces of alright bruschetta (for a comparable bruschetta at a happy hour price, try Pizza Republica in Greenwood Village). After it, I felt a bit price-gouged. The Service: We had a large group and a friend made reservations. As soon as we sat, we were told we'd need to reliquish the table at a certain time for a wedding party. The service was soooooo slooooow. To be fair, they were really busy, but given our time restraint and the twenty minutes between drink ordering and the drink arriving, we could have maximized our happy hour capability elsewhere. And have gotten better food too. The rooftop is cool and there's a lot of outside space. Is paying for the food worth it? Heck no. Is going back for another $9 Honeysuckle Mint? Hell YES.
(3)
Brittany B.

Went in last night with a couple friends and we were underwhelmed. Granted, we didn't have a reservation (which is apparently necessary on a Friday if you don't want to sit upstairs) so we did sit up on the heated patio. We chose the bar, which had stools that are about two inches too short for the bar, either that or meant for people with very long torsos. We are served our drinks in an acceptable amount of time, they are satisfying. We are served our food about an hour after it's ordered, and it's... well it's fine, but we really couldn't figure out what took an hour. I shared crab cakes and the pulled pork with one person, the other had a steak that she did not order well done... it came out fine, but there's no reason I can think of for that food to take so long. Also, friend's steak came out with tempura carrots which I tried and they were not tasty. Mediocre food, slooooow food service. I won't be back.
(2)
Mayra R.

I took my dad out for for his birthday and I had not gone to Vita before. We went during happy hour and were offered our choice of sitting so we went up to the open air sitting on top of the building and got to sit whatever we wanted. The waiters were really attentive, explained to use the happy hour specials and even got me a dinner item even though it was not the in happy hour menu. When I asked if they had Stranahan's whiskey for my dad, the waiter was very gracious in explaining how best to drink it and suggested a mixed drink that my dad would enjoy for the price of the drink. I ordered the Chef's antipasto platter which includes charcuterie meats and a selection of cheeses, with pickled onions and cauliflower and a chicken liver pate that I have to say, it must be an acquired taste as it has a very mineral-y taste (duh, it's liver), but regardless I finished my plate. My father ordered 2 appetizers off the happy hour menu (you get 2 for 1 during that time). The pork belly with veggie succotash was delish and the calamari were really good as well. We also ordered drinks and despite the bottled Budlight, I got a moscato that was also wonderful with my dinner. Service was great, the ambiance was great as we got lucky that it was not too crowded and for a first time trip there, it was wonderful. Will definitively be going back to take the hubby and some more family members.
(5)
Dave T.

Definitely a great location! Amazing views of the Denver skyline. The decor inside is very interesting, especially two ceiling lights that remind me of the bottom of a mushroom. We went last night for a birthday and even though we had a reservation, the place is smaller and could only accommodate one large party at a time. This meant that we had to wait for the other party to finish up before we could be seated. Here is where the management stood out. They brought us free a appetizers at the bar while we waited. This was just pure class. Eventually we were seated and had some very enjoyable food. I tried the duck special which came on a bed of risotto. I quite liked it although a bit rich. I also tried a friend's sea bass, which I will probably get next time. The birthday girl got an apple cake with a candle on it, we each tried a piece and weren't dissappointed. Oh....the appetizers were good too. Bruschetta and calamari. Great hang out spot. Can't wait to visit in the summer. Live music is a plus. DT
(3)
Becky S.

Vita is a great place and its been a few years since I last went there. The food is great, but unfortunatly it took me flagging down someone to order a drink. They forgot to bring it twice and finally (45 min later) the drink was in my hand. If I rated on the food it would be a much higher rating but service means everything.
(2)
David M.

Really an excellent neighborhood spot with a great view of the city. But . . . and you gotta pay attention to this but . . . the thing you should remember (aside from that it's just down from Lola's and Little Man Ice Cream) . . . is that they've got AN INCREDIBLE DEAL going on each month: $35 for a 3 course tasting menu INCLUDING a more than decent wine with each plate. Such a deal. And the food, delicious. I started with the Sicilian Lamb Crudo and my sweetcheeks had the Braised Squid Salad. She then had Pan Roasted Seabass and I had Orecchiette with Braised Pork. Each of us finished up with a Chocolate Pistachio Cannoli (deconstructed). And every course was excellent. So try this place out. You're gonna like it a lot.
(4)
Leah M.

Four stars for Happy Hour! I love their 2 for 1 wine- it is infinitely better than The Tavern's similar happy hour. You can order any wine on their menu and get one free, not just house wines, like Tavern. They'll even let you split your beverages between tablemates. My friend and I ordered chicken and Kobe beef sliders. Even though I love cilantro and chicken together, I wasn't impressed by the shredded chicken and cilantro pesto. It was a little dry and I actually dissected my slider to be certain that the massive green lump on the bun was indeed chicken. The Kobe beef slider was delicious, though! The meet was perfectly juicy, and the mini burger came with carmelized onions and gooey cheese. The view from the rooftop patio is breathtaking. I love sitting up there on a summer evening (between the hours of 3:00 and 6:30 :) and soaking in the city.
(4)
Ben E.

Overall, very average food. Our waitress was great, as was the bar tender while we waited for a table, but nothing to get excited about food-wise, especially considering how much you're paying. We had the croquettes as an appetizer (bland and cold), and the Mahi and Lamb Shank for our entrees. The Mahi was probably the dish that was done the best, but the lamb was undercooked and not at all lean (I cut around maybe a third of it!). You're essentially paying to be in the highlands and eat mediocre food. I have to mention, however, that the service was really outstanding and I was passive about the poor quality because I was on a date and didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. So in all fairness, they were not given a chance to redeem themselves in that sense. I wouldn't recommend this place, especially considering all the better options in the area.
(2)
Meghan D.

So we started out thinking...lets go to Forest Room 5 and remembered how awful their service is. So then we walked over to Lola's (lala's??? can't remember) and decided we weren't feeling that either, while walking back to the car we saw Vita and decided to walk in. Though it was an early dinner and the hostess wasn't yet in, a bartender greeted us right away and offered us menus to look at to aid in making our decision. Wow, customer service?! Forest Room 5 should come learn a few things from the crew at Vita. The wine and cocktail list is quite nice. Two of us opted for wines (we both enjoyed what we selected) and the third an awesome cocktail from their signature cocktails. Our dinners were wonderful. I highly recommend the sea bass. It was OMG delicious. My best friend ate his dinner and then helped finish mine he loved it so much. Our server was great; good suggestions, knowledgeable and a great dry sense of humor. I would go here again the next time I'll be in town (which luckily happens to be in a few weeks). Congratulations Vita for a job well done!
(5)
Marc F.

Great happy hour deals, awesome location, and very friendly staff. My wife and I go here often for the buy one get one free drinks and apps during happy hour.
(4)
Dustin T.

Great place. Used to suck be because bar manager was awesome at being rude. GOOD NEWS, he's gone. 1/2 priced wine bottles on Tuesday . Great staff and respectable happy hour. Went from a 1* to a 4 in my mind in the last weeks!!!! Awesome rooftop patio too
(4)
Ashley B.

Love their Happy Hour and roof top patio!!
(5)
Allison C.

If you're hungry, don't go here to eat. Ordered the pork tenderloin, the small plate. When they brought it out I almost asked if this was the kids menu. Way over priced for the amount of food they give you. They are building apartments right next door so the view of the city no longer exists. Pick somewhere else...
(1)
Robert B.

I have been here three times for happy hour, most recently today and all three times have been consistently positive. Waitstaff friendly and attentive, rooftop enjoyable when the weather is. I should eat more than the pork belly, but that has been so food buzz rich and delicious that I have a hard time branching out. My table mates have enjoyed their appetizers, nice wine choices and I enjoyed the doughnut dessert. If five of them aren't enough for you, maybe you ought to glance at that waistline.
(4)
Mo C.

I joined a few friends for dinner here to take advantage of their 5280 Restaurant Week special. It was fantastic! I booked our reservation on open table. But, we had a couple of cancellations at the last minute, and the restaurant totally didn't give us a hard time about changing from a 6 top to a 4. We all got there while it was still happy hour and a little early for our reservation, so we grabbed a drink at the bar. 2-for-1 glasses of wine and $3 drafts, nice! We noticed they had some $5 tapas as well, so we will be back for a happy hour. Be aware that their bar area is very small and basically includes, well, a bar. There aren't any separate bar area tables. Our server at our table was fantastic and didn't give us the uncomfortable upsell crap that you get in a lot of other upscale Denver restaurants. We ordered from the Restaurant Week menus. I had the veal osso bucco with blue cheese polenta cake. It sounded great, but was a bit disappointing. The sauce on the veal was more tangy than savory and the cake was much more polenta than blue cheese. Friends who tried a bite agreed. So, not my thing, but not bad by any means. I followed that up with the Panzanella, which I was expecting to be more like a brushetta, a grilled bread topped with tomatoes, arugula, etc. It turned out to be more like a salad with big croutons of bread, but it was still quite good. And, the entree had to be the blackened seabass. It was PERFECT! And, I ate every single one of those buttery little potatoes. Yum! The dessert options weren't very exciting. There were some small donuts served with a chocolate dipping sauce, an apple cobbler with yellow rasins in it (wtf?) and a non-descript chocolate cake. We took a pass. Looking at the prices on the normal menu, I'm really glad we went during 5280 week. It would definitely be a splurge to come back to Vita for dinner. But, the happy hour tapas looked good and the drink prices are great, so we will definitely be back for happy hour. I heard rumor of a second floor with a view of all of downtown, so I will definitely be back to check that out as well. Unfortunately, parking here SUCKS! There are several small, dirt lots, but no spaces, not even on the street. I had to stalk an El Camino to get a spot a block away. If you can, take public transportation or walk. This place is actually totally walking distance from Union Station, so you may want to consider that ;)
(4)
Drew C.

The service was friendly but the staffing was atrocious. A place should be able to plan for a Friday night. I can't be mad at the steak because I know what a flatiron is (a really poor cut also known as a tip steak), but the prices did not match. Not impressed.
(2)
Eric B.

Good happy hour. Good happy hour food choices. Great rooftop patio. Waitstaff was attentive. Miss the downtown view, but still a good place. Comfortable couches are a nice addition.
(3)
Michael S.

Vita concerned me about Morte Nera after I ate a Kobe slider and part of a shared 7-Hour pork appetizer. I was driving back to Boulder and ...... uh....my stomach was protesting......and didn't stop for a while. UGH. This really sucked, especially because we ended up here only because Lola was closed for a private party, and my host wanted me to enjoy myself, which I did but for the food.
(1)
Jason J.

This review is too long. But read it anyway :-) The ladyfriend and I went back to Vita for my birthday dinner. It's still delicious, but I have to say that it was better when Max Mackissock was still there. Their restaurant week menu is absurdly large. There are so many fantastic choices on there that you'll go through an entire glass of wine just trying to decide (I recommend the Diseno Malbec, great bouquet and a heavy mouthfeel, though it's got a noticeably fruity and tannin-less finish.) I went with the lamb for my first course. While it was tender and the white bean ragout was incredibly tasty, the dish felt a little empty to me. I wanted there to be a little more happening with the lamb, it didn't stand up terribly well on its own. The ladyfriend had the Osso Bucco which was excellent. 2nd course brought a hearts of romaine salad pour moi, and a cup of butternut squash bisque for the lady. I loved my romaine -- light dressing that coated the lettuce without drowning it. A little avocado in the bottom added some creaminess to it all, and bacon. Yep. Bacon. 'Nuff said. The bisque was delicious, a creme freche feather on top, pumpkin seeds, nutmeg and cloves helped it tasted like butternut squash pie. Perfect for a chilly/snowy/rainy Denver night. Third course. Huge. Bigger portions than I've ever seen at Vita. Unable to finish. It's a travesty to try and heat up food like that a day after, but I had to take some home so I'll be doing just that for lunch. I had the pan roasted chicken which was I-Need-To-Take-A-Small-Breather-After-This good. The confit leg was melt in your mouth delicious, and the pan roasted breast was fantastically well seasoned and cooked. Under it was a creamy risotto that complimented the chicken perfectly. The garlic braised kale seemed a little out of the ordinary on the plate, but would've had to have been covered in a combination of drano and beachsand to take away from the chicken. The ladyfriend had the blackened seabass. She loooved it. And will be heating that up for lunch as well. It must be said here that I'm really not a fan of fish. We just don't get along (unless it's fried and served in a newspaper.) But the two fish dishes I've ever had at a restaurant and would gladly get/try again -- were both here. A lapsang souchong smoked trout a few years ago, and this blackened seabass. Perfectly cooked, with just a little char on the outside and great spice to create just a little heat. The buttermilk vinaigrette was out of this world, and the lady told me that the crawfish hash was good, though I stayed away. The decor as always is lovely at Vita, perfectly noisy with the appropriate bustle, and friendly, fast & unobtrusive service. Vita is one of those places that I love to go on a regular basis, when I can. It continually stays in my top five.
(4)
Trou D.

After my first review of Vita (not a hit with a few, if you catch my drift), anyway, I have partaken in several entrees and appetizers. The Brochette is very tasty-I tend to begin with this little treasure. The lamb appetizer, the meat plate are two other appetizers that are well prepared and executed. I look forward to tasting other treats at my local hang-out. Vita has a sophisticated, loft experience with a flair. I am bummed to learn that Meaghan will be leaving (this Sunday is her last evening). Although, Meaghan will no longer be apart of the Vita team, Steve (GM) and the rest of the team, all whom are a pleasure, will make you feel at home. Enjoy!
(5)
Meg M.

If you are looking for a chill place to wait for your friends to get off work and enjoy happy hour, then keep looking. I came alone one afternoon at about 4:45 while I was waiting for some friends to get off work and the host asked me to sit at the bar because they didn't have anything available for 1 person. I thought about it and then indicated that I prefer not sitting so high up as a barstool. What I meant was "I guess I'll eave since I prefer different seating than you have available," but once I said that they seated me at a table. I don't know why it wasn't available when I first asked, but whatever. As I was leaving with my party who arrived later, I thanked the host for seating me when he was anticipating a shortage of tables and told him that I had felt bad taking up a table when they had so few available, but before I said the word "bad" in the sentence "I was feeling bad," he insterjected the word "PUSHY." I was completely taken aback that a restaurant host just called me pushy when I had gone out of my way to show him some appreciation. I guess shouldn't have said my preferences out loud in front of the mean charged with the onerous task of seating me, lest I be called pushy. (Believe me, if you knew me, you'd know pushy is the last adjective anyone would think to call me; I spend my life accommodating others.) I guess I am used to being asked my preferences at a restaurant, (such as, do you prefer a booth or a table? not being a rhetorical question) I didn't realize him asking me to sit at the bar was actually him telling me to sit at the bar. How pushy of me to not have picked up on the cue and acquiesce. They do have interesting cocktails, though not worth the $$ + the rudeness of the service staff. I think I'll take my dollars to any of the many other restaurant options in this part of town.
(1)
Carolyn M.

I teetered between four and five stars for this place. Bottom line, the view from the rooftop on a clear summer night is worth five stars alone. The food is delicious, but it's just not close enough to home for this Cap Hill gal. I started with a mojito which was delicious and refreshing. A bit overpriced, but no more so than the drinks at any other restaurant in the area. For food, the pork stack appetizer was UNbelieveable. It was also incredibly filling. After splitting that between two people, a salad was all I could stomach. The ahi tuna salad was delicious and light and I savored every last bite. I will definitely return to this restaurant, but probably not until next summer.
(4)
Shannon C.

I've been here twice so far. The first time for happy hour, where I enjoyed the amazing sliders- definitely recommend! The second time I went with a very large group, and the service was absolutely wonderful. I know some places get frustrated with big groups, but this place handled it wonderfully and we all had an amazing meal and an even better time (in a wonderful atmosphere). My friend and I split the mussels, which were so good we had to steal bread from the rest of the table to eat every last drop of delicious bacon-y broth. Then, we split the risotto, which was incredibly creamy and cheesy and the perfect second course. See you again Vita!
(4)
Meredith G.

I met 3 friends for dinner last night to catch up and enjoy $52.80. If you like wine, they have a great 2-for-1 on all wines, but I'm a liquor girl and they don't have any drink specials for non-wine drinkers. The host that greeted us was very nice and our server as well. I really enjoyed the Hearts of Romaine salad I started with. It had pieces of bacon and avocado with grilled bread triangles. Next I had the Pork Tenderloin which was perfect in size & taste. And lastly, we ordered 2 of each dessert option, Chocolate Peanut Butter Terrine & Caramel and Banana Bread Pudding . I preferred the chocolate dessert. I would give this place another try should I find myself west of I-25. It looks like they have a great summer patio & rooftop to try out.
(3)
Alicia N.

We were greeted by a jazz quartet on a busy Friday, it set the tone for a great meal. I started with a very yummy coin margarita. We shared the baked brie which was scrumptious. I had the muscles, cooked in a wine, butter, and bacon broth. The bacon created a wonderful smoky flavour, something I've never tasted in muscles before - and it was incredible. My husband's Kobe beef burgers were very good. Our friend had the pork tenderloin - spicy and scrumptious. Our waiter, Coleman, was great! Incredible service, delicious food - and views to die for... We will definitely be back!
(4)
Ilya K.

I have been here once but would come back for sure, patio is a great place to kick back and relax with a glass of wine
(5)
Holly G.

My boyfriend took me out here on a date one recent lovely evening. We started the evening out with some drinks, which we both loved and were priced around $8 each. Then we got the Seven Hour Pork "small plate" and enjoyed that. Then we ordered dinner and he got the steak and I got the chicken. I enjoyed my meal but it wasn't out of this world. I really enjoyed the appetizer though. Plus, the bread that came with the meal was very yummy. But I am always obsessed about the free-bread-with-meal bread. The atmosphere seemed like a bit older crowd than I was expecting, so being in my twenties, I felt a little out of place but there was live Jazz playing and it seemed quite alright though. I will be back to sit on the roof next time for happy hour.
(3)
Jrae A.

Delicious homemade sausages and mozzarella. Amazing 2 for 1 wine list and apps. You'd be hard pressed to find a better value in lohi!
(5)
Christie C.

Ate here for the first time with some friends today for lunch! It was sunny and we sat on the patio, which was really nice and had a great view. Awesome food! Good sized portions! I had the Turkey club with a side salad and it was truly delicious! The reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is that they advertise a brunch menu and drink specials on their website and when I asked my server about it, he had no idea what I was talking about--a bit of a disappointment since I was planning on ordering brunch, but that's okay. All in all great food, great atmosphere!
(4)
Alan W.

The restaurant has a great roof top patio with great views of the city, however I found the wait staff to be rather distracted and very slow eventhough there were not that many people there at the time. It took more than 20 minutes after being seated for a waitor to take our drink order, eventhough (and strangely) half the table was served water by busboy during that time. I didn't know who are waitor was, so I tried to make eye contact with anyone there, but with no success. One of the waitresses just stood at the edge of the deck admiring the view with no awareness of her customers, which I thought was unacceptable. I was really jonesing for a martini and I looked at their martini menu which it looked really interesting. I first had the cucumber lavender martini, which I had a few versions of at other restuarants which I really liked. Vita's version was a very weak attempt -- it had some shards of cucumber including a rather tough peel which the texture was rather off putting, and the lavender was not infused but instead was bits of dried lavender thrown into the shaker which sometimes overwhelmed the drink. The flavors didn't meld well and the gritty, fiberous and chewy texture was not pleasant. The second martini I had was the grapefruit basil martini, and I don't even know why it's even on the menu. It tasted nothing like basil nor grapefruit and the overall smell and taste is very similar to flour paste. I had some of my friend sample it and all of them thought it was rather repulsive. I sent this martini back and the waitor was apologetic and kind enough get me a different maritini. I asked the waitor for his recommendation and he suggested the jalapeno martini, which was essentially a dirty martini with infused jalapeno. It was a decent dirty martini, but there was barely any heat or jalapeno flavor to it, but I was very satisfied after sampling the previous two. We didn't have a chance to sample the food, but what I have seen on the menu and what was served at other tables look promising. I will definitely be back to try the food. It's really strange that the busier the restaurant got, the more attentive the service became, so I am really confused whether I liked the service or not. From my experience, I would rather go next door to Lolas where the food is great and the service has been very consistant and attentive.
(2)
Melissa H.

Came to Vita for a second time last night (Saturday)... we were meeting up with friends before heading to dinner. We got there around 4:30pm, shortly after they'd opened to take advantage of the wonderful afternoon on the rooftop deck. A waiter immediately came to our table to tell us of the happy hour specials... 2 for 1 wine by the glass (any wine) and a few of the beers were discounted. I went for the wine and was suggested a wonderful alternative to the pinot grigio that they have. The rooftop has a great view of downtown and there are quite a few tables as well as a full bar with some stools at the counter. There are also overhead heaters for when the sun goes down. I will definitely be coming back to Vita not only for dinner but for happy hour too!!
(4)
Geno T.

This was some of the worst food I've had in Denver.
(1)
Lacey M.

I had taken the day off in order to attend the KU vs. CU game, but stupid me put off getting the tickets...and we were S.O.L. Bryan and I at least wanted to do something fun, to not completely waste a perfectly good day off. So I searched my Yelp bookmarks, and off to Vita we went. We sat at the bar, and decided to partake in Happy Hour, which goes from 3-6:30 Mon.-Fri. Specials include: $5 Appetizers, $3 Sliders, 2-For-1 Wines by the Glass (20 Different Choices!), $3 Drafts of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, $4 Well Cocktails, and $2.50 Budwieser and Bud Light Bottles. It really is a great place to go for HH, especially for the 2-For-1 wine! Service was okay, but not spectacular. I really liked my first glass of wine, but not really the second glass (which was a Pinot Grigio of some sort). For food we made our own antipasto plate with hot capicola, spicy salumi, and port salut cheese. Our choices were great, with the very good quality meats/cheese. We also split a $5 plate of Cherry & Habanero seven hour braised pork: pickled red onions, tomatoes, green onions, house fried chips. Now, we ordered it without onions...and they did successfully leave off the red onions, but still garnished the hell out of it with green onions. This is one of my pet peeves...if I ask for "no onions" that means "no onions".....of ANY SORT. And there wasn't just a few pieces...the pork was completely covered in green onions. We did scrape them off and ate it...and it was okay. Could've been spicier and more flavorful, IMO. Overall, everything was just okay...nothing spectacular or too memorable. Well, except for the 2-For-1 glasses of wine. That will definitely lure me back into Vita again....and the amazing rooftop patio, that I'm really excited to go to come Spring.
(3)
Grant F.

This place is great! The food has been amazing every time I've come. Try the baked brie, the mussels, or the pork tenderloin. By and far one of the best happy hours I've found in Denver! 2 for 1 wine and appetizers....awesome
(5)
Elizabeth P.

Vita has an awesome rooftop with pretty views of downtown. I love this neighborhood. We had some very tasty bruschetta, and the hangar steak was excellent and well-portioned. A bit pricey but worth it for the atmosphere and food. I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Robert A.

Went there tonight since they extended the 5280 menu for a week. I ordered the filet and it was good. When I got the check there was a $12 add on charge since I ordered the filet. I didn't see anything about an add on charge on the special 5280 menu. I asked about it and the server told me it was an add on charge with little explanation. Three Crown and cokes $27 (too much for weak drinks loaded with ice.) I can't help but feel ripped off. The filthy trashcan that I was looking at near the door to the patio didn't really bother me until it got the bill. Looks like we still need to find a weekend place in the Highlands neighborhood.
(1)
Tamara L.

I love Vita for their rooftop and Happy Hour! Their mozzarella is my favorite: it's light and flavorful. Top that off with a glass (or two) of the Sauvignon Blanc and I call that a great night. Instead of my usual Happy Hour at Vita, I decided to come in late this past Monday night after a long day of work. The late night atmosphere and amazing service (Brent was super attentive, really fun/witty, and definitely easy on the eyes), made this my new go-to late night spot. Looking forward to next time!
(5)
Bobby T.

RESTAURANT WEEK REVIEW: Had a great time and decent food experience at Vita the other night. Went there with my spouse and another couple, and we sampled a variety of dishes set for the 5280 rest. week menu. For the first courses, we all shared Calamari, the 7 hour pork, and two way shrimp. Of these things, the pork seemed the best for me, albeit, a tad sweet for my tastes. The portion, however, proved enough for 4 people to get a fair portion. The calamari proved okay. Nothing outstanding about it, but it satisfied for a first course. The two way shrimp disappointed a bit. One large shrimp poached with seasoning tasted bland. The second large shrimp, cooked tempura style, came across soggy and chewy, not crispy and light as one would anticipate tempura to be. For our second course, the 4 of us sampled bleu cheese wedges, a ceasar salad, and the beet salad. All very good, and tasty. For the third course, we sampled the hanger steaks, rosemary chicken, and the sea bass. I can only comment on my rosemary chicken with detail. I really enjoyed the flavors of this dish. The only overpowering memory that remains came from the wine based risotto. The consistency of the risotto reflects the talent of the cooking staff, and it complimented well with the chicken. However, the red wine base tasted a tad strong for me. Had a few bites of the hanger steak with frites too, and I found both tasty and succulent. Not a bad rendition of steak and potatoes. :-) The speed of the kitchen, however, seemed a bit slow, but with it being restaurant week, I did not mind. Unfortunately, it forced us to miss a 7pm show, but the enjoyment of the overall experience warrants another visit.
(3)
John K.

Read the menu prices carefully before ordering. Today I ordered a salad off the lunch menu. A very small salad with a small piece of blackened Seabass. This lunch salad and a Diet Coke came in at $21. Way too expensive for what you receive. I won't be going back there.
(3)
Amy M.

I experienced Vita on a lovely Friday night surrounded by dear friends. So, suffice it to say, it started out great just with the company especially when you add the amazing view of downtown from the rooftop patio. The crowd was also lovely and nice to look at along with the view. I enjoyed the Kobe beef sliders which were mouth watering though I didn't really find anything else on the menu that felt right that evening. But, we were honestly there to enjoy our cocktails so I didn't really think any more of it. However, I was a bit disappointed in the prices on both the menu and the wine list - they just seemed higher than they needed to be - and the smell of fish that permeated the dining room that you had to walk through to get to the bathroom. Will I go back - absolutely. Lovely view all around. And, sometimes that trumps everything else at a place that serves libations.
(3)
Milo Y.

Sweet, we had 8 ppl here for a birthday dinner. Great staff, food, and ambiance. We were here once when there were fireworks at Elitches, great view from the roof. Great Neighborhood gem!
(4)
Jason O.

Stopped off here on the way to Lola...for a couple drinks with a large group from work. So...experience is from sitting at the bar. We went there at 5pm on a Monday night... very slow in the place. We went from inside directly out to the bar adjacent to the street...decent patio experience we thought. Only one other patron at the bar on the inside... and holy cow... William W. was right. The bartender was about as friendly as rock. In addition... I was a bit thirsty... can you say slow? Geez... The 10 or so of us that were there are manager-types who lead teams of 20-400... service was poor. More than one of us wanted to provide a little "coaching." When the bartender finally broke from his conversation with the attractive customer on the other side of the bar... we got the "look of death" when we asked what beers were on tap... "mirror pond." A few of us glanced at each other and the rack of liquor across from us. I guess we couldn't expect a decent beer experience here... Waiting 5 more minutes to get our beer (apparently there was a problem with the lonely keg)... it was time to drink and depart as soon as possible. Overall, an experience I'd rather forget and a venue that I wouldn't try again based on that first impression.
(2)
Jordan A.

We went to Vita for dinner one year for restaurant week. I liked it. It would have been a four-star review. Had lunch there just last week though. The place was empty. It took them 40 min to serve us. My husband's salad had the most over-grilled scariest-looking piece of tough fish ever. My cheese sandwich came without cheese. Cereal. Took me another 10 min to flag the server down. She unhappily took the sandwich back saying "there is so much we can do". I applied that philosophy when it was time for her tip. The sandwich came back with cheese the second time, and was tasty.
(2)
KP H.

Another quality joint that has gone downhill. We came here with a large group for drinks and apps and quite enjoyed the rooftop patio, that is really the only good thing they have going. The service was amazingly slow, some of our food never showed up yet was on the tab and at the end of the night our waiter really struggled to split up what should've been a pretty simple tab. Judging from the empty downstairs Vita has lost it's dining crowd and with new joints opening up all around them I would imagine the cocktail crowd will soon be departing.
(2)
Jolie R.

The food is fantastic, the service dismal. Have been to Vita multiple times, most recently for a friend's birthday. They did nothing to honor the special occasion until we asked for a candle on the slice of cake. The server (whose name I could not tell you because we only saw her approximately 3 times) also gave herself a 20% gratuity on a ticket of 5 people. Fortunately the manager took it off when we complained. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you the manager's name either. So we're clear, the 3 stars belong to the kitchen and the small plates (specifically the snake river pork belly, duck poutine, and baked brie) because they are fantastic! The rating would be higher if they'd come with better, timelier, friendlier service.
(3)
Bre P.

2 for 1 wines on Happy Hour = SOLD! Excellent food and the staff knows how to pair wine well. The male bartender is awesome and seems to always serve me. Great summer patio. I highly recommend here!
(5)
Roy K.

Low down: -view, yes...it's good. really good. Same as everyone else said. -drinks - they weren't too expensive and they have strong pours -All the food looked like it was good and my meal was great. Had the flat iron steak and it was cooked perfectly. -staff was great, food was quick In all, a little expensive but a place that if you relax and take in the environment it's worth it.
(4)
Kaare K.

Last night was my second visit to Vita. That's right, I went there on a Tuesday.... Half off bottles of wine! Given the average bottle is sitting closer to the mid 40's. However, if you are going out with a date or a few good friends it's still a great deal. The first time I stopped in it was for late night drinks with friends. The manager came out and greeted us while we drank. She remembered a friends name from his previous review, and last night she remembered mine after only one conversation a few weeks ago! This is one of my reasons to return anywhere, the personal factor at any establishment! For the food I tried the 5280 restaurant week menu. For my App I had the Bruschetta which was good, but what made it interesting was the Sweet Potato squares with miniature shrimp in the mix, a very tasty addition. My ceaser salad had Guac in it which was again interesting and enjoyable benefit. Finally, my main entree was the sea bass which had minimal flavoring on top of it. Though I was expecting something a little more... powerful on the taste buds. While I was luke warm on the sea bass I am still very much interested in some of the other items on the menu and will be going back in the future. Maybe another Half off win night!
(4)
Sonja K.

Don't book Vita if you have a large party and have guests that have special dietary needs. I booked this restaurant for my son's wedding rehearsal dinner; he and his girlfriend had eaten here before and loved the food; the chef was very accommodating about making him an "off menu" vegetarian dinner. I thought this would be easy but I was horribly mistaken. I ended up cancelling the reservation for 30 people because the special events coordinator that I was working with actually told me that my vegetarian guests could "choose from their salad menu" for an entree instead of offering me an alternative vegetarian dish to the one that was on the menu. Actually, he said "I COULD talk to the chef, but we have an extensive salad offerings that your guests can choose from for an entree". He also told me that there were no options for a gluten free dessert. I told him that my son was able to get a barbeque tofu dish from the chef that was amazing. The response I received was "well, I could talk to the chef.." I said "don't bother" Icing on the proverbial cake....I called to talk with the manager about my problem and the girl who answered the phone asked why I was calling; I told her and asked to speak with the manager...guess who she put on the phone....the special events coordinator... Apparently getting to speak to a manager is as difficult as getting a gluten free dessert!!!
(1)
Peter A.

One of my favorite happy hour places in the city...great in the summer with the upstairs patio and the view. If we were talking Happy Hour only, I'd give this review close to a 5, but we need to factor in the food. Yeah, the food is decent - I like the sliders and the cuban sandwich - and it hits the spot, but I've never been...blown away. Maybe I've not ordered the right meal yet? With the atmosphere and the drinks all top notch, I feel like I want the food to totally knock my socks off for those prices, which brings my review to closer to a 3.5. Love the vibe and the drinks, but the food is just OK compared to the rest of Vita's offerings.
(3)
Bill W.

Great rooftop bar. Probabaly the worst staff in Denver. Always Rude, mean, slow. Im always drawn back to the roof, but they are always rude, mean, slow.
(2)
Grace B.

I've never been very impressed by the quality or value of Vita's dinner menu, but they offer a great happy hour from 4-6:30. They have a few sliders for $3 each and a couple small plates for $5. Great for a little nibble and the service in the bar is always very friendly and attentive. 2 for 1 wines while sitting on their rooftop patio is one of the best ways to unwind after a long day.
(3)
Stephanie S.

I just held my wedding reception at Vita on the rooftop. Christina and Mark were very helpful with the initial setup and Christina was easy to contact and make appointments for details along the way. They helped me with the set up of the space and it was beautiful! Everyone LOVED the food and mini-cupcakes. I had a great time and Vita was a great choice and make it easy to plan a reception. Thank you Christina and everyone else if you are reading this!
(5)
Kathryn H.

Two for one wines during happy hour? Yes, please! My friend and I jaunted here one afternoon for happy hour. The wine selection was decent, although I was hoping for a dry rose, no such luck. We had the pulled pork app and it was good, but mostly because of the chips it was served with. The meat itself was a bit under seasoned, and less-tasty than I was hoping. The cheeses we had (two recommended by the server) were really good. The rooftop patio provides an amazing view of the city, and the construction work going on across the street. I would definitely go back for happy hour.
(4)
Mani N.

The only reason that I'm giving this restaurant 2 stars is because of the great service and the beautiful rooftop dining area. Other than that, the food is HORRIBLE! As in terrible, awful, bad-tasting, stomach ache inducing! Either the food is DRENCHED in salt, or lacks any and all flavor. I ordered the rissotto with blackened chicken. I wonder if the chef has ever cooked a day in his life, because this rissotto tasted like bland Mac n' Cheese from the dollar store. The blackended chicken "looked" like chicken, but that's where all similarity to food ended. A rubber chicken may have more flavor. My mother's grilled chicken was on the opposite end of the spectrum. If she had ordered a salt lick, it'd taste the same as her grilled chicken. My father's fries were also drowning in salt. Our waiter was super sweet and thoroughly apologized for the "pseudo" chef's disaster. Apparently the head chef does not work Sunday nights. That explains EVERYTHING! Again, the service here is great, as is the facility itself. However, I recommend if you're considering coming here, it'd be for Happy Hour only.
(2)
Kate M.

After enjoying some drinks and apps at Lola, we headed next door to Vita for our dinner reservations. Ditto all my commentary on the excellent view from my Lola review. This quality alone is worth a star. We were truly surprised to find that our reservation wasn't necessary, as Vita was not half as crowded as Lola. This wasn't really the best omen, but we were happy to be seated at a fantastic table, and to hear the low-key live jazz playing. Our server, though young, was kind of cute and funny. We ordered several starters off the Antipasto menu, including freshly-shaved prosciutto and three different cheeses, all of which were divine, and promptly devoured by my group of ravenous she-wolves. Between the three of us, we ordered a Flatiron Steak, Pork Tenderloin, and a Seared Tofu dish. All three were huge hits, with us exclaiming that the pork was probably the winner, though the tofu was really well-flavored and interesting, as well. Not to say that the steak wasn't delicious, but wasn't perhaps as interesting as the other two dishes. The bottle of wine was quickly downed, as well as two other cocktails a piece, neither of which tasted very good. My one gripe would be that it was perhaps priced a bit too high for what it was. However, in my drunkeness, I didn't think twice about it! I had a lovely time with my companions, and the fact that it wasn't super-busy probably augmented our time together.
(4)
Maha K.

Jazzy. Acai berry-approved. Heated patio. Has that scenic view of the Denver skyline you might actually contemplate committing homicide over. The live band was great, the drinks were deliciously succulent and the ambiance was right up my alley. But the plates were blah. I mean, if you're going to slaughter a New Zealand lamb (Kiwi lamb?) and import the carcass to the United States - at least serve more of it than a measly rib and not put the poor guy over a bed of sloppy Joe beans. Unless of course I'm supposed to see EVE pop out of the rib at some point during the meal or something. Maybe then I'd pay $12 for the show. I also have a disheartening feeling that the yuppies from Lodo are starting to spill over to this new area of the Highlands. So enjoy it while you can.
(4)
Kate W.

Absolutely horrendous experience. We were in a large group and our party had separate checks. I realize that this can be an inconvenience, but the server was informed of that at the beginning and apparently had no idea how to handle that situation. (Or they should have let us know it would be easier for them to split at the end). It took over an hour and a half for the food to come out and one person never even received their food. Neither the server or the manager communicated with us about what was going on, we had no idea wether it was a staffing or kitchen issue or both. Little attempt was made to apologize or appease anyone for the problems that were being encountered. Half of the eggs in the eggs Benedict were over-cooked...sub-par brunch food. If you value customer service, you are better off going to Lola or Linger. This is probably why the restaurant was empty, I can't even imagine how they even function when they are full. What a mess.
(1)
Ken H.

I love coming to this place for their happy hour on the roof top. Can't beat the $5 appetizers and 2-for-1 wines. I have eaten a full meal after two appetizers. They used to have a better view but a condo building is going up across the street, blocking the downtown view. Nonetheless, I enjoy the rooftop. The wait staff is also fun and friendly!
(4)
Anna R.

Gorgeous rooftop patio! Tuesday wine nights are a must! An awesome ladies night! Brunch is also amazing. Only issue I have is when they get busy, they completely give up on service. Cold food, cold servers, watered down drinks.
(4)
Rebecca K.

We decided to stop in at Vita for a late dinner - our first visit. The jazz band was playing and I'm happy to say they played at a level that was pleasant and allowed the customers to carrying on a conversation without yelling at each other. We were seated immediately. At 9:30pm, the restaurant was still almost full. Our waiter, Tony, was very nice and walked us through the menu. He was honest with us about the plate sizes, telling us which ones were good for one person and which were big enough to share. He took our drink orders while we mulled it over. We barely had enough time to look at the menu when he was back with our drinks - very impressive, barkeep. Overall, the service was excellent through our entire meal. Since it was late, we decided to go a little lighter. We settled on an order of mussels and an order of calamari to share and each ordered a half portion wedge salad. The salads were delivered first, as requested. The half portion is plenty if you plan to eat more. The bleu cheese and peppered bacon balanced each other nicely. The mussels and calamari orders arrived after our salad plates had been cleared. The mussels were delicious; however, if you don't like bacon flavor, you will not like these. I commented last night that it was like "BLT mussels". They are steamed with tomatoes, onions, and bacon in flavorful white wine (I believe) broth. The calamari was also good. The batter wasn't heavy, but the marinara was on the spicy side for my tastes. The calamari is also served with fried carrots and red and green peppers. There was almost more veggies than calamari on the plate, so be aware when ordering - you will not get a heaping pile of calamari but a blend of calamari and veggies. We passed on desert this time. We will be back in the future to try some of the large plates.
(4)
Jamie B.

I despise having to fight for a table. I just want to make my reservation, show up on time, and get what I want. Is that too much to ask for in life? Anyway, if you want to sit outside at Vita (upstairs patio or sidewalk patio), you have to fight for your table, its first come first serve, meaning people circle around tables that look like they're getting ready to leave. With that being said, we ate late enough that we got a table on the upstairs patio and the food was pretty good. The wine was good. The waitress was okay. The cocktails were wonderful! I'll come back for happy hour.
(4)
Alison R.

A friend and I went there last night for 5280 week. Vita had a great menu - lots of options and very generous portions. The food was fantastic, especially the tuna tartare appetizer and the ahi tuna entree. The service was fantastic, from the friendly hostess to the great guy who refilled our water glasses, and our waitress Melani was spectacular! I can't wait to go back with my husband and try more of the yummy choices on their menu. We had wine last night, but their cocktail menu looks fun and interesting. Nice job, Vita!
(4)
Deco G.

I went here for dinner with a friend visiting from out of town. It was her last night and she had to catch a late night red eye flight home, so we went to Vita on a quiet night to enjoy a last meal together. Dinner ended up being a plain tortilla and homemade ice cream at home before we rushed out to the airport. I eat out about 3 to 5 times a week, and therefore have had more than my share of mediocre to atrocious dining experiences (but happily even more sublime ones). But it's extremely rare for me to leave a restaurant, fuming. Congratulations, Vita, for earning the unique dishonor of inspiring me to walk out before dinner arrives, though there was no evidence that dinner was ever even on its way. On the surface, the experience can be summed up as simply slow service. Closer inspection reveals that it wasn't merely slow service, but lazy, incompetent, unaccountable, contemptuous, downright insultingly uncaring service. We sat for dinner at the bar and ordered drinks, an appetiser to share, and two salad entrees. The drinks and appetiser arrived and were consumed right away. 50 minutes later there was still no sign of our dinner [they were *salads*], and deafening radio silence from the bartender. Yes, I've experienced slow service. But the restaurant and bar area were mostly empty. The bartender who took our order wasn't busy juggling throngs of demanding merrymakers and slinging a thousand drinks. He shuffled about slothfully right in front of us, and never checked on us after we turned down the offer of another cocktail early on. After that it was impossible to get his attention, even though he was standing right in front of us. It takes mad skills to avoid all contact for over 30 minutes with two customers sitting right in front of you. We finally had to flag him down, with arms flailing furiously as though guiding a 747 into parking at the gate. "When can we expect our salads? [translate: why aren't you checking on the status yourself?]" Oh yeah, the salads. He'd forgotten to put in our salad orders altogether. Whoops! He assures us he will put the order in on a rush and it will be out in "seconds" if we still want the salads. At this point we're already annoyed, not only because he forgot our order, but because he never checked in on us and ignored us for way too long right under his nose. But ok, we still needed to eat, and didn't have the time to find another restaurant and start all over again. We were only having salads, after all, so the promise of expedited arrival in "seconds" was believable. Our dining experience would have still been salvaged if the salads ever arrived, or if at least the bartender appeared to be on top of it and conveyed that he cared about pushing our order through. 50 minutes plus another 25 minutes later: no salads, no communication, no checking up by the bar tender, who's mad eye-contant-avoiding-skills continued to prevail. This is where slow service and what appeared to be a bartender's innocent mistake turns into "you pesky customers are cramping my precious slothful style." Insults are free. I shouldn't have to pay a hospitality establishment to get them. There are way too many awesome, earnest, hard working restaurants in that neighborhood. None is flawless, but they take your business seriously, and graciously. If that bartender represents Vita's training and standards, then they're running a clown operation and need to exit the hospitality business.
(1)
Andrea R.

Had a lovely dinner here last night. Started out with a mojito and the sea scallop small plate. The scallops were perfectly cooked- no signs of rubbery-ness at all. For our entrees, I had the pork tenderloin and my husband had the mushroom ravioli. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth good, and the toasted almond and watercress salad was the perfect complement. My husband was definitely impressed with the ravioli- he absolutely loved the sauce and said the flavor was great. I hate mushrooms, so I can't vouch for that. For dessert, we ordered the black pepper cheese cake, just because we were curious. It was a really great cheese cake, with just a hint of black pepper which provided a little kick at the end. Overall the meal was excellent, and the service great. The server was always there when we needed something, but not overbearing at all. After dinner, we went upstairs to the patio for a drink and to enjoy the view. I had an amaretto sour, which was a bit more sour than I generally like. Overall, it was a great meal at a great location.
(4)
Donnie P.

Decent place. Kind of a sausage fest in the evening but not as bad as some places. Features a young, professional crowd. Great food, atmosphere but the parking really sucks though. The lack of parking is a real issue, which causes me to find somewhere else to go.
(4)
Jordan T.

Vita was wonderful. On so many levels. Saturday Dinner for 2. 1. We made resrevations in person hoping to sit on the roof patio, which is, unfortunately first-come-first-served. Upon arrival there wasn't any seating available upstairs (which is kind of unorganized, the only thing we didn't like about it). When we decided against sitting upstairs, the hostess sat us at a nice private booth right away. 2. Boyfriend is vegetarian and has some weird allergies so the vegetarian entree was not an option for him. We asked the server if the grilled tofu could be served like the st louis bbq entree. He checked with the kitchen and they absolutely oblidged us, and quoted the price of the tofu dish, not the rib dish. 3. I ordered the steak salad (flank steak, green apple, candied nuts, blue cheese, shallot vinigrette) and had the steak prepared as the kitchen suggested. 4. Neither of us had any alcohol, but the wine list looked good. Beer list looked a little lacking for a Denver restaurant. The service was fantastic. Our server (Tim?) had great timing and went above and beyond in getting a suitable dish for my boyfriend to eat. Waters were filled right when they needed to be, and he was attentive about our lemonade and soda refills as well. Our food was great. The steak on my salad was perfectly cooked, and this is one of my favorite styles of salad to begin with. The shallot dressing had an earthiness that you don't often get with other steak salad dressings. The candied nuts were great and the apple crisp. It's hard to get a salad horribly wrong, but it takes a lot of skill to get it perfect, and by my account Vita did. Boyfriend's tofu bbq was fantastic as well. It was firm and flavorful the whole way through, with tasty char marks and a light glaze of sauce. The kitchen also thoughtfully left off the beans since they had bacon in them (ABOVE AND BEYOND OR WHAT?!) and added sweet potato fries. The corn bread was crumbly and warm and flavorful and great with the whipped butter that came with the complimentary bread. All in all a great experience. We were very pleasantly surprised.
(5)
Jenn P.

What a neat spot to hang out. This place has got a super cool feel to it both inside and out. We sat on the patio looking out over our fair city, which by the way, seems to be growing like a weed. the view here is mainly great with an alley or two and an old parking lot boogering it up only slightly. The decor is kinda sexy actually, the bar is sleek and inviting. Yes sleek and sexy and inviting ...it was like looking in a mirror, well maybe not exactly! The servers, I'm pretty sure there was more than one, both cute which added to my view. Anyhoo they were very helpful and efficient. Also a whole boatload of folks came with the food and drinks all presented to us at once, I felt very important. I ordered the club sandwich and it was tasty, good portion, really yummy, did it knock my socks off , no but then a gain it was just a club sandwich. My friend had the special, a Chicken Cordon Bleu Wrap and it looked good but I didn't sample it. I did however sample his homemade potato chips! Dang they were good, mama loves me a fried potato product. These did not disappoint! All in all this is a peachy spot to be. Great vibe, nice view good food, and just cool all around! I hope to go back and try the sliders and maybe a dessert. I've been good enough for a dessert, yep I'm almost certain of it!
(3)
Dom D.

Decided to keep Vita as a happy hour only or rooftop only place during the summer after our recent experience there. Decided to go for restaurant week with a group of 4. We all ordered a variety and the appetizers were all very good. Salads were OK as they messed up a few requests to omit certain ingredients. While the main course was OK, two of us ordered the 8oz flat iron and I am certain that their scale must be severely broken if they think what they served was anywhere near 8oz. I buy steaks from the local butchers often and would consider myself fairly familiar with how large and filling an 8oz steak should be. This steak had to be 4 or 5 oz at the most. When the plates were dropped in front of us, we both kind of looked at each other wondering if this was some kind of joke, but it wasn't. I understand that its a fixed price menu, but I would have gladly paid an up-charge for a true 8oz steak. Their regular dinner menu lists the Flat Iron Steak & Frites with 2 prices for an entree and a small plate. I truly hope what we were served was the small plate version (Even though that was not listed as that on the DRW menu) because had I paid the entree price for what I was served, I certainly would have sent it back. I'll probably be back in the summer for the rooftop and drinks, but for dinner I'll stick with Lola or Linger in this stretch of restaurants.
(2)
Travis M.

Decent food, although, there are much better options in the highlands. Granted we had a large party, but the apps took 45 minutes to come out alone... Not a terrible experience, but it was overpriced and I don't think the service or the food was good enough to come back with so many other great options nearby.
(2)
Erica A.

They have a solid menu and service Food is Pretty good. I like their Tuna Tartare. We had the sea bass and rack if lamb. I love the funky old neighborhood.
(3)
Brittany S.

The price could be better for what it was
(3)
Katy S.

We had some time during our last day in Denver, so we figured we might as well have one last blow out meal and do a good brunch. As we had a party of 7, I wanted to make sure we would be able to get in so I headed to open table. I was happy to find that Vita had a reservation available. When we arrived we were given the option of dining inside or on the outdoor rooftop patio. It was a hot day so we opted for inside, but I bet the patio is really nice during the fall or spring! After being seated we saw that there were $5 mimosa carafes and quickly ordered those. These each had about 4 mimosas in them so it was a great deal! As for the food - the table ordered a combination of breakfast and lunch items but no one was disappointed. The most popular item within our group was the monte cristo french toast. Although VERY unhealthy, it was really delicious! Our waiter and the manager both checked on us several times throughout the meal. We left fat and happy. Highly recommended for brunch! Great value, food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)
Jenna N.

Meh... I've been to Vita for brunch multiple times on days my friends and I didn't feel like waiting forever for some place in higher demand. The brunch scene is very dead- totally empty inside and on the rooftop patio. Like a ghost town. At first, I wondered if the place was even open. We were surprised that a place in the Highlands would be so totally empty but we soon figured out why. The service is clunky at best. The lone waiter (waiting on just one or two tables) came by so infrequently that it was really hard to ask for anything- a coffee refill, a take out box, etc. Once we had waited so long (15+ minutes) for a takeout box that we simply called the front desk from a cellphone so the hostess could bring one up. We felt rude doing that, but had no other option as the waiter was clearly not ever coming back. The waiter also really struggled to split checks. It was a confusing mess, and I almost offered to cover the whole tab just to end our awkward conversation with him about it. Any requests for substitutions to the menu (i.e. please leave the gravy off the chicken & waffles) were met with confused looks and long sighs by the staff. FYI the Red Bird Farms Chicken dish does not mention anywhere in its description that it includes bread of any kind, so a gluten free friend ordered it to be surprised it was in fact a chicken sandwich. The two redeeming qualities are certain food dishes and the drink specials at brunch! Generous carafes of mimosas are just $5, and Bloody Marys are also inexpensive. The Monte Cristo French Toast is DECADENT and delicious. You will be able to take half home for dinner. I would recommend visiting Vita for brunch if: 1.) You want to eat in the Highlands without a wait (just might be the ONLY place for that...) 2.) You want to eat pretty good food and drink cheap mimosas 3.) You are willing to make the best out of some pretty bad service (it provided us with a few laughs)
(2)
Hanh P.

Rooftop bar is pretty cool, view isn't great but good ambience. Baked brie is amazing! Happy hour: great buy one get one appetizers, good drink deals. Don't think I would pay $13 for 5 wings if it wasn't on happy hour. Mussels pretty good but skimpy for the price you pay. Not sure if they cut the size down for happy hour. Prices on the apps are all over $10. Not sure I would come back outside of happy hour. Price seemed high for what you get.
(3)
Dustin S.

I made a reservation for 5:00 on a Friday and the place was dead which should have been a clue that nobody was coming in. Linger and other places in the neighborhood were packed. My wife has food allergies and they even said they had a gluten free menu. Server was clueless about the menu and said they had nothing to offer us. Then he said he would check with the kitchen. Did not even offer to send the chef out when the place was DEAD. Finally was offered fish and a salad. My wife said the fish was not fresh and the steak was tougher than shoe leather. I guess the kitchen and manager was too busy chatting or serving beer to talk to customers about their food. I've been treated better at Chilis than this place. A waste of over 100 here left me very disappointed considering the location of this place amongst much competition in the Highlands. The owner and chef need to seriously figure out what is going on here or this place will be out of business in a few months considering the rent in Highlands. Chef Irvine on Restaurant Impossible would have a field day in this place.
(2)
Leanna C.

After reading several of these reviews I'm truly shocked by the low ratings here. We went late on a Monday and decided to sit outside on the rooftop patio, not much of a view but a great patio. Our waiter was friendly and explained the menu well. Monday's they do all night happy hour, $5 doubles and buy one get one appetizers. We ordered the quinoa salad, the wedge salad, the pork chop, the flat iron steak, 2 drinks, and a bottle of wine. The quinoa salad was truly amazing, it was extremely large for the price and the perfect amount of dressing. The wedge salad was delicious as well, nothing special, just your standard wedge salad. The flatiron steak was cooked perfectly and the broccolini that accompanied it was really flavorful. The only thing about this dish I really didn't care for was the potato cake situation on the side. If you're going to order an entree without a doubt order the pork chop!! Easily the best pork chop I've ever had. The chop is juicy and delicious and the spatzel underneath is sweet and heavenly. As the night wore on it got a little chilly and the waiter turned on the heaters, we didn't want to leave it was so nice. Not only was our waiter attentive but at the end of the night he brought us a chocolate alcoholic beverage for dessert, which we did not order. The dessert drink he made us was absolutely delicious!! I think this is a must try spot for anyone in Denver, the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. Definitely give this place a try!!
(5)
A.J. S.

I order from Vita through my delivery service. Their menu has many delicious options. I'm a "texture" person and their tomato soup has crunchy little pieces of something in it which tops it off perfectly and can literally be eaten cold like gazpacho. The Spinach salad is always fresh, crisp and assembled beautifully. I usually order grilled chicken for protein and its charred which is my favorite way to eat it. All around deliciousness!
(4)
Adi G.

I came here the other night, and it was almost completely empty. The dining area is fine, but the rooftop deck is really nice! I definitely would've sat there if the weather had been nicer. The food is just okay. I had the "forbidden black rice bowl", which I had really been looking forward to. It came with kind of a weird variety of vegetables: asparagus, onions, red peppers, and mushrooms. I would've expected cucumbers and carrots or something to that effect. Overall, it was a fine meal, but I wouldn't necessarily hurry back.
(3)
Saul M.

Waiter doesn't know what kind of beer they have. Nor does he care to find out. "Do you have an IPA on tap." "Yes." Pause "What kind?" "Oh, I think it's Goose Island." The waiter rolled his eyes and seemed incredibly put out by our asking for bizarre things like French Toast without bacon, eggs and cheese on top. Or toast. Seriously, he made a face and sighed when I asked for toast. At brunch. Food took forever to get and several things were missing. Bruschetta was made with a very strong Goat cheese. It tasted rancid. Two of our party got chicken and biscuits. They were happy. Our daughter got a slice of plain French Toast that we practically had to beg for. She liked it. Two of us got sides of eggs and potatoes because we couldn't find anything on the limited menu. Our "over easy" eggs were cooked solid. The potatoes were forgotten. They came out 10 minutes later. Tiny bowls that were not even half full of cold potatoes with NO seasoning at all for four bucks. When everyone at the table was done eating, our toast came. We were looking for hidden cameras. The whole thing was like a bad joke. I left before the check came. I only added the second star because I was told that our drinks were comped. This was the only indication that anyone knew or cared that there were problems. There were no apologies or explanations given. Summary: Tiny portions of gussied up diner fare served slowly by staff that couldn't care less. We won't be back.
(2)
Robert H.

Oh soOO GOOD!! Most wonderful waiter. Dishes were classy and well presented. Reasonably priced wine list. Each bite glorious!
(4)
Allyson K.

Went to Vita for a birthday party and what a cute place! I was bummed to see that their rooftop patio had a view blocked by the apartment building across the street (I'm sure other's complain about that as well) but outside of that, I was impressed! The drinks were delicious and service was great at the bar! The party had appetizers which were fantastic (think fried brie balls, meats and cheese, egg rolls, etc.). Though I didn't get a chance to actually sit down and have dinner, I wouldn't be surprised if we come back to try it out! Updated review to come!
(4)
Zuzana B.

You are paying for location here. The menu is less than impressive but if you are looking for a nice dessert dish, try the peanut butter mousse parfait. That will definitely leave you wanting more.
(3)
Adam D.

Good food and happy hour. Nice deck good scene! I ordered the Penne Roberto and was told four times how spicy the dish was! Lol I am not hardcore about heat but like a medium spice, glad to say the dish was not intolerable at all and quite good actually. Maybe the cook took it easy on me, maybe the wait staff gets tired of wimpy bitchy customers. I agree the menu is pricy, but decent happy hour 2-for-1 drinks, burgers, wraps, salads make a budgeted casual dinner possible too. I'll come back but 50% of the reason is the neighborhood and ambience.
(4)
Lily S.

Vita was the first stop we made as part of the Denver Gourmet Food Tour of the Highlands. Since we only had appetizers here, my 3.5 star rating doesn't cover their main offerings. They touted their pork belly and I gotta admit that is one 5-star dish! The pork is so tender, juicy, and tasty; no wonder, as lots of mustard seeds, sauteed apples and some pitted cherries were used to boost the flavor. It was the first time I've ever had whole-grain mustard and I instantly fell in love. The other things we sample were just OK, including Fried Calamari (TOO MUCH black pepper), Fried Brie served with crackers and fruit (I would prefer it baked), Some beans and chorizo dish served with pita (which I did not deem to be a fine enough dish for an upscale restaurant like Vita) and a Deconstructed Caprese sandwich plate that was surprisingly refreshing. We were shown the rooftop and it looked like it'd be a fun place for parties and receptions, if not for the ongoing constructions at the surrounding buildings. What a mood killer! If I ever visit again, it'd be for the pork belly, mmmm!
(3)
Samantha E.

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and I wanted Mexican food. My husband kindly was up for taking me to Lola. Lola had an hour wait when we called to get on the list, but it was up to an hour and a half when we got there, and I didn't want chips and salsa and ceviche quite that badly. Vita was next door, and had a 20% off groupon to boot, so we quickly changed plans. The restaurant was almost completely empty, and I'm really not sure why. Our server was most definitely a Highlands hipster, but that's not a bad thing, and he had helpful recommendations. My husband's mojito was excellent, and the tequila cocktail satisfied by margarita craving quite nicely. I ordered the small plate steak and frites. The waiter warned me it was really small-- about 4 oz-- which was nice of him, but it ended up being perfectly portioned. The steak was exactly medium, the dipping sauces I picked (spicy Thai and roasted garlic) were great, and the fries were crispy and delicious with an addictive aioili. My husband had the New York strip which looked great as well. He said it was one of the best steaks he's had in town, actually. Valet parking is free, and it looked like they had a pretty excellent happy hour. It would be a splurge to come back and pay full price, but I'd definitely make another groupon-sponsored visit or trip for just drinks or happy hour.
(4)
Lynn L.

I honestly Love this place. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed, and yet it still embodies an elegance especially in the food. I have enjoyed every dish ordered, and absolutely love the autumn salad which has candied bacon. You will not be disappointed in the amazing combination of autumn flavors. The service is friendly and the staff are some of the most genuine people I've met. Thank you shout out to Jill, Jen, Malery, Matt, Darryl and Chris. Now that I think of it, I have found my Cheers with class. Sweet!
(5)
Paul C.

Came on a Sunday afternoon and our party was perplexed. We were given two different versions of the menu and a confusing explanation of a 2-for-1 appetizer and drink offer in effect at different time between 2 & 4 PM and after 4 PM. One menu seemed to be a brunch menu and the other the regular menu each with appetizers and drinks. If I understood the server, a meal could be ordered off the brunch menu and appetizers and drinks could be ordered off either menu between 2&4 PM. We ended up getting duck comfit chilaquiles and a brie with pickled apples. The presentations of our food, as well as the food going by were excellent, however, the flavors didn't measure up to the plates. The duck comfit chilaquiles will quickly lose their temperature, but a flavorful spice will keep you munching as they get cold, but that flavor was lacking. The brie was also presented excellently, but the reception at our table was 50/50 with two of us liking it and two not liking it. That was more a matter of preferred taste then a problem with the dish. If the appetizers had been GREAT, we would have ordered brunch, but they weren't so we didn't. The rooftop patio lacks a view and ambience and it's unnerving to see the one server making multiple trips up and down the steep stairs to bring the food up. I can imagine what this looks like on a hot summer day. Perhaps an appetizer table for a flat fee would work better and make customers more comfortable to eat and drink. Also the decor on the main level bothered me. There were a number of drip paintings that may have looked avant-garde in the 50's but now looked like an art fair at the Holiday Inn. It's hard to do new, green, gourmet, craft beer, etc., etc. in one venue. Think if they picked a lane and stuck to it they may be able to get somewhere. The place has a lot of potential and I would like to see them be able to maximize it.
(2)
Jonathan T.

Service sucks. Had to ask for wine refills multiple times. No Bueno. Bar tenders were unaware. Very sad for a good venue. Google me. I'm a happy hour person and won't ever come back without a purpose.
(1)
Rich S.

Nice diverse menu in a casual environment. Fresh ingrediants! Vita is part of the same Olinger complex it shares with Linger and a few other shops. We tried all of the slider varieties (4) as and appetizer, and the tomato basil soup was fresh and earthy. Penne pasta with fresh chicken and a nice organic sauce. I'll be back!
(4)
Stephanie N.

With the price point of Vita and the location of the restaurant, you would think a bartender there would know how to make a proper Manhattan. Ordered a Manhattan off of the cocktail menu. The bartender couldn't find an ingredient, so decided to "improvise" instead of taking the time to actually find the cherry liqueur. How do you improvise though? Went on to make it with Cointreau instead of the said cherry liqueur. How about vermouth? Shakes it instead of stirring leaving large pieces of ice in the martini glass. Garnished with a giant piece of lemon. Cherry would have been cool. This may be nit picky, but honestly kind of ridiculous when I could have gone to Chilis for a better drink. It's a basic cocktail that any knowledgable bartender should know. Linger it is next time.
(2)
Eric P.

I don't even know where to start. I'm not a picky customer, but this is the absolute worst dining experience I've ever had, and I've been dining on things for thirty years. We showed up on a reservation for 10 at 12:30p.m., and planned on being in and out before the Garth Brooks concert at 3. It took 20 minutes to get our first round of bloodies after we ordered them. We had been there for an hour before or waiter took our food orders. 3 orders showed up 30 minutes after ordering. The rest took 45 minutes. The waiter had no idea who ordered what, and mixed up all of our plates. We were so hungry at this point, we didn't care. We ate what was put in front of us. Each plate had 4 french fries. The waiter apologized for the lack of fries, and promised to bring us up a basket full of them. Never happened. Sandwiches were cold, and the cheese on our burgers looked like it had been sitting on a warm counter-top for three days. It was crispy and discolored. Regardless, we wolfed down our food, and begged for the check, as we were getting dangerously close to missing the beginning of the show. At no point did we get any sort of apology from anyone on the staff. It seemed to me that this was standard operating procedure for this restaurant. They suck, they know it, they don't care. With all the competition in the Highlands, I don't understand how this place stays open. If I'd gone to a Jiffy Lube and ordered a cheeseburger, I would have gotten better service than I did at Vita. I do however, feel bad for the buss girl, who took the brunt of our frustration. In our defense, she had the nerve to ask how our experience was. She won't make that mistake again. Or maybe she will, as I'm sure we're not the only customers to have a bad experience here. Rest assured, it is the last experience we will have at Vita.
(1)
Rachel J.

This place was great! It's located off a one way street so you will either have to go around the block, there is parking lot across from it for $5, or park down the street. There is a lot of free 2 hour parking around that area. I wish I could have sat up on the roof because it looked so nice up there with the lights and the view,but it was too windy that day. I heard they have heat lamps though for cold days that don't have wind. We got there during happy hour (yes happy hour on a Saturday!) I thought my eyes had deceived me. The happy hour was buy one get one free. Also they have moscow mules that are served in a copper mug. Let me stress the importance of the copper mug for these drink, finally someone that understands my life struggles. I ended up getting the cubano which was really good. Only suggestion would be to either toast the bread or get a different kind beside just a sub sandwich bread. The salad dress was really good too whatever that was. I will be back and get the gyro! Also I had to give my Dad an education on pronouncing gyro so thanks for the grammar lesson and the great food!
(5)
Anisa R.

The ambiance and service makes this place nice. The food is mediocre. Caramel pecan Brie came with too few crackers and wilted grapes. Pork chop sat atop mac and cheese style pasta and spinach? More like kale. Chop was overdone and the sweet sauce was good but did not mix well with the pasta/spinach. Flatiron steak was cooked nicely. Potato cakes were a little dry. Waiter was very pleasant and rooftop patio is comfortable.
(3)
Craig L.

Vita's prime location in the trendy E. Highlands neighborhood, beautiful decor, and a fantastic view of the city (well, for now, at least--there's a construction trailer across the street) promises a wonderful dining experience; however, the lack of execution plagued our night out. First, the positives. Besides the decor and location, the scallops were actually pretty good; I was surprised by the size (the larger ones usually don't hold the flavor as well), prep, and the taste. The cheese and meat plate offered generous servings of a gouda, proscuitto, salami--no surprises, but tasty. All excellent; in fact, maybe drinks and appetizers on the deck is the best way to visit Vita . . . Vita offers an extensive bottled wine selection; however, there are few choices for glasses, with basically one option for each variety. Hint: there's a difference between French, Oregon, and California Pinots, and some choice would be welcomed in each variety. We experienced an issue with the wine's temperature, as it was served unusually warm. "Room temperature" is not the actual temperature of the room (especially in July, in Denver), but it should be between 55-60 degrees while stored and slightly warmer when served. Again, our wine was REALLY warm, which ruined it for me. Has anybody else noticed this? Although we dined on one of the hottest days of the year, Vita should take steps to mitigate this problem. The big issue was in the kitchen. Apparently, Vita excels in seafood; however, my wife and I made the mistake of ordering a steak. When the first attempt came out like a hockey puck, we sent it back. The manager kindly brought out two salads while we waited for the chef's second effort. This was strange, because we were sharing an entree, and didn't really want more food, but the gesture was kind. The second steak came out medium on one side and literally raw on the other. Seriously, they may not have even flipped it. I guess that COULD be considered medium-rare (medium on one half, rare on the other), but I would have preferred a more traditional m-r, with a warm, red center. We silently boxed it up and took it home, not wanting to sacrifice another steak to the reject pool (wait staff take-home stockpile?). Warm wine and a poorly prepared steak made for a less-than-stellar dining experience. The wait staff and management was sufficient, but couldn't make up for the poor performance in other vital areas. As we walked down the sidewalk, we noticed that Lola's was packed, and Vita was nearly empty. I guess that tells you something.
(2)
M G.

The website for Vita says "Come join us for Happy Hour 7-days a week: 3:00PM - 6:30PM" Well, my husband and I showed up for happy hour on a sunny Saturday afternoon at 4:15pm. The restaurant was empty, but the patio looked fairly busy and we felt lucky to grab a patio table that had just opened up. -- Then we sat and waited, and waited, and waited. There were no waiters in sight. After about 15 minutes, I decided to go to the bar to order drinks. At the bar, the only bartender working was avoiding all eye contact with other patrons waiting at the bar. I think I would have been less mad (and more sympathetic... I mean these things happen) if the bartender had simply acknowledged my presence, but her decision to just ignore me made me pretty irritated. After about 10 minutes that the bar I gave up and went back to our patio table. My husband said that no one had been by. Looking around at other tables, we saw a lot of folks with empty glasses. We waited about 5 or 10 minutes more, and then finally got up and left. Here's the kicker -- this is actually the second time I've gotten really poor (or no) service during happy hour at Vita. This restaurant is in a great location, I can't wait for it to change ownership so I can visit its replacement.
(1)
Danny L.

Everytime I've walked by this place, I've assume it'd be a little too "wannabe" for my tastes. I think it's the signage. It just looks a little too... well... wannabe. That giant smoke plume banner makes the place look like it's trying really hard to be a mid-nineties club. But last night we decided to give it a try, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Remove the signage, and the place has a great look and feel. It was a Saturday night, and even at 9 o'clock there was a 45 minute wait, so my wife and I saddled up to the bar. I actually can't imagine that there's a better place to be, as there was a lively atmosphere (fantastic jazz band that took my wife's Chet Baker request) and a STELLAR view of down town. We decided to have some apps. The Calamari, while nothing to write home about, was crispy and delicious. The spicy tuna tartar was also a solid choice. The romaine salad was fresh and dressed properly (not too much dressing), and the bacon was sweet and delicious. I am definitely looking forward to heading back to try out a main course or two. Evidently they've been written up in "five magazines" (said the bartender) for their St. Ginger (Skyy Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Muddled Cilantro, Ginger Ale --$9), and I'd believe it, 'cause it was DELICIOUS. All in all we had a great time and some really good food. I'm happy to recommend the restaurant, and we'll definitely return to try out what looked to be some delicious entrees.
(4)
Adam K.

Vita was great! I was treated to this fine establishment for my birthday and it was a very memorable experience. The food was great although not very plentiful. I would say the portions are a little on the small side for the price. The calamari was fantastic and my entree was meticulously prepared and delightful. The staff was very nice, we did have a reservation but we were greeted at the door and immediately seated. Our waitress was courteous, knowledgeable, and very attentive. My water glass was always full and it seemed like the service was perfectly timed. I have only been there once, but I definitely will return. I would recommend Vita to anyone and everyone! The only reason I give Vita 4 stars is because even with a dessert, I still left hungry. I wish half stars were available. On a side note, the Cucumber Pear Mojito was absolutely fantastic. I am more of the Stoli and Soda guy, but this drink caught my eye and it did not disappoint! The "VeeV' liquor was very different, yet offered quite a unique taste.....I would definitely suggest it.
(4)
Manny G.

I gotta say that Vita really went downhill in my book when they started a wait list for a rooftop table. Totally ruins one of the best rooftop decks in town and changes a first-come system that seemed to be working just fine. I'll be planning outings with my associates at another place with fewer imposed rules from now on. You'd expect this sort of thing in Cherry Creek. I hope the rest of LoHi doesn't consider this place.
(1)
Natalie W.

Great view, good wine, good service, decent food (my mussels weren't gritty, but the temp was weird), obnoxious clientele. But maybe that's the new LoHi MO? The best way I can describe it: remember when you were 20 or 21 and loved to get wasted and be young and free and crazy? Now, imagine you're close to 40 and still acting that way. I normally don't judge a place harshly based on its clientele, especially if the other aspects really shine through. But, three stars is A-Ok, and that fits it well. I would come back, but probably never on a weekend. The view alone is worth it.
(3)
Jenny S.

READER BEWARE: very detailed review Want the short and sweet version? Order the pork tenderloin- you'll cry because it is just that good. I have been meaning to Yelp about Vita after a summer spent on their patio, watching the city in the sunset- but I am incredibly glad that I held off as I only would have given it 4 stars (the service when the patio is packed is a bit lacking)- after last night, 5 stars- hands down. My parents and their friends decided to spring a last minute dinner in Denver on me. Being a Yelper and a foodie, I was the one who had to make the call on where to go. After much discussion with other Yelpers, I chose Vita, as I love their bruchetta and drinks. As I said, I go here in the summer quite a bit, but I have never had dinner here. And really the only thing I can ask myself is: "why did it take so damn long to get there Jenny?!?" The food was delicious. They have seven entrees on the menu so with five people at dinner ordering different entrees, I got to experience pretty much all of it. We started with the Flatbread and the bruchetta. The bruchetta is to die for, it has got to be the quality of the balsamic that they use, and the flatbread is now one of my favorite apps on their menu. I ordered a small cup of the butternut squash bisque with toasted sunflower seeds- and although I am not a bisque fan, this was very well done- the pumpkin seeds added some kick ass flavor to it. Now for the most important part: the entrees. In the interest of time, your eyes and not making this a novel, I will just list each one we had and what I thought. Grilled Ahi tuna- comes with a nice pear salad which adds to the tuna. Tuna rating- three stars, I have had much better Flat Iron steak with red risotto- this was my meal and it was good- the meat cooked very well but the sauce was a bit salty for my taste, the risotto was great. I ended up trading meals with my dad who had the best meal of the night... Pork tenderloin with mustard spaetzle- I am all for trying new menu items, but I will always order this as my entree when I go to Vita. It is to die for. I do not think, in all my travels and dining experiences, that I have had pork as good as this. The cranberries add such a great flavor to the spaetzle and the pork was cooked to absolute perfection. You have to get this meal here! Pan Roasted Chicken- this was incredible. It was my mom's meal and she almost devoured it before I could sneak a bite. The creamy herbed orzo makes this meal unforgettable. Our other family friend ordered a romaine salad and shrimp which was done very well, the caeser dressing was just right. If I had left the restaurant only having the flank steak, I would have given Vita four stars- but once I traded plates with my dad and had the pork, I was a goner. In addition, we had a great table in the back surrounded by beautiful artwork for sale. Even with the live band playing, It was like we were the only people in the restaurant (even though it was packed) and the server's attentiveness just added to our little world of fun....although I am sure all the great wine we were drinking did too!
(5)
Robin M.

I love this place. Seriously. Maybe it helps that I live within walking distance, though I did come here pretty regularly before I moved into the neighborhood. First: Happy Hour. For $10 you will be STUFFED on sliders, fries, etc, as well as have some beer or wine working through your system. BEST HAPPY HOUR DEAL IN LOHI. People may complain they only have 1 beer on tap, but it happens to be my favorite, so maybe I'm biased ;) Second: Dinner. Totally awesome! great selections, and the sauces they offer are super tasty. Third: Late night. The bartenders keep the drinks flowing, the live band keeps playing and fun times are had by all! AND DON'T FORGET THE PATIO!!!
(5)
Adriana K.

Hmm... maybe it was the circumstances, but I went for a well - rated happy hour recently on a sunny day, to find the place completely dead. I guess its pretty happening on the weekend. I had a greyhound (my recent usual) and tried the pork sliders ($3 each) and a flatbread ($5 I think, and overpriced for what it was) - my friend tried the a different pork, and my vegetarian sister noted that most of the items were pork on the happy hour. The shoestring fries were decent, and the service was friendly albeit extremely slow considering we were the only ones there. A lot of outdoor seating including a rooftop patio made it look very attractive for a warm sunny day...
(3)
Nathan D.

Recently went there for 5280 week. We showed up at our reservation time, but our table was not ready. It was full but not busy. We were one of few at the bar, and had to wait 5-10 minutes until someone took care of us. Wine selection was good and mirror pond was I think the only beer on tap (as if you need another type of beer...) , so I was satisfied for the moment. We waited at the bar for 40 minutes before our table was ready. We considered leaving but finally we got our table and they hooked us up with some antipasto which was nice. There was a great sausage in that dish... apparently they smoke the sausage there.. it was delicious. We enjoyed the apps (tuna tartare and lamb) . The salad was okay. I found our entrees to be extremely bland. I had pork tenderloin and I feel like they just tossed a plain tenderloin on the grill. The spatzle side, however, was tasty. My wife had the tuna and same thing... just feel like there was not much care given. It was supposed to be seared but instead charred and overcooked. They were also extremely slow in delivering the food. I'm all for taking my time when I go out to a nice dinner, but this was really pushing it. Will not go back for dinner. I fancy this place as more of a bar than a restaurant. I probably will go back for happy hour when the weather gets better. They have decent happy hour specials and the patio and view are fantastic.
(2)
Andrea B.

I ADORE this place. It was my Tuesday night haven as soon as I found out about it and until I moved. Did I mention they have 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays? And a rooftop deck with an amazing view of downtown? And the best wine list I've seen in Denver, and typically the servers (if not, the bartenders, all of who are awesome, chatty and will give you tastes of new wines) know a decent amount about them, which just makes it all the better for me. They also usually have a good list of small things to eat as well. Bruschetta, gnocchi w/ truffle oil, calamari, a risotto special (although I don't think they do that anymore) are always yummy, and the perfect amount of food as well. I miss you, Vita!!
(5)
Paul D.

Apps and Food were ok, not great. Tons of people. If you're there to meet someone for dinner go early. If you're there to bag someone of the opposite sex go late and the rooftop has to be open. Other than that it's a bar, MEH.
(2)
Joe C.

Vita is essspensive! But oh so delicious. When you've got some extra cash go and eat lots. Or you could just have a few appetizers (still a bit pricey) and beers and wine on the amazing deck that overlooks the city. We started with the grilled cheese (Camembert on a toasted brioche in a tasty sea of a tomato soup type goodness) and the ahi tuna on flatbreads with an orzo pasta salad. A nice start. I got the short ribs with horseradish potatoes and greens; the meat was cooked perfectly and fell apart when I dove in. Our friend Maria from the Fort had the scallops with prosciutto and potato pancakes (fried sage on top!) and we had a taste of that as well. SV got the goods. Let me wax poetic on this one: - Medium rare steak - Perfectly cooked mushrooms - Salsa verde - Fried string onions and the coup de grace (pronounced coop dee grays): - Marscapone potato puree How to eat: cut a piece of steak, top with mushroom, a bit of salsa and onion and fondue dip that whole fork kebab into the puree. Dee-effing-licious.
(4)
Jess J.

GREAT HAPPY HOUR. How often can you say that these days in Denver? Buy one get one on their wine list, and actually the WHOLE wine list, not just some sad house red or white and that's it. The bar area is fun and with a gorgeous view, plus the cocky but friendly (oxymoron?) bartender is a kick. If you are hungry, the bruschetta is not to be missed. Been here for dinner before and was impressed as well, but definitely a great place for a great glass of wine with a view.
(4)
Mariel R.

Great rooftop bar for happy hour with an amazing view of downtown Denver. I had a strawberry mojito and it was amazing. Just make sure that you are decisive about your beverage choice-- my friend didn't know what to pick, and so the bartender crafted her a personal creation. She thought it was alright, but wasn't the biggest fan, and when the bill came, the drink was more than the others on the menu.
(4)
Chris L.

Lots of potential, very little follow through. Was looking forward to a feast of small plates plus salad and Vita's menu seemed like just the thing. The hostess was very pleasant, it's a beautiful dining room, but the place was nearly empty on a Thursday night, not a good sign. And here's why: overpriced food and drinks (and a really stingy pour on the glass of wine), lackadaisical service, and uneven food prep. Some of the flavors were nice, but didn't hold up for the whole dish. There was something odd about the tuna, but it didn't really become obvious until about halfway through it. The salad was way overdressed, an easy sign that the staff really couldn't care less about the food they're making and serving. Another restaurant with lots of potential that seems to be happy to commit suicide instead.
(2)
Lisa L.

Wow, that is one beeyotchy hostess. I smiled at her as I headed upstairs to the rooftop and in return I got a stinky-eyed once-over and a wan smile. Felt like I was in LA. It's been quite a while since I've gotten the Mean Girls treatment -- I'm too old for that ish. This Westword article about how the front of the house sets the tone for the entire dining experience made me think of Vita: blogs.westword.com/cafesâ€¦ . Somebody who owns that place should read it. The food was good but too bad b/c all I remember is that mean scary hostess.
(2)
doug d.

Nice wine/drink menu and great rooftop area. Service is good but not great.
(4)
Sammy L.

In my all my years of working, dining, and now writing about restaurants I have never come across a restaurant as pretentious and with such a rude staff as Vita. Upon arrival the wait staff was crowded around the hostess stand, bored and not a smile in the bunch, and we were not greeted at all. The restaurant was not full in the least bit, and doesn't surprise me. The hostess, also without a smile, simply asked our name and what time our reservation was for. I had called an hour prior and asked the wait time and the person stated "we are wide open, and come on in". When explaining this to the hostess, she stared blankly at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. She asked who I spoke with and then stated " 'cause I don't really know whats going on and he (person i spoke with via phone) may know something i don't -but we are full". My husband and I couldn't help but laugh. They were full? The bar had maybe 4 people to it and there were a few tables occupied but by no means were they even close to full. Someone stomped off to locate the gentleman who I spoke with and returned with a disgusted look on her face, only to hold up an index finger signaling (i guess) for me to wait for him to grace my husband and I with his presence. We left immediately, the hostess sadly attempted a half ass apology. We went to Lola next door, shared our experience with the very lovely and friendly hostess there and she stated "we hear this a lot". We were seated immediately and enjoyed our dinner immensely. It saddens me that a place that looks to have such potential as Vita, would feel it necessary to operate in such a rude and unprofessional manner. In a city as friendly and laid back as Denver, I do hope they relax and retrain their staff to be more gracious that people are coming in at all.
(1)
A D.

I really love the Highlands area north of downtown. This restaurant is smack in the heart of it. I had a dinner there with a group of friends. Liked the atmosphere: low key, modern, live acoustic music (not too loud). The food was very nice. We had the mussels and sliders for appetizers and I had the sea bass for dinner. They have an option of a half order rather than having to buy the full meal which is perfect with appetizers and drinks. Service was very personable. Prices were medium-high range. I will definitely return.
(5)
Belinda B.

Good scenery and hip feeling location. Service is spotty, but the ambiance usually overcomes this as I never feel like anyone is pushing me out, just usually can't get staff attention as quickly as we'd like during happy hour. When I've been here on during non-HH times, service is good, although they must have a policy not to hover their customers - this is nice when engaged in gossipy or relationship-ish discussions with friends. Good appetizers and nice variety of food items. Really have only tried some of the appetizers and wines in past visits.
(3)
William M.

This place is great! The ambiance and decor are very comforting, and it's on the darker side there. We arrived last night before the rain, and were asked to head downstairs off the roof top that has a gorgeous view of for our safety - dang, I love me a good lightning and thunderstorm! Not a big deal, so we get back to our wine. Tuesday is half price wine night, by the way - remember that! We enjoyed two bottles of pinot noir, one from Russian River in California and the other from Oregon - both excellent choices! Plus, you can't beat it at half price. Food, is another story. I actually didn't order any food, but some late joiners to our party did. One was a gnocchi and mushrooms, and tiny as all heck. I heard it was good, though, even though the portion size was meant for a child. The tuna tartar was delicious, and the anti pasto plate was a decent size. Others ordered the shrimp skewers, which was also a good portion size. I heard the food was excellent, as other reviews have said. Next time I'll probably order food as I really liked this place. A nice touch on the evening was the manager asking us if everything was satisfactory for the evening, as we were booted from the roof top. I thought it was nice of him to check on us - that's the kind of thing that sets apart the restaurants that understand hospitality and the one's that do not. Check this place out. You'll like it!
(4)
Kate G.

Vita was one of the first restaurants I tried after moving to Denver. My first two visits were for brunch where I loved their $2 spicy bloody. It's since gone up in price twice to $4 now which is still cheaper than a lot of other places and it does come in a big pint glass. I enjoyed the scrambled eggs with mushrooms, cheese and arugula and thought it was a perfect portion though a little steep at $11+ since extras like potatoes and toast were an additional charge. My next few visits were just for drinks, a few times at the downstairs bar but mostly on the huge upstairs patio with a gorgeous city skyline view. The wide, tall planters with flowers and pretty hanging strings of lights are nice touches. A few nights ago I finally got to try their HH menu. Next time I'll check out the calamari, flatbread and bruschetta because the Kobe beef and pulled chicken sliders were good but not awesome - and there is stiff competition for sliders these days. Both came out a tad dry and maybe undersauced on dry buns but the place was packed so that wasn't a total surprise. I would get two Kobes next time. The skinny french fries were great. 2-for-1 wines are an awesome deal especially since they don't have to be the same two glasses, but I wish their fancy cocktail list was a HH special too, not just well drinks. Delicious looking concoctions. Definitely go early during HH to grab a table.
(3)
Daniel B.

Went to this place for drinks with friends. Don't know about the food. Looked like a yuppie place. It had a nice rooftop patio, but so does everywhere in the Highlands. Little too haughty for my taste.
(3)
Marc B.

Vita is a great restaurant with a great happy hour, ambiance and fabulous patio. In the summer, it's one of the best views of downtown. Their 7-hour pork is phenomenal (I normally avoid pork at all costs). This is a great place to take a date or your grandmother as they have something for everyone. It's especially nice that they have happy hour 7 days a week and 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. Highly recommended!
(4)
Yvonne C.

As I walked up to the entrance, I saw this scooter with a bumper sticker on the back that said, "I love porn." I knew immediately I would love the establishment and the people. I'm all about al dente pasta, but the feta stuffed ravioli was a little too much for me. If the pasta was cooked just a bit more, the dish would have been perfection! It sits on a bed of lamb sugo and comes with baby broccoli. Amazing! But how can the main dish be bad when it follows the starter dishes we ordered. To start with, my friend and I ordered the mushroom gnocchi (which comes with sauteed mushrooms and manchego cheese) and the green eggs and ham (spinach flan on a potato cake with prosciutto ham). Fantastic. The potato cake was a little hard to cut through but other than that, I can't complain. Who can refuse 2 for 1 glasses of wine or half priced bottles? Definitely get there for happy hour. And it's nice that the waiter's are willing to charge you less for a good glass of wine, just to get you to try it. One warning - the butter is REALLY soft so please be careful if you're a bread dipper rather than a butter spreader. You may end up with a mouthful of salty whipped butter that you can't swallow.
(4)
Holly W.

We went to Vita for the live music but were entertained at the next set of chairs: two young women drinking something tall and fruity and yelling into each other's ears, "You're a sexy bitch!" Two men hovered. Mr. Vest caught one woman's eye, smiled, and bought her another drink. The music was soft, jazz, a touch of India. Some sax, soft drum, gentle guitar, upright bass. I sipped wine, my man martini-ed. It was dark as post sundown; everyone looked pretty, when did white winter coats become trendy? We were ready to share an entree and entered into the before-commitment-conversation with the bartender, where I try to name every ingredient that contains gluten and would make me, a Celiac, terribly sick. The bartender ran to the invisible chef, then jogged back: either the tuna tartar or the scallops would be gluten free. The tuna was magnificent, with baby broccoli nested around. We watched as Mr. Vest wined his girl with another drink. She reciprocated: first a hand on his arm, then his knee, then around his neck. My man was delighted to find bits of sausage in our meal, I was aghast: most sausage has gluten. Since I'd already eaten some, I quickly ate more of my promised gluten-free fantastic meal while he worried how fatal my suffering might be. As we watched Mr. Vest's girl in the white coat take a gunna-vommit stumble to the bathroom, soft music filled in the gaps. I reminded my man that even one speck of gluten would make me whine with stomach pain or bloat... "Bloat everywhere!" he begged, again.
(3)
David S.

For mediocre food in small portions, and average drinks, both at a premium price, look no further than Vita. Not sure how this place became so highly rated. So many better places in Denver.
(2)
Vanessa y.

This place is perfect any night of the week! The ambiance and decor is adorable and had it been just a bit warmer outside we would have dined on the roof where they seem to have a whole floor for eating and drinking! Me and an old friend dinned here for dinner and were quite pleased. We had a bottle of champagne, two appetizers, one salad, and two entrees and the bill was $150 with tip. For appetizers we had shrimp skewers which were not too hard to mess up. We also had crab cakes which had too much mayo so I did not eat very much of them. For an entree I had the short ribs which were cooked perfectly tender and were delicious. I can't even remember what my companion had since mine was so scrumptious! The service was excellent, the bathrooms were clean, and although the crab cakes were not to my liking the overall feel of this place is so cool that it definitely deserved 5 stars and a repeat visit next time I am in town!
(5)
Sam W.

Good place to happy hour. Vita is going to need to step it up now Linger is open. The service was very good this time around. The happy hour is hard to beat, but the dinner prices seem to high. The new valet is needed and welcome and the live music is solid as well. We had a few items off the food menu and they were good not great. We came to Vita for the rooftop, now that the tavern is open and Linger we will have more choices on where to go. It will be interesting if Vita wins that battle.
(3)
Emily A.

We recently held my sister's 30th birthday surprise party at Vita. It could not have gone better. I went to check out the space in advance and the manager spent a good half hour answering all my questions and chatting with me. The owner kept in great e-mail contact and suggested appetizers that he thought would work well for the party. We had the mezzanine space reserved which was perfect for our cocktail party of about 30. It went flawlessly. There was live jazz in the evening and the band interacted with the few toddlers at the party well; letting them shake maracas and dance. Our waiter memorized names and did a great job with drink orders. The food was fabulous, and all the guests were impressed- they even let us bring our own desserts in! I would reccomend Vita for a date night or a party. I can't wait to go back and have a drink on the rooftop patio this Spring!
(5)
Meghan O.

A yearning for a rooftop on a hot day brought my friend and I to Vita last week. The view, the drinks, the fare, and the atmosphere worked together to make our evening a lovely one. We decided on Vita because we both like trying new restaurants and my friend had heard wonderful things about it. We started with a couple cocktails while we waited to be seated: she had the acai sangria, and I started with the cucumber mojito, which were both delicious. Once at our rooftop table, we ordered a few small plates and a salad to share. First up was the tuna tartare ($13) and the arugula salad ($9). The tartare, served with avacado, shaved carrot, fried wanton strips and the most delicious aioli, was more of a deconstructed version of the classical dish. The tuna was served sashimi style, so the idea would be that you cut the tuna (marinated in a watermelon vinaigrette) your self. I actually loved this dish and the fact that it was served in this deconstructed style. I find that some tartares can become muddled, and the flavor of the fish gets lost in the shuffle - Chef William Lavey focuses on the tuna, and the avocado, carrots and aoili simply escalate the flavor of the already delicious fish. The arugula salad was perfectly fine; the kiwi, orange supremes, almonds, and raspberry mint dressing came together nicely. Next up was the bruschetta ($10) and the crab cakes ($11). As I have written before, I am quite particular about my bruschetta, and Vita's was very good. Like the tartare, it was served in a deconstructed style. The perfectly toasted baguette slices were stacked next to a mixture of diced tomatoes, capers, and basil, which sat atop 4 mozzarella medallions. A quenelle of roasted garlic was placed in the corner of the plate, and aged balsamic was drizzled over the entire dish. I must say I loved this bruschetta - It was simple and delicious. The mozzarella tasted fresh and, as I said, the bread was toasted perfectly. The real stand out in our meal, however, was the crab cakes. The two perfect patties sat atop a bed of watercress and oven roasted tomatoes. The cakes had nice chunks of crab and alfalfa sprouts (an addition that I LOVED), and the Old Bay aoili was a perfect pairing. The crab cakes were by far my favorite item that we ordered. Overall, I LOVE Vita. I cannot wait to go back to try the sliders, the P.E.I muscles, the seven hour pork, or even the fries, which looked fabulous from what I saw. The rooftop has one of the best views (I think) of Denver, and the staff was great. And now that summer has officially kicked in, you can enjoy Sundays on the Terrace. There are specials all day long including: a $5 build your own bloody mary bar, $5 mimosas, $5 small plates, and 2 for 1 wines. There is also a DJ on certain Sunday nights; check out Vita's website for more info.
(4)
Lisa P.

I have been here a few times and it always dissapoints. We sat on the rooftop patio here on a Sunday. Our waiter seemed annoyed that he had to come upstairs to us. We asked what the mushrooms were stuffed with- he said stuffing! We ordered ceviche and it was so small for the price, it was also way too tangy and salty too. We also oredered bruschetta and that came wih 3 small pieces of burnt toast. For the price the food is not that great. Good place to drink expensive drinks on a cool patio, but thats about it.
(2)
Matty G.

UPDATE: My girlfriend went there last night with some friends. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but she grumbled about terrible service and said she will never go there again.
(1)
Laurel M.

Like a lot of people who reviewed this restaurant, if I were reviewing the Happy Hour alone, I would give VITA 5 stars. But, restaurants are (usually) not made on Happy hours alone. I frequent VITA for happy hour and have take a LOT of advantage of the BOGO special on wines offered by the glass. But here's the kicker (and a recommendation): ultimately, you're really not getting such a great deal when you're paying 11 clams for 2 glasses of OK wine. Head over to the Cellar Wine Bar 1/2 block away on West 29th and get a 5 or 6 dollar glass of really tasty and thoughtfully selected wine. Yes, VITA does have the rooftop patio of which everyone speaks, but good luck sitting down on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday during the warmer months. So, on to the food. I have been to VITA a handful of times outside of Happy Hour, Sometimes for brunch. Sometimes for lunch and, very rarely, for dinner. First off, there's a reason why VITA is suspiciously empty in the brunch-happy Highlands neighborhood on Saturdays and Sundays. Nothing monumental to write about the brunch. Skip it. Unless you can't get in anywhere else. Second, the lunch. The lunch is decent. The prices, not so much. If you want a salad or a burger, you're gonna shell out at least 10 bucks. If you want to add some sort of protein to the salad, add 6 to 8 more dollars. They offer some burgers and a "wrap of the day", but there are FAR better choices in the area. Lunch = non-monumental. On to Dinner. i went to VITA on a busy night. There "seemed" to be enough staff to handle it. We ordered and let the waiter know that we were in a hurry. We let them know a couple times that we were in a hurry. We were, granted, a party of six. We sat down at 5pm. We did't get served our main dishes until 6:30. I ordered a Tuna Tartare salad. I was excited to try something other than lunch and happy hour food. MAJOR disappointment. What came out was a pathetic plate of 3 thin slices of not very good quality tuna that was atop a bed of thick carrot slices, accompanied by these strange fried wontons. How could something potentially so tasty be made so wrong? I did go to VITA for Restaurant Week which, I know, is not a restaurant's best showing; however, it's pretty much the only time I would pay VITA dinner prices. Just NOT worth the trip. I have to agree with a lot of the comments here about the table service. The servers seem pretty disorganized and generally not super happy to be serving. I do, however, LOVE the bartenders and the rooftop servers. Mostly, I think it's because I'm a SUPER REGULAR (if there is such a thing) and they know me. So, probably the best summary of VITA: Happy Hour worth going to. Sit at the bar. Get to know the servers. Don't bother with the Dinner.
(3)
Joe R.

I enjoyed Vita. The building was very cool and the rooftop has a great view of downtown with a good jazz band playing the night we were there. The food was very good. We ordered the calamari, 7 hour pork and flatbread for apps. All were very good, especially the pork. The cucumber mojito was excellent. For dinner I had the ham wrapped mahi which was good. I didn't enjoy the sauce that it came with. Almost like a green chili. The sea bass was excellent. What a treat with the sweet potatoes. The only negative was the service. It was slow and unenthusiastic. The excuse was about a big party but they were not there all night. I will definitely go back but hope the service is MUCH better.
(3)
Fred F.

I visted Vita for DRW last Sunday. We had a late reservation and the restaurant was not overly busy, but there were plenty of diners to keep everyone on their toes. The place is typical Denver decor (exposed brick, etc). The server was friendly and knowledgeable. He took our drink orders immediately and answered any questions we had about the wines. I started with a Alexander Valley Chard which was very good and paired well with my crabcake appetizer. The crab cake was passable but lacked seasoning (which seems to be a theme throughout Denver). The crab meat included no lump which was also a dissapointment. I would have preferred one small cake with better ingredients than two cakes. The cakes could have been crusted a little better too. The sauce that accompanied the cakes was delicate and very good. Second course was the salad course. I had the romaine salad. Again, it lacked seasoning (and i'm not talking salt and pepper). It simply lacked taste. They did through some bacon in it which was the only saving grace. The worst part about the second course was how long it took to arrive. We waited over 30 minutes between courses. This wait certainly lead to the downfall of the entree course. We ordered a bottle of Malbec for the entree course and it too was very good. I had the steak and french fries. I ordered it medium. The entree was served in an oversized bowl (another Denver triat: serve everything on oversized dinnerware and call it upscale dining). The steak may have been cooked properly but I wouldn't know. It certainly sat in the window for at least 30 minutes. Also, it was a very small steak set atop a heaping mound of fries. For dessert we shared the dognuts. I liked them but the water and powedered sugar mixture for dipping that accomanied them needs some work. I also tried to order an esspresso but the server said he was embarrased to tell me that they don't have an esspresso machine (he should be). I didn't go into my dinner companions meals. If they feel compelled to right a review they will. Suffice to say, we all agreed, it was a one time adventure.
(2)
shiloh l.

awesome happy hour-try the portabella sliders for 3 measley bucks with better fries than you'd expect. great wine selection, too. we sat inside at the downstairs bar and had a friendly bartender serve us and we had a great view of the city, to boot. we were stuffed and happy for $25... cha-ching! what took us so long to get back to this great happy hour spot? i honestly do not know, but i do know that we will be back soon.
(5)
Dee W.

Very underrated/unappreciated drink menu and great rooftop area. Service is good but not great.
(4)
Nicole G.

Their rooftop patio is cool and when I've gone there for mimosas on Sundays I've had very good service at the bar.
(3)
Tara N.

Vita is just up the street from me, so I've eaten here quite a few times. The food is just "meh." They do have great cocktails though, and the atmosphere is really nice. The rooftop patio is excellent in the warmer months!
(3)
kristin h.

Well, well, well...what a delightful little spot for my ritualistic happy hour! Seriously, what a great spot. I recently moved to Denver and this was my first happy hour (even though I didn't have a job at the time...do you HAVE to have a job to relish in the low priced drinks and apps that grace the happy hour menu of sooo many restaurants?? I mean, really.) Okay - so back to Vita...again...I sat at the bar (remember -- happy hour) and Mo greeted me with a sweet smile and asked me what I would like to drink. "May I see your wine list, please?" Mo replied with a "yes, but may I make any suggestions?" After telling him what I liked, he recommended the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. It was everything I wanted and more. Perfect suggestion. So, the happy hour consists of 2 for 1 wines and 2 for 1 appetizers. Of course I had another glass of s.b. and I ordered the Mushroom Gnocchi!!! IT'S FABULOUS!!!!!! I have never dreamed about food before, well not really, but this dish...oh yeah, I did. The flavor is perfect...I mean, roasted mushrooms, mushroom jus and manchego cheese. How could you go wrong with that. My 2nd pick were the Crab Cakes. Not my fav...and I didn't dream about them later. Soooo...go gnocchi (they're Amy's favorite - another GREAT bartender there). So, I decided to have dinner there...after 3 glasses of wine...I was in no mood to leave. :) My next pick was a caesar. A little background here. I am a caesar salad connoissuer. This is a HUGE part of my meal. Again...LOVED IT! It's fresh, GREAT dressing and a lemon wedge. Woot! I had a delicious pork tenderloin. It was tender and juicy. I just has a thought about tenderloin -- perhaps adding figs to this dish would be an interesting touch...I wonder if the chef (Max) would take suggestions??? My friend ordered the short ribs. They were also tender and full of flavor. We are so excited about our next venture to Vita. The staff is fun and the service fabulous. Oh and did I mention the jazz trio there?? Right behind me at the bar. Great to listen to -- but the company was great too. Kudos to Vita! vitadenver.com
(5)
Jennifer R.

We chose to go to Vita during 5280 Week and celebrate our birthday with friends. We had to park a few blocks away and were a couple minutes late. However, our friends were already seated at our table and the server was ready for our drink order as soon as we sat down. (He also came around when HH was just about done to see if we wanted another HH drink.) Everything that we had was tasty and delicious. The appetizers started out good, the entrees were excellent.....and don't skip the apple cake! I had the pork tenderloin, which I was nervous about because so many places overcook their pork. Glad I went with the pork, as it was the prime rib of pork and perfectly executed. For our birthdays we were offered a free dessert or a round of champagne. Since most of our friends weren't hungry, we got the round of champagne. A nice way to finish dinnner. I was going to pass on dessert, until I read about the chai creme apple cake..... Words cannot explain how good it was. Think I may go back with my girlfriends for happy hour and apple cake!
(4)
Milkman A.

Get your last bit of open air revelry at Vita before winter sets upon us. I was planning to meet up with a couple of lovely lady friends at Lola next door, but one mentioned she wanted to drink red wine over margs. So I suggested the new bistro Vita next door. I'd heard about the epic rooftop view and wanted to check it out for myself. When we walked in, the downstairs dining room was jam packed and a groovy jazz combo was laying down their licks. We hustled upstairs and were indeed greeted with arguably the best rooftop vista in Denver. Nicely heated too, I'll be back even as the autumn chill descends upon us. For no particular reason we opted to sit at the bar although a couple of tables were available. Our barman Dan wasted no time recommending some Spanish wines to us, either he was psychic or he keenly observed that's where my eyes were pointed on the wine list. After our generous first pour, he also hooked us up with a couple of tasters from other labels. I noticed he offered different personal recommendations to other patrons as well. Thank you Dan, as you have certainly earned a return visit from me on behalf of your establishment. Maybe you were just doing it just to mack on the girls, I'm not too concerned. . . We sampled the menu with a couple of appetizers and an entree among ourselves. Ahi Crudo was a superbly fresh slab of tuna sashimi on a bed of orzo. Green eggs & ham was a tasty spinach souffle dealio on a slab of country style ham. And the perfectly cooked giant diver scallops saltimbocca on potato pancakes finished us off. Every item we ordered was top notch, along with the service, nice pours of wine, and vibrant atmosphere. The ladies and myself left very happy with our discovery of our new find. I'm gonna give it another go soon for a full frontal attack of the dinner menu, after which time I hope to I might bump my rating to five stars.
(4)
Erin F.

Meh. The food wasn't that good. The pork was overcooked and they didn't cook off enough of the red wine with the sauce on the filet.
(3)
Cathy C.

There is a great patio and stunning view of Denver, but I was a bit disappointed with the HH. Food was fine, but I thought portions were a bit small for the price and small selection of apps. E tried a beef slider and I had the chicken which came with a tiny side of fries. Nicely presented, but flavor didn't knock my socks off. K had the cheese and meat selection which he enjoyed but, again, small portion. Glasses of wine are half off which is a decent deal if you could appreciate wine more than I do. We stayed only for a round of drinks and then headed next door to Lola.
(3)
Robin W.

5280 claims they have the best rooftop view of Denver. It is amazing and I love the patio. The food is very good, although a little pricey for me. Service was better the first time than the second, but that will not stop me from returning.
(4)
Tina C.

I love Vita but unfortunately, very rude treatment by a manager named Steve has forced me to down grade my rating. I recently went to Vita to celebrate a friend's birthday. We requested a candle for the desert we ordered for her but were told by Steve that the restaurant could not come up with any kind of flame. To be fair they offered the desert for free, however, the fact that Steve was absolutely rude about the fact the fact that they didn't have a a birthday candle and that they wouldn't even try to come up with anything else was just poor. Sorry Vita but you ruined my night.
(3)
Ken Z.

Great news for diners who are sick of waiting in line at the ever-jammed Lola: Now you can do the same thing right next door, at Vita. Open now for just over a month, this new little Italian bistro has all the see-and-be-seen trappings of any new LoHi (Lower Highlands) hotspot. Cue the dark booths in shades of chocolate. Cue the exposed brick, the shimmering candles, but best of all, cue the live music. Yes, every Thursday night this new neighborhood haunt entertains its patrons with a line-up of local jazz talent. Pair that with half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and $5 Martini Happy Hour every night, and you've got the latest hip little haunt west of Platte Street. If the live music, bargain wine and five-dollar-tinis don't entice you, the cuisine will. We've wined and dined this city and when it comes to the menu here, we've got to hand it to owners Mark Schuwerk and Jay Beckerman of Breckenridge's Blue River Bistro. They've pulled out all the stops and put together a menu of contemporary Italian-American cuisine that is creative, inspired and completely fresh -- just think of it as the anti-Maggianos. Overlooking all the expected Italian fare, head chef Max Mackissock has opted to surprise his guests with a collection of inventive Northern Italian dishes including proscuitto and ahi salads, winter squash lasagna and Hawaiian sea bass. On our visit, we dove straight for the Mushroom Gnocchi and Lobster Meatballs, then moved onto the Twisted Pasta with sausage, calamari and shaved pecorino cheese. For the main event, it was the Hanger Steak garnished with balsamic glazed mushrooms, basil cream spinach and Vita's own Hannah Yam Puree. When you go, make sure to try a few of their signature martinis (there's forty to choose from). Then once you're good and sloshed, all you'll need to to do is cue up a cab home, and it'll be a perfect night out. For more information visit: Contact Vita at 303.477.4600 or visit them online at vitadenver.com . Visit Vita at 1575 Boulder Street
(3)
Joshua F.

This place was great! Rooftop dining with an amazing view of the denver skyline! I had the pork tenderloin with the spaetzle... truly delicious. My wife had the kobe sliders and they were way overcooked... wouldnt recommend those. A friend that came with said the squash lasagna was pretty good too... The view is worth going though for sure!
(4)
Steve B.

GREAT evening at vita!
(5)
Jelena W.

Vita, the hip new mediterranean/Italian bistro in the Lower Highlands neighborhood, seems to finally have gotten its groove. After its opening, a few folks of my acquaintance gave it less than glowing recommendations, but on my recent late lunch visit I saw now problems besides the lack of light inside. It's awful hard to scrutinize a menu with no light. However, you honestly don't need to read the menu very closely to order something tasty at Vita. The waitstaff seems to have been trained to recommend dishes based on a customer's preferences. Both the server and the bartender I spoke with were able to rattle off ingredients and recommendations instantly. It's a little too upscale and hip for my tastes, but the food and drinks were great, and the servers put me at ease.
(4)
Laura B.

We had a great experience here on Friday night. I have been to Vita at least a dozen times, but it has been awhile since I had sat down and had dinner. The menu has changed, and I have to say I love the revision! We brought my BFs parents here...had a drink up to with one of the best views in Denver. We then went to downstairs to our table where there was great live music, but not too loud and we could still enjoy our conversations. We started with the 7 hour pork and med shrimp. Both great! My boyfriend LOVED that 7 hour pork!!! I then had the Ahi, which was cooked perfectly and served with a light feta arugula salad. BF had then pork tenderloin...both were awesome! Our waitress was good, always there when we needed her, but not overbearing. I can't wait to go back to Vita. It used to be in my regular rotation, but have forgotten about it lately..OOPS! Tuesday night is half-price bottles! Woo hoo!
(5)
Stephanie B.

My husband and I held our wedding reception at Vita and it was superb. We were able to reserve the entire restaurant and just had to pay for the food and drinks to meet the minimum. It was refreshing to find a place that didn't require a room rental fee on top of everything else. The staff were organized, professional and ready to do anything we needed. The food was excellent-- many guests commented that the food was better than any they'd ever had at a wedding-- and we were able to work with Mark (the owner) to create a food and drinks menu for our guests that would stay within our budget. I can't sing the praises of Vita enough, especially for a large event. And, gathering on the roof-top patio with all our dearest friends and family to watch the moon rise over Denver was definitely a highlight of the night as well.
(4)
Gary R.

A great little lunch spot with a roof top deck. Excellent staff and good food. The Philly sandwich rocks!
(4)
E L.

Visited for happy hour. Rooftop patio overlooking downtown isn't a bad place to spend a summer evening. $4 well cocktails, but they wouldn't do anything fancy like a marg or mojito. 2 for 1 wines by the glass. We tried many of the $5 apps - the 7 hr pork was pretty good, as were the $3 Kobe sliders. The flatbread and bruschetta were ho hum. (Not bad, just not that good.) Overall, there are many other better places in town for happy hour, but they win lots of points for the rooftop deck.
(2)
Chrystal T.

We went to vita last evening and it was perfect up on the patio, crowded but we stood at the bar until some stool came available. Nick the bartender this evening was excellent! Very chatty and offered us a few tastes of the crazy cocktails they make first up: basil, grapefruit juice and gin, so tasty, you could drink these all night! Second one we tried cilantro, fresh ginger, elderberry vodka, and ginger! all excellent and I hear they have a lovely peach Margarita. Anyhow, if you want a cool place to hang with great views of the city, this is the place. STAFF IS PERFECT!
(5)
Aimee M.

Went here last Friday night for dins. Calamari ap was good-n-crispy. Dirty martini's with blue cheese stuffed olives of course were great too. Our server was knowledgeable and polite but they were slammed so the service was a little slow, but not really anything to complain about on a Friday night at 8 pm. I got the sea bass and..ug it was a tad overcooked. I am the self proclaimed fish Nazi so, if you aren't like me, it probably would have been great. Seabass should go down like butter in my world. This was more of a flake with a tiny bit of chew to it. The boy got the Pork Tenderloin which our server recommended medium and when it came out, it was translucent in the center. I didn't know pork could be served that way (I don't eat pork, so I didn't taste it). The boy said it was delish! If you dig on swine, that's probably the way to go! Oddly enough, my FAVORITE part of the meal was the sides that came with it. I had some kind of sweet potato hash with arugula in it-perfect! And the spaetzle that came with the pork dish was freakin' PHENOMENAL. I'm gonna need the recipe for that delicious pile of deliciousness. Gotta go, I might start to drool now. One last thing: Vita, gotta ditch the flash on your website, hard to navigate and almost made me barf.
(4)
David K.

Just had lunch here and although the view and the setting is good, the food portion was small and the service lacking. I had the Arugula (very small) with chicken on top with no drink and it cost $20 with tip. You're really paying for the atmosphere and I think there are many better places that give you your dollar's worth as well.
(2)
Catie W.

Came to Vita this summer for the rooftop, came back a few weeks ago after hearing rumors of Denver's best Moscow mule. A couple of girlfriends and I sat at the bar and asked our bartender (Drew) for drink suggestions as it was snowing and seemed like more of a whiskey appropriate evening (despite the vodka cocktail hype). He mixed us up some very tasty creations, provided impeccable wine recc's with our food + was incredibly friendly and professional. Food was awesome, service was perfect, we still haven't tried the Mules, but will definitely be back as the scenery behind the bar proved just as enjoyable as the view from the roof ;)
(5)
Allison L.

Awesome rooftop bar with the view of breathtaking Denver Skyline. Great drinks & appetizers... all you need - great friends or companies to hang with!
(5)
Dawn M.

I've been to Vita quite a few times, and while the food has always been excellent, the service can be hit or miss. But everything was awesome for Restaurant Week! Four of us went for a friend's birthday on a Thursday. We were seated, and our server came by with a free round of birthday champagne. Um, yum! Can't think of a better way to start a meal. I had the Osso Bucco with blue cheese polenta, which was excellent, though the polenta was a wee bit salty. Great flavor and texture. I had the butternut squash bisque, also really good. I was full before the entree even came out - portion sizes were definitely not reduced for DRW! Friends got the wedge salad, which was great. The bacon on it was wonderful! I got lamb chops, which were great. I don't really care for beans, but the white bean ragout that came with them was good. Some friends got the pork chops, which they both raved about. There wasn't a dessert on the DRW menu, but we were too full to order! Our server brought out some doughnuts for are friend's birthday (ummm - we were happy with champagne, but ok!). We were seated as soon as we arrived (7pm). Our server was attentive and did a great job of answering all our questions. A wonderful experience! The food here has never dissapointed.
(5)
Sandi D.

I LOVE Happy Hour -- and Denver makes me Happy with so many places offering outstanding HH's. Vita is on my list for best wine HH. During HH, drinks, including wine are 2 for 1. In my quest for The Best Wine HH, I'm finding that most restaurants bait and switch; only offering discounts on house (cheap shit) wine. Not Vita. Even their best cab ($16 a glass) was 2 for 1. Yummy !! Had 2 rounds -- yes, a bottle of a nice cab for $32 --- served to me, on a very nice rooftop patio. 3 stars !!! Unfortunately, food is not discounted, nor is there any special HH fare. I need to eat while sipping, so I had the Ahi. Sure it was great tasting, but at those prices,($16 ish) I should have more than a few bites. Should Vita decide to become HH competitive, and offer a discounted dish or 5 ; then I'll stop there vs Lola's
(3)
Kelly T.

Happy Hour on the Deck is great. I never drink white wine but I felt like one, so I told the waiter I had no idea how to order white, just wanted something refreshing...his choice was perfect. Shrimp appy is delicious.
(5)
Taryn F.

I've only been to Vita on a Friday night, but between the live jazz and lure of champagne, it's a fun little side note and different than any of its surrounding neighbors. There is a massive rooftop area that bodes well due to its fabulous views of downtown Denver. I chose calamari and a traditional vodka martini (can it be traditional without Vermouth?). Price was a little high but I enjoyed it while mere inches away from the live jazz. Any unease left very quickly. The only minor black spot was that my partner in Friday-nighting simply wanted a draft beer and there isn't much selection. Nevermind -- he let me enjoy my little treats and we headed out to a nice sleep.
(4)
Jeff G.

This place has the best roof top patio and wine.
(5)
whitney m.

A few friends met up here Saturday at 7 pm...i didnt make a reservation which was a BAD idea. I figured it would be 30 minutes and we could sit at the bar and chat. I was surprised when I was told it would be an hour and a half wait for a table for four! but again my bad on the lack of reservation. we pluinked down at the bar and had some drinks--i had a lovely wine and friends siad drinks were good. This place is billed as a tapas bar IT IS NOT--the appetizers were horrible tuna tartar had no flavor literally just chopped up raw fish and the calamari was alright but had no sauce! The reason i gave it 3 stars is because the entrees were awesome! i had the scallops-perfectly cooked yummy coconut flavor friend had the kobe sliders --looked good although served with chips instead of frites-weird? and th epork which was fabulous. in the end it is a nice atmosphere-great view and entrees were yum. cons -appetizers, long wait and the prom party that was salsa dancing all over the restaurant!
(3)
Andrea W.

Been here once for brunch and once for a light dinner. The food is delicious- tasted great though not necessarily innovative enough to warrant the price. The service was great both times. Four stars for the rooftop alone- I can't wait for it to warm up so I can sip my St Germain cocktail looking out over the gorgeous lights of downtown Denver.
(4)
misha P.

We stopped here while waiting for our table at Lola to open up. After a couple of drinks, we opted to forgo our reservation and try the dishes here. The drinks were great, but I recommend you stick to the small plate selections. The short ribs fell apart as expected, but the kitchen couldn't temp salmon even if they had sous vide. The great bartender and gorgeous view in the mirror of the rooftop bar more than made up for it.
(4)
Michelle R.

The food here is not cheap, but it's pretty amazing. I'm in love with their Pepper Crusted Ahi. The service is also really great. My favorite thing about this place is showing up on a Tuesday night with my favorite ladies and indulging in 1/2 off bottles of wines while we discuss all the men in our lives. The rooftop patio is the best. Why waste your time up in the ball park neighborhood with a bunch of crazy people when you can sit back and take in the view of the entire city? Also, they serve VeeV Acai Spirit. Why don't you want to take in antioxidants as your drink? Yum yum.
(5)
Tina F.

Very tasty, and it definitely deserved to be voted one of the best new restaurants in Denver by 5280. I'm not sure what other nights are like, but I had the prix fixe on New Years Eve, and it was very good. The ravioli (in the second course) and the Kobe beef (in the fourth course) were to die for. I'll have to come back and see how they fare on a regular night.
(4)
Gina M.

We left after appetizers. Bad service, felt like 2nd class citizens since we are young I am assuming. Burnt toast on the appetizer. Will NEVER go back.
(1)
Harvey B.

The tuna was bad, really bad. They were out of the mushroom ravioli and the sea scallops, and we were there on a Saturday night at 7:30! Way overpriced. The waiter was good, he was handcuffed by bad management.
(1)
Caitlin m.

We just moved here from Seattle, and went there last night for our 4 year anniversary dinner. We were skeptical only because in the past when we've gone to pricier restaurants, we haven't been treated well, cause we're younger, and the food has not been very good for the price, or there has been relatively little on the plate. We started with some drinks, I the Mojito, it was delicious, and got the calamari as an appetizer, I liked the tossed in bell peppers and cauliflower, nice touch. For entrees I got the prosciutto wrapped chicken and he got the tenderloin I think; both excellent. Their mashed potatoes are to die for! Dessert we had the beignets with the chocolate coffee dipping sauce, and didn't think those were fantastic, but overall it was great. Leisurely, but not too slow, great service! I was completely satisfied when we left!
(4)
M B.

Went to Vita for the first time last night. We had the best server I've ever had at any restaurant anywhere! Melissa was superb. She guided us un-hip, 30 something, new to the fancy drink scene people to a delicious gin rickey and wonderful mojito. She was attentive without hovering and timed our salads and 4 small plates perfectly. On top of all of that, she took time to discuss the 2 glasses of pinot we had ordered because they came from different regions. Then she found out we were taking a trip to Sonoma and came back with a list of places she recommended we visit while there. She was wonderful! In addition, our mussels, bruschetta, tuna, and scallops were delicious small plates. The atmosphere was perfect with not too loud music playing, an unpretentious attitude, and later a live band playing music at a volume that was not overwhelming. We had a great time and I'm giving Vita 5 stars because of our wonderful server Melissa!
(5)
Cory D.

Horrible! My friend and I went there over the past weekend as the patio is very enticing, ordered 2 Proseccos, drank them and our waiter seemed to have vanished? We had to hunt another server down so we could figure out who to pay or whatever... the little buggers charged us $10 for each glass.... um that really makes no sense to me as you can get an entire bottle for less than $15 retail. I think what may be going on here is a SERIOUS management issue, the dude needs to move on to Olive Garden or something. Whoever owns this place needs to re-think staffing cause it was great back in the day... actually really great. Sad to see another Denver gem bite the dust. I really hope they get it together. It just keeps getting worse and worse. Sorry Vita.
(1)
Melanie W.

The food was fair and the service was abysmal. The servers were genuine in their apologies for the failure of this restaurant. They obviously have practice.
(1)
Lux B.

Not sure why this place only has three stars. It was a solid four for me, in terms of what you get for your money. The service was five stars! We had a reservation and were placed at kind of a shitty table, and we asked to be moved to a window seat which was fine, though we weren't sure why we were not just sat there in the first place. Aside from that, we had a really attentive and amiable waitress. The bruschetta was really delicious, with capers mixed in to the tomato and onion mix. They offered extra grilled bread for the rest of the tomato mixture, without us having to ask. We shared two small portions of entrees; my boyfriend really likes to eat a lot (though I have no idea where he puts it), and I had a difficult time convincing him to sharesies with me. However, the portions were large of both the steak-frites and the pork tenderloin. I like a chef that knows the dangers of trichinosis in pork have been almost non-existant from the late fifties and that pork DOES NOT have to be well done to be safe to eat. We were allowed to order it cooked medium and it was delicious. The potatoes on both dishes were really fantastic, and my boyfriend left full. The moscow mules are always good here, though I really hate paying $9 for a drink. I might not order those next time to keep down on the tab.
(4)
Rena R.

Went to Vita for brunch but the service was extremely slow! Even though the food sounded good on paper, it was just average... Blahhhhhhhhh I am giving them two stars only because the location is awesome!
(2)
Lis R.

2 stars for the food. Sorry. The menu looks like it has a lot of potential, but the food is, well, bland and generic. We got excited for the pork tenderloin and the sea bass. The pork tenderloin was overcooked and under-seasoned. The blue cheese polenta it was served with was mushy and cold when it came. And not actually blue cheese polenta - there's just a drizzle of blue cheese dressing on top of the polenta. The sea bass was soaked in some oily sauce that ruined it, and the crawfish/sweet potato hash was also oily. Gross. But the 7 hour pulled pork appetizer was decent, so maybe small plates and apps at HH are ok? The atmosphere *outside* is awesome though. Would not want to sit inside, but if you get a table on the rooftop or front patio - awesome people watching, b.e.a.uuuutiful view of the city, and fun atmosphere. Bottom line: Go for drinks outside, not for food.
(2)
Carly B.

If I wasn't so silly and lusty for Vita's Honeysuckle Mint cocktail, this place would easily be a one or two star experience. First off, the drink: $9 and worth every penny. It's a 16 oz glass with Skyy Vodka, St. Germain, lavender, mint, and honey. 100% pure drinking bliss. The happy hour: Fine if you're in a wine mood, but I wasn't. I actually didn't order anything that was happy hour price. The food is either sliders (boyfriend had chicken and didn't like them) or pork based. Nothing for the fish-eating or veggie-eating crowd. They could have easily added the bruschetta as a happy hour small plate but instead charged $9.50 for two pieces of alright bruschetta (for a comparable bruschetta at a happy hour price, try Pizza Republica in Greenwood Village). After it, I felt a bit price-gouged. The Service: We had a large group and a friend made reservations. As soon as we sat, we were told we'd need to reliquish the table at a certain time for a wedding party. The service was soooooo slooooow. To be fair, they were really busy, but given our time restraint and the twenty minutes between drink ordering and the drink arriving, we could have maximized our happy hour capability elsewhere. And have gotten better food too. The rooftop is cool and there's a lot of outside space. Is paying for the food worth it? Heck no. Is going back for another $9 Honeysuckle Mint? Hell YES.
(3)
Brittany B.

Went in last night with a couple friends and we were underwhelmed. Granted, we didn't have a reservation (which is apparently necessary on a Friday if you don't want to sit upstairs) so we did sit up on the heated patio. We chose the bar, which had stools that are about two inches too short for the bar, either that or meant for people with very long torsos. We are served our drinks in an acceptable amount of time, they are satisfying. We are served our food about an hour after it's ordered, and it's... well it's fine, but we really couldn't figure out what took an hour. I shared crab cakes and the pulled pork with one person, the other had a steak that she did not order well done... it came out fine, but there's no reason I can think of for that food to take so long. Also, friend's steak came out with tempura carrots which I tried and they were not tasty. Mediocre food, slooooow food service. I won't be back.
(2)
Mayra R.

I took my dad out for for his birthday and I had not gone to Vita before. We went during happy hour and were offered our choice of sitting so we went up to the open air sitting on top of the building and got to sit whatever we wanted. The waiters were really attentive, explained to use the happy hour specials and even got me a dinner item even though it was not the in happy hour menu. When I asked if they had Stranahan's whiskey for my dad, the waiter was very gracious in explaining how best to drink it and suggested a mixed drink that my dad would enjoy for the price of the drink. I ordered the Chef's antipasto platter which includes charcuterie meats and a selection of cheeses, with pickled onions and cauliflower and a chicken liver pate that I have to say, it must be an acquired taste as it has a very mineral-y taste (duh, it's liver), but regardless I finished my plate. My father ordered 2 appetizers off the happy hour menu (you get 2 for 1 during that time). The pork belly with veggie succotash was delish and the calamari were really good as well. We also ordered drinks and despite the bottled Budlight, I got a moscato that was also wonderful with my dinner. Service was great, the ambiance was great as we got lucky that it was not too crowded and for a first time trip there, it was wonderful. Will definitively be going back to take the hubby and some more family members.
(5)
Dave T.

Definitely a great location! Amazing views of the Denver skyline. The decor inside is very interesting, especially two ceiling lights that remind me of the bottom of a mushroom. We went last night for a birthday and even though we had a reservation, the place is smaller and could only accommodate one large party at a time. This meant that we had to wait for the other party to finish up before we could be seated. Here is where the management stood out. They brought us free a appetizers at the bar while we waited. This was just pure class. Eventually we were seated and had some very enjoyable food. I tried the duck special which came on a bed of risotto. I quite liked it although a bit rich. I also tried a friend's sea bass, which I will probably get next time. The birthday girl got an apple cake with a candle on it, we each tried a piece and weren't dissappointed. Oh....the appetizers were good too. Bruschetta and calamari. Great hang out spot. Can't wait to visit in the summer. Live music is a plus. DT
(3)
Becky S.

Vita is a great place and its been a few years since I last went there. The food is great, but unfortunatly it took me flagging down someone to order a drink. They forgot to bring it twice and finally (45 min later) the drink was in my hand. If I rated on the food it would be a much higher rating but service means everything.
(2)
David M.

Really an excellent neighborhood spot with a great view of the city. But . . . and you gotta pay attention to this but . . . the thing you should remember (aside from that it's just down from Lola's and Little Man Ice Cream) . . . is that they've got AN INCREDIBLE DEAL going on each month: $35 for a 3 course tasting menu INCLUDING a more than decent wine with each plate. Such a deal. And the food, delicious. I started with the Sicilian Lamb Crudo and my sweetcheeks had the Braised Squid Salad. She then had Pan Roasted Seabass and I had Orecchiette with Braised Pork. Each of us finished up with a Chocolate Pistachio Cannoli (deconstructed). And every course was excellent. So try this place out. You're gonna like it a lot.
(4)
Leah M.

Four stars for Happy Hour! I love their 2 for 1 wine- it is infinitely better than The Tavern's similar happy hour. You can order any wine on their menu and get one free, not just house wines, like Tavern. They'll even let you split your beverages between tablemates. My friend and I ordered chicken and Kobe beef sliders. Even though I love cilantro and chicken together, I wasn't impressed by the shredded chicken and cilantro pesto. It was a little dry and I actually dissected my slider to be certain that the massive green lump on the bun was indeed chicken. The Kobe beef slider was delicious, though! The meet was perfectly juicy, and the mini burger came with carmelized onions and gooey cheese. The view from the rooftop patio is breathtaking. I love sitting up there on a summer evening (between the hours of 3:00 and 6:30 :) and soaking in the city.
(4)
Ben E.

Overall, very average food. Our waitress was great, as was the bar tender while we waited for a table, but nothing to get excited about food-wise, especially considering how much you're paying. We had the croquettes as an appetizer (bland and cold), and the Mahi and Lamb Shank for our entrees. The Mahi was probably the dish that was done the best, but the lamb was undercooked and not at all lean (I cut around maybe a third of it!). You're essentially paying to be in the highlands and eat mediocre food. I have to mention, however, that the service was really outstanding and I was passive about the poor quality because I was on a date and didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. So in all fairness, they were not given a chance to redeem themselves in that sense. I wouldn't recommend this place, especially considering all the better options in the area.
(2)
Meghan D.

So we started out thinking...lets go to Forest Room 5 and remembered how awful their service is. So then we walked over to Lola's (lala's??? can't remember) and decided we weren't feeling that either, while walking back to the car we saw Vita and decided to walk in. Though it was an early dinner and the hostess wasn't yet in, a bartender greeted us right away and offered us menus to look at to aid in making our decision. Wow, customer service?! Forest Room 5 should come learn a few things from the crew at Vita. The wine and cocktail list is quite nice. Two of us opted for wines (we both enjoyed what we selected) and the third an awesome cocktail from their signature cocktails. Our dinners were wonderful. I highly recommend the sea bass. It was OMG delicious. My best friend ate his dinner and then helped finish mine he loved it so much. Our server was great; good suggestions, knowledgeable and a great dry sense of humor. I would go here again the next time I'll be in town (which luckily happens to be in a few weeks). Congratulations Vita for a job well done!
(5)
Marc F.

Great happy hour deals, awesome location, and very friendly staff. My wife and I go here often for the buy one get one free drinks and apps during happy hour.
(4)
Dustin T.

Great place. Used to suck be because bar manager was awesome at being rude. GOOD NEWS, he's gone. 1/2 priced wine bottles on Tuesday . Great staff and respectable happy hour. Went from a 1* to a 4 in my mind in the last weeks!!!! Awesome rooftop patio too
(4)
Ashley B.

Love their Happy Hour and roof top patio!!
(5)
Allison C.

If you're hungry, don't go here to eat. Ordered the pork tenderloin, the small plate. When they brought it out I almost asked if this was the kids menu. Way over priced for the amount of food they give you. They are building apartments right next door so the view of the city no longer exists. Pick somewhere else...
(1)
Robert B.

I have been here three times for happy hour, most recently today and all three times have been consistently positive. Waitstaff friendly and attentive, rooftop enjoyable when the weather is. I should eat more than the pork belly, but that has been so food buzz rich and delicious that I have a hard time branching out. My table mates have enjoyed their appetizers, nice wine choices and I enjoyed the doughnut dessert. If five of them aren't enough for you, maybe you ought to glance at that waistline.
(4)
Mo C.

I joined a few friends for dinner here to take advantage of their 5280 Restaurant Week special. It was fantastic! I booked our reservation on open table. But, we had a couple of cancellations at the last minute, and the restaurant totally didn't give us a hard time about changing from a 6 top to a 4. We all got there while it was still happy hour and a little early for our reservation, so we grabbed a drink at the bar. 2-for-1 glasses of wine and $3 drafts, nice! We noticed they had some $5 tapas as well, so we will be back for a happy hour. Be aware that their bar area is very small and basically includes, well, a bar. There aren't any separate bar area tables. Our server at our table was fantastic and didn't give us the uncomfortable upsell crap that you get in a lot of other upscale Denver restaurants. We ordered from the Restaurant Week menus. I had the veal osso bucco with blue cheese polenta cake. It sounded great, but was a bit disappointing. The sauce on the veal was more tangy than savory and the cake was much more polenta than blue cheese. Friends who tried a bite agreed. So, not my thing, but not bad by any means. I followed that up with the Panzanella, which I was expecting to be more like a brushetta, a grilled bread topped with tomatoes, arugula, etc. It turned out to be more like a salad with big croutons of bread, but it was still quite good. And, the entree had to be the blackened seabass. It was PERFECT! And, I ate every single one of those buttery little potatoes. Yum! The dessert options weren't very exciting. There were some small donuts served with a chocolate dipping sauce, an apple cobbler with yellow rasins in it (wtf?) and a non-descript chocolate cake. We took a pass. Looking at the prices on the normal menu, I'm really glad we went during 5280 week. It would definitely be a splurge to come back to Vita for dinner. But, the happy hour tapas looked good and the drink prices are great, so we will definitely be back for happy hour. I heard rumor of a second floor with a view of all of downtown, so I will definitely be back to check that out as well. Unfortunately, parking here SUCKS! There are several small, dirt lots, but no spaces, not even on the street. I had to stalk an El Camino to get a spot a block away. If you can, take public transportation or walk. This place is actually totally walking distance from Union Station, so you may want to consider that ;)
(4)
Michael S.

Vita concerned me about Morte Nera after I ate a Kobe slider and part of a shared 7-Hour pork appetizer. I was driving back to Boulder and ...... uh....my stomach was protesting......and didn't stop for a while. UGH. This really sucked, especially because we ended up here only because Lola was closed for a private party, and my host wanted me to enjoy myself, which I did but for the food.
(1)
Jenni D.

My friends and I prompted for brunch at Vita this past weekend, and we were all pleasantly surprised. The $3.00 bloody marys and mimosas were a nice touch, along with the new addition of sandwiches to their menu. The server and waitress were very friendly, and mentioned that they would be incorporating their sandwiches fully by April 1st. I highly recommend the Pulled Pork... it was succulent and amazing! The cabbage and sprout mix layered in between the soft buns was tasty, and the plate came with a side of homemade potato chips.
(4)
Jason J.

This review is too long. But read it anyway :-) The ladyfriend and I went back to Vita for my birthday dinner. It's still delicious, but I have to say that it was better when Max Mackissock was still there. Their restaurant week menu is absurdly large. There are so many fantastic choices on there that you'll go through an entire glass of wine just trying to decide (I recommend the Diseno Malbec, great bouquet and a heavy mouthfeel, though it's got a noticeably fruity and tannin-less finish.) I went with the lamb for my first course. While it was tender and the white bean ragout was incredibly tasty, the dish felt a little empty to me. I wanted there to be a little more happening with the lamb, it didn't stand up terribly well on its own. The ladyfriend had the Osso Bucco which was excellent. 2nd course brought a hearts of romaine salad pour moi, and a cup of butternut squash bisque for the lady. I loved my romaine -- light dressing that coated the lettuce without drowning it. A little avocado in the bottom added some creaminess to it all, and bacon. Yep. Bacon. 'Nuff said. The bisque was delicious, a creme freche feather on top, pumpkin seeds, nutmeg and cloves helped it tasted like butternut squash pie. Perfect for a chilly/snowy/rainy Denver night. Third course. Huge. Bigger portions than I've ever seen at Vita. Unable to finish. It's a travesty to try and heat up food like that a day after, but I had to take some home so I'll be doing just that for lunch. I had the pan roasted chicken which was I-Need-To-Take-A-Small-Breather-After-This good. The confit leg was melt in your mouth delicious, and the pan roasted breast was fantastically well seasoned and cooked. Under it was a creamy risotto that complimented the chicken perfectly. The garlic braised kale seemed a little out of the ordinary on the plate, but would've had to have been covered in a combination of drano and beachsand to take away from the chicken. The ladyfriend had the blackened seabass. She loooved it. And will be heating that up for lunch as well. It must be said here that I'm really not a fan of fish. We just don't get along (unless it's fried and served in a newspaper.) But the two fish dishes I've ever had at a restaurant and would gladly get/try again -- were both here. A lapsang souchong smoked trout a few years ago, and this blackened seabass. Perfectly cooked, with just a little char on the outside and great spice to create just a little heat. The buttermilk vinaigrette was out of this world, and the lady told me that the crawfish hash was good, though I stayed away. The decor as always is lovely at Vita, perfectly noisy with the appropriate bustle, and friendly, fast & unobtrusive service. Vita is one of those places that I love to go on a regular basis, when I can. It continually stays in my top five.
(4)
Trou D.

After my first review of Vita (not a hit with a few, if you catch my drift), anyway, I have partaken in several entrees and appetizers. The Brochette is very tasty-I tend to begin with this little treasure. The lamb appetizer, the meat plate are two other appetizers that are well prepared and executed. I look forward to tasting other treats at my local hang-out. Vita has a sophisticated, loft experience with a flair. I am bummed to learn that Meaghan will be leaving (this Sunday is her last evening). Although, Meaghan will no longer be apart of the Vita team, Steve (GM) and the rest of the team, all whom are a pleasure, will make you feel at home. Enjoy!
(5)
Meg M.

If you are looking for a chill place to wait for your friends to get off work and enjoy happy hour, then keep looking. I came alone one afternoon at about 4:45 while I was waiting for some friends to get off work and the host asked me to sit at the bar because they didn't have anything available for 1 person. I thought about it and then indicated that I prefer not sitting so high up as a barstool. What I meant was "I guess I'll eave since I prefer different seating than you have available," but once I said that they seated me at a table. I don't know why it wasn't available when I first asked, but whatever. As I was leaving with my party who arrived later, I thanked the host for seating me when he was anticipating a shortage of tables and told him that I had felt bad taking up a table when they had so few available, but before I said the word "bad" in the sentence "I was feeling bad," he insterjected the word "PUSHY." I was completely taken aback that a restaurant host just called me pushy when I had gone out of my way to show him some appreciation. I guess shouldn't have said my preferences out loud in front of the mean charged with the onerous task of seating me, lest I be called pushy. (Believe me, if you knew me, you'd know pushy is the last adjective anyone would think to call me; I spend my life accommodating others.) I guess I am used to being asked my preferences at a restaurant, (such as, do you prefer a booth or a table? not being a rhetorical question) I didn't realize him asking me to sit at the bar was actually him telling me to sit at the bar. How pushy of me to not have picked up on the cue and acquiesce. They do have interesting cocktails, though not worth the $$ + the rudeness of the service staff. I think I'll take my dollars to any of the many other restaurant options in this part of town.
(1)
Carolyn M.

I teetered between four and five stars for this place. Bottom line, the view from the rooftop on a clear summer night is worth five stars alone. The food is delicious, but it's just not close enough to home for this Cap Hill gal. I started with a mojito which was delicious and refreshing. A bit overpriced, but no more so than the drinks at any other restaurant in the area. For food, the pork stack appetizer was UNbelieveable. It was also incredibly filling. After splitting that between two people, a salad was all I could stomach. The ahi tuna salad was delicious and light and I savored every last bite. I will definitely return to this restaurant, but probably not until next summer.
(4)
Shannon C.

I've been here twice so far. The first time for happy hour, where I enjoyed the amazing sliders- definitely recommend! The second time I went with a very large group, and the service was absolutely wonderful. I know some places get frustrated with big groups, but this place handled it wonderfully and we all had an amazing meal and an even better time (in a wonderful atmosphere). My friend and I split the mussels, which were so good we had to steal bread from the rest of the table to eat every last drop of delicious bacon-y broth. Then, we split the risotto, which was incredibly creamy and cheesy and the perfect second course. See you again Vita!
(4)
Meredith G.

I met 3 friends for dinner last night to catch up and enjoy $52.80. If you like wine, they have a great 2-for-1 on all wines, but I'm a liquor girl and they don't have any drink specials for non-wine drinkers. The host that greeted us was very nice and our server as well. I really enjoyed the Hearts of Romaine salad I started with. It had pieces of bacon and avocado with grilled bread triangles. Next I had the Pork Tenderloin which was perfect in size & taste. And lastly, we ordered 2 of each dessert option, Chocolate Peanut Butter Terrine & Caramel and Banana Bread Pudding . I preferred the chocolate dessert. I would give this place another try should I find myself west of I-25. It looks like they have a great summer patio & rooftop to try out.
(3)
Alicia N.

We were greeted by a jazz quartet on a busy Friday, it set the tone for a great meal. I started with a very yummy coin margarita. We shared the baked brie which was scrumptious. I had the muscles, cooked in a wine, butter, and bacon broth. The bacon created a wonderful smoky flavour, something I've never tasted in muscles before - and it was incredible. My husband's Kobe beef burgers were very good. Our friend had the pork tenderloin - spicy and scrumptious. Our waiter, Coleman, was great! Incredible service, delicious food - and views to die for... We will definitely be back!
(4)
Ilya K.

I have been here once but would come back for sure, patio is a great place to kick back and relax with a glass of wine
(5)
Holly G.

My boyfriend took me out here on a date one recent lovely evening. We started the evening out with some drinks, which we both loved and were priced around $8 each. Then we got the Seven Hour Pork "small plate" and enjoyed that. Then we ordered dinner and he got the steak and I got the chicken. I enjoyed my meal but it wasn't out of this world. I really enjoyed the appetizer though. Plus, the bread that came with the meal was very yummy. But I am always obsessed about the free-bread-with-meal bread. The atmosphere seemed like a bit older crowd than I was expecting, so being in my twenties, I felt a little out of place but there was live Jazz playing and it seemed quite alright though. I will be back to sit on the roof next time for happy hour.
(3)
Jrae A.

Delicious homemade sausages and mozzarella. Amazing 2 for 1 wine list and apps. You'd be hard pressed to find a better value in lohi!
(5)
Christie C.

Ate here for the first time with some friends today for lunch! It was sunny and we sat on the patio, which was really nice and had a great view. Awesome food! Good sized portions! I had the Turkey club with a side salad and it was truly delicious! The reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is that they advertise a brunch menu and drink specials on their website and when I asked my server about it, he had no idea what I was talking about--a bit of a disappointment since I was planning on ordering brunch, but that's okay. All in all great food, great atmosphere!
(4)
Heather M.

My favorite thing about Vita is the rooftop patio and the happy hour. Sunday afternoon happy hour consisted of numerous delicious items, including drinks, all being half off. Which might not seem so great until you are 5 drinks and 6 appetizers in and realize it's still only $50. The happy hour is really hard to beat. The rooftop patio is also excellent (I've actually never dined inside), though made slightly less-excellent by the fact that a large apartment building was erected to the east, blocking the lovely view of downtown. But whatever. Vita compensated for this incident by installing super comfortable couches, so now people fight for the seats that look away from downtown. This is definitely a great place to dine when the weather is nice and you're ready for people watching.
(4)
Katherine R.

If I could give zero stars, I would. Do yourself a favor and don't sit outside at the bar as the bartender will make sure you are completely ignored. Horrible service. Won't ever be back.
(1)
Liz P.

This is my third time here. The first two times were great, but this time has been a dissapointing experience. The drink menu i received was coverd in food and some sort of sauce! I have not had an actual waiter the entire time I have been here (45mins). The hosts have been helpful, taking my drink and food order. But the wait for the food was pretty long and had to ask 3 people for my beer. Side note - the first two times they have had no problem accommodating my vegan diet but this time seemed like more of an issue and on top of everything else, they ran out of french fries!!!!
(2)
Shanna K.

I had gone here once years ago for dinner, and all I can remember of it was fancy drinks and tasty mac and cheese. Then last year, I went here for lunch with my boss -- not a ton of vegetarian options, but the sandwich was tasty. Fast forward to last weekend, when we hit them up for Restaurant Week with two other couples. I was a little cranky about the 8pm reservations (we usually eat at 5:30 or 6), but sucked it up because they had more than one vegetarian option on the menu. We arrived a little before 8, and used the free valet (+10, given the parking situation in that area). However, our table wasn't ready. We waited. 8:20. Table wasn't ready. Finally, at 8:30, they let us sit at the bar, and offered us a free appetizer to assuage our hungry tummies - hurray! 8:45 - the table we were waiting on decided to order dessert. Finally, we got sat a little after 9pm. Not impressed at this point. And then I was, impressed that is. The hostess and server knew the 5280 menu incredibly well, down to whether certain dishes had meat stock or not. I loved that there were at least two vegetarian options for each course! I started with the Gnocchi, went on to the Butter Lettuce Salad and finished with the Mushroom Risotto. Leo began with the Roasted Vegetable Burrata, had the Kale Salad and hit home with the Steak and Frites. Both of us (as well as everyone else at the table) LOVED everything we ate, and our server kept our water, wine and iced tea well filled. Best yet, the manager came by to apologize for the delay, and brought out some free dessert (Pumpkin Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake and Little Man Sorbet). He didn't have to do it, since the food and free appetizer had already erased the memory of our wait...but he did. And that it what will forever standout with Vita is that their service was amazing, their food was tasty, and when something was not up to snuff, they did everything and more to make it right. We'll be back.
(4)
Lauren T.

We came here for drinks and dinner on their upper patio. It's a great spot - if you can find a spot or get any service. We waited for a table to open, but once it did the service was slower than a salty snail. We sat for about 15-20 with empty drinks before anyone came over to ask if we wanted another round. We ordered the hummus appetizer which tasted like refried beans and had a black hair on the veggies. We brought this up to the waiter's attention and he simply took the celery stick that had the most hair on it and tossed it in the nearby trash - pretty disgusting. At this point we decided that we weren't going to stay for dinner and got our check. Thankfully, they took the hummus off of the bill. Overall not worth the wait or hype.
(1)
Sara B.

2 for 1 wine during happy hour 3-6:30. Order the caramel and pecan baked Brie it's amazing.
(5)
Terry L.

Combine trendy decor, great Kobe Beef Sliders with caramelized onions, 1/2 price wine and a packed patio full of ridiculously sexy people overlooking downtown Denver--and you get my Vita experience last Tuesday for Happy Hour. I have been by this place and have been wanting to try it out for quite a few months-- and was not disappointed. I am thinking I need to sort up another Happy Hour on the now-famous Vita patio with some good friends sometime very soon!
(4)
Steven B.

I was told this restaurant was excellent and that I wouldn't be disappointed. Unfortunately our fixed price dinner with wine pairings was an absolute mess. The food was alright, certainly not bad, but the timing and pacing were all off and it quickly became more about the wine with the server than the pairings with the flavors of food. Sure, I am all for getting drunk... but at a bar. Not a fixed price dinner. It's too bad, as it will influence my decision to go back.
(2)
Kate K.

Honestly I'd say 3.5, but with no half stars, I'll go with 3. Been to Vita twice, once on half price wine night. And once for happy hour. Love the location and we've had good service both times. The happy hour sliders and chips were awesome. The cherry BBQ sauce on the sliders was super tasty. As was the full priced Chef's Selection Antipasto - $25 was a bit much for what we got, but I think that's usually the case with charcuterie. I do wonder what the view will be like when the condos across the street are completed, but I'm hopeful it won't totally ruin it.
(3)
Alicia R.

Food was good but not worth the money. Service was absolutely horrible. Waited an hour for food and 2 hours just for my second beer.
(2)
Isabel Z.

Happy hour is fantastic! Although I did not partake in the bogo apps, I did have the spinach salad and it was perfect!! Service was great too! Love Vita
(5)
Kane P.

Good roof top patio (even though its blocked by the ugly bulding next door), service is always good-the staff is friendly. The food is good, but not great but overall its a great little spot in the highlands.
(4)
Lyndsey K.

My visit to Vita on Sunday was by far the worst experience at a restaurant I have ever had. We had a reservation for 15 or so people for brunch on Sunday 6-30-13, and we were the only people in the restaurant, which should have been our first clue. PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW - HAIR IN FOOD * It took multiple attempts to order drinks; the server appeared to be making them herself while other members of the staff walked around. Some people in our party did not receive their drinks at all. When asked about their drinks, the server said, someone else must have grabbed them. * We asked for more water for the table and the server said she would bring it, but wanted to know if we were aware that we are in a drought. * She took an additional drink order and disappeared or another 20 minutes or so. * We finally ordered our meal and luckily reinforcements came. An additional server asked if we were doing ok and that our server was just finishing putting our orders into the computer. This was another 20 minutes later. At this time we had been at the restaurant for over an hour and a half. One of our party went downstairs to seek out a manager and was told that the server was new. * Once the food started to arrive, it came two to three plates at a time. The first half of the party was done eating before the second half had even received their food. The server blamed the kitchen, which usually happens when the server messes up. She took no responsibility. * The plate that took the longest to be delivered was a veggie sandwich which does not require any cooking at all. One person in our party NEVER EVEN RECEIVED HER FOOD. After she requested to cancel the order because everyone was done, the manager told her that at least she was going to the Rockies game and could get food there. Does that sound like an apology? * As I was finishing my burger and fries, I found a very appetizing short black HAIR. I took my plate to the server and said that this was unacceptable. The manager did find me later and said that she doesn't know how that could have happened, all of the cooks wear hats. Another apology?? She said it would be removed from my bill. When we received the bill, it had not been removed after all. * To top it off, the server only added gratuity to half of the party and awkwardly explained to us that she had removed it because she didn't want to force us to tip her. I would never not tip a server, even for service like this, but the fact was she did not remove the gratuity at all. The behavior of the server was completely unacceptable, but even more disturbing was the behavior of the manager. Not once did she come up to our table and apologize or try to make it right. Quite the opposite, we got the feeling that they were upset with us. Highlands is quickly becoming a hot spot for new hip restaurants, and if their behavior continues this way, Vita does not stand a chance. I will never go back to this restaurant and will encourage all of my friends to do the same, all of whom spend a lot of money dining out. If there was an option for zero stars, that would be my rating. This restaurant should be embarrassed and ashamed by the behavior of the staff that they have hired, especially on a managerial level. While most other restaurants around them are thriving, Vita will sit empty, wondering why....
(1)
Kristin W.

We hosted a birthday party for about 30 guests at Vita recently and the did a great job. The staff was organized, everything ran smoothly and the service was very prompt. The event coordinator was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire planning process. I can't comment on the food because I didn't actually eat any but I think everyone enjoyed it.
(4)
Kelly T.

Yes. This place is still getting 5 stars from me. But I wanted to update my review to commend the staff on some of the best customer service I've ever experienced at a restaurant. So, there I was, albeit 5 minutes late for the 8:30 reservation I had made for my party of 14, but I was standing in the waiting area of Vita waiting for the rest of my party to arrive. Luckily, the hostess had informed me that they were just waiting for a party of 6 to leave before our table was ready, so I wasn't too upset that no one (except my BFF, who knows better than to be late for things that I plan) was there yet. Cut to half an hour later. It's 9 PM. All 14 people are there. Our table is still not ready because this 6 top (even though they paid the bill 30 minutes ago) will not leave. This is NOT Vita's fault. Apparently, this party arrived 45 minutes late for their reservation and then they just stopped paying attention to the world around them. So, I kindly walked over and informed the table that we were, in fact, waiting for them to leave. We had 8:30 reservations and we'd been waiting on them for 45 minutes now. Would they mind going to the bar or somewhere else so that we could eat? Now, this is where the staff stepped in and really won me over. The hostess kindly, but firmly backed my request when this party complained and when they finally did leave (only to complain about me for another 10 minutes to the manager), the staff swooped into action and the tables were cleared and ready to go in 30 seconds. We sat down and they gave us a complimentary round of champagne as well as 3 complimentary apps almost immediately. The hostess said she was sure we were all starving by this point and she didn't want us to have to wait. The rest of the evening was spectacular and our servers were great. Also, my tuna tartar was delish! I really don't like cucumbers, but I devoured them on this dish. Also, they split the tabs on dinner without us even having to ask! It made paying a total breeze. Also, I'd like to include a personal message to all you entitled rich, white 50 somethings: Just because you have everything doesn't mean that you get to treat everyone else in a restaurant, including the hosts, servers and patrons like crap. Be respectful and you'll get respect back. Age does NOT automatically earn my respect.
(5)
Tiffany N.

I can't believe how long it took me to get to Vita for dinner. And I can guarantee it won't take as long to get back. I went here just after 5280 had ended only to find out they were still doing the 5280 menu. Normally I'm not a huge fan of this menu because it excludes so many things from the regular menu, but much to my delight almost everything from Vita's regular menu was also on the special menu so we ordered from that. But, before we started our three-course feast we had to order a baked brie that came with walnuts and apples and was quite delightful. For my three courses I started with the tuna tartare. This had a great flavor and texture and was two rather large chip-like wontons topped with the tuna mixture. I then moved on to a spinach salad - fairly basic, but with lovely seasonal ingredients and a nice dressing. And for dinner I had a perfectly cooked steak with frites. My favorite part of this was that I was allowed to pick two sauces to go with my steak and frites and I chose a horseradish cream sauce and a jalapeno sauce. I wasn't really a fan of the jalapeno (it was red which surprise me and I didn't really enjoy the flavor), but I ate the heck out of the horseradish one. Our server was great and the view of downtown is awesome. But, even if you don't get a seat with a view, the inside atmosphere is sexy so you can enjoy that with your dining partners.
(4)
Abby R.

My friend and I went to Vita last night for the first time. We came with the intention to try a couple appetizers and sit on the rooftop. When we arrived they were having free live music on the patio which turned out to be very good. Unlike many of the reviews I've read about poor service, our server, as well as woman that appeared to be more of a M.O.D., were attentive throughout, therefore I have no complaints (it was a full patio)! We ordered a couple apps; the house-made mozzarella with tomato and arugula pesto, and the pork belly over succotash. The overall flavor-profile for both was underwhelming. The mozzarella was sliced-thin and a bit dry. The arugula pesto was more like an arugula coulis; unlike a basil or any herb pesto for that matter, the arugula is not aromatic. It was flavorless and without any detectable seasoning. It was topped with dry arugula lettuce and slivered almonds, neither of which added any character to the dish. The final element, tomatoes, were simply mediocre. As for the pork belly appetizer (recommended in many reviews), the succotash did not support it in the way it could have. It lacked any acidity or spice, which would have been a nice accompaniment to the fattiness of the pork belly. It too, lacked seasoning. I only tried a couple bites of it but the succotash had a thick creaminess to it which could have been cream or mayonnaise-based. I'm not quite sure, but it wasn't very appetizing. In the end, I feel the execution undermined the concept of both dishes. Due to the price point for the majority of their items, I doubt I'll return with an appetite to try more food.
(3)
Sylvie L.

The worst. Nice rooftop, but horrendous service. It started with purple lipstick on my waterglass. My friends' bloody marys were way too spicy to drink. Took forever to get someone to take our order. About 45 minutes later the waitress said the kitchen lost our ticket but they'd rush it. Two hours later we left - never got our food.
(1)
Michael K.

I've only been to Vita three times, which represents the maximum number of chances I'm willing to give any reputable restaurant. The most recent time was for Denver Restaurant Week. I chose Vita because I knew it wouldn't be too busy, and I figured I'd give them another shot. And there began the worst experience I've had there. Previously, their food seemed reasonably prepared but the experience was somehow lacking. This time, the preparation seemed rushed and careless, something I can't tolerate outside of a greasy spoon. Sure, Restaurant Week is a busy time, but it's also a practiced menu the chefs should be able to nail, every time. Not so at Vita. My lamb chops came out near-raw, still cold and uncooked at the center (I had requested medium), and I had to send them back for an additional minute on the heat. My partner ordered the salmon entree, but a whitefish entree arrived instead. When alerted, the server apologized and returned with the exact same plate, now sporting a chunk of salmon instead of the white fish--a totally different menu item, not designed around the flavor of salmon, but the kitchen decided that was easier than making the dish as ordered. A starter also had to be sent back, as it arrived not gluten-free as requested (and as we were assured it would be 'no problem'--otherwise I wouldn't have asked for it). In the end, our server comped us our drinks--she seemed as baffled as we, but she also admitted to being new and seemed a little in the weeds. So, in a neighborhood bristling with good restaurants, I say skip Vita.
(2)
Milkman A.

Get your last bit of open air revelry at Vita before winter sets upon us. I was planning to meet up with a couple of lovely lady friends at Lola next door, but one mentioned she wanted to drink red wine over margs. So I suggested the new bistro Vita next door. I'd heard about the epic rooftop view and wanted to check it out for myself. When we walked in, the downstairs dining room was jam packed and a groovy jazz combo was laying down their licks. We hustled upstairs and were indeed greeted with arguably the best rooftop vista in Denver. Nicely heated too, I'll be back even as the autumn chill descends upon us. For no particular reason we opted to sit at the bar although a couple of tables were available. Our barman Dan wasted no time recommending some Spanish wines to us, either he was psychic or he keenly observed that's where my eyes were pointed on the wine list. After our generous first pour, he also hooked us up with a couple of tasters from other labels. I noticed he offered different personal recommendations to other patrons as well. Thank you Dan, as you have certainly earned a return visit from me on behalf of your establishment. Maybe you were just doing it just to mack on the girls, I'm not too concerned. . . We sampled the menu with a couple of appetizers and an entree among ourselves. Ahi Crudo was a superbly fresh slab of tuna sashimi on a bed of orzo. Green eggs & ham was a tasty spinach souffle dealio on a slab of country style ham. And the perfectly cooked giant diver scallops saltimbocca on potato pancakes finished us off. Every item we ordered was top notch, along with the service, nice pours of wine, and vibrant atmosphere. The ladies and myself left very happy with our discovery of our new find. I'm gonna give it another go soon for a full frontal attack of the dinner menu, after which time I hope to I might bump my rating to five stars.
(4)
Erin F.

Meh. The food wasn't that good. The pork was overcooked and they didn't cook off enough of the red wine with the sauce on the filet.
(3)
Cathy C.

There is a great patio and stunning view of Denver, but I was a bit disappointed with the HH. Food was fine, but I thought portions were a bit small for the price and small selection of apps. E tried a beef slider and I had the chicken which came with a tiny side of fries. Nicely presented, but flavor didn't knock my socks off. K had the cheese and meat selection which he enjoyed but, again, small portion. Glasses of wine are half off which is a decent deal if you could appreciate wine more than I do. We stayed only for a round of drinks and then headed next door to Lola.
(3)
Robin W.

5280 claims they have the best rooftop view of Denver. It is amazing and I love the patio. The food is very good, although a little pricey for me. Service was better the first time than the second, but that will not stop me from returning.
(4)
Tina C.

I love Vita but unfortunately, very rude treatment by a manager named Steve has forced me to down grade my rating. I recently went to Vita to celebrate a friend's birthday. We requested a candle for the desert we ordered for her but were told by Steve that the restaurant could not come up with any kind of flame. To be fair they offered the desert for free, however, the fact that Steve was absolutely rude about the fact the fact that they didn't have a a birthday candle and that they wouldn't even try to come up with anything else was just poor. Sorry Vita but you ruined my night.
(3)
Alan W.

The restaurant has a great roof top patio with great views of the city, however I found the wait staff to be rather distracted and very slow eventhough there were not that many people there at the time. It took more than 20 minutes after being seated for a waitor to take our drink order, eventhough (and strangely) half the table was served water by busboy during that time. I didn't know who are waitor was, so I tried to make eye contact with anyone there, but with no success. One of the waitresses just stood at the edge of the deck admiring the view with no awareness of her customers, which I thought was unacceptable. I was really jonesing for a martini and I looked at their martini menu which it looked really interesting. I first had the cucumber lavender martini, which I had a few versions of at other restuarants which I really liked. Vita's version was a very weak attempt -- it had some shards of cucumber including a rather tough peel which the texture was rather off putting, and the lavender was not infused but instead was bits of dried lavender thrown into the shaker which sometimes overwhelmed the drink. The flavors didn't meld well and the gritty, fiberous and chewy texture was not pleasant. The second martini I had was the grapefruit basil martini, and I don't even know why it's even on the menu. It tasted nothing like basil nor grapefruit and the overall smell and taste is very similar to flour paste. I had some of my friend sample it and all of them thought it was rather repulsive. I sent this martini back and the waitor was apologetic and kind enough get me a different maritini. I asked the waitor for his recommendation and he suggested the jalapeno martini, which was essentially a dirty martini with infused jalapeno. It was a decent dirty martini, but there was barely any heat or jalapeno flavor to it, but I was very satisfied after sampling the previous two. We didn't have a chance to sample the food, but what I have seen on the menu and what was served at other tables look promising. I will definitely be back to try the food. It's really strange that the busier the restaurant got, the more attentive the service became, so I am really confused whether I liked the service or not. From my experience, I would rather go next door to Lolas where the food is great and the service has been very consistant and attentive.
(2)
Melissa H.

Came to Vita for a second time last night (Saturday)... we were meeting up with friends before heading to dinner. We got there around 4:30pm, shortly after they'd opened to take advantage of the wonderful afternoon on the rooftop deck. A waiter immediately came to our table to tell us of the happy hour specials... 2 for 1 wine by the glass (any wine) and a few of the beers were discounted. I went for the wine and was suggested a wonderful alternative to the pinot grigio that they have. The rooftop has a great view of downtown and there are quite a few tables as well as a full bar with some stools at the counter. There are also overhead heaters for when the sun goes down. I will definitely be coming back to Vita not only for dinner but for happy hour too!!
(4)
Geno T.

This was some of the worst food I've had in Denver.
(1)
Lacey M.

I had taken the day off in order to attend the KU vs. CU game, but stupid me put off getting the tickets...and we were S.O.L. Bryan and I at least wanted to do something fun, to not completely waste a perfectly good day off. So I searched my Yelp bookmarks, and off to Vita we went. We sat at the bar, and decided to partake in Happy Hour, which goes from 3-6:30 Mon.-Fri. Specials include: $5 Appetizers, $3 Sliders, 2-For-1 Wines by the Glass (20 Different Choices!), $3 Drafts of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, $4 Well Cocktails, and $2.50 Budwieser and Bud Light Bottles. It really is a great place to go for HH, especially for the 2-For-1 wine! Service was okay, but not spectacular. I really liked my first glass of wine, but not really the second glass (which was a Pinot Grigio of some sort). For food we made our own antipasto plate with hot capicola, spicy salumi, and port salut cheese. Our choices were great, with the very good quality meats/cheese. We also split a $5 plate of Cherry & Habanero seven hour braised pork: pickled red onions, tomatoes, green onions, house fried chips. Now, we ordered it without onions...and they did successfully leave off the red onions, but still garnished the hell out of it with green onions. This is one of my pet peeves...if I ask for "no onions" that means "no onions".....of ANY SORT. And there wasn't just a few pieces...the pork was completely covered in green onions. We did scrape them off and ate it...and it was okay. Could've been spicier and more flavorful, IMO. Overall, everything was just okay...nothing spectacular or too memorable. Well, except for the 2-For-1 glasses of wine. That will definitely lure me back into Vita again....and the amazing rooftop patio, that I'm really excited to go to come Spring.
(3)
Grant F.

This place is great! The food has been amazing every time I've come. Try the baked brie, the mussels, or the pork tenderloin. By and far one of the best happy hours I've found in Denver! 2 for 1 wine and appetizers....awesome
(5)
Elizabeth P.

Vita has an awesome rooftop with pretty views of downtown. I love this neighborhood. We had some very tasty bruschetta, and the hangar steak was excellent and well-portioned. A bit pricey but worth it for the atmosphere and food. I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Robert A.

Went there tonight since they extended the 5280 menu for a week. I ordered the filet and it was good. When I got the check there was a $12 add on charge since I ordered the filet. I didn't see anything about an add on charge on the special 5280 menu. I asked about it and the server told me it was an add on charge with little explanation. Three Crown and cokes $27 (too much for weak drinks loaded with ice.) I can't help but feel ripped off. The filthy trashcan that I was looking at near the door to the patio didn't really bother me until it got the bill. Looks like we still need to find a weekend place in the Highlands neighborhood.
(1)
Tamara L.

I love Vita for their rooftop and Happy Hour! Their mozzarella is my favorite: it's light and flavorful. Top that off with a glass (or two) of the Sauvignon Blanc and I call that a great night. Instead of my usual Happy Hour at Vita, I decided to come in late this past Monday night after a long day of work. The late night atmosphere and amazing service (Brent was super attentive, really fun/witty, and definitely easy on the eyes), made this my new go-to late night spot. Looking forward to next time!
(5)
Brian R.

Went during happy hour, which includes a selection of lower-priced small plates. The plates are by no means "small." Excellent pulled pork sliders and plate. Kobe beef slider was great, too. Only downside is the limited beer list; for a hip Denver restaurant, the lack of local microbrews is questionable.
(4)
CJ P.

I've been to Vita now about six times, and I keep waiting for the reviews to match my experience. It's a so-so atmosphere (sometimes the jazz is way too loud), the food is pretty good, the service was not memorable but the price can be a little costly. I think Yelp's 2-star rating of "Meh. I've experienced better." pretty much sums up how I feel about Vita--especially when it's so close to Linger and Lola.
(2)
Kelly W.

The food is fine, but after waiting 30 minutes for a table when we reserved a spot a month in advance I couldn't recommend this place. If they'd be remotely apologetic it'd have helped, but there are much better places in the highlands with much better service.
(1)
Bobby T.

RESTAURANT WEEK REVIEW: Had a great time and decent food experience at Vita the other night. Went there with my spouse and another couple, and we sampled a variety of dishes set for the 5280 rest. week menu. For the first courses, we all shared Calamari, the 7 hour pork, and two way shrimp. Of these things, the pork seemed the best for me, albeit, a tad sweet for my tastes. The portion, however, proved enough for 4 people to get a fair portion. The calamari proved okay. Nothing outstanding about it, but it satisfied for a first course. The two way shrimp disappointed a bit. One large shrimp poached with seasoning tasted bland. The second large shrimp, cooked tempura style, came across soggy and chewy, not crispy and light as one would anticipate tempura to be. For our second course, the 4 of us sampled bleu cheese wedges, a ceasar salad, and the beet salad. All very good, and tasty. For the third course, we sampled the hanger steaks, rosemary chicken, and the sea bass. I can only comment on my rosemary chicken with detail. I really enjoyed the flavors of this dish. The only overpowering memory that remains came from the wine based risotto. The consistency of the risotto reflects the talent of the cooking staff, and it complimented well with the chicken. However, the red wine base tasted a tad strong for me. Had a few bites of the hanger steak with frites too, and I found both tasty and succulent. Not a bad rendition of steak and potatoes. :-) The speed of the kitchen, however, seemed a bit slow, but with it being restaurant week, I did not mind. Unfortunately, it forced us to miss a 7pm show, but the enjoyment of the overall experience warrants another visit.
(3)
John K.

Read the menu prices carefully before ordering. Today I ordered a salad off the lunch menu. A very small salad with a small piece of blackened Seabass. This lunch salad and a Diet Coke came in at $21. Way too expensive for what you receive. I won't be going back there.
(3)
Amy M.

I experienced Vita on a lovely Friday night surrounded by dear friends. So, suffice it to say, it started out great just with the company especially when you add the amazing view of downtown from the rooftop patio. The crowd was also lovely and nice to look at along with the view. I enjoyed the Kobe beef sliders which were mouth watering though I didn't really find anything else on the menu that felt right that evening. But, we were honestly there to enjoy our cocktails so I didn't really think any more of it. However, I was a bit disappointed in the prices on both the menu and the wine list - they just seemed higher than they needed to be - and the smell of fish that permeated the dining room that you had to walk through to get to the bathroom. Will I go back - absolutely. Lovely view all around. And, sometimes that trumps everything else at a place that serves libations.
(3)
Milo Y.

Sweet, we had 8 ppl here for a birthday dinner. Great staff, food, and ambiance. We were here once when there were fireworks at Elitches, great view from the roof. Great Neighborhood gem!
(4)
Jason O.

Stopped off here on the way to Lola...for a couple drinks with a large group from work. So...experience is from sitting at the bar. We went there at 5pm on a Monday night... very slow in the place. We went from inside directly out to the bar adjacent to the street...decent patio experience we thought. Only one other patron at the bar on the inside... and holy cow... William W. was right. The bartender was about as friendly as rock. In addition... I was a bit thirsty... can you say slow? Geez... The 10 or so of us that were there are manager-types who lead teams of 20-400... service was poor. More than one of us wanted to provide a little "coaching." When the bartender finally broke from his conversation with the attractive customer on the other side of the bar... we got the "look of death" when we asked what beers were on tap... "mirror pond." A few of us glanced at each other and the rack of liquor across from us. I guess we couldn't expect a decent beer experience here... Waiting 5 more minutes to get our beer (apparently there was a problem with the lonely keg)... it was time to drink and depart as soon as possible. Overall, an experience I'd rather forget and a venue that I wouldn't try again based on that first impression.
(2)
Jordan A.

We went to Vita for dinner one year for restaurant week. I liked it. It would have been a four-star review. Had lunch there just last week though. The place was empty. It took them 40 min to serve us. My husband's salad had the most over-grilled scariest-looking piece of tough fish ever. My cheese sandwich came without cheese. Cereal. Took me another 10 min to flag the server down. She unhappily took the sandwich back saying "there is so much we can do". I applied that philosophy when it was time for her tip. The sandwich came back with cheese the second time, and was tasty.
(2)
KP H.

Another quality joint that has gone downhill. We came here with a large group for drinks and apps and quite enjoyed the rooftop patio, that is really the only good thing they have going. The service was amazingly slow, some of our food never showed up yet was on the tab and at the end of the night our waiter really struggled to split up what should've been a pretty simple tab. Judging from the empty downstairs Vita has lost it's dining crowd and with new joints opening up all around them I would imagine the cocktail crowd will soon be departing.
(2)
Jolie R.

The food is fantastic, the service dismal. Have been to Vita multiple times, most recently for a friend's birthday. They did nothing to honor the special occasion until we asked for a candle on the slice of cake. The server (whose name I could not tell you because we only saw her approximately 3 times) also gave herself a 20% gratuity on a ticket of 5 people. Fortunately the manager took it off when we complained. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you the manager's name either. So we're clear, the 3 stars belong to the kitchen and the small plates (specifically the snake river pork belly, duck poutine, and baked brie) because they are fantastic! The rating would be higher if they'd come with better, timelier, friendlier service.
(3)
Bre P.

2 for 1 wines on Happy Hour = SOLD! Excellent food and the staff knows how to pair wine well. The male bartender is awesome and seems to always serve me. Great summer patio. I highly recommend here!
(5)
Roy K.

Low down: -view, yes...it's good. really good. Same as everyone else said. -drinks - they weren't too expensive and they have strong pours -All the food looked like it was good and my meal was great. Had the flat iron steak and it was cooked perfectly. -staff was great, food was quick In all, a little expensive but a place that if you relax and take in the environment it's worth it.
(4)
Kaare K.

Last night was my second visit to Vita. That's right, I went there on a Tuesday.... Half off bottles of wine! Given the average bottle is sitting closer to the mid 40's. However, if you are going out with a date or a few good friends it's still a great deal. The first time I stopped in it was for late night drinks with friends. The manager came out and greeted us while we drank. She remembered a friends name from his previous review, and last night she remembered mine after only one conversation a few weeks ago! This is one of my reasons to return anywhere, the personal factor at any establishment! For the food I tried the 5280 restaurant week menu. For my App I had the Bruschetta which was good, but what made it interesting was the Sweet Potato squares with miniature shrimp in the mix, a very tasty addition. My ceaser salad had Guac in it which was again interesting and enjoyable benefit. Finally, my main entree was the sea bass which had minimal flavoring on top of it. Though I was expecting something a little more... powerful on the taste buds. While I was luke warm on the sea bass I am still very much interested in some of the other items on the menu and will be going back in the future. Maybe another Half off win night!
(4)
Kathryn H.

Two for one wines during happy hour? Yes, please! My friend and I jaunted here one afternoon for happy hour. The wine selection was decent, although I was hoping for a dry rose, no such luck. We had the pulled pork app and it was good, but mostly because of the chips it was served with. The meat itself was a bit under seasoned, and less-tasty than I was hoping. The cheeses we had (two recommended by the server) were really good. The rooftop patio provides an amazing view of the city, and the construction work going on across the street. I would definitely go back for happy hour.
(4)
Sonja K.

Don't book Vita if you have a large party and have guests that have special dietary needs. I booked this restaurant for my son's wedding rehearsal dinner; he and his girlfriend had eaten here before and loved the food; the chef was very accommodating about making him an "off menu" vegetarian dinner. I thought this would be easy but I was horribly mistaken. I ended up cancelling the reservation for 30 people because the special events coordinator that I was working with actually told me that my vegetarian guests could "choose from their salad menu" for an entree instead of offering me an alternative vegetarian dish to the one that was on the menu. Actually, he said "I COULD talk to the chef, but we have an extensive salad offerings that your guests can choose from for an entree". He also told me that there were no options for a gluten free dessert. I told him that my son was able to get a barbeque tofu dish from the chef that was amazing. The response I received was "well, I could talk to the chef.." I said "don't bother" Icing on the proverbial cake....I called to talk with the manager about my problem and the girl who answered the phone asked why I was calling; I told her and asked to speak with the manager...guess who she put on the phone....the special events coordinator... Apparently getting to speak to a manager is as difficult as getting a gluten free dessert!!!
(1)
Peter A.

One of my favorite happy hour places in the city...great in the summer with the upstairs patio and the view. If we were talking Happy Hour only, I'd give this review close to a 5, but we need to factor in the food. Yeah, the food is decent - I like the sliders and the cuban sandwich - and it hits the spot, but I've never been...blown away. Maybe I've not ordered the right meal yet? With the atmosphere and the drinks all top notch, I feel like I want the food to totally knock my socks off for those prices, which brings my review to closer to a 3.5. Love the vibe and the drinks, but the food is just OK compared to the rest of Vita's offerings.
(3)
Bill W.

Great rooftop bar. Probabaly the worst staff in Denver. Always Rude, mean, slow. Im always drawn back to the roof, but they are always rude, mean, slow.
(2)
Grace B.

I've never been very impressed by the quality or value of Vita's dinner menu, but they offer a great happy hour from 4-6:30. They have a few sliders for $3 each and a couple small plates for $5. Great for a little nibble and the service in the bar is always very friendly and attentive. 2 for 1 wines while sitting on their rooftop patio is one of the best ways to unwind after a long day.
(3)
Stephanie S.

I just held my wedding reception at Vita on the rooftop. Christina and Mark were very helpful with the initial setup and Christina was easy to contact and make appointments for details along the way. They helped me with the set up of the space and it was beautiful! Everyone LOVED the food and mini-cupcakes. I had a great time and Vita was a great choice and make it easy to plan a reception. Thank you Christina and everyone else if you are reading this!
(5)
Mani N.

The only reason that I'm giving this restaurant 2 stars is because of the great service and the beautiful rooftop dining area. Other than that, the food is HORRIBLE! As in terrible, awful, bad-tasting, stomach ache inducing! Either the food is DRENCHED in salt, or lacks any and all flavor. I ordered the rissotto with blackened chicken. I wonder if the chef has ever cooked a day in his life, because this rissotto tasted like bland Mac n' Cheese from the dollar store. The blackended chicken "looked" like chicken, but that's where all similarity to food ended. A rubber chicken may have more flavor. My mother's grilled chicken was on the opposite end of the spectrum. If she had ordered a salt lick, it'd taste the same as her grilled chicken. My father's fries were also drowning in salt. Our waiter was super sweet and thoroughly apologized for the "pseudo" chef's disaster. Apparently the head chef does not work Sunday nights. That explains EVERYTHING! Again, the service here is great, as is the facility itself. However, I recommend if you're considering coming here, it'd be for Happy Hour only.
(2)
Kate M.

After enjoying some drinks and apps at Lola, we headed next door to Vita for our dinner reservations. Ditto all my commentary on the excellent view from my Lola review. This quality alone is worth a star. We were truly surprised to find that our reservation wasn't necessary, as Vita was not half as crowded as Lola. This wasn't really the best omen, but we were happy to be seated at a fantastic table, and to hear the low-key live jazz playing. Our server, though young, was kind of cute and funny. We ordered several starters off the Antipasto menu, including freshly-shaved prosciutto and three different cheeses, all of which were divine, and promptly devoured by my group of ravenous she-wolves. Between the three of us, we ordered a Flatiron Steak, Pork Tenderloin, and a Seared Tofu dish. All three were huge hits, with us exclaiming that the pork was probably the winner, though the tofu was really well-flavored and interesting, as well. Not to say that the steak wasn't delicious, but wasn't perhaps as interesting as the other two dishes. The bottle of wine was quickly downed, as well as two other cocktails a piece, neither of which tasted very good. My one gripe would be that it was perhaps priced a bit too high for what it was. However, in my drunkeness, I didn't think twice about it! I had a lovely time with my companions, and the fact that it wasn't super-busy probably augmented our time together.
(4)
Maha K.

Jazzy. Acai berry-approved. Heated patio. Has that scenic view of the Denver skyline you might actually contemplate committing homicide over. The live band was great, the drinks were deliciously succulent and the ambiance was right up my alley. But the plates were blah. I mean, if you're going to slaughter a New Zealand lamb (Kiwi lamb?) and import the carcass to the United States - at least serve more of it than a measly rib and not put the poor guy over a bed of sloppy Joe beans. Unless of course I'm supposed to see EVE pop out of the rib at some point during the meal or something. Maybe then I'd pay $12 for the show. I also have a disheartening feeling that the yuppies from Lodo are starting to spill over to this new area of the Highlands. So enjoy it while you can.
(4)
Kate W.

Absolutely horrendous experience. We were in a large group and our party had separate checks. I realize that this can be an inconvenience, but the server was informed of that at the beginning and apparently had no idea how to handle that situation. (Or they should have let us know it would be easier for them to split at the end). It took over an hour and a half for the food to come out and one person never even received their food. Neither the server or the manager communicated with us about what was going on, we had no idea wether it was a staffing or kitchen issue or both. Little attempt was made to apologize or appease anyone for the problems that were being encountered. Half of the eggs in the eggs Benedict were over-cooked...sub-par brunch food. If you value customer service, you are better off going to Lola or Linger. This is probably why the restaurant was empty, I can't even imagine how they even function when they are full. What a mess.
(1)
Ken H.

I love coming to this place for their happy hour on the roof top. Can't beat the $5 appetizers and 2-for-1 wines. I have eaten a full meal after two appetizers. They used to have a better view but a condo building is going up across the street, blocking the downtown view. Nonetheless, I enjoy the rooftop. The wait staff is also fun and friendly!
(4)
Anna R.

Gorgeous rooftop patio! Tuesday wine nights are a must! An awesome ladies night! Brunch is also amazing. Only issue I have is when they get busy, they completely give up on service. Cold food, cold servers, watered down drinks.
(4)
Rebecca K.

We decided to stop in at Vita for a late dinner - our first visit. The jazz band was playing and I'm happy to say they played at a level that was pleasant and allowed the customers to carrying on a conversation without yelling at each other. We were seated immediately. At 9:30pm, the restaurant was still almost full. Our waiter, Tony, was very nice and walked us through the menu. He was honest with us about the plate sizes, telling us which ones were good for one person and which were big enough to share. He took our drink orders while we mulled it over. We barely had enough time to look at the menu when he was back with our drinks - very impressive, barkeep. Overall, the service was excellent through our entire meal. Since it was late, we decided to go a little lighter. We settled on an order of mussels and an order of calamari to share and each ordered a half portion wedge salad. The salads were delivered first, as requested. The half portion is plenty if you plan to eat more. The bleu cheese and peppered bacon balanced each other nicely. The mussels and calamari orders arrived after our salad plates had been cleared. The mussels were delicious; however, if you don't like bacon flavor, you will not like these. I commented last night that it was like "BLT mussels". They are steamed with tomatoes, onions, and bacon in flavorful white wine (I believe) broth. The calamari was also good. The batter wasn't heavy, but the marinara was on the spicy side for my tastes. The calamari is also served with fried carrots and red and green peppers. There was almost more veggies than calamari on the plate, so be aware when ordering - you will not get a heaping pile of calamari but a blend of calamari and veggies. We passed on desert this time. We will be back in the future to try some of the large plates.
(4)
Jamie B.

I despise having to fight for a table. I just want to make my reservation, show up on time, and get what I want. Is that too much to ask for in life? Anyway, if you want to sit outside at Vita (upstairs patio or sidewalk patio), you have to fight for your table, its first come first serve, meaning people circle around tables that look like they're getting ready to leave. With that being said, we ate late enough that we got a table on the upstairs patio and the food was pretty good. The wine was good. The waitress was okay. The cocktails were wonderful! I'll come back for happy hour.
(4)
Andrea R.

Had a lovely dinner here last night. Started out with a mojito and the sea scallop small plate. The scallops were perfectly cooked- no signs of rubbery-ness at all. For our entrees, I had the pork tenderloin and my husband had the mushroom ravioli. The pork was melt-in-your-mouth good, and the toasted almond and watercress salad was the perfect complement. My husband was definitely impressed with the ravioli- he absolutely loved the sauce and said the flavor was great. I hate mushrooms, so I can't vouch for that. For dessert, we ordered the black pepper cheese cake, just because we were curious. It was a really great cheese cake, with just a hint of black pepper which provided a little kick at the end. Overall the meal was excellent, and the service great. The server was always there when we needed something, but not overbearing at all. After dinner, we went upstairs to the patio for a drink and to enjoy the view. I had an amaretto sour, which was a bit more sour than I generally like. Overall, it was a great meal at a great location.
(4)
Donnie P.

Decent place. Kind of a sausage fest in the evening but not as bad as some places. Features a young, professional crowd. Great food, atmosphere but the parking really sucks though. The lack of parking is a real issue, which causes me to find somewhere else to go.
(4)
Jess J.

GREAT HAPPY HOUR. How often can you say that these days in Denver? Buy one get one on their wine list, and actually the WHOLE wine list, not just some sad house red or white and that's it. The bar area is fun and with a gorgeous view, plus the cocky but friendly (oxymoron?) bartender is a kick. If you are hungry, the bruschetta is not to be missed. Been here for dinner before and was impressed as well, but definitely a great place for a great glass of wine with a view.
(4)
Mariel R.

Great rooftop bar for happy hour with an amazing view of downtown Denver. I had a strawberry mojito and it was amazing. Just make sure that you are decisive about your beverage choice-- my friend didn't know what to pick, and so the bartender crafted her a personal creation. She thought it was alright, but wasn't the biggest fan, and when the bill came, the drink was more than the others on the menu.
(4)
Deco G.

I went here for dinner with a friend visiting from out of town. It was her last night and she had to catch a late night red eye flight home, so we went to Vita on a quiet night to enjoy a last meal together. Dinner ended up being a plain tortilla and homemade ice cream at home before we rushed out to the airport. I eat out about 3 to 5 times a week, and therefore have had more than my share of mediocre to atrocious dining experiences (but happily even more sublime ones). But it's extremely rare for me to leave a restaurant, fuming. Congratulations, Vita, for earning the unique dishonor of inspiring me to walk out before dinner arrives, though there was no evidence that dinner was ever even on its way. On the surface, the experience can be summed up as simply slow service. Closer inspection reveals that it wasn't merely slow service, but lazy, incompetent, unaccountable, contemptuous, downright insultingly uncaring service. We sat for dinner at the bar and ordered drinks, an appetiser to share, and two salad entrees. The drinks and appetiser arrived and were consumed right away. 50 minutes later there was still no sign of our dinner [they were *salads*], and deafening radio silence from the bartender. Yes, I've experienced slow service. But the restaurant and bar area were mostly empty. The bartender who took our order wasn't busy juggling throngs of demanding merrymakers and slinging a thousand drinks. He shuffled about slothfully right in front of us, and never checked on us after we turned down the offer of another cocktail early on. After that it was impossible to get his attention, even though he was standing right in front of us. It takes mad skills to avoid all contact for over 30 minutes with two customers sitting right in front of you. We finally had to flag him down, with arms flailing furiously as though guiding a 747 into parking at the gate. "When can we expect our salads? [translate: why aren't you checking on the status yourself?]" Oh yeah, the salads. He'd forgotten to put in our salad orders altogether. Whoops! He assures us he will put the order in on a rush and it will be out in "seconds" if we still want the salads. At this point we're already annoyed, not only because he forgot our order, but because he never checked in on us and ignored us for way too long right under his nose. But ok, we still needed to eat, and didn't have the time to find another restaurant and start all over again. We were only having salads, after all, so the promise of expedited arrival in "seconds" was believable. Our dining experience would have still been salvaged if the salads ever arrived, or if at least the bartender appeared to be on top of it and conveyed that he cared about pushing our order through. 50 minutes plus another 25 minutes later: no salads, no communication, no checking up by the bar tender, who's mad eye-contant-avoiding-skills continued to prevail. This is where slow service and what appeared to be a bartender's innocent mistake turns into "you pesky customers are cramping my precious slothful style." Insults are free. I shouldn't have to pay a hospitality establishment to get them. There are way too many awesome, earnest, hard working restaurants in that neighborhood. None is flawless, but they take your business seriously, and graciously. If that bartender represents Vita's training and standards, then they're running a clown operation and need to exit the hospitality business.
(1)
Jordan T.

Vita was wonderful. On so many levels. Saturday Dinner for 2. 1. We made resrevations in person hoping to sit on the roof patio, which is, unfortunately first-come-first-served. Upon arrival there wasn't any seating available upstairs (which is kind of unorganized, the only thing we didn't like about it). When we decided against sitting upstairs, the hostess sat us at a nice private booth right away. 2. Boyfriend is vegetarian and has some weird allergies so the vegetarian entree was not an option for him. We asked the server if the grilled tofu could be served like the st louis bbq entree. He checked with the kitchen and they absolutely oblidged us, and quoted the price of the tofu dish, not the rib dish. 3. I ordered the steak salad (flank steak, green apple, candied nuts, blue cheese, shallot vinigrette) and had the steak prepared as the kitchen suggested. 4. Neither of us had any alcohol, but the wine list looked good. Beer list looked a little lacking for a Denver restaurant. The service was fantastic. Our server (Tim?) had great timing and went above and beyond in getting a suitable dish for my boyfriend to eat. Waters were filled right when they needed to be, and he was attentive about our lemonade and soda refills as well. Our food was great. The steak on my salad was perfectly cooked, and this is one of my favorite styles of salad to begin with. The shallot dressing had an earthiness that you don't often get with other steak salad dressings. The candied nuts were great and the apple crisp. It's hard to get a salad horribly wrong, but it takes a lot of skill to get it perfect, and by my account Vita did. Boyfriend's tofu bbq was fantastic as well. It was firm and flavorful the whole way through, with tasty char marks and a light glaze of sauce. The kitchen also thoughtfully left off the beans since they had bacon in them (ABOVE AND BEYOND OR WHAT?!) and added sweet potato fries. The corn bread was crumbly and warm and flavorful and great with the whipped butter that came with the complimentary bread. All in all a great experience. We were very pleasantly surprised.
(5)
Jenn P.

What a neat spot to hang out. This place has got a super cool feel to it both inside and out. We sat on the patio looking out over our fair city, which by the way, seems to be growing like a weed. the view here is mainly great with an alley or two and an old parking lot boogering it up only slightly. The decor is kinda sexy actually, the bar is sleek and inviting. Yes sleek and sexy and inviting ...it was like looking in a mirror, well maybe not exactly! The servers, I'm pretty sure there was more than one, both cute which added to my view. Anyhoo they were very helpful and efficient. Also a whole boatload of folks came with the food and drinks all presented to us at once, I felt very important. I ordered the club sandwich and it was tasty, good portion, really yummy, did it knock my socks off , no but then a gain it was just a club sandwich. My friend had the special, a Chicken Cordon Bleu Wrap and it looked good but I didn't sample it. I did however sample his homemade potato chips! Dang they were good, mama loves me a fried potato product. These did not disappoint! All in all this is a peachy spot to be. Great vibe, nice view good food, and just cool all around! I hope to go back and try the sliders and maybe a dessert. I've been good enough for a dessert, yep I'm almost certain of it!
(3)
Dom D.

Decided to keep Vita as a happy hour only or rooftop only place during the summer after our recent experience there. Decided to go for restaurant week with a group of 4. We all ordered a variety and the appetizers were all very good. Salads were OK as they messed up a few requests to omit certain ingredients. While the main course was OK, two of us ordered the 8oz flat iron and I am certain that their scale must be severely broken if they think what they served was anywhere near 8oz. I buy steaks from the local butchers often and would consider myself fairly familiar with how large and filling an 8oz steak should be. This steak had to be 4 or 5 oz at the most. When the plates were dropped in front of us, we both kind of looked at each other wondering if this was some kind of joke, but it wasn't. I understand that its a fixed price menu, but I would have gladly paid an up-charge for a true 8oz steak. Their regular dinner menu lists the Flat Iron Steak & Frites with 2 prices for an entree and a small plate. I truly hope what we were served was the small plate version (Even though that was not listed as that on the DRW menu) because had I paid the entree price for what I was served, I certainly would have sent it back. I'll probably be back in the summer for the rooftop and drinks, but for dinner I'll stick with Lola or Linger in this stretch of restaurants.
(2)
Travis M.

Decent food, although, there are much better options in the highlands. Granted we had a large party, but the apps took 45 minutes to come out alone... Not a terrible experience, but it was overpriced and I don't think the service or the food was good enough to come back with so many other great options nearby.
(2)
Erica A.

They have a solid menu and service Food is Pretty good. I like their Tuna Tartare. We had the sea bass and rack if lamb. I love the funky old neighborhood.
(3)
Danny L.

Everytime I've walked by this place, I've assume it'd be a little too "wannabe" for my tastes. I think it's the signage. It just looks a little too... well... wannabe. That giant smoke plume banner makes the place look like it's trying really hard to be a mid-nineties club. But last night we decided to give it a try, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Remove the signage, and the place has a great look and feel. It was a Saturday night, and even at 9 o'clock there was a 45 minute wait, so my wife and I saddled up to the bar. I actually can't imagine that there's a better place to be, as there was a lively atmosphere (fantastic jazz band that took my wife's Chet Baker request) and a STELLAR view of down town. We decided to have some apps. The Calamari, while nothing to write home about, was crispy and delicious. The spicy tuna tartar was also a solid choice. The romaine salad was fresh and dressed properly (not too much dressing), and the bacon was sweet and delicious. I am definitely looking forward to heading back to try out a main course or two. Evidently they've been written up in "five magazines" (said the bartender) for their St. Ginger (Skyy Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Muddled Cilantro, Ginger Ale --$9), and I'd believe it, 'cause it was DELICIOUS. All in all we had a great time and some really good food. I'm happy to recommend the restaurant, and we'll definitely return to try out what looked to be some delicious entrees.
(4)
Craig L.

Vita's prime location in the trendy E. Highlands neighborhood, beautiful decor, and a fantastic view of the city (well, for now, at least--there's a construction trailer across the street) promises a wonderful dining experience; however, the lack of execution plagued our night out. First, the positives. Besides the decor and location, the scallops were actually pretty good; I was surprised by the size (the larger ones usually don't hold the flavor as well), prep, and the taste. The cheese and meat plate offered generous servings of a gouda, proscuitto, salami--no surprises, but tasty. All excellent; in fact, maybe drinks and appetizers on the deck is the best way to visit Vita . . . Vita offers an extensive bottled wine selection; however, there are few choices for glasses, with basically one option for each variety. Hint: there's a difference between French, Oregon, and California Pinots, and some choice would be welcomed in each variety. We experienced an issue with the wine's temperature, as it was served unusually warm. "Room temperature" is not the actual temperature of the room (especially in July, in Denver), but it should be between 55-60 degrees while stored and slightly warmer when served. Again, our wine was REALLY warm, which ruined it for me. Has anybody else noticed this? Although we dined on one of the hottest days of the year, Vita should take steps to mitigate this problem. The big issue was in the kitchen. Apparently, Vita excels in seafood; however, my wife and I made the mistake of ordering a steak. When the first attempt came out like a hockey puck, we sent it back. The manager kindly brought out two salads while we waited for the chef's second effort. This was strange, because we were sharing an entree, and didn't really want more food, but the gesture was kind. The second steak came out medium on one side and literally raw on the other. Seriously, they may not have even flipped it. I guess that COULD be considered medium-rare (medium on one half, rare on the other), but I would have preferred a more traditional m-r, with a warm, red center. We silently boxed it up and took it home, not wanting to sacrifice another steak to the reject pool (wait staff take-home stockpile?). Warm wine and a poorly prepared steak made for a less-than-stellar dining experience. The wait staff and management was sufficient, but couldn't make up for the poor performance in other vital areas. As we walked down the sidewalk, we noticed that Lola's was packed, and Vita was nearly empty. I guess that tells you something.
(2)
M G.

The website for Vita says "Come join us for Happy Hour 7-days a week: 3:00PM - 6:30PM" Well, my husband and I showed up for happy hour on a sunny Saturday afternoon at 4:15pm. The restaurant was empty, but the patio looked fairly busy and we felt lucky to grab a patio table that had just opened up. -- Then we sat and waited, and waited, and waited. There were no waiters in sight. After about 15 minutes, I decided to go to the bar to order drinks. At the bar, the only bartender working was avoiding all eye contact with other patrons waiting at the bar. I think I would have been less mad (and more sympathetic... I mean these things happen) if the bartender had simply acknowledged my presence, but her decision to just ignore me made me pretty irritated. After about 10 minutes that the bar I gave up and went back to our patio table. My husband said that no one had been by. Looking around at other tables, we saw a lot of folks with empty glasses. We waited about 5 or 10 minutes more, and then finally got up and left. Here's the kicker -- this is actually the second time I've gotten really poor (or no) service during happy hour at Vita. This restaurant is in a great location, I can't wait for it to change ownership so I can visit its replacement.
(1)
Jenny S.

READER BEWARE: very detailed review Want the short and sweet version? Order the pork tenderloin- you'll cry because it is just that good. I have been meaning to Yelp about Vita after a summer spent on their patio, watching the city in the sunset- but I am incredibly glad that I held off as I only would have given it 4 stars (the service when the patio is packed is a bit lacking)- after last night, 5 stars- hands down. My parents and their friends decided to spring a last minute dinner in Denver on me. Being a Yelper and a foodie, I was the one who had to make the call on where to go. After much discussion with other Yelpers, I chose Vita, as I love their bruchetta and drinks. As I said, I go here in the summer quite a bit, but I have never had dinner here. And really the only thing I can ask myself is: "why did it take so damn long to get there Jenny?!?" The food was delicious. They have seven entrees on the menu so with five people at dinner ordering different entrees, I got to experience pretty much all of it. We started with the Flatbread and the bruchetta. The bruchetta is to die for, it has got to be the quality of the balsamic that they use, and the flatbread is now one of my favorite apps on their menu. I ordered a small cup of the butternut squash bisque with toasted sunflower seeds- and although I am not a bisque fan, this was very well done- the pumpkin seeds added some kick ass flavor to it. Now for the most important part: the entrees. In the interest of time, your eyes and not making this a novel, I will just list each one we had and what I thought. Grilled Ahi tuna- comes with a nice pear salad which adds to the tuna. Tuna rating- three stars, I have had much better Flat Iron steak with red risotto- this was my meal and it was good- the meat cooked very well but the sauce was a bit salty for my taste, the risotto was great. I ended up trading meals with my dad who had the best meal of the night... Pork tenderloin with mustard spaetzle- I am all for trying new menu items, but I will always order this as my entree when I go to Vita. It is to die for. I do not think, in all my travels and dining experiences, that I have had pork as good as this. The cranberries add such a great flavor to the spaetzle and the pork was cooked to absolute perfection. You have to get this meal here! Pan Roasted Chicken- this was incredible. It was my mom's meal and she almost devoured it before I could sneak a bite. The creamy herbed orzo makes this meal unforgettable. Our other family friend ordered a romaine salad and shrimp which was done very well, the caeser dressing was just right. If I had left the restaurant only having the flank steak, I would have given Vita four stars- but once I traded plates with my dad and had the pork, I was a goner. In addition, we had a great table in the back surrounded by beautiful artwork for sale. Even with the live band playing, It was like we were the only people in the restaurant (even though it was packed) and the server's attentiveness just added to our little world of fun....although I am sure all the great wine we were drinking did too!
(5)
Adriana K.

Hmm... maybe it was the circumstances, but I went for a well - rated happy hour recently on a sunny day, to find the place completely dead. I guess its pretty happening on the weekend. I had a greyhound (my recent usual) and tried the pork sliders ($3 each) and a flatbread ($5 I think, and overpriced for what it was) - my friend tried the a different pork, and my vegetarian sister noted that most of the items were pork on the happy hour. The shoestring fries were decent, and the service was friendly albeit extremely slow considering we were the only ones there. A lot of outdoor seating including a rooftop patio made it look very attractive for a warm sunny day...
(3)
Adam K.

Vita was great! I was treated to this fine establishment for my birthday and it was a very memorable experience. The food was great although not very plentiful. I would say the portions are a little on the small side for the price. The calamari was fantastic and my entree was meticulously prepared and delightful. The staff was very nice, we did have a reservation but we were greeted at the door and immediately seated. Our waitress was courteous, knowledgeable, and very attentive. My water glass was always full and it seemed like the service was perfectly timed. I have only been there once, but I definitely will return. I would recommend Vita to anyone and everyone! The only reason I give Vita 4 stars is because even with a dessert, I still left hungry. I wish half stars were available. On a side note, the Cucumber Pear Mojito was absolutely fantastic. I am more of the Stoli and Soda guy, but this drink caught my eye and it did not disappoint! The "VeeV' liquor was very different, yet offered quite a unique taste.....I would definitely suggest it.
(4)
Manny G.

I gotta say that Vita really went downhill in my book when they started a wait list for a rooftop table. Totally ruins one of the best rooftop decks in town and changes a first-come system that seemed to be working just fine. I'll be planning outings with my associates at another place with fewer imposed rules from now on. You'd expect this sort of thing in Cherry Creek. I hope the rest of LoHi doesn't consider this place.
(1)
Natalie W.

Great view, good wine, good service, decent food (my mussels weren't gritty, but the temp was weird), obnoxious clientele. But maybe that's the new LoHi MO? The best way I can describe it: remember when you were 20 or 21 and loved to get wasted and be young and free and crazy? Now, imagine you're close to 40 and still acting that way. I normally don't judge a place harshly based on its clientele, especially if the other aspects really shine through. But, three stars is A-Ok, and that fits it well. I would come back, but probably never on a weekend. The view alone is worth it.
(3)
Robin M.

I love this place. Seriously. Maybe it helps that I live within walking distance, though I did come here pretty regularly before I moved into the neighborhood. First: Happy Hour. For $10 you will be STUFFED on sliders, fries, etc, as well as have some beer or wine working through your system. BEST HAPPY HOUR DEAL IN LOHI. People may complain they only have 1 beer on tap, but it happens to be my favorite, so maybe I'm biased ;) Second: Dinner. Totally awesome! great selections, and the sauces they offer are super tasty. Third: Late night. The bartenders keep the drinks flowing, the live band keeps playing and fun times are had by all! AND DON'T FORGET THE PATIO!!!
(5)
Alison R.

A friend and I went there last night for 5280 week. Vita had a great menu - lots of options and very generous portions. The food was fantastic, especially the tuna tartare appetizer and the ahi tuna entree. The service was fantastic, from the friendly hostess to the great guy who refilled our water glasses, and our waitress Melani was spectacular! I can't wait to go back with my husband and try more of the yummy choices on their menu. We had wine last night, but their cocktail menu looks fun and interesting. Nice job, Vita!
(4)
Nathan D.

Recently went there for 5280 week. We showed up at our reservation time, but our table was not ready. It was full but not busy. We were one of few at the bar, and had to wait 5-10 minutes until someone took care of us. Wine selection was good and mirror pond was I think the only beer on tap (as if you need another type of beer...) , so I was satisfied for the moment. We waited at the bar for 40 minutes before our table was ready. We considered leaving but finally we got our table and they hooked us up with some antipasto which was nice. There was a great sausage in that dish... apparently they smoke the sausage there.. it was delicious. We enjoyed the apps (tuna tartare and lamb) . The salad was okay. I found our entrees to be extremely bland. I had pork tenderloin and I feel like they just tossed a plain tenderloin on the grill. The spatzle side, however, was tasty. My wife had the tuna and same thing... just feel like there was not much care given. It was supposed to be seared but instead charred and overcooked. They were also extremely slow in delivering the food. I'm all for taking my time when I go out to a nice dinner, but this was really pushing it. Will not go back for dinner. I fancy this place as more of a bar than a restaurant. I probably will go back for happy hour when the weather gets better. They have decent happy hour specials and the patio and view are fantastic.
(2)
Andrea B.

I ADORE this place. It was my Tuesday night haven as soon as I found out about it and until I moved. Did I mention they have 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays? And a rooftop deck with an amazing view of downtown? And the best wine list I've seen in Denver, and typically the servers (if not, the bartenders, all of who are awesome, chatty and will give you tastes of new wines) know a decent amount about them, which just makes it all the better for me. They also usually have a good list of small things to eat as well. Bruschetta, gnocchi w/ truffle oil, calamari, a risotto special (although I don't think they do that anymore) are always yummy, and the perfect amount of food as well. I miss you, Vita!!
(5)
Paul D.

Apps and Food were ok, not great. Tons of people. If you're there to meet someone for dinner go early. If you're there to bag someone of the opposite sex go late and the rooftop has to be open. Other than that it's a bar, MEH.
(2)
Joe C.

Vita is essspensive! But oh so delicious. When you've got some extra cash go and eat lots. Or you could just have a few appetizers (still a bit pricey) and beers and wine on the amazing deck that overlooks the city. We started with the grilled cheese (Camembert on a toasted brioche in a tasty sea of a tomato soup type goodness) and the ahi tuna on flatbreads with an orzo pasta salad. A nice start. I got the short ribs with horseradish potatoes and greens; the meat was cooked perfectly and fell apart when I dove in. Our friend Maria from the Fort had the scallops with prosciutto and potato pancakes (fried sage on top!) and we had a taste of that as well. SV got the goods. Let me wax poetic on this one: - Medium rare steak - Perfectly cooked mushrooms - Salsa verde - Fried string onions and the coup de grace (pronounced coop dee grays): - Marscapone potato puree How to eat: cut a piece of steak, top with mushroom, a bit of salsa and onion and fondue dip that whole fork kebab into the puree. Dee-effing-licious.
(4)
Chris L.

Lots of potential, very little follow through. Was looking forward to a feast of small plates plus salad and Vita's menu seemed like just the thing. The hostess was very pleasant, it's a beautiful dining room, but the place was nearly empty on a Thursday night, not a good sign. And here's why: overpriced food and drinks (and a really stingy pour on the glass of wine), lackadaisical service, and uneven food prep. Some of the flavors were nice, but didn't hold up for the whole dish. There was something odd about the tuna, but it didn't really become obvious until about halfway through it. The salad was way overdressed, an easy sign that the staff really couldn't care less about the food they're making and serving. Another restaurant with lots of potential that seems to be happy to commit suicide instead.
(2)
Lisa L.

Wow, that is one beeyotchy hostess. I smiled at her as I headed upstairs to the rooftop and in return I got a stinky-eyed once-over and a wan smile. Felt like I was in LA. It's been quite a while since I've gotten the Mean Girls treatment -- I'm too old for that ish. This Westword article about how the front of the house sets the tone for the entire dining experience made me think of Vita: blogs.westword.com/cafesâ€¦ . Somebody who owns that place should read it. The food was good but too bad b/c all I remember is that mean scary hostess.
(2)
doug d.

Nice wine/drink menu and great rooftop area. Service is good but not great.
(4)
Sammy L.

In my all my years of working, dining, and now writing about restaurants I have never come across a restaurant as pretentious and with such a rude staff as Vita. Upon arrival the wait staff was crowded around the hostess stand, bored and not a smile in the bunch, and we were not greeted at all. The restaurant was not full in the least bit, and doesn't surprise me. The hostess, also without a smile, simply asked our name and what time our reservation was for. I had called an hour prior and asked the wait time and the person stated "we are wide open, and come on in". When explaining this to the hostess, she stared blankly at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. She asked who I spoke with and then stated " 'cause I don't really know whats going on and he (person i spoke with via phone) may know something i don't -but we are full". My husband and I couldn't help but laugh. They were full? The bar had maybe 4 people to it and there were a few tables occupied but by no means were they even close to full. Someone stomped off to locate the gentleman who I spoke with and returned with a disgusted look on her face, only to hold up an index finger signaling (i guess) for me to wait for him to grace my husband and I with his presence. We left immediately, the hostess sadly attempted a half ass apology. We went to Lola next door, shared our experience with the very lovely and friendly hostess there and she stated "we hear this a lot". We were seated immediately and enjoyed our dinner immensely. It saddens me that a place that looks to have such potential as Vita, would feel it necessary to operate in such a rude and unprofessional manner. In a city as friendly and laid back as Denver, I do hope they relax and retrain their staff to be more gracious that people are coming in at all.
(1)
A D.

I really love the Highlands area north of downtown. This restaurant is smack in the heart of it. I had a dinner there with a group of friends. Liked the atmosphere: low key, modern, live acoustic music (not too loud). The food was very nice. We had the mussels and sliders for appetizers and I had the sea bass for dinner. They have an option of a half order rather than having to buy the full meal which is perfect with appetizers and drinks. Service was very personable. Prices were medium-high range. I will definitely return.
(5)
William M.

This place is great! The ambiance and decor are very comforting, and it's on the darker side there. We arrived last night before the rain, and were asked to head downstairs off the roof top that has a gorgeous view of for our safety - dang, I love me a good lightning and thunderstorm! Not a big deal, so we get back to our wine. Tuesday is half price wine night, by the way - remember that! We enjoyed two bottles of pinot noir, one from Russian River in California and the other from Oregon - both excellent choices! Plus, you can't beat it at half price. Food, is another story. I actually didn't order any food, but some late joiners to our party did. One was a gnocchi and mushrooms, and tiny as all heck. I heard it was good, though, even though the portion size was meant for a child. The tuna tartar was delicious, and the anti pasto plate was a decent size. Others ordered the shrimp skewers, which was also a good portion size. I heard the food was excellent, as other reviews have said. Next time I'll probably order food as I really liked this place. A nice touch on the evening was the manager asking us if everything was satisfactory for the evening, as we were booted from the roof top. I thought it was nice of him to check on us - that's the kind of thing that sets apart the restaurants that understand hospitality and the one's that do not. Check this place out. You'll like it!
(4)
Kate G.

Vita was one of the first restaurants I tried after moving to Denver. My first two visits were for brunch where I loved their $2 spicy bloody. It's since gone up in price twice to $4 now which is still cheaper than a lot of other places and it does come in a big pint glass. I enjoyed the scrambled eggs with mushrooms, cheese and arugula and thought it was a perfect portion though a little steep at $11+ since extras like potatoes and toast were an additional charge. My next few visits were just for drinks, a few times at the downstairs bar but mostly on the huge upstairs patio with a gorgeous city skyline view. The wide, tall planters with flowers and pretty hanging strings of lights are nice touches. A few nights ago I finally got to try their HH menu. Next time I'll check out the calamari, flatbread and bruschetta because the Kobe beef and pulled chicken sliders were good but not awesome - and there is stiff competition for sliders these days. Both came out a tad dry and maybe undersauced on dry buns but the place was packed so that wasn't a total surprise. I would get two Kobes next time. The skinny french fries were great. 2-for-1 wines are an awesome deal especially since they don't have to be the same two glasses, but I wish their fancy cocktail list was a HH special too, not just well drinks. Delicious looking concoctions. Definitely go early during HH to grab a table.
(3)
Daniel B.

Went to this place for drinks with friends. Don't know about the food. Looked like a yuppie place. It had a nice rooftop patio, but so does everywhere in the Highlands. Little too haughty for my taste.
(3)
Marc B.

Vita is a great restaurant with a great happy hour, ambiance and fabulous patio. In the summer, it's one of the best views of downtown. Their 7-hour pork is phenomenal (I normally avoid pork at all costs). This is a great place to take a date or your grandmother as they have something for everyone. It's especially nice that they have happy hour 7 days a week and 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays. Highly recommended!
(4)
Yvonne C.

As I walked up to the entrance, I saw this scooter with a bumper sticker on the back that said, "I love porn." I knew immediately I would love the establishment and the people. I'm all about al dente pasta, but the feta stuffed ravioli was a little too much for me. If the pasta was cooked just a bit more, the dish would have been perfection! It sits on a bed of lamb sugo and comes with baby broccoli. Amazing! But how can the main dish be bad when it follows the starter dishes we ordered. To start with, my friend and I ordered the mushroom gnocchi (which comes with sauteed mushrooms and manchego cheese) and the green eggs and ham (spinach flan on a potato cake with prosciutto ham). Fantastic. The potato cake was a little hard to cut through but other than that, I can't complain. Who can refuse 2 for 1 glasses of wine or half priced bottles? Definitely get there for happy hour. And it's nice that the waiter's are willing to charge you less for a good glass of wine, just to get you to try it. One warning - the butter is REALLY soft so please be careful if you're a bread dipper rather than a butter spreader. You may end up with a mouthful of salty whipped butter that you can't swallow.
(4)
Holly W.

We went to Vita for the live music but were entertained at the next set of chairs: two young women drinking something tall and fruity and yelling into each other's ears, "You're a sexy bitch!" Two men hovered. Mr. Vest caught one woman's eye, smiled, and bought her another drink. The music was soft, jazz, a touch of India. Some sax, soft drum, gentle guitar, upright bass. I sipped wine, my man martini-ed. It was dark as post sundown; everyone looked pretty, when did white winter coats become trendy? We were ready to share an entree and entered into the before-commitment-conversation with the bartender, where I try to name every ingredient that contains gluten and would make me, a Celiac, terribly sick. The bartender ran to the invisible chef, then jogged back: either the tuna tartar or the scallops would be gluten free. The tuna was magnificent, with baby broccoli nested around. We watched as Mr. Vest wined his girl with another drink. She reciprocated: first a hand on his arm, then his knee, then around his neck. My man was delighted to find bits of sausage in our meal, I was aghast: most sausage has gluten. Since I'd already eaten some, I quickly ate more of my promised gluten-free fantastic meal while he worried how fatal my suffering might be. As we watched Mr. Vest's girl in the white coat take a gunna-vommit stumble to the bathroom, soft music filled in the gaps. I reminded my man that even one speck of gluten would make me whine with stomach pain or bloat... "Bloat everywhere!" he begged, again.
(3)
David S.

For mediocre food in small portions, and average drinks, both at a premium price, look no further than Vita. Not sure how this place became so highly rated. So many better places in Denver.
(2)
Vanessa y.

This place is perfect any night of the week! The ambiance and decor is adorable and had it been just a bit warmer outside we would have dined on the roof where they seem to have a whole floor for eating and drinking! Me and an old friend dinned here for dinner and were quite pleased. We had a bottle of champagne, two appetizers, one salad, and two entrees and the bill was $150 with tip. For appetizers we had shrimp skewers which were not too hard to mess up. We also had crab cakes which had too much mayo so I did not eat very much of them. For an entree I had the short ribs which were cooked perfectly tender and were delicious. I can't even remember what my companion had since mine was so scrumptious! The service was excellent, the bathrooms were clean, and although the crab cakes were not to my liking the overall feel of this place is so cool that it definitely deserved 5 stars and a repeat visit next time I am in town!
(5)
Sam W.

Good place to happy hour. Vita is going to need to step it up now Linger is open. The service was very good this time around. The happy hour is hard to beat, but the dinner prices seem to high. The new valet is needed and welcome and the live music is solid as well. We had a few items off the food menu and they were good not great. We came to Vita for the rooftop, now that the tavern is open and Linger we will have more choices on where to go. It will be interesting if Vita wins that battle.
(3)
Emily A.

We recently held my sister's 30th birthday surprise party at Vita. It could not have gone better. I went to check out the space in advance and the manager spent a good half hour answering all my questions and chatting with me. The owner kept in great e-mail contact and suggested appetizers that he thought would work well for the party. We had the mezzanine space reserved which was perfect for our cocktail party of about 30. It went flawlessly. There was live jazz in the evening and the band interacted with the few toddlers at the party well; letting them shake maracas and dance. Our waiter memorized names and did a great job with drink orders. The food was fabulous, and all the guests were impressed- they even let us bring our own desserts in! I would reccomend Vita for a date night or a party. I can't wait to go back and have a drink on the rooftop patio this Spring!
(5)
Joe R.

I enjoyed Vita. The building was very cool and the rooftop has a great view of downtown with a good jazz band playing the night we were there. The food was very good. We ordered the calamari, 7 hour pork and flatbread for apps. All were very good, especially the pork. The cucumber mojito was excellent. For dinner I had the ham wrapped mahi which was good. I didn't enjoy the sauce that it came with. Almost like a green chili. The sea bass was excellent. What a treat with the sweet potatoes. The only negative was the service. It was slow and unenthusiastic. The excuse was about a big party but they were not there all night. I will definitely go back but hope the service is MUCH better.
(3)
Meghan O.

A yearning for a rooftop on a hot day brought my friend and I to Vita last week. The view, the drinks, the fare, and the atmosphere worked together to make our evening a lovely one. We decided on Vita because we both like trying new restaurants and my friend had heard wonderful things about it. We started with a couple cocktails while we waited to be seated: she had the acai sangria, and I started with the cucumber mojito, which were both delicious. Once at our rooftop table, we ordered a few small plates and a salad to share. First up was the tuna tartare ($13) and the arugula salad ($9). The tartare, served with avacado, shaved carrot, fried wanton strips and the most delicious aioli, was more of a deconstructed version of the classical dish. The tuna was served sashimi style, so the idea would be that you cut the tuna (marinated in a watermelon vinaigrette) your self. I actually loved this dish and the fact that it was served in this deconstructed style. I find that some tartares can become muddled, and the flavor of the fish gets lost in the shuffle - Chef William Lavey focuses on the tuna, and the avocado, carrots and aoili simply escalate the flavor of the already delicious fish. The arugula salad was perfectly fine; the kiwi, orange supremes, almonds, and raspberry mint dressing came together nicely. Next up was the bruschetta ($10) and the crab cakes ($11). As I have written before, I am quite particular about my bruschetta, and Vita's was very good. Like the tartare, it was served in a deconstructed style. The perfectly toasted baguette slices were stacked next to a mixture of diced tomatoes, capers, and basil, which sat atop 4 mozzarella medallions. A quenelle of roasted garlic was placed in the corner of the plate, and aged balsamic was drizzled over the entire dish. I must say I loved this bruschetta - It was simple and delicious. The mozzarella tasted fresh and, as I said, the bread was toasted perfectly. The real stand out in our meal, however, was the crab cakes. The two perfect patties sat atop a bed of watercress and oven roasted tomatoes. The cakes had nice chunks of crab and alfalfa sprouts (an addition that I LOVED), and the Old Bay aoili was a perfect pairing. The crab cakes were by far my favorite item that we ordered. Overall, I LOVE Vita. I cannot wait to go back to try the sliders, the P.E.I muscles, the seven hour pork, or even the fries, which looked fabulous from what I saw. The rooftop has one of the best views (I think) of Denver, and the staff was great. And now that summer has officially kicked in, you can enjoy Sundays on the Terrace. There are specials all day long including: a $5 build your own bloody mary bar, $5 mimosas, $5 small plates, and 2 for 1 wines. There is also a DJ on certain Sunday nights; check out Vita's website for more info.
(4)
Belinda B.

Good scenery and hip feeling location. Service is spotty, but the ambiance usually overcomes this as I never feel like anyone is pushing me out, just usually can't get staff attention as quickly as we'd like during happy hour. When I've been here on during non-HH times, service is good, although they must have a policy not to hover their customers - this is nice when engaged in gossipy or relationship-ish discussions with friends. Good appetizers and nice variety of food items. Really have only tried some of the appetizers and wines in past visits.
(3)
Laurel M.

Like a lot of people who reviewed this restaurant, if I were reviewing the Happy Hour alone, I would give VITA 5 stars. But, restaurants are (usually) not made on Happy hours alone. I frequent VITA for happy hour and have take a LOT of advantage of the BOGO special on wines offered by the glass. But here's the kicker (and a recommendation): ultimately, you're really not getting such a great deal when you're paying 11 clams for 2 glasses of OK wine. Head over to the Cellar Wine Bar 1/2 block away on West 29th and get a 5 or 6 dollar glass of really tasty and thoughtfully selected wine. Yes, VITA does have the rooftop patio of which everyone speaks, but good luck sitting down on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday during the warmer months. So, on to the food. I have been to VITA a handful of times outside of Happy Hour, Sometimes for brunch. Sometimes for lunch and, very rarely, for dinner. First off, there's a reason why VITA is suspiciously empty in the brunch-happy Highlands neighborhood on Saturdays and Sundays. Nothing monumental to write about the brunch. Skip it. Unless you can't get in anywhere else. Second, the lunch. The lunch is decent. The prices, not so much. If you want a salad or a burger, you're gonna shell out at least 10 bucks. If you want to add some sort of protein to the salad, add 6 to 8 more dollars. They offer some burgers and a "wrap of the day", but there are FAR better choices in the area. Lunch = non-monumental. On to Dinner. i went to VITA on a busy night. There "seemed" to be enough staff to handle it. We ordered and let the waiter know that we were in a hurry. We let them know a couple times that we were in a hurry. We were, granted, a party of six. We sat down at 5pm. We did't get served our main dishes until 6:30. I ordered a Tuna Tartare salad. I was excited to try something other than lunch and happy hour food. MAJOR disappointment. What came out was a pathetic plate of 3 thin slices of not very good quality tuna that was atop a bed of thick carrot slices, accompanied by these strange fried wontons. How could something potentially so tasty be made so wrong? I did go to VITA for Restaurant Week which, I know, is not a restaurant's best showing; however, it's pretty much the only time I would pay VITA dinner prices. Just NOT worth the trip. I have to agree with a lot of the comments here about the table service. The servers seem pretty disorganized and generally not super happy to be serving. I do, however, LOVE the bartenders and the rooftop servers. Mostly, I think it's because I'm a SUPER REGULAR (if there is such a thing) and they know me. So, probably the best summary of VITA: Happy Hour worth going to. Sit at the bar. Get to know the servers. Don't bother with the Dinner.
(3)
Lisa P.

I have been here a few times and it always dissapoints. We sat on the rooftop patio here on a Sunday. Our waiter seemed annoyed that he had to come upstairs to us. We asked what the mushrooms were stuffed with- he said stuffing! We ordered ceviche and it was so small for the price, it was also way too tangy and salty too. We also oredered bruschetta and that came wih 3 small pieces of burnt toast. For the price the food is not that great. Good place to drink expensive drinks on a cool patio, but thats about it.
(2)
Matty G.

UPDATE: My girlfriend went there last night with some friends. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but she grumbled about terrible service and said she will never go there again.
(1)
Fred F.

I visted Vita for DRW last Sunday. We had a late reservation and the restaurant was not overly busy, but there were plenty of diners to keep everyone on their toes. The place is typical Denver decor (exposed brick, etc). The server was friendly and knowledgeable. He took our drink orders immediately and answered any questions we had about the wines. I started with a Alexander Valley Chard which was very good and paired well with my crabcake appetizer. The crab cake was passable but lacked seasoning (which seems to be a theme throughout Denver). The crab meat included no lump which was also a dissapointment. I would have preferred one small cake with better ingredients than two cakes. The cakes could have been crusted a little better too. The sauce that accompanied the cakes was delicate and very good. Second course was the salad course. I had the romaine salad. Again, it lacked seasoning (and i'm not talking salt and pepper). It simply lacked taste. They did through some bacon in it which was the only saving grace. The worst part about the second course was how long it took to arrive. We waited over 30 minutes between courses. This wait certainly lead to the downfall of the entree course. We ordered a bottle of Malbec for the entree course and it too was very good. I had the steak and french fries. I ordered it medium. The entree was served in an oversized bowl (another Denver triat: serve everything on oversized dinnerware and call it upscale dining). The steak may have been cooked properly but I wouldn't know. It certainly sat in the window for at least 30 minutes. Also, it was a very small steak set atop a heaping mound of fries. For dessert we shared the dognuts. I liked them but the water and powedered sugar mixture for dipping that accomanied them needs some work. I also tried to order an esspresso but the server said he was embarrased to tell me that they don't have an esspresso machine (he should be). I didn't go into my dinner companions meals. If they feel compelled to right a review they will. Suffice to say, we all agreed, it was a one time adventure.
(2)
shiloh l.

awesome happy hour-try the portabella sliders for 3 measley bucks with better fries than you'd expect. great wine selection, too. we sat inside at the downstairs bar and had a friendly bartender serve us and we had a great view of the city, to boot. we were stuffed and happy for $25... cha-ching! what took us so long to get back to this great happy hour spot? i honestly do not know, but i do know that we will be back soon.
(5)
Dee W.

Very underrated/unappreciated drink menu and great rooftop area. Service is good but not great.
(4)
Nicole G.

Their rooftop patio is cool and when I've gone there for mimosas on Sundays I've had very good service at the bar.
(3)
Tara N.

Vita is just up the street from me, so I've eaten here quite a few times. The food is just "meh." They do have great cocktails though, and the atmosphere is really nice. The rooftop patio is excellent in the warmer months!
(3)
kristin h.

Well, well, well...what a delightful little spot for my ritualistic happy hour! Seriously, what a great spot. I recently moved to Denver and this was my first happy hour (even though I didn't have a job at the time...do you HAVE to have a job to relish in the low priced drinks and apps that grace the happy hour menu of sooo many restaurants?? I mean, really.) Okay - so back to Vita...again...I sat at the bar (remember -- happy hour) and Mo greeted me with a sweet smile and asked me what I would like to drink. "May I see your wine list, please?" Mo replied with a "yes, but may I make any suggestions?" After telling him what I liked, he recommended the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. It was everything I wanted and more. Perfect suggestion. So, the happy hour consists of 2 for 1 wines and 2 for 1 appetizers. Of course I had another glass of s.b. and I ordered the Mushroom Gnocchi!!! IT'S FABULOUS!!!!!! I have never dreamed about food before, well not really, but this dish...oh yeah, I did. The flavor is perfect...I mean, roasted mushrooms, mushroom jus and manchego cheese. How could you go wrong with that. My 2nd pick were the Crab Cakes. Not my fav...and I didn't dream about them later. Soooo...go gnocchi (they're Amy's favorite - another GREAT bartender there). So, I decided to have dinner there...after 3 glasses of wine...I was in no mood to leave. :) My next pick was a caesar. A little background here. I am a caesar salad connoissuer. This is a HUGE part of my meal. Again...LOVED IT! It's fresh, GREAT dressing and a lemon wedge. Woot! I had a delicious pork tenderloin. It was tender and juicy. I just has a thought about tenderloin -- perhaps adding figs to this dish would be an interesting touch...I wonder if the chef (Max) would take suggestions??? My friend ordered the short ribs. They were also tender and full of flavor. We are so excited about our next venture to Vita. The staff is fun and the service fabulous. Oh and did I mention the jazz trio there?? Right behind me at the bar. Great to listen to -- but the company was great too. Kudos to Vita! vitadenver.com
(5)
Jennifer R.

We chose to go to Vita during 5280 Week and celebrate our birthday with friends. We had to park a few blocks away and were a couple minutes late. However, our friends were already seated at our table and the server was ready for our drink order as soon as we sat down. (He also came around when HH was just about done to see if we wanted another HH drink.) Everything that we had was tasty and delicious. The appetizers started out good, the entrees were excellent.....and don't skip the apple cake! I had the pork tenderloin, which I was nervous about because so many places overcook their pork. Glad I went with the pork, as it was the prime rib of pork and perfectly executed. For our birthdays we were offered a free dessert or a round of champagne. Since most of our friends weren't hungry, we got the round of champagne. A nice way to finish dinnner. I was going to pass on dessert, until I read about the chai creme apple cake..... Words cannot explain how good it was. Think I may go back with my girlfriends for happy hour and apple cake!
(4)
Ken Z.

Great news for diners who are sick of waiting in line at the ever-jammed Lola: Now you can do the same thing right next door, at Vita. Open now for just over a month, this new little Italian bistro has all the see-and-be-seen trappings of any new LoHi (Lower Highlands) hotspot. Cue the dark booths in shades of chocolate. Cue the exposed brick, the shimmering candles, but best of all, cue the live music. Yes, every Thursday night this new neighborhood haunt entertains its patrons with a line-up of local jazz talent. Pair that with half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays and $5 Martini Happy Hour every night, and you've got the latest hip little haunt west of Platte Street. If the live music, bargain wine and five-dollar-tinis don't entice you, the cuisine will. We've wined and dined this city and when it comes to the menu here, we've got to hand it to owners Mark Schuwerk and Jay Beckerman of Breckenridge's Blue River Bistro. They've pulled out all the stops and put together a menu of contemporary Italian-American cuisine that is creative, inspired and completely fresh -- just think of it as the anti-Maggianos. Overlooking all the expected Italian fare, head chef Max Mackissock has opted to surprise his guests with a collection of inventive Northern Italian dishes including proscuitto and ahi salads, winter squash lasagna and Hawaiian sea bass. On our visit, we dove straight for the Mushroom Gnocchi and Lobster Meatballs, then moved onto the Twisted Pasta with sausage, calamari and shaved pecorino cheese. For the main event, it was the Hanger Steak garnished with balsamic glazed mushrooms, basil cream spinach and Vita's own Hannah Yam Puree. When you go, make sure to try a few of their signature martinis (there's forty to choose from). Then once you're good and sloshed, all you'll need to to do is cue up a cab home, and it'll be a perfect night out. For more information visit: Contact Vita at 303.477.4600 or visit them online at vitadenver.com . Visit Vita at 1575 Boulder Street
(3)
Joshua F.

This place was great! Rooftop dining with an amazing view of the denver skyline! I had the pork tenderloin with the spaetzle... truly delicious. My wife had the kobe sliders and they were way overcooked... wouldnt recommend those. A friend that came with said the squash lasagna was pretty good too... The view is worth going though for sure!
(4)
Steve B.

GREAT evening at vita!
(5)
Jelena W.

Vita, the hip new mediterranean/Italian bistro in the Lower Highlands neighborhood, seems to finally have gotten its groove. After its opening, a few folks of my acquaintance gave it less than glowing recommendations, but on my recent late lunch visit I saw now problems besides the lack of light inside. It's awful hard to scrutinize a menu with no light. However, you honestly don't need to read the menu very closely to order something tasty at Vita. The waitstaff seems to have been trained to recommend dishes based on a customer's preferences. Both the server and the bartender I spoke with were able to rattle off ingredients and recommendations instantly. It's a little too upscale and hip for my tastes, but the food and drinks were great, and the servers put me at ease.
(4)
Laura B.

We had a great experience here on Friday night. I have been to Vita at least a dozen times, but it has been awhile since I had sat down and had dinner. The menu has changed, and I have to say I love the revision! We brought my BFs parents here...had a drink up to with one of the best views in Denver. We then went to downstairs to our table where there was great live music, but not too loud and we could still enjoy our conversations. We started with the 7 hour pork and med shrimp. Both great! My boyfriend LOVED that 7 hour pork!!! I then had the Ahi, which was cooked perfectly and served with a light feta arugula salad. BF had then pork tenderloin...both were awesome! Our waitress was good, always there when we needed her, but not overbearing. I can't wait to go back to Vita. It used to be in my regular rotation, but have forgotten about it lately..OOPS! Tuesday night is half-price bottles! Woo hoo!
(5)
Stephanie B.

My husband and I held our wedding reception at Vita and it was superb. We were able to reserve the entire restaurant and just had to pay for the food and drinks to meet the minimum. It was refreshing to find a place that didn't require a room rental fee on top of everything else. The staff were organized, professional and ready to do anything we needed. The food was excellent-- many guests commented that the food was better than any they'd ever had at a wedding-- and we were able to work with Mark (the owner) to create a food and drinks menu for our guests that would stay within our budget. I can't sing the praises of Vita enough, especially for a large event. And, gathering on the roof-top patio with all our dearest friends and family to watch the moon rise over Denver was definitely a highlight of the night as well.
(4)
Gary R.

A great little lunch spot with a roof top deck. Excellent staff and good food. The Philly sandwich rocks!
(4)
E L.

Visited for happy hour. Rooftop patio overlooking downtown isn't a bad place to spend a summer evening. $4 well cocktails, but they wouldn't do anything fancy like a marg or mojito. 2 for 1 wines by the glass. We tried many of the $5 apps - the 7 hr pork was pretty good, as were the $3 Kobe sliders. The flatbread and bruschetta were ho hum. (Not bad, just not that good.) Overall, there are many other better places in town for happy hour, but they win lots of points for the rooftop deck.
(2)
Chrystal T.

We went to vita last evening and it was perfect up on the patio, crowded but we stood at the bar until some stool came available. Nick the bartender this evening was excellent! Very chatty and offered us a few tastes of the crazy cocktails they make first up: basil, grapefruit juice and gin, so tasty, you could drink these all night! Second one we tried cilantro, fresh ginger, elderberry vodka, and ginger! all excellent and I hear they have a lovely peach Margarita. Anyhow, if you want a cool place to hang with great views of the city, this is the place. STAFF IS PERFECT!
(5)
Aimee M.

Went here last Friday night for dins. Calamari ap was good-n-crispy. Dirty martini's with blue cheese stuffed olives of course were great too. Our server was knowledgeable and polite but they were slammed so the service was a little slow, but not really anything to complain about on a Friday night at 8 pm. I got the sea bass and..ug it was a tad overcooked. I am the self proclaimed fish Nazi so, if you aren't like me, it probably would have been great. Seabass should go down like butter in my world. This was more of a flake with a tiny bit of chew to it. The boy got the Pork Tenderloin which our server recommended medium and when it came out, it was translucent in the center. I didn't know pork could be served that way (I don't eat pork, so I didn't taste it). The boy said it was delish! If you dig on swine, that's probably the way to go! Oddly enough, my FAVORITE part of the meal was the sides that came with it. I had some kind of sweet potato hash with arugula in it-perfect! And the spaetzle that came with the pork dish was freakin' PHENOMENAL. I'm gonna need the recipe for that delicious pile of deliciousness. Gotta go, I might start to drool now. One last thing: Vita, gotta ditch the flash on your website, hard to navigate and almost made me barf.
(4)
David K.

Just had lunch here and although the view and the setting is good, the food portion was small and the service lacking. I had the Arugula (very small) with chicken on top with no drink and it cost $20 with tip. You're really paying for the atmosphere and I think there are many better places that give you your dollar's worth as well.
(2)
Catie W.

Came to Vita this summer for the rooftop, came back a few weeks ago after hearing rumors of Denver's best Moscow mule. A couple of girlfriends and I sat at the bar and asked our bartender (Drew) for drink suggestions as it was snowing and seemed like more of a whiskey appropriate evening (despite the vodka cocktail hype). He mixed us up some very tasty creations, provided impeccable wine recc's with our food + was incredibly friendly and professional. Food was awesome, service was perfect, we still haven't tried the Mules, but will definitely be back as the scenery behind the bar proved just as enjoyable as the view from the roof ;)
(5)
Allison L.

Awesome rooftop bar with the view of breathtaking Denver Skyline. Great drinks & appetizers... all you need - great friends or companies to hang with!
(5)
Stuart M.

I have to say I live blocks from this restaurant and don't come here enough. This is one of the original gems in LoHi. When I've gone lately there's never a wait and I don't understand it. In fact, we went last night for dinner and there was a total of 16 people in the restaurant. I don't get it because the food is phenomenal. I've never had a bad meal here. Last night we started with the Ten Hour Pork. Mouthgasm #1! Next we split (we weren't super hungry) the Winter Kale salad. Delicious! Then we had the Caramel & Pecan Baked Brie for dessert. Mouthgasm #2!! You cannot go wrong at this restaurant. Absolutely delicious food.
(5)
Dawn M.

I've been to Vita quite a few times, and while the food has always been excellent, the service can be hit or miss. But everything was awesome for Restaurant Week! Four of us went for a friend's birthday on a Thursday. We were seated, and our server came by with a free round of birthday champagne. Um, yum! Can't think of a better way to start a meal. I had the Osso Bucco with blue cheese polenta, which was excellent, though the polenta was a wee bit salty. Great flavor and texture. I had the butternut squash bisque, also really good. I was full before the entree even came out - portion sizes were definitely not reduced for DRW! Friends got the wedge salad, which was great. The bacon on it was wonderful! I got lamb chops, which were great. I don't really care for beans, but the white bean ragout that came with them was good. Some friends got the pork chops, which they both raved about. There wasn't a dessert on the DRW menu, but we were too full to order! Our server brought out some doughnuts for are friend's birthday (ummm - we were happy with champagne, but ok!). We were seated as soon as we arrived (7pm). Our server was attentive and did a great job of answering all our questions. A wonderful experience! The food here has never dissapointed.
(5)
Sandi D.

I LOVE Happy Hour -- and Denver makes me Happy with so many places offering outstanding HH's. Vita is on my list for best wine HH. During HH, drinks, including wine are 2 for 1. In my quest for The Best Wine HH, I'm finding that most restaurants bait and switch; only offering discounts on house (cheap shit) wine. Not Vita. Even their best cab ($16 a glass) was 2 for 1. Yummy !! Had 2 rounds -- yes, a bottle of a nice cab for $32 --- served to me, on a very nice rooftop patio. 3 stars !!! Unfortunately, food is not discounted, nor is there any special HH fare. I need to eat while sipping, so I had the Ahi. Sure it was great tasting, but at those prices,($16 ish) I should have more than a few bites. Should Vita decide to become HH competitive, and offer a discounted dish or 5 ; then I'll stop there vs Lola's
(3)
Kelly T.

Happy Hour on the Deck is great. I never drink white wine but I felt like one, so I told the waiter I had no idea how to order white, just wanted something refreshing...his choice was perfect. Shrimp appy is delicious.
(5)
Taryn F.

I've only been to Vita on a Friday night, but between the live jazz and lure of champagne, it's a fun little side note and different than any of its surrounding neighbors. There is a massive rooftop area that bodes well due to its fabulous views of downtown Denver. I chose calamari and a traditional vodka martini (can it be traditional without Vermouth?). Price was a little high but I enjoyed it while mere inches away from the live jazz. Any unease left very quickly. The only minor black spot was that my partner in Friday-nighting simply wanted a draft beer and there isn't much selection. Nevermind -- he let me enjoy my little treats and we headed out to a nice sleep.
(4)
Jeff G.

This place has the best roof top patio and wine.
(5)
whitney m.

A few friends met up here Saturday at 7 pm...i didnt make a reservation which was a BAD idea. I figured it would be 30 minutes and we could sit at the bar and chat. I was surprised when I was told it would be an hour and a half wait for a table for four! but again my bad on the lack of reservation. we pluinked down at the bar and had some drinks--i had a lovely wine and friends siad drinks were good. This place is billed as a tapas bar IT IS NOT--the appetizers were horrible tuna tartar had no flavor literally just chopped up raw fish and the calamari was alright but had no sauce! The reason i gave it 3 stars is because the entrees were awesome! i had the scallops-perfectly cooked yummy coconut flavor friend had the kobe sliders --looked good although served with chips instead of frites-weird? and th epork which was fabulous. in the end it is a nice atmosphere-great view and entrees were yum. cons -appetizers, long wait and the prom party that was salsa dancing all over the restaurant!
(3)
Andrea W.

Been here once for brunch and once for a light dinner. The food is delicious- tasted great though not necessarily innovative enough to warrant the price. The service was great both times. Four stars for the rooftop alone- I can't wait for it to warm up so I can sip my St Germain cocktail looking out over the gorgeous lights of downtown Denver.
(4)
misha P.

We stopped here while waiting for our table at Lola to open up. After a couple of drinks, we opted to forgo our reservation and try the dishes here. The drinks were great, but I recommend you stick to the small plate selections. The short ribs fell apart as expected, but the kitchen couldn't temp salmon even if they had sous vide. The great bartender and gorgeous view in the mirror of the rooftop bar more than made up for it.
(4)
Michelle R.

The food here is not cheap, but it's pretty amazing. I'm in love with their Pepper Crusted Ahi. The service is also really great. My favorite thing about this place is showing up on a Tuesday night with my favorite ladies and indulging in 1/2 off bottles of wines while we discuss all the men in our lives. The rooftop patio is the best. Why waste your time up in the ball park neighborhood with a bunch of crazy people when you can sit back and take in the view of the entire city? Also, they serve VeeV Acai Spirit. Why don't you want to take in antioxidants as your drink? Yum yum.
(5)
Tina F.

Very tasty, and it definitely deserved to be voted one of the best new restaurants in Denver by 5280. I'm not sure what other nights are like, but I had the prix fixe on New Years Eve, and it was very good. The ravioli (in the second course) and the Kobe beef (in the fourth course) were to die for. I'll have to come back and see how they fare on a regular night.
(4)
Gina M.

We left after appetizers. Bad service, felt like 2nd class citizens since we are young I am assuming. Burnt toast on the appetizer. Will NEVER go back.
(1)
Harvey B.

The tuna was bad, really bad. They were out of the mushroom ravioli and the sea scallops, and we were there on a Saturday night at 7:30! Way overpriced. The waiter was good, he was handcuffed by bad management.
(1)
Caitlin m.

We just moved here from Seattle, and went there last night for our 4 year anniversary dinner. We were skeptical only because in the past when we've gone to pricier restaurants, we haven't been treated well, cause we're younger, and the food has not been very good for the price, or there has been relatively little on the plate. We started with some drinks, I the Mojito, it was delicious, and got the calamari as an appetizer, I liked the tossed in bell peppers and cauliflower, nice touch. For entrees I got the prosciutto wrapped chicken and he got the tenderloin I think; both excellent. Their mashed potatoes are to die for! Dessert we had the beignets with the chocolate coffee dipping sauce, and didn't think those were fantastic, but overall it was great. Leisurely, but not too slow, great service! I was completely satisfied when we left!
(4)
M B.

Went to Vita for the first time last night. We had the best server I've ever had at any restaurant anywhere! Melissa was superb. She guided us un-hip, 30 something, new to the fancy drink scene people to a delicious gin rickey and wonderful mojito. She was attentive without hovering and timed our salads and 4 small plates perfectly. On top of all of that, she took time to discuss the 2 glasses of pinot we had ordered because they came from different regions. Then she found out we were taking a trip to Sonoma and came back with a list of places she recommended we visit while there. She was wonderful! In addition, our mussels, bruschetta, tuna, and scallops were delicious small plates. The atmosphere was perfect with not too loud music playing, an unpretentious attitude, and later a live band playing music at a volume that was not overwhelming. We had a great time and I'm giving Vita 5 stars because of our wonderful server Melissa!
(5)
Katy S.

We had some time during our last day in Denver, so we figured we might as well have one last blow out meal and do a good brunch. As we had a party of 7, I wanted to make sure we would be able to get in so I headed to open table. I was happy to find that Vita had a reservation available. When we arrived we were given the option of dining inside or on the outdoor rooftop patio. It was a hot day so we opted for inside, but I bet the patio is really nice during the fall or spring! After being seated we saw that there were $5 mimosa carafes and quickly ordered those. These each had about 4 mimosas in them so it was a great deal! As for the food - the table ordered a combination of breakfast and lunch items but no one was disappointed. The most popular item within our group was the monte cristo french toast. Although VERY unhealthy, it was really delicious! Our waiter and the manager both checked on us several times throughout the meal. We left fat and happy. Highly recommended for brunch! Great value, food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)
Jenna N.

Meh... I've been to Vita for brunch multiple times on days my friends and I didn't feel like waiting forever for some place in higher demand. The brunch scene is very dead- totally empty inside and on the rooftop patio. Like a ghost town. At first, I wondered if the place was even open. We were surprised that a place in the Highlands would be so totally empty but we soon figured out why. The service is clunky at best. The lone waiter (waiting on just one or two tables) came by so infrequently that it was really hard to ask for anything- a coffee refill, a take out box, etc. Once we had waited so long (15+ minutes) for a takeout box that we simply called the front desk from a cellphone so the hostess could bring one up. We felt rude doing that, but had no other option as the waiter was clearly not ever coming back. The waiter also really struggled to split checks. It was a confusing mess, and I almost offered to cover the whole tab just to end our awkward conversation with him about it. Any requests for substitutions to the menu (i.e. please leave the gravy off the chicken & waffles) were met with confused looks and long sighs by the staff. FYI the Red Bird Farms Chicken dish does not mention anywhere in its description that it includes bread of any kind, so a gluten free friend ordered it to be surprised it was in fact a chicken sandwich. The two redeeming qualities are certain food dishes and the drink specials at brunch! Generous carafes of mimosas are just $5, and Bloody Marys are also inexpensive. The Monte Cristo French Toast is DECADENT and delicious. You will be able to take half home for dinner. I would recommend visiting Vita for brunch if: 1.) You want to eat in the Highlands without a wait (just might be the ONLY place for that...) 2.) You want to eat pretty good food and drink cheap mimosas 3.) You are willing to make the best out of some pretty bad service (it provided us with a few laughs)
(2)
Dustin S.

I made a reservation for 5:00 on a Friday and the place was dead which should have been a clue that nobody was coming in. Linger and other places in the neighborhood were packed. My wife has food allergies and they even said they had a gluten free menu. Server was clueless about the menu and said they had nothing to offer us. Then he said he would check with the kitchen. Did not even offer to send the chef out when the place was DEAD. Finally was offered fish and a salad. My wife said the fish was not fresh and the steak was tougher than shoe leather. I guess the kitchen and manager was too busy chatting or serving beer to talk to customers about their food. I've been treated better at Chilis than this place. A waste of over 100 here left me very disappointed considering the location of this place amongst much competition in the Highlands. The owner and chef need to seriously figure out what is going on here or this place will be out of business in a few months considering the rent in Highlands. Chef Irvine on Restaurant Impossible would have a field day in this place.
(2)
Leanna C.

After reading several of these reviews I'm truly shocked by the low ratings here. We went late on a Monday and decided to sit outside on the rooftop patio, not much of a view but a great patio. Our waiter was friendly and explained the menu well. Monday's they do all night happy hour, $5 doubles and buy one get one appetizers. We ordered the quinoa salad, the wedge salad, the pork chop, the flat iron steak, 2 drinks, and a bottle of wine. The quinoa salad was truly amazing, it was extremely large for the price and the perfect amount of dressing. The wedge salad was delicious as well, nothing special, just your standard wedge salad. The flatiron steak was cooked perfectly and the broccolini that accompanied it was really flavorful. The only thing about this dish I really didn't care for was the potato cake situation on the side. If you're going to order an entree without a doubt order the pork chop!! Easily the best pork chop I've ever had. The chop is juicy and delicious and the spatzel underneath is sweet and heavenly. As the night wore on it got a little chilly and the waiter turned on the heaters, we didn't want to leave it was so nice. Not only was our waiter attentive but at the end of the night he brought us a chocolate alcoholic beverage for dessert, which we did not order. The dessert drink he made us was absolutely delicious!! I think this is a must try spot for anyone in Denver, the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. Definitely give this place a try!!
(5)
A.J. S.

I order from Vita through my delivery service. Their menu has many delicious options. I'm a "texture" person and their tomato soup has crunchy little pieces of something in it which tops it off perfectly and can literally be eaten cold like gazpacho. The Spinach salad is always fresh, crisp and assembled beautifully. I usually order grilled chicken for protein and its charred which is my favorite way to eat it. All around deliciousness!
(4)
Adi G.

I came here the other night, and it was almost completely empty. The dining area is fine, but the rooftop deck is really nice! I definitely would've sat there if the weather had been nicer. The food is just okay. I had the "forbidden black rice bowl", which I had really been looking forward to. It came with kind of a weird variety of vegetables: asparagus, onions, red peppers, and mushrooms. I would've expected cucumbers and carrots or something to that effect. Overall, it was a fine meal, but I wouldn't necessarily hurry back.
(3)
Brittany S.

The price could be better for what it was
(3)
Hanh P.

Rooftop bar is pretty cool, view isn't great but good ambience. Baked brie is amazing! Happy hour: great buy one get one appetizers, good drink deals. Don't think I would pay $13 for 5 wings if it wasn't on happy hour. Mussels pretty good but skimpy for the price you pay. Not sure if they cut the size down for happy hour. Prices on the apps are all over $10. Not sure I would come back outside of happy hour. Price seemed high for what you get.
(3)
Saul M.

Waiter doesn't know what kind of beer they have. Nor does he care to find out. "Do you have an IPA on tap." "Yes." Pause "What kind?" "Oh, I think it's Goose Island." The waiter rolled his eyes and seemed incredibly put out by our asking for bizarre things like French Toast without bacon, eggs and cheese on top. Or toast. Seriously, he made a face and sighed when I asked for toast. At brunch. Food took forever to get and several things were missing. Bruschetta was made with a very strong Goat cheese. It tasted rancid. Two of our party got chicken and biscuits. They were happy. Our daughter got a slice of plain French Toast that we practically had to beg for. She liked it. Two of us got sides of eggs and potatoes because we couldn't find anything on the limited menu. Our "over easy" eggs were cooked solid. The potatoes were forgotten. They came out 10 minutes later. Tiny bowls that were not even half full of cold potatoes with NO seasoning at all for four bucks. When everyone at the table was done eating, our toast came. We were looking for hidden cameras. The whole thing was like a bad joke. I left before the check came. I only added the second star because I was told that our drinks were comped. This was the only indication that anyone knew or cared that there were problems. There were no apologies or explanations given. Summary: Tiny portions of gussied up diner fare served slowly by staff that couldn't care less. We won't be back.
(2)
Robert H.

Oh soOO GOOD!! Most wonderful waiter. Dishes were classy and well presented. Reasonably priced wine list. Each bite glorious!
(4)
Allyson K.

Went to Vita for a birthday party and what a cute place! I was bummed to see that their rooftop patio had a view blocked by the apartment building across the street (I'm sure other's complain about that as well) but outside of that, I was impressed! The drinks were delicious and service was great at the bar! The party had appetizers which were fantastic (think fried brie balls, meats and cheese, egg rolls, etc.). Though I didn't get a chance to actually sit down and have dinner, I wouldn't be surprised if we come back to try it out! Updated review to come!
(4)
Zuzana B.

You are paying for location here. The menu is less than impressive but if you are looking for a nice dessert dish, try the peanut butter mousse parfait. That will definitely leave you wanting more.
(3)
Adam D.

Good food and happy hour. Nice deck good scene! I ordered the Penne Roberto and was told four times how spicy the dish was! Lol I am not hardcore about heat but like a medium spice, glad to say the dish was not intolerable at all and quite good actually. Maybe the cook took it easy on me, maybe the wait staff gets tired of wimpy bitchy customers. I agree the menu is pricy, but decent happy hour 2-for-1 drinks, burgers, wraps, salads make a budgeted casual dinner possible too. I'll come back but 50% of the reason is the neighborhood and ambience.
(4)
Lily S.

Vita was the first stop we made as part of the Denver Gourmet Food Tour of the Highlands. Since we only had appetizers here, my 3.5 star rating doesn't cover their main offerings. They touted their pork belly and I gotta admit that is one 5-star dish! The pork is so tender, juicy, and tasty; no wonder, as lots of mustard seeds, sauteed apples and some pitted cherries were used to boost the flavor. It was the first time I've ever had whole-grain mustard and I instantly fell in love. The other things we sample were just OK, including Fried Calamari (TOO MUCH black pepper), Fried Brie served with crackers and fruit (I would prefer it baked), Some beans and chorizo dish served with pita (which I did not deem to be a fine enough dish for an upscale restaurant like Vita) and a Deconstructed Caprese sandwich plate that was surprisingly refreshing. We were shown the rooftop and it looked like it'd be a fun place for parties and receptions, if not for the ongoing constructions at the surrounding buildings. What a mood killer! If I ever visit again, it'd be for the pork belly, mmmm!
(3)
Samantha E.

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and I wanted Mexican food. My husband kindly was up for taking me to Lola. Lola had an hour wait when we called to get on the list, but it was up to an hour and a half when we got there, and I didn't want chips and salsa and ceviche quite that badly. Vita was next door, and had a 20% off groupon to boot, so we quickly changed plans. The restaurant was almost completely empty, and I'm really not sure why. Our server was most definitely a Highlands hipster, but that's not a bad thing, and he had helpful recommendations. My husband's mojito was excellent, and the tequila cocktail satisfied by margarita craving quite nicely. I ordered the small plate steak and frites. The waiter warned me it was really small-- about 4 oz-- which was nice of him, but it ended up being perfectly portioned. The steak was exactly medium, the dipping sauces I picked (spicy Thai and roasted garlic) were great, and the fries were crispy and delicious with an addictive aioili. My husband had the New York strip which looked great as well. He said it was one of the best steaks he's had in town, actually. Valet parking is free, and it looked like they had a pretty excellent happy hour. It would be a splurge to come back and pay full price, but I'd definitely make another groupon-sponsored visit or trip for just drinks or happy hour.
(4)
Paul C.

Came on a Sunday afternoon and our party was perplexed. We were given two different versions of the menu and a confusing explanation of a 2-for-1 appetizer and drink offer in effect at different time between 2 & 4 PM and after 4 PM. One menu seemed to be a brunch menu and the other the regular menu each with appetizers and drinks. If I understood the server, a meal could be ordered off the brunch menu and appetizers and drinks could be ordered off either menu between 2&4 PM. We ended up getting duck comfit chilaquiles and a brie with pickled apples. The presentations of our food, as well as the food going by were excellent, however, the flavors didn't measure up to the plates. The duck comfit chilaquiles will quickly lose their temperature, but a flavorful spice will keep you munching as they get cold, but that flavor was lacking. The brie was also presented excellently, but the reception at our table was 50/50 with two of us liking it and two not liking it. That was more a matter of preferred taste then a problem with the dish. If the appetizers had been GREAT, we would have ordered brunch, but they weren't so we didn't. The rooftop patio lacks a view and ambience and it's unnerving to see the one server making multiple trips up and down the steep stairs to bring the food up. I can imagine what this looks like on a hot summer day. Perhaps an appetizer table for a flat fee would work better and make customers more comfortable to eat and drink. Also the decor on the main level bothered me. There were a number of drip paintings that may have looked avant-garde in the 50's but now looked like an art fair at the Holiday Inn. It's hard to do new, green, gourmet, craft beer, etc., etc. in one venue. Think if they picked a lane and stuck to it they may be able to get somewhere. The place has a lot of potential and I would like to see them be able to maximize it.
(2)
Jonathan T.

Service sucks. Had to ask for wine refills multiple times. No Bueno. Bar tenders were unaware. Very sad for a good venue. Google me. I'm a happy hour person and won't ever come back without a purpose.
(1)
Rich S.

Nice diverse menu in a casual environment. Fresh ingrediants! Vita is part of the same Olinger complex it shares with Linger and a few other shops. We tried all of the slider varieties (4) as and appetizer, and the tomato basil soup was fresh and earthy. Penne pasta with fresh chicken and a nice organic sauce. I'll be back!
(4)
Stephanie N.

With the price point of Vita and the location of the restaurant, you would think a bartender there would know how to make a proper Manhattan. Ordered a Manhattan off of the cocktail menu. The bartender couldn't find an ingredient, so decided to "improvise" instead of taking the time to actually find the cherry liqueur. How do you improvise though? Went on to make it with Cointreau instead of the said cherry liqueur. How about vermouth? Shakes it instead of stirring leaving large pieces of ice in the martini glass. Garnished with a giant piece of lemon. Cherry would have been cool. This may be nit picky, but honestly kind of ridiculous when I could have gone to Chilis for a better drink. It's a basic cocktail that any knowledgable bartender should know. Linger it is next time.
(2)
Eric P.

I don't even know where to start. I'm not a picky customer, but this is the absolute worst dining experience I've ever had, and I've been dining on things for thirty years. We showed up on a reservation for 10 at 12:30p.m., and planned on being in and out before the Garth Brooks concert at 3. It took 20 minutes to get our first round of bloodies after we ordered them. We had been there for an hour before or waiter took our food orders. 3 orders showed up 30 minutes after ordering. The rest took 45 minutes. The waiter had no idea who ordered what, and mixed up all of our plates. We were so hungry at this point, we didn't care. We ate what was put in front of us. Each plate had 4 french fries. The waiter apologized for the lack of fries, and promised to bring us up a basket full of them. Never happened. Sandwiches were cold, and the cheese on our burgers looked like it had been sitting on a warm counter-top for three days. It was crispy and discolored. Regardless, we wolfed down our food, and begged for the check, as we were getting dangerously close to missing the beginning of the show. At no point did we get any sort of apology from anyone on the staff. It seemed to me that this was standard operating procedure for this restaurant. They suck, they know it, they don't care. With all the competition in the Highlands, I don't understand how this place stays open. If I'd gone to a Jiffy Lube and ordered a cheeseburger, I would have gotten better service than I did at Vita. I do however, feel bad for the buss girl, who took the brunt of our frustration. In our defense, she had the nerve to ask how our experience was. She won't make that mistake again. Or maybe she will, as I'm sure we're not the only customers to have a bad experience here. Rest assured, it is the last experience we will have at Vita.
(1)
Rachel J.

This place was great! It's located off a one way street so you will either have to go around the block, there is parking lot across from it for $5, or park down the street. There is a lot of free 2 hour parking around that area. I wish I could have sat up on the roof because it looked so nice up there with the lights and the view,but it was too windy that day. I heard they have heat lamps though for cold days that don't have wind. We got there during happy hour (yes happy hour on a Saturday!) I thought my eyes had deceived me. The happy hour was buy one get one free. Also they have moscow mules that are served in a copper mug. Let me stress the importance of the copper mug for these drink, finally someone that understands my life struggles. I ended up getting the cubano which was really good. Only suggestion would be to either toast the bread or get a different kind beside just a sub sandwich bread. The salad dress was really good too whatever that was. I will be back and get the gyro! Also I had to give my Dad an education on pronouncing gyro so thanks for the grammar lesson and the great food!
(5)
Anisa R.

The ambiance and service makes this place nice. The food is mediocre. Caramel pecan Brie came with too few crackers and wilted grapes. Pork chop sat atop mac and cheese style pasta and spinach? More like kale. Chop was overdone and the sweet sauce was good but did not mix well with the pasta/spinach. Flatiron steak was cooked nicely. Potato cakes were a little dry. Waiter was very pleasant and rooftop patio is comfortable.
(3)
Natalia K.

I expected a lot more from Vita just from looking at their menu. At the end of the night, the best thing I'd had was probably the House Made Mozzarella (essentially a bruschetta) -- and I'm a carnivore that loves meat above all else -- so that should say something. The pork belly appetizer was good, but not great (and I rarely say that about anything pork-belly-based). The pork belly itself was goof, but I don't think the pairings were quite right. The apple & white onion chutney didn't have a whole lot of flavor or seem to add to the pork belly. The Short Ribs, which I was really excited for, were a huge disappointment. It should have been called the "Brown Rice With a Side of 2 Tiny Pieces of Short Rib -- All Overpowered by the Horseradish Gravy" (and I'm Russian and can eat horseradish for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- so that's saying something). My friend's New York Strip was good, but for $32, there's a LOT better steaks you can get in this town (Capital Grill, Ocean Prime, etc). So like I said, the $11 Mozzarella appetizer was my favorite thing there. Hardly something to come back for.
(3)
jacob s.

Â¡HORRIBLE SUNDAY BRUNCH! "Well if you would have called a reservation for a large party, we would have staffed the restaurant to meet your needs" is what the nerve racked waitress just explained to me. We're a party of 17 that showed up right at 10 when the restaurant was opened and the only ones here mind you. It took an hour and a half to get food... The first plate, a "Grits and Shrimp" ordered with "poached eggs" arrived pasty looking with two over poached (more like hard boiled) eggs at that hour and a half mark. If you include not being given creamer for coffee or glasses for water, I easily can say that this experience sucked BIG TIME! We've been here now for close to two and a half hours, waiting now for the waitress to get around to getting us our check. STAY AWAY for Sunday brunch!!!!
(1)
Shenan P.

Been here twice now and it has definitely improved after my second visit. All 4 of our dishes were overly salty the first time, but much better the next. The flank steak is delicious and cooked perfectly. Good food in a nice location.
(4)
Jelle L.

Somehow amazing that this block is so busy and full of restaurants but being there yesterday this place was empty - everything around was quite packed! 1 beer on tap but lots of wines had kale salad, pork chop, spaetzle and cheese cake with a merlot and pinot grigio - overall tasted great, solid for my taste buds
(4)
Alissa R.

Okay, so I have to raise my original rating, as Vita has redeemed itself on the Happy Hour menu alone. The hh times are Monday-Friday 3:00 - 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 2:00pm - 6:30pm. Here is what is offered 2-For-1 Appetizers, 2-For-1 Wines by the Glass (26 Different Choices!), $3 Drafts of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, here is the real kicker for me-$5 Well Cocktails (Served double tall in a pint glass!), and $2.50 Bud and Bud Light Bottles. This along with their nice rooftop patio makes for a happy time, indeed. The drinks did a great job on getting me buzzed and the Snake River Pork Belly deliciously hit the right spot. I will return for Happy Hour to most definitely leave a bit more happy.
(3)
Stephanie R.

I came here about 1 1/2 months ago and had a terrible experience as noted from my previous post. I came back here with 5 other people to give it another try and it couldn't have possibly been any worse. This might, in fact be the worst dinner experience I've ever had. We went to the rooftop deck and sat at a nice table. Matt, was our server and was so sweet. We all put in our order and that's where problems started. Emma asked for a salad with no onions. She had onions on her salad. They took it, removed the onions (not making her a new one) and gave it back. There were onions on the bottom of the plate. I ordered a risotto. I did not order a black hair, which looked like a chest or arm pube. Aliece ordered a salad that also had some type of dog hair or pube in it. My risotto came out first and the salads came out last. How does this make sense? It takes 2 seconds to throw kale, carrots and nut together. Risotto, much longer. Now were 40 min or so into service. Matt was super sweet and offered us a free round of drinks but because some of us had pubes in our food he also told us we would get our entrees for free. We got our check and he said his manager wouldn't allow us the free entrees because they still re-made them. The manager never came up and show his/her face or to apologize. We were such a nice and understanding group and Matt was really a pleasant guy and felt so bad. I'm just not sure how many bad things can happen to one table in an evening. This night warranted a visit from the manager for sure. Disgusted and will never return.
(1)
Gretchen G.

Vita isn't as hopping as it once was; stupid big building went up in front of it and blocked what was the best view in Denver. Maybe no one noticed that they 2 for 1 happy hours are awesome and that the food is still good. I've been for lunch but really its the happy hour that gets me. Happy hour everyday, 2 for 1 appetizers and drink specials. Try the baked brie. They have a patio and a front porch. There is valet parking (if you've tried parking in that neighborhood, you'll appreciate it).
(4)
B I.

Really bummed. We went out with another couple for resturaunt week. The appetizers were great, the mussels and nachos had alot of flavor and depth. My husband had the calamari, he really liked it (I think all calamari tastes like rubber, so I'm not a good judge). The salads were good but it's hard to mess up a salad. The entrees fell short however. I ordered the filet and my husband ordered the flat iron. He ordered his medium rare and I ordered mine medium, both came out well done. We sent them back and I was told they were out of filet, so I substituted the risotto. Butternut squash with shrimp risotto although all I could taste was rice and cream. It was really one dimensional and pretty unimpressive. They brought the flat iron back more rare, raw then medium rare, but he ate it ( the edges at least) . Overall not a great expierence we won't be back.
(2)
Amy D.

We met up with a couple that moved to Denver from Austin and they suggested we meet at Vita. We had reservations and thought we would be seated rooftop but were seated downstairs. The plus was the live music indoors made for a great atmosphere. They have an extensive wine list and I easily found a couple I liked to accompany both the appetizer and dinner. We shared the pork belly appetizer which was tender and not too rich or greasy. For dinner I had the small plate size of blackened sea bass. The sea bass was served with sweet potato and crawfish hash, grilled onion and dill cream sauce. The flavors completely complimented each other and the slightly sweet sea bass melted in your mouth. The sea bass dish was easily one of the best dishes I had while in Denver. The small plate was not your tapa style small plate easily satisfied my appetite. I also tried a bite of the pork tenderloin served with confit potatoes, spinach, roasted red peppers, shallots with a port wine glaze. This was also an exceptional dish. Everything was perfect from the service, food and atmosphere.
(5)
Lu T.

I met a few friends for drinks and it was happy hour at 6PM! Some of the wine and beer on tap were for a great price and the options of wine are decent. The food is OK. We shared a few appetizers. The service was fine - there were some between seeing out server despite it being a slower night. Also due to the delay, our last order of drinks missed happy hour which was a little disappointing but it happens. We ordered more anyway. This food was OK, and the price for the drinks were quite reasonable for Denver. I would come back again for happy hour (they offer 2 for 1 drinks) but I'm not sure I'd come back for the food. Also, parking on that street is all street parking so be prepared to park where you can and walk in. This is handy news for those not wearing comfortable shoes after a work day.
(3)
Courtney S.

We went here on a whim and loved it. The Black and Blue burger was fabulous and the 'sweet and salty' fries were an interesting change up. Darrel the server was really friendly and got everything perfect. There was no pressure to leave or order more.
(5)
Greg P.

We had a great experience and a great vibe when we walked in the door. Fun happy hour with great deals.
(4)
Bob S.

Very good experience. Everyone in our 10 person party was satisfied with their brunch selection. Service was as good as the food. Why isn't this place busier at brunch time?
(5)
Jennifer B.

Four Stars for the HH only. This place is located in the heart of the Highlands and has a beautiful seat yourself roof top patio, first come first serve. I feel sad that they have lost their amazing view of downtown Denver due to an apartment building but with that said their patio is still quite lovely. A group of us were looking for a good HH one sunny Saturday afternoon and decided upon Vita as a good option. We were able to poach a table on the patio as we saw a table getting up and were the crazy people hoovering to make sure we got the table. Needless to say we got the table and were overjoyed with the surroundings. This HH is outstanding. Here's a breakdown: Monday-Friday 3:00-6:30 Saturday and Sunday 2:00-6:30 2 for 1 appetizers 2 for 1 wine by the glass (26 choices) $3 drafts $5 double well drinks (Skyy is the well vodka here - bonus) $2.50 Bud and Bud light bottles Don't bother eating, the food is on the pricier side in my opinion and will not add anything to your evening. Come and get your drink on and enjoy the patio. It's completely worthwhile.
(4)
Crys A.

Vita was an epic disappointment. It is quite simply just wayyyyy overpriced for what is essentially very little food. I ordered the ribeye entree for $29 and was shocked when I was presented *not* with a ribeye steak, but rather three small cuts of meat and some potato cakes. The meat didn't even seem like ribeye but rather another cut entirely. What's worse is all three measly pieces of steak were beyond bland. First, gyp me out of the steak I ordered and second don't even season it? Frustratingly, the doughnut dessert I ordered was also as miniscule as the steak: five small marble sized doughnuts with very little sauce to accompany them. Dry, flavorless, and too expensive for what you get. The only saving grace that night was our great waiter, Coleman. He was attentive and nice, which somewhat goes against the scores of other Yelp reviews citing alarmingly bad service at this restaurant. Still, even Coleman wasn't enough to make me give this place more than one star. This place has historically been incredibly over-hyped. Appropriately, however, enough Yelp reviews are stacking up to lower Vita's rating measurably -- though three stars (which it has at present) is two too many. Stay away from this place. Go to Lola and Linger instead.
(1)
Elizabeth K.

Went here today for late lunch and were some of the only people there! We thought it was closed! We all ordered sandwiches, option of salad, chips or French fries. Good prompt service. Nice decor and atmosphere. The food was good but nothing to boast about. Would go back if I was in the area but wouldn't make a trek to get there.
(3)
Joanna L.

I've been here a few times in the past for happy hour and have always had a nice time on the patio. I went to a party for a friend recently and they did a really great job with a group of about 14 people. Our waiter was very pleasant, got everyone's order right, and had no problem splitting up the checks. I was surprised that the restaurant seemed virtually empty compared to usual. Not sure what was going on there, and maybe that's why our waiter was awesome--he didn't have much to do. My food was wonderful, I had the kale salad and red pepper soup and they were both delish. The mozzarella appetizer looked great too. I think I'm going to have to try it next time I am there.
(4)
Kyle S.

Excellent Service, Excellent Food and Reasonably Priced. We arrived right before the end of happy hour so we received 2 for 1 drinks and 2 for 1 appetizers. Service was very prompt and attentive, water glasses were Never empty. The Caramel & Pecan Baked Brie was way better then expected as was the Hummus & Charmoula. The kid filling up our water recommended the Grilled Pork Tenderloin and the Flat Iron Steak. Everything was perfect. I like a medium rare steak and there are very few restaurants that cook a true medium rare (Elways, Capitol Grill etc . . ) (most tend to over cook) this place hit the nail right on the head. What was really nice is I am a big eater and my wife very seldom finishes her plate. they have both Entree size and small plate sizes. 4 happy diners. We will be back for happy hour as you can fill up just on the appetizers alone. I am not sure what they could have done to make the service better.
(5)
Chase L.

Food has changed a tremendous amount since the last time I ate here. In a great way. Happy hour is great and a very manageable price for the high quality of the food. Seriously recommend the patio during happy hour or dinner as well.
(5)
Shane A.

I've been meaning to write a review for this place, but just now getting around to it. I live in this neighborhood, so many amazing restaurants.......then there is Vita. Worst service, waitress came and went as she saw fit. Drinks were so overpriced and weak. And the food was terrible. I ordered some kind of fried chicken dish and all i tasted was a fist-full of salt. Patio on sunny summer days used to be enough to get me here for drinks at least, but now with the new structures going up in the neighborhood blocking the view of Denver, i give this place another 6-12 months. They need to turn it around, or they will die in this neighborhood. Too many other (better) options.
(1)
G D.

Went to Vita for lunch with a friend -- he'd been here before and liked the place so I was expecting a good experience. First red flag, the hostess handed me a menu that was filthy. I tipped it in the light and saw literally dozens of dirty fingerprint marks all over it. From then on I was wary -- but my water glass and silverware looked clean. I had the portobello mushroom slider -- underseasoned -- and I was underwhelmed. But as I was eating discovered A HAIR IN THE SLIDER... in my mouth. GAG. I spit it out. Didn't mention it to my friend who fortunately was looking elsewhere, lol, and thought rather than ruin the afternoon for my friend I'd Yelp about my experience. Dirty menus. Okay service. Blah food. Hairs in your dish for free. Won't be going back. (Even writing about it makes me gag.)
(1)
Leah O.

OOoooook, so the food the first time around should have prepared me for my second Vita visit. Not so. I'm sorry to say that I tried three different happy hour small plates, and all of them were awful. The bruschetta, the flatbread, and the mushroom sliders all had a distinctly wretched flavor. Like, maybe something happened. Like, maybe Lysol spilled into the dish? This restaurant seems to rely completely on its location and patio to attract guests, and then falls flat on its face when it comes to the execution of its food. The one high point: its virgin mojitos are quite nice.
(1)
Truman B.

This is a review for Vita's happy hour only. I have never eaten there when it wasn't happy hour. Obviously the crappy part about Vita is that someone decided to destroy Vita's sweet view of Downtown Denver by building an ugly apartment complex right in the way. On to things they can control: The happy hour is really good. They've changed it a bit. Now it's 2 for 1 appetizers and drinks but you can mix and match to get different things. Why do I give it 5 stars? The food and drinks are great and the price is solid. Simply put the baked brie on the happy hour menu is insane! It's quite large and incredibly tasty. It comes with two kinds of crackers, apple slices, pear slices, and (randomly) grapes. Mine was warmed to perfection. My wife and I also got the Mussels (solid but nothing special), the sliders which were good and pretty large, and calamari which was good. We couldn't finish everything there was so much food. Including two glasses of wine the bill came to less than $40. After a long week, $20 per person at Vita for Friday happy hour is the best/cheapest therapy around.
(5)
Sarah W.

We went to Vita last night for restaurant week. The night started on a slightly sour note (they were running behind so our 7:30 reservation ended up with an 8:00 seating) but the rest of the night was pretty great. Our server was very knowledgeable and had recommendations on hand, but didn't push menu items. Our table ordered several different options of the 5280 menu, the hits were the salmon tartar, the soup, the kale salad, the salmon and the mahi mahi. This place does it's fish well. My fiance and another friend ordered the steak and frites, I would say that was the only mediocre dish of the night, the ratio of steak to frites was disappointing. Over all a positive experience. I somehow always forget about Vita, but I will try to make it back sometime soon!
(4)
julie n.

Rooftop happy hour with some friends. They have happy hour on the weekends from 3-7 (I think). The waiter forgot my gf's drink and I overheard another table ask him if he was having a rough day. ha. We had some sliders, fries, calamari, antipasto plate, and everything was ok. $5 Appetizers $3 Sliders 2-For-1 Wines by the Glass $5 well drinks
(3)
Lauren M.

I went to Vita on Christmas Eve with a friend. We enjoyed the spinach salad (me), the kale salad (him), the seafood fettucine (me) and the pork tenderloin (him), plus a bottle of wine. The wine was half off that night, and always is for bottles on Tuesdays. That was great, but our server said he knew nothing about wine and we had to wait for the manager instead. Sort of odd, but okay. The food itself was excellent and the timing was also well-managed. Waters were refilled promptly. Overall, my experience here was satisfactory if not mind-blowing. I'd go back in the summer, maybe, to check out their rooftop patio.
(3)
Ashley B.

2012 Review #86: We came here for happy hour a week ago, and those people who have mentioned how hyped this place is are right, in my opinion. I hadn't heard that much about Vita but I knew about it and when we thought we needed a new happy hour, we checked it out. The happy hour is OK in my opinion, but not much better than that. The cheapest beer on happy hour is $3, which for beer, is not that cheap for an arguable micro-brew. That's also their only beer offering. Wines are 2-for-1, which is nice but you cannot split the 2 glasses across 2 people, which to me, defeats the purpose of 2-for-1. Anyway, the food options are about $3 for sliders, $5-7 for "plates" like pulled pork, bruchetta, etc. The pork on the plate is exactly the same as the pork on the slider, so that seems redundant to me. I ordered the portabello slider, my husband got the pork plate, and we got a side of fries. Our server was sort of a Bro, who came to our table a little late, was a little out of it, and was a little slow. He also favored other tables over ours. He brought out bread, which was beyond unremarkable. No way they make it there. Dry, chewy, bland, blech. It came with butter, which clearly does not sit at room temperature and had just come from the fridge because it was rock hard. It also wasn't salted. When our food arrived, my slider was definitely solid, but the bun is obviously not housemade. I liked the portabello flavor, and the pesto, but the bun wasn't worth eating. My husband's pork was good but didn't blow me away. We also had fries, which were good but they were covered in a strong herb mixture. Also, serving fries with aioli is basically serving them with mayonnaise, and that's a bit too rich for me. Our server kind of disappeared after this, didn't really ask how food was or if we needed anything, etc. My other issue with this place is that it's just not well-constructed. Seriously, look around next time. The trim around our table had exposed wood and screws that hadn't even been painted over. The area with an expandable screen, to help split the room in half, had been finished with a nail gun and they didn't bother to cover up those nails either. The flooring was so worn that the floor was 2 distinct different finishes. The tables and walls were scuffed, paint was chipping, etc. That lent an extremely cheap feel to this place. Certainly not somewhere I would return for $20-30 entrees.
(3)
Aileen D.

Disclaimer: GNO during DRW Great view. Awesome service, esp. from our server who was only on his 2nd night. Portions were perfect. Everyone loved their selections from the DRW menu. I had the spinach salad, ahi tuna crispy things and pork. All were amazing and I would definitely order them again. Disappointed that they are building a 5-story complex which hinders viewing of the city lights. Must come back in the spring/summer to sit on the upstairs patio.
(4)
Zina S.

I have always been satisfied with service and the food at Vita. The salads for dinner, and the beef/seafood for dinner have always left my taste buds content and satisfied. I was disappointed to see that the view is now blocked by the ugly building across the street. At no fault of Vita's of course. I will keep coming back in spite of the new surroundings, and will continue to support this locally owned business. I can't help but be saddened by the new building development.
(4)
Rachel K.

Overpriced for the poor service and only "decent" food. My boyfriend and I have been here twice and neither time were we impressed. In fact, both times we left thinking we paid way too much for a mediocre meal. This last time was during 5280 week and we went with a couple of friends. My boyfriend and I ordered from the 5280 menu while our friends did not. They apparently failed to plan appropriately for a sunday evening because there seemed to be several open tables though we were told there was a long wait or to sit in the bar. Though we sat in the bar, we still had to wait an exorbitant amount of time for our appetizers and food to come out. The portions on the 5280 menu seemed incredibly small and were not fulfilling. Could be a great place, but over all, it's just not worth the money and waste of your time due to poor service.
(2)
Jennifer H.

We went to Vita over Fourth of July for a view of fireworks from the roof top deck and dinner. From the beginning things were not so great. We did not get any service until 30 minutes had passed. The main points are: - Waitstaff incompetent. Lost our order twice. Waited more than 90 minutes and they never brought food. - One of the water glasses had lipstick on them. They gave us dirty glasses, - The Bloody Mary's we order were way too spicy. We could not drink them. - No Food. No View. No Service. Pass on this place. This was a bad choice. We will never go back.
(1)
Michelle C.

I ordered 2 meats and 2 cheeses from the antipasto menu, which seemed fine. I had the mushroom risotto for $16 with the $6 up charge for chicken as my entree. The risotto was horribly under-seasoned and mushy. It looked more like oatmeal and there was a very odd flavor to it, something just didn't taste right. The dish certainly was not worth the $22 I paid for it. I didn't bother ordering from the bar menu because the drinks seemed way overpriced and I was driving anyway. Service was mediocre, but I'm willing to forgive that since it was a Friday night. Because of the reviewing system here I am forced to give this place at least 1 star, but I would give negative stars if I could. I became violently ill after dining here. About an hour & a half after I left, I came down with a severe case of food poisoning. I spent the next 3 hours vomiting and the rest of the weekend in bed with chills, sweats and more vomiting. I'd had plans to meet up with friends later and I was forced to cancel due to my situation. I had skipped breakfast & lunch, so I'm 100% certain that Vita is to blame for ruining my entire weekend. When I recovered, I placed several phone calls to the restaurant over a 2 day period. I wanted to make the manager aware of what happened so they could take the necessary measures to prevent anyone else from getting sick. Apparently, answering the phone is not a priority for these people. When I was finally able to reach someone, I explained that I would like to speak with the manager. The girl on the phone informed me that the manager was not available, but that she could assist me with whatever I needed. When I told her what happened, the tone of her voice immediately changed and she became very curt. Her response was "you could've gotten sick from anywhere, how do you know that it was our food?" I was then told that the manager would call me back soon so I held off on writing this review. That never happened so here we are. Incredible. I will not be going back. Ever. I advise anyone who reads this to stay away & I've already told all of my friends and associates about my experience. Shame on you, Vita.
(1)
Amy D.

I discovered the big draw at Vita is the killer rooftop patio and views, but unfortunately it was a little chilly when my sister and I arrived Sunday afternoon for lunch, so we opted to sit inside. Maybe that's why I didn't get what all the fuss was about. We're promptly seated, our server takes our drink order (heads up, Vita makes a GREAT Moscow Mule) and we start perusing the menu. We were starved, and everything sounded great. My sister got the Cherry/Habanero pulled pork sandwich and I went with the turkey club. Meh. The club was all right. You couldn't taste the apples at all and walnut pesto was lacking...something. The fries were way yummy - they have a sweet/spicy bbq thing going on so I can definitely get on board with that. The pulled pork was actually pretty tasty but by then it had lost some of its heat (temperature wise), so I would recommend eating that as soon as it arrives. My biggest disappointment was the response when we asked our server what he'd recommend or what his favorite was. The response: "Honestly, I haven't worked a day shift in like a year and half so I don't really know. Uh, the Cubano?" Really? Way to get me excited about the menu, dude. I guess overall it was just an "all right" experience at Vita. I'd definitely check it out again when the weather's more conducive to sitting on the patio.
(3)
Kalani F.

I want to like Vita. I do. But I just don't. I would like a hostess to tell me if the roof top seating is available before I trot up a flight of stairs; I would like the hostess to be available to show me on my first visit where those stairs are. I know that people love Vita's rooftop seating; I do too, I just wish a hostess would be around below to tell me what to do. More than once I have been to this resturant where no hostess was to be found when I walked in. It's awkward to have to ask the bartender where to sit. Just weird. It's even weirder to have to walk up stairs and select a table yourself when the downstairs is devoid of staff. This last time the service was so slow it was unbelievable. My food was hot, but between actually delivering water, drinks, meal and dessert menu, I think it was somewhere in 15-20 minute intervals. I gave up on ordering desert because I figured I would have to wait another 30 minutes. I had the portobello sliders. Good, but for 10 bucks, I only recieved 2 and they were the size of a tangerine. This is a good place to go for portion control. No gigantic portions here. Had the famous pomegrante mimosas. Those took about 20 minutes to get- and they were bland. The champagne was all I could taste. Did they just pour in champagne and color it with red food coloring? It wasn't too crowded for a Sunday, which was nice- a few open tables and the day was beautiful. I had a couple of hours to kill but if you were in a hurry, I would avoid. As a horrible side note, my friend's fritatta made her quite ill. Not a fun way for either of us to spend the rest of the afternoon. Vita, I'm gonna spend my brunch life somewhere else.
(2)
Matt H.

Had the Ahi Tuna Salad with Wonton Noodles...these aren't your typical panda express noodles. These have substance. You can tell Vita cares about their menu. Also live music with a guitarist ripping on a steal guitar! Awesome!!
(5)
Kathleen A.

I came back for Restaurant Week. I was a bit hesitant at first, because I remembered I wasn't wowed with the food the first time around. Turns out, I was right. It was just a travesty of wrong thing after thing...first, a water glass with lipstick on it. Then, a martini served in a broken glass. The food runners weren't timing our food right, so half of us had food while the other half didn't (there were 5 of us). We waited about 10 minutes for our food until the waiter came around and saw we didn't have our first course yet. The timing between the second and third course was even longer-about 20 minutes. I couldn't figure it out since the restaurant wasn't busy. When we finally got our entrees, half of them were cold! I had to send my steak back because it was too rare (I asked for Medium). My veggie friend had ordered the squash, and it had a rubbery texture so she sent it back, and didn't want anything else to be substituted. Let me say-the food was decent. The caesar salad was as tasty as I had remembered from a few years back. And, I should have gone back to read my previous review from 2 years ago when I said I should have gotten the pork tenderloin that the bf ordered. It was like deja vu, he ordered it again and it was delicious. My hangar steak and frites was just OK. We were comped a dessert by the manager, and decided on the brownie w/ice cream. That was also delicious, and I love anything that is sweet and salty at the same time. The manager came around, apologized, and offered us a discount on our meal. I feel like there wasn't really a reason we should have had all these problems, what with the restaurant not being crowded and all. This last visit left a bad taste in my mouth..I'll probably never come back for the food, but maybe a HH drink on that awesome rooftop.
(2)
Sherri K.

yeah not so much Everytime I have gone here the hostess and waitstaff act like they are doing me a favor by waiting on me - if I treated people like this at my job - I'd be working at a restaurant too. Last time I went in for HH, my friend and I waited 20 minutes and mid conversation, after realizing we still had no drinks, nor had we even been approached - decided to spend our money someplace else - we walked out before even getting our 1st drink. a half hour we'll never get back. The 2nd star is for the bartenders who look like they are busting ass in poserville.
(2)
Sienna Q.

If I could give Vita zero stars I would... We went to Vita for a friends birthday brunch and were so surprised how empty it was. Great patio, good location, nice menu. After our experience I'm no longer surprised. First it took over an hour for our server/bartender to take our order and over a half hour for her to ENTER our order in their system. Note there was ONE other table in the entire restaurant, just one. After two hours I finally canceled my order and had a birthday cupcake instead. When we asked to talk to the manager she said "it wasn't our fault but it had just been a perfect storm"... um excuse me? Was it a perfect storm that you had two tables at one time on a Sunday afternoon? There were two bartenders/waitresses, multiple bus boys and a manager on with two tables in the entire place - there is NO excuse for service that bad and that kind of attitude. I will never go back to Vita. Ever. But don't worry they did add 20% to everyone's bill.
(1)
Michelle A.

Yum for the Kobe beef sliders and chips. Great white wine at half price and ok cheese and salami choices. The manager was very nice to us because we we got there about five minutes before HH ended. He let us have our food and first glass of wine at HH prices. The bartender and waitress was also very nice and friendly. We sat out on the front patio was full. We tried to get into Linger but there was a long waiting list. The manager at Vita was unaware of this but I told him and he was happy we were at hisn place. Yes I would definitely go back. I was there one winter night and between the summer and winter it is like 2 different restaurants. I like the summer I think better but the winter atmosphere was not bad from what I remember. .
(4)
BJ E.

Made reservations and went in this last Saturday night. Didn't realize i was happy hour, which as it turns out is awesome. 2 for one app's and drinks. Their well liquor is SKYY, Seagrams, etc (decent stuff) and they've got a good wine selection. The appetizers we're great, try the Spatzle, it's probably horrendous for you but amazing. Lots of vegetarian friendly options for dinner, we ordered salads, the tofu and seafood pasta, both of which were fantastic. Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The entire staff was very friendly for that matter. Vita's not the cheapest of places, but it's well worth every penny. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Kimber S.

The hubby and I had our anniversary dinner here last night and it was great! Loved the sexy classy atmosphere. Our waitress was adorable, prompt, friendly, and efficient. We started with the bruschetta - fantastic! I've never had bruschetta with capers in it but what a great addition and it added a new dimension to the fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and balsamic reduction. My only beef is that it only came with 2 slices of grilled bread (we could have used about 6). But we also had some fresh bread on the table that was a decent substitute for scooping up the rest of the tomato fabulousness, so it wasn't a fatal error. For entrees, I LOVED the vegetable risotto with seared sea bass! The risotto was perfectly cooked, creamy, soothing, with bits of corn, cherry tomatoes and crispy tortilla strips, which I thought might be a little weird, but was actually a nice punctuation. The sea bass was seasoned very nicely and browned on all sides. The hubby's skirt steak frites was well seasoned, perfectly cooked and served with creamy horseradish sauce and an unusual black cherry sauce. I thought the sauces were a bit extraneous since the meat had such a great flavor on its own (why gild the lily?). At the end of our dinner, our waitress brought over a couple of glasses of bubbly to help celebrate our anniversary - very classy! We love this neighborhood and will definitely be back when it warms up so we can take advantage of cocktails on that fabulous-looking rooftop deck!
(4)
Sarah W.

I went to the restaurant for dinner. The food was ok, wine wonderful, service - terrible. I left a cash tip for this waiter. I did not give 20% but 12% because of the food and service. This man decides to put an additional $20 on my credit card after I left a cash tip. This is theft, pure and simple. There is no mistake - the mistake was going to this POS place in the first place. Skip Vita, there are much more wonderful places to eat in Denver - and they wont steal from you.
(1)
Katie L.

I am not a hater, I swear! Check my reviews, I use yelp to let people know about good places they should go, not to bash places.... But this place.... We went on a Friday night, the place was packed, the patio is fantastic and I didn't mind hanging for an hour at the bar until our table was ready. Our server was nice, took our order, made recommendations, remembered waters,etc. But it went downhill fast. After placing our order, our server returned to our table and apologetically announced they were backed up in the kitchen and the food would probably take about 2-2.5 hours. Apparantly the owner had pushed the opening of the patio for the season at the same time he had hired new kitchen staff. Way to go, bro. So we politely informed her we would not stay and to cancel our order. She continued to be professional and went back to the kitchen. By this time, it's about 9:30 and we are BEYOND starving, so when she brought us out the calamari we had canceled (in a to go box?) we literally fought each other for it. Worst calamari ever, by the way, and that's coming from a group of people who would have eaten the leftover food off the table next to us at that point. By now we are CHUGGING our wine, trying our best to get out of there to find a Subway, and the BF goes to look for the manager to talk to him. I went downstairs to watch some March Madness while I waited and I hear an argument behind me, escalating to the point of absurdity. Oh yeah-it's the BF and the manager, keeping it classy. Turns out the manager got pretty heated about hearing a patron explain to him why a table of 5 was departing due to the restaurant's poor planning. Manager, being the professional he was, decided to throw a tantrum instead of a) offering us any incentive to come back (like a free glass of wine?) or b) calmly apologizing for the situation at hand. What a guy. So I get that maybe it was just a really bad night, but that Calamari (and the you-know-what manager) is seared into my brain. Gross. There are tons of places around there to eat, this place does not deserve your business.
(1)
Maria B.

Love the rooftop with the downtown view! This place is perfect for a casual date or a night out with friends. We ordered all the apps, the hangar steak, and a salad. By far my favorites were the sliders (kobe and pork) with the homemade chips, the bruschetta and the 7 hour pork. bomb! Sadly, the crabcake was a bit repugnant. I broke my rule of no seafood in a landlocked state and was disappointed! Oh well. Now, for the best part... we did have an issue with the martinis. You would think that after two you would feel a slight buzz? Negative. We got the manager involved and he made us proper top shelf martinis. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Courtney R.

The happy hour specials are pretty good but the food is nothing special. Nothing memorable or exciting.
(3)
J A.

Spinach salad is delicious!! Service & ambience great as well!!!! Happy hour is bogo for both wine & appetizers!!!
(4)
Beth B.

If I could give this place zero stars I would. I recently moved to the neighborhood and all the restaurants around here have been great to locals EXCEPT this one. The manager is a total jerk. The food was cold and slow to come out - even though the place was dead. I was shocked that a locally owned restaurant can treat local guests so badly. I will be telling every one I know to boycott this awful place. Too bad Vita. Coulda had some loyal customers.
(1)
Jessica M.

Ugh, went to Vita last night with my boyfriend and 2 friends - we are all either throwing up or feeling very ill. I do not recommend this place - even if we didn't get sick, we still thought it was overpriced and poor quality food.
(1)
Carla C.

Way overpriced food. Not only that, I ordered the short ribs, it was extremely salty. Actually, I could not eat anything. My husband's food was very salty as well. It is a nice place but not good food.
(2)
Lynn L.

I honestly Love this place. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed, and yet it still embodies an elegance especially in the food. I have enjoyed every dish ordered, and absolutely love the autumn salad which has candied bacon. You will not be disappointed in the amazing combination of autumn flavors. The service is friendly and the staff are some of the most genuine people I've met. Thank you shout out to Jill, Jen, Malery, Matt, Darryl and Chris. Now that I think of it, I have found my Cheers with class. Sweet!
(5)
Dale Z.

We stopped in here for drinks (we just missed happy hour) prior to going to Linger. The service was really good. The manager, who stopped by the table was very personable. The drinks were excellent. I continued my obsession with Moscow Mules, and was not disappointed by my libation. These potent concoctions seem to have caused me to have some short term memory loss as to whether I actually ate anything while at Vita. But, since there are no pictures on my phone . . . I will assume I did not.
(4)
Karen L.

Great Happy Hour menu and drinks and really friendly people!!
(5)
Drew C.

The service was friendly but the staffing was atrocious. A place should be able to plan for a Friday night. I can't be mad at the steak because I know what a flatiron is (a really poor cut also known as a tip steak), but the prices did not match. Not impressed.
(2)
Eric B.

Good happy hour. Good happy hour food choices. Great rooftop patio. Waitstaff was attentive. Miss the downtown view, but still a good place. Comfortable couches are a nice addition.
(3)
Nick C.

We settled on Vita after realizing Lola, our first choice, had the day off just like the rest of us did on Memorial Day. Wanting a rooftop feel while knowing Linger would be packed, we settled on convenient and ended up at Vita. The place was pretty empty for a Memorial Day lunch. We had our choice of spots on the pretty scarce looking and viewless rooftop. The cocktail selection was not all that appealing nor was the draft list. They had one beer on draft and it wasn't even a local brew. Although I am a sucker for a Deschutes Mirror Pond, how could you not have just one local brew on draft with all the great breweries in and around the Highlands. The girls ordered mimosas, which the waiter indicated after dropping the beer and my weak and watered down mojito, it would be a while as we have to go round up orange juice. Not having OJ during brunch/lunch at a bar with mixed cocktails galore or just indicating it like it was a hassle to go get after the fact was entirely rude and off putting just like the rest of his comments and attitude the remainder of the meal. Beyond the servers too cool for school attitude with his shades and cocky demeanor, the food also fared just as poor. Prior to going, I had always wondered why they got such average reviews on the food when the menu looked so appetizing. This was much the case here. The menu looked great as we all had a tough time deciding between items. The kale salad with added shrimp was measly in size and at $15 with just 4 shrimp made my head hurt and stomach rumble. The turkey club was all bread with next to no meat which is fine if you are paying for a $5 footlong and not a $14.50 sandwich. The burger performed the best of all the dishes, but rarely does one take exception with a burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions. Despite wanting to end our interactions with our server we hung around to chat and catch up with one another. Ironically enough, rather than on our own accords, it was him that urged us to leave passive aggressively by placing new menus and sets of silverware down as we lingered. Overall, it was a shame Lola was closed and that we didn't suck it up and venture to Linger where maybe we could have lingered and enjoyed one another's company (and possibly over better food). Instead we were left with a pretty subpar experience and meal at a restaurant that I had high hopes for.
(2)
Lindsay P.

Have been to vita a few times before and usually had decent service. This time it was unfortunately different. The food and drinks were still good but after happy hour ended we sat for about 30 minutes all with empty drinks. Wait staff would pass us and not even give us a second glance even after we tried to flag someone down, and we were right across from the bar. Once we decided to get the check, we gave our cards to the server to split 4 ways. Apparently the server has trouble splitting the bill and charged us twice (once for the right amount and once for $42) but never told us. We only found out when one person got a notification from their bank. I understand thing happen but not letting us know we would see two charges and not giving us the cancelled transaction was very unprofessional. I'm definitely not going to be suggesting vita any time soon.
(2)

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Address : 1575 Boulder St
Denver, CO, 80211
Phone (303) 477-4600
Website https://vitadenver.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 12
Mon : 11:00 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Vita

1575 Boulder St, Denver, CO, 80211

Vita Menu

Drinks

Appetizers

Salads and Soup

Dinner Entrees

Sandwiches and Burgers

Lunch Appetizers

Lunch Salads and Soup

Lunch Sandwiches and Burgers

Lunch Pasta

Healthy Meal suggestions for Vita

Drinks

Appetizers

Salads and Soup

Dinner Entrees

Sandwiches and Burgers

Lunch Appetizers

Lunch Salads and Soup

Lunch Sandwiches and Burgers

Lunch Pasta

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