Ok, so let me start by saying there are 3 business entries for this location. Obviously, I'm going to pick the one with NO review so I can get a 1st to Review sticker LOL :P I'm totally loving and diggin' this new place. The wine menu is filled with wines from some of the best regions. I like that they have an extensive list for wines by the glass. They also serve beer, but I was bummed to see they only highlight one local brewery (Intuition) instead of several of the local breweries. In addition to the wine and beer, they have a mouth-watering cocktail menu. Lastly, they have FOOD - regular portions, tapas, and dessert! My sis and I were only able to stuff ourselves with the cheese plate and a glass of red wine each. (I have the names of these items and more pictures on my camera, so I'll have to update this review later.) The prices for both the food and drinks are reasonable. The ambiance is hip - dimmed lights, cozy settings, metal with natural color combo... There are several different seating arrangements to choose from: tables inside, tables outside, or sofa lounges inside for the more intimate or bigger gatherings. The service was excellent. The valet guys greeted and opened the door for us upon arrival, the hostess greeted us right away and explained the concept of the restaurant, our waitress was very knowledgeable of all the menu items, and our waitress came by often to check on us. I'm looking forward to more outings here. Next Yelp Event????
(4)
Erika G.
Amazing. Was in Jacksonville on business and found this place on yelp. It's upscale, classy, fairly priced, food is delicious, and service was excellent. Would definitely recommend this spot to anyone. It was just what I was looking for!
(5)
Carl B.
Don't let the Mall location fool you! Great destination night out - fantastic lounge area, great wine list and very nice Tapas selection. Can get a little loud on the weekends but highly recommend it if you enjoy the Tapas experience
(4)
Brent Z.
I really love this place, which could be good or bad because I live across the street. Great cocktails! Great wine selection including some of my favorite lesser known California wineries. Great bourbon selection too! Already some of my favorite things. And the food is very good too, particularly if you order correctly. A couple of the small plates are, uh, very small, but that's probably my biggest criticism. The brunch is excellent, and they have a very good take on the michelada made with Fat Tire. Definitely a place to check out particularly if you like a hip social scene that is nice at the same time.
(5)
Matt B.
If you like great wine, good atmosphere, and small portions this place will be perfect. We had both highlights, and low-lights....but overall found the food lacking bold flavor, and the restaurant too loud and crowded. We were still hungry after 2 hours and 100.00. The ravioli(yes it's just one) was delicious, the paella, clams, and artiCHOKE hearts were not.
(2)
Tim C.
Our recent visit to Ovinte exceeded our highest expectations. From the valet service at the door, to the menu, to the amazing wine list of by the glass and bottle, to quality ingredients and perfect presentation, start to finish was an awesome experience. While the entire service staff seemed to be spot on, our server, Carlo was the best. Ask for him when you book a table, you'll not be disappointed. We tend to compare dining experiences against our many years living in Napa Valley and enjoying constant 4-5 star dining. Ovinte easily matches up to many spots out there and surpasses quite a few of them in the total package. Eager to return and enjoy the outdoor patio, rain kept us inside this visit. Kudos to the entire team, it is very obvious that Ovinte is well managed.
(5)
Kevin P.
Ovinte, was a last minute option, however, after dinning here this will be my first choice when I visit Jacksonville again. The food is great, the service was impeccable.
(5)
Amanda J.
Super impressed! I hate that I missed the yelp outing but have been eyeballing this place since before it opened. The hubs and I tried the pick three charcuterie plate, then the bacon wrapped dates, the prosciutto wrapped artichoke hearts, the truffle herbed fries, and the chorizo cooked in red wine and herbs. The place has a swank decor, and is very "hipster" but not too classy to pop in wearing nice jeans loved it.the space was bright and open, very modern, and had cool plush chairs and couches to sit and chill besides tables and booths. The drink glasses are a bit small, but the portion of food for them to be considered tapas is perfect! The bill for the two of us to share 5 plates was just about $45 not including a tip. I truly find this reasonable. Service was quick, friendly and totally hospitable. I'd say all in all this chef has completely changed my mind about chorizo! I've always had it crumbled, greasy and not very flavorful in most Mexican preparations. This soaked in wine was the most flavorful I've ever had! I sopped up the bread in the wine after the meat was gone. Absolutely delish. Another high point were the bacon wrapped dates! Almost warm and candy like. The bacon was a welcomed hint of saltiness. I have already planned to go back for my anniversary in September, so I can't wait!! I'm also super pumped to try a place similar to this one in Vegas in December called Jaleo. More reviews coming soon.
(5)
Anne P.
This is a really attractive spot! We ate on the patio, which was great considering we had a mellow after-the-storm type evening. As with any tapas place, if you go ravenous you could rack up a hefty charge, but the serving sizes are in line with this kind of place and the prices aren't bad. I really enjoyed my foam-enhanced mushroom risotto, very flavorful. There is a good selection of wines by the glass and half-bottle and the full wine list looks quite extensive. Our server was very attentive. Dishes were brought out by separate food runners, which probably helps efficiency. My only real caveat: the seating areas near the bar inside could make conversation a challenge: everyone was super civilized but the conversation volume was up there.
(4)
Anthony N.
This place was always on my list of spots to hit up. It definitely is a great spot and veers away from cookie cutter restaurants at the Town Center area. It was a first date evening and my date loved it. We started with tapas (crab cakes & bacon wrapped dates). Both were really good & season well. Crab Cakes came with a Romesco sauce. It really didn't even need it b/c the Crab Cake was so good. We had the braised lamb shank & Filet Mignon. The filet came out cooked perfectly & the lamb was nice and moist. I like the plating, instead of big massive plates. They came out in sizes that compliment the food. I am a chef, so I am very picky about places to eat at. I will definitely be hitting Ovinte up again. Might even make it my go to spot.
(4)
Leighton D.
2.5 stars My wife and I went here while at SJTC, I want to recommend this place, honest I do, but I had one BIG issue. Because of that issue, I wanted to wait a few days to see if my reflection of the issue waned of if it grew... Unfortunately, it grew. So here is the review. The good. The food was great! Great presentation and flavor. The portions are a bit small, even for Tapas, with many of the tapas being 3-5 bites as opposed to 5-7 bites as with most other restaurants. Also, expect to pay about $1-3 more for a similar item that you would normally get elsewhere. Enter in the $15 ($14.50) shot of Don Julio? REALLY? I could understand if it was the "70" but regular Anejo, where at most places it is between $9-12? I guess you are really paying for the atmosphere... Which was really nice. Beautiful layout, designed for groups or smaller gatherings. Great patio, and I was impressed to see that you could have your pet on the patio, which goes back to SJTC being one of the most pet friendly areas that I have been to in the state. The inside and outside are ideal for intimate and upscale social gatherings. A nice place to meet for drinks after a day at the office. And Office attire is pretty much what you would want to be in most of the time when you visit. So why the 2 star review? The first impression. When we came in through the doors, the greeter looked at us and said, "Can I help you?" Not, "Welcome to Ovinte, will you be joining us this evening?" or any other variation of the standard greeter greeting, but in a tone as if we were LOST! REALLY?!?!?! As if to say "Wendy's is across the street." While my wife was dressed a little more casual than I was, we were no where close to the folks that were there in shorts and flip flops, so I don't think that was the issue. And I really don't think any racial component played at all, so the only thing I can think of, is that the greeter was in a serious need of an emergency colorectal surgery to remove whatever object that found its way in to make her attitude so "Sh***y." That first impression will be a lasting impression. The plus side of it was that our server was A++ Awesome! Portia actually made us feel welcomed and have us considering coming back. The other servers seemed to be pretty chill as well. Given that this is a place where you can EASILY drop $75 for a light meal for two, and probably go well in excess of $200 if you made an evening of it, I feel that the experience given should be top notch. Frankly, it wasn't. So that puts me in the position of whether to recommend or not recommend. If friends are wanting to go, I will have no problem going, but for NOW, I would rather go to Cap Grille if I am going to spend that kind of money, and get the outstanding service and experience that I would expect. Tip: MUST TRY THE BREAD PUDDING!!! ps. If/when I do go back, I will update this review accordingly.
It's pretty nice bar with beautiful with nice decoration and and music( but a little bit high) They have a good wine list.. And a nice variety of snacks (expensive and small in size)
(3)
Lorine W.
We have had almost everything on the menu and it has all been great. The pasta tacos are the hidden gem, get them with the extra sauce. New York for two is probably the best deal for steak. Daily specials and happy hour always a great deal.
(5)
Angela P.
The hubs and I LOVE this place! Great date night. Modern and sleek decor create a cool ambiance. The staff are all very Friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. The truffle fries are to die for! Highly suggested! Also, grab the Fountain of Youth drink, you will not be sorry.
(5)
Diana M.
Delish!! We grabbed a few drinks and apps at the bar while waiting for our table. Once seated, we spit a few more small plates. Everything was very tasty and fresh. Our server was awesome and was full of great suggestions. This is definitely a nice addition to the TC!! I love locally owned restaurants and it's nice to have one in the midst of the land of chain places!
(4)
Shelley M.
Ovinte is a recent addition to the St Johns Town Center. It occupies the building that formerly housed the Original Pancake, tucked behind a fast food restaurant and computer store. I was surprised to be able to get a table for two after the briefest of waits on a Saturday night. I was on the early side (7-730), however. I noticed the lounge area had completely filled up when I left just before 10. Ovinte has a cool atmosphere. Most of the interior space is filled with large velvet couches. They have waitstaff serving the people on the couches, so even without a table, this would be a fun option. I noticed a couple of couches had "reserved" signs on them. One wall had wine coolers that operate on a card system: you can purchase a card from a waiter or bartender for $25 or more, and serve yourself a 1 ounce sample, 4 ounce pour or a full glass of wine. I will definitely be trying that in the future! Since we got a table, however, we shared a half bottle of Cabernet Savignon for $15. We started with the bacon wrapped dates, stuffed with cheese, and the fried artichoke hearts with aioli, for $5 each. Both were good, although only about 4 bites per plate. We moved on to the pumpkin ravioli, which was delicious. We didn't order any larger plates, just shared small tapas, and I can see how it would be very easy to rack up quite a bill and leave hungry. However, our dainty sampling left us room for coffee and dessert. I tried the s'mores that every other review raved about, but I was disappointed. Three cold s'mores left me jealously wishing I'd ordered the chocolate torte that my friend was enjoying. I loved having my own little French press, however, which filled my cup twice. I will definitely return to Ovinte and try more tempting tapas. This place seems like a welcome addition to Town Center, which is dominated by chain restaurants.
(4)
Monica S.
Soooo goooood...... No, really Executive Chef Ian Lynch has created a farm-to-table-fresh menu here -- and in its creativity alone should get 5 stars all by itself! Tapas tried (so far): Tartar -- most expensive tapas and wish there would have been more (very small portion-kind of a taste bud tease for me) but completely and utterly delicious! Chorizo -- large tapas portion (and best value IMHO) delicious and marinated in red wine for a day...nom, nom, nom.... Salted Cod Fritter -- (can't remember the name) with an herb lemon aoili... Chef Ian said he wanted to have something different than a crab cake so this is a traditional rendition of a Spanish dish but very similar (in texture not necessarily taste). Homemade pumpkin and goat cheese ravioli in a creamy sage sauce -- ...uhhhhh need I say more? Small Plates tried (so far): 50/50 Sliders with Truffle Fries -- Sliders are made with a house-blended ground of bacon and sirloin if I remember correctly. Very unique taste. Huge portion of truffle fries. Pumpkin Rissoto --...she says wiping away a tear of joy... slightly sweet with mushrooms and shaved Parmesan(?). Really I don't know what all was in this small plate but it was incredible. Atmosphere is hip and loud with a great vibe. Due in part to the 'Wine Emotion Machine' I am sure--yea, that IS the name :). You get a specific card from the bar and plug it into the machine and dispense your own wine designated by ounces and cash amount..... Wow.... simply genius!! Bocci Ball on the deck...yea--this is a far cry from the Pancake House that was originally housed here! lol! Free valet Truly a great place for eclectic eaters, wine drinkers and those who enjoy a great Hipster-esque social scene!
(5)
Devon S.
I'm a huge fan. Seriously. I've been several times now for dinner and for brunch, and I cannot say enough good things about this place. Since most people seem to talk about the dinner menu, I figured I'd focus on brunch. Here's what you need to know: The brunch cocktails are fantastic. The Bocce Ball - a cocktail named for Ovinte's bocce ball court is vodka, amaretto, orange juice, and soda, it's quite the refresher. The Stoned Fizz is a great hair-of-the-dog with its vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, and prosecco topper (Give me anything with prosecco and I'll probably drink it). The Sunday Bloody Sunday (love the nod to U2) is their take on a traditional Bloody Mary. I'm probably the last person in the world to comment on a Bloody Mary seeing as I think tomato juice is foul. We started off our meal with an plate of Assorted Patisseries with Nutella, raspberry rubarb jam, and whipped butter. The savory pound cake was a delightful surprise, and not much beats the simplicity of a croissant with Nutella. A source tells me that the jam was pretty tasty on the blueberry muffin, and I can tell you first hand that the pecan pastry was a bite of heaven. I'm absolutely love the Brioche French Toast. The Bellatoir cheese and maple butter whiskey syrup make this dish unreal. Best breakfast ever. And just when I thought life couldn't possibly get any better, Applewood Smoked Bacon dipped in milk chocolate and topped with Sea Salt showed up at the table. After their brunch, I could die happy.
(5)
Whitney T.
This place is awesome! All I have to say is Bacon Wrapped Dates... Oh and Truffle Fries... I'm done!
(4)
Ryan D.
Ovinte is a great addition to the Town Center, and definitely a great addition to Jacksonville! We needed more wine places that serves a wider variety of wines from across the globe.. Service here has been amazing! From the valet guys (several of them are very good looking too by the way!) to the hostess, and the waiter! There is that consistency in trying to achieve that excellence in service. While I have not tried their full menu, I have tried their cheese plates and a couple of other small plates. While they are on the high side, it was well worth it. It was filling, and delicious. My friends and I usually would order the three cheese plate and share it. It may come out looking like its very small, but its always enough for the two of us. The atmosphere of the place itself is very chill and modern, and it takes out the feeling that Ovinte is actually located in a mall!
(5)
Helen B.
Drinks are OK depending on what you get... The tapas are nothing to wow about. I wasn't impressed to be honest.
(3)
M B.
Over priced for location I was in town for a couple weeks and I don't get why these places charge so much when the location is in the middle of a field off the highway these are prices of Newport Beach not Jacksonville. If I was in a major city ok it is what it is but we're in suburbia they must have crazy rent to pay. Overall the inside was nice this must be the hop place for Jax peeps besides that sorry Suite club OMG!
(3)
Erikka N.
Great wines, great atmosphere.
(4)
Melissa L.
I've been here on two occassions and I could say that I've had better tapas. At home. From the outside looking in, the outdoor area and indoor decor looks great. A unique twist of modern on a spanish rustic interior, I was excited walking in for the first time for my birthday celebration. My friend made it known that it was my birthday and we ordered a bunch of small appetizers that ended up being exactly that- small. Microscopic small. Like, 'wait i paid $20 for one bite?? my finger is bigger than that' small. There were some dishes like the chorizo that were on the larger side, but to be honest, it wasn't even that tasty. Just to give an idea, we got the chorizo, lobster ravioli, crispy fried artichoke hearts, herb truffle fries, tartare, 3 choices of spread, etc. All were mediocre, nothing too spectacular. I would expect more out of the prices, afterall, this isn't New York City. What was more upsetting was that it was my birthday and so my friends asked for a small dessert and the rude server told us that she "doesn't do that" and if we wanted we could buy a dessert and she would put a candle in it for me. So she ruined the surprise, came up to me and asked me what dessert I wanted to purchase.... She really killed the mood and I felt so lame about ordering my own birthday dessert. Another annoying thing is the valet. First off, why do you need a valet? The parking lot is.. right there. With the service and the food, I would say that this place is not classy enough to warrant a valet. Nor would I ever pay for a valet to go to this place, sorry. Maybe I am getting emotional thinking about what a terrible birthday I had, but to be honest, even going back a second time, I was underwhelmed. Most likely won't ever go here again, sorry guys.
(2)
Mike B.
The place is new, I know its not going to be perfect, but it could do a few things to get pretty close. 1 - Have some wine flights, they had plenty of wine I never heard of, instead of having to have a full glass of lots of them, it would have been nice to have a flight. 2 - Do not run out of food, I was going to order the S'mores based off what a friend told me about, but they were out. The bartender told me they ran out the day before, which almost makes it sound worse. Overall, the atmosphere was cool and the place seemed fun, I will go back and give it another try and you should too.
(4)
Christina F.
Great service! Ordered an old fashioned. On round two before i took a sup, the sever said the bartender thought he didn't make my drink well enough, and brought me a new drink. Bartender was correct, both were good, just different drinks. I think it was great they went the extra mile to make sure I had a great drink, before I even noticed!
(4)
Tanya S.
Probably the best place in Towncenter area...dare I say Jax? The atmosphere, the staff and owners are amazing. One time when the pumpkin risotto wasn't to my liking, the owner came over apologized and remade the dish without charging us. That is what i call great customer service. Must try the lemon bread pudding and of course their truffle fries!!!
(5)
Austin H.
Excellent drinks, excellent service, and excellent food with sensible portions. What more is there to say?
(5)
Jennifer G.
This place is a great place to meet up with people after work or on weekends. They have a huge selection of wines, liquor, and have a selection of cocktails to chose from. If you don't see one on their drink menu that strikes your fancy just ask whoever's waiting on you what you want and it's no problem. They also have awesome tapas, my fave by far every time is the civiche, and the fish is never the same. The lobster ravioli is also great, even though its just one its a pretty big one. The flatbread with fig and arugula sounded strange but was amazing! That visit I was so into the food I didn't even wright the review or check in!! Oh well it was that good, and the decor and couch style seating is awesome! Plus the couches carry on out to the patio as well, and they have tables with umbrellas as well. The staff is also very upbeat and polite which ties it all together!
(5)
Jim W.
I have never had a bad experience here. I've been there 10 times. Try some of their cocktails.
(5)
Tara F.
Went for Sunday brunch with my husband a couple of weeks ago and we were both really pleased with just about everything. The service was great. Atmosphere is nice. There are several options for seating--outside tables and couch areas, inside tables and couch areas, bar, etc. The food was great (we shared the smoked salmon plate which was really tasty) and reasonably priced for what it was. Only suggestion would be to turn down the mic on the live music. It was great music but it was soooo loud, we kind of had to yell at each other during our meal, and it wasn't very busy so I can imagine how loud it gets when it's a full house. Aside from that though, great experience and we'll definitely be back. Oh and the chocolate covered bacon is TO DIE FOR!!! ...If I could give it 4.75 stars I would :)
(4)
Vetey D.
Love the different decor and atmosphere! My husband and I really enjoyed the cheese and charcuterie. Spelling off? Haven't tried their entrees, but we were impressed with the service and atmosphere. Definitely going back :)
(4)
Benny K.
Had a tapas dinner on a Friday night. Service was great, food was delicious and the wine outstanding. Overall a very good experience. Our only complaints are the noise and the distance between tables. The restaurant as a whole is loud due to the number of people. Not much they can do about how loud people are. However the distance between the tables is another story. Tables are only about 2 feet apart. This makes it hard to have a romantic conversation with your dinner partner. Add an additional foot in between and it would be much better. We food enjoy ourselves and will be back.
(4)
Jason M.
I love this place. We had a group of ten with reservations at 8 pm. We were seated on the patio as the weather was perfect. Reminded me of being in Napa. Relaxed California vibe. Food was excellent. Lamb shank, risotto, steak frites, NY strip, cheese plate, pumpkin raviolo, steak tartare, chorizo, bolognese... We pretty much sampled the entire menu. Wine pairings good. And service overall was spot on. After dinner we enjoyed drinks and conversation until after 1 am. Will definitely return. Valet was good but restaurant doesn't need it.
Chelsea is the best to take care of you at Oviente. The atmosphere is smooth and sexy for having drinks with your lady. Great place to have a good time with friends in high places like an oasis and I got... Sing it mo ...
(5)
Kymberly C.
Spectacular new addition to the Jacksonville bar & restaurant scene. The tapas are perfect to share with friends over a glass of bubbles on the patio! I was really impressed with the service as well, even during the "soft opening" our server was attentive, friendly, made confident menu recommendations & was well versed on the wine list. This is my absolute new favorite spot to meet up with my girlfriends!
(5)
Ruby H.
Some girlfriends and I went to Ovinte for girls night on Friday and had a wonderful time. The service was friendly and timely. The crowd was more ritzy and it made me feel kind of under-dressed. They have a very good selection of wines. I had a cocktail instead though, Pablo Beach Tea and I highly recommend it. We shared a pick 3 cheese/charcuterie plate and indulged in some desserts afterwards; s'mores and chocolate roulette. I don't think I'd order the desserts there again, they were kind of plain jane. But the cheese/charcuterie selection is good. My friend pointed out that they admit 18+ only individuals after 7pm to ensure a pleasant experience for their guests. I like that.
(5)
Brentley S.
My favorite place for celebrating or treating someone to a special meal. I went once for dinner and and for breakfast and it blew me away. Some of the best food I've ever eaten and the small plates a perfect so that you can try a lot of different things. Be warned: go with the understanding that you are going to be spending a lot (hence special occasions) because you want to be able to enjoy it! What to get: The fried artichoke hearts - light, crispy and perfect. The antithesis of the usual fried food. Bacon Wrapped Dates: TRY THEM. You will be so surprised at how amazing the combination is. Cheese Plate: Look over the vast selection and choose what fits to your taste. The gouda was beyond mouthwatering with it's texture and sharp taste! Steak: I don't like steak. This was so buttery and tasty I couldn't believe it was steak. Desert: Limoncello bread pudding with a scoop of housemade ice cream...just go get it. For breakfast it was yummy but fairly average, except for their maple syrupy for the maize pancakes. Trust me I have no idea why it was so good but we, as a society, have been lied to because what we think it maple syrupy is not even close to the syrupy served at Ovinte. A huge plus, it is a locally owned small business so you can feel good about your dollars and your taste buds will be SO HAPPY.
(5)
Daune K.
This place will not disappoint! From the ambiance, drinks, and tapas! Nice addition to the town center!
(5)
Christa S.
Went here for New Year's Eve - they allow ordering from their standard menu and then had some special occasion specials. This appeared to be the only non-chain in the St. John's Town Center (at least based on everything we saw as we found our way into the private lot for the restaurant). The environment is hip and warm. We were promptly seated (we had made a reservation via Open Table!) and had a friendly and informative server. We ordered a bottle of Tempernillo and then a number of small plates to share. The Empanadas de Chorizo had a wonderful flavor with a great kick - they were warm and three came on the plate. I am a sucker for truffle fries and these lived up to my weakness - the Herb Truffle Fries come with a great homemade chipotle ketchup for dipping (although they were good enough to stand on their own, but this certainly added some pizazz to the palette!) and were plentiful for sharing. The Bolsa d' Angelo (or in English - spaghetti tacos) were unique and delightful - the sauce had great flavor and the mixture of the soft and crunchy made for interesting bites (also three on the plate). We also enjoyed sharing the Ensalada Estacional - a fantastic blend of flavors. Following the samplings, my Mom and I shared the flatbread of the day - again, really strong and interesting mixture of flavors (chorizo, peppers, spicy aoli, cheese, carmelized onions) and my Dad had the Pappardelle Bolognese (which he licked the bowl clean!). This is not your "ordinary" restaurant and they really offered a special way to have dinner on New Year's Eve - we didn't stay until midnight, but still feel like we celebrated in style!
(5)
Matt D.
Brand new! Great spot.
(5)
Anup S.
Manchego with truffled honey! S'mores! In my opinion, this restaurants is excellent and very consistent and I was happy with the quality. The servers are always very professional, and I enjoy to being served by them. I will be coming back here again and highly recommend that you take this restaurant into consideration for your next meal out.
(4)
Dani V.
After having a light snack at Brio, I headed over to check out Ovinte. Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised and how this place was laid out. Lots of fluffy couches to relax and have a drink, also a bar that's dim lit and comfortable. I was hanging out here for long, I only came in for a glass of pinto nior, but the bartender, Adam, was so friendly and knowledgeable. I didn't eat here so I'll give it 4 stars. But the service was great. The wine selection was wonderful as well. Wine by the glass, 1/2 bottle and full bottle.
(4)
Marissa B.
The tartare and the pumpkin ravioli were delicious but wasn't too crazy about the calamari although it was highly recommended -- it was a bit chewy for me. Otherwise great ambience -- lounge-y feel and the bartender Adam was excellent -- all the staff was great and friendly.
(4)
Maisha R.
I think that I was hoping for more, so I was a bit underwhelmed by the food and the experience. I headed to Ovinte on a Wednesday night to meet up with friends after work for dinner and drinks. Arriving around 7:30, I was surprised to see the place so full and the noise level was quite loud. The layout of the place was open and the couch seating was a nice touch. I found the group along the back wall and our waitress was kind as she came to take my late order. I got the Moroccan pork skewers and empanadas that I'd seen mentioned on Yelp. The pork skewers were great; clearly marinated well and served with a fig reduction. Having had empanadas from another local establishment already that week, the ones I got at Ovinte with chorizo and cheese weren't anything to write home about. The saffron aioli and paprika oil drizzled underneath didn't sit well on my palate. While the atmosphere was really cool and swanky, I wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped that I would be.
(3)
Laurie D.
I unexpectedly went to Ovinte to meet some friends, while at the SJTC. My friends had already had dinner, but suggested we try the new tapas restaurant. It has been a long time since, I went to a place and have not read a single review on Yelp for it. I was pleasantly surprised that the there was plenty of parking close to Ovinte, since sometimes that is not the case at Town center restaurants. As I entered the restaurant, I managed to quickly locate my friends without the help of the hostess. Ovinte is a very large and open space. I was really surprised that restaurant was primarily sofa-type chairs around large wooden coffee-style tables. There was a strip of traditional tables and seats, but both sections have waiter service. Since I was in a Champagne kind of mood, I had a Sparkling Rose that was delicious, as well as pretty. Since, my companions had already had dinner I opted for the flatbread of the day. It was much larger than I expected and was delicious. I really enjoyed the ham and grilled asparagus on the flatbread. We also ended up ordering a cheese plate, and every cheese was to my liking. Ovinte is a comfortable place to have a nice chat, enjoy some small plates, and have a nice drink.
(4)
Alex Z.
3 stars go only for cool atmosphere, wine list and prompt service. Food - max 1.5 star. If you came here for the food....sorry :( None exists here...unfortunately. Bacon wrapped dates - NO, NO if you ever tried them before; fried artichokes - mmm....eatable, but nothing to wright home about . Chorizo - hard screw up good chorizo, may be, only by marinating it in red wine? Couple more tapas with shrimp(tartars?) or something.. not even deserved to be mentioned... 50/50 dishes...omg, tasted like from microwave..Truffle fry's : tasted more truffle cry's...McDonalds have it better. Shortly speaking - food SUCKS!! Decent wine list, cool lounge atmosphere, friendly prompt service...Might come back for a date, but only after having a dinner at different place...
(3)
Ryan F.
Absolutely delicious !!! Great food, service, and WINE.
(5)
Lisa B.
Went last weekend with my niece and sister while visiting Jacksonville. I will definitely be back. Great vibe, attentive and knowledgeable wait staff and a great selection of tapas. We sat at one of the many comfortable sofas that serve as the primary seating but there are a few tables, as well. We arrived just prior to the end of happy hour and were able to score a decent bottle of Prosecco for $18! Nice way to begin the evening. We ordered the cheese and charcuterie plate and for our 3/$15 selection we had a Brie, a goat cheese and prosciutto, served with some fruit, honey in the comb, marcona almonds and some great bread for spreading. Delish. We also ordered the empanadas, served three to a plate. We would have had more but we didn't want to ruin our appetites for dinner at another local restaurant. If we didn't have to meet the rest of our family for dinner, I could have sat there all night.
(4)
Junaita M.
The food is awesome...especially the stuffed dates and sliders! And wine list vast...I loved the Prosecco suggested by Frank, the bartender, who was so professional and knowledgeable about the menu. He made our experience perfect!!! Go there tonight and ask for Frank!!
(4)
Monica L.
My new favorite at the town center. The waiters are very knowledgable in helping you pick out wines. The truffle fries and sliders are fantastic!! It's a great casual atmosphere both inside and outside.
(5)
Jacksonville F.
Great pumpkin ravioli and sliders and fried artichokes .....but not so sure about the fruit fly on my bread puddling ....the place is not for families ...but for meeting that blind date or meeting the friends .There seems to be more staff standing around in the corner talking then patrons eating/drinking . Look ...it's a mall restaurant .....seems to be out of place .......very swanky for a mall restaurant . Yes ... Will go again ....but staying away from the bread pudding ....the fruit fly kinda turned me off .
(3)
Lizzy C.
Great for a girls night out! The offer both tables (indoor & outdoor), bar seating & a lounge area with couches. The atmosphere is warm & dimly lit with a modern feel. We sat in the lounge on comfy couches & shared a bottle of Argentina Malbec, which was reasonably priced at $30. They have a large cheese selection to choose from & we enjoyed a strong blue, rosemary goat & manchego complete with honey comb, grapes, almonds, crostini, etc. For tapas, I recommend, the pumpkin ravioli, truffle fries & empanadas. The service was speedy on a busy Friday night & we did not have to wait for a table. We ended up splitting the bill & the server didn't mind at all. We felt comfortable spending a couple of hours here & they were more than willing to serve our tapas, cheeses, etc in courses. Will def be coming back to Ovinte!
(5)
David B.
Reserving judgement, good first experience despite a strange interaction with hostess about sitting outside. Once past her, the service was terrific, wine was great, and enjoyed the food. A beautiful crowd as well. Will provide more detail after a couple more visits.
(4)
Howard H.
Ovinte is a great restaurant that happens to have a great wince list and cocktails. Chad and his team do a fabulous job of being friendly and welcoming, and it is always fun to either have a drink at the bar or have a great dinner in the dining area. I highly recommend Ovinte to anyone who is a foodie and who appreciates a place that resembles a restaurant in San Francisco more than in Jacksonville. Our new favorite in town.
(5)
R L.
Best place in Jacksonville! Menu is always changing! Pasta is all made fresh. Great energy too! Tapas menu is perfect and pumpkin ravioli was so good we ordered it again tonight. I also got to meet one of the owners, always a good thing! Not the place to hear screaming kids or baby cries. Am already planning for next time to go back.
(5)
Kim L.
I ate the Pumpkin risotto which was very good the two friends I was with had shrimp and grits and filet which they thought it was very small portion size they had to order more food b/c they were still hungry. Valet guy brought me the wrong car had to wait another 5min.
(3)
Aron P.
Ate there for the first time last week. Had been meaning to try it, then finally was part of a surprise party for a friend. Food is off the charts good with great variety. Loved the sliders. Very cool upscale but casual atmosphere. Friendly and attentive staff. Give this place a try.
(5)
Peter S.
Went there at 2 pm. They had only charcuterie and cheese. Tapas only from 4 pm on. This does not seem to make any sense, except the chef is too lazy to get up earlier to prep food. I would give a better score, but out of the few cheeses they had on their list one was "out". Same with the wine I wanted. Choice of "dolce" is boring. Overall nothing special here. This bar is overrated.
(2)
sandra M.
Missed The Grape when it closed at SJTC so wanted to try the new wine place. More formal and more intimidating than The Grape but nice servers. Prices for tapas higher. Full dinners available.
(4)
Brian S.
Whoa buddy! This place is exactly what you imagine when you think of a chic wine bar. And, oh by-the-way their tapas are out of this world! Their servers are knowledgeable enough about wine to point you in the right direction, and the selection is first rate. It's a trendy wine bar, so the pricing is high but worth the price.
(5)
Greg F.
I had a few bites at the bar. The place was almost full, other than outside, after 7 PM on a weekday. I liked everything I had here. The bacon-wrapped dates ($5) were my favorite and I'd get them every time I come here. The Ruffino Moscato d'Asti ($7/glass) was excellent (though I didn't like that the barmaid called it "Moscato"). The raviolo ($7) was good too: seafood today, with a delicious sauce that I wish they'd given me more of. Note that the tapas are tapa-sized (a small snack). The downside was my waitress: I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was too busy to pay proper attention to me, but it made me unhappy with the experience. Why 4 stars then (above average on my scale)? The food and drink was delicious, so I'm assuming I'd enjoy myself more here next time. For next time the nicest places to eat/drink here are probably the indoor lounge with sofas, if you get there when it's not too busy and you can find a space, or outdoors if the weather is cool.
(4)
Ivy Z.
This review is for Ovinte's Sunday brunch, not their regular tapas menu (which I will definitely be back to try!) Pros: - Every Sunday there's live music: very enjoyable and would definitely recommend this - There are tables, a bar, an outside patio, as well as some couches indoors. Ovinte has nailed the atmosphere: I know I will be back to enjoy some Sangria with friends while sitting on those couches. - Herb Truffle fries were delicious - Pitchers of sangria, mimosas, etc. livened up the drink menu Cons: - We came as a group of four on Sunday at 11:30 and there was no wait (very empty at the time). We had a reservation, and asked to be seated at a circular booth that was supposed to seat six - the hostess said no, and we were smushed at a small square table. The circular booths remained empty the entire morning. - Asked for mustard on the side, and it didn't happen - Food was a little underwhelming in terms of flavor: concepts were great, wild mushrooms delicious, but could have benefitted from more flavors. Overall, I would definitely be back at Ovinte for tapas/drinks, but might not come again for brunch.
(3)
Jake S.
Food was great....BUT Roaches crawled out of our napkin holder at the bar.... I was with clients so I was extremely embarrassed. When I asked for the manager someone who said they were the owner came out and offered us 10% off. Talk abut insulting. Never again... I was intrigued by the reviews but turned off by the ROACHES!!!!
(2)
Adrienne C.
One of Jacksonville's best! I visit Ovinte at least once a month. They're fantastic for a night out with friends, a date or celebrating with family. I love that the cocktails and cuisine are consistently changing with the season while preserving a few clutch staples. The ingredients are fresh, the concept is creative and their execution is on point. Come hungry and with a sense of adventure and you won't be disappointed--it's best to try between 4-6 of the small plates, but save room for dessert, the s'mores are the stuff dreams are made of!
(4)
Pamela D.
One of my favorite places to unwind after a good pay day... Elegant, plush and overall beautiful. Mingle at the bar, keep it comfortable and intimate in the lounge, or enjoy the summer evening's breeze in the outside...you can't lose no matter where you sit. A few of my favorite things to order: The cheese plate with any combination....it comes with a fresh honeycomb, marcona almonds and fruit; bacon wrapped dates; wild mushroom risotto; delicious 50/50 sliders; local fish ceviche (last time I was here the catch of the day was Grouper), and any of their desserts. Service is classy and very friendly; they will never rush you out or make you feel like you should eat and go. You can sit with your friends or a fun date drinking wine, sharing small bites and talking the night away; you will feel like you just happen to have waiters/waitresses at home. I've only been here for late night rendezvous', but I hear the brunch is pretty good. More to come!
(5)
Jason M.
It was extremely average and exactly what you'd expect. It's not bad, nor is it good, like an episode of 'Dukes of Hazzard'. Waitstaff is awesome but clearly open to the potential of something greater. The food is underwhelming, but better than Applebee's.
(3)
Shera B.
Finally a trendy , fusion classy place in jacksonville and in the towne center . 90% of the restaurants there are chain/generic . This is a spainard fusion american bistro style Amazing cheese and meat boards Excellent wine selection The classic cocktails and bartenders are great but their own cocktails are not so good. The brunch is amazing I recommend the french toast Their daily quiches are a good portion ad very good I do not recommend the pumpkin ravioli or potato and beet hash, not very good. The canelones del mar is amazing !! Check it out
(4)
Melissa M.
Amazing food. My first experience of tapas dining went above and beyond what I had expected! Very creative dishes. The cheese and meat combos you can try are amazing! The local honeycomb was a perfect touch. Thank you for a wonderful evening!
(5)
Ben G.
I really enjoyed my experience here. We started with the fried artichokes which were served with a citrus aioli, worth trying but won't be a go too. Next were the pork skewers served with some cooked Georgia peaches over a bed of greens. This dish was fantastic and i will not just order it again but probably get two for us. After the apps came the cheese plate. We got the 5 year Gouda, the cured pork shoulder, and I think it was casa de cambre or something like that. All delicious and served with fruit, toasted baguette, and honey comb. Totally awesome. Finally, we had the duck and the sliders for entrees. The duck was fantastic, it came with some delicious capers and cooked down blueberries along with a goat cheese and chorizo bread pudding. I really admire the creativity in this dish. The sliders...well, I won't be having those again. They seemed to have been grilled shortly and then steamed to melt the cheese over the onions on top of the sliders but they steamed them too long. All in all, I highly recommend checking this place out, just skip the sliders, there are so many more incredible offerings!
(5)
Maya C.
This was my first visit to Ovinte and after hearing rave reviews my expectations were pretty high. I met a group of friends here and we were hoping for a larger group to come out that that didn't happen. Due to our small party, we decided to sit in the lounge area, which is open seating. It was a little difficult to hear what everyone was saying due to being right by the bar but we made the best of it. I ordered a glass of Moscato and decided to start off with one appetizer and one small plate. Both came out at the same time, the bacon-wrapped dates and the lamb meatballs. OMG the dates were delicious! I should've taken bites from the toothpicked bacon dates but I stuck the whole thing in my mouth not thinking that they would be so stuffed with Mahon cheese. It was still go either way. I did wish I had more than three though. I originally thought the lamb meatballs were kinda plain in the sauce but the goat cheese packed a lot of flavor and eating it with the meatball made up for it. It was very good. Still kinda hungry, I ordered the Shrimp and Grits. Mannnnn those grits were bangin'! There called Anson Mills stone-ground grits. The Mayport shrimp were so good too. Almost forgetting about dessert and still on my second glass of Moscato, I asked about the Chocolate Roulette. Apparently they are little chocolate truffles all with different flavors based on the chef's choice. I picked it out of curiosity and I didn't get steered wrong. One was a little spicy, one was made of coconut, and the other from espresso. Delicious and simple. My other dining companions had Carciofo (crispy asparagus) which was a big hit as she kept saying "Oh My God" after each bite, grilled seasonal vegetables (very good), chorizo al vino tinto (tasty), tres leches cake (ok, but dry towards the center), and the limoncello brioche bread pudding (dear goodness that was heaven sent!!!) If I come back, I'd like to go for brunch or maybe even sit outside on the patio if it's nice. It was just too noisy for me in there.
This place rocks. I've had the lamb meatballs, pumpkin ravioli, filet mignon, bacon wrapped dates, polenta, goat cheese stuffed peppers, Prosciutto wrapped melon, hanger steak, and the 50/50 sliders. You will not try something here and dislike it. Reallllllly good food, good drinks, great atmosphere, and very classy. Not overly fancy but "smart casual" as they call it. Great spot to bring a date and have conversation all night. Have been here multiple time since my initial review. Has quickly become one of my top 10 spots in Jacksonville. They've also recently redone their entire menu since my initial review and it's still very good.
(5)
Matt D.
Between four of us, we shared a ton of plates, some were great and others weren't. It's a common problem with tapas restaurants: they're eventually going to have a bad plate. The ravioli, ceviche and and lamb were excellent, while the calamari, bruschetta and shrimp were not. I agree with many others about the bread pudding: amazing. That's coming from a guy that doesn't like bread pudding. Well worth a try, but be careful about what you pick.
(3)
Kim P.
I absolutely adore Ovinte! The decor is very chic and the lounge offers a very modern, comfortable atmosphere. The 50/50 sliders (sweet yet savory) & truffle fries are delicious! I also enjoyed the Brioche Bread Pudding & the S'mores! The brunch options are great as well. (Drink Recommendations: Fountain of Youth) The live music on Sunday's creates a relaxing ambience (Easy listening, Blues-esque music)! Ive visited Ovinte on multiple occasions and there was only one visit where the service was not up to par. The prices are also fair for the quality of the food & the atmosphere! Overall, I love it!
(5)
Sumi W.
I wanted to check this place out so bad since I followed them on Instagram. When I finally got the chance, I got the worst waitress ever! She double carded us, didn't know the menu items thoroughly, and didn't how to pour alcohol in a glass (spilled it all over the table)... Seriously who hired her? She belongs in the back washing dishes. With that being said I haven't gone back here and I even unfollowed them on Instagram. They lost two customers for sure. I'm still mad she double carded us. Who does that in a restaurant? That's for a store like Total Wine to double card us which would make sense.
(3)
Maxine M.
I used their online app to book a table Monday night for my sons 19th Birthday. They sent me an email an hour AFTER my 615 table time to tell me that it was canceled. They also called while I was IN route to dinner but was using a map app so couldn't answer my phone. They blamed the table time app for allowing me to make a reservation. When we arrived we were told that they were closed for a private event but if I wanted to come back at 9pm (3 hours later?) They would buy us a drink. Thanks for offering to buy my 19 year old alcohol. We won't ever go back. I am also enjoying telling the 200 plus patients who come in weekly to my office how we were treated. I love when marketing works that way..word of mouth is everything! ! His birthday was saved by J'alexanders! ! It won't let me give less than 1 star :(
(1)
Richard P.
My wife and I recently tried Ovinte for their brunch. The food was pretty good. We ordered the meat and cheese tray shared with two other friends. I had their masa and ricotta pancakes and wife got the brioche French toast. Mine was not bad, though nothing special. My wife's French toast was really delicious. The atmosphere was great though. There was a live performance so we opted for outdoor seating. Overall it was a nice experience. It's slightly on the pricey side, but it's expected for an upscale restaurant at the Tome Center.
(3)
Matt B.
We have been here a few times and the atmosphere is really cool. The food is good but on small plates and the service has been really good. The only negatives I found are the don't have tea. Sweet or un. And when your the designated driver there fabulous wine and drink selection does you no good.
(4)
Jamie I.
This weekend started the festivities to celebrate my birthday this Monday. Those of you who have the day off from work, you're welcome. Ovine has been on my list to try and after perusing the menu, my desire for a cheese plate meant a visit. Ovinte is located in the Town Center across from Tigerdirect in the old Original Pancake building. The decor is modern and comfortable with a large lounge area. A small parking lot meant I took advantage of the complimentary valet. My dinner date and I chose the patio since it was a nice evening and they have heaters outside. We were in a bubbly mood and enjoyed a glass of prosecco. We started with the cheese plate and chose the manchego, aged gouda, and bellatoir. The plate came with local honey, grapes, Marconi almonds and toasted baguette. I died and went to cheese plate heaven. Maybe it just filled a massive craving, but damn, was it good. The bellatoir, a soft French cheese, was the winner of the evening. We then moved on to sharing bacon wrapped dates, crab cakes, and chorizo empanadas. I love dates and these didn't disappoint. The crab cakes were very good with little filler and the empanadas were crispy without being overly greasy. For dessert, we had the homemade s'mores with a generous dusting of sea salt on top. Inside got crazy busy and was super loud. I'm glad we choose the patio. It allowed for a more quiet, leisurely dinner. If you haven't visited yet, I recommend it!
(4)
Aaron H.
We tried a variety of menu items all of them were excellent, the waiter was very knowledgeable and ready and willing to explain everything to us, it was a great date night experience for me and my wife. The bruschetta sampler was amazing, everything was very fresh and delicious!
(5)
Kamni G.
I have had this place on my list of places for try for a while. So when we met a fellow yelper (Waheed) and made plans to meet up, we obviously chose ovinte! They do take brunch reservations but it didn't seem like it was necessary when we arrived. The hostess was amazingly helpful and patient. She never hesitated to refill the processco or let a water re fill lapse. She was there before you knew you needed her there. The food, now it was good but not amazing. I do adore their fries and they are yummy! With 4 stars, this place now moves into places to try for dinner list however not when st johns town center is at it's busiest. Give this place a try, between the friendly service, good food, live music, amazing decor... You may forget where you are and relax for a while.
(4)
Mahalie H.
The food was amazing for my first time. I had the shrimp, scallop, and crab meat crepe with a butter wine sauce. Then a meat and cheese tray along with a refreshing ginger beer cocktail. The atmosphere was very nice and unique. I will be visiting again.
(5)
Stephanie A.
Very nice ambiance and a very creative menu. I love the small plates they offer. This way you can try many more options. The staff was extremely attentive. I found the music was good but could be turned down just a bit for better conversation. My husband and I really enjoyed our entire meal. We definitely will return.
(4)
Martha G.
I love wine, hence I love Ovinte...it's that simple. However, since I wouldn't be a true Yelper without a longer review here I go. So why Ovinte? Well, first of all the wine selection is amazing. From their by the glass or half bottle selection of wines, to their "Wine Emotion Cards" where you preload them with $25 and you can sample as many wines as your card takes you from their wine emotion machine. Its a lovely contraption that I would love to have at home, basically is like beer on tap, except its bottles of wine and all it takes is your little "wine emotion card" to serve yourself. Anyway, besides the wine, Ovite has a full bar for non-wine drinkers and great tapas selection so that you don't end up all liquored up. :-) I expecially love their Cheese / Charcuterie plate, the crab cakes, and the" Chorizo al Vino Tinto" which is slice spanish chorizo (sausage) served with grilled bread...yumm. In addition to the wine, and great food. The atmosphere inside and outside is very relaxing and makes a nice stop after work, after a hard day shopping at the mall, or just as a good excuse to hang out with friends.
(5)
Diane A.
Had tapas last night for dinner after work and became a fan of Ovinte at the St. John's towncenter. A good crowd was in for happy hour on a Monday. We had dinner consisting of tapas - truffle fries, seared scallops, shrimp, grilled bread slices, and ceviche. All the tapas were cooked perfectly and well prepared. We ended our evening with Limoncello bread pudding just to reminisce our Italian honeymoon & the constant indulging in limoncello. The ice cream on top of the bread pudding was a slight lemon flavor but not typical "limoncello" flavor that Italy is famous for. Service was great and we were greeted by the host staff and server. Food was priced well along with a great happy hour atmosphere. I'd come back often!
(4)
Han L.
According to our server, this is the only non-chain restaurant in the Town Center. Ovinte is a tapas restaurant that offers brunch on the weekends. I highly recommend this place for people who enjoy non-traditional brunch options, as it has several latin-inspired and latin-fusion brunch options. Although it doesn't apply to me, I appreciate the vegetarian and gluten-free options available on the menu. I had my first Michelada, here. *GUSHING* it's basically a bloody mary made with beer instead. it makes for a fine libation when you add a little hot sauce to it. yummayyy. Some of the brunch options are also tapas style, so you may have to order more than one item to satiate your appetite. As with other tapas restaurants, I recommend going with 3 or more ppl to maximize the experience. We ordered the tamale and the salmon plate. The tamale will definitely not fill you up. The salmon platter is great for sharing. It was served on a wooden board with capers, red onions, peppers, eggs, and bread. I liked the presentation of the foods. The ambience is great. It's quite contemporary, but inviting. In the center of the restaurant are sofas for dining and groups. There is also outdoor seating. I would definitely come back to enjoy the tapas during the evening. This would be a great place for gno.
(4)
Daisy D.
We had walked into Ovinte one night to check it out, but the place was bouncing so we bounced ourselves right back to our car. Finally made it back with a girlfriend after work to check the place out. Grabbed a beer at the bar while I waited for her. We were seated on the porch. Very excited to see one of my favorite waiters from Orsay would be waiting on us. We started with an order of the Herbed Truffle Fries to snack on while we perused the rest of the menu. I ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad special. It was a stack of gorgeous tomatoes topped with a goat cheese fritter. It was delicious. The tomatoes were dressed just right and the goat cheese added just the right amount of richness and tang. For our next course, I ordered the shrimp & grits and my dining partner had the seared scallops special. My plate was good, but I can't say it was amazing. It wasn't at all bad, I just think unfortunately I have a very high bar for making a serious impression when it comes to shrimp & grits because I've had it almost everywhere in Jacksonville. I tasted a bite of one of her scallops, they were seared perfectly and melted like butter on your tongue. As they should. For dessert we had an order of the s'mores and the limoncello bread pudding. Both were delicious and I've finally come to appreciate bread pudding as a part of my life. Didn't like it as a kid, but love it now. I would order the bread pudding again if I was sharing, but if I just wanted a little sweet treat to wrap up my meal, the s'mores are the way to go. Can't wait to take my husband back. He's been eyeing this place forever and we just haven't been able to make it work.
(4)
Katrice S.
Ovinte may very well become me and my friend's regular meet-up spots for "Girls Night Out"! When we walked we were instantly impressed with the decor and the lounge set-up! Perfect for our girls night out gathering. The atmosphere was very relaxing, the music was awesome, and our server was the best (Hi Hunter!) This made for a wonderful dining experience. There were a lot of things on the menu we wanted to try and lucky for us, the menu options are tapas and small plates. This made it easy for us to share so we ordered a few different things to satisfy all of our palates, and we made sure my friend got her "cheese" LOL! Here's what we had: Cheese & Charcuterie Ofcourse, the cheese and fresh fruit were good but the honeycomb and Marcona almonds were divine! Herb Truffle Fries These were my favorite! I was gobbling them down like I was in a fries eating contest! These shoestring cut fries were dusted with sea-salt, fresh herbs, parmesan, and truffle oil.....YUM! Bacon Wrapped Dates These were amazing...they were so good we placed a second order of them. The little mahon cheese surprise inside of the dates and the apple wood bacon did it for us! Chorizo Al Vino Tinto Another amazing choice! The chorizo had a nice spiciness to it that wasn't overwhelming and the wine and herbs it was cooked in was heavenly! It was perfect to dip our grilled bread in ...and fries. Empanadas de Chorizo These were our least favorite of everything. A little too doughy perhaps and not much flavor. Pretty to look at though. :) Moroccan-Spiced Pork Skewers These were very good especially with the arugula salad! The meat had the perfect blend of moorish spices. We all agreed Ovinte would be our new ladies night out meet up spot! The atmosphere is perfect, the wine and food is amazing, and the staff are wonderful! I can see this place becoming a favorite and I look forward to returning! Check out the full review with pics highheelsgoodmeals.blogs…
(4)
Cathy C.
Every glass of wine, every meal and small plates are over the top wonderful. Especially love going to Sunday brunch and relaxing with a glass of champagne and a special breakfast.
(5)
Leah A.
I had a chance to meet the chef and try a sample of his amazing shrimp eggrolls @ The 4th Annual Slow Down with Slow Food First Coast at Intuition Ale Works. All I can say is this was one of my favorite taste bites of the event. If this is any indication of the rest of their food menu, I can't wait to sit down for a full meal here very soon!
(4)
James Y.
This is one of my favorite places in Jax. The food is traditional tapas (small plates) but do not let that turn you off. It's a great way to try several things. I was most impressed with their very reasonable wine prices. A bottle they sell for 55 is typically closer to 90 at other spots. I highly recommend the meat and cheese tray with a nice bottle of wine. Follow that up with a piece of lemon bread pudding and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Eat Fresh A.
Love the vibe and great selection of wine cocktails! First time here and I'll definitely will be coming back!
(5)
Jeanne D.
This little gem is well worth finding if you are at the Town Center and would like a relaxing, sophisticated, light meal or snack. They also have a full bar and a good wine selection and this is the perfect place to meet up with other people for drinks and appetizers. I especially love the large comfortable lounge area for groups to converse on and linger over their drinks. We split a half bottle of wine and were very happy with this selection; I look forward to going back and seeing if more of their choices are this good! The food we shared was excellent, we had French fries (my weakness), sliders, and a flat bread. It was all wonderful, I especially loved the flat bread - it was every bit as good as what I have had in Rome. I am looking forward to returning here, This is really a great addition to the Town Center, I am looking forward to many more return visits.
(4)
Kevin L.
Great experience for Sunday brunch. Live music and outdoor seating made our meal 5 stars. I am generally not a huge fan of tapas given my appetite, but the food was quality. Certainly going to make it here regularly. Whoever that duo was playing outside was legit and I hope they have a cd out on spotify or iTunes.
(5)
Einar J.
Love this place for Brunch. Their tapas are excellent. Even the ceviche, is acceptable and this is a hard thing to get acceptable if you are not a ceviche place. Love the music, Chris Thomas makes it fun. Seen very well behaved kids there also.
(5)
Debbi C.
Service bumps this place to a 5. The food is consistently good. Tried the steak tonight and liked it. My hubby had fun trying all the wines. The valets are great. Steven always treats us right. Chelsea is a great waitress and remembered us. I hope she didn't dread having us again. Hahaha Chad- the owner-came and remembered us, as well. He made sure several times all was good. He's great! I'm so excited to have this great place as a new regular!!!
The perfect romantic date spot. The wine selection is fabulous, lots to choose from. We ordered a cheese plate to compliment the wine. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to make a tapas style dinner. The servings are small which make them perfect for sharing. My favorite was the special that night: seared scallops with arugula over truffle whipped potatoes in an ox tail reduction. The small size was perfect for this indulgent dish! The waiter had spot on service and was in tune to our needs without interrupting our night. The only thing I don't get is the valet. It's a small restaurant with an immediately available parking lot. I feel silly valeting when my legs work just fine.
(5)
Rhoda A.
Really amazing place for brunch, or a lounge atmosphere. They have an extensive wine selection that will suite any taste or budget. I've had brunch there and was not disappointed. Great place to take business associates, out of town friends, or any large gathering. Dined with members of the Jacksonville Foodies Club.
(5)
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Address :10208 Buckhead Branch Dr
Jacksonville, FL, 32246
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ruby A.
Ok, so let me start by saying there are 3 business entries for this location. Obviously, I'm going to pick the one with NO review so I can get a 1st to Review sticker LOL :P I'm totally loving and diggin' this new place. The wine menu is filled with wines from some of the best regions. I like that they have an extensive list for wines by the glass. They also serve beer, but I was bummed to see they only highlight one local brewery (Intuition) instead of several of the local breweries. In addition to the wine and beer, they have a mouth-watering cocktail menu. Lastly, they have FOOD - regular portions, tapas, and dessert! My sis and I were only able to stuff ourselves with the cheese plate and a glass of red wine each. (I have the names of these items and more pictures on my camera, so I'll have to update this review later.) The prices for both the food and drinks are reasonable. The ambiance is hip - dimmed lights, cozy settings, metal with natural color combo... There are several different seating arrangements to choose from: tables inside, tables outside, or sofa lounges inside for the more intimate or bigger gatherings. The service was excellent. The valet guys greeted and opened the door for us upon arrival, the hostess greeted us right away and explained the concept of the restaurant, our waitress was very knowledgeable of all the menu items, and our waitress came by often to check on us. I'm looking forward to more outings here. Next Yelp Event????
(4)Erika G.
Amazing. Was in Jacksonville on business and found this place on yelp. It's upscale, classy, fairly priced, food is delicious, and service was excellent. Would definitely recommend this spot to anyone. It was just what I was looking for!
(5)Carl B.
Don't let the Mall location fool you! Great destination night out - fantastic lounge area, great wine list and very nice Tapas selection. Can get a little loud on the weekends but highly recommend it if you enjoy the Tapas experience
(4)Brent Z.
I really love this place, which could be good or bad because I live across the street. Great cocktails! Great wine selection including some of my favorite lesser known California wineries. Great bourbon selection too! Already some of my favorite things. And the food is very good too, particularly if you order correctly. A couple of the small plates are, uh, very small, but that's probably my biggest criticism. The brunch is excellent, and they have a very good take on the michelada made with Fat Tire. Definitely a place to check out particularly if you like a hip social scene that is nice at the same time.
(5)Matt B.
If you like great wine, good atmosphere, and small portions this place will be perfect. We had both highlights, and low-lights....but overall found the food lacking bold flavor, and the restaurant too loud and crowded. We were still hungry after 2 hours and 100.00. The ravioli(yes it's just one) was delicious, the paella, clams, and artiCHOKE hearts were not.
(2)Tim C.
Our recent visit to Ovinte exceeded our highest expectations. From the valet service at the door, to the menu, to the amazing wine list of by the glass and bottle, to quality ingredients and perfect presentation, start to finish was an awesome experience. While the entire service staff seemed to be spot on, our server, Carlo was the best. Ask for him when you book a table, you'll not be disappointed. We tend to compare dining experiences against our many years living in Napa Valley and enjoying constant 4-5 star dining. Ovinte easily matches up to many spots out there and surpasses quite a few of them in the total package. Eager to return and enjoy the outdoor patio, rain kept us inside this visit. Kudos to the entire team, it is very obvious that Ovinte is well managed.
(5)Kevin P.
Ovinte, was a last minute option, however, after dinning here this will be my first choice when I visit Jacksonville again. The food is great, the service was impeccable.
(5)Amanda J.
Super impressed! I hate that I missed the yelp outing but have been eyeballing this place since before it opened. The hubs and I tried the pick three charcuterie plate, then the bacon wrapped dates, the prosciutto wrapped artichoke hearts, the truffle herbed fries, and the chorizo cooked in red wine and herbs. The place has a swank decor, and is very "hipster" but not too classy to pop in wearing nice jeans loved it.the space was bright and open, very modern, and had cool plush chairs and couches to sit and chill besides tables and booths. The drink glasses are a bit small, but the portion of food for them to be considered tapas is perfect! The bill for the two of us to share 5 plates was just about $45 not including a tip. I truly find this reasonable. Service was quick, friendly and totally hospitable. I'd say all in all this chef has completely changed my mind about chorizo! I've always had it crumbled, greasy and not very flavorful in most Mexican preparations. This soaked in wine was the most flavorful I've ever had! I sopped up the bread in the wine after the meat was gone. Absolutely delish. Another high point were the bacon wrapped dates! Almost warm and candy like. The bacon was a welcomed hint of saltiness. I have already planned to go back for my anniversary in September, so I can't wait!! I'm also super pumped to try a place similar to this one in Vegas in December called Jaleo. More reviews coming soon.
(5)Anne P.
This is a really attractive spot! We ate on the patio, which was great considering we had a mellow after-the-storm type evening. As with any tapas place, if you go ravenous you could rack up a hefty charge, but the serving sizes are in line with this kind of place and the prices aren't bad. I really enjoyed my foam-enhanced mushroom risotto, very flavorful. There is a good selection of wines by the glass and half-bottle and the full wine list looks quite extensive. Our server was very attentive. Dishes were brought out by separate food runners, which probably helps efficiency. My only real caveat: the seating areas near the bar inside could make conversation a challenge: everyone was super civilized but the conversation volume was up there.
(4)Anthony N.
This place was always on my list of spots to hit up. It definitely is a great spot and veers away from cookie cutter restaurants at the Town Center area. It was a first date evening and my date loved it. We started with tapas (crab cakes & bacon wrapped dates). Both were really good & season well. Crab Cakes came with a Romesco sauce. It really didn't even need it b/c the Crab Cake was so good. We had the braised lamb shank & Filet Mignon. The filet came out cooked perfectly & the lamb was nice and moist. I like the plating, instead of big massive plates. They came out in sizes that compliment the food. I am a chef, so I am very picky about places to eat at. I will definitely be hitting Ovinte up again. Might even make it my go to spot.
(4)Leighton D.
2.5 stars My wife and I went here while at SJTC, I want to recommend this place, honest I do, but I had one BIG issue. Because of that issue, I wanted to wait a few days to see if my reflection of the issue waned of if it grew... Unfortunately, it grew. So here is the review. The good. The food was great! Great presentation and flavor. The portions are a bit small, even for Tapas, with many of the tapas being 3-5 bites as opposed to 5-7 bites as with most other restaurants. Also, expect to pay about $1-3 more for a similar item that you would normally get elsewhere. Enter in the $15 ($14.50) shot of Don Julio? REALLY? I could understand if it was the "70" but regular Anejo, where at most places it is between $9-12? I guess you are really paying for the atmosphere... Which was really nice. Beautiful layout, designed for groups or smaller gatherings. Great patio, and I was impressed to see that you could have your pet on the patio, which goes back to SJTC being one of the most pet friendly areas that I have been to in the state. The inside and outside are ideal for intimate and upscale social gatherings. A nice place to meet for drinks after a day at the office. And Office attire is pretty much what you would want to be in most of the time when you visit. So why the 2 star review? The first impression. When we came in through the doors, the greeter looked at us and said, "Can I help you?" Not, "Welcome to Ovinte, will you be joining us this evening?" or any other variation of the standard greeter greeting, but in a tone as if we were LOST! REALLY?!?!?! As if to say "Wendy's is across the street." While my wife was dressed a little more casual than I was, we were no where close to the folks that were there in shorts and flip flops, so I don't think that was the issue. And I really don't think any racial component played at all, so the only thing I can think of, is that the greeter was in a serious need of an emergency colorectal surgery to remove whatever object that found its way in to make her attitude so "Sh***y." That first impression will be a lasting impression. The plus side of it was that our server was A++ Awesome! Portia actually made us feel welcomed and have us considering coming back. The other servers seemed to be pretty chill as well. Given that this is a place where you can EASILY drop $75 for a light meal for two, and probably go well in excess of $200 if you made an evening of it, I feel that the experience given should be top notch. Frankly, it wasn't. So that puts me in the position of whether to recommend or not recommend. If friends are wanting to go, I will have no problem going, but for NOW, I would rather go to Cap Grille if I am going to spend that kind of money, and get the outstanding service and experience that I would expect. Tip: MUST TRY THE BREAD PUDDING!!! ps. If/when I do go back, I will update this review accordingly.
(2)Deidra B.
So one of my girlfriends and I dined here to have a chilled girls' night out. The valet service is very welcomed since parking at the Town Centre is such a nightmare. We received a friendly greeting upon entering the restaurant and had to wait a couple of minutes for our table. In the meantime we sat on the couch for less than five minutes before being ushered to our table. Here's a tip - definitely bring a jacket because there's a good chance you'll be sitting under an air vent if you choose to dine inside. The decor is modern and yet maintains a cozy vibe that encourages all levels of conversation. The place was full but not packed for the dinner hour (we dined at 7). Now onto the food - we ordered the herb truffle fries, Ceviche Fresco, Rollo del Mar, house-made Raviolo and Sautéed Clams. Now among all those dishes the Rollo del Mar (seafood roll) and the Ravioli were particularly outstanding. Overall nothing was over or under cooked and I salute the kitchen for good technique and excellent plating. The drinks were also good - and no we did not have a single glass of wine. I had a drink called Spa Water and loved every sip of it (enough to order two of them). My girlfriend had the Fountain of Youth and Old Salt Daiquiri and was pleased with her libations. Our waitress staggered the dishes fairly well and provided average service. The supporting wait staff did a great job of keeping our table clear as we finished our dishes - I hope the tip included their service. The visit was very nice and I will definitely be back for dinner for two or with a group of friends.
(4)BS B.
It's pretty nice bar with beautiful with nice decoration and and music( but a little bit high) They have a good wine list.. And a nice variety of snacks (expensive and small in size)
(3)Lorine W.
We have had almost everything on the menu and it has all been great. The pasta tacos are the hidden gem, get them with the extra sauce. New York for two is probably the best deal for steak. Daily specials and happy hour always a great deal.
(5)Angela P.
The hubs and I LOVE this place! Great date night. Modern and sleek decor create a cool ambiance. The staff are all very Friendly and helpful with menu suggestions. The truffle fries are to die for! Highly suggested! Also, grab the Fountain of Youth drink, you will not be sorry.
(5)Diana M.
Delish!! We grabbed a few drinks and apps at the bar while waiting for our table. Once seated, we spit a few more small plates. Everything was very tasty and fresh. Our server was awesome and was full of great suggestions. This is definitely a nice addition to the TC!! I love locally owned restaurants and it's nice to have one in the midst of the land of chain places!
(4)Shelley M.
Ovinte is a recent addition to the St Johns Town Center. It occupies the building that formerly housed the Original Pancake, tucked behind a fast food restaurant and computer store. I was surprised to be able to get a table for two after the briefest of waits on a Saturday night. I was on the early side (7-730), however. I noticed the lounge area had completely filled up when I left just before 10. Ovinte has a cool atmosphere. Most of the interior space is filled with large velvet couches. They have waitstaff serving the people on the couches, so even without a table, this would be a fun option. I noticed a couple of couches had "reserved" signs on them. One wall had wine coolers that operate on a card system: you can purchase a card from a waiter or bartender for $25 or more, and serve yourself a 1 ounce sample, 4 ounce pour or a full glass of wine. I will definitely be trying that in the future! Since we got a table, however, we shared a half bottle of Cabernet Savignon for $15. We started with the bacon wrapped dates, stuffed with cheese, and the fried artichoke hearts with aioli, for $5 each. Both were good, although only about 4 bites per plate. We moved on to the pumpkin ravioli, which was delicious. We didn't order any larger plates, just shared small tapas, and I can see how it would be very easy to rack up quite a bill and leave hungry. However, our dainty sampling left us room for coffee and dessert. I tried the s'mores that every other review raved about, but I was disappointed. Three cold s'mores left me jealously wishing I'd ordered the chocolate torte that my friend was enjoying. I loved having my own little French press, however, which filled my cup twice. I will definitely return to Ovinte and try more tempting tapas. This place seems like a welcome addition to Town Center, which is dominated by chain restaurants.
(4)Monica S.
Soooo goooood...... No, really Executive Chef Ian Lynch has created a farm-to-table-fresh menu here -- and in its creativity alone should get 5 stars all by itself! Tapas tried (so far): Tartar -- most expensive tapas and wish there would have been more (very small portion-kind of a taste bud tease for me) but completely and utterly delicious! Chorizo -- large tapas portion (and best value IMHO) delicious and marinated in red wine for a day...nom, nom, nom.... Salted Cod Fritter -- (can't remember the name) with an herb lemon aoili... Chef Ian said he wanted to have something different than a crab cake so this is a traditional rendition of a Spanish dish but very similar (in texture not necessarily taste). Homemade pumpkin and goat cheese ravioli in a creamy sage sauce -- ...uhhhhh need I say more? Small Plates tried (so far): 50/50 Sliders with Truffle Fries -- Sliders are made with a house-blended ground of bacon and sirloin if I remember correctly. Very unique taste. Huge portion of truffle fries. Pumpkin Rissoto --...she says wiping away a tear of joy... slightly sweet with mushrooms and shaved Parmesan(?). Really I don't know what all was in this small plate but it was incredible. Atmosphere is hip and loud with a great vibe. Due in part to the 'Wine Emotion Machine' I am sure--yea, that IS the name :). You get a specific card from the bar and plug it into the machine and dispense your own wine designated by ounces and cash amount..... Wow.... simply genius!! Bocci Ball on the deck...yea--this is a far cry from the Pancake House that was originally housed here! lol! Free valet Truly a great place for eclectic eaters, wine drinkers and those who enjoy a great Hipster-esque social scene!
(5)Devon S.
I'm a huge fan. Seriously. I've been several times now for dinner and for brunch, and I cannot say enough good things about this place. Since most people seem to talk about the dinner menu, I figured I'd focus on brunch. Here's what you need to know: The brunch cocktails are fantastic. The Bocce Ball - a cocktail named for Ovinte's bocce ball court is vodka, amaretto, orange juice, and soda, it's quite the refresher. The Stoned Fizz is a great hair-of-the-dog with its vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, and prosecco topper (Give me anything with prosecco and I'll probably drink it). The Sunday Bloody Sunday (love the nod to U2) is their take on a traditional Bloody Mary. I'm probably the last person in the world to comment on a Bloody Mary seeing as I think tomato juice is foul. We started off our meal with an plate of Assorted Patisseries with Nutella, raspberry rubarb jam, and whipped butter. The savory pound cake was a delightful surprise, and not much beats the simplicity of a croissant with Nutella. A source tells me that the jam was pretty tasty on the blueberry muffin, and I can tell you first hand that the pecan pastry was a bite of heaven. I'm absolutely love the Brioche French Toast. The Bellatoir cheese and maple butter whiskey syrup make this dish unreal. Best breakfast ever. And just when I thought life couldn't possibly get any better, Applewood Smoked Bacon dipped in milk chocolate and topped with Sea Salt showed up at the table. After their brunch, I could die happy.
(5)Whitney T.
This place is awesome! All I have to say is Bacon Wrapped Dates... Oh and Truffle Fries... I'm done!
(4)Ryan D.
Ovinte is a great addition to the Town Center, and definitely a great addition to Jacksonville! We needed more wine places that serves a wider variety of wines from across the globe.. Service here has been amazing! From the valet guys (several of them are very good looking too by the way!) to the hostess, and the waiter! There is that consistency in trying to achieve that excellence in service. While I have not tried their full menu, I have tried their cheese plates and a couple of other small plates. While they are on the high side, it was well worth it. It was filling, and delicious. My friends and I usually would order the three cheese plate and share it. It may come out looking like its very small, but its always enough for the two of us. The atmosphere of the place itself is very chill and modern, and it takes out the feeling that Ovinte is actually located in a mall!
(5)Helen B.
Drinks are OK depending on what you get... The tapas are nothing to wow about. I wasn't impressed to be honest.
(3)M B.
Over priced for location I was in town for a couple weeks and I don't get why these places charge so much when the location is in the middle of a field off the highway these are prices of Newport Beach not Jacksonville. If I was in a major city ok it is what it is but we're in suburbia they must have crazy rent to pay. Overall the inside was nice this must be the hop place for Jax peeps besides that sorry Suite club OMG!
(3)Erikka N.
Great wines, great atmosphere.
(4)Melissa L.
I've been here on two occassions and I could say that I've had better tapas. At home. From the outside looking in, the outdoor area and indoor decor looks great. A unique twist of modern on a spanish rustic interior, I was excited walking in for the first time for my birthday celebration. My friend made it known that it was my birthday and we ordered a bunch of small appetizers that ended up being exactly that- small. Microscopic small. Like, 'wait i paid $20 for one bite?? my finger is bigger than that' small. There were some dishes like the chorizo that were on the larger side, but to be honest, it wasn't even that tasty. Just to give an idea, we got the chorizo, lobster ravioli, crispy fried artichoke hearts, herb truffle fries, tartare, 3 choices of spread, etc. All were mediocre, nothing too spectacular. I would expect more out of the prices, afterall, this isn't New York City. What was more upsetting was that it was my birthday and so my friends asked for a small dessert and the rude server told us that she "doesn't do that" and if we wanted we could buy a dessert and she would put a candle in it for me. So she ruined the surprise, came up to me and asked me what dessert I wanted to purchase.... She really killed the mood and I felt so lame about ordering my own birthday dessert. Another annoying thing is the valet. First off, why do you need a valet? The parking lot is.. right there. With the service and the food, I would say that this place is not classy enough to warrant a valet. Nor would I ever pay for a valet to go to this place, sorry. Maybe I am getting emotional thinking about what a terrible birthday I had, but to be honest, even going back a second time, I was underwhelmed. Most likely won't ever go here again, sorry guys.
(2)Mike B.
The place is new, I know its not going to be perfect, but it could do a few things to get pretty close. 1 - Have some wine flights, they had plenty of wine I never heard of, instead of having to have a full glass of lots of them, it would have been nice to have a flight. 2 - Do not run out of food, I was going to order the S'mores based off what a friend told me about, but they were out. The bartender told me they ran out the day before, which almost makes it sound worse. Overall, the atmosphere was cool and the place seemed fun, I will go back and give it another try and you should too.
(4)Christina F.
Great service! Ordered an old fashioned. On round two before i took a sup, the sever said the bartender thought he didn't make my drink well enough, and brought me a new drink. Bartender was correct, both were good, just different drinks. I think it was great they went the extra mile to make sure I had a great drink, before I even noticed!
(4)Tanya S.
Probably the best place in Towncenter area...dare I say Jax? The atmosphere, the staff and owners are amazing. One time when the pumpkin risotto wasn't to my liking, the owner came over apologized and remade the dish without charging us. That is what i call great customer service. Must try the lemon bread pudding and of course their truffle fries!!!
(5)Austin H.
Excellent drinks, excellent service, and excellent food with sensible portions. What more is there to say?
(5)Jennifer G.
This place is a great place to meet up with people after work or on weekends. They have a huge selection of wines, liquor, and have a selection of cocktails to chose from. If you don't see one on their drink menu that strikes your fancy just ask whoever's waiting on you what you want and it's no problem. They also have awesome tapas, my fave by far every time is the civiche, and the fish is never the same. The lobster ravioli is also great, even though its just one its a pretty big one. The flatbread with fig and arugula sounded strange but was amazing! That visit I was so into the food I didn't even wright the review or check in!! Oh well it was that good, and the decor and couch style seating is awesome! Plus the couches carry on out to the patio as well, and they have tables with umbrellas as well. The staff is also very upbeat and polite which ties it all together!
(5)Jim W.
I have never had a bad experience here. I've been there 10 times. Try some of their cocktails.
(5)Tara F.
Went for Sunday brunch with my husband a couple of weeks ago and we were both really pleased with just about everything. The service was great. Atmosphere is nice. There are several options for seating--outside tables and couch areas, inside tables and couch areas, bar, etc. The food was great (we shared the smoked salmon plate which was really tasty) and reasonably priced for what it was. Only suggestion would be to turn down the mic on the live music. It was great music but it was soooo loud, we kind of had to yell at each other during our meal, and it wasn't very busy so I can imagine how loud it gets when it's a full house. Aside from that though, great experience and we'll definitely be back. Oh and the chocolate covered bacon is TO DIE FOR!!! ...If I could give it 4.75 stars I would :)
(4)Vetey D.
Love the different decor and atmosphere! My husband and I really enjoyed the cheese and charcuterie. Spelling off? Haven't tried their entrees, but we were impressed with the service and atmosphere. Definitely going back :)
(4)Benny K.
Had a tapas dinner on a Friday night. Service was great, food was delicious and the wine outstanding. Overall a very good experience. Our only complaints are the noise and the distance between tables. The restaurant as a whole is loud due to the number of people. Not much they can do about how loud people are. However the distance between the tables is another story. Tables are only about 2 feet apart. This makes it hard to have a romantic conversation with your dinner partner. Add an additional foot in between and it would be much better. We food enjoy ourselves and will be back.
(4)Jason M.
I love this place. We had a group of ten with reservations at 8 pm. We were seated on the patio as the weather was perfect. Reminded me of being in Napa. Relaxed California vibe. Food was excellent. Lamb shank, risotto, steak frites, NY strip, cheese plate, pumpkin raviolo, steak tartare, chorizo, bolognese... We pretty much sampled the entire menu. Wine pairings good. And service overall was spot on. After dinner we enjoyed drinks and conversation until after 1 am. Will definitely return. Valet was good but restaurant doesn't need it.
(5)Sally L.
Since Ovinte opened last December, we have been frequent and loyal customers, mostly for Sunday brunch, but on occasion for happy hour or dinner with friends. My husband and I make a hobby of food and drink, and we are so thankful Ovinte popped up in the dining scene at SJTC. Chef Ian does a marvelous job with elevating food to a sensory level that is unique to the Jax scene. One example is his fish of the day (pesce), which is always beautifully seared and paired with savory complements like roasted fave beans, chanterelles, and cauliflower purée. Another more decadent option is the beef/bacon sliders, served with truffle fries and chipotle ketchup. From the brunch menu, I am particularly enamored with the savory take on the French toast (with bellatoir cheese) and the ricotta pancakes. With the always perfectly poached egg, it makes for an interesting and delicious combination is sweet and savory . The other items on the menu don't disappoint. The cheese plate is beautiful, with Marconi almonds, honey, grapes, and baguette toast, complementing your choice of cheese and/or charcuterie. Although I am not a big dessert fan, I must admit that the bread pudding and lemoncello ice cream were phenomenal. As a wine bar, Ovinte has it together. The food and wine selections are awesome, but the absolute best thing about Ovinte is the staff. Seth and his team make every experience relaxing, fun, and warm. They seem to truly enjoy interacting with the customers and each other, which adds so much ambiance to the dining experience. Scott, the wine guy, always shares his vast knowledge of wine and tailors his recommendations to our palates. If you're a Foodie, Ovinte is a must because the cuisine is the best in Jax. The great atmosphere as a wine bar also makes this place friendly, non pretentious, and welcoming to everyone who wants a nice meal, some amazing wine, and cool staff.
(5)William R.
Chelsea is the best to take care of you at Oviente. The atmosphere is smooth and sexy for having drinks with your lady. Great place to have a good time with friends in high places like an oasis and I got... Sing it mo ...
(5)Kymberly C.
Spectacular new addition to the Jacksonville bar & restaurant scene. The tapas are perfect to share with friends over a glass of bubbles on the patio! I was really impressed with the service as well, even during the "soft opening" our server was attentive, friendly, made confident menu recommendations & was well versed on the wine list. This is my absolute new favorite spot to meet up with my girlfriends!
(5)Ruby H.
Some girlfriends and I went to Ovinte for girls night on Friday and had a wonderful time. The service was friendly and timely. The crowd was more ritzy and it made me feel kind of under-dressed. They have a very good selection of wines. I had a cocktail instead though, Pablo Beach Tea and I highly recommend it. We shared a pick 3 cheese/charcuterie plate and indulged in some desserts afterwards; s'mores and chocolate roulette. I don't think I'd order the desserts there again, they were kind of plain jane. But the cheese/charcuterie selection is good. My friend pointed out that they admit 18+ only individuals after 7pm to ensure a pleasant experience for their guests. I like that.
(5)Brentley S.
My favorite place for celebrating or treating someone to a special meal. I went once for dinner and and for breakfast and it blew me away. Some of the best food I've ever eaten and the small plates a perfect so that you can try a lot of different things. Be warned: go with the understanding that you are going to be spending a lot (hence special occasions) because you want to be able to enjoy it! What to get: The fried artichoke hearts - light, crispy and perfect. The antithesis of the usual fried food. Bacon Wrapped Dates: TRY THEM. You will be so surprised at how amazing the combination is. Cheese Plate: Look over the vast selection and choose what fits to your taste. The gouda was beyond mouthwatering with it's texture and sharp taste! Steak: I don't like steak. This was so buttery and tasty I couldn't believe it was steak. Desert: Limoncello bread pudding with a scoop of housemade ice cream...just go get it. For breakfast it was yummy but fairly average, except for their maple syrupy for the maize pancakes. Trust me I have no idea why it was so good but we, as a society, have been lied to because what we think it maple syrupy is not even close to the syrupy served at Ovinte. A huge plus, it is a locally owned small business so you can feel good about your dollars and your taste buds will be SO HAPPY.
(5)Daune K.
This place will not disappoint! From the ambiance, drinks, and tapas! Nice addition to the town center!
(5)Christa S.
Went here for New Year's Eve - they allow ordering from their standard menu and then had some special occasion specials. This appeared to be the only non-chain in the St. John's Town Center (at least based on everything we saw as we found our way into the private lot for the restaurant). The environment is hip and warm. We were promptly seated (we had made a reservation via Open Table!) and had a friendly and informative server. We ordered a bottle of Tempernillo and then a number of small plates to share. The Empanadas de Chorizo had a wonderful flavor with a great kick - they were warm and three came on the plate. I am a sucker for truffle fries and these lived up to my weakness - the Herb Truffle Fries come with a great homemade chipotle ketchup for dipping (although they were good enough to stand on their own, but this certainly added some pizazz to the palette!) and were plentiful for sharing. The Bolsa d' Angelo (or in English - spaghetti tacos) were unique and delightful - the sauce had great flavor and the mixture of the soft and crunchy made for interesting bites (also three on the plate). We also enjoyed sharing the Ensalada Estacional - a fantastic blend of flavors. Following the samplings, my Mom and I shared the flatbread of the day - again, really strong and interesting mixture of flavors (chorizo, peppers, spicy aoli, cheese, carmelized onions) and my Dad had the Pappardelle Bolognese (which he licked the bowl clean!). This is not your "ordinary" restaurant and they really offered a special way to have dinner on New Year's Eve - we didn't stay until midnight, but still feel like we celebrated in style!
(5)Matt D.
Brand new! Great spot.
(5)Anup S.
Manchego with truffled honey! S'mores! In my opinion, this restaurants is excellent and very consistent and I was happy with the quality. The servers are always very professional, and I enjoy to being served by them. I will be coming back here again and highly recommend that you take this restaurant into consideration for your next meal out.
(4)Dani V.
After having a light snack at Brio, I headed over to check out Ovinte. Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised and how this place was laid out. Lots of fluffy couches to relax and have a drink, also a bar that's dim lit and comfortable. I was hanging out here for long, I only came in for a glass of pinto nior, but the bartender, Adam, was so friendly and knowledgeable. I didn't eat here so I'll give it 4 stars. But the service was great. The wine selection was wonderful as well. Wine by the glass, 1/2 bottle and full bottle.
(4)Marissa B.
The tartare and the pumpkin ravioli were delicious but wasn't too crazy about the calamari although it was highly recommended -- it was a bit chewy for me. Otherwise great ambience -- lounge-y feel and the bartender Adam was excellent -- all the staff was great and friendly.
(4)Maisha R.
I think that I was hoping for more, so I was a bit underwhelmed by the food and the experience. I headed to Ovinte on a Wednesday night to meet up with friends after work for dinner and drinks. Arriving around 7:30, I was surprised to see the place so full and the noise level was quite loud. The layout of the place was open and the couch seating was a nice touch. I found the group along the back wall and our waitress was kind as she came to take my late order. I got the Moroccan pork skewers and empanadas that I'd seen mentioned on Yelp. The pork skewers were great; clearly marinated well and served with a fig reduction. Having had empanadas from another local establishment already that week, the ones I got at Ovinte with chorizo and cheese weren't anything to write home about. The saffron aioli and paprika oil drizzled underneath didn't sit well on my palate. While the atmosphere was really cool and swanky, I wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped that I would be.
(3)Laurie D.
I unexpectedly went to Ovinte to meet some friends, while at the SJTC. My friends had already had dinner, but suggested we try the new tapas restaurant. It has been a long time since, I went to a place and have not read a single review on Yelp for it. I was pleasantly surprised that the there was plenty of parking close to Ovinte, since sometimes that is not the case at Town center restaurants. As I entered the restaurant, I managed to quickly locate my friends without the help of the hostess. Ovinte is a very large and open space. I was really surprised that restaurant was primarily sofa-type chairs around large wooden coffee-style tables. There was a strip of traditional tables and seats, but both sections have waiter service. Since I was in a Champagne kind of mood, I had a Sparkling Rose that was delicious, as well as pretty. Since, my companions had already had dinner I opted for the flatbread of the day. It was much larger than I expected and was delicious. I really enjoyed the ham and grilled asparagus on the flatbread. We also ended up ordering a cheese plate, and every cheese was to my liking. Ovinte is a comfortable place to have a nice chat, enjoy some small plates, and have a nice drink.
(4)Alex Z.
3 stars go only for cool atmosphere, wine list and prompt service. Food - max 1.5 star. If you came here for the food....sorry :( None exists here...unfortunately. Bacon wrapped dates - NO, NO if you ever tried them before; fried artichokes - mmm....eatable, but nothing to wright home about . Chorizo - hard screw up good chorizo, may be, only by marinating it in red wine? Couple more tapas with shrimp(tartars?) or something.. not even deserved to be mentioned... 50/50 dishes...omg, tasted like from microwave..Truffle fry's : tasted more truffle cry's...McDonalds have it better. Shortly speaking - food SUCKS!! Decent wine list, cool lounge atmosphere, friendly prompt service...Might come back for a date, but only after having a dinner at different place...
(3)Ryan F.
Absolutely delicious !!! Great food, service, and WINE.
(5)Lisa B.
Went last weekend with my niece and sister while visiting Jacksonville. I will definitely be back. Great vibe, attentive and knowledgeable wait staff and a great selection of tapas. We sat at one of the many comfortable sofas that serve as the primary seating but there are a few tables, as well. We arrived just prior to the end of happy hour and were able to score a decent bottle of Prosecco for $18! Nice way to begin the evening. We ordered the cheese and charcuterie plate and for our 3/$15 selection we had a Brie, a goat cheese and prosciutto, served with some fruit, honey in the comb, marcona almonds and some great bread for spreading. Delish. We also ordered the empanadas, served three to a plate. We would have had more but we didn't want to ruin our appetites for dinner at another local restaurant. If we didn't have to meet the rest of our family for dinner, I could have sat there all night.
(4)Junaita M.
The food is awesome...especially the stuffed dates and sliders! And wine list vast...I loved the Prosecco suggested by Frank, the bartender, who was so professional and knowledgeable about the menu. He made our experience perfect!!! Go there tonight and ask for Frank!!
(4)Monica L.
My new favorite at the town center. The waiters are very knowledgable in helping you pick out wines. The truffle fries and sliders are fantastic!! It's a great casual atmosphere both inside and outside.
(5)Jacksonville F.
Great pumpkin ravioli and sliders and fried artichokes .....but not so sure about the fruit fly on my bread puddling ....the place is not for families ...but for meeting that blind date or meeting the friends .There seems to be more staff standing around in the corner talking then patrons eating/drinking . Look ...it's a mall restaurant .....seems to be out of place .......very swanky for a mall restaurant . Yes ... Will go again ....but staying away from the bread pudding ....the fruit fly kinda turned me off .
(3)Lizzy C.
Great for a girls night out! The offer both tables (indoor & outdoor), bar seating & a lounge area with couches. The atmosphere is warm & dimly lit with a modern feel. We sat in the lounge on comfy couches & shared a bottle of Argentina Malbec, which was reasonably priced at $30. They have a large cheese selection to choose from & we enjoyed a strong blue, rosemary goat & manchego complete with honey comb, grapes, almonds, crostini, etc. For tapas, I recommend, the pumpkin ravioli, truffle fries & empanadas. The service was speedy on a busy Friday night & we did not have to wait for a table. We ended up splitting the bill & the server didn't mind at all. We felt comfortable spending a couple of hours here & they were more than willing to serve our tapas, cheeses, etc in courses. Will def be coming back to Ovinte!
(5)David B.
Reserving judgement, good first experience despite a strange interaction with hostess about sitting outside. Once past her, the service was terrific, wine was great, and enjoyed the food. A beautiful crowd as well. Will provide more detail after a couple more visits.
(4)Howard H.
Ovinte is a great restaurant that happens to have a great wince list and cocktails. Chad and his team do a fabulous job of being friendly and welcoming, and it is always fun to either have a drink at the bar or have a great dinner in the dining area. I highly recommend Ovinte to anyone who is a foodie and who appreciates a place that resembles a restaurant in San Francisco more than in Jacksonville. Our new favorite in town.
(5)R L.
Best place in Jacksonville! Menu is always changing! Pasta is all made fresh. Great energy too! Tapas menu is perfect and pumpkin ravioli was so good we ordered it again tonight. I also got to meet one of the owners, always a good thing! Not the place to hear screaming kids or baby cries. Am already planning for next time to go back.
(5)Kim L.
I ate the Pumpkin risotto which was very good the two friends I was with had shrimp and grits and filet which they thought it was very small portion size they had to order more food b/c they were still hungry. Valet guy brought me the wrong car had to wait another 5min.
(3)Aron P.
Ate there for the first time last week. Had been meaning to try it, then finally was part of a surprise party for a friend. Food is off the charts good with great variety. Loved the sliders. Very cool upscale but casual atmosphere. Friendly and attentive staff. Give this place a try.
(5)Peter S.
Went there at 2 pm. They had only charcuterie and cheese. Tapas only from 4 pm on. This does not seem to make any sense, except the chef is too lazy to get up earlier to prep food. I would give a better score, but out of the few cheeses they had on their list one was "out". Same with the wine I wanted. Choice of "dolce" is boring. Overall nothing special here. This bar is overrated.
(2)sandra M.
Missed The Grape when it closed at SJTC so wanted to try the new wine place. More formal and more intimidating than The Grape but nice servers. Prices for tapas higher. Full dinners available.
(4)Brian S.
Whoa buddy! This place is exactly what you imagine when you think of a chic wine bar. And, oh by-the-way their tapas are out of this world! Their servers are knowledgeable enough about wine to point you in the right direction, and the selection is first rate. It's a trendy wine bar, so the pricing is high but worth the price.
(5)Greg F.
I had a few bites at the bar. The place was almost full, other than outside, after 7 PM on a weekday. I liked everything I had here. The bacon-wrapped dates ($5) were my favorite and I'd get them every time I come here. The Ruffino Moscato d'Asti ($7/glass) was excellent (though I didn't like that the barmaid called it "Moscato"). The raviolo ($7) was good too: seafood today, with a delicious sauce that I wish they'd given me more of. Note that the tapas are tapa-sized (a small snack). The downside was my waitress: I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was too busy to pay proper attention to me, but it made me unhappy with the experience. Why 4 stars then (above average on my scale)? The food and drink was delicious, so I'm assuming I'd enjoy myself more here next time. For next time the nicest places to eat/drink here are probably the indoor lounge with sofas, if you get there when it's not too busy and you can find a space, or outdoors if the weather is cool.
(4)Ivy Z.
This review is for Ovinte's Sunday brunch, not their regular tapas menu (which I will definitely be back to try!) Pros: - Every Sunday there's live music: very enjoyable and would definitely recommend this - There are tables, a bar, an outside patio, as well as some couches indoors. Ovinte has nailed the atmosphere: I know I will be back to enjoy some Sangria with friends while sitting on those couches. - Herb Truffle fries were delicious - Pitchers of sangria, mimosas, etc. livened up the drink menu Cons: - We came as a group of four on Sunday at 11:30 and there was no wait (very empty at the time). We had a reservation, and asked to be seated at a circular booth that was supposed to seat six - the hostess said no, and we were smushed at a small square table. The circular booths remained empty the entire morning. - Asked for mustard on the side, and it didn't happen - Food was a little underwhelming in terms of flavor: concepts were great, wild mushrooms delicious, but could have benefitted from more flavors. Overall, I would definitely be back at Ovinte for tapas/drinks, but might not come again for brunch.
(3)Jake S.
Food was great....BUT Roaches crawled out of our napkin holder at the bar.... I was with clients so I was extremely embarrassed. When I asked for the manager someone who said they were the owner came out and offered us 10% off. Talk abut insulting. Never again... I was intrigued by the reviews but turned off by the ROACHES!!!!
(2)Adrienne C.
One of Jacksonville's best! I visit Ovinte at least once a month. They're fantastic for a night out with friends, a date or celebrating with family. I love that the cocktails and cuisine are consistently changing with the season while preserving a few clutch staples. The ingredients are fresh, the concept is creative and their execution is on point. Come hungry and with a sense of adventure and you won't be disappointed--it's best to try between 4-6 of the small plates, but save room for dessert, the s'mores are the stuff dreams are made of!
(4)Pamela D.
One of my favorite places to unwind after a good pay day... Elegant, plush and overall beautiful. Mingle at the bar, keep it comfortable and intimate in the lounge, or enjoy the summer evening's breeze in the outside...you can't lose no matter where you sit. A few of my favorite things to order: The cheese plate with any combination....it comes with a fresh honeycomb, marcona almonds and fruit; bacon wrapped dates; wild mushroom risotto; delicious 50/50 sliders; local fish ceviche (last time I was here the catch of the day was Grouper), and any of their desserts. Service is classy and very friendly; they will never rush you out or make you feel like you should eat and go. You can sit with your friends or a fun date drinking wine, sharing small bites and talking the night away; you will feel like you just happen to have waiters/waitresses at home. I've only been here for late night rendezvous', but I hear the brunch is pretty good. More to come!
(5)Jason M.
It was extremely average and exactly what you'd expect. It's not bad, nor is it good, like an episode of 'Dukes of Hazzard'. Waitstaff is awesome but clearly open to the potential of something greater. The food is underwhelming, but better than Applebee's.
(3)Shera B.
Finally a trendy , fusion classy place in jacksonville and in the towne center . 90% of the restaurants there are chain/generic . This is a spainard fusion american bistro style Amazing cheese and meat boards Excellent wine selection The classic cocktails and bartenders are great but their own cocktails are not so good. The brunch is amazing I recommend the french toast Their daily quiches are a good portion ad very good I do not recommend the pumpkin ravioli or potato and beet hash, not very good. The canelones del mar is amazing !! Check it out
(4)Melissa M.
Amazing food. My first experience of tapas dining went above and beyond what I had expected! Very creative dishes. The cheese and meat combos you can try are amazing! The local honeycomb was a perfect touch. Thank you for a wonderful evening!
(5)Ben G.
I really enjoyed my experience here. We started with the fried artichokes which were served with a citrus aioli, worth trying but won't be a go too. Next were the pork skewers served with some cooked Georgia peaches over a bed of greens. This dish was fantastic and i will not just order it again but probably get two for us. After the apps came the cheese plate. We got the 5 year Gouda, the cured pork shoulder, and I think it was casa de cambre or something like that. All delicious and served with fruit, toasted baguette, and honey comb. Totally awesome. Finally, we had the duck and the sliders for entrees. The duck was fantastic, it came with some delicious capers and cooked down blueberries along with a goat cheese and chorizo bread pudding. I really admire the creativity in this dish. The sliders...well, I won't be having those again. They seemed to have been grilled shortly and then steamed to melt the cheese over the onions on top of the sliders but they steamed them too long. All in all, I highly recommend checking this place out, just skip the sliders, there are so many more incredible offerings!
(5)Maya C.
This was my first visit to Ovinte and after hearing rave reviews my expectations were pretty high. I met a group of friends here and we were hoping for a larger group to come out that that didn't happen. Due to our small party, we decided to sit in the lounge area, which is open seating. It was a little difficult to hear what everyone was saying due to being right by the bar but we made the best of it. I ordered a glass of Moscato and decided to start off with one appetizer and one small plate. Both came out at the same time, the bacon-wrapped dates and the lamb meatballs. OMG the dates were delicious! I should've taken bites from the toothpicked bacon dates but I stuck the whole thing in my mouth not thinking that they would be so stuffed with Mahon cheese. It was still go either way. I did wish I had more than three though. I originally thought the lamb meatballs were kinda plain in the sauce but the goat cheese packed a lot of flavor and eating it with the meatball made up for it. It was very good. Still kinda hungry, I ordered the Shrimp and Grits. Mannnnn those grits were bangin'! There called Anson Mills stone-ground grits. The Mayport shrimp were so good too. Almost forgetting about dessert and still on my second glass of Moscato, I asked about the Chocolate Roulette. Apparently they are little chocolate truffles all with different flavors based on the chef's choice. I picked it out of curiosity and I didn't get steered wrong. One was a little spicy, one was made of coconut, and the other from espresso. Delicious and simple. My other dining companions had Carciofo (crispy asparagus) which was a big hit as she kept saying "Oh My God" after each bite, grilled seasonal vegetables (very good), chorizo al vino tinto (tasty), tres leches cake (ok, but dry towards the center), and the limoncello brioche bread pudding (dear goodness that was heaven sent!!!) If I come back, I'd like to go for brunch or maybe even sit outside on the patio if it's nice. It was just too noisy for me in there.
(4)Donna S.
Definitely come for brunch on the weekends. It is delicious. I met up with one of my good friends to catch up over bloody Mary's and churros. That euros were melts in your mouth delicious and then on top of that we dip them in melted chocolate. Definitely was off my diet today. They were both divine and our server was attentive but didn't helicopter around our table. We also had two entrées. I had the salmon platter. it was divine.
(5)Ryan H.
This place rocks. I've had the lamb meatballs, pumpkin ravioli, filet mignon, bacon wrapped dates, polenta, goat cheese stuffed peppers, Prosciutto wrapped melon, hanger steak, and the 50/50 sliders. You will not try something here and dislike it. Reallllllly good food, good drinks, great atmosphere, and very classy. Not overly fancy but "smart casual" as they call it. Great spot to bring a date and have conversation all night. Have been here multiple time since my initial review. Has quickly become one of my top 10 spots in Jacksonville. They've also recently redone their entire menu since my initial review and it's still very good.
(5)Matt D.
Between four of us, we shared a ton of plates, some were great and others weren't. It's a common problem with tapas restaurants: they're eventually going to have a bad plate. The ravioli, ceviche and and lamb were excellent, while the calamari, bruschetta and shrimp were not. I agree with many others about the bread pudding: amazing. That's coming from a guy that doesn't like bread pudding. Well worth a try, but be careful about what you pick.
(3)Kim P.
I absolutely adore Ovinte! The decor is very chic and the lounge offers a very modern, comfortable atmosphere. The 50/50 sliders (sweet yet savory) & truffle fries are delicious! I also enjoyed the Brioche Bread Pudding & the S'mores! The brunch options are great as well. (Drink Recommendations: Fountain of Youth) The live music on Sunday's creates a relaxing ambience (Easy listening, Blues-esque music)! Ive visited Ovinte on multiple occasions and there was only one visit where the service was not up to par. The prices are also fair for the quality of the food & the atmosphere! Overall, I love it!
(5)Sumi W.
I wanted to check this place out so bad since I followed them on Instagram. When I finally got the chance, I got the worst waitress ever! She double carded us, didn't know the menu items thoroughly, and didn't how to pour alcohol in a glass (spilled it all over the table)... Seriously who hired her? She belongs in the back washing dishes. With that being said I haven't gone back here and I even unfollowed them on Instagram. They lost two customers for sure. I'm still mad she double carded us. Who does that in a restaurant? That's for a store like Total Wine to double card us which would make sense.
(3)Maxine M.
I used their online app to book a table Monday night for my sons 19th Birthday. They sent me an email an hour AFTER my 615 table time to tell me that it was canceled. They also called while I was IN route to dinner but was using a map app so couldn't answer my phone. They blamed the table time app for allowing me to make a reservation. When we arrived we were told that they were closed for a private event but if I wanted to come back at 9pm (3 hours later?) They would buy us a drink. Thanks for offering to buy my 19 year old alcohol. We won't ever go back. I am also enjoying telling the 200 plus patients who come in weekly to my office how we were treated. I love when marketing works that way..word of mouth is everything! ! His birthday was saved by J'alexanders! ! It won't let me give less than 1 star :(
(1)Richard P.
My wife and I recently tried Ovinte for their brunch. The food was pretty good. We ordered the meat and cheese tray shared with two other friends. I had their masa and ricotta pancakes and wife got the brioche French toast. Mine was not bad, though nothing special. My wife's French toast was really delicious. The atmosphere was great though. There was a live performance so we opted for outdoor seating. Overall it was a nice experience. It's slightly on the pricey side, but it's expected for an upscale restaurant at the Tome Center.
(3)Matt B.
We have been here a few times and the atmosphere is really cool. The food is good but on small plates and the service has been really good. The only negatives I found are the don't have tea. Sweet or un. And when your the designated driver there fabulous wine and drink selection does you no good.
(4)Jamie I.
This weekend started the festivities to celebrate my birthday this Monday. Those of you who have the day off from work, you're welcome. Ovine has been on my list to try and after perusing the menu, my desire for a cheese plate meant a visit. Ovinte is located in the Town Center across from Tigerdirect in the old Original Pancake building. The decor is modern and comfortable with a large lounge area. A small parking lot meant I took advantage of the complimentary valet. My dinner date and I chose the patio since it was a nice evening and they have heaters outside. We were in a bubbly mood and enjoyed a glass of prosecco. We started with the cheese plate and chose the manchego, aged gouda, and bellatoir. The plate came with local honey, grapes, Marconi almonds and toasted baguette. I died and went to cheese plate heaven. Maybe it just filled a massive craving, but damn, was it good. The bellatoir, a soft French cheese, was the winner of the evening. We then moved on to sharing bacon wrapped dates, crab cakes, and chorizo empanadas. I love dates and these didn't disappoint. The crab cakes were very good with little filler and the empanadas were crispy without being overly greasy. For dessert, we had the homemade s'mores with a generous dusting of sea salt on top. Inside got crazy busy and was super loud. I'm glad we choose the patio. It allowed for a more quiet, leisurely dinner. If you haven't visited yet, I recommend it!
(4)Aaron H.
We tried a variety of menu items all of them were excellent, the waiter was very knowledgeable and ready and willing to explain everything to us, it was a great date night experience for me and my wife. The bruschetta sampler was amazing, everything was very fresh and delicious!
(5)Kamni G.
I have had this place on my list of places for try for a while. So when we met a fellow yelper (Waheed) and made plans to meet up, we obviously chose ovinte! They do take brunch reservations but it didn't seem like it was necessary when we arrived. The hostess was amazingly helpful and patient. She never hesitated to refill the processco or let a water re fill lapse. She was there before you knew you needed her there. The food, now it was good but not amazing. I do adore their fries and they are yummy! With 4 stars, this place now moves into places to try for dinner list however not when st johns town center is at it's busiest. Give this place a try, between the friendly service, good food, live music, amazing decor... You may forget where you are and relax for a while.
(4)Mahalie H.
The food was amazing for my first time. I had the shrimp, scallop, and crab meat crepe with a butter wine sauce. Then a meat and cheese tray along with a refreshing ginger beer cocktail. The atmosphere was very nice and unique. I will be visiting again.
(5)Stephanie A.
Very nice ambiance and a very creative menu. I love the small plates they offer. This way you can try many more options. The staff was extremely attentive. I found the music was good but could be turned down just a bit for better conversation. My husband and I really enjoyed our entire meal. We definitely will return.
(4)Martha G.
I love wine, hence I love Ovinte...it's that simple. However, since I wouldn't be a true Yelper without a longer review here I go. So why Ovinte? Well, first of all the wine selection is amazing. From their by the glass or half bottle selection of wines, to their "Wine Emotion Cards" where you preload them with $25 and you can sample as many wines as your card takes you from their wine emotion machine. Its a lovely contraption that I would love to have at home, basically is like beer on tap, except its bottles of wine and all it takes is your little "wine emotion card" to serve yourself. Anyway, besides the wine, Ovite has a full bar for non-wine drinkers and great tapas selection so that you don't end up all liquored up. :-) I expecially love their Cheese / Charcuterie plate, the crab cakes, and the" Chorizo al Vino Tinto" which is slice spanish chorizo (sausage) served with grilled bread...yumm. In addition to the wine, and great food. The atmosphere inside and outside is very relaxing and makes a nice stop after work, after a hard day shopping at the mall, or just as a good excuse to hang out with friends.
(5)Diane A.
Had tapas last night for dinner after work and became a fan of Ovinte at the St. John's towncenter. A good crowd was in for happy hour on a Monday. We had dinner consisting of tapas - truffle fries, seared scallops, shrimp, grilled bread slices, and ceviche. All the tapas were cooked perfectly and well prepared. We ended our evening with Limoncello bread pudding just to reminisce our Italian honeymoon & the constant indulging in limoncello. The ice cream on top of the bread pudding was a slight lemon flavor but not typical "limoncello" flavor that Italy is famous for. Service was great and we were greeted by the host staff and server. Food was priced well along with a great happy hour atmosphere. I'd come back often!
(4)Han L.
According to our server, this is the only non-chain restaurant in the Town Center. Ovinte is a tapas restaurant that offers brunch on the weekends. I highly recommend this place for people who enjoy non-traditional brunch options, as it has several latin-inspired and latin-fusion brunch options. Although it doesn't apply to me, I appreciate the vegetarian and gluten-free options available on the menu. I had my first Michelada, here. *GUSHING* it's basically a bloody mary made with beer instead. it makes for a fine libation when you add a little hot sauce to it. yummayyy. Some of the brunch options are also tapas style, so you may have to order more than one item to satiate your appetite. As with other tapas restaurants, I recommend going with 3 or more ppl to maximize the experience. We ordered the tamale and the salmon plate. The tamale will definitely not fill you up. The salmon platter is great for sharing. It was served on a wooden board with capers, red onions, peppers, eggs, and bread. I liked the presentation of the foods. The ambience is great. It's quite contemporary, but inviting. In the center of the restaurant are sofas for dining and groups. There is also outdoor seating. I would definitely come back to enjoy the tapas during the evening. This would be a great place for gno.
(4)Daisy D.
We had walked into Ovinte one night to check it out, but the place was bouncing so we bounced ourselves right back to our car. Finally made it back with a girlfriend after work to check the place out. Grabbed a beer at the bar while I waited for her. We were seated on the porch. Very excited to see one of my favorite waiters from Orsay would be waiting on us. We started with an order of the Herbed Truffle Fries to snack on while we perused the rest of the menu. I ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad special. It was a stack of gorgeous tomatoes topped with a goat cheese fritter. It was delicious. The tomatoes were dressed just right and the goat cheese added just the right amount of richness and tang. For our next course, I ordered the shrimp & grits and my dining partner had the seared scallops special. My plate was good, but I can't say it was amazing. It wasn't at all bad, I just think unfortunately I have a very high bar for making a serious impression when it comes to shrimp & grits because I've had it almost everywhere in Jacksonville. I tasted a bite of one of her scallops, they were seared perfectly and melted like butter on your tongue. As they should. For dessert we had an order of the s'mores and the limoncello bread pudding. Both were delicious and I've finally come to appreciate bread pudding as a part of my life. Didn't like it as a kid, but love it now. I would order the bread pudding again if I was sharing, but if I just wanted a little sweet treat to wrap up my meal, the s'mores are the way to go. Can't wait to take my husband back. He's been eyeing this place forever and we just haven't been able to make it work.
(4)Katrice S.
Ovinte may very well become me and my friend's regular meet-up spots for "Girls Night Out"! When we walked we were instantly impressed with the decor and the lounge set-up! Perfect for our girls night out gathering. The atmosphere was very relaxing, the music was awesome, and our server was the best (Hi Hunter!) This made for a wonderful dining experience. There were a lot of things on the menu we wanted to try and lucky for us, the menu options are tapas and small plates. This made it easy for us to share so we ordered a few different things to satisfy all of our palates, and we made sure my friend got her "cheese" LOL! Here's what we had: Cheese & Charcuterie Ofcourse, the cheese and fresh fruit were good but the honeycomb and Marcona almonds were divine! Herb Truffle Fries These were my favorite! I was gobbling them down like I was in a fries eating contest! These shoestring cut fries were dusted with sea-salt, fresh herbs, parmesan, and truffle oil.....YUM! Bacon Wrapped Dates These were amazing...they were so good we placed a second order of them. The little mahon cheese surprise inside of the dates and the apple wood bacon did it for us! Chorizo Al Vino Tinto Another amazing choice! The chorizo had a nice spiciness to it that wasn't overwhelming and the wine and herbs it was cooked in was heavenly! It was perfect to dip our grilled bread in ...and fries. Empanadas de Chorizo These were our least favorite of everything. A little too doughy perhaps and not much flavor. Pretty to look at though. :) Moroccan-Spiced Pork Skewers These were very good especially with the arugula salad! The meat had the perfect blend of moorish spices. We all agreed Ovinte would be our new ladies night out meet up spot! The atmosphere is perfect, the wine and food is amazing, and the staff are wonderful! I can see this place becoming a favorite and I look forward to returning! Check out the full review with pics highheelsgoodmeals.blogs…
(4)Cathy C.
Every glass of wine, every meal and small plates are over the top wonderful. Especially love going to Sunday brunch and relaxing with a glass of champagne and a special breakfast.
(5)Leah A.
I had a chance to meet the chef and try a sample of his amazing shrimp eggrolls @ The 4th Annual Slow Down with Slow Food First Coast at Intuition Ale Works. All I can say is this was one of my favorite taste bites of the event. If this is any indication of the rest of their food menu, I can't wait to sit down for a full meal here very soon!
(4)James Y.
This is one of my favorite places in Jax. The food is traditional tapas (small plates) but do not let that turn you off. It's a great way to try several things. I was most impressed with their very reasonable wine prices. A bottle they sell for 55 is typically closer to 90 at other spots. I highly recommend the meat and cheese tray with a nice bottle of wine. Follow that up with a piece of lemon bread pudding and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Eat Fresh A.
Love the vibe and great selection of wine cocktails! First time here and I'll definitely will be coming back!
(5)Jeanne D.
This little gem is well worth finding if you are at the Town Center and would like a relaxing, sophisticated, light meal or snack. They also have a full bar and a good wine selection and this is the perfect place to meet up with other people for drinks and appetizers. I especially love the large comfortable lounge area for groups to converse on and linger over their drinks. We split a half bottle of wine and were very happy with this selection; I look forward to going back and seeing if more of their choices are this good! The food we shared was excellent, we had French fries (my weakness), sliders, and a flat bread. It was all wonderful, I especially loved the flat bread - it was every bit as good as what I have had in Rome. I am looking forward to returning here, This is really a great addition to the Town Center, I am looking forward to many more return visits.
(4)Kevin L.
Great experience for Sunday brunch. Live music and outdoor seating made our meal 5 stars. I am generally not a huge fan of tapas given my appetite, but the food was quality. Certainly going to make it here regularly. Whoever that duo was playing outside was legit and I hope they have a cd out on spotify or iTunes.
(5)Einar J.
Love this place for Brunch. Their tapas are excellent. Even the ceviche, is acceptable and this is a hard thing to get acceptable if you are not a ceviche place. Love the music, Chris Thomas makes it fun. Seen very well behaved kids there also.
(5)Debbi C.
Service bumps this place to a 5. The food is consistently good. Tried the steak tonight and liked it. My hubby had fun trying all the wines. The valets are great. Steven always treats us right. Chelsea is a great waitress and remembered us. I hope she didn't dread having us again. Hahaha Chad- the owner-came and remembered us, as well. He made sure several times all was good. He's great! I'm so excited to have this great place as a new regular!!!
(5)Allie A.
A group of friends had been planning this outing to Ovinte for over a month, and this past Saturday we finally got together to make this it happen. We all know that Town Center parking can be a pain in the ass, but they offer complimentary valet, which is great. No driving around in circles and fighting with folks for a spot. Nice touch. Certainly a bit swanky on the inside, but I didn't feel it to be in a pretentious way. It's smaller than I would have thought from the outside, but plenty of seating, couches, tables and the patio has the same seating offering outside as well. There were 9 of us that met around 7 pm on a Saturday night and we were lucky enough to score one of the couch areas outside.... an upscale South Beach feel with the dark wicker, cozy cushions and huge umbrellas. Our server was excellent and hilarious, even when he walked into some crazy conversations we were having! He did a fantastic job of going through the menu, explaining the different wines to the group and was just an all around enjoyable guy. My boyfriend and I started with a cheese and charcuterie plate... we really wanted a broad range so went with seven options, four cheeses and three meats. The group ordered quite a few different things, including the sliders, truffle fries, pork skewers, clams, and probably a few I am forgetting. :) Cheese and charcuterie was great.... the boy loved the prosciutto and the platter also had spiced almonds and a honeycomb. Everything was great and the possibilities for different flavors and varieties made for a great experience. Our friends enjoyed a few bottles of wine, and me being a beer girl for life, was pleased with the selection of craft beers. I also really dug the music that was playing: downbeat, dreamy electronic that sounded just like my favorite Pandora station. Very laid back, hip and chill. We were still a bit hungry after the platter. After taking in the scene and enjoying the company for about two hours, everyone ordered the s'mores for dessert and a few espressos. The s'mores were simple, but amazing. Just two grahams filled with marshmallow, with one side dipped in chocolate with a bit of sea salt sprinkled on top. Soooooo good in the melt in your mouth kinda way. There was no talking for about five minutes. :) The sliders our friends ordered looked incredible so we ordered them to go. Topped with sautéed onion and cheese, these little guys were cooked perfectly, and still had pink in the center. A lot of sliders I've had elsewhere can be a bit on the smaller side and overcooked, but wow, these were excellent. Overall, the food was on point, maybe a tad pricy for the smaller portions, but the vibe of Ovinte offered a lot to the experience. Will definitely return. Forgot to add on the first post: Although we did not have this particular server, my friends were adamant about mentioning Chelsea, their server from a different visit... they highly recommend asking for her!
(4)Claire L.
The perfect romantic date spot. The wine selection is fabulous, lots to choose from. We ordered a cheese plate to compliment the wine. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to make a tapas style dinner. The servings are small which make them perfect for sharing. My favorite was the special that night: seared scallops with arugula over truffle whipped potatoes in an ox tail reduction. The small size was perfect for this indulgent dish! The waiter had spot on service and was in tune to our needs without interrupting our night. The only thing I don't get is the valet. It's a small restaurant with an immediately available parking lot. I feel silly valeting when my legs work just fine.
(5)Rhoda A.
Really amazing place for brunch, or a lounge atmosphere. They have an extensive wine selection that will suite any taste or budget. I've had brunch there and was not disappointed. Great place to take business associates, out of town friends, or any large gathering. Dined with members of the Jacksonville Foodies Club.
(5)