Stopped in for some light bites during a night on the town. Although the waiter was confused by the fact that we just wanted to split a pizza and not order entrees, he was very attentive. We were seated right away with our request for outdoor seating and enjoyed the view of the fountain. I've been here a few times and have always found the food to be scrumptious, the atmosphere cosmopolitan, and the service refined. It's my top choice for a place to eat on fountain square.
(4)
Angela C.
There is not much to dislike about Via Vite, though it might be missing that special something for me that would give it a 5. The scope of my visits have been once for business lunch and once for happy hour. Both times were very pleasant- there is a nice, clean, modern ambiance and it's awesome that it's on Fountain Square. The pizzas are tasty, and I had the most spectacular grapefruit gelato martini (it had some Italian name that I can't remember). I might be drooling for that martini right now. Maybe. Anyway, they have a nice lunch menu that won't break the bank- I enjoyed the soup and salad combo for $10. Service was fast and very friendly both times. I'm not sure it's a place I'll frequent for meals (still not cheap), but would definitely come back for a pizza snack and gelato martini for happy hour any day of the week.
(4)
Taylor W.
Via Vite has a great location right on Fountain Square. We went last Saturday with a big group of friends and found our tabe ready and waiting when we got there at 6:00. I hate it when I make a reservation and still have to wait 15 minutes. We ordered crab cakes for appetizers, the goat cheese salad, and the papperdelle with spicy sausage. The crab cakes were really good. Soft soft with a slightly spicy dipping sauce. Goat cheese salad with pretty good. It has a huge piece of bake goat cheese under the salad. Salad would have been very plain without the goat cheese. The papperdelle was pretty good. I have to admit I was a little confused about what it was exactly, but it said "spicy sausage" so I ordered it. Larger portion than I thought. I tried a bit of my friend's tortellini with creamy tomato sauce. (I'm pretty sure that is what it was.) Creamy is an understatement. It may have been the richest sauce I've ever had. Delicious, but a bit heavy. Bottom Line: Via vite is good. It's pretty classy. They got our reservation nailed. But there are several other places I'd rather spend $70 for dinner. (I did have two $5 beers) It's a good place to try, but I probably won't go back unless a bigger group wants to go.
(3)
Tara N.
I've had multiple great experiences at Via Vite. The most critical was their saving of my wedding rehearsal dinner when Jeff Ruby's Waterfront floated away 10 days before our event! The staff were fantastic, the room beautiful, and everyone raved about the food. Via Vite also has a fantastic happy hour! I think their non-happy hour prices are pretty steep, but during happy hour you can get a small plate pasta (which is enough dinner for me) and a glass of wine for $10. Can't beat that!
(4)
Derek M.
We had an early dinner at Via Vite last night. Incredible. My wife and I both started with the Caesar salad. Unlike most Caesar dressings, this was light and lemony. There was garlic, but I didn't hit you ove the head and kill your rate buds for the rest of the evening. Following the salad, my wife had the wild boar ragout and I had the braised lamb shank. Both were delivered to our table by Chef Cristian, who took the time to talk a bit about the dishes. The lamb was so tender I wondered how they even got it into the bowl without it falling off the bone. Deep brown from an overnight braise, it was simply delicious. The surprise, though, was in the polenta served underneath the shank. Creamy with a rich, deep flavor all on its own. A bowl of that polenta with a bit of bread and wine would be a lovely lunch. The boar was just as good, with a mix of subtle spices adding interest. It went especially well with the Piedmont blend our server helped us select. We don't always save room for dessert, but did lat night. Panettone bread pudding for my wife, Bourbon marinated dates for me. The atmosphere is lively. Not particularly quiet, though we never had to raise our voices to be heard. By the time we left (dinner was just under 2 hours) the downstairs bar was packed and the tables were full. A great meal, attentive servers, an inspired chef. We'll be going back soon.
(5)
Gavin D.
We'd had a restaurant.com coupon for a while for Via Vite, and a 7:30pm concert:nova show at the Mercantile Library last night was a perfect opportunity to eat and then walk across the square to the event. I'd heard mixed reviews, and now that I've been I'd say I'm not surprised. There was nothing terribly wrong, but nothing excitingly right either - par for the course. The Food: We ordered the grilled asparagus salad to share, and then two pasta dishes - pappardelle and tortellini - for our mains. The asparagus comes with roasted beets and goat cheese. The presentation was nice, but that was probably the best thing. Salt was helpful on everything we had, and in general there just wasn't much flavor popping from this plate. Shame on us for ordering asparagus out of season, I suppose, and thankfully if you put enough goat cheese on anything it can't be horrible (and they do give you a lot of goat cheese). We ordered the pappardelle in part because it was house-made (only a couple of the pastas are), and it comes with Italian sausage the waitress said is from Findlay Market (I'd guess Kroeger & Son's, but can't say that for sure). It was a "pasta e fagioli," which basically means that it's got beans in it, something that I would have liked to have known initially (I just Googled it) because, try as I might, I just am not that big of a fan of beans as a main component of dishes. There were big cherry tomatoes that had been cooked with the sauce as well, and they were one of my favorite things. The pasta was cooked well, and overall the dish was solid, but the flavors just did not pop at all for me. I was hoping for more. The tortellini was another "fresh" pasta option, and it was my preferred dish. It was very creamy, as the menu noted, and had sundried tomatoes and basil. The tortellini were filled with what I believe was ricotta cheese, but I didn't ask so can't be sure. The pastas were delicate and the cheese sauce was very savory. I'd say it was a couple notches above a good macaroni and cheese (the creamy cheese sauce reminded us of mac & cheese), but again, nothing special. The Ingredients: There is a quote prominently on the menu from the chef saying that they "never take shortcuts and import the finest products that Italy has to offer." I wonder where they get their tomatoes? Seriously though, nothing on the menu about local or organic ingredients. The Story, Setting, & Service: The space is quite nice - open, well put together, modern and sharp without being over-the-top. Windows onto the square are a plus, except that when seated next to the window we were cold the entire meal. I'm generally a warm person, so if you're a cold person, definitely ask for a table away from the glass. Service was fine, nothing notably good or bad. If you planned ahead and got a reservation outside or upstairs overlooking the square on a busy day, I think that could be pretty cool. On this night, it didn't add much since it was dead - in large part due to the fact it was very chilly out. The Last Bite: I'm not sure what I'd order if I went back - maybe try the penne with bolognese, which the waitress said was good and there are some other good reviews about. But, realistically, I don't think we'll go back. There are plenty of places in the same price range where I'm confident I'll get a better meal, and while Fountain Square is an understandable draw - especially if you have someone in from out of town - it's just not my thing. Disappointing but true, this was probably our only visit.
(3)
Mike C.
I was here on a Thursday night for a business dinner. I'd heard that Via Vite was one of the better restaurants in the city and had seen it on the list of Cincinnati's Best Restaurants in Cincinnati Magazine. I do like their location on Fountain Square. Very easily accessible and you can still get out to do stuff in the area afterwards. Good ambience in the restaurant. Nice decor. At first, I thought it was really small, but noticed that they also have a second floor. I thought our service was reasonable. Our waitress was actually waiting to take our order, but we were talking so it took a while on our end to order. I started with their Via Vite Caesar salad. Honestly, i've made a salad just as good at home with parmigiano reggiano and Caesar dressing from the grocery store. However, for my entree, I had the papardelle fagioli, which I really liked. The waitress also added parmigiano reggiano and some red pepper flakes. Good pasta and a very good meat sauce. I definitely would have that dish again. Overall, I liked Via Vite. I don't know if it's a place that I'd be thinking about all the time, but it'll be on my list of options for dinner downtown.
(4)
Brandy L.
Love love love love loved it! Was in town for a conference and after standing on the street corner weighing our options for 5 minutes, my colleagues and I were drawn by the appearance of the restaurant's upstairs. We never made it to the upstairs, but thought the downstairs dining room was very nice. We stumbled upon half-price wine night and got a fabulous recommendation from our waitress. Her description of the wine was dead on and it complimented all of our meals beautifully. We spent a long time catching up and did not feel rushed even though we arrived relatively late for a Monday. We ordered the carpaccio to start and then we took forever deciding on the rest of our orders. Unfortunately, ALL of the specials were sold out, but once again our server came through on the recommendations. One friend got the pappardalle and really enjoyed it. Another friend and I split the goat cheese salad and the spinach ravioli which they graciously served each of us our perfectly halved portions, already split. We gushed over our food and both cleaned our plates. Yummy truffles! Overall, I almost wish I lived in Cinci so I could make this one of my regular haunts...well almost.
(4)
Jacob Z.
Fantastic fresh food. Reasonable pricing for the quality. Highly recommended for date night or any other special occasion.
(5)
Robin M.
I was looking for a locally owned and operated business in downtown Cincy and was lucky to have found this gem. Its a modern take on good old Italian fare. The atmosphere is very modern, the waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. The food was very fresh and tasteful.
(5)
Mike S.
We walked and walked looking for Trattoria Roma Ristorante only to find it had closed and was now a martini bar. With a taste for Italian we yelped the next closest thing and found Via Vite. It's a mix of upscale dining with ultra lounge - but it works. What's to like? For starters wife has the yellow pepper soup. It was so freaking good. It's made of grilled yellow peppers blended with Yukon potato's, chick broth and cream (i think). Very good. I had the tuna capparchio stuffed red peppers. Addictive. For dinner - Wife had spinach/ricotta stuffed ravioli and I had pasta with sun dried tomato cream sauce. Both very good and tasty. Service was very attentive and nice and kept the bread basket full (always a bonus!) My only gripe is its a bit pricey. The above cost $75 which to me is a lot for a plate of pasta and a appetizer. I'll try it again for sure.
(4)
Andy M.
Via Vite features a cool, modern interior. They have a nice wine and Bourbon selection. The Best part of Via Vite is the people watching. It's a young crowd with lots of eye candy and drama. The couple that was seated next to us looked like they were breaking up. The bar was filled with beautiful young women, not to mention the Skeezy old guys who were hitting on them. It was like an episode of Melrose place with real good food. Oh, yeah, the food? The Meatball appetizer and the steak I ordered were delicious. Our server was wonderful, she pointed us towards the Meatball dish. My only complaint was that the drinks were a bit on the stingy side. When I eat at a high end establishment like Via Vite, I'm used to getting at least a couple of shots when I order a Bourbon, but this drink was barely a shot. The bottom line on Via Vite is this: The food and service are wonderful, and the people watching is top notch. All and all, it was a great place to dine. If I'm ever back in the C-Town, I would definitely go back.
(4)
Namrata A.
Cute place to grab a glass of wine or a drink with someone. Pizza looked good though I didn't try it, too stuffed otherwise. I like the open kitchen - great feel to a place.
(3)
Carolynne M.
Sleek, modern and comfortable interior. We were seated near a window which gave a great people watching opportunities from a concert that was being held in the square outside. Andy wanted to try the veal and ricotta meatball appetizer. They were tasty, but a tad on the dense side. The sauce that they were in was awesome though and after tasting the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce for the bread basket (which was just awful, sorry, and reminded me too much of way-too-strong salad dressing) I was happy to have something to put on the bread. I ordered "my grandmas peperonata" which was a medley of different roasted peppers that was incredibly delicious. Also fantastic on the bread. The cioppino, an Italian fish stew, was absolutely delicious, but it was mostly broth and very few chunks of seafood. Had they not skimped on the ingredients it would have easily been a five star dish. Atmosphere, at least on the Friday night we were there, was young, and people were dressed up to be seen. A very vibrant and energetic crowd. I dont know if that was due to the concert outside or if this is what you can expect everyday though.
(4)
Eva S.
Nothing amazing to report. Went for a birthday dinner for a friend. Good food, service was a bit spotty (either too much attention, or nowhere to be found when you needed something- like a wine bottle cooler which came about 10 minutes after the birthday girl's wine arrived). Seemed slightly overpriced. I had the tuna, spouse had the salmon. Tuna was delicious, and his salmon was also tasty. I didn't know I liked butternut squash until I tried his. Not very generous pours on the liquor (no ice means I get less alcohol, maybe? But for $8 per drink, I feel slightly cheated, even if I do order my scotch neat). $27 for tuna (same price for salmon) seemed a bit steep. The rest of our party seemed to enjoy their food (all pasta dishes, actually). I don't feel like we got $136 worth of a meal or evening out of it. Probably won't go back; I can spend that kind of money elsewhere and enjoy it better.
(3)
John B.
They try, but not quite there for me. Read Steve K's review about the hamburger helper and the chef boy-r-dee and I think I got the same dish. The pasta was actually very good and Syeve was a tad harsh in his comments, buy I instantly recalled his review when I tasted my dish. Too funny. Only thing with mine was that the Italian sausage in the dish had such large chunks that one piece was raw in the middle. Gross. I blew it off, but let the waiter know that it was okay, but..... They did nothing. Via Vite people - at least do something in cases that that. Desert, comp the app, have a manager appoligize, something.... Ignorance is not bliss in the food industry. Ahhh. Well glad I tried it. Cheers.
(2)
F R.
The house made rosemary pappardelle is fantastic. I get it vegetarian style without the sausage and I love it more and more all the time. I also really love the gnocchi. The warm Boucheron goat cheese salad, and the asparagus salads are amazing. We have had the same server every time we have gone and I don't remember her name but I love her. The chefs table is awesome, but if you are on the pizza oven side you will get warm. That's a good seat for an under-dressed lady, not a man in a jacket. Monday night half price wine night is awesome.
(5)
JoEllen H.
The tomato mozzarella salad is worth four or five stars alone! We really enjoy this restaurant, best choice on Fountain Square by far! Forget the chains and support our local restaurant owners!
Via Vite is via so-so. I ordered the special entree - white tuna and spring onions. The tuna was perfectly cooked - moist, flaky, medium/rare in the middle and buttery sweet. The waiter was very accomodating and let me swap out the potatoes for the caramelized brussel sprouts, which was quite good. My main problem with Via Vite is the amount of oil that drenched my dish. I take issue with restaurants that cloak the flavors of fresh, well-prepared food with oil and butter. I see that olive oil is listed at $19.50/bottle on your menu but seriously, y'all could have saved some on me and left it for the bottle!
(3)
Juliane S.
Via Vite is not by any means a cheap place to get a meal but it does have exceptional food and for an occassional special night out this is the place. Wonderful view of the fountain on the second floor ads to the incredible ambiance of the place. The drinks are also delectable and with easy parking in the Fountain Sq garage this is a great place to head out a special night on the town.
(4)
Sarah T.
I liked it. Good atmosphere in a great location downtown. I really liked both the crusty started bread and my braised lamb shank over polenta (but I am also partial to polenta). My friend got a pizza that was well made. I also liked the design, furniture, etc. I want to go back during the day when I can the surroundings.
(3)
Ben S.
I've passed this place several times and finally I stopped in around 2PM on Saturday for lunch with a friend. The place was not dead but it wasn't crowded either. We were seated at a two person table near the wall of windows. The first floor dining space is bright and stylish and comfortable aside from the pole that was next to my seat. The view was very pleasant (of Fountain Sq) so it was a nice backdrop to light conversation. The prices for lunch are very good, all things considered. My friend and I split a delicious margherita pizza upon the waiter's suggestion. The pizza was generously sized and very tasty. We didn't even finish it. The bread is free and good too. I really have few complaints. The music they play doesn't match the atmosphere but it was okay. I would recommend Via Vite for a nice lunch in the city for a reasonable price.
(4)
Osito S.
I was Cincy for business and was told to stop by. Excellent food, really great service with people who give you real recommendations on why you should order certain dishes and phenomenal dessert!
(5)
Rachel L.
I have been here several times now, and it never fails to take me to my happy place. It's a very romantic and warm place for a date, but I also took the girls there for a fun night out. The service is attentive but not stuffy, and they have a fantastic view of Fountain Square. And the wine...oh the wine! I have ordered a few different things there, but the bolognese is pure heaven. All made in house, along with their own fresh pasta and wonderfully simple salads to cleanse your pallette. And if you're not quite ready to end your date when dinner is over,they also have a gorgeous modern bar area where you can cuddle over that one last drink.
(5)
Meg G.
We first went to Via Vite for our wedding anniversary. It was mid-April, so we made reservations for seating on the deck. We were brought to our table, and greeted with two glasses of sparkling wine and a fantastic view of fountain square. When it comes to location, this place has got it. The wine selection is terrific. For an appetizer, we had the veal meatballs. They were good, but nothing outstanding. For my main course, I had the goat cheese salad. It was a generous portion of grilled goat cheese, topped with greens, pistachios, and a white truffle vinaigrette. It was delicious. I don't think I can say that overall, the food is great. But I would certainly return for the atmosphere alone.
(3)
Priya K.
Excellent ambiance and service. A couple of vegetarian choices. The margharita pizza was made in Italian style but the crust was a little bit too thick and should have been cooked a tad bit more. The tomato sauce, cheese and pepper toppings were great. Hazelnut gellatto was awesome as well.
(3)
Jann W.
Love love love the contemporary adaption of Italian food, but I have to grit my teeth not to get annoyed with slow service. Even still, it's one of my favorite Italian spots in Cincinnati.
(4)
Lisa M.
The location, building & atmosphere are great! I don't want to rate the food due to the fact that all we ordered was 2 plates of spaghetti with red sauce. The spaghetti was good, kinda tuff to mess up. My problem is with the price: 2 plates of spaghetti and 2 mixed drinks = $55.... Ouch! Cool scene and high prices!
(2)
Kathryn W.
You know how it is when you lose touch with someone you like.? That's how it was with our family and Maggie--the best waitperson we have ever known. She was a favorite with us at Pho Paris and when it went under, we missed where she went. Thanks to Julie of the Wine Me Dine Me blog, we found her at Via Vite. Made a reservation right away and went that night. She's just the same.. Knowledgeable, charming, helpful, intuitive. Oh--and the food was great too. Let Maggie guide you towards the best wine on the list-she knows them all. She said she had imagined what she would feed us even before we knew we were coming. She was right all the way. Will we be back? You bet-and we won't lose touch this time.
(5)
Mike D.
I had a very limited experience, on a friday night we stopped in for a happy hour beer and pizza. I love that they're open late. +100. The space is very cool and modern, and probably chill when there isn't a techno rave going on upstairs. Maybe not the best space for a date, as it's pretty wide open. At first the service was standoffish, we got some wierd looks, after we were seated it was very good, they even split our pizza onto 2 plates for us. The pizza was good. Cooked at a super high temp so the crust blisters, but the underside was a little undercooked which didnt make sense to me. The toppings were supposed to include prosciutto, but it had the taste and texture of regular ham, which was a disappointment. All in all a good but brief experience. I'm looking forward to trying it again.
(3)
Joe P.
Got really lucky, Saturday night, no reservation, but the "chefs table" had room for two so we sat and enjoyed; outstanding appetizer, handed to us by one of the sous chefs-gratis! very good wine, Marsala, pizza & dessert. a real treat & totally unexpected. will def be back...
(4)
Todd A.
I eat at Via Vite almost every time I travel to Cinci - mainly because I can't get enough of the Cioppino. I love this Cioppino, it's not like most of the cioppino's I eat on the East Coast or the few I've had in San Fran, but good is good. It's closer to a tomato based seafood chowder loaded with extremely tender calamari. I also love the rosemary pappardelle which you can often see being rolled out when you walk in - I'm a sucker for fresh pasta! The only thing I haven't liked here is the skate wing, which I thought was just okay and price for what you get. I tend to stick with the appetizers and fresh pasta, which you can't go wrong with.
(4)
SeaElle R.
I love this place. Best dining in Cincinnati (IMO). I love everything about this place, especially the food. Truffles, truffles, truffles....mmmmm...they prepare so many dishes with truffles and the restaurant often smells like truffles. Divine! I dined recently for lunch. The goat-cheese salad had a truffle dressing. Fabulous. The linguine with clams was fantastic. Again, this is by far my favorite dining in Cincinnati. Great job!
(5)
Bea D.
Ahh, the pasta. It was wonderful. I had a nice view of the square from the window. The lighting was festive and twinkling. The service was so-so, as the staff seemed aloof. All things considered, I'll return. I may even branch out past the pasta!
(4)
Nicole B.
Dined at the chef's table and watched a master in action. Truly an amazing experience. Every course was just divine. The staff trully worked as a well oiled machine. The service was impeccable. Must have the bood orange creme brulee! I have tried it as resturantes all over the country and this was truly TO DIE FOR!
(5)
D F.
located right in the heart of Fountain Square, this place was not only really affordable, but the food was totally awesome and spiced perfectly. Wine list was good, nothing outrageous and the service was knowledgeable and friendly. Diverse menu ranges from simple margherita pizza to slow cooked peasant food which is my favorite. Had a rissotto dish that was to die for...
(4)
Jonathan S.
Cincinnati Magazine published the top 10 restaurants, arguably under influence of much wine. Seven seemed to jive true, yet one obvious irregularity: Via Vite instead of Primavista?! Suddenly, the list amounts to rubbish. Nicola's earns a formidable spot in a top 10 list. However, Nicola's sister locale, Via Vite, equates to little more than younger, hipper decor in the best location downtown... flat smack on fountain square. Yet, Via Vite served overcooked seafood and ill-prepared pasta during both my visits. A great disappoint from a restaurant family with a rich history of excellence in the city. If you are stopping by for half priced wine night after dinner elsewhere, you'll be satisfied with the ambiance and location. Avoid the food.
(2)
Marie E.
We went there for dinner prior to going to see Infamous Love songs which was one of my favorite performances of all time. The food was expensive and not good. I had the lasagna which was around $20 that tasted like pasta from a can. I am not exaggerating. So disappointed. the noodles were soggy and just overall not good. My husbands sauce was also bland and just not good. The gnocci and ravioli were decent so if you get stuck there I would recommend those or one of the wood fire pizzas. Not planning on going back unless it is for a late night pizza and drink after a show. We dropped close to $100 don't repeat our mistake.
(1)
Rich H.
Via Vite is a mixed bag for me. The location is great and the food is good, but the price point makes this a once-in-a-while place for me that I'm never super excited for. I've always had great service and I like being so close to the heart of downtown, but the food has never wowed me enough to justify the price. But if you're looking for a relatively upscale environment that's not at the price point of Jeff Ruby's then this might be the destination for you. There is a fairly good wine selection to look at and the specials are usually good enough. Really the location is what I like most about this restaurant. Draw your own conclusions from that.
(3)
Erin Z.
I went to Via Vite because I heard about the pizza. It was fresh, light, and very tasty. I also tried the goat cheese/fig salad and yellow pepper soup. Both were delicious. The bread they serve has to be the best bread I have had in Cincinnati so far. I read that the prices were high, but I found the lunch menu to be quite reasonable. Our server knew the menu inside and out, and I find that to be incredibly helpful when trying a new restaurant. Both the server and hostess were polite and friendly.
(4)
Peter S.
I'm always fairly impressed with this place whenever I come to Cincinnati. Everything from the pasta to the vegetables are fresh and well prepared. The salmon fillet that I had last time was cooked to perfection, and was seasoned accordingly. They have a fairly robust wine selection, and the desserts are well portioned after the meal. The cuts of meat are also a good choice.
(4)
dale d.
The location is perfect, set right on Fountain Square, and it's a wonderful place to take a date for an evening out, or a couple friends for happy hour. I had the Farfalle with smoked salmon, asparagus and mascarpone and it was fantastic. The wine selection is very nice, as well. We sat outside and the noise level was low, although you certainly could see that the city was alive below, a rarity for Cincinnati in the evening. Two thumbs up.
(4)
Brian F.
Not your standard Italian restaurant. The menu has as many meat dishes as it does pasta, and they suprisingly look good. I had the arugula salad and the bolognese, both of which were great. Server was attentive and friendly. A little bit pricey, but overall a good experience.
(4)
Katherine R.
Solid Italian food, set against quintessential downtown Cincinnati scenery ... I was here in late December and loved the view of snow-covered Fountain Square, especially with the holiday lights and ice skaters. The menu offered a nice variety - several kinds of pizzas, lots of pasta options, at least six entree choices and a very good wine selection. I went with an encrusted pork tenderloin, which was perfectly prepared. Others at my table ordered lamb with polenta and pizza, and their meals tasted fabulous as well. Portions were all generous, which was welcomed after being at several nice restaurants lately whose dinner entrees seemed more like appetizers. Our waitress was very good - attentive but also personable. Would gladly return here anytime!
(4)
Andrew W.
To be fair to Via Vite, I was part of a 20+ person group. So to begin I had rather low expectations. The did accommodate us quite well, considering some of our party desired to be at one large table instead of the two separate ones they had set up for us. It took quite some time for our food to arrive, and they attempted to bring it all out at the same time. This seemed a little strange as most of the table had ordered some type of appetizer/salad/soup. So here I am sitting with a Caesar salad on a large plate and a margarita pizza on a large slab of wood. Juggling the two was quite difficult. Some dishes were given to the wrong people, but this I understand... it was quite a large order. As for the quality of food, what really counts, I was less than impressed. The salad which boasted house made croutons featured no more than a tablespoon of them on the side. It was clearly lacking in something, especially for $11. The pizza was decent, but hardly exceptional. For such a small menu, I expected a bit more in the taste department. Overall, I was disappointed. Would I return? Probably, but only if coerced by someone first.
(2)
Hot Mama J.
In a word. Excellent. Beautiful environment. delicious meal. great staff. divine wine choices. A definite yes.
(4)
Carl H.
Best Italian food in town next to Nicolas.
(5)
Heather J.
Had Fancy Lunch Day there today and really enjoyed it. I'd like to give the food a 4 and the dessert a 5. I had fettucini with vodka sauce (they modified for me from tortellini) and it was really deilcious! Came with a salad for $14 (lunch menu). Then the dessert - I had the chocolate panna cotta - AMAZING! Waitress wasn't too bright - she told me a panna cotta was like a souffle - um - no - it's like a custard/creme brulee (minus the brulee) - but oh well... Tried bites of orange tart and hazelnut gelato and both were also delectable...very surprised by tart - wasn't overpowering on orange - really liked it. It was sort of like creme brulee pie (without the brulee again). Nice dining experience and relatively quick for lunch.
(4)
Erin K.
We went here for my husband's birthday; the service and food were great. For dinner my husband ordered the tuna special and I ordered the salmon; both recommendations from our waiter. I have to say the tuna was better but the salmon was very good. For dessert we ordered the chocolate panna cotta but something just didn't taste right so our waiter brought us a different dessert, the dessert special which was great. The chef actually came out, apologized and explained they had tried something new with the dessert and that's why it tasted funny and also brought a champagne drink out for us. It wasn't necessary as the rest of the food was wonderful but we thought it was a nice touch. We would definitely return and recommend to others.
(4)
Pablo G.
Good Pizza, atmoshpere & very reasonably priced....even when not Happy Hour
(4)
Heidi A.
Stopped by here when we couldn't get a reservation at another local Italian restaurant. I was skeptical at first...signage and location made me think that this was more of an Americanized chain restaurant. I admit, I was wrong! Max our server, although a little overwhelmed by the marathon traffic, did a great job. Dinner was excellent, from bruschetta to gelato. Menu was very thoughtful, as was execution. The chef/owner stopped by our table as well, which we enjoyed. We saw him throughout the restaurant, helping bus tables, delivering orders, etc. Will go back!
(5)
Caroline C.
Very friendly, knowledgeable service. The food is delicious. I recommend getting whatever special they have. If not, get the lamb shank. But whatever you do - get the polenta. I don't even want to know the cheese/butter/olive oil to polenta ratio, because it's probably ridiculous. But so, so good. The sauce-work at this restaurant is probably the best I've seen in Cincinnati. Everything has just layers and layers of flavor. Via Vite also has a good wine selection. I don't know much about Italian wines, but the bartenders were extremely helpful.
(5)
Rick B.
Have only been here once. But we ordered a number of items. Everything looks very good. Service was great, food was great too. I especially liked the Ravioli with shaved truffles. We didnt get the pizza, but everyone else's looked great. Will go back if ever in Cinnci again.
(4)
SD L.
What a great place. Only complaint is it took a while for anyone to acknowledge us once we were seated, and we weren't busy. But once we got going, it was great. I had the spinach and ricotta ravioli with a butter sauce and white truffle. Clean plate! My date had the ravioli special with rustic tomato sauce. clean plate #2! We will be back
(4)
Carrie V.
We went for lunch on New Years Eve day, as one last carb-filled meal before attempting some resolutions of eating healthier. We had reservations at 1pm and were seated immediately by the window. This is a great people-watching spot! However, I was really looking forward to a warm, cozy meal and instead the room was very drafty and chilly! Our waiter was super-polite and friendly, and service was excellent. Bread was brought out quickly (although with butter instead of oil?) and our drinks were always filled. I ordered the warm goat cheese salad which was delicious--greens served over a broiled piece of Boucheron. My husband had the potato-leek soup which was delicious but very rich. For the second course I had the gnocchi in a vodka tomato sauce which was cooked perfectly and had a nice amount of heat to it. My husband had the penne with bolognese sauce which he couldn't finish but took home and heated up the next day--almost unheard of for him!! He said it was still delicious! Since we were going all out, we had to get dessert. I had the bread pudding served with pastry cream which was amazing. My husband had Madisono's salted caramel gelato which was good but, according to him, not as good as Jeni's ice cream! Overall we were pleased with the experience. We had been a few times before and always have had good food and service. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Lauren C.
You done me wrong, Yelp. The vibe was pretentious, the pizza (bianca-garlic confit) was chewy and bland (but pretty cheap, so that's a plus), and the service was friendly, but slow and clueless. This place is clearly trying to do upscale, but my experience was a complete miss.
(2)
John C.
The staff were incredibly friendly and nice...I can't say enough good things about them. That said, the food was overpriced. Sea Scallops appetizer is $15 and comes with 2 - yes 2 - sea scallops. That's not an appetizer, that's a taste. I get more food at the sampler stations in Costco. For the main course I had the "Seared Canadian salmon with butternut squash puree and caramelized Brussels sprouts." The salmon was good, but nothing impressive at all. The Brussels sprouts and butternut squash puree was really good, however. My date had the warm goat cheese salad. This was basically some greens & dressing with goat cheese in it. Love goat cheese but was not impressed with the salad at all. All in all it cost me $120 with tip for dinner and drinks for 2 people. We probably drank a bit more than most so you could knock $20 or so off that. For that money I'll go somewhere else.
(2)
Trisha K.
Food: Meh Service: Above Meh Atmosphere: Meh x 2 Location: GREAT! I love looking at it from my favorite place across the street. I pass!
(2)
Laura G.
Via Vite is fabulous because it's located right on Fountain Square. The Christmas lights give your dining experience a little whimsical touch that goes perfectly with a glass of red wine. However, that's where the magic ended for me, the rest of the experience was simply standard. After working an event downtown, a couple friends and myself decided to grab a bit to eat. I was really in the mood for a giant glass of red wine, so my friend recommended Via Vite. We waited at the hostess stand for what seemed like eternity, when it was actually about 5-7 minutes. But when you're hungry and looking forward to an intense glass of Merlot, this is really annoying. So we were finally sat and attended to by a waitress who couldn't bare to crack a smile. I've served before and know that around midnight is tough, but no stars deducted for this. We all ordered drinks and our respective second dinners. This is probably where my favorite part about Via Vite starts. We suddenly noticed a parade of scantily clad, shivering 20-somethings leaving a nearby bar. One after another they balanced on their sky-high heels, clutching their bare arms for warmth and barreled through the cold wind, no doubt on their way to conquer the next bottle of tequila or mechanical bull. So dinner entertainment is also included if you come after 11:30 pm on a Friday or Saturday. As for the food, I ordered a salad comprised of warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, raspberry white truffle vinaigrette and pistachios. Frankly, it was a little bland and wasn't attractive on the plate. My friends shared a focaccia with prosciutto cotto, fontina, roma tomatoes and spring mix. Beware, the pizza looks like it has a salad on top, that's the spring mix friends. They both seemed satisfied by their choice, but weren't exactly raving about it. So for now Via Vite has two stars in my book, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying lunch or diner before a show. And maybe next time I'll go for the pizza.
(2)
Alicia S.
Had Sunday brunch with a party of 5 other people. The hostess was a little snooty but accomodating when we wanted to sit upstairs on the terrace. Brunch was a good deal, 2 courses for 15$. I had Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. It was beautifully presented, simple and tasty. Other dishes ordered were procuitto and melon, yellow pepper soup (yum!) nd cured salmon and greens (eh). For my main I had Italian ham with poached eggs and a spicy mayo on a bagel. Overall the dish was bland however the eggs were nicely poaching and the bagel soft and doughy with a nice sweetness to it. Other dishes at the table were crepes with spinach florentine..very good. "ham and cheese" sandwich with truffled artichokes, also tasty. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and being in the industry myself and from New York, I was pretty pleased with our overall experience. Everything was enjoyable.
(4)
N S.
A wonderful view of fountain square. Staff attentive. Went from brunch. Polenta was amazing! No bread served to us with our meal. And this is picky, but the bathrooms were less than pleasant (a little unkept and smelled of warm urine, or could have been the portable heater?).
(3)
Dan M.
The number one thing to say about this place is its location on Fountain Square. Convenient, nice, whatever, glad we can get past that and talk about what matters - the food. I split a pizza and penne bolognese here for a birthday dinner. The two items were very good. The ingredients were fresh and the menu was inspired. All in all, a pretty good place, but the prices are a bit steep. If I'm going to pay prices like this, I'd rather hit up their sister restaurant, Nicola's. Or if I was just looking for pizza, I'd certainly be at A Tavola (which is both better AND cheaper). In fact, I only ended up here because the wait at A Tavola was 2 hours (our fault for showing up there at 8 on a Friday night). Anyways, the experience was enjoyable overall if but a little pricey. Oh, and don't forget to tack on at least $5 for parking. Bottom Line: I might be back if someone else was paying the bill.
(4)
Holly P.
I cannot say enough to thank Via Vite and their event coordinator, Kara, for a wonderful evening. We had a small reception dinner party at VIa Vite. The staff was ideal. The atmosphere is classy and sophisiticated. The food was perfect. I had a few bites of my husband's filet. Oh my. My ravioli was tasty. Kara was so delightful to work with. I'm very happy with my entire experience.
(5)
Robert M.
what a confused restaurant. We have a high price menu, but your table is a colorful plastic top. The interior is all shiny and pretty. But we make the waiters dress casual. So began the downward spiral. Out comes our bottle of champange, slightly warm. Ugh. Servered in a chilled marble vessel which does little to chill it further. Waiter returns are we complain with a ice bucket. Out comes our brushetta, smelling like a dead dog. Oh yeah the smelling bad is meant to be like that and it was made fresh today. Us handing the waiter a plate and telling him to have it. time states to drag. Out comes our food. Luke warm to hot. Guess the kitchen timing sucks as well cannot smell. Time really drags.... Here is your bill, oh you want dessert? Time stops. Out comes coffee. Dessert?? 20 minutes later out comes our dessert. checks?? 30 minutes passes. Check? 10 more minutes. Here is your check. Please god let me pay and leave never to return.
(3)
Rachel B.
Food is good, but it's a little expensive. I can never seem to bring myself to pay 20 for pasta that I feel like I could make at home (though I never do....). The bruschetta appetizer is luscious, however. Different types for sharing. This place can get really busy on nights with a show going on.
(4)
Ramzy N.
Last night, Thursday Nov 11, I took my wife out for her birthday. I asked her to book a table at the restaurant of her choosing and she selected Via Vite. As we walked up to the restaurant she recalled how when she made the reservation over the phone, the lady asked her to spell our last name multiple times. This is not an unusual request (it's an unconventional last name) but she was also asked to spell her first name, twice. Her first name is - brace yourself - "Jill." We approached the hostess and gave the name and time of the reservation. She scrolled up and down through her list, unable to find it. She asked, "are you sure it's for tonight?" as if we weren't sure when we had planned to celebrate her birthday. She also questioned whether we had booked a reservation for that particular restaurant, since people with unconventional last names are notorious for restaurant confusion. Nope - it was definitely Via Vite, and the number for the restaurant we were standing in was still in her phone from having been recently dialed. But thanks for the humor; there's nothing quite like being spoken down to by an obviously distracted restaurant hostess. After fruitlessly searching a third time for our reservation, she informed us that we did not have a reservation, despite having made it and being equipped to proven exactly when it was made. She did not make any effort to accommodate us in the dining room (well over half of the tables, at least from our view at the hostess stand, were available) nor did she apologize for the error, despite the mishap probably not being her own fault. No reasonable attempt was made to make it right. She said we should "feel free to sit at the bar" or even outside, where "they have heaters out there." Not that we're opposed to eating at a bar - I might actually prefer this normally - but it was the principle of the matter, coupled with it being my wife's birthday. It wasn't an eat-at-the-bar evening. So we said we'd leave, without any protest from the hostess. I've had a Yelp account for years, but rarely use it. This is because I travel extensively and probably eat out 15-20 times a week. Just don't have the time to review every restaurant meal I consume. I figured I'd make an exception though, and write one for Via Vite, based on the meal we *could* have had last night, had Via Vite been 1) competent enough to execute the daunting task of correctly taking a dinner reservation, and 2) competent enough to recover from failing to do so in a 3) half-empty dining room. Here goes: "We started our meal with two of the finest glasses of tap water Cincinnati had to offer. Because we were in Cincinnati - as anyone from the mostly-indigenous population here that has barely ever ventured out of the tri-state area can tell you - it *must* be the best tap water available, anywhere. It was delicious, with the optimal amount of wetness and ice/liquid ratio. The wine list was expansive but we finally settled on a vintage box of Franzia, recalling our romantic 2002 trip through the Italian Riviera when we paired the finest American fast food we could locate with the most Italian yet affordable aperitif we could procure. It was disappointing to not find Beef-a-roni on the menu; we did not realize that Via Vite only specialized in *southern* Italian cuisine. Call us snobs, but we celebrate the entire boot. My unicorn steak was divine and actually made me a little horny. Our request for a gelato Chipwich was respectfully declined though. Overall, it was one of the best imaginary meals I could have ever fabricated." I wish I could say that someday we'd actually like to try Via Vite, but I think we'll keep last night as our defining memory of what it's like to (attempt to) eat there. Why bother, with so many other restaurants in Cincinnati that are capable of - dramatic pause - taking a reservation.
(1)
Brieanne S.
Recently, I had a full week off of work and I made it my goal to go to hit up some of Cincinnati's best happy hour. The first restaurant on my list was Via Vite. I had heard it was super yummy and very affordable during the weekday from 5 to 7. We had a great time here. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very cute and charming. He was very crafty with his drinks and we gladly drank them. My favorite drink was the.....well I can't remember the name of it (is that a bad sign or what?) I do remember what was in it. Pure luxury in a glass- Grapefruit gelato and grapefruit vodka. It was pure bliss. I felt like a prince among the paupers when I drank this beautiful drink from the champagne flute. Ohhh it was great but I never could afford this at the non-happy hour price. (I think it is normally around $8 but at happy hour it was $5) There were other great drink specials, there is something for the wine and beer drinkers. Also on the happy hour menu are flat bread pizzas to die for. The flatbreads are about $6 (happy hour price) and can feed about 3 women. What a deal! I couldn't believe the final bill. The flatbreads come out super fresh (you can watch them make it if you don't believe me). If you have never had one from here I would sure recommend it. I loved this place. The restaurant has a great feel. There is a beautiful patio that overlooks fountain square. We had been here before and ate dinner while watching bands perform on the square. Inside the restaurant has a clean artsy feel to it that makes you feel like you are a part of the cool crowd in the city.
(4)
Aristotle H.
One of my favorite places in downtown cinci. Chic and modern place to go on a date or a friend. A bit pricey, but well worth it. I absolutely love the lamb here... Plenty of parking at the lot below and a nice walk await you outside near fountain square.
(4)
S D.
Review based on a lunch visit. Had a delicious potato leek soup and goat cheese salad. Food presentation was top notch. A bit pricey for lunch ($22 for that plus espresso and bottled water) but the view from the terrace was worth it. One star off for slow service on a Tuesday at 2pm when the place was almost empty. Upscale food in a pleasant setting. Recommended.
(4)
Jessica M.
Love the patio and the service has been good every time I've been. Food has been great. I've been disappointed in service lately from other places but going to via vite recently I can say the service will keep me returning.
(4)
Doug O.
Great atmosphere! The food was unique and a very tasty twist on traditional Italian. Our server was patient, friendly and knowledgeable with an outstanding personality. Definitely try the pizza and the Chocolate Millefoglie for dessert! Excellent!
(5)
Lesley C.
This is a great Italian restaurant, right on Fountain Square. I've been a few times now, and I'm always impressed by the gorgeous decor, the view out on the square, the waitstaff and the food. The food is superb, and the menu has all sorts of items you don't find at your neighborhood Buca di Beppo and the like. It's great for a date or for going out with some friends.
(4)
Cortney A.
My friends and I went here for my birthday while we were at the National Women's Studies Association annual conference. I had high hopes because this place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. After an entire weekend of horrible service and crap-tastic menus in Cincinnati we were trying to be optimistic. We were seated quickly at a very nice table with a decent view. The ambiance was lovely and the food was decent. The options were not great especially considering five of our party of seven were vegetarian. This place could easily have been a four star if not for what happened after we got our bill and the fact that they never brought the birthday cake my friends had secretly requested for me. We had told our server that we would need separate receipts for alcohol since we had outside funding for food during the trip. The server told us that was fine but ended up overcharging one of my friends' credit card. We asked him to fix it and he refused saying that it was too late, the transaction had already gone through. Having been a server before I knew that was b.s. After spending nearly a half an hour trying to fix the math ourselves we asked to see a manager. Again the server refused. One of my friends went over to the server's station to talk to him again and he was very condescending to her (we believe it is because she is Mexican... he was much more polite when a white friend demanded to see the manager). Finally the manager did come over. We told him the whole story and how we had been dealing with this for over an hour! He took the server's side and refused to do anything other than bring out a tiny piece of cake and seven forks. Ugh. We were so upset we didn't even end up going out for after dinner drinks to celebrate. We had such horrible experiences dining in Cincinnati but this one easily takes the cake. I was angry, insulted and we all felt robbed by being forced to pay 20% gratuity because it is added automatically. NEVER EVER patronize this horrible restaurant.
(1)
Leisa W.
I didn't want to like this place. I'm not sure why...I kept passing by it on Fountain Square and something about their logo made me think it was some sort of fast food place. Then, I looked inside, and a friend came into town and it was convenient to her hotel...and now, grudgingly, I'm a fan. I've been here twice. The first time I had the Greek salad, which was fantastic, and the tortellini, which was lovely (and enough to take home). My friend had some sort of steak, which she seemed to like but was just a slab of meat (I hate it when restaurants do this--really, how expensive are a few carrots or something to throw on the side?). The next time I was there, it was for lunch. I had a really yummy goat cheese salad, which was just enough for lunch (though I wasn't very hungry at the time). If you want a light meal, it was great. Both times, someone else was footing the bill, or this review would possibly be lower. I feel like it's a bit pricey for what it is. However, the space is lovely and the location is great and the food has not yet missed a step for me. And honestly, it might be worth more money to me if they changed their logo (it may be ridiculous but that's what you get when you think about branding all day). I'll tell you this though--next time someone wants to take me to eat there, I'm in!
(4)
John B.
Great food. Great Ambiance. Great wine. Great service. Reasonable prices.
(4)
Christoffer M.
It's always fun to test a restaurant during its opening week, which we did for Via Vite. Unwise decision. Their woodburning oven wasn't ready yet, which really robs housemade pizzas of their allure. Nonetheless, the sauce was good and I could imagine how it would taste baked over fiery logs. The star of the meal was the penne bolognese, which was identical to the perfect version served at Nicola's, chef Cristian Pietoso's main restaurant in the area. What was not lagging was the service: crisp, friendly, and very apologetic for the various dramas that inevitably plague new fine dining rooms. Fast forward a few months. This time the pizza was crisp and perfectly browned. Plus, they use premiere ingredients: fresh mozzarella, rich mushrooms, classic Italian prosciutto. That said, the bolognese is still the best you'll find outside of Bologna, much less anywhere else in the area. This place packs out at lunch, which is no surprise considering its prime location on Fountain Square. It might look a little odd (it's basically a box), but the inside decor is sleek and warm. As a bonus, it's open late (2 am on weekends) with a limited menu (that includes the bolognese). Probably a little bit more than you'd want after bar-hopping, but would be a prime finale for a date that's going better than expected.
(4)
Don G.
Pretty good brunch and great views on Fountain Square for people watching.
(3)
Kerri B.
Amazing!!! M-F, 4-7 half off wine and apps. We arrived at 5 and it is now 7:30 and it's packed on a Monday. Thank you Christian and your family for creating authentic Italian for my friends and I.
(5)
Anthony D.
Wow! Some of you recent Yelpers have been a bit tough. I am a local that frequents Via Vite on occasion and adding my two cents for out of towners wanting some great Italian food , in a great location in the city square. The ambiance here is upscale contemporary , so if you are in town for the Square Dancing Convention and looking red and white checkered table cloths and want to eat cheap mediocre southern Italian pasta dishes with lots of melted cheese for around $10.00 you need to go to Campanello's. Via Vite's signature dish is the lamb shank served on top of creamy white polenta. This is to die for! Ask your waiter and they can go into great detail about the lamb shank is roasted. The polenta is made with tons of butter and cream. Have your dining partner order a fresh pasta dish and share bites. Check out the happy hour times. You can't beat $4.00 glasses of house wine and $6.00 pizzas. The pizzas are the real deal and remind me of my trips to Italy.
(4)
Scot H.
had an incredible lamb shank with polenta. warm goat cheese salad was fantastic. best part was chef cristopher bringing out a flaming branzino in salt for his wife and guests and singeing her hair. atmosphere was okay, staff was decent.
(4)
Mike S.
This is one of my regular places to get dinner in downtown Cinci. They have very good food and the kitchen comes up with adventurous specials. The wine selection is pretty good too, though I usually stick to the cabernet. It's a sure bet for a good meal.
(4)
Scott S.
Went to this Italian restaurant on Fountain Square three days in a row and loved it for: a wonderful pasta dinner at the bar; a lovely glass of wine outdoors on the upstairs deck; and a wonderful brunch in the main dining room on the main floor. Had rigatoni with a deep, dark red sauce I've never had before but it has ruined me for regular pasta sauce. The featured red wine special (a blend) was also great. The next day sitting outdoors the waiter had a good suggestion for a light refreshing white that proved to be the perfect choice. On my last day in Cincy I went back for Sunday brunch and had the dish recommended by Cincinnati magazine (polenta with a fried egg and Italian sausage) and it was delicious; as a first course I had carpaccio of cured beef with arugula and lots of shaved parm, and it was fantastic. I loved the chi-chi look of the place (modern lines, open kitchen, swanky with no hint of stuffiness), and the staff was unbelievably friendly and sweet, and generally prompt without hovering. I would love to sit at the chef's table the next time.
(5)
R E.
While in town for business had dinner there and absolutely every thing I had was delicious! Starting with the Tocai wine our server recommended to dessert. I tried everything he recommended and our server was spot on every time! I normally don't enjoy my meals while traveling on business but was nicely surprised by Via Vite. A definite must visit while in that area.
(4)
Steve K.
I've been to Via Vite twice, once for a very expensive work party and once for lunch. Both experiences can be summed up by two words-- underwhelmed and overpriced. The pasta that I had last time was something between hamburger helper and chef boyardee. The setting is really cool, but so is my loft, I can make top ramen here for like $0.25, don't waste the cool space on something that reminded me of dog food.
(2)
Julie W.
Nice dinner with my cousins, great location on Fountain Square with live music playing, but food only average - nothing to write home about.
(3)
Vib M.
I went here with my girlfriend during my first night in Cinci (yes, I am a CA transplant). The location is great with outdoor seating overlooking Fountain Square. Try to stay on the side away from the Time Warner billboard, otherwise you get glare from what they are showing on TV. The food was exactly what we were looking for after a trip from SF. They had some thin crust pizzas and light, fluffy pastas. Good place for vegetarians. The wine selection was also pretty good.
(4)
Kevin B.
They have an excellent location on the square, and the decor to match. You feel good in this place. The food does it justice as well. Nice beer menu too - Stone IPA and Dogfish 90 Min. I'm set.
(4)
Kailani N.
margherita pizza!!
(5)
Kirsten F.
i'm coming out of yelp retirement for this. i'm in cincinnati for business and staying right downtown - i was looking for that "business traveler dinner" - relatively quick, with attentive service, nice atmosphere, and a good glass of wine. i got all of that and then some with via vite. i feel most compelled to comment on the service, which was fantastic. the bartender has mastered the chattiness required to accommodate lone diners, but he wasn't overbearing. the manager checked in on me at one point (and cautioned me about a ridiculously hot plate i was about to sear my hand on), and the chef made an appearance with a recommendation from the menu. all were warm and seemed genuinely concerned that i have a good experience. i didn't eat in the dining room, but the atmosphere was very appealing with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and rich, modern colors. i managed to order three things all featuring goat cheese, which isn't even my favorite thing. i was after the beets, asparagus (beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad), pesto (pesto, artichoke and goat cheese pizza), and was recommended the salad featuring mixed greens, hazelnuts (nice), a very light, delicious raspberry viniagrette and, yes, goat cheese. the salad was amazing. it was an after thought, but was my favorite thing. wide selection of italian wines, which i know nothing about. the bartender made nice suggestions. in all, very impressed. i hope that this restaurant succeeds because the staff seemed committed to providing a high quality experience.
(4)
Kim B.
I have been to Via Vite several times. It is one of my favorites in Cincinnati, and I fall in love with it everytime I go! My husband and I have pretty much tried everything on the menu, and all is great. The Warm Goat Cheese Salad is soooo good. I love how the cool greens contrast against the warm goat cheese and the vinegarette, yum. The soups are great. I've had Potato and Leek, Cauliflower and my favorite Yellow Pepper soup. I have taken my little sisters and we got pizza, which was just like you were transported back to Italy! ALL pasta dishes are excellent. Fish dishes are sooo good, especially the Skate Wing. The steaks melt in your mouth like butter. My all time favorite is, the Roasted Lamb Shank and Polenta. It's like dying and going to heaven! You don't even need a fork for the Lamb, it literally falls off the bone. The polenta is soooo creamy and cheesy. Tiramisu is awesome! Gelato is mind blowing, so creamy, and has such a variety of flavors. This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Great food, friendly owners, Georgous Setting.
(5)
Sean B.
This new venture by the folks who run Over The Rhine's Nicolas is a welcome local addition to a renovated Fountain Square surrounded by national and regional chains. While the dinner menu is somewhat limited - most of the appetizer choices are pizzas and they could add an entree or three (as it is you have a choice of 4 pastas or 4 meat dishes - the food is excellent. On a recent visit the mussels appetizer, penne with bolognese meat sauce, and tuna steak special were all delicious. The view overlooking the Square is great, but what holds the establishment back is the service. It's downright awful. Considering the prices, you might expect a more attentive managerial, bar, and service staff, but it just doesn't gel. There is no attention to detail on the floor side of the house, and as a result the entire scene suffers.
(3)
Ice Cream Truck I.
OK, I'll admit I'm a San Francisco snob. Visiting for business, I learned from OpenTable that this was a popular restaurant and its website looked intriguing. It was better than I expected. When I drove up to the underground parking, I sorta shuttered. I saw that I was in ground zero of downtown, at Fountain Plaza (or Square?). I looked around: Macy's, Brooks Brothers, Palamino, etc. And a big watery fountain in the middle of a downtown square, so I was nervous: would this be a good-location, good-view, but so-so-but-overpriced-food kinda place? The atmosphere is unpretentious, friendly, comfortable, and slightly trendy. The servous was superb - - very attentive without being pushy. The caprese salad was great (colorful red, yellow and green cherry tomatoes cut in half, with generous slices of mozzarella, with a light shred of basil, which could have been more plentiful, but maybe it's because it's late-season?). I asked for their recommended pasta, and the accommodated my request for half-portions of two of their great pastas (gnocchi, rigatoni). And it wasn't overpriced, at least by major US city standards. Just ignore that you're basically in a city on the Kentucky border.
(3)
Mike S.
Had a good and quick dinner here before a play at Ensemble Theater. The space was nice but surprisingly not crowded at 7 pm on a Saturday evening (only about 3/4 full). Our table of 4 shared the bruschetta assortment and focaccia appetizers. Our server was not that competent or enthusiastic. When we asked what was the assortment of five bruschetta, she didn't know one and got another one wrong. Unfortunately the wrong one had sausage and was already eaten by the vegetarian at the table. Despite the incompetence, the bruschetta were all good. The "focaccia" looked surprisingly like a thin pizza, not nearly as thick as I would expect, but delicious. I had the special beef short ribs. I remarked that they quivered like jello when served; tender, perfectly prepared, and tasty. Some of the best I've ever had. The other diners had the potato gnocchi, a special mushroom tortellini, and the pork chops. The gnocchi and pasta were very good. Didn't try the pork, but was reported to be excellent. One thing I really liked was the offering of a 1-liter carafe of wine for $28. I wish more places would offer a reasonably priced and good house wine by the carafe. Jean-Ro's does too. Overall we were happy with the meal: very good food, not overpriced, fair service.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Via Vite is trying to be a lot of different things at once and, for the most part, it is fairly successful. The upside of that is there is a new swinging hot spot in downtown Cincinnati (where hot spots are sorely needed) with good food, the downside is that none of the components truly soar on their own. This place can clearly get packed on the weekends and last Saturday, there was a live band that proved more enjoyable than we expected when we saw them starting to set up. Couples were even dancing in the crowded bar area, which provided more entertainment than the band itself! It can definitely get loud with the crowds and the music, but it never stopped our table from having a conversation. I'd expect better food from the Nicola's folk. Surprising at an Italian joint, the salads were the highlights. My favorite was the grilled asparagus, roasted beet and goat cheese, but everything is fantastic. The menu is small, so if you're not in the mood for pizza, pasta or one of the 4 basic meat options, you're out of luck. I tried the calamari-spinach stew from the appetizers, which was more than enough food with the addition of a salad, but I found it incredibly salty. I wasn't terribly impressed with the other entrees I sampled. If you stick to the salads and enjoy the music and the view, this is a great night on the town. If you want a killer Italian meal, head to Nicola's.
(4)
Amy B.
Couples night. Began the evening with wine and appetizers. Pork belly with bacon was my fav. With 6 couples, we sampled several different. Next, we sampled Caesar salad (family size) or spring mix with slightly melted goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette and sprinkles of pistachio. I selected the Lamb Shank for my meal. WOW!!! Melt in you mouth. Great atmosphere and our server (blond with a blue streak) was very attentive and extremely patient.
(5)
Chelsea C.
I ordered the ceasar salad and lab shank. BIG MISTAKE!! My salad was not fresh. The lettuce was old, wilted and lifeless. My lamb shank was extremely dry and hard to swallow. I could eat it either of them! I have to say the manager was prompt to take care of me and I appreciated her attentiveness.
(1)
Tom G.
Excellent food. Who knew the brussel sprouts would be my favorite.
(5)
Sarah G.
We enjoyed a nice late night supper on the enclosed and upper terrace. Terrific waiter (he's a PhD in music ed, y'all) with excellent attentiveness to detail. My food recommendations: the pork belly and the asparagus beet salad. One of our colleagues had the lamb and raved about it--he wanted another. My husband has the meatballs and the octopus, the latter which he is still unsure he liked. The chef came out to our table at the end and was very gracious. Great for a small group (we had 8) and perfect for later evening. The crowd thins and you get excellent service.
(5)
Jena D.
This place has it all! Right on the square, great atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly service. If you have never been, try it for Happy Hour which lasts till seven. I love the wood fired pizzas which are half price...my favorite being the pizza Bianca with kalamata olives, artichokes, and goat cheese. Also a must try is the Scorpino: Prosecoo, grapefruit vodka, and grapefruit sorbet.
(5)
Kristin N.
Thank god for Yelp. In town for a conference and checked to see what was nearby and found Via Vite. My colleagues and I enjoyed this a lot. The server was very, very knowledgeable about the menu and didn't bat an eye when we needed 6 checks (stupid business travel). Now on to the food. The bread was the perfect combo of chewy crust but fluffy inside....served with balsamic vinegar and oil. We ordered gnocchi, pizzas, salads and polenta. Everyone cleaned their plate. The prices were reasonable, as were the portions. I'm now 2 for 2 for picking restaurants when out of town with co-workers ;o)
Final rating of this place. I like to come here. It's a good location. Great ambiance. The food is USUALLY good/great. I have had a few off meals that really changed my mind about this place at one point, but OVERALL it is really good food. The bartenders could use some work on being attentive and friendly. Servers are nice and on top of it. Their happy hours are great. VINO = fantastico. Prices = okay.
(4)
Brandee B.
Don't believe the hype. At least not for brunch. I have been wanting to try this place since it opened but to my dismay there is not much variety on the menu and what was there was not very inventive or innovative. I would have liked to have seen more brunch items and more fusions that included pasta or Italian meats and breakfast It did not have much on the brunch menu and what it did have was not very exciting. I chose to get the ham and cheese focaccia which I must say was pretty good and cheesy, I love cheese , and it had nicely seasoned artichoke hearts, which I had never tried before but was pleasantly surprised to see that I like them. My friend had pancakes with sweet ricotta cheese and syrup she said that she did not need the syrup because the cheese was that good. The service was fine and everyone was nice so I guess overall it was a nice experience just a little underwhelming.
(3)
Nick H.
This place was great, had a large dinner party there for a recent graduation and everyone walked away satisfied. Portions are generous and they were even nice enough to provide free dessert for the graduates.
(5)
Kathleen K.
Via Vite Since living in Cincinnati for four years, I've made Via Vite my go-to Italian place. While there are certainly better and more authentic places, the relatively reasonable prices and fresh pasta are what keep me coming back. Although I've eaten the regular menu twice for special occasions, my review will focus on the Happy Hour, which is easily one of the best in the city, for both food and drink. During happy hour, all drinks, including cocktails are half-off. I usually stick with a glass (s) of pinot grigio, but happy hour is a perfect opportunity to try their amazing cocktails. I recommend anything with Campari, as it is especially delicious during the hot summer months. For food, you have a set of options, which can be paired together to make a meal. I typically order the Arugula salad, along with an order of Pasta Bolognese (Their samples at Taste of Cincinnati got me hooked!). The portion is rather small, but for six dollars, it's a steal! You can also add a meatball for three dollars. One possible downside of happy hour is that it is restricted to the bar and patio area. If you come around six, however, you should not have issues with seating. This is a great place to come right before the Summer Fountain Square Concerts.
(4)
Helen P.
I did enjoy this place my daughter loved the pasta so did I. The location is perfect and the service amazing! Go there and enjoy
(5)
Amanda K.
Went to this restaurant and wanted some good Italian without being too "old-fashioned". Decor is contemporary but welcoming. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the lasagna, which was one of the specials. It was the creamiest, freshest lasagna I've had. Highly recommend.
(4)
Denny C.
I have been referring to this restaurant as Via Vitae for several years, and thus I am embarrassed. Why family, friends and acquaintances never corrected me, is beyond my hyper critical persona. I would have corrected me immediately! Food from Via Whatever addresses my taste buds several times a month. I live a few blocks away, and stop in or do "take out" often. Sometimes the food, service, and ambiance are very good, and sometimes the food, service and ambiance are terrible. That's what I mean by bi-polar, and unfortunately there is no medication to cure a restaurant of this psychiatric disorder. In the past, I chalked this up to Christian, the owner/operator, not being present, but I Do not know for sure. The pastas, pizza are often some of the best in the city. Often the pasta and pizza are some of the worst in the city. Consistency is a lost art at Via Whatever. When Yusef is behind the bar, everything works smoothly and he accommodates a patron's wishes. I've had other bartenders who are more interested in themselves then any customer. Sometimes the ambiance hopping with great energy. Sometimes the ambiance is quiet, empty, and depressing., like a former girlfriend of mine. I will continue to dine at Via V....Whatever, but I will keep my fingers crossed.
(3)
Katie D.
Finally made it this popular happy hour! Tried sips of 3 cocktails and they all were pretty tasty. The bolognese is very good for the price, but I prefer the recipe at Nicolas. My friend disagrees, so really it's just a matter of preference. We were also pleased with the greens and the veal meatballs. The margherita pizza was mediocre, but I'll admit the other pizzas looked super tasty! #orderfail We sat outside on the piazza deck which had it's pros and cons. It's cool to eat out on fountain square but at times it was very loud. Service was slow but it was because they seemed understaffed out there. The chef came out and introduced himself to us which was pretty cool. I will definitely being going to this happy hour again! A great Friday night spot to go with your girlfriends before a night on the town!
(4)
George O.
I've been to a few upscale Italian restaurants and this one certainly competes with the best of them. They have a huge selection of wines and a handful of specialty cocktails available. The bruschetta was one of the best I've ever eaten. I tried gnocchi for the first time at this restaurant. It's served over cheese fondue sauce and truffle shavings. The gnocchi dish was unbelievably tasty. I can't say that enough. The gnocchi was so good. I can't wait to go back and have it again. Service was a little slow, but it was a very busy night (New years eve). The quality of food and beverage more than made up for it though. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Rick S.
I love this place. It's modern-hip and the food is really good. Christian, the owner-chef, is a terrific guy. He comes out of the kitchen to mingle. He makes it a friends, special occasion. Pasta is his passion. The penne bolognese makes me crazy. I love it. Cristian Pietoso is pure Italian. He sounds like it. Looks like it. Cooks like it. A winner!
(5)
Carrie R.
What a fabulous restaurant on Fountain Square! We went on a Thursday when there were salsa singers in the square which attracts a huge crowd of salsa dancing couples. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the food was fantastic. My group split the mussels zuppa and the warmed whipped ricotta cheese spread as appetizers. Both of which were delicious! I had the best scallops here! My husband loved his lamb shank (it was perfectly prepared - falling off the bone and well seasoned). My sister loved the paccheri alla napoletana dish that she tried and my brother-in-law loved his whole chicken. For dessert we all ordered something and then shared as a group. We tried: ~tiramisu ~risotto pudding (the favorite) ~carmel complexity This truly epitomizes the perfect restaurant to have a dinner date.
(5)
Susanne H.
I had both lunch and dinner here. For lunch I got the margarita pizza. It was excellent, the mozzarella was very good. For dinner we had an assortment of appetizers. The octopus was actually pretty good. We ordered the brushetta thinking it was a normal brushetta, it came out as an assortment where we had to guess what we were eating. The other items were so-so. By far the best thing we had was the Penne with traditional meat sauce alla Bolognese. It was amazing. On Mondays they do a lunch special where you can get it for $7.00. The atmosphere was nice, the music was a little loud, we just made a request to have it turned down a bit and staff was accommodating.
(3)
Tiera A.
I had been to Via Vite a few times for private parties but never for happy hour. I decided to check it out for my birthday and have a few friends join me. We had a really nice time, the atmosphere (we sat on the patio outside) was great. We went on a Tuesday evening so the place was not extremely busy but our wait times were a little long. There was only one server in our area, who wasn't that accommodating. Luckily, I had great company so I didn't really notice the long wait times. We all got pizza and cocktails. The pizza had a lot to be desired. Mine was a little too doughy (think Papa Johns) and my friend's was burnt. These weren't the best pizzas we'd ever had but certainly not the worst. Via Vite has a signature cocktail called Sgroppino and it is absolutely amazing. The drink is about $5 during happy hour. Overall, this is a nice place. I'll definitely go back. I hope that when I return the service will be better.
(3)
Elvin H.
Great Italian restaurant on Fountain Square. Nice wine list. The meatballs are my favorite, but a little heavy for warm weather. The Bolognaise is my absolute favorite. Small menu, but great chef with seasonal and daily features. Nice happy hour in the bar.
(4)
Mike P.
Was pretty good - limited menu, but in the middle of town, good wine list, great bar and food pretty good - not great. Fun place though.
(4)
Brian M.
This was the first restaurant I ever went to in Cincinnati, and it remains one of my favorites. The Italian food here is quite good and reasonably priced. There's a reason the lamb keeps getting mentioned over and over on Yelp; it's in the top 5 of all lamb that I've ever had. The service is excellent as well. This place has some wonderful views of Fountain Square. Definitely going back.
(4)
Craig C.
This restaurant is always on my short list when entertaining clients. First and foremost, you can't beat the location; Via Vite is in the heart of our city, and if you pick the right table on the patio you can even get a view of Fountain Square. Chef Christian does a terrific job of keeping his menu fresh and hosting various types of tasting events that keep his customers engaged and looking for more. As for the food, my favorite dish at Via Vite is the Bolognese. Truthfully, I think it is the best bolognese I have ever eaten, and I even like it better than the higher end sister restaurant - Nicola's. The sauce is incredibly flavorful, and they always do a good job of cooking their pasta to a perfect al dente. I also regularly eat the warm goat cheese salad, which is quite memorable. I have found that seating on the restaurant's terrace patio (my favorite location by a long shot) can be a bit inconsistent, as they will decide to close this area if it is a slower night. In addition, they close this area due to certain events that they are hosting. If you are really trying to impress a client/date, and you are expecting a patio seat, I would advise you to call ahead and make sure it is available.
(4)
Tom H.
Food taste is outstanding. Portions are a bit small for the cost. Atmosphere is great. Drinks are watered down A LOT. Two long islands and didn't feel a thing. Service is a bit slow and inattentive especially when busy. Nice to experience once, but plan to spend a lot.
To be fair, this was a business dinner with a set menu. Nonetheless, the service was very good. Friendly, helpful and engaging...but too much. The food was tasty. I had the goat cheese salad. A small plate size - perfect. The beef with fingerling potatoes and chard (I think. I was green. So it was good for me.). The portion size was perfect. Which translate to 3oz of meat. For many people, this might have been considered an appetizer. However, it was the proper amount of food. I rounded out the dinner with tiramisu. It was served in a mason jar. Which was kinda strange since the rest of the service was not country style. Regardless, it was super tasty and I wanted to have seconds. (I didn't!). I wish I had now that I'm thinking about it again.
(4)
Martin E.
The food was phenomenal and the service, impeccable. Attentive yet not intrusive. Great recommendations for first-time customers. I give it five stars only because I can't give six!
(5)
Priyanka G.
Really disappointed. Tuna was terrible, brussel sprouts came at the end of the meal, had to ask for silverware... All in all, expected much more out of a 4 star place. Will not return
(2)
Joe M.
The bosses were taking their troops to lunch in downtown Cincinnati and we had reservations at the swanky Via Vite for lunch. The favorite eatery of elite bankers in the area, we were a ragtag group amongst a bunch of suits. After a very long wait, we started off with bread and butter. The bread was squished and seemed to be made up of scraps, and there was literally a thimble-sized dollop of butter in the bowl, perhaps good for one or two slices of bread in the entire basket. For my entree, I ordered their spinach and ricotta ravioli with shrimp and a light cream sauce, and was disappointed to find only five raviolis on a plate that ended up costing almost $18. When it was served, it wasn't even that hot, and the pasta tasted undercooked. Overall, I was so underwhelmed by the food that I just snacked on bread while others ate. Totally not worth the money. Service was appalling and our server was slow and rude. I'm not sure what her attitude was fueled by, but it really wasn't my problem. The chef came out later to ask how everything was, and considering I was there with our big group, I opted to not be "that guy" and complain. However, I was very disappointed with the experience and would prefer to dine elsewhere in the future. Food: 5/10 Service: 3/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 6/10
(2)
Sara M.
I'd first noticed Via Vite while looking for a sports bar to watch a soccer game. The second story patio with its bright red umbrellas definitely caught my eye, but since I was in Cincy only for a couple of days for a wedding, I didn't think I'd be able to try this place. As it turned out, Sunday brunch at the restaurant inside our hotel was booked. It has a really good reputation, and since it was Father's Day, I can see why they'd be filled up. I was bummed when I found out. So we decided to give Via Vite a try and an hour later, we were so glad we did! We dined inside, with a nice view of Fountain Square, which made for great people-watching. Inside, the restaurant decor is sleek and stylish. I was very surprised that the restaurant wasn't full, considering the good food, prime location, and Father's Day holiday. Maybe Cincinnati doesn't take its brunch as seriously as Atlanta. The brunch menu didn't have your typical American breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Instead, it had amazing-sounding choices like prosciutto and fontina cheese on ciabatta or braised pork belly with fagioli and a fried egg. There were also a couple of pasta and pizza options. Definitely a very unique assortment of brunch offerings. I had a hard time deciding between the two aforementioned dishes and ended up going with the former. Good lawd that was an amazing sandwich. A very generous amount of cheese and prosciutto that was delightfully crisp at the edges of the sandwich. Also on the sandwich were truffled artichoke hearts. YUM. The sandwich came with a side salad of field greens, but I asked for a side of the parmesan polenta for a slight upcharge. I'm not sure how I feel about the polenta. The texture was a little too runny and slightly gluey, but it tasted pretty good. It was difficult to eat out of the bowl it came in using a fork. My SO had the bianca pizza (garlic confit, goat cheese, artichokes, mozzarella, and Kalamata olives) with a side of Italian sausage, which he sprinkled over his pizza (why he didn't just add it to his pizza I don't know). The pizza was really good, but I enjoyed my meal more. The coffee was actually really good. I wanted to take a big ol' to-go cup of it. I probably should have asked, considering we had a seven-hour drive back to Atlanta. Our server offered us a dessert menu, which I would have loved to browse, but we had our hearts set on Graeter's. Speaking of our server, she was friendly, upbeat, and eager to answer our questions about the menu. The host was also very friendly. Should I ever find myself back in Cincinnati, I would definitely come back here for dinner. And possibly dessert, if the call of Graeter's isn't too strong!
(4)
Willie S.
So dining by yourself on a business trip is not ideal. But I found two ways to enjoy it in my recent trip to Cincy. At Via it was the Chefs table - much better than the bar - I met the chef and several of his team. I watched the cooking, plating and serving process. A veritable ballet of constant motion. Very fun. Team was well behaved - they got along, I saw teaching moments - ones that really worked - Gordon Ramsey is an ass. Ok but the food - Grilled Spanish Octopus - wow. Glad I added that one. Tender and tasty. Blackened Gnocchi - the dish I went for was also great - a very different presentation. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts were not the bomb but hey they were just a bit heavy handed on the carmalizing. Really enjoyed watching a team work well together. Will do this again.
(5)
Cindy G.
I cannot believe I have never eaten here before this weekend!! Ok, what you are about to read are true, amazing, delicious, incredible, savory, tales of deliciousness. Prepare yourself.... My boyfriend and I are kind of in love with Palomino's happy hour deal. When we need a cheap quick bite we usually pop over there. As we were walking past I asked him, "I feel bad, but can we cheat on Palomino's just once and try Via Vite?" He said, "Of course dear, you are always right." (Or something like that LOL) We see that they have an INCREDIBLE happy hour: ** Monday-Friday 3-7pm $4 house reds, whites $2 off ALL cocktails $2 off ALL beers 1/2 price pizzas!! **AND it's available in the main bar, the Terrace, Courtyard and the newly opened Piazza. Where else would you want to be? Am I right??! We choose the Terrace overlooking Fountain Square. It was hot as heck, but the fans made for a nice breeze. It was Friday so the music on the square was the perfect ambiance. We ordered the house white and red, which were both fantastic for only $4 bucks! Then we chose the Sausage and Sauteed Onion Pizza for 1/2 price = $6 bucks. The pizza comes out and mind you, we are expecting a little flatbread, we had dinner plans somewhere else after. What we got--LORD HAVE MERCY!!! A hand tossed, home made crust, wood fired pizza that tasted like it was sent down from the Italian gods! This thing had fresh Italian sausage (made at Findlay Market just for them) basil, sauteed onions for a little sweetness, basil, and mozzarella cheese. The server then brought out more cheese and red pepper table side for us which was a nice touch. We took each took a bite, swooned, eyes rolled back in our heads, regained consciousness and looked at each other and said, "This is the best pizza I have ever had in my life." We couldn't believe it. From the crust, to the sauce, to the toppings, everything was home made and super fresh! Much to my surprise, the chef came out to ask us how we were doing and if you ask me that is the sign of a good restaurant. He was charming and really cared about his food. You could literally taste the passion in this pizza. Our bill was $14 and we cancelled our dinner reservation. Stuffed, satisfied, and so so happy. We had the perfect date night thanks to Via Vite. And not to be weird, but we have been sending texts back and forth to each other about that damn pizza ever since. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
William W.
Just visited on business trip. Get location and vibe. Ate at bar and had great service. Had the wild bore pa
(4)
Patti T.
What an amazing treat! If you are in the Cincinnati area you must try this restaurant. My husband and I got a recommendation from our hotel to have dinner at this local gem. From the fabulous salad with warm goat cheese to the tasty penne bolognese we were wowed. We finished up with the caramel magic dessert. I would have licked the plate....absolutely one of the best meals we have had. And the service was great too.
(5)
L M.
Very tasty and great service. Very good wine list. Right on Fountain Square. Wonderful place for a great dinner without a crazy price!
(5)
Fred C.
Enjoyed some wonderful food. The lamb shank was perfectly prepared and delicious. The meat balls we GREAT! The pizzas where wonderful as well. Great staff to take care of you too.
(4)
Joel L.
I've eaten here twice and it's been good each time. The service was very good and the food tasted good too. I had the gnocchi and the ravioli, both were good. The location in Fountain Square is excellent. Overall, this restaurant is A-OK.
(3)
Amanda C.
Great service! Server was prompt and friendly. Pizza was hot and delicious, the outside seating has great people watching views.
Average food and drinks. Definitely not the best Italian in Cincinnati (Sotto, Nicola's).
(2)
Michele G.
My daughter and I had been to Via Vite before but my other half had not. I have to be honest I had worked at a different Italian place and am partial. We walked in and the atmosphere is how I remembered (good). The music wasn't to loud and current. Our daughter ordered a cheese pizza that was not only delicious but the size of a medium pizza from a delivery place. She was so happy she knew that leftovers would be tomorrows lunch. I ordered the chicken stuffed with sausage. The chicken was good and moist. I am always afraid to order chicken becuase places tend to dry it out. My wife always gets the better dish and once again she did. She ordered the pork with a salsa verde. The salsa verde was reminiscent of a chimichurri. The manager sent over crispy gnocchi with a white cheese sauce and black truffles. When I go back I think that is what I would order it was so good. I love Italian wine and my wife is starting to get to know how good they are thanks to half price bottle night on Sunday. We got a killer Barolo for $35.00.The server was great. She was knowledgeable about the wine and pairings with food. My daughter loves to go out to eat and talk to the server and I have to thank the server for engaging with her. I will be back for sure and maybe I will forget about that other place I had worked at when I want real Italian.
(4)
Megan H.
Love this restaurant! Great servers and delicious food!
(5)
Nicole D.
I love this place! It's relaxing, classy, and awesome. After terrible service at another restaurant, I ended up here before heading to see a show. The chef came out and greeted people and asked if food was good, and if people were enjoying themselves. It was all together a fantastic dining experience. PS - I highly recommend the rigatoni.
(5)
Jennifer N.
Being a first timer I wasn't sure what to expect but I am certainly glad I made the trip! First off I should mention the pizzas are half off during happy hour which is definitely a plus. Second I should mention how incredibly good the pizza is!! The pizza is wood fired and the sauce is very unique and isn't saucy like other sauces it is fresh and robust and the cheese is light not too heavy just right. I will definitely come back in the near future the pizza is definitely worth it!!
(4)
Jack R.
Can't believe that I never been here before. I have seen this place but with it being on Fountain Square and the way it looked just thought it would be really pricey. We got a free meal here for doing an event on the square and it was great. Got to look over the menu and prices for the next time as well. It really isn't that pricey add the food and service was great. The veal meatball appetizer was great and then we got a clam pizza with white sauce. I did not expect them to have pizza but they did and it was great. It is a smaller place so the tables are set a bit to close together for my comfort but this is a place that we will have to try again. It would make for a great place for your next date night.
(4)
Ed P.
Two Saturday's ago was a rare date night for my wife and I. Since our son was born I think I can count on one hand the number of meals we have eaten without him. However now that he is less tolerable of sit down meals, this may become a more regular occurrence. Anyway, the destination for our dinner was Via Vite on Fountain Square downtown. I had seen the outside of this restaurant numerous times due to its very central location but had never ventured inside. We made reservations with OpenTable and arrived at our designated time, quickly being ushered to our reserved table in the relatively crowded dining area. It was crowded with nearly all tables being occupied, but it was also crowded in that the tables were very close to each other. The cramped dining area was therefore quite noisy. Service on the other hand was wonderful! Our drinks were never empty and the pace of the meal felt just right. The first item delivered to our table was some fresh bread along with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. Nothing out of the ordinary hear, but still a nice way to start the meal. For dinner I ordered the Handmade Spaghetti Chitarra with velvet pioppini mushroom ragout and Parmigiano Reggiano ($19). The spaghetti is handmade and cut in the restaurant and thicker than what you would typically make at home. The mushroom based sauce was outstanding! It was still full of a nice tomato flavor and a hint of spice as well. My wife had the Italian spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza ($13). The pizza was large and covered with sausage and onions. I was able to steal a piece from her and I have to admit that this was one of the better slices of pizza I've had in a long time. The mozzarella used was certainly fresh and really stood out to me. With such flavorful cheese and toppings, the sauce took a backseat, but that's not to say that it wasn't tasty on its own. I was very happy to have some of this leftover to take home with us. The food at Via Vite was excellent and the service was great. Twice Executive Chef Cristian Pietoso stopped by our table to chat and ask how everything tasted. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)
Bill E.
Came here a few weeks ago for Sunday brunch around 11 and there were just a few tables which was suprising to us. Our server was friendly and suggested the minestrone soup and so my mom was hooked for her first course. Via Vite does a two course brunch menu for fifteen dollars each and it is a great value. I ordered a bloody mary and for my first course the fruit salad which a few days before Polly Campbell the food critic said it was the best she has ever had with fresh mint and lime. It was good. My mom ordered the minestrone soup and she raved about it. My second course was the polenta with sausage and a fried egg and chives on top, it was great and one of the best things I have had at brunch as the egg's yolk added to the creaminess of the polenta. My mom ordered the quiche of the day which happened to be aspargus and really liked it. I highly suggest going to Via Vite for brunch.
(4)
Regina G.
This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati!!! The bolognese Monday lunch special is a deal that can't be passed up! The menu is priced amazingly for the quality of the food. It's always busy, so make a reservation. My only complaint is that the service can be quite slow, so don't plan on a quick meal.
Delicious. We had a large group and our server did fantastically well. Attentive and well timed service.
(5)
Danae B.
one of my fav restaurants downtown, they always have something going on. Dinner, Happy Hour, Brunch...they do it all. Brunch is my fav. If you are vegan/vegetarian, be sure to ask the chefs to make something special whipped up for you. It is also on a great spot, very scenic. A great spot downtown, very central to everything.
(4)
Emily L.
I visited Via Vite for dinner with my friend, and we were immediately greeted by the friendly hostess. The overall atmosphere is inviting and family friendly. If I ever get the chance to visit again, I'll order their tapas and shrimp. Overall, this downtown spot seems like a great spot for an intimate dinner with friends or a romantic date. I wasn't too impressed with my noodle entree, AND it came out much later than stated. Our waitress wasn't making our experience any better because she didn't seem to want to talk, and I felt bad for her, but I just didn't understand why she would tell us that our food was ready several times, but then come back to tell us that it wasn't. I'm not sure how a date would fare well here, but I think this restaurant has a lot of potential.
(2)
Mitch D.
Very surprising experience at Via Vite. For some reason I had written this place off a bit, probably because of its potentially "touristy"/"chain" location. But the reality I experienced was great food, phenomenal service, and a really cool atmosphere that fits in the heart of the city. The service was actually a bit too attentive at times, but typically I'll take that over the alternative any day. one of the chefs as well as the dinner manager both stopped by our table, in addition to the many visits by our waitress. They could have cut that back by a third and the service would still have been great.
(4)
Monica D.
I brought my family to Via Vite tonight for dinner while they were in town because I wanted them to see downtown and still get a solid meal. First, the ambiance is awesome with a killer view of fountain square. We sat in the main dining room which is decorated with modern and classic lighting and seating. Onto the food. We ordered the veal and ricotta meatballs and the bruschetta of the day (which happened to be tuna). Both were yummy but not outstanding. The crostini bread and oil with balsamic would have probably been just fine to hold us over. We did order a bottle of Pinot noir that was awesome. The entrees we ordered were the rigatoni, pasta Bolognese, butternut squash ravioli, and four cheese gnocchi. All were very flavorful and wonderfully seasoned. I must say though hands down the ravioli was incredible. Served with a sage butter sauce and lobster tail it was a total knockout. The serving sizes were fairly large, enough to share tastes between my family. One final note that gained itself a star on it's own was that the head chef and owner of the restaurant (chef Cristian) was not only greeting tables and asking how the food was, but he was running food himself. This humble appreciation for his customers satisfaction was phenomenal to see. He was shaking hands and smiling the entire time. I love to see owners and chefs show this kind of passion. I will definitely be back to try their famous happy hour and pizza!
(4)
Victor A.
There could not be a more centrally located restaurant in Cincinnati and in the boot a pretty good one as well. These folks have a number of house made pastas and a wide variety of Italian fare. I've had the braised veal shanks before and they are delicious. This night my daughter had Gnocchi grilled somehow so they were "crisped", and I had the pasta e fagioli. The Gnocchi were rich but portioned correctly so they were not over powering and the bean soup was hearty with house made sausage. I'd have added more tomato but that didn't stop me from eating every drop. The "Carmel Complexity" was a bit overwrought in my view but my daughter enjoyed it and we got out with dinner, a couple of glasses of a quite respectable Barbera, cognac and espresso for about $125. I thought it was a good deal. I've been here a number of times and I'll be back.
(3)
Lianna N.
Swanky,nice staff, and very Italiano Modern! The second floor is relaxing and it's a great place to hang out during the summer time when it's warm.
(4)
Joyce K.
Fantastic atmosphere, really good for groups or if you want to go with a group of coworkers for a quiet conversation. I got the lamb shank and it was GREAT! I highly recommend that and don't skimp out on dessert. Their gelato (which i think is purchased from a local maker?) is very good too - it comes in really interesting flavors like Honey Lavender. Great service, too. The only thing that wasn't so great was their Tiramisu. Don't order that unless you really like mascarpone cheese because there's a 2 inch layer of that and like 1/3 layer of the actual cake.
(4)
Joe M.
Had the gnocchi with cheese fondue sauce and the goat cheese salad. Both were amazing. Service was excellent. Wine was an acceptable Nero d'Avola that was half price on Sunday. Very good meal. Not 5 star, but definitely not 3 or less stars as some reviewers would suggest.
This restaurant only affirmed in my mind that Cincinnati is a city full of rude, crabby people. Firstly, their happy hour specials, which are good, are only available at the bar. So, if you're seated a mere 25 feet from the bar as my friends and I were, you're basically screwed. Secondly, the food, while good, is about $4-$5 overpriced. I don't mind paying a lot for quality food but the $12 margherita pizza was only worth about $8. Yes, this is being somewhat parsimonious, but overpriced food pisses me off. Thirdly, our server was pretty much rude and stuck up to us the entire night after I went to the bar to get a happy hour special drink. Yes, I understand this takes away from her tip, however i had planned to leave her a tip to make up for this supposed trangression. I have also worked in the service industry before so I have little sympathy for rude and obnoxious service workers. Additionally, I have a hard time with restaurants that restrict their specials to certain areas of the restaurant, esp ones as small as this one. This was no nicer than many restaurants I've patronized in Columbus and yet the service and food were FAR below what I get there. Basically, if you want a good dining experience in Cincinnati, you have a 50-50 shot if getting crappy service and food, along with being surrounded by some of the biggest douchebag rednecks ever. On a side note, the bartender was very nice and I tipped her well. I usually never tip badly anywhere I go but I made an exception for the overinflated ego this restaurant and the majority of its staff clearly have. Columbus definitely has a much better and much more polite restaurant scene than Cincinnati.
(1)
Ameet C.
I was a social outcast with my friends at work, as I had never been to Via Vite, inspite of being to Fountain Square a million times. At every office party, or by the water cooler, I had to hear "Have you been to Via Vite?" , "Oh you have to eat at Via vite" . Last week, on a Friday night, I got home late and my friend and I were very hungry. Now, we were faced with the dilemma : where can we get good food at 9 pm on a Friday night without having to wait for hours (which is the norm nowadays at all places in OTR)? So I made a few phone calls and luckily Via Vite didn't have a waiting time. So, we drove to fountain square, there was a live band playing there, which was very cool. I liked the fact that there is ample parking for Via Vite at the Fountain Square Garage, which is very convenient and secure. The restaurant has a very well appointed interior. Our server was very professional and provided us with a lot of information about the menu. I have a weakness for sea food, and I ordered the "Mussels Zuppa" with grilled bread and my friend ordered Pasta e Fagioli. Before our dinner arrived, we were served fresh warm bread with olive oil. The bread was fantastic ! Dinner arrived just right (not too soon, which is scary or not too late). Even though my mussels were an "appetizer", the quantity was sufficient, and the mussels were very flavorful. I tried some of the pasta e fagioli too, althogh it was flavorful, I thought it was a bit bland. I was expecting a bold rosemary flavor in the pasta dish, but it was good none the less. The ambience was very nice and it was a nice delicious meal. I will be back to Via Vite for sure.
(4)
Christian G.
I have dined at almost every restaurant on the City's top lists and this was my second time at Via Vite. The first time was just for appetizers and I was impressed overall with the food and the wine selection and we returned last night for dinner. I truly believe service makes or breaks a meal. Typical food can seems outstanding if the service is also top notch. Via Vite had typical food for what I would expect. I was not amazed or wow-ed but I was not disappointed. The Gnocchi was good (Nicola's is better) and the Bianca pizza was very well done. Neither though was anything that will remain memorable. I do firmly believe that had the service been better the meal would have been more special. For starters it was extremely cold inside on a winter evening, but we were greeted by a friendly hostess and promptly seated. No table cloths which would have been an added special touch for the price range. Our waitress took longer than expected to show up and then returned several minutes later to take drink orders. It took over ten minutes for the drinks to arrive from the bar on what I would call only a mildly busy night. During this period I had time to notice how caked in dust the window shades are which is disappointing. The waitress was overall very unfriendly and abrupt - nearly knocking into one of us on several occasions when she came barreling through without warning with the water pitcher. She seemed rushed every time she came to the table and it was a solid 25 minutes from seating to ordering entrees. The chef hurried by our table and told us to "have fun" which seemed odd. The waitress explained no specials, did not ask if it was our first time there and offered no advicee on drinks or food. A 5 star restaurant has top notch service and awesome food in its price point, a 4 star restaurant excels in either food or service and is just typical in the other. A 3 star place is just typical all around. Via Vite is very typical. Had the service been exceptional I would have given 4 stars. A $50 dinner should be better than average. For your money give Sotto a try instead - a true 5 star. UPDATE: Within just a short time from reviewing I received a call from the general manager. His prompt willingness to to address the service shortcomings is the type of service recovery that should be enacted in all establishments. I appreciate this and would take their willingness to reach out as a sign of the service level they typically provide. Thank you Via Vite.
(3)
Beth A.
Really enjoyed this place! Great pizza in a nice setting right on the square. We stumbled on it accidentally but were happy we did. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Miiim R.
Pizza had a lot of cheese on it. High price and low amount of food .
(2)
Robert H.
Beautiful place, I was recently there before a show at the Aronoff Center. The food was great, everyone in my party enjoyed what the ordered. I ordered the special for the day which was lasagna. It was well prepared, great sauce, and a larger portion then I expected. Our waitress was somewhat awkward, but drinks came out fast and food as well. The one thing I did not realize when making the decision to eat here was the happy hour. I originally chose this please for its great happy hour drink specials. Once we were seated the waitress explained that the happy hour would only apply to the bar and upstairs patio, not the main dining area. We didn't move, but it's not well advertised information. I will definitely be back to Via Vite.
(4)
Kelly R.
Via Vite is positively and absolutely wonderful. I had never heard of this wonderful little gem until my boss announced she was pregnant and I immediately began planning her office baby shower. Knowing she wouldn't want a typical shower of games and being the center of attention, I asked her husband about her favorite lunching spots. Via Vite was brought up and I booked a private area upstairs and away we went. They were so accommodating to our group and made sure we were taken care of - from the second we walked out the door to a follow-up email thanking us and sending well wishes to the mom-to-be. The food was outstanding - the bolognese was enough for both lunch and dinner. I highly recommend anyone who wants good, hearty Italian food to stop by!
(5)
Denise S.
We had been recommended by a friend to this place. We went for a friends birthday, and with a party of only 10 they were very ill equipt! The staff was rude and we may have been able to get past that yet the food was mediocre at best. The scallops were low quality and grainy thus not edible. The pizza was tasteless and not finishable. However, the worst was it was pouring outside and my friends asked the hostess for something to cover our heads at the hostess suggestion we could get pizza boxes to cover us to the cab, AND were told they couldn't do it. Wow over 1000 dollars spent and they wouldn't even allow their patrons to stay dry. So sad. We will never visit this place again or recommend
The food was really good, but my portion was tiny. Yeah yeah portion distortion. But when I pay 20 bucks for pasta (and some extra just to get some vegetables in it) then I shouldn't be able to count my gnocchi on one hand. The waitress was way too pushy, too. She kept trying to upsell. No, don't get that wine; get this more expensive one. Oh, if you order that you HAVE to get this and this and this in it. Um...no?
(3)
Karen D.
Enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner Saturday night at Via Vite. I picked the center of down for my celebration, why not its on Fountain Square the heart of Cincinnati and Via Vite is showcased in a great modern building. I made reservations a few days in advance, they reconfirmed the reservation the afternoon of, we arrived and were seated right away. We started with the margarita pizza, which was served hot from the oven and we devoured it right away. Then sampled salads, the greens with the melted goat cheese is their best salad. Main course everyone tried something different, I went with the spinach ravioli and wasn't disappointed and enjoyed every bite. Finished dinner with chocolate mousse. My only complaint is the lack of restrooms, I always forget my birthday falls around prom season & there were several prom groups, so you had to wait on either floor for the facilities.
(4)
Damion T.
BEST FOOD IN CINNCY!!! The chef is great and does a great job reinventing the menu throughout the season. I ate here for 18 months while working on a project and never had a bad experience!!
(5)
Tracey J.
If you're looking for a happy hour with more than the usual bar food, in gorgeous surroundings, Via Vite's happy hour is the place for you. Centrally located on Fountain Square, Via Vite is a hop, skip and a jump away from the office. After a hard day at the office, the food, libations and contemporary casual elegance atmosphere of Via Vite are pampering. If you're a wine drinker, this is your kind of happy hour. The $4 house red and white special is a great deal and the friendly bartenders are always ready to fill you up. The house red is a decent Italian table wine, not the swill on the bargain shelves at Kroger's. The beer and liquor is $2 off at happy hour so if wine is not your taste, you can have your favorite go-to beverage without breaking the bank. Another great deal for their happy hour is that their wood-fired pizzas are half-off; perfect for those days when you don't want to go home and cook dinner, after a trying day at the office. If you're lucky enough to be there when it's available, try the salmon tartare. Salmon, sea salt, chives and a healthy dose of orange zest served with crostini- it is delectable. A popular choice are the Italian sliders, coming in at a reasonable 3 for $7, which you can mix and match. I recommend the veal and ricotta meatball slider. The portion size is just enough and you can always pair it with a salad or pizza. So, when you're having that bad day at work, plan a trip to Via Vite for happy hour, and that day will be just a little more tolerable!
(4)
Matt B.
Went there for restaurant week. The atmosphere was pretty cool. Lots of glass the overlooks Fountain Square. Lots of people watching. Service was good given that they were busy. The seating was a little cramped. The specials for restaurant week menu was good. Portions were not big but plenty of food for the whole meal. I would definately go back.
(4)
Jenna M.
Last evening my boyfriend suggested we eat at Via Vite since we have not tried it yet. The host was friendly and quick. The service was fair. The food was every bit of disappointing. The only good part of our dinner was the bread. We ordered scallops as an appetizer, they tasted fine but they were a little too done. The pizza was not good at all. The crust was good and a nice thickness, the sauce tasted like the used tomato soup and spread it around, there was about four pieces of mozzarella on top, there was no flavor it was very bland. I ordered the caeser salad and added salmon, the salad portion was good, it is a wedge with fresh parmesan and if I remember correctly and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The salmon tasted very fishy and was not prepared correctly. We ordered tiramisu for dessert and I was expecting typical tiramisu and that's not what came to the table. It was in a martini shaped dish and it was prepared using Kalhua and if you've made tiramisu you would know you use brandy. The taste was all wrong and had a horrible after taste. The mascarpone cheese tasted like cream cheese and was warm and almost runny. We will never eat here again the review that we had tea before choosing here to eat were misleading and not helpful. The food was bland and over priced for what it is.
(1)
John B.
Recently for Santacon a large group of us pounced upon this place and ate and drank until the next twitter clue came our way. I shared a pizza with my group and we enjoyed it. The pieces were covered in big chunks of mozzarella and tasted wonderfully. The bartenders were friendly and actually looked like they enjoyed dozens of loud half drunk Santas and elves cavorted around the place. The bathrooms were clean too! While overall I find this place pretentious and overpriced, for the quick pizza, it was great.
(3)
Valerie G.
Excellent lunch options, good for dinner, service can be hit-or-miss. I have many, many experiences at Via Vite. Lately, it has become one of my go-to lunch options. There are several things Via Vite does extremely well, and the lunch combos allow you to try these excellent options! For lunch, try the lunch combo of either soup and salad, soup and pasta, or salad and pasta. The soups are excellent, and even the "creamy" soups show some restraint and are not too rich. I think Via Vite does salads very well, and I am obsessed with the Boucheron Goat Cheese Salad. The greens are dressed perfectly, and the goat cheese hides underneath, so you can get the perfect amount in each bite. The lunch pasta options are arguably two of the best pastas - gnocchi or penne bolognese. I love the gnocchi and get it almost every time. I have had hit-or-miss service at Via Vite in the past, but my server last time was wonderful - she was friendly, helpful and efficient. Glasses were filled and she quickly fulfilled a special request our table made. Other great options to try: house made peperonata is to die for!, beet and asparagus salad is pretty and tasty, all the sides with dinner are very good, the specials are usually very good, the scruppino (spelled wrong) cocktail is yummy.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
This is a hard one to judge. The menu doesn't really appeal to me, though the three times I've eaten there, I've been fairly satisfied with what I had. Once I had the tuna - cooked well, seasoned okay, another time, I had the ravioli (nice flavor) super thick though, so they sat like a rock in my stomach when I was done. A dinner companion the last time had whatever the house special of the day was - and loved it. The service is blah. Not really bad, not very good - just not really memorable at all. The location is great - right on Fountain Square, and the private room on one side upstairs overlooks the Square, which is pretty cool. I just can't really get on board with this, though I will say - they have some pretty good desserts. And the wine list is pretty good, too. I think this might be a better drink and appetizer place than a dinner place, and that's what I'll do in the future here.
(3)
Ron A.
To Italians, Via Vite means the way of life. To Americans, Via Vite means bombass Northern Italian cuisine in downtown Cincinnati. Via Vite is located in the true social center of downtown, Fountain Square. You can really do it all on Fountain Square. You can start your day off at Via Vite enjoying a fantastic lunch special such as the $7 Penne Bolognese on Mondays. Afterward, you can check out the art deco hi-rise, Carew Tower, for shopping and breathtaking views. Then, you can drop some dinero at Saks for designer clothes and make your way over to Mynt Martini for some overpriced drinks and dirty dancing with girls who think they're hot. And then you can call it a night at the Westin across the street (maybe even in the arms of a lovely club rat if Lady Luck is on your side). And you can tell your friends you did it all on Fountain Square! But back to Via Vite. This place really has something for everyone. As previously mentioned they have great lunch specials during the day. They have an incredible happy hour which features discounts on some of their well-known pastas and award-winning wood-fired pizzas (the spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza makes Domino's taste like Wonder Bread with ketchup). They also have selected half price wines on Sundays (and not just your typical Robert Mondavi monstrosities but delicious imported Italian wines with names you can't even pronounce). And as great as Via Vite's specials are, the real attraction is the main dining experience itself. This restaurant prides itself on using quality local and imported ingredients prepared by relevant chefs who are trained in the art of culinary wonderment. And it's not just the pasta and pizza that's so money but there are ridiculously amazing hand-made desserts as well. This would be the perfect place to bring a date and impress her with an upscale dining experience far superior to that of her ex-boyfriend whose understanding of Italian fare ranged from Olive Garden to Ragu. And if a magical meal full of bolognese, bordeaux, and brulee doesn't impress her enough to earn you a nightcap at the neighboring Westin then you can always call her a cab and take your chances at Mynt Martini. Or do what I do when I get rejected, go back home to my studio apartment and three cats and watch Grey's Anatomy.
(4)
Kelly K.
Awesome location, view, service, and The. Best. Lamb. Shank. Ever!!!!
(5)
Darrell D.
Wow...does not even do this place justice. I was so lucky to follow the lead of others on yelp and select this place for my business dinner in Cincy based on their recommendations. I literally found it on yelp and made a reservation day of...but you would have thought I knew the chef and had this planned a month out. Greeted warmly and seated immediately. Incredible service including Chef Cristian Pietoso coming out to greet my group. Made the most wonderful wine recommendation (and not based on just picking most expensive). He took pics with the ladies in my group, who loved that, and even made a second round post entrees to be sure we were pleased. This was the best combination of good food and incredible service I have ever received and I travel and host dinners all over the country (many for much more $). Now you may not even believe this part...I get home and this weekend I get an e-mail from Chef Cristian thanking me for coming and referencing the exact wine he selected for us!?! Are you kidding me?!? If I could invest in this place without even living in Cincy you can count me in. Absolutely the most sincere (and maybe first or second ever) 5 star I have ever offered. Please do yourself the favor of trying Via Vite and Chef Cristian!!!
(5)
Erin H.
The food is good and they have a few really good martinis. The dining environment is awful though. They pack the tables so close together in this place, the poor waitstaff can barely make it through. The first time I went to this place, a bus boy caught the corner of our table with his jacket and turned the entire table of drinks up on me. I was soaked. They didn't even offer to comp my $12 salad. I will not be going back here again.
(2)
John C.
Although the ambiance and service were superb the food made me ill for the rest of the night. I ordered the lasagne which was a special for dinner and although it tasted amazing, the after-effects were a nightmare of nausea and heartburn. Maybe other dishes would not affect me in such a way, but I will not go back to this restaurant. I think they use cheap ingredients in their food and load their food with MSG. Not worth my terrible night!
(1)
Phoebe P.
I have lost count of the numerous times I have eaten here and every single time the service and food has been amazing!!! Please don't take primitivo wine off of the wine menu, also the grilled Brussel sprouts, omg yummo!!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Nancy P.
The evening started out on the right tone when we were seated at a window overlooking Fountain Square. The wait staff was very attentive, and the food was fantastic! I had the lamb shank and was very pleased!
(5)
Julia C.
Great menu with a variety of choices, and our server was very friendly and knowledgable. I had a hard time deciding what to order because of the wide variety of options. The bruschetta is DELICIOUS (I would recommend the goat cheese and classic). I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was awesome - and the lobster was cooked very well, not chewy like some lobster I've had. They also have a very nice wine list. There are windows everywhere, so you can look out onto Fountain Square.
(4)
Steve B.
Tasty, fresh, very nice food in a great restaurant, 4.5 stars. Normally you'd expect a cool restaurant with a great location to have marginal food, but you'd be definitely mistaken. Price may be a bit high for Cincy, but location location = worthy pricing premium. Very fresh and tasty Italian options were all over the menu. I had the pappardelle daily special, some of the best pasta I'd had all year - made and cooked al dente, just perfect. The sauce and meat were great too, had shredded the plate no problem. She had the gnocchi with a sorta marinara sauce - great pillows of potatoey goodness with a bit of a kick in the sauce, again just good stuff. Have no complaints other than for hoping for a better beer list - if you like good Italian food and are in downtown Cincy, this should be your destination.
(4)
Jen L.
I have been here twice, once for lunch and once for a work Christmas Party...since they were both work sponsored events, I can't really comment on the price, but I will comment on the food and service.... For lunch I ordered the pasta bolognese lunch portion and it was really rich and delicious. It came with a salad and with a basket of warm bread and soft butter that I could not get enough of...they also have lots of fun flavored sparkling waters that you can enjoy at lunch.... For our work Christmas Party, the service, drinks and food were all wonderful... Our plates and drinks were cleared immediately...and they went out of their way to accommodate us in every way they could. My husband especially appreciated that all of their specialty beers were poured into the glass that they are meant to be drank from....and the selection was very good! Also I just love the location...when it's nice out you can sit out on the patio over looking the square..
(4)
George K.
Pretty good food. I love it's location on the square. My wife and I shared the bruschette for an app.... Simple but a lot of fresh flavor. Did the pizza for dinner.... Very good, nice crust with nice flavor . My wife did the house pasta special and enjoyer hers as well. Well be back
(4)
Khwaja H.
Been here twice and both times had the Gnocchi. Great food and ambiance. Head chef comes to check on every table while eating. Good service as well.
(5)
Steve L.
This place has a very pleasant atmosphere, the service was average. It's interior decoration is nice and peaceful(being on the square helps) but I couldn't help but feel cramped. Pricing isn't too bad, the Salmon was very good, the Tuna was good also. Small portions but nonetheless, filling. I would recommend going for a date and not a casual night out. They could step up their table service a bit and maybe receive a little higher rating from me.
(3)
Will M.
It's strange to me that I've been to Via Vite so infrequently. It's such a conspicuous restaurant, but that's part of why I've avoided it. Something about the location, the constant advertising, the exterior design, etc., has screamed "Upscale Olive Garden" to me. As a result, I'd been there only once and barely recall my meal (I believe I had a squash pizza.) Fortunately it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I finally gave it a true shot, albeit because the restaurants I headed out for had quite a line. I'd recently seen it on a list of the best pizzas in Cincinnati, or more than that a good pizza in the city, so I decided to take up that challenge. The pizza had a good sauce. No denying it. I've found very, very few places out here with decent marinara, and this qualified. It tasted fresh, not salty or cheaply herbed. Similarly, the crust had a good flavor, it was just too thick. For $12, though, I felt it was a good pie. I'd never take it over A Tavola, but if I'm ever fortunate enough to work near my apartment I'd be here for the half priced happy hour. My friend had pasta, which was somewhat plain but pretty good. Both our dishes were vegetarian and simple, so I'm judging on basic entrees. I can't say how they'd do with something more challenging. We had excellent service, though. As you may be able to guess, our meal was particularly cheap. This isn't a cheap restaurant, but we walked out for under $40. Our waiter was extremely attentive to two people ordering cheap meals and drinking water. I'll give credit for that. I suppose that may be standard out here, but it still surprised me. Kudos to the waiter. I don't give many 3 star reviews, but this definitely gets it. Good service, decent to good food. Nothing I loved, nothing I disliked. Can't see much of a reason to ever go back, aside from Happy Hour, given how many fantastic restaurants are in a short walk. But, if you're not the type who enjoys wandering Downtown, this is may be for you when you come in to see the Square.
(3)
Darlene L.
My first visit to Via Vite was this past weekend. The decor was inviting, chic, and very elegant. I had the cioppino soup and Gnocchi which were the best I've ever had. The service in general was the best I've seen in the city. We do go out a lot, and we are self-proclaimed restaurant critics. Via Vita is one of the best restaurant we have been to. It HAS IT ALL; creative, fresh, memorable food, and a great atmosphere, serene, comfortable elegant furnishings, nice music played at the perfect volume, not meant to overwhelm conversations. This restaurant does have it all and we can't wait to go back again and again. WELL DONE! A+
(5)
Bob S.
Great roasted beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad. Pizza was really good too. 1/2 price wine deal. Almost a four rating.
(3)
Michelle C.
The location of this restaurant is great- right in fountain square. Parking is difficult to find, but so is every other restaurant in the downtown area. Ambience in the restaurant is great- young professionals, a bit dressy, nice decor, and the architecture of the restaurant is great. I sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and recommended a great glass of pinot noir. I had their steamed mussels in tomato broth as an appetizer. The flavor of the broth was great, but the mussels weren't too fresh. Overall, I had a great experience until I went to talk to the manager to compliment the bartender. He didn't seem to care about my feedback and almost hurried me out of there. With that said, I probably wouldn't go back for the food.
(3)
Jason F.
Decided I was long overdue in throwing down some english on one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. Via Vite was a welcome addition to Fountain Square a number of years ago. The spot is still one of my favorite places in town. I could list many reasons, but here are a few: 1.) The food is just plain good...Chef Christian Pietso has put together a terrific menu that brings new items from time to time to a core of dishes that I would truly miss if they were removed. At the end of the day, there is no reason to mess with consistency so long as it is refreshed from time to time with quality ingredients, creativity and most importantly passion for the art. Chef Christian is ALWAYS at his place. And that...makes my heart smile. Too often in today's restaurant scene we see the founder not at his place. This is very important to me as it speaks volumes as to why they are even in the business to being with. Always a gentleman and always out on the floor soliciting feedback, he will even give you some tips on certain dishes and ingredients. My wife loved the polenta and he was kind enough to give her some pointers. (I have to admit...she wife might have a little crush on him...must be the accent or something.) SO, lesson to all of your would be chefs and restaurateurs...be at your restaurant! 2.) Location is outstanding. Right above Fountain Square parking, it makes it very convenient as a starting place for the evening as well as an occasional business lunch. 3.) The service is really terrific. My wife and I have been coming the last two years for our anniversary and have had the same incredible waitress. Forgive me...I unfortunately forgot her name, but if she is reading this, she probably remembers us. She so charming and attentive. As a bonus, they even prepared something special for dessert for us for our anniversary. So, in conclusion, you don't have to go far to experience Italian hospitality and goodness. Chef, thank you for bringing a bit of your culture to us here in Cincinnatii and thank you to all of the staff that make this little gem a consistent joy to patron.
(5)
Alex S.
Oh, Via Vite - you'll always have a place in my heart ... but not my memory, as somehow I've always been drinking before walking through your doors. I'm not sure what it is about this place that calls to me after alcohol - or, like the Urban Cincy redesign party, during alcohol. Yes, they're open late and yes, they're located centrally, right on Fountain Square, making them easy to get to when I'm downtown, but still, this is a damn classy place. This is a place for sit-down meals where you can overlook the square and people watch and have a date and just enjoy life. This is not a place to bar hop to. So after bar hopping in downtown, I love coming to Via Vite. They've got a nice selection of beers, a great bar (both upstairs and downstairs) to enjoy being at and friendly people always around. However, what I really come here for are the pizzas. They have the BEST flatbread pizzas in Cincinnati. They're warm and flavorful and so damn good after beer - especially after beer. I've looked at the menu here and like everything else directly circling Fountain Square, it's overpriced. I'm not sure I would actually ever sit here for a meal. However, for a late-night, semi-drunk, still-drinking delicious pizza, you bet your classy ass I would.
(4)
Edith M.
From the creators of Nicola's let me introduce you to Via Vite. Food is not bad... It just so happens that when you had experience their big brother Nicola's you don't want to date the younger and less attractive sibling. I would say their gnochi is good.
(3)
Petunia L.
I have been for pizza late night a few times and lunch twice. I will be updating my review after I eat dinner in the near future. The pizza is great, pretty authentic, cooked in a wood fire oven, and VERY reasonably priced for this establishment. My absolute favorite things on the menu for lunch are the Cioppino (Italian fish stew) and the free-range Amish chicken salad (which comes with mixed green and candied walnuts). I always order the smaller portion of the fish stew and it's very large! It's a thick roux-based tomato "broth" with several types of seafood including wonderful little tentacles (maybe squid or baby octopus?) that I cannot get enough of!!! The chicken salad is hands down the BEST within a hundred miles of Cincinnati. I don't think I'll ever be able to order any other combination. My mother ordered the yellow pepper soup and the asparagus beet salad. Although I didn't try either, she couldn't stop talking about it. The service has always been great. Even the least friendly waiter I've encountered was very efficient and did his job well...leaving us happy diners. I have heard nothing other than great personal reviews of dinner guests and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite places to enjoy an excellent lunch. I will be back often. In fact, I'm craving it now.
(5)
Andy D.
I would have given a five star review if it weren't for the subpar service. 5 stars for food and ambiance. We went for happy hour and sat on a nice comfy patio couch on the second floor which had a wonderful view of fountain square, which I imagine would be nice if a band or show was playing in the square. The atmosphere and interior design was fantastic. We sat down and ordered a couple if beers, and our waiter was helpful in describing menu items, however after delivering our beers, he never came back to take our food order for almost half an hour, to the point where I actually had to go find one of their workers and ask them to take our food order as we were almost finished with our beers by then and we had hoped to have food with our drinks. When our bread and olive oil was finally delivered, we had no plates our utensils provided to us and we also had to ask a separate waiter to bring these to us. Both of these oversights were enough to make our experience at the restaurant somewhat frustrating despite the delicious food. Onto the food review--we ended up getting the prosciutto y funghi pizza (italian ham and mushroom) which was garnished with generous amounts of arugula lightly bathed in olive oil that made for a hearty yet refreshing and delicious pizza at a great price ($7 for 8 slices!). We also ordered the $5 Penne Bolognese and $3 'Panino Tonnato' mini-panini (tuna-based pesto), both of which were good but the pizza definitely was the star of the show. Honestly, the pizza was bigger than I expected and the mini-panini was smaller than I expected, so everything balanced out. Overall, the food was delicious, but the service made a huge dent in the experience. If the service matched the food, I would definitely go up to 5/5.
(3)
Green D.
Ok, so I've dined here often enough to give the fifth star. These guys are consistent every time around! The bar service is outstanding, the pricepoints are perfect to leave a little value, and the food is phenomenal for this type of establishment. The wines by the glass are adequate and quality is there. And the bartender or host will always try to satisfy any reasonable requests made by the diners. IMO, that's the chasm between the stars. These guys do it and do it well. I would eat here day after day if I needed to. And I must recommend the chocolate creme brulee (made with Valhrona) and the absolute standout is the Kyrie special (it's really got some Italian name but basically it's chocolate gelato, cointreau, and espresso served in a martini glass) It's one of my ever favorites!! Many thanks to all of your staff that make life on the road so much more pleasant!!
(5)
Marichi P.
Food and wine are primo BUT the funky music is really not conducive to a fine dining atmosphere.
(3)
Colin P.
This was my first time here. Great service. Great atmosphere. I had the penne with meatball--I guess I expected more from all the rave reviews. But it was good.
(4)
Carol J.
Via Vite is a great place to go for a nice dinner at a reasonable price. I've never had any bad experiences with their food or service.
(4)
Toree C.
This place was wonderful. My very picky husband and I came here and were impressed. The restaurant in itself was so cute. The portions were perfect and everything tasted so good. We both agreed to visit often.
(5)
Tim L.
Cool place. Kinda hip. Prime location. I enjoyed my meal, but didn't enjoy the bill that accompanied it. Little pricey for what they offer in my opinion.
(3)
Mark M.
What a great little find in downtown Cincinnati. Not to sound like an ass or anything--but this place easily clears four Yelp stars in Ohio..however, in San Fran, NY, etc---2.75ish. Situated on multiple floors overlooking a public plaza and fountain, Via Vite was hopping at six on a Friday evening. We were lucky to get an outdoor seat upstairs with a great view. The service is top notch and highly accommodating. My biggest praise is around the happy hour 'situation'. Super cheap beers (I'm from NYC...so a few bucks is cheap), excellent appetizer/small plate type items at great prices. The pizzas are really good and very affordable. The mini panini aren't that great. The bread they use (ciabatta) is yummy..but it overtakes the fillings of the sandwich and that seems like all you're eating....bread. The cocktails are yummmmmmy. And $2 off during happy hour. So yes, you are justified to get a third because of this great saving. Great atmosphere, good food, better drinks, great service!
(4)
Arnmd P.
What a fabulous dining experience. Best Italian meal at a Resturant that all 3 in our party have had. We were going to eat at the Hilton where we were staying but we had no reservations and there were no openings for 3 hours. We took a stroll from the hotel and figured Italian sounded good. We were pleasantly surprised with the taste and quality if the food, which was topped by the friendly staff. Even the chef made the rounds of the tables to great the patrons. Go here for a meal it's wonderful.
(5)
Parker P.
DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! Most of us know, or have at least heard of, Via Vite, which sits prominently on Fountain Square. What almost no one knows is that they offer what just might be the Happy Hour deal of the century. From 3-7 M-Th they offer their artisan-quality, wood-fired pizza (already a bargain at $12) for $6! Yes, really. And you'll end up taking half of it home. Factor in a glass of wine for $4 (also half-price, so you're really drinking an already well-priced $8 glass), $1 for an hour of parking in the Fountain Square Garage directly below your destination, and $4 for a tip (the service is sharp, and you're a buffoon of you tip less), and your grand total for a truly upscale late lunch/early dinner is $15. This is less than you'd spend at a depressing chain restaurant in the suburbs. I almost didn't post this because I wanted it to remain my personal secret, but the sharp folks at Via Vite deserve to be packed full in the mid-afternoons if they're offering a deal this generous.
(5)
Dianne S.
It was a Friday night at 10pm. We were out-of-towners who had just gotten out of a concert at the U.S. Bank Arena and were staying at the Westin downtown. We were hungry! I spotted Via Vite from our hotel room as soon as we checked in. It's hard to miss since it's directly in Fountain Square. Looking for a quick late night bite, my husband and I felt a bit underdressed. Entrees range from $20-25 a plate. We opted for their oven cooked pizzas...deeslish! Had a light artichoke & pesto pizza that was perfectly crunchy thin. Service was above & beyond. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly, even talking Chicago with us. Would defintely stop in again!
(3)
Louise D.
Second time around for me at Via Vite and the first time I wasn't really convinced. Perhaps because I had to pay for the meal by myself and I thought my pasta was overpriced... This time though I came here for a work dinner and we had a nice bottle of the red housewine (recommend it and at $28 per bottle it's the cheapest one you can get), the bruschettas and the special of the day peppers as appetizers. I tried out the standard bruschetta, just with tomato and it was perfect. I'm not much of a pepper person but the special, with tuna inside was mmmmmm! And not as spicy as you would think (or as I feared). I then had the asparagus and red beet as a salad - delicous, I recommend it and it changes from a green boring salad. And then as a main course: the salmon! Try it! It came with Brussels sprouts and it was amazing!. I wasn't as big a portion as the pasta plates (my colleagues all got a box), but for me it was the perfect size. All in all a perfect meal! We asked for a quiet table so we could talk and not have the rather loud music and they were really good about this. Loved it - just not sure it has the special 5 star ingredient -- and also, it's still pretty pricy!
(4)
Kimberly P.
Via Vite was a home run! We wanted a view of Cincinnati's downtown Christmas tree while we had dinner and VV did not disappoint. We started our dinner with an octopus appetizer that was perfect! Not chewy, just the perfect size. I had a salad that was the bes part of my meal. (how often can you say that?) Warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, pistachios and truffle vinaigrette dressing. Perfect with the bread brought to your table! My husband and I shared our entrees as they were divine. Spinach ravioli and seared yellow fin tuna Dinner was very pricey! I would go back at happy hour and try the pizza and drink specials.
(3)
Rachel H.
The number one reason I'm even writing this review is because the lamb shank is absolutely to die for. Seriously. If you have not tried this, it warrants a trip here. Even if you don't eat lamb. Try it. This was only my second time ever having lamb- I tried the cherry glazed lamb chops at Wine Guy a little while back and made a mental note to order lamb again. I have to say lamb "shank" does not sound appetizing to me, but holy crap. This was incredibly tender, fall off the bone, perfectly cooked meat. I have to hand it to my waitress as I was choosing between this and a pasta dish and she quickly suggested I have the lamb. She was all a quiver over the polenta- I can count the number of times I've had polenta on one hand. But she was right, it was fantastic! And whatever sauce (described on the menu as lamb jus) was on top- freaking delicious. I only wish my stomach was bigger so I could have actually eaten it all. And to be honest I tried most of their cocktail menu as well (loved them all- and that is saying something). What started off as two drinks with dinner soon turned into returning to the bar after we got about 10 yards away to continue enjoying this new favorite restaurant of mine. Why go somewhere else when you're already at a great place, right? The waitstaff was friendly and helpful. The establishment itself is very clean and well designed (except perhaps the single stall bathroom, but there's not a whole lot of room for them to have done anything about that). Other diners were dressed a bit too casually for such a nice place (seriously yoga pants and a tshirt? common) but it didn't bring down the atmosphere. I will absolutely be frequenting this place, and as I hope to try more of the other menu items I have to say that the lamb found itself a place in my heart, and I might just have to settle for nibbles off my date's plate to satisfy my desire to try the rest. I am also dying to sit on the second floor, it looks like it would have a fun flair. Whatever you folks are doing in the kitchen is genius. Seriously hats off. Bottom line though- GET THE LAMB. Even if there are five of you at the table. Get five plates of this stuff because it is that good.
(5)
Brad E.
I will preface this review with the fact I am not a lover of Italian food. The wine list was good. We had a nice chiannti. I ordered the pork belly. It was flavorful with a great crispy texture on the outside. I found the wait staff to be a little annoying. This place is worth trying, but I sure wouldn't burn this as your night in the big city.
(3)
Sarah L.
Again, I've been skunked at Via Vite. Server was slow to reach us, even slower to deliver our order, and then brought the wrong glass of wine. Which would have been OK, if it weren't already sorely late, and if they didn't later charge me more than was listed on the menu. The hostesses were gracious and stepped in to help our poor service situation, which we appreciated. But the experience left us a bit disgruntled.
(2)
John C.
I have been here many times and the food, service, and atmosphere is always exceptional.
(4)
Arlene S.
My boyfriend and I found this gem on a spontaneous Saturday night. Since we couldn't get reservations anywhere we decided to walk to fountain square, which was really close to our hotel, to figure something out. It was St Patricks day weekend and everyone was out & about in their green attire. We went walking around to a few places & all had 45 min wait time. We came across Via Vite where there was a 20 min wait but the Chef's table had open seats available. Since we were starving tourist we said yes to the Chef's table and boy am I glad!! It was quite the experience. Nothing I have ever encountered! We were literally seated in front of an opened kitchen during the late dinner hours. It was so much fun seeing it all live lol we kept trying to figure out the process but had no luck. There's so much going on! The food & wine was very tasty & the experience was out of this world! Sit at the Chef's table for a fun dinning experience!!
(5)
Shea B.
My fiance and I visited prior to seeing a performance at the Arnoff and were highly impressed. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and split a margherita pizza. The bruschetta was different than any other we had tried elsewhere -- one slice was spinach artichoke -- but it was so tasty! The pizza was rather good, and definitely enough to split between two people. This a great restaurant! It's the perfect dinner to compliment an evening at the theatre! We will definitely be back.
(5)
George N.
Very good food, but with a few Italian glitches. I judge Italian restaurants on three thing:. Caesar salad, meatballs, and Italian sausage (if they make ion-house). The Caesar salad, with the fresh anchovies was five stars for sure. I didn't try the Italian sausage, but ordered the meatballs with Ragu and Penne pasta. The meatballs were lemony and gamey, totally Un-Italian and totally nasty. Two of my children also ordered it also, took one bite of the meatball and said the same thing. These are children that have been raised Italian, and eaten at many great Italian restaurants. I'm sure the service is decent there, but the waitress we had at Sunday 4 o'clock pm and an empty restaurant, was inattentive and very sad. She didn't notice that three different people did not touch their meat balls, and when asked about what was in them was defensive. I would go back, but would be worried they would try some crazy fusion on other Italian classics
(3)
Katie F.
Went to Via Vite for Valentine's Day dinner the other night and had an absolutely great meal. I can't believe I had never been (actually I can... I'm pretty broke). Although we had a reservation, it took a minute for us to get sat. No big deal. The tables were super close together which I don't really like but maybe it was just that way so they could cram more people in for the holiday. Who knows. Anyway - not the most private meal of my life, but the food made up for it! Definitely order wine - my boyfriend ordered a gin and tonic and it was all tonic. Their wine selection is big so just stick with that. I ordered the Butternut Squash Lasagna with Lobster and HOLY SMOKES that stuff was so delicious. We also had a nice special dessert and some delicious coffee! Staff was all friendly and our server was attentive and helpful. It was an all around romantic night with delicious food and a great vibe. Just wish we could have been a bit more secluded!
(4)
Leigh W.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Via Vite this year. We were in Cincinnati for an event and didn't really know where we should go, and this location was within walking distance of our hotel and had great reviews. Silly us. We didn't have reservations, but the host was happy to add our name to the list. On a Saturday night of a holiday weekend at 8 p.m., we only had to wait 40 minutes. We weren't in a hurry and sometimes it feels good to be spontaneous and not tied down by a reservation. While we waited, we were able to check out the facility and regret for just a moment that we weren't there during the warmer months. It looks like there's a great open air bar on Fountain Square and that the second floor of the restaurant can also become a nice spot for a little al fresco dining experience. We were seated in the very tight quarters on the first floor's main dining area with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. Yes, it was crowded and yes, it was loud - two things that my husband usually despises, but he said this was the best Italian food he's ever had. Truly, everything we were served was better than the item that preceded it. I started my meal with the grilled asparagus and beet salad. It was exquisitely paired with goat cheese and the tips of the asparagus were grilled to crunchy perfection. For my entree, I chose the crispy gnocchi in four cheese fondue. The handmade, pan-seared pasta would've been delightful enough on its own, but when coupled with the richest, most-delectable sauce I've ever had, it became out of this world. To make sure I was getting my daily requirement of vegetables, I ordered an accompanying very generous side of roasted brussels sprouts, which were also quite good. My husband opted for the bianca pizza. It was plenty to share, so we joined all the other patrons and exited the restaurant with a to-go sack. And, because every fine dinner ends with dessert, we ordered the caramel complexity. Holy moly! I normally always go for the chocolate item, but caramel is a close second favorite for me. I'm glad I took a risk. I don't know how any dessert on the menu could be better than the one we had. When we're in Cincinnati again, it will be hard for us to choose any restaurant other than Via Vite. And our meal was so perfect that it will be hard for us to order anything other that what we got on our first trip.
(5)
Ryan Z.
I've always enjoyed the food here, especially during their incredible happy hour. Unfortunately, my most recent visit wasn't nearly as good. Some friends hosted a group 'drinks and dinner' birthday celebration here on Saturday night. The pre-meal service wasn't too bad. The food for dinner was pretty good. The service at the end was the deal killer. We were trying to surprise the two birthday'ers with a party bus after the meal. To do this, we would need to get our tabs paid and dip out a few minutes early to meet the bus and load it with the booze we had purchased. This process was like pulling teeth with the waitstaff. They seemed determined to go in order from one side of the room to the other, which would have left us for last. It took over 30 minutes to get the check. When we finally received it, I slapped a standard 20+ % tip on the bill (despite the poor service) and left. I had specifically asked if gratuity was included as it often is for large parties. The bartender assured me that it wasn't. The next day as I'm reviewing all my receipts, I see that the bartender had lied to me and the bill had gratuity automatically added on. So, in the end, I tipped $51 on a $103 tab with poor service and mediocre food. She took advantage of the fact that we were in a hurry and lied directly to our faces about the gratuity. There's obviously nothing I can do about the matter at this point, but I obviously won't be going back there for dinners or parties in the future. Shame on you, Via Vite, for allowing your waitstaff to sully your reputation!
(2)
Tori M.
Went for brunch. The Nutella flat bread looked more like pizza but was delish.the french toast was good but not as good as the Flatbread. The balcony was really comfortable and you could see the fountain square tv making it a good place to go during or before a Bengals or reds game.
(5)
Amanda T.
This restaurant is in fountain square in the middle of the square. It is a bit hidden and you have to go up a ramp to the entrance. It has a view of the square and a nice ambiance. It is a slightly upscale restaurant, but you can still go in jeans if you want. There is a wide range of menu options including pasta, pizza, and main entrees. The bruschetta appetizer was delicious, but only feeds two. The staff was very friendly and good at checking on the table often. The farfalle pasta was beautiful and tasted wonderful, and there was enough for a full meal the next day. I would go back!
(4)
Kristan H.
Potentially 4.5 or 5 stars, but we'll need to go back a couple more times before I'm sure. The short version is that Via Vite has changed its menu since I last went (years ago) and it now features a lot of my fave items from Nicola's. Such as... - OMFG THE GNOCCHI. - And the bolognese (still). - And the boucheron salad. - And the muscato d'asti. Given that I can get all that, and for a wee bit less money than at Nicola's, I'm definitely inclined to go back more often. Especially since it's right in the heart of downtown, with a nice view of Fountain Square, making it a pleasant and convenient location for dinner before a game or a show.
(4)
Unknown C.
Heading to the Aronoff center to see of all things Food Network star Alton Brown we decided to check out Via Vite. When we arrived we were promptly seated and began to peruse the menu. I ordered a half Artesian salad and the Vodka Rigatoni, the wife ordered the roasted pepper soup and the crispy gnocchi. The salad was ok as was the Rigatoni, the vodka sauce seemed a bit bitter. The soup had good flavor as did the gnocchi and sauce. Portions were a bit small, the more I ate the rigatoni the more I realized how mediocre it really was, and how much better (God forbid) Macaroni Grille's Pasta Vodka was. After dinner we ordered dessert, bread pudding and the Carmel Complexity as well as an espresso with a shot of Sambuca. Both desserts were very good, the Espresso Sambuca was excellent . But based on the meals themselves, I really can't rate it very high.
(2)
Alyssa F.
I was hoping to come here to take advantage of happy hour before the music started on fountain square on a Friday night. Because I was expecting a larger group of friends (it was my birthday weekend), I made a reservation so that we could have a table guaranteed. Once we were seated, and while I was outside talking to some people, the waitress I guess came by and said that happy hour specials aren't valid inside, only in the bar or at the outside tables. Bummer! I am not sure how else we could've done it because all of the outside tables were full, but we decided that it was probably better to eat inside than try to find another place where we could all sit on a Friday night. - there were about 7 of us. But then, we didn't see the waitress for a while. Actually service was kind of a problem. When she came back to talk about the specials, my mom asked if we could order food then, and she said ok. My mom ordered an appetizer and a pizza, and then the waitress said "Great, I'll put that in for you," and walks away... Um, the other six of us hadn't ordered yet! After my mom's food came out (so a good 15 min?), the waitress came back to check on it and I asked if the rest of us could order. She seemed really put out the whole time that she was having to wait on us, I'm not sure if she was annoyed by a big group, but it was pretty awkward. The food itself wasn't anything special. I had the lasagna special, which the waitress really talked up and stated was $12-13 but was really $19 when the check came, that's kind of a big difference I think. I also tried the ricotta appetizer and the Divo pizza that had fig and prosciutto on it, and neither were very good. Overall, I think I'd come back if I could actually have the happy hour deals. $5 for a glass of wine, and I think half off on all the pizzas would make it a bargain. The service was really subpar, I was really surprised. Plus, and this just annoying, there was only one bathroom, so there was constantly a line of 3-4 women waiting.
(3)
Chester L.
Continues to be one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Food is outstanding, service is very attentive, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. About $50 for app, entree, drink, dessert. The Pizza is an absolute must -- but to be honest, I have been 6 times to keep trying different items, and the food always impresses. Tonight I had the Farfalle with Butternut Squash and Smoked Salmon and it blew me away. Sooooooo good. Dreaming of my next visit back already.
(5)
Sharmaine H.
Worst Customer Service Ever; hostesses were unprofessional with major attitude; waitress was okay until she said "that's the amount of cheese u get" as my friend stares at 2 slices of mozzarella on her pizza; manager had to take over...
The bolognese is amazing! The lunch portion of the pick 2 is the perfect size - just enough pasta to be satisfied but not so much that you leave feeling stuffed. The pasta itself was perfectly Al dente with a wonderful bolognese sauce. I was a little disappointed by the field greens salad - the only thing that seemed to be added to the generic salad greens was a few chunks of cucumber.
(4)
Pamela F.
Food well-prepared but not distinguished or particularly nuanced, service uninformed bordering on inept, ambiance more trattoria than fine dining for the price points. My husband and I began with chardonnay ($5 at the bar happy hour, but $10 at table service) the creamy ricotta, anchovy spread at $6 and the fig, prosciutto pizza at $16 and had the bechamel lasagna special -- quoted as $12-$13 by our server Rachel, who said she "didn't really know how much the specials cost, she couldn't remember, about $12-$13." Wrong, billed at $19. Fig/prosciutto pizza not crispy or light, but doughy and bit bland -- savory flavors of carmelized onion need to be foregrounded better and more distinctly seasoned. While the lasagna is rich and meaty, the bechamel was an incorrect consistency, more congealed which gave it a mushy floury texture. Disappointed. Try the patio seating for small plate prices and by the glass wine and drink specials.
(3)
Mark T.
I run marathons regularly, and on the night before Cincinnati's big "Flying Pig Marathon" I needed to find an Italian restaurant to carbo-load up. I randomly picked this place so I didn't really have any expectations. Gimme a sh*tload of pasta, and get out of my way. I immediately liked the location of this place because it is right next to Fountain Square, which I am guessing is the one of the main outdoor attractions of the city. The night that I dined there the city was having an outdoor concert/market in the square, which was cool. Going into the actual restaurant, it looked pretty classy from the outside. You can feel the warm atmosphere in the interior as the hostess led you to your seat. I wish I ate outside in their outdoor patio because a) the weather was perfect for it and b) experiencing the concert in the square from the second floor outdoor patio sounded awesome. Oh well. I didn't want anything too heavy in preparation for the race tomorrow morning, so I settled on a light three course meal. Started of with the Cioppino- Italian seafood stew with tomato, fish, shellfish & garlic crostini. Great dish...seafood was well done, and the spice kicked the flavor up a notch. The Caesar house salad was pretty basic, however I don't expect too much from this. For the main course, I ended up getting a dinner special of Gnocchi with tomatoes. A very fine dish; just the right amount of vegetables, and the texture of the noodles was amazing. The server was great and the kitchen to table time for each dish was excellent. My only small concern was that this restaurant was bad at math! When I got my bill there were three amounts listed for tips: "A 15% tip on this bill is $6. A 20% tip on this bill is $7. A 25% tip on this bill is $8." I initially assumed that they were correct in their calculations so I started to write $7 as a tip. I then started to do the math in my head and figured out that that amount wasn't right. I would have short changed the server! I would have felt horrible if I did. I put the correct amount on the bill, thanked the server and left. Overall, it was a great experience for a first time visitor to the city. if I ever make a return trip next year to run the race, I wouldn't mind making this place a destination.
(3)
Crystal V.
Came to celebrate a bride-to-be in classy and elegant style. The owner came out to greet and treat us and make us feel like the most incredible guests in the restaurant. Food was incredible and wine was delicious. Highly recommend Via Vita for any celebratory occasion!!
(5)
Sam S.
So I had the chance to go on a date recently. My date was gorgeous, intelligent, well-spoken, funny...oh, wait. I'm supposed to be talking about the restaurant. Via Vite is quite fancy, I should say, and I felt slightly underdressed even for a moment until I realized the TV screen had sports on and a child was noisily eating bread nearby. My date and I were seated near a window quickly even though we had no reservation, and took a chance to look over the menu. Via Vite has a great selection of authentic and wonderful dishes, which my date and I pored over between staling flirty glances with each other. The wine list was prohibitively expensive but certainly was a good selection. My date and I settled on some veal meatballs which came with a flavorful sauce and some toasted bread. For our main, we split the Pasta e fagioli, which was like an Italian pot roast stew. Our server, without even asking, brought the entree out divided into two dishes so we could share without eating out of the same bowl. The only drawback I have to Via Vite was that it was rather cramped and some parts of the restaurant's atmosphere put me off, as though little pieces of it wanted to be a sports bar while the rest wanted to be an intimate dining experience. Via Vite was worth every cent, however, and I would certainly recommend them as a nice date place.
(4)
Elyse H.
Love this place. Never has disappointed. Great service , food and atmosphere. Prices reasonable for quality. Portions at times small but entrees are a healthy portion.
(5)
JS G.
Quite simply, one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. The food and service are nothing short of outstanding. And, one of the best pizzas in the city!
(5)
A H.
We walked into this restaurant cause it was lose to the big fountain in downtown Cincinnati. The service was good, and the ambience was nice. To start we had a Bianaca pizza and some wine, it was really good and crispy. I had Gnocchi and it was great. I probably won't ever be in Cincinnati again but if you ever do end up there try it out.
(3)
Marzina R.
I stopped in for happy hour before I had to meet some friends downtown. Half priced drinks 3-7. Not sure of it is the bar only. Select smaller wine list featuring a lot of Italian wines obviously. Their super Tuscan is delicious! Great deal half off. Cheese plate was okay. 3 different cheeses and really hard crostini... Should be cut thinner so it doesn't break your teeth. The bartenders were very nice and did a great job. Attentive and helpful! Slightly chilly on a cold night in the bar as it is right in front of the door.
(4)
Reggie R.
I'll have to say. I don't live in Cincy but I make it a point to eat at Via Vite. The staff and even the chef once make an effort to make my friends and I feel like the most important people in the room. My latest visit was Friday, March 6, 2015 and our server was busy. We were in no hurry, but she gave it her all and literally treated us like V.I.P.s. Just awesome. Will back back very soon. Just heard about their brunch from my roommate (again I live hour and half away).
(5)
Deanna P.
My family and I landed here on a Saturday night after a wine tasting event at Fountain Square and were blown away. Even without a reservation, we were seated on the patio and immediately greeted by the server, who was helpful in accommodating my food allergies. The food came within a half hour, and everything was delicious. I ordered the pork belly with bacon and brussel sprouts, and it was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. We ended up having a family-style dinner with everyone swapping plates and reaching across the table to try everything. I picked up the check for the 5 of us and though it was very reasonable ($112 total for our dinners + 3 drinks). Will definitely go back here next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Peter S.
Perfect casual HIGH END comfort food place for the corporate road warrior . And in walking distance from major hotels. Perfect after 8-6 global meeting :)
(4)
Mary Z.
We are visiting the downtown area and with all the great reviews we decided to have dinner here. I must say I am so glad! We ordered a bottle of Italian red wine that I wasn't familiar with but thought how bad could it be? Well the bartender came to our table and asked if I had it before because no one really cares for it. Lol so I told her no but I didn't want a $50 bottle of wine. So she asked what type of wine we like and since we like the Argentine malbec wines, she suggested the Primitive del Salento for under $40. We were pleased!! Very smooth and fruity wine. We decided on the Gnocchi and the Braised lamb shank and 1/2. Size Caesar salads. Everything was delicious!! The Caesar was so fresh and light not like the traditional heavy creamy dressing. The gnocchi is fresh and the sauce is very creamy and garlicky. The lamb shank falls off the bone and the polenta is such a wonderful creamy complement! The service was great without being intrusive. Jennifer our server was so pleasant. We will definitely come back tee next time we visit Cincy
(5)
Jenny F.
My husband and I had dinner here on one of the coldest days in February. The restaurant, which has three walls of floor to ceiling windows, was freezing. We asked to be moved from our table which sat right against the window and was very promptly given a table maybe six feet farther away. It didn't help much. When I took my phone from my purse it was ice cold. I started the meal with Asparagus soup which was good. My order of Scallops was not. There were four of them and they were stringy and tough, rather tasteless. My husbands Spicy Italian Pizza was not spicy but had a sweet taste. He thought it was from the sauce. We shared a Bread Pudding which was okay but not like any we had had before. It had a top layer of some kind of dough (not sure what it was) a very thick layer of dried fruit and raisins that we didn't like and a small amount of custard on the bottom. There was no sauce on top. At least it was hot. Nothing else was, not even my coffee. It was warm. The chef was making rounds to the tables and he did stop at ours and asked how things were. I just said my husband liked his pizza. He quickly walked away. The staff was very friendly. As we were paying our check we told the waitress about the scallops, but we didn't want any kind of discount. The manager apologized and brought us a gift card.
(1)
Krystyna C.
Via Vite is amazing. The location is amazing. The food is authentic. So why are so many people giving them bad reviews?? My husband and I go here as a "special treat" to ourselves when we want to go to the ballet or a play downtown. I've never eaten a bad thing at this place and I know the food is authentic and fresh. Chef Christian Pietoso travels back to Italy a few times a year to learn new cooking techniques and recipes and bring them back to Cincinnati. We are lucky to have a place like this here, especially when you look at the alternatives, like Olive Garden and Pompillo's. The Italian recipes are true to Italy and are fantastically delicious. I try to get the lasagna when we go on Fridays and the gnocchi every other time. Chef Christian is a true artist with his food! If you come here and say that the menu doesn't appeal to you, it's obvious that Olive Garden is probably listed as your favorite Italian restaurant and that's probably where you should stick to going. Which is unfortunate because you are really missing out on the most authentic Italian around.
(5)
Chandri V.
I heard about Via Vite from a few colleagues and given the rave reviews, we reserved ourselves a table to celebrate our wedding anniversary. In a nutshell, this turned out to be my most disappointing meal at these prices! My first beef (no pun intended) is that there were no vegetarian appetizers available! Really, come on!! How hard is it to serve a tomato bruschetta if the bruschetta of the day has tuna confit?! Anyway, apparently my being vegetarian was too much of a discomfort to the chef, and so they pointed me to "pizza that you can eat as an appetizer". Yes, sure because that's just how we class it up! I ordered the goat cheese, garlic confit, pizza and it tasted much like Socrates' Revenge from Dewey's. Ok, I will admit I am stretching the truth, but only just a little bit, I promise. Anyway, you get the idea. It was good but if it is only as good as Dewey's, couldn't you just eat it there and save the money? After the disappointing main course, I ordered tiramisu and that I will vouch for and declare to be the world'a BEST tiramisu, and the only reason for the 2 star review! Also, pretty poor service with a waitress who seemed determined to turn her face the other way while navigating the tables. She was too busy to be bothered with attending to us. We did see the very friendly chef a couple of times. All in all, my first and last visit to via vite!
(2)
T N.
I'll make this shirt and simple. Pricey. Decent tasting food. Environment was definitely nice, wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I ordered the spicy Italian sausage pizza, which was roughly a medium sized pizza. Flavor was decent, the crust was chewy, sauce was fine, toppings seemed fresh, and was A-OK.
(4)
Samara A.
Love love love Via Vite. I have never had anything that did not please my appetite here, whether it's lunch/happy hour/dinner...although the lunch specials are the best deal no doubt! Highly reco their soups, pasta Bolognese, and the arugula salad (Via Vite is the reason I started eating Arugula salads woot). Choco crème brulee is yummy too!
(5)
Virginia B.
The brunch is just okay but the thing to get here is the grapefruit cocktail - it was simply amazing! The location is great as well.
(3)
Katie B.
My parents and I went here for Easter Sunday brunch. The goat cheese and fig salad was delicious. I had a special smoked salmon bagel, my dad had a truffle and spinach frittata. We have been to Bologna in Italy and are always really picky when it comes to bolognese sauce, but the lasagna bolognese passed my (and my mom's) test! My dad is also an extremely picky foodie, and even he agreed it was very good. We even finished our meal off with some gelato -- reminded me of being back in Italy. The executive chef is the son of the executive chef at Nicola's in OTR. He (Christian) actually came around and greeted us, asked what we ordered, and checked back in to see if his bolognese "passed the test". He is from Florence, Italy, so no surprise his food reminded us of authentic Italian food. It was the first time we've ever had the executive chef greet us -- anywhere! Very cool. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Nicole D.
I went here for my birthday. Not the best italian food. The penne pasta dish I received tasted like Hamburger Helper. :( the bruschetta was heavy (almost to the point where it was soggy) with cold cheese and smothered heavily in hot onions and a little tomato. The waiter was surprised when I returned the dish... I've never had bruschetta like that. I was very disappointed. The service wasn't bad... Everyone was friendly. Just disappointing food.
(2)
Monica C.
This is second weekend in a row that my husband and I have come here. Helped that the weather has been great so sitting at the piazza bar and enjoyed the mimosas and view of the people and fountain.
(5)
Rebecca S.
Best scallops I've ever had!! Great food, wine and service. The chef came out and visited with us. His recommendations were delicious. The service and attention level they gave is rare and made our experience very special!
(5)
Home Plate Gourmet B.
This place is good if you're looking for good Italian-inspired food that leaves you feeling full enough to go straight to bed. Great bolognese pasta, decent pizzas, and awesome Brussels sprouts. The wine is hit or miss, so stick to the Super Tuscans and ask for a reco from a waiter who knows their stuff.
(3)
Valentine A.
We went there for brunch on a sunday, after an agitated night... And we all left pretty satisfied. The food and service were good. I would definitly recommend the fruit salad - healthy option for a hungover morning. A friend asked if he could build his own pizza - his wish was granted and the pizza looked amazing! The waiter made some relevant recommendations and we all had a good time. A friend ordered the pancake and was a little upset about having to pay an extra 1$ for the maple syrup - shouldn't it come with it? But other than that nice atmosphere, with a view on the fountain.
(4)
Adrianna P.
Came across this restaurant on a tour through Cincinnati on our Anniversary. Loved the modern decor, service was great, and the food was excellent! I recommend the Lamb and the Chocolate Creme Brulee. Very great experience and definately going back.
(5)
Melissa C.
For my first visit here, I was meeting friends for lunch. Unfortunately the air-conditioning was not working that day also and it was a hot day. They did have the windows open but some warning would have been nice before being seated. Aside from the warm atmosphere, this place has fresh ambiance and great food. Drinks were being promptly refilled (this may have been due to the conditions) and food came out in timely manner. There is a good variety of choices such as sandwiches, salads, soup / salad combos, and pizza for lunch. I selected the margarita pizza and it was very good. I hear that their happy hour is also very good so look forward to a future visit.
(4)
Matthew C.
I frequent Via Vite at least once a month for the Monday Bolognese lunch special and have had the pleasure of dinner there a few times. All of the food I've tasted there has been awesome. The gnocchi, pizzas, pastas and salads. But probably my best litmus test is the bread. The fresh made table bread is second only to Nicola's offering. If you work in the CBD and haven't had the Bolo special you are missing out.
(5)
Stephanie O.
SGROPPINO. I will elaborate in a moment as to what a sgroppino is, but I really needed to just yell it at you to get your attention. On a rather rainy tuesday night, Olivia and I decided to go to Nada, but alas, Nada is too far to be walking with a tiny umbrella. We decided to change our dinner plans to Via Vite, a two story restaurant right on Fountain Square that's centrally located to the parking garage. Yes, essentially we decided on our dinner spot based on its proximity to our parking spot. We're lazy, we know. #merica Anywho, we walked in without reservations and received a table right on the spot. The decor leans toward trendy and intimate; while obviously a big restaurant, they do well with the space in that every table is ensured privacy during a meal. Our waiter Cody came over and started us with a pineapple vodka (Liv's mainstay) and a sgroppino for myself. A sgroppino is their signature drink, made with grapefruit vodka, sorbet, and prosecco. UGH. Let me have 5 more please. The drink was incredibly sweet and strong at the same time. Liv was def jealous of my drink and of course we ordered another round pretty quickly. We started out with the bruschetta, which varies daily. On our particular day, we had tomato and basil (their regular), smoked salmon and mascarpone, roasted fig with bacon and ricotta, and summer squash. All of them were delicious and flavorful - the roasted fig with bacon was our favorite though. It had the perfect ratio of sweet and salty. For entrees, Olivia ordered the Proscuitto Cotto E Fontina pizza and I went with the Handmade Crispy Gnocchi. THE GNOCCHI. OH. MY. GOD. The gnocchi is literally crispy little fluffy pillows of potato deliciousness. I was so full between the complimentary bread and bruschetta but I was absolutely determined to finish it off - it was that amazing. Liv's pizza looked fantastic; unfourtunately I was so stuffed I couldn't try it, but she really seemed to enjoy it, except for the salad...but she's not a fan of rabbit food. The staff was well rehersed in how to treat the guests and the manager came out and asked about our food. He was geninunely concerned about our experience and wanted to make sure we were having a good time. I very much appreciate when people do that! This was an exceptional experience and I have told many, many people to visit. It was THAT good.
I always appreciate a restaurant that utilizes the OpenTable app for setting up reservations. It makes setting up reservations so much more efficient. I suggest requesting to sit outdoors because you can sometimes hear live music and there is a jumbotron on the square that we could see playing the Reds game. The food was all flavorful and delicious! My biggest complaint is that soup or salad is not included in the entree price. It is an extra $10+ to have a salad--yikes! Also, I ordered the ravioli with lobster (I don't remember the exact name of the dish) and the lobster was very small. There were five in my group (all females) and we ordered 3 entrees, 2 salads, and the bruschetta appetizer to split and it worked pretty well for us. I did appreciate that they would even split the salad for you. Overall, the food is excellent, you just don't get a ton of it for the price.
(4)
Lauren J.
My happy place is Florence, Italy. Never has another place replicated la bella vita for me as that enchanted city. That was until last night. My friends and I decided to meet at Via Vite for their happy hour. We had heard it was the best happy hour in Cincinnati. Via Vite did not disappoint. When we walked in, we were given the choice of the bar, courtyard, or chef's table. Chef's table? Sign me up! Our waitress Megan greeted us quickly and explained the happy hour specials. All beers, wines by the glass and cocktails were half off. The happy hour food menu included appetizers, pasta dishes and pizzas. As we waited for our other friend to join, we decided to try the bruschetta del giorno. It was only $4 and we were starving. We watched as the chefs toasted fresh baked bread, topped one with an artichoke cheese spread and the other with a Bolognese sauce, drizzled olive oil over them and brought it to our table. My friend and I quickly tasted both, trying to be polite but excited at the intoxicating smells taking over the board in front of us. The crusty bread, rich sauces, and fresh parmesan was gone too quickly. We laughed with Megan that we should hide our dirty plates and pretend that we hadn't ordered yet when our friend arrived. Megan quickly cleared the board and our plates and brought new silverware to hide our secret. Bless you, Megan. We sipped on our drinks, myself a bloody mary and my friend an Italian beer on tap. Both were fantastic recommendations from Megan. We watched fresh cucumber blossom pizzas be made and then come out of the oven steaming. This pizza was art, the colors bright from the farm fresh ingredients, each different shapes from the hand rolled dough. Lasagnas were being layered with homemade noodle sheets. Sauce was made with tomatoes and vegetables, blended with the largest immersion blender I have ever seen, manned by a smiling chef that was happy to pose for pictures. Our friend was able to join us, and we continued to be amazed at the kitchen activity. We saw the owner and head chef Christian come in, tasting different dishes that his staff prepared for him. He even took time and gave a short lesson to a staff member about cooking something. He expertly maneuvered between saying hello, tasting dishes, and speaking Italian into his phone while smiling a hello at us. We took this time to order, 2 pizzas, bruschetta (again) and the pasta Bolognese. Each meal was crafted in front of us, weaved into the bustle of the kitchen. The manager stopped by to say hello when we were discussing dessert for an event we were planning. He asked if we would like to speak with the dessert chef, Adelaide Colombano and introduced her. She spoke about Italy and her excitement to return there in a week to visit friends and family. She asked about our event and offered ideas of what to serve, explaining how to make them. She even wrote her number down for my friend in case we had any questions or needed help. We were impressed with her kindness and willingness to help, and creativity to come up with dessert ideas on the spot. Then, it was back to work and she began conversing in Italian with Chef Christian over a new dessert they were trying, both taking bites, thinking, and talking about what the other staff thought. I easily thought I was right back in Florence, dining with friends and making the best memories in a ristorante tucked away on the side of a cobblestone square in front of a large fountain... To our delight and surprise, a sample of desserts made it's way to our table. Sweet Adelaide, good times never felt so good. Neil Diamond wrote that about your desserts. Forget Caroline. Chef Christian, please make sure she comes back from Italy safely. We need more of that dark chocolate crème brulee, panne cotta, tiramisu and goat cheese cheesecake in our lives. (Yes reader, there were 4 desserts and only 3 of us. Stop judging.) I could Eat, Pray, Love right here every night. Great friends, amazing food, and a happy soul. Brava Via Vite! You made our night unforgettable with an incredible staff, amazing food and talk of when we could meet up again. As my friends and I said goodbye and walked out onto the square, salsa music playing and people dancing, I thought maybe la bella vita is right here in Cincinnati.
(5)
Carolyn B.
We went with friends last night to Via Vite which is in a prime location in the heart of Fountain Square. As we entered, the decor struck me as modern chic with an air of sophistication. One unique feature is the uniquely creative metalwork near the stairs which can be seen as you walk in and in the lighting fixtures in the main dining room. Because we told our waiter that we were going to the Aronoff, we didn't have to wait very long between courses or ordering, yet still maintained a semi-leisurely pace. Throughout the evening the wait staff was both attentive and knowledgeable. I started off with their signature drink - a Sgroppino made with Grapefruit vodka, our very own Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco. What a beautiful soft pink glass of refreshing fruity essence - perfect for the hot day we had! After reading Yelp reviews, I knew that we should try the Gnocchi, but still wanted to have room for our entrees, too. After asking, we were brought a half serving which was ideal for us to all enjoy the perfectly crispy dish with truffle oil. For my entree, I was in the mood for their Scallops. However, I am not a fan of the capers and caperberries. The chef was accommodating and made my portion without and oh my goodness! The scallops were the perfect temperature, texture and the flavor sublime. Honestly, they were hands down my favorite version of this seafood ever!! Our friends were also pleased with the Risotto and Penne Bolognese. To top everything off, we ordered the one dessert Yelpers raved about - Carmel Complexity - and shared it as well. This dolce is caramel panna cotta millefoglie with caramel sea salt gelato and bourbon maple syrup!!! If you have any doubts, look at the accompanying photos and try to tell me that your mouth isn't drooling just a little bit!
(4)
Rich M.
Sitting on the patio and I haven't seen a server in over 15 minutes. I think we are going to leave. We ended up going to rock bottom. It was better. Actually so much better.
(1)
Troy J.
As someone that travels alone for work from time to time and dines alone, I appreciate the chef's table at Via Vite where you can watch the staff prepare meals. The restaurant's location, at Fountain Square, also provides plenty to look at: the iconic fountain in the summer and the outdoor skating rink in winter. I decided to embrace the chef's table to the fullest by letting the chef decide which wood-fired pizza entree and side dish I'd dine on. The result was a half-and-half pizza featuring spicy Calabrese salame and mozzarella on one half and italian sausage with peppers on the other. Carmelized brussels sprouts, a favorite selected by my waitress, were provided as the appetizer. The pizza had good flavor but wasn't crispy in the center. Judged solely on my weeknight woodfire pizza experience, I give it three stars -- but I suspect that authentic Italian dishes, shared at romantic corner tables with wine, are Via Vite's specialty. I ordered Sgroppino, a frozen cocktail with Grapefruit vodka, Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco for dessert. It was a good way to finish the meal.
(3)
Jessie T.
I came here with a group of girl friends on a Monday evening and the service, food, and drinks were all wonderful. I had the pea ravioli with lobster butter sauce, with a lobster tail included.. and it was absolutely delicious. They were not joking around about that butter sauce, that was just pure, delicious butter. I also ordered their signature cocktail, which was a champagne infused with vodka and grapefruit sorbet.. soo refreshing! We then all shared the dessert sampler, which included a tiramisu, dark chocolate orange gelato, and the panna cotta.. my favorite was definitely the panna cotta.. so light and creamy like a dream! This is a nice place for an enjoyable Italian dinner that leaves you satisfied and not overly and grossly full. I've heard they also have an awesome brunch here and I fully intend on coming back.
(5)
Anjelica N.
Located in Fountain Square, Via Vite is sometimes easy to miss but when there's so much going on in the Square. It's definitely a spot to check out, at the very least for happy hour. Decently priced wine and food, such as their huge pizzas are a great draw in. However, I'm most partial to their gnocchi. Cooked in a spicy tomato vodka sauce, this dish is rich, flavorful and just enough spice to tingly the taste buds. At first you might not think you're getting much food but this dish is delectably satisfying and filling.
(4)
Eli D.
We decided to try the happy hour offerings this Friday eve. We mistakenly assumed that everything from the happy hour menu was half off, sort of like a half off sushi menu. It was not. The happy hour food offerings are discounted and priced as listed on the menu, but are only discounted because you get a smaller portion than normal, not because it's a happy hour discount price. The only items which are actually discounted half off during happy hour are the drinks, so do not be fooled like I was -- the menu won, not me. That being said, my calabrese pizza was excellent. We still ended up paying $68 for dinner tonight: a small pizza, a small serving of mussels, a small cheese plate, 2 meatballs, and 2 drinks for each of us. If we wanted to pay for overpriced portions, we would've gone to Abigail St. It was our fault for not realizing that half off happy hour only applies to drinks. Regardless, we still had a good time, and the bartenders (we sat at the bar) were helpful and nice.
(3)
Rachel C.
TRUFFLE GNOCCHI~ BRAISED LAMB~ In case you were wondering they were BOTH so delish! I had a hard time sharing any bites of my gnocchi to my SO. Yes it was our anniversary so I was in more of a sharing mood than usual but had it been any other day I would have licked the dish clean. The gnocchi is so soft and chewy but the way they cooked it gives one side a nice char and crispness that I particularly enjoyed with every bite. The dish is cheesy / creamy / heavy so don't be fooled by its delicate appearance. You will find yourself savoring every single bite. The lamb....oh goodness the lamb was cooked to perfection! Soft that it practically fell off the bone but crisp on the outside that, like the truffle gnocchi, you get some of the char flavor. I mean I think it is obvious what my personal favorite dish was given I have a mad affinity for all things truffled and gnocchi....That is the dish that has me salivating still. I came here with my SO on our anniversary date. Yes... made the reservation left a note through yelp (my favorite part of yelp) and low and behold....the message went through. Our server was so sweet and congratulated our evening. She made sure to let us know about the specials of the day and OH! all bottles of wine were 1/2 off! Not sure if that's a regular thing (didn't ask oops!) but what a wonderful occasion to pop a bottle of champagne! To my recollection neither of our glasses were ever empty and our dining experience felt so very intimate. I appreciated the attentive and non-intrusive service! Our server also topped our evening by bringing us complimentary dessert! What can I say. The service was great! The food...I still dream about...and I haven't found a place here yet that gave me such a unforgettable first impression!
tl;dr GET THE GNOCCHI FOR THE LOVE OF TRUFFLES so this was our third dinner of the day and we weren't feeling that hungry but still wanted to try something new. I came specifically for the gnocchi. I looked at the menu and said what?! $20?! for WHAT? There isn't even protein in this dish. But once we received the dish I realized. People this dish reeks of truffle without even having to waft it! It's delicious. Also indicative of it's value are the thin slices of heaven. aka. black truffle. This stuff goes for a couple grand a mushroom. I understand now. as for the logistics, via vite hit it on the nose. Perfectly soft and pillowy light and airy gnocchi. DID I MENTION THEY'RE FRIED?! so there is an added dimension of texture. THe sauce is like Alfredo and perfectly creamy and salty. I would definitely pay $20 to eat this again. The service and ambiance were nice too
(5)
D'suni U.
Before going over to the Taste of Cincinnati I stopped her for a little brunch. There are a lot of reasons to like Via Vite. It's in the true center of Cincinnati right on Fountain Square but it feels like it could be in New York or San Francisco. Along with Nicola's, which is its more upscale counterpart, I hear it's the best Italian food in the region. I loved the coffee (I hate Starbucks coffee). I had the shrimp and grits, a fruit and berry cup and a chocolate croissant. The service was exemplary, just as if the staff was working in a moderately priced national chain (I mean that as the highest compliment) with efficient teamwork. However, it goes beyond that with subtle dishes in portions that are perfect, not too large and not too small. Everything is prepared from scratch by a hard working kitchen staff led by the quietly charming, very talented Cristian Pietoso. Here are a couple of other details that place it in a different league for a moderately priced independent: it's open late Thursday through Saturday with a tightened menu for after theater, concert, or ball games; the two course $15 Sunday Brunch menu is one of the best deals in the region; the music selection is always intriguing because it's neither elevator music, 'classic' rock, or current pop. Instead, it crosses over a number of genres without seeming obscure. Each time I've been there, I've heard a song about which I wanted more information. The music is chosen by the general managers or staff members from their own play lists. The ambience was pleasant.
(5)
Whit R.
I went to Via Vite for lunch recently and it was excellent. They have a varied menu with something for everyone - pasta, salads, sandwiches, pizza, etc. Most of it sounded delicious. I went with the gnocchi and got ground italian sausage added to it. It was delicious. The sauce was creamy and was just a little spicy. The portion was perfect for lunch, too. My lunch mates had the bolognese and some kind of beet salad. The bolognese looked amazing, and he finished it all. The salad wasn't really my kind of thing, but it was all eaten, too. I'd go back for sure.
(5)
Jasmin R.
After reading the not so stellar brunch reviews on here we decided to give it a whirl this morning... And were not disappointed. We were seated quickly, and our server was super attentive and friendly. Our party ordered the pancakes, fried dough and Nutella, the Americano, and the sausage panini. I will say the portion of the pancakes was pretty small, as well as the Americano, but the dough and panini were plenty filling and large entrees. The presentation was beautiful, and everything tasted delicious. The only negative I have was that the music was a little obnoxious for a Sunday brunch, some overly loud disco jams. I know I love Marvin Gaye, but not over breakfast with my future mother in law... Overall I would absolutely recommend this for anyone to try!
(5)
J w.
I'm a big fan of white wine. Mostly because it doesn't count as drinking. And during happy hour, when all glasses are half off, that rule is in full effect. I ordered my go to pizza at any new restaurant, a margherita. Reason being is that is pizza in its purist form, letting each ingredient shine. Like Destiny's Child. But I digress. Everything was great - fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella. I was however surprised with how thick the dough came out. I've become accustomed to thinner, and slightly more charred pies at authentic restaurants. That said, I ate every slice and enjoyed it to bits.
(4)
Philip L.
Stopped in during happy hour to get some paperwork done and to get a bite to eat. The service from the bartender was fantastic and the two glasses of wine I had were fairly tasty for the half-off price. Ordered the bruschetta (which I posted a picture of) - which, although the crostini was a little soggy, really won in terms of flavor. The penne bolognese had to be the best part of my meal; not sure the secret to their sauce, but it's got a unique smoothness to it that really makes it feel like a homemade dish. Also tried the chocolate creme brulee; I've never had one before, so it was a must when I saw it on the menu. It's a really interesting concept, and I'd try it again, but it seemed to lack a bit of that lightness that a regular creme brulee has - still fairly delicious, though. Overall, great service, good food, and pretty good value!
(4)
Sandy S.
Sat at chef's bar -- very professional staff; quality is definitely top of mind. Service was very good; wonderful team approach. Bolognese never disappoints; huge portions. You can ask for half portion but leftovers are great! My go-to is always that and the boucheron goat cheese salad...however a ravioli dish topped with lobster meat looked awesome and seemed very popular.
(5)
Maggie B.
Updating my review after a Happy Hour trip. Happy Hour is amazing!!!! 5 stars all the way. Go for a drink and some flatbread but maybe skip the dinner. But don't forget about dessert. The drink are all half off at the bar until 7. And considering the level of awesome of each drink we had this is an absolute steal. The Bellini was top notch and we had an Agrodolce that was also good but it is all about their signature grapefruit cocktail made with gelato, the Sgroppino. One of the best cocktails I have ever had. Get one now! Also their flatbreads are fantastic. My favorite was the Margarita but the procuitto was also good. And of course the Caramel Complexity is a must.
(4)
Leif H.
This is a great place in the center of downtown. We had reservations for a Saturday night after visiting the Aronoff. I was surprised how busy it still was late in the evening (around 10). The dress is not as fancy as some of the other restaurants of this caliber, but still a little more than casual. The food is delicious. We started off with the pork belly app. It was good and comparable to pork belly appetizers in other restaurants. For the main course we had the gnocchi and penne with meat sauce. Both were awesome. We love gnocchi and this is some of the best in the city (similar to nicolas). The penne dish was very flavorful as well. Overall, it was a great night. The atmosphere was upbeat, ambience inviting and food delicious. As a side note, it looked like 85% of the tables were eating the pizza the night we went. It looked very good and will be something to try for our next visit.
(4)
Esther K.
Definitely a delicious alternative to Nicola's. Not as pricey but still great, fresh Italian food. Can't beat Nicola's bolognese night though :)
(4)
Keith C.
I've started including Via Vite on a small rotation of "truly local" places that I take my out-of-town friends when they come to visit, and most always come away with a very positive impression. I was won over long ago, but still like to flaunt my city's quality restaurants like a badge of honor when friends come to town. Tonight, since we were all comfortable enough with each other, we each ordered several entrees and two appetizers and decided to just nibble on each other's plates in an effort to maximize the tastings we experienced. The Overnight Braised Lamb Shank with Polenta is amazing and would stand out on anyone's menu. I generally like to order this item most places I go, and rarely have I had a lamb shank as tender and juicy as this. The flavor combinations of the savory lamb shank, sweet lamb jus, rosemary and creamy polenta all combined to make a taste that defines rustic cooking. It's truly a must have if you go here. Via Vite had a nice "starter" special on the menu tonight - it was a zucchini blossom and zucchini (not a typo) pizza that made even at least one of our non-zucchini lovers at the table a fan. It was our first time trying pizza at Via Vite, but having had this pleasant surprise, we won't hesitate to pull the trigger on other pizzas in the future. The Handmade Crispy Gnocchi was awesome as usual. I know there is some restaurant affiliation with Nicholas, so it might be obvious when I say this, but if you've had crispy Gnocchi at one place, you've had the other (I've had both). They are both distinctly delicious. The crispy preparation, as it is described on the menu, is like none other and the rich, creamy fondue cheese sauce with hints of truffle is enough to make you want to slow down so you don't devour the plate too quickly (I seriously find myself doing that with this dish). The other items that we ordered (Asparagus and Mascarpone Ravioli with lobster & a Warm Boucheron Goat Cheese salad) had some excusable flaws. Our table mate found the lobster tough (perhaps overcooked) and the salad definitely lacked dressing. Service was ok. I was a slightly underwhelmed by the lack of jovial attitude from our waitress, but she did execute for the most part - there were a few times where we sat empty with drinks, but nothing egregious. Solid job by a solid restaurant. I look forward to continuing to go back in the future.
Trust me. . . sit out on the square, and devour a slice of the "Dina" pizza. (Arugula, prosciutto, Gorgonzola, oh my!!!!! Beautiful, upscale decor. HUGE wine list. (reds, whites, alike) A fantastic view of Cincinnati's Fountain Square, and you can park right under the building. How easy is that??!
(5)
Hannah P.
Had such an amazing New Year's Eve dinner here. From the friendly servers, to the unique cocktails, best bruschetta I've ever had, and a huge pizza with prosciutto, fig and arugula that made yummy leftovers the next day. I also got to try the gnocchi and that was to die for!! This is a great place for winos- the alcohol list was three pages long! Great place for groups or a romantic dinner for two and it overlooks Fountain Square.
(5)
Nevena K.
Ok, so ... whoever designed this place did not get the memo that this is supposed to be a higher-end restaurant (as implied by the prices). The lighting is bright, people are on top of each-other, I had a better time hearing the tables next to us than the waitress trying to tell us the specials and there is no relaxed refinement in the decor as one would expect from a place with a $20-$30 entree. Our waitress seemed rushed yet ineffective. We spent time trying to get her attention to get some guidance on ordering on get questions answered, but once we did, the answers left us perplexed and underwhelmed. The staff that bussed tables took away plates with food still on them, WITHOUT ASKING. It was a nightmare to try and get any extra bread once we had run out (BTW a good Italian kitchen is always all about the sauces and dipping your bread in the sauce). I was underwhelmed by the Bruchetta special mainly due to the unimaginative combination of flavors. The textures were right on with the grilled bread and some fresh veggies/goat cheese. This appetizer kind of set the mood for the night. Things were cooked well and to the right texture, but I found the flavors missing and the potatoes side was heavy and greasy to the point of needing salt to make it good. I will say that their flatbreads and pizzas looked good, so I will be back for that. I do want to say that next time we will take the waitress' recommendations with a grain of salt. Tonight we were sold a mind-blowing chocolate creme brule and received a Jell-o pudding in a ceramic bowl with a crunchy top. Wifey on the other hand LOVED the Caramel Complexity, and I should say it was excellently executed.
(3)
Allison B.
This is probably one of my favorite lunch spots on Fountain Square. You can almost always find a reservation for the same day, and the staff is always polite and friendly. On nice days, it's such a treat to sit on their patio and people watch. Especially since during the warmer seasons, there's always something happening on the square. Food is delicious. The pasta is homemade, however I can never get past the warm goat cheese salad. Goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette are my two favorite things! I've been for dinner, too, but honestly I almost prefer the atmosphere at lunch. It would be a great place to go on a summer day off for a nice long (wine filled) lunch!
(5)
Rudy N.
I really enjoyed the gnocchi here with lots of truffle. and white Alfredo sauce yummy Yum Yum and since it is right next to a huge venue Fountain Square you can be subject to the audience of a lot of cool events
(5)
Justin W.
My wife and I frequent $$$ dining in the major cities we visit and We have come to expect great service, creative flavors and a classy atmosphere but nothing to write home about. Via Vite blew us away. Each dish was the best we have had in each category. Pizza? Can't be beat. Pasta and vegetables? Cooked and spiced to perfection. And the best dish on the menu might be the one least ordered: The fennel. I have yet to taste food this pure and innovative and this restaurant is worth a visit to Cincinnati.
(5)
Megan A.
Via Vite was an excellent dinner choice while recently visiting Cincinnati. My man friend had called ahead for an 8:45pm reservation as we were driving up from Louisville and they had no problems at all if we needed to change it depending on traffic. We ended up stopping by the hotel to get ourselves a bit more presentable after a full day of work and then walked over to Via Vite. We ended up getting there right at our reservation time and they sat us right away. The restaurant was packed though, including the bar area so beware of that on the weekends. We were seated right next to the window that overlooked Fountain Square, which was very nice as they were playing music out there. We both ordered some drinks, blatons neat for my friend and I ordered a grey goose martini. The martini was done perfectly and even polished off with some blue cheese olives. Yum! I ordered the meatballs to start and was more than happy. For my main course, I had the scallops and potatos and it was a wonderfully prepared entree. The entrees aren't overly large, but prepared beautifully. Our waitress was also very helpful on meal suggestions. As it was overly crowded, we didn't see her very often, but it was fine with us as we were enjoying a nice leisurely dinner. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping in.
(4)
Zoran O.
Have to say - beyond impressed. Assuming the location and easy prey on obvious convenance for folks roaming around right in front on the square - this restaurant in any other city would skate on the guaranteed foot traffic clientele - but not these guys. Our waitress was very very informative and more than eager to create new vegetarian dishes to please our diet. From the killer toasted baguette with olive oil, herb and balsamic, as the first thing that hits your table, to our white polenta, to the margarita pizza and finally the custom homemade pasta dish - each one was surprisingly delicious. Really well done. Staff was really nice.
(5)
Katie M.
Wow, just wow. I loved this restaurant. Go on a Friday night and get the lasagna! It's sooooo good. It is not as heavy as other lasagna's. It as a creamy bechamel sauce instead of the ricotta mixture that you normally get. Plus the cheese cake with orange marmalade is heaven on earth. So light and creamy with the right amount of sweetness. It was wonderful! Then the homemade lemoncello - yum. Overall the atmosphere is great being right down by Fountain Square and the service is friendly and outstanding. This will be a return visit when I'm back in Cincinnati.
(5)
Jim B.
This is the best restaurant downtown - when you balance the fantastic Italian food, the superb view of Fountain Square from either inside or outside; the practical pricing, and the service. You will see the owners and Chef - Christian work the dining room as hard as he works the kitchen and makes everyone feel VIP. This is a must right in the center of downtown. I eat vegan - and they have several options but I keep returning to an awesome vegetable pizza just to get that crust! It is my go to lunch when it needs to be nicer, but not an absurd price tag. VEGAN OPTIONS.
(5)
Lauren J.
This past weekend we went out for a bachelorette party with a large group. The reservation process for a busy weekend in Cincinnati was seamless. We arrived and were greeted by two amazing hostess. They even took the honor of setting our table inside (without us asking) versus outside due to the extreme heat/humidity we were having that night. Our group greatly appreciated that! Our server continued the great service, as I know larger parties can sometimes be hard to accommodate. While I've been to Via Vite a handful of times, I always wish the menu had a few more options or variety. The food always taste great, I just wish I had more to choose from. Overall the entire group enjoyed their service, food, and drinks!
(4)
Ben S.
So I just got done doing a proper dinner here tonight with a great meal. The Pork Belly appetizer was something fantastic, the carpaccio salad was really damn good and I think that was the best lamb shank I've ever eaten. Staff was slightly slow, but I like that in a meal service. The chef/owner was walking the floor, talked to us and the couple next to us and paid attention to their comments like he cared. Good to go in my book. The family does Italian Cuisine better than a vast majority, definitely a favorite now.
(5)
Melanie R.
Absolutely delicious!! Madison was our server and provided a wonderful experience! We had the bruschetta and the crispy gnocchi...amazing!!!
(5)
Cassaundra T.
We went before the rush so that was good, but our server was slow and it felt that we were not being attended to. All other tables were brought their bread and we had to ask for ours and that took extra time to bring. Food we good. The meatball appetizer was delicious and I had a pizza which was from their brick oven which kept all of the flavors in and cheesy. My friend got the butternut squash with the lobster and enjoyed that. she would have liked more lobster (who doesn't want more lobster?!) Overall it had good food and ambiance but I didn't care much for the for the service.
(3)
Cathy S.
Absolutely amazing evening! The service was attentive, the food was fabulous, the atmosphere was festive and inviting. Could not have enjoyed the evening more!
(5)
Sarah F.
The first time I tried Via Vite, not too long after it opened, I thought it was a bit over-hyped (and over-priced), but I dined there again this weekend and had a nice experience. With all the cool new places opening in OTR, I feel like this place has been somewhat forgotten about, which perhaps explains why we were able to walk in and get a table immediately without advance reservations on a Saturday evening. It wasn't packed inside, but still fairly well-populated and the interior remains as sleek and cool as the last time I was there. Entrees here are pricey, but there are definitely some more reasonable options including their flatbreads, or as I chose to do on this trip, combining a starter and side (or a couple of starters). Each meal starts with a small basket of bread and dipping oil. The by-the-glass Prosecco is a very nice one. For my meal, I got (from the starter menu) a bowl of Ciopinno (seafood stew) with a side of Creamy Polenta. To avoid being disappointed, don't expect the traditional dish of Ciopinno with a bounteous assortment of seafood heaped in the bowl--it's more of a soup with a few pieces of seafood (no whole shrimp or mussels in shells, etc.) in it. Nonetheless, it was very tasty and satisfying and the grilled bread on the side of the dish was delicious. The Creamy Polenta was rich and smooth and a nice complement to the spice and garlic of the soup. I'm torn a bit between 3 and 4 stars for this restaurant, because while my last experience was good, I still think it's over-priced for what you actually get. Given that I was able to create a meal that I was happy with from different parts of the menu, I'll go with 4 stars, but just be ready to either be creative with your ordering or sign a big bill at the end.
(4)
Vincent O.
I'll probably only come back here for a late night drink on the patio and great view of fountain square during the summer. The food is over priced, portions are small and over seasoned. My server was not very knowledgeable about the menu and food took too long between courses to be served.
(3)
Karla S.
This restaurant had wonderful food and impeccable service. The braised lamb shank with creamy polenta is the best meal that I have ever eaten. The whipped ricotta eaten on crostini for an appetizer was warm and delicious. My husband had he pasta with smoked salmon and Brussels sprouts in a brandy cream sauce. So many layers of flavor. They had big portions so save room!
(5)
Samantha H.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner. Everything was outstanding! The servers were excellent in keeping everyone happy and the drinks full. The food was so good. The lamb just fell right off the bone. The chocolate creme brulee was amazing and gigantic. The goat cheese salad was different and great. Oh yeah the penne with the vodka sauce was just the right amount of spicy and creamy. The balcony and lounge area was great too. I can't wait to be back.
(5)
Sandra B.
Oh well, I'm writing this review about one month later so I won't be able to give you a detailed description. However, I will say three things about this place: I loved their pizza, there is a good beer selection and I will definitively go back to Via Vite during my next visit to Cincinnati!
(5)
Sam S.
Food was okay. Service was pretty terrible. We sat on the piazza to try to listen to the salsa music on the square. Our food took forever and they kept turning the music louder to try to drown out the music on the square. Rather than drown it out it gave me a headache. Gave it two stars because of the location. Rather than try to drown out what is happening in the square they should try to work with it a little more. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)
Kevin T.
Dinner here last night was surprisingly good. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and generally excellent. Service was a little overzealous, but professional. Given the location, I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Jessica C.
Food was spot on; not overpowering, classic flavors. And I've never had such wonderful service anywhere. Kind, attentive, and not overbearing. Absolutely blown away.
(5)
Jessica S.
In one of the most visible locations in downtown Cincinnati, Via Vite is smack dab in Fountain Square. The prime location is, in my opinion, its best feature, but coming in a close second would be the food. I've had their penne pasta, a salad, and wine. Their bar is very nicely stocked but not over-the-top. The price is pretty decent and the view is great. A coworker of mine had her wedding reception (albeit a small one) at Via Vite and she said it was a great place to have an event. All-in-all if you want some good (not special, but just plain good) food in a great location, come to Via Vite.
(4)
Karen B.
Been craving to visit this restaurant for so long and finally got to go for Valentine's Day weekend (thanks to my fantastic boyfriend). We had reservations and were seated within minutes. It was rather crowded (to be expected since it was a Saturday night, the weekend before Valentine's Day and is on Fountain Square) but was still a great, loungy atmosphere. The bar is right up front and packed and the tables felt kind of close together but we sat by the window, overlooking the square. The food was to die for. I had the Flounder which was on special and served with a leek-parmiagno fondue which I would have almost sold my boyfriend up the river for. It was so rich and flavorful, I could have just had a bowl of that. On top of the fondue and the melt in your mouth flounder were Pizelles (potato strings fried) ... um ... yum!? Yes. Yum. The bread was perfectly toasted and fluffy. The wine was perfection. The dessert? The chocolate mousse with chocolate chips and mascarpone cheese? OMG please go and try this asap. So decadent. The amount they serve is perfect for two people ... eating it on your own is possible but you might die. :) Aside from the server bringing us regular soda when we asked for DIET soda, TWICE, it was a great dinner. I can't wait to get back there and try more dishes. Although I may be tempted just to get the flounder again.
(4)
Dave L.
Ate dinner at the bar. Everything was great except, well, the main course. Service was fast and friendly, it's a nice setting overlooking the square, food came out fast, and the Caesar salad starter was tasty. But for the main course I ordered the pappardelle pasta with Italian spicy sausage and navy beans and a "hint" of tomato sauce, expecting a light-ish pasta dish with some sausage and maybe a little tomato sauce. Instead what I got was a plate covered with beans and bean sauce. I literally had to hunt in the thick sauce for the pasta. The sausage did add a nice kick, but it was way too heavy. Oh well, live and learn. I would come back, but I'll order something else.
(3)
Miranda H.
I dined here on a Tuesday night and expected the typical week night crowd. I was in for quite a shock as the place was packed. Thankfully I had a reservation and was seated quickly. However, since the restaurant was packed our chairs were constantly bumped by the waitstaff. Overall the food was good. Definitely on par with other restaurants downtown.
(3)
Kristi H.
To be fair, we came here for drinks and appetizers on a Saturday afternoon so the restaurant was not busy and we did not try any entrees. Also, we sat at the bar, which was a small area, but since it wasn't busy, it was perfect. Although when we left around 7, it was pretty packed. And the draft from the door made things a little uncomfortable until my first glass of wine kicked in. The bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. They were patient with me as I took forever to decide. I finally told the bartender to surprise me with any red wine. We also ordered the bruschetta. Refills were perfectly timed, even as business picked up. The bruschetta toppings sounded interesting but they were all ground to the consistency of hummus, so I had a hard time really differentiating the flavors. Next time I will order a pizza. I tried a bite of my friend's margherita pizza and it was much tastier. Five stars for a great wine/bottled beer selection and friendly bartenders. Three stars for okay bruschetta. Four stars because occasionally they have a DJ dance party upstairs and that sounds like fun.
(4)
Sarah R.
Sadly, this was a poor experience. A few months ago, we arrived at 5:30 PM on a Friday evening, and was told by the hostess that if we didn't have reservations, she couldn't seat us. We asked if we could make reservations, and she said no. Oddly, the dining room was at least 2/3 empty. As we turned around to leave, she told us that we could sit at the bar for dinner. We took her up on the offer. (And FYI, the dining room continued to be almost totally empty until we left.) We ordered the bruschetta, which is an interesting version including several different toppings. If you don't like olives - you probably aren't going to enjoy this. Most of the toppings include an olive tapenade. If you like olives, you will probably enjoy this! At the bar, I think perhaps the bartender was not well-versed in the menu. I asked for some info on a dish that sounded like it had a cream sauce, and when he said "yes, it has a cream sauce," , I said, "Ok, I'll pass on that because I don't want a cream sauce." I ended up ordering a pasta dish off the specials menu, and since it didn't mention a cream sauce, i didn't think to double check - which in the end, is my own fault. When it showed up, it was doused with an extremely heavy cream sauce. I would have expected the bartender to mention that when I was ordering it. I didn't ask specifically, he didn't mention it, it happens, life goes on. However, it wasn't super tasty. It might have been a combination of my expectations not being met along with adequate food, but I just didn't really enjoy my meal. I didn't finish it. What put the experience on the 2-star rating instead of 3-star rating was my boyfriend's meal. He ordered a lobster pasta special - it mentioned big chunks of lobster mixed with pasta. However, when it showed up, it was pasta in a cream sauce with an EMPTY LOBSTER SHELL sitting on top of the pasta. No chunks of lobster to be found. Literally. No chunks of lobster. The sauce was very odd, and had some very liberal herb seasoning that was not mentioned in the menu description. My boyfriend didn't even finish half of it. The fact that it did show up with an empty lobster shell did crack us up, though. It was pretty funny. This review makes it sound like I'm really negative, and super picky - and I just want to say, I'm not. In general, if the service is friendly and the meal tastes pretty good, I'm very happy. In this case, however, while the bar service was friendly - everything else was sub-par. Perhaps some of it was just bad luck - one of the tastes neither of us enjoy is olive tapenade, and that was the main ingredient in the bruschetta. I should have asked for more info on the surprising cream sauce special, and well, the lobster pasta just didn't have any lobster! The bill (1 appetizer, 2 meals, 2 glasses of wine) totaled up to well over $125 including tip, and felt like a huge waste of money for 2 meals that weren't eaten or enjoyed. In retrospect, we could have mentioned this to the bartender, and perhaps it would have been made right - but we were newly dating, and neither of us wanted to cause a fuss. Probably if just one thing had gone poorly, this review wouldn't have been written. But the meal went very poorly from start to finish, to the extent that it caused us a lot of laughter. We won't return - it was just a poor experience.
(1)
Emily H.
Via Vite's solid food is definitely bolstered by a modern, classy atmosphere and great, central location. For me, that's probably what moves it from a 3 to a 4. Oh, and the pizza! I've eaten at Via Vite several times now and the food is definitely good. I don't have glorious words to add to "good." I think it's because nothing I've had was especially memorable. I remember having a nice dinner and enjoying my food, but I was never blown away by the food. However, the pizza is memorable. The crust is among my favorites and they have a nice selection of more traditional and some more interesting options, as well. They got a mention in Cincy Mag's Best Pizza issue for a reason! Side note: I know it's not meant to be compared to Nicola's Ristorante which is owned by the same people... but it's hard not to compare it when Nicola's is so amazing. That may be another reason why I feel like the food, other than the pizza, is solid but not exceptional.
(4)
Cathy S.
Absolutely amazing evening! The service was attentive, the food was fabulous, the atmosphere was festive and inviting. Could not have enjoyed the evening more!
(5)
Louise D.
Second time around for me at Via Vite and the first time I wasn't really convinced. Perhaps because I had to pay for the meal by myself and I thought my pasta was overpriced... This time though I came here for a work dinner and we had a nice bottle of the red housewine (recommend it and at $28 per bottle it's the cheapest one you can get), the bruschettas and the special of the day peppers as appetizers. I tried out the standard bruschetta, just with tomato and it was perfect. I'm not much of a pepper person but the special, with tuna inside was mmmmmm! And not as spicy as you would think (or as I feared). I then had the asparagus and red beet as a salad - delicous, I recommend it and it changes from a green boring salad. And then as a main course: the salmon! Try it! It came with Brussels sprouts and it was amazing!. I wasn't as big a portion as the pasta plates (my colleagues all got a box), but for me it was the perfect size. All in all a perfect meal! We asked for a quiet table so we could talk and not have the rather loud music and they were really good about this. Loved it - just not sure it has the special 5 star ingredient -- and also, it's still pretty pricy!
(4)
Kimberly P.
Via Vite was a home run! We wanted a view of Cincinnati's downtown Christmas tree while we had dinner and VV did not disappoint. We started our dinner with an octopus appetizer that was perfect! Not chewy, just the perfect size. I had a salad that was the bes part of my meal. (how often can you say that?) Warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, pistachios and truffle vinaigrette dressing. Perfect with the bread brought to your table! My husband and I shared our entrees as they were divine. Spinach ravioli and seared yellow fin tuna Dinner was very pricey! I would go back at happy hour and try the pizza and drink specials.
(3)
Dave L.
Ate dinner at the bar. Everything was great except, well, the main course. Service was fast and friendly, it's a nice setting overlooking the square, food came out fast, and the Caesar salad starter was tasty. But for the main course I ordered the pappardelle pasta with Italian spicy sausage and navy beans and a "hint" of tomato sauce, expecting a light-ish pasta dish with some sausage and maybe a little tomato sauce. Instead what I got was a plate covered with beans and bean sauce. I literally had to hunt in the thick sauce for the pasta. The sausage did add a nice kick, but it was way too heavy. Oh well, live and learn. I would come back, but I'll order something else.
(3)
Miranda H.
I dined here on a Tuesday night and expected the typical week night crowd. I was in for quite a shock as the place was packed. Thankfully I had a reservation and was seated quickly. However, since the restaurant was packed our chairs were constantly bumped by the waitstaff. Overall the food was good. Definitely on par with other restaurants downtown.
(3)
Rachel H.
The number one reason I'm even writing this review is because the lamb shank is absolutely to die for. Seriously. If you have not tried this, it warrants a trip here. Even if you don't eat lamb. Try it. This was only my second time ever having lamb- I tried the cherry glazed lamb chops at Wine Guy a little while back and made a mental note to order lamb again. I have to say lamb "shank" does not sound appetizing to me, but holy crap. This was incredibly tender, fall off the bone, perfectly cooked meat. I have to hand it to my waitress as I was choosing between this and a pasta dish and she quickly suggested I have the lamb. She was all a quiver over the polenta- I can count the number of times I've had polenta on one hand. But she was right, it was fantastic! And whatever sauce (described on the menu as lamb jus) was on top- freaking delicious. I only wish my stomach was bigger so I could have actually eaten it all. And to be honest I tried most of their cocktail menu as well (loved them all- and that is saying something). What started off as two drinks with dinner soon turned into returning to the bar after we got about 10 yards away to continue enjoying this new favorite restaurant of mine. Why go somewhere else when you're already at a great place, right? The waitstaff was friendly and helpful. The establishment itself is very clean and well designed (except perhaps the single stall bathroom, but there's not a whole lot of room for them to have done anything about that). Other diners were dressed a bit too casually for such a nice place (seriously yoga pants and a tshirt? common) but it didn't bring down the atmosphere. I will absolutely be frequenting this place, and as I hope to try more of the other menu items I have to say that the lamb found itself a place in my heart, and I might just have to settle for nibbles off my date's plate to satisfy my desire to try the rest. I am also dying to sit on the second floor, it looks like it would have a fun flair. Whatever you folks are doing in the kitchen is genius. Seriously hats off. Bottom line though- GET THE LAMB. Even if there are five of you at the table. Get five plates of this stuff because it is that good.
(5)
Brad E.
I will preface this review with the fact I am not a lover of Italian food. The wine list was good. We had a nice chiannti. I ordered the pork belly. It was flavorful with a great crispy texture on the outside. I found the wait staff to be a little annoying. This place is worth trying, but I sure wouldn't burn this as your night in the big city.
(3)
Kristi H.
To be fair, we came here for drinks and appetizers on a Saturday afternoon so the restaurant was not busy and we did not try any entrees. Also, we sat at the bar, which was a small area, but since it wasn't busy, it was perfect. Although when we left around 7, it was pretty packed. And the draft from the door made things a little uncomfortable until my first glass of wine kicked in. The bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. They were patient with me as I took forever to decide. I finally told the bartender to surprise me with any red wine. We also ordered the bruschetta. Refills were perfectly timed, even as business picked up. The bruschetta toppings sounded interesting but they were all ground to the consistency of hummus, so I had a hard time really differentiating the flavors. Next time I will order a pizza. I tried a bite of my friend's margherita pizza and it was much tastier. Five stars for a great wine/bottled beer selection and friendly bartenders. Three stars for okay bruschetta. Four stars because occasionally they have a DJ dance party upstairs and that sounds like fun.
(4)
Sarah L.
Again, I've been skunked at Via Vite. Server was slow to reach us, even slower to deliver our order, and then brought the wrong glass of wine. Which would have been OK, if it weren't already sorely late, and if they didn't later charge me more than was listed on the menu. The hostesses were gracious and stepped in to help our poor service situation, which we appreciated. But the experience left us a bit disgruntled.
(2)
Dianne S.
It was a Friday night at 10pm. We were out-of-towners who had just gotten out of a concert at the U.S. Bank Arena and were staying at the Westin downtown. We were hungry! I spotted Via Vite from our hotel room as soon as we checked in. It's hard to miss since it's directly in Fountain Square. Looking for a quick late night bite, my husband and I felt a bit underdressed. Entrees range from $20-25 a plate. We opted for their oven cooked pizzas...deeslish! Had a light artichoke & pesto pizza that was perfectly crunchy thin. Service was above & beyond. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly, even talking Chicago with us. Would defintely stop in again!
(3)
Rachel B.
Food is good, but it's a little expensive. I can never seem to bring myself to pay 20 for pasta that I feel like I could make at home (though I never do....). The bruschetta appetizer is luscious, however. Different types for sharing. This place can get really busy on nights with a show going on.
(4)
Sarah R.
Sadly, this was a poor experience. A few months ago, we arrived at 5:30 PM on a Friday evening, and was told by the hostess that if we didn't have reservations, she couldn't seat us. We asked if we could make reservations, and she said no. Oddly, the dining room was at least 2/3 empty. As we turned around to leave, she told us that we could sit at the bar for dinner. We took her up on the offer. (And FYI, the dining room continued to be almost totally empty until we left.) We ordered the bruschetta, which is an interesting version including several different toppings. If you don't like olives - you probably aren't going to enjoy this. Most of the toppings include an olive tapenade. If you like olives, you will probably enjoy this! At the bar, I think perhaps the bartender was not well-versed in the menu. I asked for some info on a dish that sounded like it had a cream sauce, and when he said "yes, it has a cream sauce," , I said, "Ok, I'll pass on that because I don't want a cream sauce." I ended up ordering a pasta dish off the specials menu, and since it didn't mention a cream sauce, i didn't think to double check - which in the end, is my own fault. When it showed up, it was doused with an extremely heavy cream sauce. I would have expected the bartender to mention that when I was ordering it. I didn't ask specifically, he didn't mention it, it happens, life goes on. However, it wasn't super tasty. It might have been a combination of my expectations not being met along with adequate food, but I just didn't really enjoy my meal. I didn't finish it. What put the experience on the 2-star rating instead of 3-star rating was my boyfriend's meal. He ordered a lobster pasta special - it mentioned big chunks of lobster mixed with pasta. However, when it showed up, it was pasta in a cream sauce with an EMPTY LOBSTER SHELL sitting on top of the pasta. No chunks of lobster to be found. Literally. No chunks of lobster. The sauce was very odd, and had some very liberal herb seasoning that was not mentioned in the menu description. My boyfriend didn't even finish half of it. The fact that it did show up with an empty lobster shell did crack us up, though. It was pretty funny. This review makes it sound like I'm really negative, and super picky - and I just want to say, I'm not. In general, if the service is friendly and the meal tastes pretty good, I'm very happy. In this case, however, while the bar service was friendly - everything else was sub-par. Perhaps some of it was just bad luck - one of the tastes neither of us enjoy is olive tapenade, and that was the main ingredient in the bruschetta. I should have asked for more info on the surprising cream sauce special, and well, the lobster pasta just didn't have any lobster! The bill (1 appetizer, 2 meals, 2 glasses of wine) totaled up to well over $125 including tip, and felt like a huge waste of money for 2 meals that weren't eaten or enjoyed. In retrospect, we could have mentioned this to the bartender, and perhaps it would have been made right - but we were newly dating, and neither of us wanted to cause a fuss. Probably if just one thing had gone poorly, this review wouldn't have been written. But the meal went very poorly from start to finish, to the extent that it caused us a lot of laughter. We won't return - it was just a poor experience.
(1)
Carolynne M.
Sleek, modern and comfortable interior. We were seated near a window which gave a great people watching opportunities from a concert that was being held in the square outside. Andy wanted to try the veal and ricotta meatball appetizer. They were tasty, but a tad on the dense side. The sauce that they were in was awesome though and after tasting the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce for the bread basket (which was just awful, sorry, and reminded me too much of way-too-strong salad dressing) I was happy to have something to put on the bread. I ordered "my grandmas peperonata" which was a medley of different roasted peppers that was incredibly delicious. Also fantastic on the bread. The cioppino, an Italian fish stew, was absolutely delicious, but it was mostly broth and very few chunks of seafood. Had they not skimped on the ingredients it would have easily been a five star dish. Atmosphere, at least on the Friday night we were there, was young, and people were dressed up to be seen. A very vibrant and energetic crowd. I dont know if that was due to the concert outside or if this is what you can expect everyday though.
(4)
Jackie S.
Stopped in for some light bites during a night on the town. Although the waiter was confused by the fact that we just wanted to split a pizza and not order entrees, he was very attentive. We were seated right away with our request for outdoor seating and enjoyed the view of the fountain. I've been here a few times and have always found the food to be scrumptious, the atmosphere cosmopolitan, and the service refined. It's my top choice for a place to eat on fountain square.
(4)
Angela C.
There is not much to dislike about Via Vite, though it might be missing that special something for me that would give it a 5. The scope of my visits have been once for business lunch and once for happy hour. Both times were very pleasant- there is a nice, clean, modern ambiance and it's awesome that it's on Fountain Square. The pizzas are tasty, and I had the most spectacular grapefruit gelato martini (it had some Italian name that I can't remember). I might be drooling for that martini right now. Maybe. Anyway, they have a nice lunch menu that won't break the bank- I enjoyed the soup and salad combo for $10. Service was fast and very friendly both times. I'm not sure it's a place I'll frequent for meals (still not cheap), but would definitely come back for a pizza snack and gelato martini for happy hour any day of the week.
(4)
Eva S.
Nothing amazing to report. Went for a birthday dinner for a friend. Good food, service was a bit spotty (either too much attention, or nowhere to be found when you needed something- like a wine bottle cooler which came about 10 minutes after the birthday girl's wine arrived). Seemed slightly overpriced. I had the tuna, spouse had the salmon. Tuna was delicious, and his salmon was also tasty. I didn't know I liked butternut squash until I tried his. Not very generous pours on the liquor (no ice means I get less alcohol, maybe? But for $8 per drink, I feel slightly cheated, even if I do order my scotch neat). $27 for tuna (same price for salmon) seemed a bit steep. The rest of our party seemed to enjoy their food (all pasta dishes, actually). I don't feel like we got $136 worth of a meal or evening out of it. Probably won't go back; I can spend that kind of money elsewhere and enjoy it better.
(3)
John B.
They try, but not quite there for me. Read Steve K's review about the hamburger helper and the chef boy-r-dee and I think I got the same dish. The pasta was actually very good and Syeve was a tad harsh in his comments, buy I instantly recalled his review when I tasted my dish. Too funny. Only thing with mine was that the Italian sausage in the dish had such large chunks that one piece was raw in the middle. Gross. I blew it off, but let the waiter know that it was okay, but..... They did nothing. Via Vite people - at least do something in cases that that. Desert, comp the app, have a manager appoligize, something.... Ignorance is not bliss in the food industry. Ahhh. Well glad I tried it. Cheers.
(2)
F R.
The house made rosemary pappardelle is fantastic. I get it vegetarian style without the sausage and I love it more and more all the time. I also really love the gnocchi. The warm Boucheron goat cheese salad, and the asparagus salads are amazing. We have had the same server every time we have gone and I don't remember her name but I love her. The chefs table is awesome, but if you are on the pizza oven side you will get warm. That's a good seat for an under-dressed lady, not a man in a jacket. Monday night half price wine night is awesome.
(5)
JoEllen H.
The tomato mozzarella salad is worth four or five stars alone! We really enjoy this restaurant, best choice on Fountain Square by far! Forget the chains and support our local restaurant owners!
Via Vite is via so-so. I ordered the special entree - white tuna and spring onions. The tuna was perfectly cooked - moist, flaky, medium/rare in the middle and buttery sweet. The waiter was very accomodating and let me swap out the potatoes for the caramelized brussel sprouts, which was quite good. My main problem with Via Vite is the amount of oil that drenched my dish. I take issue with restaurants that cloak the flavors of fresh, well-prepared food with oil and butter. I see that olive oil is listed at $19.50/bottle on your menu but seriously, y'all could have saved some on me and left it for the bottle!
(3)
Ben S.
I've passed this place several times and finally I stopped in around 2PM on Saturday for lunch with a friend. The place was not dead but it wasn't crowded either. We were seated at a two person table near the wall of windows. The first floor dining space is bright and stylish and comfortable aside from the pole that was next to my seat. The view was very pleasant (of Fountain Sq) so it was a nice backdrop to light conversation. The prices for lunch are very good, all things considered. My friend and I split a delicious margherita pizza upon the waiter's suggestion. The pizza was generously sized and very tasty. We didn't even finish it. The bread is free and good too. I really have few complaints. The music they play doesn't match the atmosphere but it was okay. I would recommend Via Vite for a nice lunch in the city for a reasonable price.
(4)
Osito S.
I was Cincy for business and was told to stop by. Excellent food, really great service with people who give you real recommendations on why you should order certain dishes and phenomenal dessert!
(5)
Rachel L.
I have been here several times now, and it never fails to take me to my happy place. It's a very romantic and warm place for a date, but I also took the girls there for a fun night out. The service is attentive but not stuffy, and they have a fantastic view of Fountain Square. And the wine...oh the wine! I have ordered a few different things there, but the bolognese is pure heaven. All made in house, along with their own fresh pasta and wonderfully simple salads to cleanse your pallette. And if you're not quite ready to end your date when dinner is over,they also have a gorgeous modern bar area where you can cuddle over that one last drink.
(5)
Meg G.
We first went to Via Vite for our wedding anniversary. It was mid-April, so we made reservations for seating on the deck. We were brought to our table, and greeted with two glasses of sparkling wine and a fantastic view of fountain square. When it comes to location, this place has got it. The wine selection is terrific. For an appetizer, we had the veal meatballs. They were good, but nothing outstanding. For my main course, I had the goat cheese salad. It was a generous portion of grilled goat cheese, topped with greens, pistachios, and a white truffle vinaigrette. It was delicious. I don't think I can say that overall, the food is great. But I would certainly return for the atmosphere alone.
(3)
Priya K.
Excellent ambiance and service. A couple of vegetarian choices. The margharita pizza was made in Italian style but the crust was a little bit too thick and should have been cooked a tad bit more. The tomato sauce, cheese and pepper toppings were great. Hazelnut gellatto was awesome as well.
(3)
Jann W.
Love love love the contemporary adaption of Italian food, but I have to grit my teeth not to get annoyed with slow service. Even still, it's one of my favorite Italian spots in Cincinnati.
(4)
Kathryn W.
You know how it is when you lose touch with someone you like.? That's how it was with our family and Maggie--the best waitperson we have ever known. She was a favorite with us at Pho Paris and when it went under, we missed where she went. Thanks to Julie of the Wine Me Dine Me blog, we found her at Via Vite. Made a reservation right away and went that night. She's just the same.. Knowledgeable, charming, helpful, intuitive. Oh--and the food was great too. Let Maggie guide you towards the best wine on the list-she knows them all. She said she had imagined what she would feed us even before we knew we were coming. She was right all the way. Will we be back? You bet-and we won't lose touch this time.
(5)
Mike D.
I had a very limited experience, on a friday night we stopped in for a happy hour beer and pizza. I love that they're open late. +100. The space is very cool and modern, and probably chill when there isn't a techno rave going on upstairs. Maybe not the best space for a date, as it's pretty wide open. At first the service was standoffish, we got some wierd looks, after we were seated it was very good, they even split our pizza onto 2 plates for us. The pizza was good. Cooked at a super high temp so the crust blisters, but the underside was a little undercooked which didnt make sense to me. The toppings were supposed to include prosciutto, but it had the taste and texture of regular ham, which was a disappointment. All in all a good but brief experience. I'm looking forward to trying it again.
(3)
Joe P.
Got really lucky, Saturday night, no reservation, but the "chefs table" had room for two so we sat and enjoyed; outstanding appetizer, handed to us by one of the sous chefs-gratis! very good wine, Marsala, pizza & dessert. a real treat & totally unexpected. will def be back...
(4)
Todd A.
I eat at Via Vite almost every time I travel to Cinci - mainly because I can't get enough of the Cioppino. I love this Cioppino, it's not like most of the cioppino's I eat on the East Coast or the few I've had in San Fran, but good is good. It's closer to a tomato based seafood chowder loaded with extremely tender calamari. I also love the rosemary pappardelle which you can often see being rolled out when you walk in - I'm a sucker for fresh pasta! The only thing I haven't liked here is the skate wing, which I thought was just okay and price for what you get. I tend to stick with the appetizers and fresh pasta, which you can't go wrong with.
(4)
SeaElle R.
I love this place. Best dining in Cincinnati (IMO). I love everything about this place, especially the food. Truffles, truffles, truffles....mmmmm...they prepare so many dishes with truffles and the restaurant often smells like truffles. Divine! I dined recently for lunch. The goat-cheese salad had a truffle dressing. Fabulous. The linguine with clams was fantastic. Again, this is by far my favorite dining in Cincinnati. Great job!
(5)
Bea D.
Ahh, the pasta. It was wonderful. I had a nice view of the square from the window. The lighting was festive and twinkling. The service was so-so, as the staff seemed aloof. All things considered, I'll return. I may even branch out past the pasta!
(4)
Jonathan S.
Cincinnati Magazine published the top 10 restaurants, arguably under influence of much wine. Seven seemed to jive true, yet one obvious irregularity: Via Vite instead of Primavista?! Suddenly, the list amounts to rubbish. Nicola's earns a formidable spot in a top 10 list. However, Nicola's sister locale, Via Vite, equates to little more than younger, hipper decor in the best location downtown... flat smack on fountain square. Yet, Via Vite served overcooked seafood and ill-prepared pasta during both my visits. A great disappoint from a restaurant family with a rich history of excellence in the city. If you are stopping by for half priced wine night after dinner elsewhere, you'll be satisfied with the ambiance and location. Avoid the food.
(2)
Marie E.
We went there for dinner prior to going to see Infamous Love songs which was one of my favorite performances of all time. The food was expensive and not good. I had the lasagna which was around $20 that tasted like pasta from a can. I am not exaggerating. So disappointed. the noodles were soggy and just overall not good. My husbands sauce was also bland and just not good. The gnocci and ravioli were decent so if you get stuck there I would recommend those or one of the wood fire pizzas. Not planning on going back unless it is for a late night pizza and drink after a show. We dropped close to $100 don't repeat our mistake.
(1)
Rich H.
Via Vite is a mixed bag for me. The location is great and the food is good, but the price point makes this a once-in-a-while place for me that I'm never super excited for. I've always had great service and I like being so close to the heart of downtown, but the food has never wowed me enough to justify the price. But if you're looking for a relatively upscale environment that's not at the price point of Jeff Ruby's then this might be the destination for you. There is a fairly good wine selection to look at and the specials are usually good enough. Really the location is what I like most about this restaurant. Draw your own conclusions from that.
(3)
Erin Z.
I went to Via Vite because I heard about the pizza. It was fresh, light, and very tasty. I also tried the goat cheese/fig salad and yellow pepper soup. Both were delicious. The bread they serve has to be the best bread I have had in Cincinnati so far. I read that the prices were high, but I found the lunch menu to be quite reasonable. Our server knew the menu inside and out, and I find that to be incredibly helpful when trying a new restaurant. Both the server and hostess were polite and friendly.
(4)
Peter S.
I'm always fairly impressed with this place whenever I come to Cincinnati. Everything from the pasta to the vegetables are fresh and well prepared. The salmon fillet that I had last time was cooked to perfection, and was seasoned accordingly. They have a fairly robust wine selection, and the desserts are well portioned after the meal. The cuts of meat are also a good choice.
(4)
Andrew W.
To be fair to Via Vite, I was part of a 20+ person group. So to begin I had rather low expectations. The did accommodate us quite well, considering some of our party desired to be at one large table instead of the two separate ones they had set up for us. It took quite some time for our food to arrive, and they attempted to bring it all out at the same time. This seemed a little strange as most of the table had ordered some type of appetizer/salad/soup. So here I am sitting with a Caesar salad on a large plate and a margarita pizza on a large slab of wood. Juggling the two was quite difficult. Some dishes were given to the wrong people, but this I understand... it was quite a large order. As for the quality of food, what really counts, I was less than impressed. The salad which boasted house made croutons featured no more than a tablespoon of them on the side. It was clearly lacking in something, especially for $11. The pizza was decent, but hardly exceptional. For such a small menu, I expected a bit more in the taste department. Overall, I was disappointed. Would I return? Probably, but only if coerced by someone first.
(2)
Hot Mama J.
In a word. Excellent. Beautiful environment. delicious meal. great staff. divine wine choices. A definite yes.
(4)
Carl H.
Best Italian food in town next to Nicolas.
(5)
Heather J.
Had Fancy Lunch Day there today and really enjoyed it. I'd like to give the food a 4 and the dessert a 5. I had fettucini with vodka sauce (they modified for me from tortellini) and it was really deilcious! Came with a salad for $14 (lunch menu). Then the dessert - I had the chocolate panna cotta - AMAZING! Waitress wasn't too bright - she told me a panna cotta was like a souffle - um - no - it's like a custard/creme brulee (minus the brulee) - but oh well... Tried bites of orange tart and hazelnut gelato and both were also delectable...very surprised by tart - wasn't overpowering on orange - really liked it. It was sort of like creme brulee pie (without the brulee again). Nice dining experience and relatively quick for lunch.
(4)
Erin K.
We went here for my husband's birthday; the service and food were great. For dinner my husband ordered the tuna special and I ordered the salmon; both recommendations from our waiter. I have to say the tuna was better but the salmon was very good. For dessert we ordered the chocolate panna cotta but something just didn't taste right so our waiter brought us a different dessert, the dessert special which was great. The chef actually came out, apologized and explained they had tried something new with the dessert and that's why it tasted funny and also brought a champagne drink out for us. It wasn't necessary as the rest of the food was wonderful but we thought it was a nice touch. We would definitely return and recommend to others.
(4)
Pablo G.
Good Pizza, atmoshpere & very reasonably priced....even when not Happy Hour
(4)
Scot H.
had an incredible lamb shank with polenta. warm goat cheese salad was fantastic. best part was chef cristopher bringing out a flaming branzino in salt for his wife and guests and singeing her hair. atmosphere was okay, staff was decent.
(4)
Lesley C.
This is a great Italian restaurant, right on Fountain Square. I've been a few times now, and I'm always impressed by the gorgeous decor, the view out on the square, the waitstaff and the food. The food is superb, and the menu has all sorts of items you don't find at your neighborhood Buca di Beppo and the like. It's great for a date or for going out with some friends.
(4)
Scott S.
Went to this Italian restaurant on Fountain Square three days in a row and loved it for: a wonderful pasta dinner at the bar; a lovely glass of wine outdoors on the upstairs deck; and a wonderful brunch in the main dining room on the main floor. Had rigatoni with a deep, dark red sauce I've never had before but it has ruined me for regular pasta sauce. The featured red wine special (a blend) was also great. The next day sitting outdoors the waiter had a good suggestion for a light refreshing white that proved to be the perfect choice. On my last day in Cincy I went back for Sunday brunch and had the dish recommended by Cincinnati magazine (polenta with a fried egg and Italian sausage) and it was delicious; as a first course I had carpaccio of cured beef with arugula and lots of shaved parm, and it was fantastic. I loved the chi-chi look of the place (modern lines, open kitchen, swanky with no hint of stuffiness), and the staff was unbelievably friendly and sweet, and generally prompt without hovering. I would love to sit at the chef's table the next time.
(5)
R E.
While in town for business had dinner there and absolutely every thing I had was delicious! Starting with the Tocai wine our server recommended to dessert. I tried everything he recommended and our server was spot on every time! I normally don't enjoy my meals while traveling on business but was nicely surprised by Via Vite. A definite must visit while in that area.
(4)
Steve K.
I've been to Via Vite twice, once for a very expensive work party and once for lunch. Both experiences can be summed up by two words-- underwhelmed and overpriced. The pasta that I had last time was something between hamburger helper and chef boyardee. The setting is really cool, but so is my loft, I can make top ramen here for like $0.25, don't waste the cool space on something that reminded me of dog food.
(2)
Julie W.
Nice dinner with my cousins, great location on Fountain Square with live music playing, but food only average - nothing to write home about.
(3)
Vib M.
I went here with my girlfriend during my first night in Cinci (yes, I am a CA transplant). The location is great with outdoor seating overlooking Fountain Square. Try to stay on the side away from the Time Warner billboard, otherwise you get glare from what they are showing on TV. The food was exactly what we were looking for after a trip from SF. They had some thin crust pizzas and light, fluffy pastas. Good place for vegetarians. The wine selection was also pretty good.
(4)
Kirsten F.
i'm coming out of yelp retirement for this. i'm in cincinnati for business and staying right downtown - i was looking for that "business traveler dinner" - relatively quick, with attentive service, nice atmosphere, and a good glass of wine. i got all of that and then some with via vite. i feel most compelled to comment on the service, which was fantastic. the bartender has mastered the chattiness required to accommodate lone diners, but he wasn't overbearing. the manager checked in on me at one point (and cautioned me about a ridiculously hot plate i was about to sear my hand on), and the chef made an appearance with a recommendation from the menu. all were warm and seemed genuinely concerned that i have a good experience. i didn't eat in the dining room, but the atmosphere was very appealing with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and rich, modern colors. i managed to order three things all featuring goat cheese, which isn't even my favorite thing. i was after the beets, asparagus (beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad), pesto (pesto, artichoke and goat cheese pizza), and was recommended the salad featuring mixed greens, hazelnuts (nice), a very light, delicious raspberry viniagrette and, yes, goat cheese. the salad was amazing. it was an after thought, but was my favorite thing. wide selection of italian wines, which i know nothing about. the bartender made nice suggestions. in all, very impressed. i hope that this restaurant succeeds because the staff seemed committed to providing a high quality experience.
(4)
Kim B.
I have been to Via Vite several times. It is one of my favorites in Cincinnati, and I fall in love with it everytime I go! My husband and I have pretty much tried everything on the menu, and all is great. The Warm Goat Cheese Salad is soooo good. I love how the cool greens contrast against the warm goat cheese and the vinegarette, yum. The soups are great. I've had Potato and Leek, Cauliflower and my favorite Yellow Pepper soup. I have taken my little sisters and we got pizza, which was just like you were transported back to Italy! ALL pasta dishes are excellent. Fish dishes are sooo good, especially the Skate Wing. The steaks melt in your mouth like butter. My all time favorite is, the Roasted Lamb Shank and Polenta. It's like dying and going to heaven! You don't even need a fork for the Lamb, it literally falls off the bone. The polenta is soooo creamy and cheesy. Tiramisu is awesome! Gelato is mind blowing, so creamy, and has such a variety of flavors. This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Great food, friendly owners, Georgous Setting.
(5)
Sean B.
This new venture by the folks who run Over The Rhine's Nicolas is a welcome local addition to a renovated Fountain Square surrounded by national and regional chains. While the dinner menu is somewhat limited - most of the appetizer choices are pizzas and they could add an entree or three (as it is you have a choice of 4 pastas or 4 meat dishes - the food is excellent. On a recent visit the mussels appetizer, penne with bolognese meat sauce, and tuna steak special were all delicious. The view overlooking the Square is great, but what holds the establishment back is the service. It's downright awful. Considering the prices, you might expect a more attentive managerial, bar, and service staff, but it just doesn't gel. There is no attention to detail on the floor side of the house, and as a result the entire scene suffers.
(3)
Kevin B.
They have an excellent location on the square, and the decor to match. You feel good in this place. The food does it justice as well. Nice beer menu too - Stone IPA and Dogfish 90 Min. I'm set.
(4)
Kailani N.
margherita pizza!!
(5)
Ice Cream Truck I.
OK, I'll admit I'm a San Francisco snob. Visiting for business, I learned from OpenTable that this was a popular restaurant and its website looked intriguing. It was better than I expected. When I drove up to the underground parking, I sorta shuttered. I saw that I was in ground zero of downtown, at Fountain Plaza (or Square?). I looked around: Macy's, Brooks Brothers, Palamino, etc. And a big watery fountain in the middle of a downtown square, so I was nervous: would this be a good-location, good-view, but so-so-but-overpriced-food kinda place? The atmosphere is unpretentious, friendly, comfortable, and slightly trendy. The servous was superb - - very attentive without being pushy. The caprese salad was great (colorful red, yellow and green cherry tomatoes cut in half, with generous slices of mozzarella, with a light shred of basil, which could have been more plentiful, but maybe it's because it's late-season?). I asked for their recommended pasta, and the accommodated my request for half-portions of two of their great pastas (gnocchi, rigatoni). And it wasn't overpriced, at least by major US city standards. Just ignore that you're basically in a city on the Kentucky border.
(3)
Mike S.
Had a good and quick dinner here before a play at Ensemble Theater. The space was nice but surprisingly not crowded at 7 pm on a Saturday evening (only about 3/4 full). Our table of 4 shared the bruschetta assortment and focaccia appetizers. Our server was not that competent or enthusiastic. When we asked what was the assortment of five bruschetta, she didn't know one and got another one wrong. Unfortunately the wrong one had sausage and was already eaten by the vegetarian at the table. Despite the incompetence, the bruschetta were all good. The "focaccia" looked surprisingly like a thin pizza, not nearly as thick as I would expect, but delicious. I had the special beef short ribs. I remarked that they quivered like jello when served; tender, perfectly prepared, and tasty. Some of the best I've ever had. The other diners had the potato gnocchi, a special mushroom tortellini, and the pork chops. The gnocchi and pasta were very good. Didn't try the pork, but was reported to be excellent. One thing I really liked was the offering of a 1-liter carafe of wine for $28. I wish more places would offer a reasonably priced and good house wine by the carafe. Jean-Ro's does too. Overall we were happy with the meal: very good food, not overpriced, fair service.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Via Vite is trying to be a lot of different things at once and, for the most part, it is fairly successful. The upside of that is there is a new swinging hot spot in downtown Cincinnati (where hot spots are sorely needed) with good food, the downside is that none of the components truly soar on their own. This place can clearly get packed on the weekends and last Saturday, there was a live band that proved more enjoyable than we expected when we saw them starting to set up. Couples were even dancing in the crowded bar area, which provided more entertainment than the band itself! It can definitely get loud with the crowds and the music, but it never stopped our table from having a conversation. I'd expect better food from the Nicola's folk. Surprising at an Italian joint, the salads were the highlights. My favorite was the grilled asparagus, roasted beet and goat cheese, but everything is fantastic. The menu is small, so if you're not in the mood for pizza, pasta or one of the 4 basic meat options, you're out of luck. I tried the calamari-spinach stew from the appetizers, which was more than enough food with the addition of a salad, but I found it incredibly salty. I wasn't terribly impressed with the other entrees I sampled. If you stick to the salads and enjoy the music and the view, this is a great night on the town. If you want a killer Italian meal, head to Nicola's.
(4)
Taylor W.
Via Vite has a great location right on Fountain Square. We went last Saturday with a big group of friends and found our tabe ready and waiting when we got there at 6:00. I hate it when I make a reservation and still have to wait 15 minutes. We ordered crab cakes for appetizers, the goat cheese salad, and the papperdelle with spicy sausage. The crab cakes were really good. Soft soft with a slightly spicy dipping sauce. Goat cheese salad with pretty good. It has a huge piece of bake goat cheese under the salad. Salad would have been very plain without the goat cheese. The papperdelle was pretty good. I have to admit I was a little confused about what it was exactly, but it said "spicy sausage" so I ordered it. Larger portion than I thought. I tried a bit of my friend's tortellini with creamy tomato sauce. (I'm pretty sure that is what it was.) Creamy is an understatement. It may have been the richest sauce I've ever had. Delicious, but a bit heavy. Bottom Line: Via vite is good. It's pretty classy. They got our reservation nailed. But there are several other places I'd rather spend $70 for dinner. (I did have two $5 beers) It's a good place to try, but I probably won't go back unless a bigger group wants to go.
(3)
Tara N.
I've had multiple great experiences at Via Vite. The most critical was their saving of my wedding rehearsal dinner when Jeff Ruby's Waterfront floated away 10 days before our event! The staff were fantastic, the room beautiful, and everyone raved about the food. Via Vite also has a fantastic happy hour! I think their non-happy hour prices are pretty steep, but during happy hour you can get a small plate pasta (which is enough dinner for me) and a glass of wine for $10. Can't beat that!
(4)
Gavin D.
We'd had a restaurant.com coupon for a while for Via Vite, and a 7:30pm concert:nova show at the Mercantile Library last night was a perfect opportunity to eat and then walk across the square to the event. I'd heard mixed reviews, and now that I've been I'd say I'm not surprised. There was nothing terribly wrong, but nothing excitingly right either - par for the course. The Food: We ordered the grilled asparagus salad to share, and then two pasta dishes - pappardelle and tortellini - for our mains. The asparagus comes with roasted beets and goat cheese. The presentation was nice, but that was probably the best thing. Salt was helpful on everything we had, and in general there just wasn't much flavor popping from this plate. Shame on us for ordering asparagus out of season, I suppose, and thankfully if you put enough goat cheese on anything it can't be horrible (and they do give you a lot of goat cheese). We ordered the pappardelle in part because it was house-made (only a couple of the pastas are), and it comes with Italian sausage the waitress said is from Findlay Market (I'd guess Kroeger & Son's, but can't say that for sure). It was a "pasta e fagioli," which basically means that it's got beans in it, something that I would have liked to have known initially (I just Googled it) because, try as I might, I just am not that big of a fan of beans as a main component of dishes. There were big cherry tomatoes that had been cooked with the sauce as well, and they were one of my favorite things. The pasta was cooked well, and overall the dish was solid, but the flavors just did not pop at all for me. I was hoping for more. The tortellini was another "fresh" pasta option, and it was my preferred dish. It was very creamy, as the menu noted, and had sundried tomatoes and basil. The tortellini were filled with what I believe was ricotta cheese, but I didn't ask so can't be sure. The pastas were delicate and the cheese sauce was very savory. I'd say it was a couple notches above a good macaroni and cheese (the creamy cheese sauce reminded us of mac & cheese), but again, nothing special. The Ingredients: There is a quote prominently on the menu from the chef saying that they "never take shortcuts and import the finest products that Italy has to offer." I wonder where they get their tomatoes? Seriously though, nothing on the menu about local or organic ingredients. The Story, Setting, & Service: The space is quite nice - open, well put together, modern and sharp without being over-the-top. Windows onto the square are a plus, except that when seated next to the window we were cold the entire meal. I'm generally a warm person, so if you're a cold person, definitely ask for a table away from the glass. Service was fine, nothing notably good or bad. If you planned ahead and got a reservation outside or upstairs overlooking the square on a busy day, I think that could be pretty cool. On this night, it didn't add much since it was dead - in large part due to the fact it was very chilly out. The Last Bite: I'm not sure what I'd order if I went back - maybe try the penne with bolognese, which the waitress said was good and there are some other good reviews about. But, realistically, I don't think we'll go back. There are plenty of places in the same price range where I'm confident I'll get a better meal, and while Fountain Square is an understandable draw - especially if you have someone in from out of town - it's just not my thing. Disappointing but true, this was probably our only visit.
(3)
Derek M.
We had an early dinner at Via Vite last night. Incredible. My wife and I both started with the Caesar salad. Unlike most Caesar dressings, this was light and lemony. There was garlic, but I didn't hit you ove the head and kill your rate buds for the rest of the evening. Following the salad, my wife had the wild boar ragout and I had the braised lamb shank. Both were delivered to our table by Chef Cristian, who took the time to talk a bit about the dishes. The lamb was so tender I wondered how they even got it into the bowl without it falling off the bone. Deep brown from an overnight braise, it was simply delicious. The surprise, though, was in the polenta served underneath the shank. Creamy with a rich, deep flavor all on its own. A bowl of that polenta with a bit of bread and wine would be a lovely lunch. The boar was just as good, with a mix of subtle spices adding interest. It went especially well with the Piedmont blend our server helped us select. We don't always save room for dessert, but did lat night. Panettone bread pudding for my wife, Bourbon marinated dates for me. The atmosphere is lively. Not particularly quiet, though we never had to raise our voices to be heard. By the time we left (dinner was just under 2 hours) the downstairs bar was packed and the tables were full. A great meal, attentive servers, an inspired chef. We'll be going back soon.
(5)
Mike C.
I was here on a Thursday night for a business dinner. I'd heard that Via Vite was one of the better restaurants in the city and had seen it on the list of Cincinnati's Best Restaurants in Cincinnati Magazine. I do like their location on Fountain Square. Very easily accessible and you can still get out to do stuff in the area afterwards. Good ambience in the restaurant. Nice decor. At first, I thought it was really small, but noticed that they also have a second floor. I thought our service was reasonable. Our waitress was actually waiting to take our order, but we were talking so it took a while on our end to order. I started with their Via Vite Caesar salad. Honestly, i've made a salad just as good at home with parmigiano reggiano and Caesar dressing from the grocery store. However, for my entree, I had the papardelle fagioli, which I really liked. The waitress also added parmigiano reggiano and some red pepper flakes. Good pasta and a very good meat sauce. I definitely would have that dish again. Overall, I liked Via Vite. I don't know if it's a place that I'd be thinking about all the time, but it'll be on my list of options for dinner downtown.
(4)
Brandy L.
Love love love love loved it! Was in town for a conference and after standing on the street corner weighing our options for 5 minutes, my colleagues and I were drawn by the appearance of the restaurant's upstairs. We never made it to the upstairs, but thought the downstairs dining room was very nice. We stumbled upon half-price wine night and got a fabulous recommendation from our waitress. Her description of the wine was dead on and it complimented all of our meals beautifully. We spent a long time catching up and did not feel rushed even though we arrived relatively late for a Monday. We ordered the carpaccio to start and then we took forever deciding on the rest of our orders. Unfortunately, ALL of the specials were sold out, but once again our server came through on the recommendations. One friend got the pappardalle and really enjoyed it. Another friend and I split the goat cheese salad and the spinach ravioli which they graciously served each of us our perfectly halved portions, already split. We gushed over our food and both cleaned our plates. Yummy truffles! Overall, I almost wish I lived in Cinci so I could make this one of my regular haunts...well almost.
(4)
Jacob Z.
Fantastic fresh food. Reasonable pricing for the quality. Highly recommended for date night or any other special occasion.
(5)
Robin M.
I was looking for a locally owned and operated business in downtown Cincy and was lucky to have found this gem. Its a modern take on good old Italian fare. The atmosphere is very modern, the waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. The food was very fresh and tasteful.
(5)
Mike S.
We walked and walked looking for Trattoria Roma Ristorante only to find it had closed and was now a martini bar. With a taste for Italian we yelped the next closest thing and found Via Vite. It's a mix of upscale dining with ultra lounge - but it works. What's to like? For starters wife has the yellow pepper soup. It was so freaking good. It's made of grilled yellow peppers blended with Yukon potato's, chick broth and cream (i think). Very good. I had the tuna capparchio stuffed red peppers. Addictive. For dinner - Wife had spinach/ricotta stuffed ravioli and I had pasta with sun dried tomato cream sauce. Both very good and tasty. Service was very attentive and nice and kept the bread basket full (always a bonus!) My only gripe is its a bit pricey. The above cost $75 which to me is a lot for a plate of pasta and a appetizer. I'll try it again for sure.
(4)
Andy M.
Via Vite features a cool, modern interior. They have a nice wine and Bourbon selection. The Best part of Via Vite is the people watching. It's a young crowd with lots of eye candy and drama. The couple that was seated next to us looked like they were breaking up. The bar was filled with beautiful young women, not to mention the Skeezy old guys who were hitting on them. It was like an episode of Melrose place with real good food. Oh, yeah, the food? The Meatball appetizer and the steak I ordered were delicious. Our server was wonderful, she pointed us towards the Meatball dish. My only complaint was that the drinks were a bit on the stingy side. When I eat at a high end establishment like Via Vite, I'm used to getting at least a couple of shots when I order a Bourbon, but this drink was barely a shot. The bottom line on Via Vite is this: The food and service are wonderful, and the people watching is top notch. All and all, it was a great place to dine. If I'm ever back in the C-Town, I would definitely go back.
(4)
Namrata A.
Cute place to grab a glass of wine or a drink with someone. Pizza looked good though I didn't try it, too stuffed otherwise. I like the open kitchen - great feel to a place.
(3)
Joe M.
Had the gnocchi with cheese fondue sauce and the goat cheese salad. Both were amazing. Service was excellent. Wine was an acceptable Nero d'Avola that was half price on Sunday. Very good meal. Not 5 star, but definitely not 3 or less stars as some reviewers would suggest.
(4)
Arnmd P.
What a fabulous dining experience. Best Italian meal at a Resturant that all 3 in our party have had. We were going to eat at the Hilton where we were staying but we had no reservations and there were no openings for 3 hours. We took a stroll from the hotel and figured Italian sounded good. We were pleasantly surprised with the taste and quality if the food, which was topped by the friendly staff. Even the chef made the rounds of the tables to great the patrons. Go here for a meal it's wonderful.
(5)
Parker P.
DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! Most of us know, or have at least heard of, Via Vite, which sits prominently on Fountain Square. What almost no one knows is that they offer what just might be the Happy Hour deal of the century. From 3-7 M-Th they offer their artisan-quality, wood-fired pizza (already a bargain at $12) for $6! Yes, really. And you'll end up taking half of it home. Factor in a glass of wine for $4 (also half-price, so you're really drinking an already well-priced $8 glass), $1 for an hour of parking in the Fountain Square Garage directly below your destination, and $4 for a tip (the service is sharp, and you're a buffoon of you tip less), and your grand total for a truly upscale late lunch/early dinner is $15. This is less than you'd spend at a depressing chain restaurant in the suburbs. I almost didn't post this because I wanted it to remain my personal secret, but the sharp folks at Via Vite deserve to be packed full in the mid-afternoons if they're offering a deal this generous.
(5)
Rachel C.
TRUFFLE GNOCCHI~ BRAISED LAMB~ In case you were wondering they were BOTH so delish! I had a hard time sharing any bites of my gnocchi to my SO. Yes it was our anniversary so I was in more of a sharing mood than usual but had it been any other day I would have licked the dish clean. The gnocchi is so soft and chewy but the way they cooked it gives one side a nice char and crispness that I particularly enjoyed with every bite. The dish is cheesy / creamy / heavy so don't be fooled by its delicate appearance. You will find yourself savoring every single bite. The lamb....oh goodness the lamb was cooked to perfection! Soft that it practically fell off the bone but crisp on the outside that, like the truffle gnocchi, you get some of the char flavor. I mean I think it is obvious what my personal favorite dish was given I have a mad affinity for all things truffled and gnocchi....That is the dish that has me salivating still. I came here with my SO on our anniversary date. Yes... made the reservation left a note through yelp (my favorite part of yelp) and low and behold....the message went through. Our server was so sweet and congratulated our evening. She made sure to let us know about the specials of the day and OH! all bottles of wine were 1/2 off! Not sure if that's a regular thing (didn't ask oops!) but what a wonderful occasion to pop a bottle of champagne! To my recollection neither of our glasses were ever empty and our dining experience felt so very intimate. I appreciated the attentive and non-intrusive service! Our server also topped our evening by bringing us complimentary dessert! What can I say. The service was great! The food...I still dream about...and I haven't found a place here yet that gave me such a unforgettable first impression!
tl;dr GET THE GNOCCHI FOR THE LOVE OF TRUFFLES so this was our third dinner of the day and we weren't feeling that hungry but still wanted to try something new. I came specifically for the gnocchi. I looked at the menu and said what?! $20?! for WHAT? There isn't even protein in this dish. But once we received the dish I realized. People this dish reeks of truffle without even having to waft it! It's delicious. Also indicative of it's value are the thin slices of heaven. aka. black truffle. This stuff goes for a couple grand a mushroom. I understand now. as for the logistics, via vite hit it on the nose. Perfectly soft and pillowy light and airy gnocchi. DID I MENTION THEY'RE FRIED?! so there is an added dimension of texture. THe sauce is like Alfredo and perfectly creamy and salty. I would definitely pay $20 to eat this again. The service and ambiance were nice too
(5)
D'suni U.
Before going over to the Taste of Cincinnati I stopped her for a little brunch. There are a lot of reasons to like Via Vite. It's in the true center of Cincinnati right on Fountain Square but it feels like it could be in New York or San Francisco. Along with Nicola's, which is its more upscale counterpart, I hear it's the best Italian food in the region. I loved the coffee (I hate Starbucks coffee). I had the shrimp and grits, a fruit and berry cup and a chocolate croissant. The service was exemplary, just as if the staff was working in a moderately priced national chain (I mean that as the highest compliment) with efficient teamwork. However, it goes beyond that with subtle dishes in portions that are perfect, not too large and not too small. Everything is prepared from scratch by a hard working kitchen staff led by the quietly charming, very talented Cristian Pietoso. Here are a couple of other details that place it in a different league for a moderately priced independent: it's open late Thursday through Saturday with a tightened menu for after theater, concert, or ball games; the two course $15 Sunday Brunch menu is one of the best deals in the region; the music selection is always intriguing because it's neither elevator music, 'classic' rock, or current pop. Instead, it crosses over a number of genres without seeming obscure. Each time I've been there, I've heard a song about which I wanted more information. The music is chosen by the general managers or staff members from their own play lists. The ambience was pleasant.
(5)
Whit R.
I went to Via Vite for lunch recently and it was excellent. They have a varied menu with something for everyone - pasta, salads, sandwiches, pizza, etc. Most of it sounded delicious. I went with the gnocchi and got ground italian sausage added to it. It was delicious. The sauce was creamy and was just a little spicy. The portion was perfect for lunch, too. My lunch mates had the bolognese and some kind of beet salad. The bolognese looked amazing, and he finished it all. The salad wasn't really my kind of thing, but it was all eaten, too. I'd go back for sure.
(5)
Jasmin R.
After reading the not so stellar brunch reviews on here we decided to give it a whirl this morning... And were not disappointed. We were seated quickly, and our server was super attentive and friendly. Our party ordered the pancakes, fried dough and Nutella, the Americano, and the sausage panini. I will say the portion of the pancakes was pretty small, as well as the Americano, but the dough and panini were plenty filling and large entrees. The presentation was beautiful, and everything tasted delicious. The only negative I have was that the music was a little obnoxious for a Sunday brunch, some overly loud disco jams. I know I love Marvin Gaye, but not over breakfast with my future mother in law... Overall I would absolutely recommend this for anyone to try!
(5)
J w.
I'm a big fan of white wine. Mostly because it doesn't count as drinking. And during happy hour, when all glasses are half off, that rule is in full effect. I ordered my go to pizza at any new restaurant, a margherita. Reason being is that is pizza in its purist form, letting each ingredient shine. Like Destiny's Child. But I digress. Everything was great - fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella. I was however surprised with how thick the dough came out. I've become accustomed to thinner, and slightly more charred pies at authentic restaurants. That said, I ate every slice and enjoyed it to bits.
(4)
Philip L.
Stopped in during happy hour to get some paperwork done and to get a bite to eat. The service from the bartender was fantastic and the two glasses of wine I had were fairly tasty for the half-off price. Ordered the bruschetta (which I posted a picture of) - which, although the crostini was a little soggy, really won in terms of flavor. The penne bolognese had to be the best part of my meal; not sure the secret to their sauce, but it's got a unique smoothness to it that really makes it feel like a homemade dish. Also tried the chocolate creme brulee; I've never had one before, so it was a must when I saw it on the menu. It's a really interesting concept, and I'd try it again, but it seemed to lack a bit of that lightness that a regular creme brulee has - still fairly delicious, though. Overall, great service, good food, and pretty good value!
(4)
Sandy S.
Sat at chef's bar -- very professional staff; quality is definitely top of mind. Service was very good; wonderful team approach. Bolognese never disappoints; huge portions. You can ask for half portion but leftovers are great! My go-to is always that and the boucheron goat cheese salad...however a ravioli dish topped with lobster meat looked awesome and seemed very popular.
(5)
Maggie B.
Updating my review after a Happy Hour trip. Happy Hour is amazing!!!! 5 stars all the way. Go for a drink and some flatbread but maybe skip the dinner. But don't forget about dessert. The drink are all half off at the bar until 7. And considering the level of awesome of each drink we had this is an absolute steal. The Bellini was top notch and we had an Agrodolce that was also good but it is all about their signature grapefruit cocktail made with gelato, the Sgroppino. One of the best cocktails I have ever had. Get one now! Also their flatbreads are fantastic. My favorite was the Margarita but the procuitto was also good. And of course the Caramel Complexity is a must.
(4)
Leif H.
This is a great place in the center of downtown. We had reservations for a Saturday night after visiting the Aronoff. I was surprised how busy it still was late in the evening (around 10). The dress is not as fancy as some of the other restaurants of this caliber, but still a little more than casual. The food is delicious. We started off with the pork belly app. It was good and comparable to pork belly appetizers in other restaurants. For the main course we had the gnocchi and penne with meat sauce. Both were awesome. We love gnocchi and this is some of the best in the city (similar to nicolas). The penne dish was very flavorful as well. Overall, it was a great night. The atmosphere was upbeat, ambience inviting and food delicious. As a side note, it looked like 85% of the tables were eating the pizza the night we went. It looked very good and will be something to try for our next visit.
(4)
Esther K.
Definitely a delicious alternative to Nicola's. Not as pricey but still great, fresh Italian food. Can't beat Nicola's bolognese night though :)
(4)
Keith C.
I've started including Via Vite on a small rotation of "truly local" places that I take my out-of-town friends when they come to visit, and most always come away with a very positive impression. I was won over long ago, but still like to flaunt my city's quality restaurants like a badge of honor when friends come to town. Tonight, since we were all comfortable enough with each other, we each ordered several entrees and two appetizers and decided to just nibble on each other's plates in an effort to maximize the tastings we experienced. The Overnight Braised Lamb Shank with Polenta is amazing and would stand out on anyone's menu. I generally like to order this item most places I go, and rarely have I had a lamb shank as tender and juicy as this. The flavor combinations of the savory lamb shank, sweet lamb jus, rosemary and creamy polenta all combined to make a taste that defines rustic cooking. It's truly a must have if you go here. Via Vite had a nice "starter" special on the menu tonight - it was a zucchini blossom and zucchini (not a typo) pizza that made even at least one of our non-zucchini lovers at the table a fan. It was our first time trying pizza at Via Vite, but having had this pleasant surprise, we won't hesitate to pull the trigger on other pizzas in the future. The Handmade Crispy Gnocchi was awesome as usual. I know there is some restaurant affiliation with Nicholas, so it might be obvious when I say this, but if you've had crispy Gnocchi at one place, you've had the other (I've had both). They are both distinctly delicious. The crispy preparation, as it is described on the menu, is like none other and the rich, creamy fondue cheese sauce with hints of truffle is enough to make you want to slow down so you don't devour the plate too quickly (I seriously find myself doing that with this dish). The other items that we ordered (Asparagus and Mascarpone Ravioli with lobster & a Warm Boucheron Goat Cheese salad) had some excusable flaws. Our table mate found the lobster tough (perhaps overcooked) and the salad definitely lacked dressing. Service was ok. I was a slightly underwhelmed by the lack of jovial attitude from our waitress, but she did execute for the most part - there were a few times where we sat empty with drinks, but nothing egregious. Solid job by a solid restaurant. I look forward to continuing to go back in the future.
Trust me. . . sit out on the square, and devour a slice of the "Dina" pizza. (Arugula, prosciutto, Gorgonzola, oh my!!!!! Beautiful, upscale decor. HUGE wine list. (reds, whites, alike) A fantastic view of Cincinnati's Fountain Square, and you can park right under the building. How easy is that??!
(5)
Nevena K.
Ok, so ... whoever designed this place did not get the memo that this is supposed to be a higher-end restaurant (as implied by the prices). The lighting is bright, people are on top of each-other, I had a better time hearing the tables next to us than the waitress trying to tell us the specials and there is no relaxed refinement in the decor as one would expect from a place with a $20-$30 entree. Our waitress seemed rushed yet ineffective. We spent time trying to get her attention to get some guidance on ordering on get questions answered, but once we did, the answers left us perplexed and underwhelmed. The staff that bussed tables took away plates with food still on them, WITHOUT ASKING. It was a nightmare to try and get any extra bread once we had run out (BTW a good Italian kitchen is always all about the sauces and dipping your bread in the sauce). I was underwhelmed by the Bruchetta special mainly due to the unimaginative combination of flavors. The textures were right on with the grilled bread and some fresh veggies/goat cheese. This appetizer kind of set the mood for the night. Things were cooked well and to the right texture, but I found the flavors missing and the potatoes side was heavy and greasy to the point of needing salt to make it good. I will say that their flatbreads and pizzas looked good, so I will be back for that. I do want to say that next time we will take the waitress' recommendations with a grain of salt. Tonight we were sold a mind-blowing chocolate creme brule and received a Jell-o pudding in a ceramic bowl with a crunchy top. Wifey on the other hand LOVED the Caramel Complexity, and I should say it was excellently executed.
(3)
Allison B.
This is probably one of my favorite lunch spots on Fountain Square. You can almost always find a reservation for the same day, and the staff is always polite and friendly. On nice days, it's such a treat to sit on their patio and people watch. Especially since during the warmer seasons, there's always something happening on the square. Food is delicious. The pasta is homemade, however I can never get past the warm goat cheese salad. Goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette are my two favorite things! I've been for dinner, too, but honestly I almost prefer the atmosphere at lunch. It would be a great place to go on a summer day off for a nice long (wine filled) lunch!
(5)
Rudy N.
I really enjoyed the gnocchi here with lots of truffle. and white Alfredo sauce yummy Yum Yum and since it is right next to a huge venue Fountain Square you can be subject to the audience of a lot of cool events
(5)
Justin W.
My wife and I frequent $$$ dining in the major cities we visit and We have come to expect great service, creative flavors and a classy atmosphere but nothing to write home about. Via Vite blew us away. Each dish was the best we have had in each category. Pizza? Can't be beat. Pasta and vegetables? Cooked and spiced to perfection. And the best dish on the menu might be the one least ordered: The fennel. I have yet to taste food this pure and innovative and this restaurant is worth a visit to Cincinnati.
(5)
Megan A.
Via Vite was an excellent dinner choice while recently visiting Cincinnati. My man friend had called ahead for an 8:45pm reservation as we were driving up from Louisville and they had no problems at all if we needed to change it depending on traffic. We ended up stopping by the hotel to get ourselves a bit more presentable after a full day of work and then walked over to Via Vite. We ended up getting there right at our reservation time and they sat us right away. The restaurant was packed though, including the bar area so beware of that on the weekends. We were seated right next to the window that overlooked Fountain Square, which was very nice as they were playing music out there. We both ordered some drinks, blatons neat for my friend and I ordered a grey goose martini. The martini was done perfectly and even polished off with some blue cheese olives. Yum! I ordered the meatballs to start and was more than happy. For my main course, I had the scallops and potatos and it was a wonderfully prepared entree. The entrees aren't overly large, but prepared beautifully. Our waitress was also very helpful on meal suggestions. As it was overly crowded, we didn't see her very often, but it was fine with us as we were enjoying a nice leisurely dinner. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping in.
(4)
Zoran O.
Have to say - beyond impressed. Assuming the location and easy prey on obvious convenance for folks roaming around right in front on the square - this restaurant in any other city would skate on the guaranteed foot traffic clientele - but not these guys. Our waitress was very very informative and more than eager to create new vegetarian dishes to please our diet. From the killer toasted baguette with olive oil, herb and balsamic, as the first thing that hits your table, to our white polenta, to the margarita pizza and finally the custom homemade pasta dish - each one was surprisingly delicious. Really well done. Staff was really nice.
(5)
Katie M.
Wow, just wow. I loved this restaurant. Go on a Friday night and get the lasagna! It's sooooo good. It is not as heavy as other lasagna's. It as a creamy bechamel sauce instead of the ricotta mixture that you normally get. Plus the cheese cake with orange marmalade is heaven on earth. So light and creamy with the right amount of sweetness. It was wonderful! Then the homemade lemoncello - yum. Overall the atmosphere is great being right down by Fountain Square and the service is friendly and outstanding. This will be a return visit when I'm back in Cincinnati.
(5)
Jim B.
This is the best restaurant downtown - when you balance the fantastic Italian food, the superb view of Fountain Square from either inside or outside; the practical pricing, and the service. You will see the owners and Chef - Christian work the dining room as hard as he works the kitchen and makes everyone feel VIP. This is a must right in the center of downtown. I eat vegan - and they have several options but I keep returning to an awesome vegetable pizza just to get that crust! It is my go to lunch when it needs to be nicer, but not an absurd price tag. VEGAN OPTIONS.
(5)
Lauren J.
This past weekend we went out for a bachelorette party with a large group. The reservation process for a busy weekend in Cincinnati was seamless. We arrived and were greeted by two amazing hostess. They even took the honor of setting our table inside (without us asking) versus outside due to the extreme heat/humidity we were having that night. Our group greatly appreciated that! Our server continued the great service, as I know larger parties can sometimes be hard to accommodate. While I've been to Via Vite a handful of times, I always wish the menu had a few more options or variety. The food always taste great, I just wish I had more to choose from. Overall the entire group enjoyed their service, food, and drinks!
(4)
Ben S.
So I just got done doing a proper dinner here tonight with a great meal. The Pork Belly appetizer was something fantastic, the carpaccio salad was really damn good and I think that was the best lamb shank I've ever eaten. Staff was slightly slow, but I like that in a meal service. The chef/owner was walking the floor, talked to us and the couple next to us and paid attention to their comments like he cared. Good to go in my book. The family does Italian Cuisine better than a vast majority, definitely a favorite now.
(5)
Melanie R.
Absolutely delicious!! Madison was our server and provided a wonderful experience! We had the bruschetta and the crispy gnocchi...amazing!!!
(5)
Sarah F.
The first time I tried Via Vite, not too long after it opened, I thought it was a bit over-hyped (and over-priced), but I dined there again this weekend and had a nice experience. With all the cool new places opening in OTR, I feel like this place has been somewhat forgotten about, which perhaps explains why we were able to walk in and get a table immediately without advance reservations on a Saturday evening. It wasn't packed inside, but still fairly well-populated and the interior remains as sleek and cool as the last time I was there. Entrees here are pricey, but there are definitely some more reasonable options including their flatbreads, or as I chose to do on this trip, combining a starter and side (or a couple of starters). Each meal starts with a small basket of bread and dipping oil. The by-the-glass Prosecco is a very nice one. For my meal, I got (from the starter menu) a bowl of Ciopinno (seafood stew) with a side of Creamy Polenta. To avoid being disappointed, don't expect the traditional dish of Ciopinno with a bounteous assortment of seafood heaped in the bowl--it's more of a soup with a few pieces of seafood (no whole shrimp or mussels in shells, etc.) in it. Nonetheless, it was very tasty and satisfying and the grilled bread on the side of the dish was delicious. The Creamy Polenta was rich and smooth and a nice complement to the spice and garlic of the soup. I'm torn a bit between 3 and 4 stars for this restaurant, because while my last experience was good, I still think it's over-priced for what you actually get. Given that I was able to create a meal that I was happy with from different parts of the menu, I'll go with 4 stars, but just be ready to either be creative with your ordering or sign a big bill at the end.
(4)
Susanne H.
I had both lunch and dinner here. For lunch I got the margarita pizza. It was excellent, the mozzarella was very good. For dinner we had an assortment of appetizers. The octopus was actually pretty good. We ordered the brushetta thinking it was a normal brushetta, it came out as an assortment where we had to guess what we were eating. The other items were so-so. By far the best thing we had was the Penne with traditional meat sauce alla Bolognese. It was amazing. On Mondays they do a lunch special where you can get it for $7.00. The atmosphere was nice, the music was a little loud, we just made a request to have it turned down a bit and staff was accommodating.
(3)
Kristin N.
Thank god for Yelp. In town for a conference and checked to see what was nearby and found Via Vite. My colleagues and I enjoyed this a lot. The server was very, very knowledgeable about the menu and didn't bat an eye when we needed 6 checks (stupid business travel). Now on to the food. The bread was the perfect combo of chewy crust but fluffy inside....served with balsamic vinegar and oil. We ordered gnocchi, pizzas, salads and polenta. Everyone cleaned their plate. The prices were reasonable, as were the portions. I'm now 2 for 2 for picking restaurants when out of town with co-workers ;o)
(4)
Martin E.
The food was phenomenal and the service, impeccable. Attentive yet not intrusive. Great recommendations for first-time customers. I give it five stars only because I can't give six!
(5)
Sandra B.
Oh well, I'm writing this review about one month later so I won't be able to give you a detailed description. However, I will say three things about this place: I loved their pizza, there is a good beer selection and I will definitively go back to Via Vite during my next visit to Cincinnati!
(5)
Karla S.
This restaurant had wonderful food and impeccable service. The braised lamb shank with creamy polenta is the best meal that I have ever eaten. The whipped ricotta eaten on crostini for an appetizer was warm and delicious. My husband had he pasta with smoked salmon and Brussels sprouts in a brandy cream sauce. So many layers of flavor. They had big portions so save room!
(5)
Samantha H.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner. Everything was outstanding! The servers were excellent in keeping everyone happy and the drinks full. The food was so good. The lamb just fell right off the bone. The chocolate creme brulee was amazing and gigantic. The goat cheese salad was different and great. Oh yeah the penne with the vodka sauce was just the right amount of spicy and creamy. The balcony and lounge area was great too. I can't wait to be back.
(5)
Nick H.
This place was great, had a large dinner party there for a recent graduation and everyone walked away satisfied. Portions are generous and they were even nice enough to provide free dessert for the graduates.
(5)
Amy B.
Couples night. Began the evening with wine and appetizers. Pork belly with bacon was my fav. With 6 couples, we sampled several different. Next, we sampled Caesar salad (family size) or spring mix with slightly melted goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette and sprinkles of pistachio. I selected the Lamb Shank for my meal. WOW!!! Melt in you mouth. Great atmosphere and our server (blond with a blue streak) was very attentive and extremely patient.
(5)
Brandee B.
Don't believe the hype. At least not for brunch. I have been wanting to try this place since it opened but to my dismay there is not much variety on the menu and what was there was not very inventive or innovative. I would have liked to have seen more brunch items and more fusions that included pasta or Italian meats and breakfast It did not have much on the brunch menu and what it did have was not very exciting. I chose to get the ham and cheese focaccia which I must say was pretty good and cheesy, I love cheese , and it had nicely seasoned artichoke hearts, which I had never tried before but was pleasantly surprised to see that I like them. My friend had pancakes with sweet ricotta cheese and syrup she said that she did not need the syrup because the cheese was that good. The service was fine and everyone was nice so I guess overall it was a nice experience just a little underwhelming.
(3)
Cassaundra T.
We went before the rush so that was good, but our server was slow and it felt that we were not being attended to. All other tables were brought their bread and we had to ask for ours and that took extra time to bring. Food we good. The meatball appetizer was delicious and I had a pizza which was from their brick oven which kept all of the flavors in and cheesy. My friend got the butternut squash with the lobster and enjoyed that. she would have liked more lobster (who doesn't want more lobster?!) Overall it had good food and ambiance but I didn't care much for the for the service.
(3)
Kathleen K.
Via Vite Since living in Cincinnati for four years, I've made Via Vite my go-to Italian place. While there are certainly better and more authentic places, the relatively reasonable prices and fresh pasta are what keep me coming back. Although I've eaten the regular menu twice for special occasions, my review will focus on the Happy Hour, which is easily one of the best in the city, for both food and drink. During happy hour, all drinks, including cocktails are half-off. I usually stick with a glass (s) of pinot grigio, but happy hour is a perfect opportunity to try their amazing cocktails. I recommend anything with Campari, as it is especially delicious during the hot summer months. For food, you have a set of options, which can be paired together to make a meal. I typically order the Arugula salad, along with an order of Pasta Bolognese (Their samples at Taste of Cincinnati got me hooked!). The portion is rather small, but for six dollars, it's a steal! You can also add a meatball for three dollars. One possible downside of happy hour is that it is restricted to the bar and patio area. If you come around six, however, you should not have issues with seating. This is a great place to come right before the Summer Fountain Square Concerts.
(4)
Helen P.
I did enjoy this place my daughter loved the pasta so did I. The location is perfect and the service amazing! Go there and enjoy
(5)
Amanda K.
Went to this restaurant and wanted some good Italian without being too "old-fashioned". Decor is contemporary but welcoming. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the lasagna, which was one of the specials. It was the creamiest, freshest lasagna I've had. Highly recommend.
(4)
Denny C.
I have been referring to this restaurant as Via Vitae for several years, and thus I am embarrassed. Why family, friends and acquaintances never corrected me, is beyond my hyper critical persona. I would have corrected me immediately! Food from Via Whatever addresses my taste buds several times a month. I live a few blocks away, and stop in or do "take out" often. Sometimes the food, service, and ambiance are very good, and sometimes the food, service and ambiance are terrible. That's what I mean by bi-polar, and unfortunately there is no medication to cure a restaurant of this psychiatric disorder. In the past, I chalked this up to Christian, the owner/operator, not being present, but I Do not know for sure. The pastas, pizza are often some of the best in the city. Often the pasta and pizza are some of the worst in the city. Consistency is a lost art at Via Whatever. When Yusef is behind the bar, everything works smoothly and he accommodates a patron's wishes. I've had other bartenders who are more interested in themselves then any customer. Sometimes the ambiance hopping with great energy. Sometimes the ambiance is quiet, empty, and depressing., like a former girlfriend of mine. I will continue to dine at Via V....Whatever, but I will keep my fingers crossed.
(3)
Katie D.
Finally made it this popular happy hour! Tried sips of 3 cocktails and they all were pretty tasty. The bolognese is very good for the price, but I prefer the recipe at Nicolas. My friend disagrees, so really it's just a matter of preference. We were also pleased with the greens and the veal meatballs. The margherita pizza was mediocre, but I'll admit the other pizzas looked super tasty! #orderfail We sat outside on the piazza deck which had it's pros and cons. It's cool to eat out on fountain square but at times it was very loud. Service was slow but it was because they seemed understaffed out there. The chef came out and introduced himself to us which was pretty cool. I will definitely being going to this happy hour again! A great Friday night spot to go with your girlfriends before a night on the town!
(4)
George O.
I've been to a few upscale Italian restaurants and this one certainly competes with the best of them. They have a huge selection of wines and a handful of specialty cocktails available. The bruschetta was one of the best I've ever eaten. I tried gnocchi for the first time at this restaurant. It's served over cheese fondue sauce and truffle shavings. The gnocchi dish was unbelievably tasty. I can't say that enough. The gnocchi was so good. I can't wait to go back and have it again. Service was a little slow, but it was a very busy night (New years eve). The quality of food and beverage more than made up for it though. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Rick S.
I love this place. It's modern-hip and the food is really good. Christian, the owner-chef, is a terrific guy. He comes out of the kitchen to mingle. He makes it a friends, special occasion. Pasta is his passion. The penne bolognese makes me crazy. I love it. Cristian Pietoso is pure Italian. He sounds like it. Looks like it. Cooks like it. A winner!
(5)
Carrie R.
What a fabulous restaurant on Fountain Square! We went on a Thursday when there were salsa singers in the square which attracts a huge crowd of salsa dancing couples. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the food was fantastic. My group split the mussels zuppa and the warmed whipped ricotta cheese spread as appetizers. Both of which were delicious! I had the best scallops here! My husband loved his lamb shank (it was perfectly prepared - falling off the bone and well seasoned). My sister loved the paccheri alla napoletana dish that she tried and my brother-in-law loved his whole chicken. For dessert we all ordered something and then shared as a group. We tried: ~tiramisu ~risotto pudding (the favorite) ~carmel complexity This truly epitomizes the perfect restaurant to have a dinner date.
(5)
Chelsea C.
I ordered the ceasar salad and lab shank. BIG MISTAKE!! My salad was not fresh. The lettuce was old, wilted and lifeless. My lamb shank was extremely dry and hard to swallow. I could eat it either of them! I have to say the manager was prompt to take care of me and I appreciated her attentiveness.
(1)
Tom G.
Excellent food. Who knew the brussel sprouts would be my favorite.
(5)
Tiera A.
I had been to Via Vite a few times for private parties but never for happy hour. I decided to check it out for my birthday and have a few friends join me. We had a really nice time, the atmosphere (we sat on the patio outside) was great. We went on a Tuesday evening so the place was not extremely busy but our wait times were a little long. There was only one server in our area, who wasn't that accommodating. Luckily, I had great company so I didn't really notice the long wait times. We all got pizza and cocktails. The pizza had a lot to be desired. Mine was a little too doughy (think Papa Johns) and my friend's was burnt. These weren't the best pizzas we'd ever had but certainly not the worst. Via Vite has a signature cocktail called Sgroppino and it is absolutely amazing. The drink is about $5 during happy hour. Overall, this is a nice place. I'll definitely go back. I hope that when I return the service will be better.
(3)
Elvin H.
Great Italian restaurant on Fountain Square. Nice wine list. The meatballs are my favorite, but a little heavy for warm weather. The Bolognaise is my absolute favorite. Small menu, but great chef with seasonal and daily features. Nice happy hour in the bar.
(4)
Mike P.
Was pretty good - limited menu, but in the middle of town, good wine list, great bar and food pretty good - not great. Fun place though.
(4)
Brian M.
This was the first restaurant I ever went to in Cincinnati, and it remains one of my favorites. The Italian food here is quite good and reasonably priced. There's a reason the lamb keeps getting mentioned over and over on Yelp; it's in the top 5 of all lamb that I've ever had. The service is excellent as well. This place has some wonderful views of Fountain Square. Definitely going back.
(4)
Craig C.
This restaurant is always on my short list when entertaining clients. First and foremost, you can't beat the location; Via Vite is in the heart of our city, and if you pick the right table on the patio you can even get a view of Fountain Square. Chef Christian does a terrific job of keeping his menu fresh and hosting various types of tasting events that keep his customers engaged and looking for more. As for the food, my favorite dish at Via Vite is the Bolognese. Truthfully, I think it is the best bolognese I have ever eaten, and I even like it better than the higher end sister restaurant - Nicola's. The sauce is incredibly flavorful, and they always do a good job of cooking their pasta to a perfect al dente. I also regularly eat the warm goat cheese salad, which is quite memorable. I have found that seating on the restaurant's terrace patio (my favorite location by a long shot) can be a bit inconsistent, as they will decide to close this area if it is a slower night. In addition, they close this area due to certain events that they are hosting. If you are really trying to impress a client/date, and you are expecting a patio seat, I would advise you to call ahead and make sure it is available.
(4)
Tom H.
Food taste is outstanding. Portions are a bit small for the cost. Atmosphere is great. Drinks are watered down A LOT. Two long islands and didn't feel a thing. Service is a bit slow and inattentive especially when busy. Nice to experience once, but plan to spend a lot.
To be fair, this was a business dinner with a set menu. Nonetheless, the service was very good. Friendly, helpful and engaging...but too much. The food was tasty. I had the goat cheese salad. A small plate size - perfect. The beef with fingerling potatoes and chard (I think. I was green. So it was good for me.). The portion size was perfect. Which translate to 3oz of meat. For many people, this might have been considered an appetizer. However, it was the proper amount of food. I rounded out the dinner with tiramisu. It was served in a mason jar. Which was kinda strange since the rest of the service was not country style. Regardless, it was super tasty and I wanted to have seconds. (I didn't!). I wish I had now that I'm thinking about it again.
(4)
Arlene S.
My boyfriend and I found this gem on a spontaneous Saturday night. Since we couldn't get reservations anywhere we decided to walk to fountain square, which was really close to our hotel, to figure something out. It was St Patricks day weekend and everyone was out & about in their green attire. We went walking around to a few places & all had 45 min wait time. We came across Via Vite where there was a 20 min wait but the Chef's table had open seats available. Since we were starving tourist we said yes to the Chef's table and boy am I glad!! It was quite the experience. Nothing I have ever encountered! We were literally seated in front of an opened kitchen during the late dinner hours. It was so much fun seeing it all live lol we kept trying to figure out the process but had no luck. There's so much going on! The food & wine was very tasty & the experience was out of this world! Sit at the Chef's table for a fun dinning experience!!
(5)
Shea B.
My fiance and I visited prior to seeing a performance at the Arnoff and were highly impressed. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and split a margherita pizza. The bruschetta was different than any other we had tried elsewhere -- one slice was spinach artichoke -- but it was so tasty! The pizza was rather good, and definitely enough to split between two people. This a great restaurant! It's the perfect dinner to compliment an evening at the theatre! We will definitely be back.
(5)
Sara M.
I'd first noticed Via Vite while looking for a sports bar to watch a soccer game. The second story patio with its bright red umbrellas definitely caught my eye, but since I was in Cincy only for a couple of days for a wedding, I didn't think I'd be able to try this place. As it turned out, Sunday brunch at the restaurant inside our hotel was booked. It has a really good reputation, and since it was Father's Day, I can see why they'd be filled up. I was bummed when I found out. So we decided to give Via Vite a try and an hour later, we were so glad we did! We dined inside, with a nice view of Fountain Square, which made for great people-watching. Inside, the restaurant decor is sleek and stylish. I was very surprised that the restaurant wasn't full, considering the good food, prime location, and Father's Day holiday. Maybe Cincinnati doesn't take its brunch as seriously as Atlanta. The brunch menu didn't have your typical American breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Instead, it had amazing-sounding choices like prosciutto and fontina cheese on ciabatta or braised pork belly with fagioli and a fried egg. There were also a couple of pasta and pizza options. Definitely a very unique assortment of brunch offerings. I had a hard time deciding between the two aforementioned dishes and ended up going with the former. Good lawd that was an amazing sandwich. A very generous amount of cheese and prosciutto that was delightfully crisp at the edges of the sandwich. Also on the sandwich were truffled artichoke hearts. YUM. The sandwich came with a side salad of field greens, but I asked for a side of the parmesan polenta for a slight upcharge. I'm not sure how I feel about the polenta. The texture was a little too runny and slightly gluey, but it tasted pretty good. It was difficult to eat out of the bowl it came in using a fork. My SO had the bianca pizza (garlic confit, goat cheese, artichokes, mozzarella, and Kalamata olives) with a side of Italian sausage, which he sprinkled over his pizza (why he didn't just add it to his pizza I don't know). The pizza was really good, but I enjoyed my meal more. The coffee was actually really good. I wanted to take a big ol' to-go cup of it. I probably should have asked, considering we had a seven-hour drive back to Atlanta. Our server offered us a dessert menu, which I would have loved to browse, but we had our hearts set on Graeter's. Speaking of our server, she was friendly, upbeat, and eager to answer our questions about the menu. The host was also very friendly. Should I ever find myself back in Cincinnati, I would definitely come back here for dinner. And possibly dessert, if the call of Graeter's isn't too strong!
(4)
Willie S.
So dining by yourself on a business trip is not ideal. But I found two ways to enjoy it in my recent trip to Cincy. At Via it was the Chefs table - much better than the bar - I met the chef and several of his team. I watched the cooking, plating and serving process. A veritable ballet of constant motion. Very fun. Team was well behaved - they got along, I saw teaching moments - ones that really worked - Gordon Ramsey is an ass. Ok but the food - Grilled Spanish Octopus - wow. Glad I added that one. Tender and tasty. Blackened Gnocchi - the dish I went for was also great - a very different presentation. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts were not the bomb but hey they were just a bit heavy handed on the carmalizing. Really enjoyed watching a team work well together. Will do this again.
(5)
Cindy G.
I cannot believe I have never eaten here before this weekend!! Ok, what you are about to read are true, amazing, delicious, incredible, savory, tales of deliciousness. Prepare yourself.... My boyfriend and I are kind of in love with Palomino's happy hour deal. When we need a cheap quick bite we usually pop over there. As we were walking past I asked him, "I feel bad, but can we cheat on Palomino's just once and try Via Vite?" He said, "Of course dear, you are always right." (Or something like that LOL) We see that they have an INCREDIBLE happy hour: ** Monday-Friday 3-7pm $4 house reds, whites $2 off ALL cocktails $2 off ALL beers 1/2 price pizzas!! **AND it's available in the main bar, the Terrace, Courtyard and the newly opened Piazza. Where else would you want to be? Am I right??! We choose the Terrace overlooking Fountain Square. It was hot as heck, but the fans made for a nice breeze. It was Friday so the music on the square was the perfect ambiance. We ordered the house white and red, which were both fantastic for only $4 bucks! Then we chose the Sausage and Sauteed Onion Pizza for 1/2 price = $6 bucks. The pizza comes out and mind you, we are expecting a little flatbread, we had dinner plans somewhere else after. What we got--LORD HAVE MERCY!!! A hand tossed, home made crust, wood fired pizza that tasted like it was sent down from the Italian gods! This thing had fresh Italian sausage (made at Findlay Market just for them) basil, sauteed onions for a little sweetness, basil, and mozzarella cheese. The server then brought out more cheese and red pepper table side for us which was a nice touch. We took each took a bite, swooned, eyes rolled back in our heads, regained consciousness and looked at each other and said, "This is the best pizza I have ever had in my life." We couldn't believe it. From the crust, to the sauce, to the toppings, everything was home made and super fresh! Much to my surprise, the chef came out to ask us how we were doing and if you ask me that is the sign of a good restaurant. He was charming and really cared about his food. You could literally taste the passion in this pizza. Our bill was $14 and we cancelled our dinner reservation. Stuffed, satisfied, and so so happy. We had the perfect date night thanks to Via Vite. And not to be weird, but we have been sending texts back and forth to each other about that damn pizza ever since. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
William W.
Just visited on business trip. Get location and vibe. Ate at bar and had great service. Had the wild bore pa
(4)
Patti T.
What an amazing treat! If you are in the Cincinnati area you must try this restaurant. My husband and I got a recommendation from our hotel to have dinner at this local gem. From the fabulous salad with warm goat cheese to the tasty penne bolognese we were wowed. We finished up with the caramel magic dessert. I would have licked the plate....absolutely one of the best meals we have had. And the service was great too.
(5)
L M.
Very tasty and great service. Very good wine list. Right on Fountain Square. Wonderful place for a great dinner without a crazy price!
(5)
John C.
I have been here many times and the food, service, and atmosphere is always exceptional.
(4)
George N.
Very good food, but with a few Italian glitches. I judge Italian restaurants on three thing:. Caesar salad, meatballs, and Italian sausage (if they make ion-house). The Caesar salad, with the fresh anchovies was five stars for sure. I didn't try the Italian sausage, but ordered the meatballs with Ragu and Penne pasta. The meatballs were lemony and gamey, totally Un-Italian and totally nasty. Two of my children also ordered it also, took one bite of the meatball and said the same thing. These are children that have been raised Italian, and eaten at many great Italian restaurants. I'm sure the service is decent there, but the waitress we had at Sunday 4 o'clock pm and an empty restaurant, was inattentive and very sad. She didn't notice that three different people did not touch their meat balls, and when asked about what was in them was defensive. I would go back, but would be worried they would try some crazy fusion on other Italian classics
(3)
Katie F.
Went to Via Vite for Valentine's Day dinner the other night and had an absolutely great meal. I can't believe I had never been (actually I can... I'm pretty broke). Although we had a reservation, it took a minute for us to get sat. No big deal. The tables were super close together which I don't really like but maybe it was just that way so they could cram more people in for the holiday. Who knows. Anyway - not the most private meal of my life, but the food made up for it! Definitely order wine - my boyfriend ordered a gin and tonic and it was all tonic. Their wine selection is big so just stick with that. I ordered the Butternut Squash Lasagna with Lobster and HOLY SMOKES that stuff was so delicious. We also had a nice special dessert and some delicious coffee! Staff was all friendly and our server was attentive and helpful. It was an all around romantic night with delicious food and a great vibe. Just wish we could have been a bit more secluded!
(4)
Priyanka G.
Really disappointed. Tuna was terrible, brussel sprouts came at the end of the meal, had to ask for silverware... All in all, expected much more out of a 4 star place. Will not return
(2)
Joe M.
The bosses were taking their troops to lunch in downtown Cincinnati and we had reservations at the swanky Via Vite for lunch. The favorite eatery of elite bankers in the area, we were a ragtag group amongst a bunch of suits. After a very long wait, we started off with bread and butter. The bread was squished and seemed to be made up of scraps, and there was literally a thimble-sized dollop of butter in the bowl, perhaps good for one or two slices of bread in the entire basket. For my entree, I ordered their spinach and ricotta ravioli with shrimp and a light cream sauce, and was disappointed to find only five raviolis on a plate that ended up costing almost $18. When it was served, it wasn't even that hot, and the pasta tasted undercooked. Overall, I was so underwhelmed by the food that I just snacked on bread while others ate. Totally not worth the money. Service was appalling and our server was slow and rude. I'm not sure what her attitude was fueled by, but it really wasn't my problem. The chef came out later to ask how everything was, and considering I was there with our big group, I opted to not be "that guy" and complain. However, I was very disappointed with the experience and would prefer to dine elsewhere in the future. Food: 5/10 Service: 3/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 6/10
(2)
Leigh W.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Via Vite this year. We were in Cincinnati for an event and didn't really know where we should go, and this location was within walking distance of our hotel and had great reviews. Silly us. We didn't have reservations, but the host was happy to add our name to the list. On a Saturday night of a holiday weekend at 8 p.m., we only had to wait 40 minutes. We weren't in a hurry and sometimes it feels good to be spontaneous and not tied down by a reservation. While we waited, we were able to check out the facility and regret for just a moment that we weren't there during the warmer months. It looks like there's a great open air bar on Fountain Square and that the second floor of the restaurant can also become a nice spot for a little al fresco dining experience. We were seated in the very tight quarters on the first floor's main dining area with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. Yes, it was crowded and yes, it was loud - two things that my husband usually despises, but he said this was the best Italian food he's ever had. Truly, everything we were served was better than the item that preceded it. I started my meal with the grilled asparagus and beet salad. It was exquisitely paired with goat cheese and the tips of the asparagus were grilled to crunchy perfection. For my entree, I chose the crispy gnocchi in four cheese fondue. The handmade, pan-seared pasta would've been delightful enough on its own, but when coupled with the richest, most-delectable sauce I've ever had, it became out of this world. To make sure I was getting my daily requirement of vegetables, I ordered an accompanying very generous side of roasted brussels sprouts, which were also quite good. My husband opted for the bianca pizza. It was plenty to share, so we joined all the other patrons and exited the restaurant with a to-go sack. And, because every fine dinner ends with dessert, we ordered the caramel complexity. Holy moly! I normally always go for the chocolate item, but caramel is a close second favorite for me. I'm glad I took a risk. I don't know how any dessert on the menu could be better than the one we had. When we're in Cincinnati again, it will be hard for us to choose any restaurant other than Via Vite. And our meal was so perfect that it will be hard for us to order anything other that what we got on our first trip.
(5)
Ryan Z.
I've always enjoyed the food here, especially during their incredible happy hour. Unfortunately, my most recent visit wasn't nearly as good. Some friends hosted a group 'drinks and dinner' birthday celebration here on Saturday night. The pre-meal service wasn't too bad. The food for dinner was pretty good. The service at the end was the deal killer. We were trying to surprise the two birthday'ers with a party bus after the meal. To do this, we would need to get our tabs paid and dip out a few minutes early to meet the bus and load it with the booze we had purchased. This process was like pulling teeth with the waitstaff. They seemed determined to go in order from one side of the room to the other, which would have left us for last. It took over 30 minutes to get the check. When we finally received it, I slapped a standard 20+ % tip on the bill (despite the poor service) and left. I had specifically asked if gratuity was included as it often is for large parties. The bartender assured me that it wasn't. The next day as I'm reviewing all my receipts, I see that the bartender had lied to me and the bill had gratuity automatically added on. So, in the end, I tipped $51 on a $103 tab with poor service and mediocre food. She took advantage of the fact that we were in a hurry and lied directly to our faces about the gratuity. There's obviously nothing I can do about the matter at this point, but I obviously won't be going back there for dinners or parties in the future. Shame on you, Via Vite, for allowing your waitstaff to sully your reputation!
(2)
Tori M.
Went for brunch. The Nutella flat bread looked more like pizza but was delish.the french toast was good but not as good as the Flatbread. The balcony was really comfortable and you could see the fountain square tv making it a good place to go during or before a Bengals or reds game.
(5)
Emily H.
Via Vite's solid food is definitely bolstered by a modern, classy atmosphere and great, central location. For me, that's probably what moves it from a 3 to a 4. Oh, and the pizza! I've eaten at Via Vite several times now and the food is definitely good. I don't have glorious words to add to "good." I think it's because nothing I've had was especially memorable. I remember having a nice dinner and enjoying my food, but I was never blown away by the food. However, the pizza is memorable. The crust is among my favorites and they have a nice selection of more traditional and some more interesting options, as well. They got a mention in Cincy Mag's Best Pizza issue for a reason! Side note: I know it's not meant to be compared to Nicola's Ristorante which is owned by the same people... but it's hard not to compare it when Nicola's is so amazing. That may be another reason why I feel like the food, other than the pizza, is solid but not exceptional.
(4)
Heidi A.
Stopped by here when we couldn't get a reservation at another local Italian restaurant. I was skeptical at first...signage and location made me think that this was more of an Americanized chain restaurant. I admit, I was wrong! Max our server, although a little overwhelmed by the marathon traffic, did a great job. Dinner was excellent, from bruschetta to gelato. Menu was very thoughtful, as was execution. The chef/owner stopped by our table as well, which we enjoyed. We saw him throughout the restaurant, helping bus tables, delivering orders, etc. Will go back!
(5)
Caroline C.
Very friendly, knowledgeable service. The food is delicious. I recommend getting whatever special they have. If not, get the lamb shank. But whatever you do - get the polenta. I don't even want to know the cheese/butter/olive oil to polenta ratio, because it's probably ridiculous. But so, so good. The sauce-work at this restaurant is probably the best I've seen in Cincinnati. Everything has just layers and layers of flavor. Via Vite also has a good wine selection. I don't know much about Italian wines, but the bartenders were extremely helpful.
(5)
Rick B.
Have only been here once. But we ordered a number of items. Everything looks very good. Service was great, food was great too. I especially liked the Ravioli with shaved truffles. We didnt get the pizza, but everyone else's looked great. Will go back if ever in Cinnci again.
(4)
SD L.
What a great place. Only complaint is it took a while for anyone to acknowledge us once we were seated, and we weren't busy. But once we got going, it was great. I had the spinach and ricotta ravioli with a butter sauce and white truffle. Clean plate! My date had the ravioli special with rustic tomato sauce. clean plate #2! We will be back
(4)
Carrie V.
We went for lunch on New Years Eve day, as one last carb-filled meal before attempting some resolutions of eating healthier. We had reservations at 1pm and were seated immediately by the window. This is a great people-watching spot! However, I was really looking forward to a warm, cozy meal and instead the room was very drafty and chilly! Our waiter was super-polite and friendly, and service was excellent. Bread was brought out quickly (although with butter instead of oil?) and our drinks were always filled. I ordered the warm goat cheese salad which was delicious--greens served over a broiled piece of Boucheron. My husband had the potato-leek soup which was delicious but very rich. For the second course I had the gnocchi in a vodka tomato sauce which was cooked perfectly and had a nice amount of heat to it. My husband had the penne with bolognese sauce which he couldn't finish but took home and heated up the next day--almost unheard of for him!! He said it was still delicious! Since we were going all out, we had to get dessert. I had the bread pudding served with pastry cream which was amazing. My husband had Madisono's salted caramel gelato which was good but, according to him, not as good as Jeni's ice cream! Overall we were pleased with the experience. We had been a few times before and always have had good food and service. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Lauren C.
You done me wrong, Yelp. The vibe was pretentious, the pizza (bianca-garlic confit) was chewy and bland (but pretty cheap, so that's a plus), and the service was friendly, but slow and clueless. This place is clearly trying to do upscale, but my experience was a complete miss.
(2)
John C.
The staff were incredibly friendly and nice...I can't say enough good things about them. That said, the food was overpriced. Sea Scallops appetizer is $15 and comes with 2 - yes 2 - sea scallops. That's not an appetizer, that's a taste. I get more food at the sampler stations in Costco. For the main course I had the "Seared Canadian salmon with butternut squash puree and caramelized Brussels sprouts." The salmon was good, but nothing impressive at all. The Brussels sprouts and butternut squash puree was really good, however. My date had the warm goat cheese salad. This was basically some greens & dressing with goat cheese in it. Love goat cheese but was not impressed with the salad at all. All in all it cost me $120 with tip for dinner and drinks for 2 people. We probably drank a bit more than most so you could knock $20 or so off that. For that money I'll go somewhere else.
(2)
Trisha K.
Food: Meh Service: Above Meh Atmosphere: Meh x 2 Location: GREAT! I love looking at it from my favorite place across the street. I pass!
(2)
Laura G.
Via Vite is fabulous because it's located right on Fountain Square. The Christmas lights give your dining experience a little whimsical touch that goes perfectly with a glass of red wine. However, that's where the magic ended for me, the rest of the experience was simply standard. After working an event downtown, a couple friends and myself decided to grab a bit to eat. I was really in the mood for a giant glass of red wine, so my friend recommended Via Vite. We waited at the hostess stand for what seemed like eternity, when it was actually about 5-7 minutes. But when you're hungry and looking forward to an intense glass of Merlot, this is really annoying. So we were finally sat and attended to by a waitress who couldn't bare to crack a smile. I've served before and know that around midnight is tough, but no stars deducted for this. We all ordered drinks and our respective second dinners. This is probably where my favorite part about Via Vite starts. We suddenly noticed a parade of scantily clad, shivering 20-somethings leaving a nearby bar. One after another they balanced on their sky-high heels, clutching their bare arms for warmth and barreled through the cold wind, no doubt on their way to conquer the next bottle of tequila or mechanical bull. So dinner entertainment is also included if you come after 11:30 pm on a Friday or Saturday. As for the food, I ordered a salad comprised of warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, raspberry white truffle vinaigrette and pistachios. Frankly, it was a little bland and wasn't attractive on the plate. My friends shared a focaccia with prosciutto cotto, fontina, roma tomatoes and spring mix. Beware, the pizza looks like it has a salad on top, that's the spring mix friends. They both seemed satisfied by their choice, but weren't exactly raving about it. So for now Via Vite has two stars in my book, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying lunch or diner before a show. And maybe next time I'll go for the pizza.
(2)
Alicia S.
Had Sunday brunch with a party of 5 other people. The hostess was a little snooty but accomodating when we wanted to sit upstairs on the terrace. Brunch was a good deal, 2 courses for 15$. I had Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. It was beautifully presented, simple and tasty. Other dishes ordered were procuitto and melon, yellow pepper soup (yum!) nd cured salmon and greens (eh). For my main I had Italian ham with poached eggs and a spicy mayo on a bagel. Overall the dish was bland however the eggs were nicely poaching and the bagel soft and doughy with a nice sweetness to it. Other dishes at the table were crepes with spinach florentine..very good. "ham and cheese" sandwich with truffled artichokes, also tasty. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and being in the industry myself and from New York, I was pretty pleased with our overall experience. Everything was enjoyable.
(4)
N S.
A wonderful view of fountain square. Staff attentive. Went from brunch. Polenta was amazing! No bread served to us with our meal. And this is picky, but the bathrooms were less than pleasant (a little unkept and smelled of warm urine, or could have been the portable heater?).
(3)
Dan M.
The number one thing to say about this place is its location on Fountain Square. Convenient, nice, whatever, glad we can get past that and talk about what matters - the food. I split a pizza and penne bolognese here for a birthday dinner. The two items were very good. The ingredients were fresh and the menu was inspired. All in all, a pretty good place, but the prices are a bit steep. If I'm going to pay prices like this, I'd rather hit up their sister restaurant, Nicola's. Or if I was just looking for pizza, I'd certainly be at A Tavola (which is both better AND cheaper). In fact, I only ended up here because the wait at A Tavola was 2 hours (our fault for showing up there at 8 on a Friday night). Anyways, the experience was enjoyable overall if but a little pricey. Oh, and don't forget to tack on at least $5 for parking. Bottom Line: I might be back if someone else was paying the bill.
(4)
Holly P.
I cannot say enough to thank Via Vite and their event coordinator, Kara, for a wonderful evening. We had a small reception dinner party at VIa Vite. The staff was ideal. The atmosphere is classy and sophisiticated. The food was perfect. I had a few bites of my husband's filet. Oh my. My ravioli was tasty. Kara was so delightful to work with. I'm very happy with my entire experience.
(5)
Robert M.
what a confused restaurant. We have a high price menu, but your table is a colorful plastic top. The interior is all shiny and pretty. But we make the waiters dress casual. So began the downward spiral. Out comes our bottle of champange, slightly warm. Ugh. Servered in a chilled marble vessel which does little to chill it further. Waiter returns are we complain with a ice bucket. Out comes our brushetta, smelling like a dead dog. Oh yeah the smelling bad is meant to be like that and it was made fresh today. Us handing the waiter a plate and telling him to have it. time states to drag. Out comes our food. Luke warm to hot. Guess the kitchen timing sucks as well cannot smell. Time really drags.... Here is your bill, oh you want dessert? Time stops. Out comes coffee. Dessert?? 20 minutes later out comes our dessert. checks?? 30 minutes passes. Check? 10 more minutes. Here is your check. Please god let me pay and leave never to return.
(3)
Ramzy N.
Last night, Thursday Nov 11, I took my wife out for her birthday. I asked her to book a table at the restaurant of her choosing and she selected Via Vite. As we walked up to the restaurant she recalled how when she made the reservation over the phone, the lady asked her to spell our last name multiple times. This is not an unusual request (it's an unconventional last name) but she was also asked to spell her first name, twice. Her first name is - brace yourself - "Jill." We approached the hostess and gave the name and time of the reservation. She scrolled up and down through her list, unable to find it. She asked, "are you sure it's for tonight?" as if we weren't sure when we had planned to celebrate her birthday. She also questioned whether we had booked a reservation for that particular restaurant, since people with unconventional last names are notorious for restaurant confusion. Nope - it was definitely Via Vite, and the number for the restaurant we were standing in was still in her phone from having been recently dialed. But thanks for the humor; there's nothing quite like being spoken down to by an obviously distracted restaurant hostess. After fruitlessly searching a third time for our reservation, she informed us that we did not have a reservation, despite having made it and being equipped to proven exactly when it was made. She did not make any effort to accommodate us in the dining room (well over half of the tables, at least from our view at the hostess stand, were available) nor did she apologize for the error, despite the mishap probably not being her own fault. No reasonable attempt was made to make it right. She said we should "feel free to sit at the bar" or even outside, where "they have heaters out there." Not that we're opposed to eating at a bar - I might actually prefer this normally - but it was the principle of the matter, coupled with it being my wife's birthday. It wasn't an eat-at-the-bar evening. So we said we'd leave, without any protest from the hostess. I've had a Yelp account for years, but rarely use it. This is because I travel extensively and probably eat out 15-20 times a week. Just don't have the time to review every restaurant meal I consume. I figured I'd make an exception though, and write one for Via Vite, based on the meal we *could* have had last night, had Via Vite been 1) competent enough to execute the daunting task of correctly taking a dinner reservation, and 2) competent enough to recover from failing to do so in a 3) half-empty dining room. Here goes: "We started our meal with two of the finest glasses of tap water Cincinnati had to offer. Because we were in Cincinnati - as anyone from the mostly-indigenous population here that has barely ever ventured out of the tri-state area can tell you - it *must* be the best tap water available, anywhere. It was delicious, with the optimal amount of wetness and ice/liquid ratio. The wine list was expansive but we finally settled on a vintage box of Franzia, recalling our romantic 2002 trip through the Italian Riviera when we paired the finest American fast food we could locate with the most Italian yet affordable aperitif we could procure. It was disappointing to not find Beef-a-roni on the menu; we did not realize that Via Vite only specialized in *southern* Italian cuisine. Call us snobs, but we celebrate the entire boot. My unicorn steak was divine and actually made me a little horny. Our request for a gelato Chipwich was respectfully declined though. Overall, it was one of the best imaginary meals I could have ever fabricated." I wish I could say that someday we'd actually like to try Via Vite, but I think we'll keep last night as our defining memory of what it's like to (attempt to) eat there. Why bother, with so many other restaurants in Cincinnati that are capable of - dramatic pause - taking a reservation.
(1)
Brieanne S.
Recently, I had a full week off of work and I made it my goal to go to hit up some of Cincinnati's best happy hour. The first restaurant on my list was Via Vite. I had heard it was super yummy and very affordable during the weekday from 5 to 7. We had a great time here. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very cute and charming. He was very crafty with his drinks and we gladly drank them. My favorite drink was the.....well I can't remember the name of it (is that a bad sign or what?) I do remember what was in it. Pure luxury in a glass- Grapefruit gelato and grapefruit vodka. It was pure bliss. I felt like a prince among the paupers when I drank this beautiful drink from the champagne flute. Ohhh it was great but I never could afford this at the non-happy hour price. (I think it is normally around $8 but at happy hour it was $5) There were other great drink specials, there is something for the wine and beer drinkers. Also on the happy hour menu are flat bread pizzas to die for. The flatbreads are about $6 (happy hour price) and can feed about 3 women. What a deal! I couldn't believe the final bill. The flatbreads come out super fresh (you can watch them make it if you don't believe me). If you have never had one from here I would sure recommend it. I loved this place. The restaurant has a great feel. There is a beautiful patio that overlooks fountain square. We had been here before and ate dinner while watching bands perform on the square. Inside the restaurant has a clean artsy feel to it that makes you feel like you are a part of the cool crowd in the city.
(4)
Nancy P.
The evening started out on the right tone when we were seated at a window overlooking Fountain Square. The wait staff was very attentive, and the food was fantastic! I had the lamb shank and was very pleased!
(5)
Julia C.
Great menu with a variety of choices, and our server was very friendly and knowledgable. I had a hard time deciding what to order because of the wide variety of options. The bruschetta is DELICIOUS (I would recommend the goat cheese and classic). I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was awesome - and the lobster was cooked very well, not chewy like some lobster I've had. They also have a very nice wine list. There are windows everywhere, so you can look out onto Fountain Square.
(4)
Joyce K.
Fantastic atmosphere, really good for groups or if you want to go with a group of coworkers for a quiet conversation. I got the lamb shank and it was GREAT! I highly recommend that and don't skimp out on dessert. Their gelato (which i think is purchased from a local maker?) is very good too - it comes in really interesting flavors like Honey Lavender. Great service, too. The only thing that wasn't so great was their Tiramisu. Don't order that unless you really like mascarpone cheese because there's a 2 inch layer of that and like 1/3 layer of the actual cake.
(4)
Lisa M.
The location, building & atmosphere are great! I don't want to rate the food due to the fact that all we ordered was 2 plates of spaghetti with red sauce. The spaghetti was good, kinda tuff to mess up. My problem is with the price: 2 plates of spaghetti and 2 mixed drinks = $55.... Ouch! Cool scene and high prices!
(2)
Aristotle H.
One of my favorite places in downtown cinci. Chic and modern place to go on a date or a friend. A bit pricey, but well worth it. I absolutely love the lamb here... Plenty of parking at the lot below and a nice walk await you outside near fountain square.
(4)
S D.
Review based on a lunch visit. Had a delicious potato leek soup and goat cheese salad. Food presentation was top notch. A bit pricey for lunch ($22 for that plus espresso and bottled water) but the view from the terrace was worth it. One star off for slow service on a Tuesday at 2pm when the place was almost empty. Upscale food in a pleasant setting. Recommended.
(4)
Jessica M.
Love the patio and the service has been good every time I've been. Food has been great. I've been disappointed in service lately from other places but going to via vite recently I can say the service will keep me returning.
(4)
Mike S.
This is one of my regular places to get dinner in downtown Cinci. They have very good food and the kitchen comes up with adventurous specials. The wine selection is pretty good too, though I usually stick to the cabernet. It's a sure bet for a good meal.
(4)
Doug O.
Great atmosphere! The food was unique and a very tasty twist on traditional Italian. Our server was patient, friendly and knowledgeable with an outstanding personality. Definitely try the pizza and the Chocolate Millefoglie for dessert! Excellent!
(5)
Matthew C.
I frequent Via Vite at least once a month for the Monday Bolognese lunch special and have had the pleasure of dinner there a few times. All of the food I've tasted there has been awesome. The gnocchi, pizzas, pastas and salads. But probably my best litmus test is the bread. The fresh made table bread is second only to Nicola's offering. If you work in the CBD and haven't had the Bolo special you are missing out.
(5)
Hannah P.
Had such an amazing New Year's Eve dinner here. From the friendly servers, to the unique cocktails, best bruschetta I've ever had, and a huge pizza with prosciutto, fig and arugula that made yummy leftovers the next day. I also got to try the gnocchi and that was to die for!! This is a great place for winos- the alcohol list was three pages long! Great place for groups or a romantic dinner for two and it overlooks Fountain Square.
(5)
Vincent O.
I'll probably only come back here for a late night drink on the patio and great view of fountain square during the summer. The food is over priced, portions are small and over seasoned. My server was not very knowledgeable about the menu and food took too long between courses to be served.
(3)
Stephanie O.
SGROPPINO. I will elaborate in a moment as to what a sgroppino is, but I really needed to just yell it at you to get your attention. On a rather rainy tuesday night, Olivia and I decided to go to Nada, but alas, Nada is too far to be walking with a tiny umbrella. We decided to change our dinner plans to Via Vite, a two story restaurant right on Fountain Square that's centrally located to the parking garage. Yes, essentially we decided on our dinner spot based on its proximity to our parking spot. We're lazy, we know. #merica Anywho, we walked in without reservations and received a table right on the spot. The decor leans toward trendy and intimate; while obviously a big restaurant, they do well with the space in that every table is ensured privacy during a meal. Our waiter Cody came over and started us with a pineapple vodka (Liv's mainstay) and a sgroppino for myself. A sgroppino is their signature drink, made with grapefruit vodka, sorbet, and prosecco. UGH. Let me have 5 more please. The drink was incredibly sweet and strong at the same time. Liv was def jealous of my drink and of course we ordered another round pretty quickly. We started out with the bruschetta, which varies daily. On our particular day, we had tomato and basil (their regular), smoked salmon and mascarpone, roasted fig with bacon and ricotta, and summer squash. All of them were delicious and flavorful - the roasted fig with bacon was our favorite though. It had the perfect ratio of sweet and salty. For entrees, Olivia ordered the Proscuitto Cotto E Fontina pizza and I went with the Handmade Crispy Gnocchi. THE GNOCCHI. OH. MY. GOD. The gnocchi is literally crispy little fluffy pillows of potato deliciousness. I was so full between the complimentary bread and bruschetta but I was absolutely determined to finish it off - it was that amazing. Liv's pizza looked fantastic; unfourtunately I was so stuffed I couldn't try it, but she really seemed to enjoy it, except for the salad...but she's not a fan of rabbit food. The staff was well rehersed in how to treat the guests and the manager came out and asked about our food. He was geninunely concerned about our experience and wanted to make sure we were having a good time. I very much appreciate when people do that! This was an exceptional experience and I have told many, many people to visit. It was THAT good.
(5)
Leann P.
I always appreciate a restaurant that utilizes the OpenTable app for setting up reservations. It makes setting up reservations so much more efficient. I suggest requesting to sit outdoors because you can sometimes hear live music and there is a jumbotron on the square that we could see playing the Reds game. The food was all flavorful and delicious! My biggest complaint is that soup or salad is not included in the entree price. It is an extra $10+ to have a salad--yikes! Also, I ordered the ravioli with lobster (I don't remember the exact name of the dish) and the lobster was very small. There were five in my group (all females) and we ordered 3 entrees, 2 salads, and the bruschetta appetizer to split and it worked pretty well for us. I did appreciate that they would even split the salad for you. Overall, the food is excellent, you just don't get a ton of it for the price.
(4)
Lauren J.
My happy place is Florence, Italy. Never has another place replicated la bella vita for me as that enchanted city. That was until last night. My friends and I decided to meet at Via Vite for their happy hour. We had heard it was the best happy hour in Cincinnati. Via Vite did not disappoint. When we walked in, we were given the choice of the bar, courtyard, or chef's table. Chef's table? Sign me up! Our waitress Megan greeted us quickly and explained the happy hour specials. All beers, wines by the glass and cocktails were half off. The happy hour food menu included appetizers, pasta dishes and pizzas. As we waited for our other friend to join, we decided to try the bruschetta del giorno. It was only $4 and we were starving. We watched as the chefs toasted fresh baked bread, topped one with an artichoke cheese spread and the other with a Bolognese sauce, drizzled olive oil over them and brought it to our table. My friend and I quickly tasted both, trying to be polite but excited at the intoxicating smells taking over the board in front of us. The crusty bread, rich sauces, and fresh parmesan was gone too quickly. We laughed with Megan that we should hide our dirty plates and pretend that we hadn't ordered yet when our friend arrived. Megan quickly cleared the board and our plates and brought new silverware to hide our secret. Bless you, Megan. We sipped on our drinks, myself a bloody mary and my friend an Italian beer on tap. Both were fantastic recommendations from Megan. We watched fresh cucumber blossom pizzas be made and then come out of the oven steaming. This pizza was art, the colors bright from the farm fresh ingredients, each different shapes from the hand rolled dough. Lasagnas were being layered with homemade noodle sheets. Sauce was made with tomatoes and vegetables, blended with the largest immersion blender I have ever seen, manned by a smiling chef that was happy to pose for pictures. Our friend was able to join us, and we continued to be amazed at the kitchen activity. We saw the owner and head chef Christian come in, tasting different dishes that his staff prepared for him. He even took time and gave a short lesson to a staff member about cooking something. He expertly maneuvered between saying hello, tasting dishes, and speaking Italian into his phone while smiling a hello at us. We took this time to order, 2 pizzas, bruschetta (again) and the pasta Bolognese. Each meal was crafted in front of us, weaved into the bustle of the kitchen. The manager stopped by to say hello when we were discussing dessert for an event we were planning. He asked if we would like to speak with the dessert chef, Adelaide Colombano and introduced her. She spoke about Italy and her excitement to return there in a week to visit friends and family. She asked about our event and offered ideas of what to serve, explaining how to make them. She even wrote her number down for my friend in case we had any questions or needed help. We were impressed with her kindness and willingness to help, and creativity to come up with dessert ideas on the spot. Then, it was back to work and she began conversing in Italian with Chef Christian over a new dessert they were trying, both taking bites, thinking, and talking about what the other staff thought. I easily thought I was right back in Florence, dining with friends and making the best memories in a ristorante tucked away on the side of a cobblestone square in front of a large fountain... To our delight and surprise, a sample of desserts made it's way to our table. Sweet Adelaide, good times never felt so good. Neil Diamond wrote that about your desserts. Forget Caroline. Chef Christian, please make sure she comes back from Italy safely. We need more of that dark chocolate crème brulee, panne cotta, tiramisu and goat cheese cheesecake in our lives. (Yes reader, there were 4 desserts and only 3 of us. Stop judging.) I could Eat, Pray, Love right here every night. Great friends, amazing food, and a happy soul. Brava Via Vite! You made our night unforgettable with an incredible staff, amazing food and talk of when we could meet up again. As my friends and I said goodbye and walked out onto the square, salsa music playing and people dancing, I thought maybe la bella vita is right here in Cincinnati.
(5)
Carolyn B.
We went with friends last night to Via Vite which is in a prime location in the heart of Fountain Square. As we entered, the decor struck me as modern chic with an air of sophistication. One unique feature is the uniquely creative metalwork near the stairs which can be seen as you walk in and in the lighting fixtures in the main dining room. Because we told our waiter that we were going to the Aronoff, we didn't have to wait very long between courses or ordering, yet still maintained a semi-leisurely pace. Throughout the evening the wait staff was both attentive and knowledgeable. I started off with their signature drink - a Sgroppino made with Grapefruit vodka, our very own Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco. What a beautiful soft pink glass of refreshing fruity essence - perfect for the hot day we had! After reading Yelp reviews, I knew that we should try the Gnocchi, but still wanted to have room for our entrees, too. After asking, we were brought a half serving which was ideal for us to all enjoy the perfectly crispy dish with truffle oil. For my entree, I was in the mood for their Scallops. However, I am not a fan of the capers and caperberries. The chef was accommodating and made my portion without and oh my goodness! The scallops were the perfect temperature, texture and the flavor sublime. Honestly, they were hands down my favorite version of this seafood ever!! Our friends were also pleased with the Risotto and Penne Bolognese. To top everything off, we ordered the one dessert Yelpers raved about - Carmel Complexity - and shared it as well. This dolce is caramel panna cotta millefoglie with caramel sea salt gelato and bourbon maple syrup!!! If you have any doubts, look at the accompanying photos and try to tell me that your mouth isn't drooling just a little bit!
(4)
Rich M.
Sitting on the patio and I haven't seen a server in over 15 minutes. I think we are going to leave. We ended up going to rock bottom. It was better. Actually so much better.
(1)
Troy J.
As someone that travels alone for work from time to time and dines alone, I appreciate the chef's table at Via Vite where you can watch the staff prepare meals. The restaurant's location, at Fountain Square, also provides plenty to look at: the iconic fountain in the summer and the outdoor skating rink in winter. I decided to embrace the chef's table to the fullest by letting the chef decide which wood-fired pizza entree and side dish I'd dine on. The result was a half-and-half pizza featuring spicy Calabrese salame and mozzarella on one half and italian sausage with peppers on the other. Carmelized brussels sprouts, a favorite selected by my waitress, were provided as the appetizer. The pizza had good flavor but wasn't crispy in the center. Judged solely on my weeknight woodfire pizza experience, I give it three stars -- but I suspect that authentic Italian dishes, shared at romantic corner tables with wine, are Via Vite's specialty. I ordered Sgroppino, a frozen cocktail with Grapefruit vodka, Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco for dessert. It was a good way to finish the meal.
(3)
Jessie T.
I came here with a group of girl friends on a Monday evening and the service, food, and drinks were all wonderful. I had the pea ravioli with lobster butter sauce, with a lobster tail included.. and it was absolutely delicious. They were not joking around about that butter sauce, that was just pure, delicious butter. I also ordered their signature cocktail, which was a champagne infused with vodka and grapefruit sorbet.. soo refreshing! We then all shared the dessert sampler, which included a tiramisu, dark chocolate orange gelato, and the panna cotta.. my favorite was definitely the panna cotta.. so light and creamy like a dream! This is a nice place for an enjoyable Italian dinner that leaves you satisfied and not overly and grossly full. I've heard they also have an awesome brunch here and I fully intend on coming back.
(5)
Anjelica N.
Located in Fountain Square, Via Vite is sometimes easy to miss but when there's so much going on in the Square. It's definitely a spot to check out, at the very least for happy hour. Decently priced wine and food, such as their huge pizzas are a great draw in. However, I'm most partial to their gnocchi. Cooked in a spicy tomato vodka sauce, this dish is rich, flavorful and just enough spice to tingly the taste buds. At first you might not think you're getting much food but this dish is delectably satisfying and filling.
(4)
Eli D.
We decided to try the happy hour offerings this Friday eve. We mistakenly assumed that everything from the happy hour menu was half off, sort of like a half off sushi menu. It was not. The happy hour food offerings are discounted and priced as listed on the menu, but are only discounted because you get a smaller portion than normal, not because it's a happy hour discount price. The only items which are actually discounted half off during happy hour are the drinks, so do not be fooled like I was -- the menu won, not me. That being said, my calabrese pizza was excellent. We still ended up paying $68 for dinner tonight: a small pizza, a small serving of mussels, a small cheese plate, 2 meatballs, and 2 drinks for each of us. If we wanted to pay for overpriced portions, we would've gone to Abigail St. It was our fault for not realizing that half off happy hour only applies to drinks. Regardless, we still had a good time, and the bartenders (we sat at the bar) were helpful and nice.
located right in the heart of Fountain Square, this place was not only really affordable, but the food was totally awesome and spiced perfectly. Wine list was good, nothing outrageous and the service was knowledgeable and friendly. Diverse menu ranges from simple margherita pizza to slow cooked peasant food which is my favorite. Had a rissotto dish that was to die for...
(4)
Beth A.
Really enjoyed this place! Great pizza in a nice setting right on the square. We stumbled on it accidentally but were happy we did. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Miiim R.
Pizza had a lot of cheese on it. High price and low amount of food .
(2)
Ameet C.
I was a social outcast with my friends at work, as I had never been to Via Vite, inspite of being to Fountain Square a million times. At every office party, or by the water cooler, I had to hear "Have you been to Via Vite?" , "Oh you have to eat at Via vite" . Last week, on a Friday night, I got home late and my friend and I were very hungry. Now, we were faced with the dilemma : where can we get good food at 9 pm on a Friday night without having to wait for hours (which is the norm nowadays at all places in OTR)? So I made a few phone calls and luckily Via Vite didn't have a waiting time. So, we drove to fountain square, there was a live band playing there, which was very cool. I liked the fact that there is ample parking for Via Vite at the Fountain Square Garage, which is very convenient and secure. The restaurant has a very well appointed interior. Our server was very professional and provided us with a lot of information about the menu. I have a weakness for sea food, and I ordered the "Mussels Zuppa" with grilled bread and my friend ordered Pasta e Fagioli. Before our dinner arrived, we were served fresh warm bread with olive oil. The bread was fantastic ! Dinner arrived just right (not too soon, which is scary or not too late). Even though my mussels were an "appetizer", the quantity was sufficient, and the mussels were very flavorful. I tried some of the pasta e fagioli too, althogh it was flavorful, I thought it was a bit bland. I was expecting a bold rosemary flavor in the pasta dish, but it was good none the less. The ambience was very nice and it was a nice delicious meal. I will be back to Via Vite for sure.
(4)
Jennifer N.
Being a first timer I wasn't sure what to expect but I am certainly glad I made the trip! First off I should mention the pizzas are half off during happy hour which is definitely a plus. Second I should mention how incredibly good the pizza is!! The pizza is wood fired and the sauce is very unique and isn't saucy like other sauces it is fresh and robust and the cheese is light not too heavy just right. I will definitely come back in the near future the pizza is definitely worth it!!
(4)
Jack R.
Can't believe that I never been here before. I have seen this place but with it being on Fountain Square and the way it looked just thought it would be really pricey. We got a free meal here for doing an event on the square and it was great. Got to look over the menu and prices for the next time as well. It really isn't that pricey add the food and service was great. The veal meatball appetizer was great and then we got a clam pizza with white sauce. I did not expect them to have pizza but they did and it was great. It is a smaller place so the tables are set a bit to close together for my comfort but this is a place that we will have to try again. It would make for a great place for your next date night.
(4)
Melissa C.
For my first visit here, I was meeting friends for lunch. Unfortunately the air-conditioning was not working that day also and it was a hot day. They did have the windows open but some warning would have been nice before being seated. Aside from the warm atmosphere, this place has fresh ambiance and great food. Drinks were being promptly refilled (this may have been due to the conditions) and food came out in timely manner. There is a good variety of choices such as sandwiches, salads, soup / salad combos, and pizza for lunch. I selected the margarita pizza and it was very good. I hear that their happy hour is also very good so look forward to a future visit.
(4)
Robert H.
Beautiful place, I was recently there before a show at the Aronoff Center. The food was great, everyone in my party enjoyed what the ordered. I ordered the special for the day which was lasagna. It was well prepared, great sauce, and a larger portion then I expected. Our waitress was somewhat awkward, but drinks came out fast and food as well. The one thing I did not realize when making the decision to eat here was the happy hour. I originally chose this please for its great happy hour drink specials. Once we were seated the waitress explained that the happy hour would only apply to the bar and upstairs patio, not the main dining area. We didn't move, but it's not well advertised information. I will definitely be back to Via Vite.
(4)
Kelly R.
Via Vite is positively and absolutely wonderful. I had never heard of this wonderful little gem until my boss announced she was pregnant and I immediately began planning her office baby shower. Knowing she wouldn't want a typical shower of games and being the center of attention, I asked her husband about her favorite lunching spots. Via Vite was brought up and I booked a private area upstairs and away we went. They were so accommodating to our group and made sure we were taken care of - from the second we walked out the door to a follow-up email thanking us and sending well wishes to the mom-to-be. The food was outstanding - the bolognese was enough for both lunch and dinner. I highly recommend anyone who wants good, hearty Italian food to stop by!
(5)
Denise S.
We had been recommended by a friend to this place. We went for a friends birthday, and with a party of only 10 they were very ill equipt! The staff was rude and we may have been able to get past that yet the food was mediocre at best. The scallops were low quality and grainy thus not edible. The pizza was tasteless and not finishable. However, the worst was it was pouring outside and my friends asked the hostess for something to cover our heads at the hostess suggestion we could get pizza boxes to cover us to the cab, AND were told they couldn't do it. Wow over 1000 dollars spent and they wouldn't even allow their patrons to stay dry. So sad. We will never visit this place again or recommend
The food was really good, but my portion was tiny. Yeah yeah portion distortion. But when I pay 20 bucks for pasta (and some extra just to get some vegetables in it) then I shouldn't be able to count my gnocchi on one hand. The waitress was way too pushy, too. She kept trying to upsell. No, don't get that wine; get this more expensive one. Oh, if you order that you HAVE to get this and this and this in it. Um...no?
(3)
Karen D.
Enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner Saturday night at Via Vite. I picked the center of down for my celebration, why not its on Fountain Square the heart of Cincinnati and Via Vite is showcased in a great modern building. I made reservations a few days in advance, they reconfirmed the reservation the afternoon of, we arrived and were seated right away. We started with the margarita pizza, which was served hot from the oven and we devoured it right away. Then sampled salads, the greens with the melted goat cheese is their best salad. Main course everyone tried something different, I went with the spinach ravioli and wasn't disappointed and enjoyed every bite. Finished dinner with chocolate mousse. My only complaint is the lack of restrooms, I always forget my birthday falls around prom season & there were several prom groups, so you had to wait on either floor for the facilities.
(4)
Damion T.
BEST FOOD IN CINNCY!!! The chef is great and does a great job reinventing the menu throughout the season. I ate here for 18 months while working on a project and never had a bad experience!!
(5)
Tracey J.
If you're looking for a happy hour with more than the usual bar food, in gorgeous surroundings, Via Vite's happy hour is the place for you. Centrally located on Fountain Square, Via Vite is a hop, skip and a jump away from the office. After a hard day at the office, the food, libations and contemporary casual elegance atmosphere of Via Vite are pampering. If you're a wine drinker, this is your kind of happy hour. The $4 house red and white special is a great deal and the friendly bartenders are always ready to fill you up. The house red is a decent Italian table wine, not the swill on the bargain shelves at Kroger's. The beer and liquor is $2 off at happy hour so if wine is not your taste, you can have your favorite go-to beverage without breaking the bank. Another great deal for their happy hour is that their wood-fired pizzas are half-off; perfect for those days when you don't want to go home and cook dinner, after a trying day at the office. If you're lucky enough to be there when it's available, try the salmon tartare. Salmon, sea salt, chives and a healthy dose of orange zest served with crostini- it is delectable. A popular choice are the Italian sliders, coming in at a reasonable 3 for $7, which you can mix and match. I recommend the veal and ricotta meatball slider. The portion size is just enough and you can always pair it with a salad or pizza. So, when you're having that bad day at work, plan a trip to Via Vite for happy hour, and that day will be just a little more tolerable!
(4)
Matt B.
Went there for restaurant week. The atmosphere was pretty cool. Lots of glass the overlooks Fountain Square. Lots of people watching. Service was good given that they were busy. The seating was a little cramped. The specials for restaurant week menu was good. Portions were not big but plenty of food for the whole meal. I would definately go back.
(4)
Kevin T.
Dinner here last night was surprisingly good. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and generally excellent. Service was a little overzealous, but professional. Given the location, I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Jessica C.
Food was spot on; not overpowering, classic flavors. And I've never had such wonderful service anywhere. Kind, attentive, and not overbearing. Absolutely blown away.
(5)
Jenna M.
Last evening my boyfriend suggested we eat at Via Vite since we have not tried it yet. The host was friendly and quick. The service was fair. The food was every bit of disappointing. The only good part of our dinner was the bread. We ordered scallops as an appetizer, they tasted fine but they were a little too done. The pizza was not good at all. The crust was good and a nice thickness, the sauce tasted like the used tomato soup and spread it around, there was about four pieces of mozzarella on top, there was no flavor it was very bland. I ordered the caeser salad and added salmon, the salad portion was good, it is a wedge with fresh parmesan and if I remember correctly and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The salmon tasted very fishy and was not prepared correctly. We ordered tiramisu for dessert and I was expecting typical tiramisu and that's not what came to the table. It was in a martini shaped dish and it was prepared using Kalhua and if you've made tiramisu you would know you use brandy. The taste was all wrong and had a horrible after taste. The mascarpone cheese tasted like cream cheese and was warm and almost runny. We will never eat here again the review that we had tea before choosing here to eat were misleading and not helpful. The food was bland and over priced for what it is.
(1)
John B.
Recently for Santacon a large group of us pounced upon this place and ate and drank until the next twitter clue came our way. I shared a pizza with my group and we enjoyed it. The pieces were covered in big chunks of mozzarella and tasted wonderfully. The bartenders were friendly and actually looked like they enjoyed dozens of loud half drunk Santas and elves cavorted around the place. The bathrooms were clean too! While overall I find this place pretentious and overpriced, for the quick pizza, it was great.
(3)
Valerie G.
Excellent lunch options, good for dinner, service can be hit-or-miss. I have many, many experiences at Via Vite. Lately, it has become one of my go-to lunch options. There are several things Via Vite does extremely well, and the lunch combos allow you to try these excellent options! For lunch, try the lunch combo of either soup and salad, soup and pasta, or salad and pasta. The soups are excellent, and even the "creamy" soups show some restraint and are not too rich. I think Via Vite does salads very well, and I am obsessed with the Boucheron Goat Cheese Salad. The greens are dressed perfectly, and the goat cheese hides underneath, so you can get the perfect amount in each bite. The lunch pasta options are arguably two of the best pastas - gnocchi or penne bolognese. I love the gnocchi and get it almost every time. I have had hit-or-miss service at Via Vite in the past, but my server last time was wonderful - she was friendly, helpful and efficient. Glasses were filled and she quickly fulfilled a special request our table made. Other great options to try: house made peperonata is to die for!, beet and asparagus salad is pretty and tasty, all the sides with dinner are very good, the specials are usually very good, the scruppino (spelled wrong) cocktail is yummy.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
This is a hard one to judge. The menu doesn't really appeal to me, though the three times I've eaten there, I've been fairly satisfied with what I had. Once I had the tuna - cooked well, seasoned okay, another time, I had the ravioli (nice flavor) super thick though, so they sat like a rock in my stomach when I was done. A dinner companion the last time had whatever the house special of the day was - and loved it. The service is blah. Not really bad, not very good - just not really memorable at all. The location is great - right on Fountain Square, and the private room on one side upstairs overlooks the Square, which is pretty cool. I just can't really get on board with this, though I will say - they have some pretty good desserts. And the wine list is pretty good, too. I think this might be a better drink and appetizer place than a dinner place, and that's what I'll do in the future here.
(3)
Erin H.
The food is good and they have a few really good martinis. The dining environment is awful though. They pack the tables so close together in this place, the poor waitstaff can barely make it through. The first time I went to this place, a bus boy caught the corner of our table with his jacket and turned the entire table of drinks up on me. I was soaked. They didn't even offer to comp my $12 salad. I will not be going back here again.
(2)
John C.
Although the ambiance and service were superb the food made me ill for the rest of the night. I ordered the lasagne which was a special for dinner and although it tasted amazing, the after-effects were a nightmare of nausea and heartburn. Maybe other dishes would not affect me in such a way, but I will not go back to this restaurant. I think they use cheap ingredients in their food and load their food with MSG. Not worth my terrible night!
(1)
Phoebe P.
I have lost count of the numerous times I have eaten here and every single time the service and food has been amazing!!! Please don't take primitivo wine off of the wine menu, also the grilled Brussel sprouts, omg yummo!!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Ron A.
To Italians, Via Vite means the way of life. To Americans, Via Vite means bombass Northern Italian cuisine in downtown Cincinnati. Via Vite is located in the true social center of downtown, Fountain Square. You can really do it all on Fountain Square. You can start your day off at Via Vite enjoying a fantastic lunch special such as the $7 Penne Bolognese on Mondays. Afterward, you can check out the art deco hi-rise, Carew Tower, for shopping and breathtaking views. Then, you can drop some dinero at Saks for designer clothes and make your way over to Mynt Martini for some overpriced drinks and dirty dancing with girls who think they're hot. And then you can call it a night at the Westin across the street (maybe even in the arms of a lovely club rat if Lady Luck is on your side). And you can tell your friends you did it all on Fountain Square! But back to Via Vite. This place really has something for everyone. As previously mentioned they have great lunch specials during the day. They have an incredible happy hour which features discounts on some of their well-known pastas and award-winning wood-fired pizzas (the spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza makes Domino's taste like Wonder Bread with ketchup). They also have selected half price wines on Sundays (and not just your typical Robert Mondavi monstrosities but delicious imported Italian wines with names you can't even pronounce). And as great as Via Vite's specials are, the real attraction is the main dining experience itself. This restaurant prides itself on using quality local and imported ingredients prepared by relevant chefs who are trained in the art of culinary wonderment. And it's not just the pasta and pizza that's so money but there are ridiculously amazing hand-made desserts as well. This would be the perfect place to bring a date and impress her with an upscale dining experience far superior to that of her ex-boyfriend whose understanding of Italian fare ranged from Olive Garden to Ragu. And if a magical meal full of bolognese, bordeaux, and brulee doesn't impress her enough to earn you a nightcap at the neighboring Westin then you can always call her a cab and take your chances at Mynt Martini. Or do what I do when I get rejected, go back home to my studio apartment and three cats and watch Grey's Anatomy.
(4)
Darrell D.
Wow...does not even do this place justice. I was so lucky to follow the lead of others on yelp and select this place for my business dinner in Cincy based on their recommendations. I literally found it on yelp and made a reservation day of...but you would have thought I knew the chef and had this planned a month out. Greeted warmly and seated immediately. Incredible service including Chef Cristian Pietoso coming out to greet my group. Made the most wonderful wine recommendation (and not based on just picking most expensive). He took pics with the ladies in my group, who loved that, and even made a second round post entrees to be sure we were pleased. This was the best combination of good food and incredible service I have ever received and I travel and host dinners all over the country (many for much more $). Now you may not even believe this part...I get home and this weekend I get an e-mail from Chef Cristian thanking me for coming and referencing the exact wine he selected for us!?! Are you kidding me?!? If I could invest in this place without even living in Cincy you can count me in. Absolutely the most sincere (and maybe first or second ever) 5 star I have ever offered. Please do yourself the favor of trying Via Vite and Chef Cristian!!!
(5)
Steve B.
Tasty, fresh, very nice food in a great restaurant, 4.5 stars. Normally you'd expect a cool restaurant with a great location to have marginal food, but you'd be definitely mistaken. Price may be a bit high for Cincy, but location location = worthy pricing premium. Very fresh and tasty Italian options were all over the menu. I had the pappardelle daily special, some of the best pasta I'd had all year - made and cooked al dente, just perfect. The sauce and meat were great too, had shredded the plate no problem. She had the gnocchi with a sorta marinara sauce - great pillows of potatoey goodness with a bit of a kick in the sauce, again just good stuff. Have no complaints other than for hoping for a better beer list - if you like good Italian food and are in downtown Cincy, this should be your destination.
(4)
Jen L.
I have been here twice, once for lunch and once for a work Christmas Party...since they were both work sponsored events, I can't really comment on the price, but I will comment on the food and service.... For lunch I ordered the pasta bolognese lunch portion and it was really rich and delicious. It came with a salad and with a basket of warm bread and soft butter that I could not get enough of...they also have lots of fun flavored sparkling waters that you can enjoy at lunch.... For our work Christmas Party, the service, drinks and food were all wonderful... Our plates and drinks were cleared immediately...and they went out of their way to accommodate us in every way they could. My husband especially appreciated that all of their specialty beers were poured into the glass that they are meant to be drank from....and the selection was very good! Also I just love the location...when it's nice out you can sit out on the patio over looking the square..
(4)
George K.
Pretty good food. I love it's location on the square. My wife and I shared the bruschette for an app.... Simple but a lot of fresh flavor. Did the pizza for dinner.... Very good, nice crust with nice flavor . My wife did the house pasta special and enjoyer hers as well. Well be back
(4)
Khwaja H.
Been here twice and both times had the Gnocchi. Great food and ambiance. Head chef comes to check on every table while eating. Good service as well.
(5)
Steve L.
This place has a very pleasant atmosphere, the service was average. It's interior decoration is nice and peaceful(being on the square helps) but I couldn't help but feel cramped. Pricing isn't too bad, the Salmon was very good, the Tuna was good also. Small portions but nonetheless, filling. I would recommend going for a date and not a casual night out. They could step up their table service a bit and maybe receive a little higher rating from me.
(3)
Kelly K.
Awesome location, view, service, and The. Best. Lamb. Shank. Ever!!!!
(5)
Will M.
It's strange to me that I've been to Via Vite so infrequently. It's such a conspicuous restaurant, but that's part of why I've avoided it. Something about the location, the constant advertising, the exterior design, etc., has screamed "Upscale Olive Garden" to me. As a result, I'd been there only once and barely recall my meal (I believe I had a squash pizza.) Fortunately it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I finally gave it a true shot, albeit because the restaurants I headed out for had quite a line. I'd recently seen it on a list of the best pizzas in Cincinnati, or more than that a good pizza in the city, so I decided to take up that challenge. The pizza had a good sauce. No denying it. I've found very, very few places out here with decent marinara, and this qualified. It tasted fresh, not salty or cheaply herbed. Similarly, the crust had a good flavor, it was just too thick. For $12, though, I felt it was a good pie. I'd never take it over A Tavola, but if I'm ever fortunate enough to work near my apartment I'd be here for the half priced happy hour. My friend had pasta, which was somewhat plain but pretty good. Both our dishes were vegetarian and simple, so I'm judging on basic entrees. I can't say how they'd do with something more challenging. We had excellent service, though. As you may be able to guess, our meal was particularly cheap. This isn't a cheap restaurant, but we walked out for under $40. Our waiter was extremely attentive to two people ordering cheap meals and drinking water. I'll give credit for that. I suppose that may be standard out here, but it still surprised me. Kudos to the waiter. I don't give many 3 star reviews, but this definitely gets it. Good service, decent to good food. Nothing I loved, nothing I disliked. Can't see much of a reason to ever go back, aside from Happy Hour, given how many fantastic restaurants are in a short walk. But, if you're not the type who enjoys wandering Downtown, this is may be for you when you come in to see the Square.
(3)
Darlene L.
My first visit to Via Vite was this past weekend. The decor was inviting, chic, and very elegant. I had the cioppino soup and Gnocchi which were the best I've ever had. The service in general was the best I've seen in the city. We do go out a lot, and we are self-proclaimed restaurant critics. Via Vita is one of the best restaurant we have been to. It HAS IT ALL; creative, fresh, memorable food, and a great atmosphere, serene, comfortable elegant furnishings, nice music played at the perfect volume, not meant to overwhelm conversations. This restaurant does have it all and we can't wait to go back again and again. WELL DONE! A+
(5)
Bob S.
Great roasted beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad. Pizza was really good too. 1/2 price wine deal. Almost a four rating.
(3)
Michelle C.
The location of this restaurant is great- right in fountain square. Parking is difficult to find, but so is every other restaurant in the downtown area. Ambience in the restaurant is great- young professionals, a bit dressy, nice decor, and the architecture of the restaurant is great. I sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and recommended a great glass of pinot noir. I had their steamed mussels in tomato broth as an appetizer. The flavor of the broth was great, but the mussels weren't too fresh. Overall, I had a great experience until I went to talk to the manager to compliment the bartender. He didn't seem to care about my feedback and almost hurried me out of there. With that said, I probably wouldn't go back for the food.
(3)
Jason F.
Decided I was long overdue in throwing down some english on one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. Via Vite was a welcome addition to Fountain Square a number of years ago. The spot is still one of my favorite places in town. I could list many reasons, but here are a few: 1.) The food is just plain good...Chef Christian Pietso has put together a terrific menu that brings new items from time to time to a core of dishes that I would truly miss if they were removed. At the end of the day, there is no reason to mess with consistency so long as it is refreshed from time to time with quality ingredients, creativity and most importantly passion for the art. Chef Christian is ALWAYS at his place. And that...makes my heart smile. Too often in today's restaurant scene we see the founder not at his place. This is very important to me as it speaks volumes as to why they are even in the business to being with. Always a gentleman and always out on the floor soliciting feedback, he will even give you some tips on certain dishes and ingredients. My wife loved the polenta and he was kind enough to give her some pointers. (I have to admit...she wife might have a little crush on him...must be the accent or something.) SO, lesson to all of your would be chefs and restaurateurs...be at your restaurant! 2.) Location is outstanding. Right above Fountain Square parking, it makes it very convenient as a starting place for the evening as well as an occasional business lunch. 3.) The service is really terrific. My wife and I have been coming the last two years for our anniversary and have had the same incredible waitress. Forgive me...I unfortunately forgot her name, but if she is reading this, she probably remembers us. She so charming and attentive. As a bonus, they even prepared something special for dessert for us for our anniversary. So, in conclusion, you don't have to go far to experience Italian hospitality and goodness. Chef, thank you for bringing a bit of your culture to us here in Cincinnatii and thank you to all of the staff that make this little gem a consistent joy to patron.
(5)
Alex S.
Oh, Via Vite - you'll always have a place in my heart ... but not my memory, as somehow I've always been drinking before walking through your doors. I'm not sure what it is about this place that calls to me after alcohol - or, like the Urban Cincy redesign party, during alcohol. Yes, they're open late and yes, they're located centrally, right on Fountain Square, making them easy to get to when I'm downtown, but still, this is a damn classy place. This is a place for sit-down meals where you can overlook the square and people watch and have a date and just enjoy life. This is not a place to bar hop to. So after bar hopping in downtown, I love coming to Via Vite. They've got a nice selection of beers, a great bar (both upstairs and downstairs) to enjoy being at and friendly people always around. However, what I really come here for are the pizzas. They have the BEST flatbread pizzas in Cincinnati. They're warm and flavorful and so damn good after beer - especially after beer. I've looked at the menu here and like everything else directly circling Fountain Square, it's overpriced. I'm not sure I would actually ever sit here for a meal. However, for a late-night, semi-drunk, still-drinking delicious pizza, you bet your classy ass I would.
(4)
Edith M.
From the creators of Nicola's let me introduce you to Via Vite. Food is not bad... It just so happens that when you had experience their big brother Nicola's you don't want to date the younger and less attractive sibling. I would say their gnochi is good.
(3)
Petunia L.
I have been for pizza late night a few times and lunch twice. I will be updating my review after I eat dinner in the near future. The pizza is great, pretty authentic, cooked in a wood fire oven, and VERY reasonably priced for this establishment. My absolute favorite things on the menu for lunch are the Cioppino (Italian fish stew) and the free-range Amish chicken salad (which comes with mixed green and candied walnuts). I always order the smaller portion of the fish stew and it's very large! It's a thick roux-based tomato "broth" with several types of seafood including wonderful little tentacles (maybe squid or baby octopus?) that I cannot get enough of!!! The chicken salad is hands down the BEST within a hundred miles of Cincinnati. I don't think I'll ever be able to order any other combination. My mother ordered the yellow pepper soup and the asparagus beet salad. Although I didn't try either, she couldn't stop talking about it. The service has always been great. Even the least friendly waiter I've encountered was very efficient and did his job well...leaving us happy diners. I have heard nothing other than great personal reviews of dinner guests and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite places to enjoy an excellent lunch. I will be back often. In fact, I'm craving it now.
(5)
Andy D.
I would have given a five star review if it weren't for the subpar service. 5 stars for food and ambiance. We went for happy hour and sat on a nice comfy patio couch on the second floor which had a wonderful view of fountain square, which I imagine would be nice if a band or show was playing in the square. The atmosphere and interior design was fantastic. We sat down and ordered a couple if beers, and our waiter was helpful in describing menu items, however after delivering our beers, he never came back to take our food order for almost half an hour, to the point where I actually had to go find one of their workers and ask them to take our food order as we were almost finished with our beers by then and we had hoped to have food with our drinks. When our bread and olive oil was finally delivered, we had no plates our utensils provided to us and we also had to ask a separate waiter to bring these to us. Both of these oversights were enough to make our experience at the restaurant somewhat frustrating despite the delicious food. Onto the food review--we ended up getting the prosciutto y funghi pizza (italian ham and mushroom) which was garnished with generous amounts of arugula lightly bathed in olive oil that made for a hearty yet refreshing and delicious pizza at a great price ($7 for 8 slices!). We also ordered the $5 Penne Bolognese and $3 'Panino Tonnato' mini-panini (tuna-based pesto), both of which were good but the pizza definitely was the star of the show. Honestly, the pizza was bigger than I expected and the mini-panini was smaller than I expected, so everything balanced out. Overall, the food was delicious, but the service made a huge dent in the experience. If the service matched the food, I would definitely go up to 5/5.
(3)
Green D.
Ok, so I've dined here often enough to give the fifth star. These guys are consistent every time around! The bar service is outstanding, the pricepoints are perfect to leave a little value, and the food is phenomenal for this type of establishment. The wines by the glass are adequate and quality is there. And the bartender or host will always try to satisfy any reasonable requests made by the diners. IMO, that's the chasm between the stars. These guys do it and do it well. I would eat here day after day if I needed to. And I must recommend the chocolate creme brulee (made with Valhrona) and the absolute standout is the Kyrie special (it's really got some Italian name but basically it's chocolate gelato, cointreau, and espresso served in a martini glass) It's one of my ever favorites!! Many thanks to all of your staff that make life on the road so much more pleasant!!
(5)
Marichi P.
Food and wine are primo BUT the funky music is really not conducive to a fine dining atmosphere.
(3)
Colin P.
This was my first time here. Great service. Great atmosphere. I had the penne with meatball--I guess I expected more from all the rave reviews. But it was good.
(4)
Carol J.
Via Vite is a great place to go for a nice dinner at a reasonable price. I've never had any bad experiences with their food or service.
(4)
Toree C.
This place was wonderful. My very picky husband and I came here and were impressed. The restaurant in itself was so cute. The portions were perfect and everything tasted so good. We both agreed to visit often.
(5)
Tim L.
Cool place. Kinda hip. Prime location. I enjoyed my meal, but didn't enjoy the bill that accompanied it. Little pricey for what they offer in my opinion.
(3)
Mark M.
What a great little find in downtown Cincinnati. Not to sound like an ass or anything--but this place easily clears four Yelp stars in Ohio..however, in San Fran, NY, etc---2.75ish. Situated on multiple floors overlooking a public plaza and fountain, Via Vite was hopping at six on a Friday evening. We were lucky to get an outdoor seat upstairs with a great view. The service is top notch and highly accommodating. My biggest praise is around the happy hour 'situation'. Super cheap beers (I'm from NYC...so a few bucks is cheap), excellent appetizer/small plate type items at great prices. The pizzas are really good and very affordable. The mini panini aren't that great. The bread they use (ciabatta) is yummy..but it overtakes the fillings of the sandwich and that seems like all you're eating....bread. The cocktails are yummmmmmy. And $2 off during happy hour. So yes, you are justified to get a third because of this great saving. Great atmosphere, good food, better drinks, great service!
(4)
Cortney A.
My friends and I went here for my birthday while we were at the National Women's Studies Association annual conference. I had high hopes because this place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. After an entire weekend of horrible service and crap-tastic menus in Cincinnati we were trying to be optimistic. We were seated quickly at a very nice table with a decent view. The ambiance was lovely and the food was decent. The options were not great especially considering five of our party of seven were vegetarian. This place could easily have been a four star if not for what happened after we got our bill and the fact that they never brought the birthday cake my friends had secretly requested for me. We had told our server that we would need separate receipts for alcohol since we had outside funding for food during the trip. The server told us that was fine but ended up overcharging one of my friends' credit card. We asked him to fix it and he refused saying that it was too late, the transaction had already gone through. Having been a server before I knew that was b.s. After spending nearly a half an hour trying to fix the math ourselves we asked to see a manager. Again the server refused. One of my friends went over to the server's station to talk to him again and he was very condescending to her (we believe it is because she is Mexican... he was much more polite when a white friend demanded to see the manager). Finally the manager did come over. We told him the whole story and how we had been dealing with this for over an hour! He took the server's side and refused to do anything other than bring out a tiny piece of cake and seven forks. Ugh. We were so upset we didn't even end up going out for after dinner drinks to celebrate. We had such horrible experiences dining in Cincinnati but this one easily takes the cake. I was angry, insulted and we all felt robbed by being forced to pay 20% gratuity because it is added automatically. NEVER EVER patronize this horrible restaurant.
(1)
Leisa W.
I didn't want to like this place. I'm not sure why...I kept passing by it on Fountain Square and something about their logo made me think it was some sort of fast food place. Then, I looked inside, and a friend came into town and it was convenient to her hotel...and now, grudgingly, I'm a fan. I've been here twice. The first time I had the Greek salad, which was fantastic, and the tortellini, which was lovely (and enough to take home). My friend had some sort of steak, which she seemed to like but was just a slab of meat (I hate it when restaurants do this--really, how expensive are a few carrots or something to throw on the side?). The next time I was there, it was for lunch. I had a really yummy goat cheese salad, which was just enough for lunch (though I wasn't very hungry at the time). If you want a light meal, it was great. Both times, someone else was footing the bill, or this review would possibly be lower. I feel like it's a bit pricey for what it is. However, the space is lovely and the location is great and the food has not yet missed a step for me. And honestly, it might be worth more money to me if they changed their logo (it may be ridiculous but that's what you get when you think about branding all day). I'll tell you this though--next time someone wants to take me to eat there, I'm in!
(4)
John B.
Great food. Great Ambiance. Great wine. Great service. Reasonable prices.
(4)
Christoffer M.
It's always fun to test a restaurant during its opening week, which we did for Via Vite. Unwise decision. Their woodburning oven wasn't ready yet, which really robs housemade pizzas of their allure. Nonetheless, the sauce was good and I could imagine how it would taste baked over fiery logs. The star of the meal was the penne bolognese, which was identical to the perfect version served at Nicola's, chef Cristian Pietoso's main restaurant in the area. What was not lagging was the service: crisp, friendly, and very apologetic for the various dramas that inevitably plague new fine dining rooms. Fast forward a few months. This time the pizza was crisp and perfectly browned. Plus, they use premiere ingredients: fresh mozzarella, rich mushrooms, classic Italian prosciutto. That said, the bolognese is still the best you'll find outside of Bologna, much less anywhere else in the area. This place packs out at lunch, which is no surprise considering its prime location on Fountain Square. It might look a little odd (it's basically a box), but the inside decor is sleek and warm. As a bonus, it's open late (2 am on weekends) with a limited menu (that includes the bolognese). Probably a little bit more than you'd want after bar-hopping, but would be a prime finale for a date that's going better than expected.
(4)
Don G.
Pretty good brunch and great views on Fountain Square for people watching.
(3)
Kerri B.
Amazing!!! M-F, 4-7 half off wine and apps. We arrived at 5 and it is now 7:30 and it's packed on a Monday. Thank you Christian and your family for creating authentic Italian for my friends and I.
(5)
Anthony D.
Wow! Some of you recent Yelpers have been a bit tough. I am a local that frequents Via Vite on occasion and adding my two cents for out of towners wanting some great Italian food , in a great location in the city square. The ambiance here is upscale contemporary , so if you are in town for the Square Dancing Convention and looking red and white checkered table cloths and want to eat cheap mediocre southern Italian pasta dishes with lots of melted cheese for around $10.00 you need to go to Campanello's. Via Vite's signature dish is the lamb shank served on top of creamy white polenta. This is to die for! Ask your waiter and they can go into great detail about the lamb shank is roasted. The polenta is made with tons of butter and cream. Have your dining partner order a fresh pasta dish and share bites. Check out the happy hour times. You can't beat $4.00 glasses of house wine and $6.00 pizzas. The pizzas are the real deal and remind me of my trips to Italy.
(4)
Juliane S.
Via Vite is not by any means a cheap place to get a meal but it does have exceptional food and for an occassional special night out this is the place. Wonderful view of the fountain on the second floor ads to the incredible ambiance of the place. The drinks are also delectable and with easy parking in the Fountain Sq garage this is a great place to head out a special night on the town.
(4)
Fred C.
Enjoyed some wonderful food. The lamb shank was perfectly prepared and delicious. The meat balls we GREAT! The pizzas where wonderful as well. Great staff to take care of you too.
(4)
Joel L.
I've eaten here twice and it's been good each time. The service was very good and the food tasted good too. I had the gnocchi and the ravioli, both were good. The location in Fountain Square is excellent. Overall, this restaurant is A-OK.
(3)
Amanda C.
Great service! Server was prompt and friendly. Pizza was hot and delicious, the outside seating has great people watching views.
Average food and drinks. Definitely not the best Italian in Cincinnati (Sotto, Nicola's).
(2)
Michele G.
My daughter and I had been to Via Vite before but my other half had not. I have to be honest I had worked at a different Italian place and am partial. We walked in and the atmosphere is how I remembered (good). The music wasn't to loud and current. Our daughter ordered a cheese pizza that was not only delicious but the size of a medium pizza from a delivery place. She was so happy she knew that leftovers would be tomorrows lunch. I ordered the chicken stuffed with sausage. The chicken was good and moist. I am always afraid to order chicken becuase places tend to dry it out. My wife always gets the better dish and once again she did. She ordered the pork with a salsa verde. The salsa verde was reminiscent of a chimichurri. The manager sent over crispy gnocchi with a white cheese sauce and black truffles. When I go back I think that is what I would order it was so good. I love Italian wine and my wife is starting to get to know how good they are thanks to half price bottle night on Sunday. We got a killer Barolo for $35.00.The server was great. She was knowledgeable about the wine and pairings with food. My daughter loves to go out to eat and talk to the server and I have to thank the server for engaging with her. I will be back for sure and maybe I will forget about that other place I had worked at when I want real Italian.
(4)
Megan H.
Love this restaurant! Great servers and delicious food!
(5)
Nicole D.
I love this place! It's relaxing, classy, and awesome. After terrible service at another restaurant, I ended up here before heading to see a show. The chef came out and greeted people and asked if food was good, and if people were enjoying themselves. It was all together a fantastic dining experience. PS - I highly recommend the rigatoni.
(5)
Ed P.
Two Saturday's ago was a rare date night for my wife and I. Since our son was born I think I can count on one hand the number of meals we have eaten without him. However now that he is less tolerable of sit down meals, this may become a more regular occurrence. Anyway, the destination for our dinner was Via Vite on Fountain Square downtown. I had seen the outside of this restaurant numerous times due to its very central location but had never ventured inside. We made reservations with OpenTable and arrived at our designated time, quickly being ushered to our reserved table in the relatively crowded dining area. It was crowded with nearly all tables being occupied, but it was also crowded in that the tables were very close to each other. The cramped dining area was therefore quite noisy. Service on the other hand was wonderful! Our drinks were never empty and the pace of the meal felt just right. The first item delivered to our table was some fresh bread along with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. Nothing out of the ordinary hear, but still a nice way to start the meal. For dinner I ordered the Handmade Spaghetti Chitarra with velvet pioppini mushroom ragout and Parmigiano Reggiano ($19). The spaghetti is handmade and cut in the restaurant and thicker than what you would typically make at home. The mushroom based sauce was outstanding! It was still full of a nice tomato flavor and a hint of spice as well. My wife had the Italian spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza ($13). The pizza was large and covered with sausage and onions. I was able to steal a piece from her and I have to admit that this was one of the better slices of pizza I've had in a long time. The mozzarella used was certainly fresh and really stood out to me. With such flavorful cheese and toppings, the sauce took a backseat, but that's not to say that it wasn't tasty on its own. I was very happy to have some of this leftover to take home with us. The food at Via Vite was excellent and the service was great. Twice Executive Chef Cristian Pietoso stopped by our table to chat and ask how everything tasted. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)
Bill E.
Came here a few weeks ago for Sunday brunch around 11 and there were just a few tables which was suprising to us. Our server was friendly and suggested the minestrone soup and so my mom was hooked for her first course. Via Vite does a two course brunch menu for fifteen dollars each and it is a great value. I ordered a bloody mary and for my first course the fruit salad which a few days before Polly Campbell the food critic said it was the best she has ever had with fresh mint and lime. It was good. My mom ordered the minestrone soup and she raved about it. My second course was the polenta with sausage and a fried egg and chives on top, it was great and one of the best things I have had at brunch as the egg's yolk added to the creaminess of the polenta. My mom ordered the quiche of the day which happened to be aspargus and really liked it. I highly suggest going to Via Vite for brunch.
(4)
Regina G.
This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati!!! The bolognese Monday lunch special is a deal that can't be passed up! The menu is priced amazingly for the quality of the food. It's always busy, so make a reservation. My only complaint is that the service can be quite slow, so don't plan on a quick meal.
Delicious. We had a large group and our server did fantastically well. Attentive and well timed service.
(5)
Danae B.
one of my fav restaurants downtown, they always have something going on. Dinner, Happy Hour, Brunch...they do it all. Brunch is my fav. If you are vegan/vegetarian, be sure to ask the chefs to make something special whipped up for you. It is also on a great spot, very scenic. A great spot downtown, very central to everything.
(4)
Emily L.
I visited Via Vite for dinner with my friend, and we were immediately greeted by the friendly hostess. The overall atmosphere is inviting and family friendly. If I ever get the chance to visit again, I'll order their tapas and shrimp. Overall, this downtown spot seems like a great spot for an intimate dinner with friends or a romantic date. I wasn't too impressed with my noodle entree, AND it came out much later than stated. Our waitress wasn't making our experience any better because she didn't seem to want to talk, and I felt bad for her, but I just didn't understand why she would tell us that our food was ready several times, but then come back to tell us that it wasn't. I'm not sure how a date would fare well here, but I think this restaurant has a lot of potential.
(2)
Mitch D.
Very surprising experience at Via Vite. For some reason I had written this place off a bit, probably because of its potentially "touristy"/"chain" location. But the reality I experienced was great food, phenomenal service, and a really cool atmosphere that fits in the heart of the city. The service was actually a bit too attentive at times, but typically I'll take that over the alternative any day. one of the chefs as well as the dinner manager both stopped by our table, in addition to the many visits by our waitress. They could have cut that back by a third and the service would still have been great.
(4)
Jena D.
This place has it all! Right on the square, great atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly service. If you have never been, try it for Happy Hour which lasts till seven. I love the wood fired pizzas which are half price...my favorite being the pizza Bianca with kalamata olives, artichokes, and goat cheese. Also a must try is the Scorpino: Prosecoo, grapefruit vodka, and grapefruit sorbet.
(5)
Monica D.
I brought my family to Via Vite tonight for dinner while they were in town because I wanted them to see downtown and still get a solid meal. First, the ambiance is awesome with a killer view of fountain square. We sat in the main dining room which is decorated with modern and classic lighting and seating. Onto the food. We ordered the veal and ricotta meatballs and the bruschetta of the day (which happened to be tuna). Both were yummy but not outstanding. The crostini bread and oil with balsamic would have probably been just fine to hold us over. We did order a bottle of Pinot noir that was awesome. The entrees we ordered were the rigatoni, pasta Bolognese, butternut squash ravioli, and four cheese gnocchi. All were very flavorful and wonderfully seasoned. I must say though hands down the ravioli was incredible. Served with a sage butter sauce and lobster tail it was a total knockout. The serving sizes were fairly large, enough to share tastes between my family. One final note that gained itself a star on it's own was that the head chef and owner of the restaurant (chef Cristian) was not only greeting tables and asking how the food was, but he was running food himself. This humble appreciation for his customers satisfaction was phenomenal to see. He was shaking hands and smiling the entire time. I love to see owners and chefs show this kind of passion. I will definitely be back to try their famous happy hour and pizza!
(4)
Victor A.
There could not be a more centrally located restaurant in Cincinnati and in the boot a pretty good one as well. These folks have a number of house made pastas and a wide variety of Italian fare. I've had the braised veal shanks before and they are delicious. This night my daughter had Gnocchi grilled somehow so they were "crisped", and I had the pasta e fagioli. The Gnocchi were rich but portioned correctly so they were not over powering and the bean soup was hearty with house made sausage. I'd have added more tomato but that didn't stop me from eating every drop. The "Carmel Complexity" was a bit overwrought in my view but my daughter enjoyed it and we got out with dinner, a couple of glasses of a quite respectable Barbera, cognac and espresso for about $125. I thought it was a good deal. I've been here a number of times and I'll be back.
(3)
Lianna N.
Swanky,nice staff, and very Italiano Modern! The second floor is relaxing and it's a great place to hang out during the summer time when it's warm.
This restaurant only affirmed in my mind that Cincinnati is a city full of rude, crabby people. Firstly, their happy hour specials, which are good, are only available at the bar. So, if you're seated a mere 25 feet from the bar as my friends and I were, you're basically screwed. Secondly, the food, while good, is about $4-$5 overpriced. I don't mind paying a lot for quality food but the $12 margherita pizza was only worth about $8. Yes, this is being somewhat parsimonious, but overpriced food pisses me off. Thirdly, our server was pretty much rude and stuck up to us the entire night after I went to the bar to get a happy hour special drink. Yes, I understand this takes away from her tip, however i had planned to leave her a tip to make up for this supposed trangression. I have also worked in the service industry before so I have little sympathy for rude and obnoxious service workers. Additionally, I have a hard time with restaurants that restrict their specials to certain areas of the restaurant, esp ones as small as this one. This was no nicer than many restaurants I've patronized in Columbus and yet the service and food were FAR below what I get there. Basically, if you want a good dining experience in Cincinnati, you have a 50-50 shot if getting crappy service and food, along with being surrounded by some of the biggest douchebag rednecks ever. On a side note, the bartender was very nice and I tipped her well. I usually never tip badly anywhere I go but I made an exception for the overinflated ego this restaurant and the majority of its staff clearly have. Columbus definitely has a much better and much more polite restaurant scene than Cincinnati.
(1)
Karen B.
Been craving to visit this restaurant for so long and finally got to go for Valentine's Day weekend (thanks to my fantastic boyfriend). We had reservations and were seated within minutes. It was rather crowded (to be expected since it was a Saturday night, the weekend before Valentine's Day and is on Fountain Square) but was still a great, loungy atmosphere. The bar is right up front and packed and the tables felt kind of close together but we sat by the window, overlooking the square. The food was to die for. I had the Flounder which was on special and served with a leek-parmiagno fondue which I would have almost sold my boyfriend up the river for. It was so rich and flavorful, I could have just had a bowl of that. On top of the fondue and the melt in your mouth flounder were Pizelles (potato strings fried) ... um ... yum!? Yes. Yum. The bread was perfectly toasted and fluffy. The wine was perfection. The dessert? The chocolate mousse with chocolate chips and mascarpone cheese? OMG please go and try this asap. So decadent. The amount they serve is perfect for two people ... eating it on your own is possible but you might die. :) Aside from the server bringing us regular soda when we asked for DIET soda, TWICE, it was a great dinner. I can't wait to get back there and try more dishes. Although I may be tempted just to get the flounder again.
(4)
Christian G.
I have dined at almost every restaurant on the City's top lists and this was my second time at Via Vite. The first time was just for appetizers and I was impressed overall with the food and the wine selection and we returned last night for dinner. I truly believe service makes or breaks a meal. Typical food can seems outstanding if the service is also top notch. Via Vite had typical food for what I would expect. I was not amazed or wow-ed but I was not disappointed. The Gnocchi was good (Nicola's is better) and the Bianca pizza was very well done. Neither though was anything that will remain memorable. I do firmly believe that had the service been better the meal would have been more special. For starters it was extremely cold inside on a winter evening, but we were greeted by a friendly hostess and promptly seated. No table cloths which would have been an added special touch for the price range. Our waitress took longer than expected to show up and then returned several minutes later to take drink orders. It took over ten minutes for the drinks to arrive from the bar on what I would call only a mildly busy night. During this period I had time to notice how caked in dust the window shades are which is disappointing. The waitress was overall very unfriendly and abrupt - nearly knocking into one of us on several occasions when she came barreling through without warning with the water pitcher. She seemed rushed every time she came to the table and it was a solid 25 minutes from seating to ordering entrees. The chef hurried by our table and told us to "have fun" which seemed odd. The waitress explained no specials, did not ask if it was our first time there and offered no advicee on drinks or food. A 5 star restaurant has top notch service and awesome food in its price point, a 4 star restaurant excels in either food or service and is just typical in the other. A 3 star place is just typical all around. Via Vite is very typical. Had the service been exceptional I would have given 4 stars. A $50 dinner should be better than average. For your money give Sotto a try instead - a true 5 star. UPDATE: Within just a short time from reviewing I received a call from the general manager. His prompt willingness to to address the service shortcomings is the type of service recovery that should be enacted in all establishments. I appreciate this and would take their willingness to reach out as a sign of the service level they typically provide. Thank you Via Vite.
(3)
Sarah G.
We enjoyed a nice late night supper on the enclosed and upper terrace. Terrific waiter (he's a PhD in music ed, y'all) with excellent attentiveness to detail. My food recommendations: the pork belly and the asparagus beet salad. One of our colleagues had the lamb and raved about it--he wanted another. My husband has the meatballs and the octopus, the latter which he is still unsure he liked. The chef came out to our table at the end and was very gracious. Great for a small group (we had 8) and perfect for later evening. The crowd thins and you get excellent service.
Final rating of this place. I like to come here. It's a good location. Great ambiance. The food is USUALLY good/great. I have had a few off meals that really changed my mind about this place at one point, but OVERALL it is really good food. The bartenders could use some work on being attentive and friendly. Servers are nice and on top of it. Their happy hours are great. VINO = fantastico. Prices = okay.
(4)
Sam S.
Food was okay. Service was pretty terrible. We sat on the piazza to try to listen to the salsa music on the square. Our food took forever and they kept turning the music louder to try to drown out the music on the square. Rather than drown it out it gave me a headache. Gave it two stars because of the location. Rather than try to drown out what is happening in the square they should try to work with it a little more. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)
Amanda T.
This restaurant is in fountain square in the middle of the square. It is a bit hidden and you have to go up a ramp to the entrance. It has a view of the square and a nice ambiance. It is a slightly upscale restaurant, but you can still go in jeans if you want. There is a wide range of menu options including pasta, pizza, and main entrees. The bruschetta appetizer was delicious, but only feeds two. The staff was very friendly and good at checking on the table often. The farfalle pasta was beautiful and tasted wonderful, and there was enough for a full meal the next day. I would go back!
(4)
Kristan H.
Potentially 4.5 or 5 stars, but we'll need to go back a couple more times before I'm sure. The short version is that Via Vite has changed its menu since I last went (years ago) and it now features a lot of my fave items from Nicola's. Such as... - OMFG THE GNOCCHI. - And the bolognese (still). - And the boucheron salad. - And the muscato d'asti. Given that I can get all that, and for a wee bit less money than at Nicola's, I'm definitely inclined to go back more often. Especially since it's right in the heart of downtown, with a nice view of Fountain Square, making it a pleasant and convenient location for dinner before a game or a show.
(4)
Unknown C.
Heading to the Aronoff center to see of all things Food Network star Alton Brown we decided to check out Via Vite. When we arrived we were promptly seated and began to peruse the menu. I ordered a half Artesian salad and the Vodka Rigatoni, the wife ordered the roasted pepper soup and the crispy gnocchi. The salad was ok as was the Rigatoni, the vodka sauce seemed a bit bitter. The soup had good flavor as did the gnocchi and sauce. Portions were a bit small, the more I ate the rigatoni the more I realized how mediocre it really was, and how much better (God forbid) Macaroni Grille's Pasta Vodka was. After dinner we ordered dessert, bread pudding and the Carmel Complexity as well as an espresso with a shot of Sambuca. Both desserts were very good, the Espresso Sambuca was excellent . But based on the meals themselves, I really can't rate it very high.
(2)
Alyssa F.
I was hoping to come here to take advantage of happy hour before the music started on fountain square on a Friday night. Because I was expecting a larger group of friends (it was my birthday weekend), I made a reservation so that we could have a table guaranteed. Once we were seated, and while I was outside talking to some people, the waitress I guess came by and said that happy hour specials aren't valid inside, only in the bar or at the outside tables. Bummer! I am not sure how else we could've done it because all of the outside tables were full, but we decided that it was probably better to eat inside than try to find another place where we could all sit on a Friday night. - there were about 7 of us. But then, we didn't see the waitress for a while. Actually service was kind of a problem. When she came back to talk about the specials, my mom asked if we could order food then, and she said ok. My mom ordered an appetizer and a pizza, and then the waitress said "Great, I'll put that in for you," and walks away... Um, the other six of us hadn't ordered yet! After my mom's food came out (so a good 15 min?), the waitress came back to check on it and I asked if the rest of us could order. She seemed really put out the whole time that she was having to wait on us, I'm not sure if she was annoyed by a big group, but it was pretty awkward. The food itself wasn't anything special. I had the lasagna special, which the waitress really talked up and stated was $12-13 but was really $19 when the check came, that's kind of a big difference I think. I also tried the ricotta appetizer and the Divo pizza that had fig and prosciutto on it, and neither were very good. Overall, I think I'd come back if I could actually have the happy hour deals. $5 for a glass of wine, and I think half off on all the pizzas would make it a bargain. The service was really subpar, I was really surprised. Plus, and this just annoying, there was only one bathroom, so there was constantly a line of 3-4 women waiting.
(3)
Chester L.
Continues to be one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Food is outstanding, service is very attentive, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. About $50 for app, entree, drink, dessert. The Pizza is an absolute must -- but to be honest, I have been 6 times to keep trying different items, and the food always impresses. Tonight I had the Farfalle with Butternut Squash and Smoked Salmon and it blew me away. Sooooooo good. Dreaming of my next visit back already.
(5)
Sharmaine H.
Worst Customer Service Ever; hostesses were unprofessional with major attitude; waitress was okay until she said "that's the amount of cheese u get" as my friend stares at 2 slices of mozzarella on her pizza; manager had to take over...
(1)
Jessica S.
In one of the most visible locations in downtown Cincinnati, Via Vite is smack dab in Fountain Square. The prime location is, in my opinion, its best feature, but coming in a close second would be the food. I've had their penne pasta, a salad, and wine. Their bar is very nicely stocked but not over-the-top. The price is pretty decent and the view is great. A coworker of mine had her wedding reception (albeit a small one) at Via Vite and she said it was a great place to have an event. All-in-all if you want some good (not special, but just plain good) food in a great location, come to Via Vite.
The bolognese is amazing! The lunch portion of the pick 2 is the perfect size - just enough pasta to be satisfied but not so much that you leave feeling stuffed. The pasta itself was perfectly Al dente with a wonderful bolognese sauce. I was a little disappointed by the field greens salad - the only thing that seemed to be added to the generic salad greens was a few chunks of cucumber.
(4)
Pamela F.
Food well-prepared but not distinguished or particularly nuanced, service uninformed bordering on inept, ambiance more trattoria than fine dining for the price points. My husband and I began with chardonnay ($5 at the bar happy hour, but $10 at table service) the creamy ricotta, anchovy spread at $6 and the fig, prosciutto pizza at $16 and had the bechamel lasagna special -- quoted as $12-$13 by our server Rachel, who said she "didn't really know how much the specials cost, she couldn't remember, about $12-$13." Wrong, billed at $19. Fig/prosciutto pizza not crispy or light, but doughy and bit bland -- savory flavors of carmelized onion need to be foregrounded better and more distinctly seasoned. While the lasagna is rich and meaty, the bechamel was an incorrect consistency, more congealed which gave it a mushy floury texture. Disappointed. Try the patio seating for small plate prices and by the glass wine and drink specials.
(3)
Mark T.
I run marathons regularly, and on the night before Cincinnati's big "Flying Pig Marathon" I needed to find an Italian restaurant to carbo-load up. I randomly picked this place so I didn't really have any expectations. Gimme a sh*tload of pasta, and get out of my way. I immediately liked the location of this place because it is right next to Fountain Square, which I am guessing is the one of the main outdoor attractions of the city. The night that I dined there the city was having an outdoor concert/market in the square, which was cool. Going into the actual restaurant, it looked pretty classy from the outside. You can feel the warm atmosphere in the interior as the hostess led you to your seat. I wish I ate outside in their outdoor patio because a) the weather was perfect for it and b) experiencing the concert in the square from the second floor outdoor patio sounded awesome. Oh well. I didn't want anything too heavy in preparation for the race tomorrow morning, so I settled on a light three course meal. Started of with the Cioppino- Italian seafood stew with tomato, fish, shellfish & garlic crostini. Great dish...seafood was well done, and the spice kicked the flavor up a notch. The Caesar house salad was pretty basic, however I don't expect too much from this. For the main course, I ended up getting a dinner special of Gnocchi with tomatoes. A very fine dish; just the right amount of vegetables, and the texture of the noodles was amazing. The server was great and the kitchen to table time for each dish was excellent. My only small concern was that this restaurant was bad at math! When I got my bill there were three amounts listed for tips: "A 15% tip on this bill is $6. A 20% tip on this bill is $7. A 25% tip on this bill is $8." I initially assumed that they were correct in their calculations so I started to write $7 as a tip. I then started to do the math in my head and figured out that that amount wasn't right. I would have short changed the server! I would have felt horrible if I did. I put the correct amount on the bill, thanked the server and left. Overall, it was a great experience for a first time visitor to the city. if I ever make a return trip next year to run the race, I wouldn't mind making this place a destination.
(3)
Crystal V.
Came to celebrate a bride-to-be in classy and elegant style. The owner came out to greet and treat us and make us feel like the most incredible guests in the restaurant. Food was incredible and wine was delicious. Highly recommend Via Vita for any celebratory occasion!!
(5)
Sam S.
So I had the chance to go on a date recently. My date was gorgeous, intelligent, well-spoken, funny...oh, wait. I'm supposed to be talking about the restaurant. Via Vite is quite fancy, I should say, and I felt slightly underdressed even for a moment until I realized the TV screen had sports on and a child was noisily eating bread nearby. My date and I were seated near a window quickly even though we had no reservation, and took a chance to look over the menu. Via Vite has a great selection of authentic and wonderful dishes, which my date and I pored over between staling flirty glances with each other. The wine list was prohibitively expensive but certainly was a good selection. My date and I settled on some veal meatballs which came with a flavorful sauce and some toasted bread. For our main, we split the Pasta e fagioli, which was like an Italian pot roast stew. Our server, without even asking, brought the entree out divided into two dishes so we could share without eating out of the same bowl. The only drawback I have to Via Vite was that it was rather cramped and some parts of the restaurant's atmosphere put me off, as though little pieces of it wanted to be a sports bar while the rest wanted to be an intimate dining experience. Via Vite was worth every cent, however, and I would certainly recommend them as a nice date place.
(4)
Elyse H.
Love this place. Never has disappointed. Great service , food and atmosphere. Prices reasonable for quality. Portions at times small but entrees are a healthy portion.
(5)
JS G.
Quite simply, one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. The food and service are nothing short of outstanding. And, one of the best pizzas in the city!
(5)
A H.
We walked into this restaurant cause it was lose to the big fountain in downtown Cincinnati. The service was good, and the ambience was nice. To start we had a Bianaca pizza and some wine, it was really good and crispy. I had Gnocchi and it was great. I probably won't ever be in Cincinnati again but if you ever do end up there try it out.
(3)
Marzina R.
I stopped in for happy hour before I had to meet some friends downtown. Half priced drinks 3-7. Not sure of it is the bar only. Select smaller wine list featuring a lot of Italian wines obviously. Their super Tuscan is delicious! Great deal half off. Cheese plate was okay. 3 different cheeses and really hard crostini... Should be cut thinner so it doesn't break your teeth. The bartenders were very nice and did a great job. Attentive and helpful! Slightly chilly on a cold night in the bar as it is right in front of the door.
(4)
Reggie R.
I'll have to say. I don't live in Cincy but I make it a point to eat at Via Vite. The staff and even the chef once make an effort to make my friends and I feel like the most important people in the room. My latest visit was Friday, March 6, 2015 and our server was busy. We were in no hurry, but she gave it her all and literally treated us like V.I.P.s. Just awesome. Will back back very soon. Just heard about their brunch from my roommate (again I live hour and half away).
(5)
Deanna P.
My family and I landed here on a Saturday night after a wine tasting event at Fountain Square and were blown away. Even without a reservation, we were seated on the patio and immediately greeted by the server, who was helpful in accommodating my food allergies. The food came within a half hour, and everything was delicious. I ordered the pork belly with bacon and brussel sprouts, and it was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. We ended up having a family-style dinner with everyone swapping plates and reaching across the table to try everything. I picked up the check for the 5 of us and though it was very reasonable ($112 total for our dinners + 3 drinks). Will definitely go back here next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Peter S.
Perfect casual HIGH END comfort food place for the corporate road warrior . And in walking distance from major hotels. Perfect after 8-6 global meeting :)
(4)
Mary Z.
We are visiting the downtown area and with all the great reviews we decided to have dinner here. I must say I am so glad! We ordered a bottle of Italian red wine that I wasn't familiar with but thought how bad could it be? Well the bartender came to our table and asked if I had it before because no one really cares for it. Lol so I told her no but I didn't want a $50 bottle of wine. So she asked what type of wine we like and since we like the Argentine malbec wines, she suggested the Primitive del Salento for under $40. We were pleased!! Very smooth and fruity wine. We decided on the Gnocchi and the Braised lamb shank and 1/2. Size Caesar salads. Everything was delicious!! The Caesar was so fresh and light not like the traditional heavy creamy dressing. The gnocchi is fresh and the sauce is very creamy and garlicky. The lamb shank falls off the bone and the polenta is such a wonderful creamy complement! The service was great without being intrusive. Jennifer our server was so pleasant. We will definitely come back tee next time we visit Cincy
(5)
Jenny F.
My husband and I had dinner here on one of the coldest days in February. The restaurant, which has three walls of floor to ceiling windows, was freezing. We asked to be moved from our table which sat right against the window and was very promptly given a table maybe six feet farther away. It didn't help much. When I took my phone from my purse it was ice cold. I started the meal with Asparagus soup which was good. My order of Scallops was not. There were four of them and they were stringy and tough, rather tasteless. My husbands Spicy Italian Pizza was not spicy but had a sweet taste. He thought it was from the sauce. We shared a Bread Pudding which was okay but not like any we had had before. It had a top layer of some kind of dough (not sure what it was) a very thick layer of dried fruit and raisins that we didn't like and a small amount of custard on the bottom. There was no sauce on top. At least it was hot. Nothing else was, not even my coffee. It was warm. The chef was making rounds to the tables and he did stop at ours and asked how things were. I just said my husband liked his pizza. He quickly walked away. The staff was very friendly. As we were paying our check we told the waitress about the scallops, but we didn't want any kind of discount. The manager apologized and brought us a gift card.
(1)
Krystyna C.
Via Vite is amazing. The location is amazing. The food is authentic. So why are so many people giving them bad reviews?? My husband and I go here as a "special treat" to ourselves when we want to go to the ballet or a play downtown. I've never eaten a bad thing at this place and I know the food is authentic and fresh. Chef Christian Pietoso travels back to Italy a few times a year to learn new cooking techniques and recipes and bring them back to Cincinnati. We are lucky to have a place like this here, especially when you look at the alternatives, like Olive Garden and Pompillo's. The Italian recipes are true to Italy and are fantastically delicious. I try to get the lasagna when we go on Fridays and the gnocchi every other time. Chef Christian is a true artist with his food! If you come here and say that the menu doesn't appeal to you, it's obvious that Olive Garden is probably listed as your favorite Italian restaurant and that's probably where you should stick to going. Which is unfortunate because you are really missing out on the most authentic Italian around.
(5)
Chandri V.
I heard about Via Vite from a few colleagues and given the rave reviews, we reserved ourselves a table to celebrate our wedding anniversary. In a nutshell, this turned out to be my most disappointing meal at these prices! My first beef (no pun intended) is that there were no vegetarian appetizers available! Really, come on!! How hard is it to serve a tomato bruschetta if the bruschetta of the day has tuna confit?! Anyway, apparently my being vegetarian was too much of a discomfort to the chef, and so they pointed me to "pizza that you can eat as an appetizer". Yes, sure because that's just how we class it up! I ordered the goat cheese, garlic confit, pizza and it tasted much like Socrates' Revenge from Dewey's. Ok, I will admit I am stretching the truth, but only just a little bit, I promise. Anyway, you get the idea. It was good but if it is only as good as Dewey's, couldn't you just eat it there and save the money? After the disappointing main course, I ordered tiramisu and that I will vouch for and declare to be the world'a BEST tiramisu, and the only reason for the 2 star review! Also, pretty poor service with a waitress who seemed determined to turn her face the other way while navigating the tables. She was too busy to be bothered with attending to us. We did see the very friendly chef a couple of times. All in all, my first and last visit to via vite!
(2)
T N.
I'll make this shirt and simple. Pricey. Decent tasting food. Environment was definitely nice, wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I ordered the spicy Italian sausage pizza, which was roughly a medium sized pizza. Flavor was decent, the crust was chewy, sauce was fine, toppings seemed fresh, and was A-OK.
(4)
Samara A.
Love love love Via Vite. I have never had anything that did not please my appetite here, whether it's lunch/happy hour/dinner...although the lunch specials are the best deal no doubt! Highly reco their soups, pasta Bolognese, and the arugula salad (Via Vite is the reason I started eating Arugula salads woot). Choco crème brulee is yummy too!
(5)
Virginia B.
The brunch is just okay but the thing to get here is the grapefruit cocktail - it was simply amazing! The location is great as well.
(3)
Katie B.
My parents and I went here for Easter Sunday brunch. The goat cheese and fig salad was delicious. I had a special smoked salmon bagel, my dad had a truffle and spinach frittata. We have been to Bologna in Italy and are always really picky when it comes to bolognese sauce, but the lasagna bolognese passed my (and my mom's) test! My dad is also an extremely picky foodie, and even he agreed it was very good. We even finished our meal off with some gelato -- reminded me of being back in Italy. The executive chef is the son of the executive chef at Nicola's in OTR. He (Christian) actually came around and greeted us, asked what we ordered, and checked back in to see if his bolognese "passed the test". He is from Florence, Italy, so no surprise his food reminded us of authentic Italian food. It was the first time we've ever had the executive chef greet us -- anywhere! Very cool. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Nicole D.
I went here for my birthday. Not the best italian food. The penne pasta dish I received tasted like Hamburger Helper. :( the bruschetta was heavy (almost to the point where it was soggy) with cold cheese and smothered heavily in hot onions and a little tomato. The waiter was surprised when I returned the dish... I've never had bruschetta like that. I was very disappointed. The service wasn't bad... Everyone was friendly. Just disappointing food.
(2)
Monica C.
This is second weekend in a row that my husband and I have come here. Helped that the weather has been great so sitting at the piazza bar and enjoyed the mimosas and view of the people and fountain.
(5)
Rebecca S.
Best scallops I've ever had!! Great food, wine and service. The chef came out and visited with us. His recommendations were delicious. The service and attention level they gave is rare and made our experience very special!
(5)
Home Plate Gourmet B.
This place is good if you're looking for good Italian-inspired food that leaves you feeling full enough to go straight to bed. Great bolognese pasta, decent pizzas, and awesome Brussels sprouts. The wine is hit or miss, so stick to the Super Tuscans and ask for a reco from a waiter who knows their stuff.
(3)
Sarah T.
I liked it. Good atmosphere in a great location downtown. I really liked both the crusty started bread and my braised lamb shank over polenta (but I am also partial to polenta). My friend got a pizza that was well made. I also liked the design, furniture, etc. I want to go back during the day when I can the surroundings.
(3)
Nicole B.
Dined at the chef's table and watched a master in action. Truly an amazing experience. Every course was just divine. The staff trully worked as a well oiled machine. The service was impeccable. Must have the bood orange creme brulee! I have tried it as resturantes all over the country and this was truly TO DIE FOR!
(5)
dale d.
The location is perfect, set right on Fountain Square, and it's a wonderful place to take a date for an evening out, or a couple friends for happy hour. I had the Farfalle with smoked salmon, asparagus and mascarpone and it was fantastic. The wine selection is very nice, as well. We sat outside and the noise level was low, although you certainly could see that the city was alive below, a rarity for Cincinnati in the evening. Two thumbs up.
(4)
Brian F.
Not your standard Italian restaurant. The menu has as many meat dishes as it does pasta, and they suprisingly look good. I had the arugula salad and the bolognese, both of which were great. Server was attentive and friendly. A little bit pricey, but overall a good experience.
(4)
Katherine R.
Solid Italian food, set against quintessential downtown Cincinnati scenery ... I was here in late December and loved the view of snow-covered Fountain Square, especially with the holiday lights and ice skaters. The menu offered a nice variety - several kinds of pizzas, lots of pasta options, at least six entree choices and a very good wine selection. I went with an encrusted pork tenderloin, which was perfectly prepared. Others at my table ordered lamb with polenta and pizza, and their meals tasted fabulous as well. Portions were all generous, which was welcomed after being at several nice restaurants lately whose dinner entrees seemed more like appetizers. Our waitress was very good - attentive but also personable. Would gladly return here anytime!
(4)
Adrianna P.
Came across this restaurant on a tour through Cincinnati on our Anniversary. Loved the modern decor, service was great, and the food was excellent! I recommend the Lamb and the Chocolate Creme Brulee. Very great experience and definately going back.
(5)
Valentine A.
We went there for brunch on a sunday, after an agitated night... And we all left pretty satisfied. The food and service were good. I would definitly recommend the fruit salad - healthy option for a hungover morning. A friend asked if he could build his own pizza - his wish was granted and the pizza looked amazing! The waiter made some relevant recommendations and we all had a good time. A friend ordered the pancake and was a little upset about having to pay an extra 1$ for the maple syrup - shouldn't it come with it? But other than that nice atmosphere, with a view on the fountain.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Paid Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Jackie S.
Stopped in for some light bites during a night on the town. Although the waiter was confused by the fact that we just wanted to split a pizza and not order entrees, he was very attentive. We were seated right away with our request for outdoor seating and enjoyed the view of the fountain. I've been here a few times and have always found the food to be scrumptious, the atmosphere cosmopolitan, and the service refined. It's my top choice for a place to eat on fountain square.
(4)Angela C.
There is not much to dislike about Via Vite, though it might be missing that special something for me that would give it a 5. The scope of my visits have been once for business lunch and once for happy hour. Both times were very pleasant- there is a nice, clean, modern ambiance and it's awesome that it's on Fountain Square. The pizzas are tasty, and I had the most spectacular grapefruit gelato martini (it had some Italian name that I can't remember). I might be drooling for that martini right now. Maybe. Anyway, they have a nice lunch menu that won't break the bank- I enjoyed the soup and salad combo for $10. Service was fast and very friendly both times. I'm not sure it's a place I'll frequent for meals (still not cheap), but would definitely come back for a pizza snack and gelato martini for happy hour any day of the week.
(4)Taylor W.
Via Vite has a great location right on Fountain Square. We went last Saturday with a big group of friends and found our tabe ready and waiting when we got there at 6:00. I hate it when I make a reservation and still have to wait 15 minutes. We ordered crab cakes for appetizers, the goat cheese salad, and the papperdelle with spicy sausage. The crab cakes were really good. Soft soft with a slightly spicy dipping sauce. Goat cheese salad with pretty good. It has a huge piece of bake goat cheese under the salad. Salad would have been very plain without the goat cheese. The papperdelle was pretty good. I have to admit I was a little confused about what it was exactly, but it said "spicy sausage" so I ordered it. Larger portion than I thought. I tried a bit of my friend's tortellini with creamy tomato sauce. (I'm pretty sure that is what it was.) Creamy is an understatement. It may have been the richest sauce I've ever had. Delicious, but a bit heavy. Bottom Line: Via vite is good. It's pretty classy. They got our reservation nailed. But there are several other places I'd rather spend $70 for dinner. (I did have two $5 beers) It's a good place to try, but I probably won't go back unless a bigger group wants to go.
(3)Tara N.
I've had multiple great experiences at Via Vite. The most critical was their saving of my wedding rehearsal dinner when Jeff Ruby's Waterfront floated away 10 days before our event! The staff were fantastic, the room beautiful, and everyone raved about the food. Via Vite also has a fantastic happy hour! I think their non-happy hour prices are pretty steep, but during happy hour you can get a small plate pasta (which is enough dinner for me) and a glass of wine for $10. Can't beat that!
(4)Derek M.
We had an early dinner at Via Vite last night. Incredible. My wife and I both started with the Caesar salad. Unlike most Caesar dressings, this was light and lemony. There was garlic, but I didn't hit you ove the head and kill your rate buds for the rest of the evening. Following the salad, my wife had the wild boar ragout and I had the braised lamb shank. Both were delivered to our table by Chef Cristian, who took the time to talk a bit about the dishes. The lamb was so tender I wondered how they even got it into the bowl without it falling off the bone. Deep brown from an overnight braise, it was simply delicious. The surprise, though, was in the polenta served underneath the shank. Creamy with a rich, deep flavor all on its own. A bowl of that polenta with a bit of bread and wine would be a lovely lunch. The boar was just as good, with a mix of subtle spices adding interest. It went especially well with the Piedmont blend our server helped us select. We don't always save room for dessert, but did lat night. Panettone bread pudding for my wife, Bourbon marinated dates for me. The atmosphere is lively. Not particularly quiet, though we never had to raise our voices to be heard. By the time we left (dinner was just under 2 hours) the downstairs bar was packed and the tables were full. A great meal, attentive servers, an inspired chef. We'll be going back soon.
(5)Gavin D.
We'd had a restaurant.com coupon for a while for Via Vite, and a 7:30pm concert:nova show at the Mercantile Library last night was a perfect opportunity to eat and then walk across the square to the event. I'd heard mixed reviews, and now that I've been I'd say I'm not surprised. There was nothing terribly wrong, but nothing excitingly right either - par for the course. The Food: We ordered the grilled asparagus salad to share, and then two pasta dishes - pappardelle and tortellini - for our mains. The asparagus comes with roasted beets and goat cheese. The presentation was nice, but that was probably the best thing. Salt was helpful on everything we had, and in general there just wasn't much flavor popping from this plate. Shame on us for ordering asparagus out of season, I suppose, and thankfully if you put enough goat cheese on anything it can't be horrible (and they do give you a lot of goat cheese). We ordered the pappardelle in part because it was house-made (only a couple of the pastas are), and it comes with Italian sausage the waitress said is from Findlay Market (I'd guess Kroeger & Son's, but can't say that for sure). It was a "pasta e fagioli," which basically means that it's got beans in it, something that I would have liked to have known initially (I just Googled it) because, try as I might, I just am not that big of a fan of beans as a main component of dishes. There were big cherry tomatoes that had been cooked with the sauce as well, and they were one of my favorite things. The pasta was cooked well, and overall the dish was solid, but the flavors just did not pop at all for me. I was hoping for more. The tortellini was another "fresh" pasta option, and it was my preferred dish. It was very creamy, as the menu noted, and had sundried tomatoes and basil. The tortellini were filled with what I believe was ricotta cheese, but I didn't ask so can't be sure. The pastas were delicate and the cheese sauce was very savory. I'd say it was a couple notches above a good macaroni and cheese (the creamy cheese sauce reminded us of mac & cheese), but again, nothing special. The Ingredients: There is a quote prominently on the menu from the chef saying that they "never take shortcuts and import the finest products that Italy has to offer." I wonder where they get their tomatoes? Seriously though, nothing on the menu about local or organic ingredients. The Story, Setting, & Service: The space is quite nice - open, well put together, modern and sharp without being over-the-top. Windows onto the square are a plus, except that when seated next to the window we were cold the entire meal. I'm generally a warm person, so if you're a cold person, definitely ask for a table away from the glass. Service was fine, nothing notably good or bad. If you planned ahead and got a reservation outside or upstairs overlooking the square on a busy day, I think that could be pretty cool. On this night, it didn't add much since it was dead - in large part due to the fact it was very chilly out. The Last Bite: I'm not sure what I'd order if I went back - maybe try the penne with bolognese, which the waitress said was good and there are some other good reviews about. But, realistically, I don't think we'll go back. There are plenty of places in the same price range where I'm confident I'll get a better meal, and while Fountain Square is an understandable draw - especially if you have someone in from out of town - it's just not my thing. Disappointing but true, this was probably our only visit.
(3)Mike C.
I was here on a Thursday night for a business dinner. I'd heard that Via Vite was one of the better restaurants in the city and had seen it on the list of Cincinnati's Best Restaurants in Cincinnati Magazine. I do like their location on Fountain Square. Very easily accessible and you can still get out to do stuff in the area afterwards. Good ambience in the restaurant. Nice decor. At first, I thought it was really small, but noticed that they also have a second floor. I thought our service was reasonable. Our waitress was actually waiting to take our order, but we were talking so it took a while on our end to order. I started with their Via Vite Caesar salad. Honestly, i've made a salad just as good at home with parmigiano reggiano and Caesar dressing from the grocery store. However, for my entree, I had the papardelle fagioli, which I really liked. The waitress also added parmigiano reggiano and some red pepper flakes. Good pasta and a very good meat sauce. I definitely would have that dish again. Overall, I liked Via Vite. I don't know if it's a place that I'd be thinking about all the time, but it'll be on my list of options for dinner downtown.
(4)Brandy L.
Love love love love loved it! Was in town for a conference and after standing on the street corner weighing our options for 5 minutes, my colleagues and I were drawn by the appearance of the restaurant's upstairs. We never made it to the upstairs, but thought the downstairs dining room was very nice. We stumbled upon half-price wine night and got a fabulous recommendation from our waitress. Her description of the wine was dead on and it complimented all of our meals beautifully. We spent a long time catching up and did not feel rushed even though we arrived relatively late for a Monday. We ordered the carpaccio to start and then we took forever deciding on the rest of our orders. Unfortunately, ALL of the specials were sold out, but once again our server came through on the recommendations. One friend got the pappardalle and really enjoyed it. Another friend and I split the goat cheese salad and the spinach ravioli which they graciously served each of us our perfectly halved portions, already split. We gushed over our food and both cleaned our plates. Yummy truffles! Overall, I almost wish I lived in Cinci so I could make this one of my regular haunts...well almost.
(4)Jacob Z.
Fantastic fresh food. Reasonable pricing for the quality. Highly recommended for date night or any other special occasion.
(5)Robin M.
I was looking for a locally owned and operated business in downtown Cincy and was lucky to have found this gem. Its a modern take on good old Italian fare. The atmosphere is very modern, the waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. The food was very fresh and tasteful.
(5)Mike S.
We walked and walked looking for Trattoria Roma Ristorante only to find it had closed and was now a martini bar. With a taste for Italian we yelped the next closest thing and found Via Vite. It's a mix of upscale dining with ultra lounge - but it works. What's to like? For starters wife has the yellow pepper soup. It was so freaking good. It's made of grilled yellow peppers blended with Yukon potato's, chick broth and cream (i think). Very good. I had the tuna capparchio stuffed red peppers. Addictive. For dinner - Wife had spinach/ricotta stuffed ravioli and I had pasta with sun dried tomato cream sauce. Both very good and tasty. Service was very attentive and nice and kept the bread basket full (always a bonus!) My only gripe is its a bit pricey. The above cost $75 which to me is a lot for a plate of pasta and a appetizer. I'll try it again for sure.
(4)Andy M.
Via Vite features a cool, modern interior. They have a nice wine and Bourbon selection. The Best part of Via Vite is the people watching. It's a young crowd with lots of eye candy and drama. The couple that was seated next to us looked like they were breaking up. The bar was filled with beautiful young women, not to mention the Skeezy old guys who were hitting on them. It was like an episode of Melrose place with real good food. Oh, yeah, the food? The Meatball appetizer and the steak I ordered were delicious. Our server was wonderful, she pointed us towards the Meatball dish. My only complaint was that the drinks were a bit on the stingy side. When I eat at a high end establishment like Via Vite, I'm used to getting at least a couple of shots when I order a Bourbon, but this drink was barely a shot. The bottom line on Via Vite is this: The food and service are wonderful, and the people watching is top notch. All and all, it was a great place to dine. If I'm ever back in the C-Town, I would definitely go back.
(4)Namrata A.
Cute place to grab a glass of wine or a drink with someone. Pizza looked good though I didn't try it, too stuffed otherwise. I like the open kitchen - great feel to a place.
(3)Carolynne M.
Sleek, modern and comfortable interior. We were seated near a window which gave a great people watching opportunities from a concert that was being held in the square outside. Andy wanted to try the veal and ricotta meatball appetizer. They were tasty, but a tad on the dense side. The sauce that they were in was awesome though and after tasting the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce for the bread basket (which was just awful, sorry, and reminded me too much of way-too-strong salad dressing) I was happy to have something to put on the bread. I ordered "my grandmas peperonata" which was a medley of different roasted peppers that was incredibly delicious. Also fantastic on the bread. The cioppino, an Italian fish stew, was absolutely delicious, but it was mostly broth and very few chunks of seafood. Had they not skimped on the ingredients it would have easily been a five star dish. Atmosphere, at least on the Friday night we were there, was young, and people were dressed up to be seen. A very vibrant and energetic crowd. I dont know if that was due to the concert outside or if this is what you can expect everyday though.
(4)Eva S.
Nothing amazing to report. Went for a birthday dinner for a friend. Good food, service was a bit spotty (either too much attention, or nowhere to be found when you needed something- like a wine bottle cooler which came about 10 minutes after the birthday girl's wine arrived). Seemed slightly overpriced. I had the tuna, spouse had the salmon. Tuna was delicious, and his salmon was also tasty. I didn't know I liked butternut squash until I tried his. Not very generous pours on the liquor (no ice means I get less alcohol, maybe? But for $8 per drink, I feel slightly cheated, even if I do order my scotch neat). $27 for tuna (same price for salmon) seemed a bit steep. The rest of our party seemed to enjoy their food (all pasta dishes, actually). I don't feel like we got $136 worth of a meal or evening out of it. Probably won't go back; I can spend that kind of money elsewhere and enjoy it better.
(3)John B.
They try, but not quite there for me. Read Steve K's review about the hamburger helper and the chef boy-r-dee and I think I got the same dish. The pasta was actually very good and Syeve was a tad harsh in his comments, buy I instantly recalled his review when I tasted my dish. Too funny. Only thing with mine was that the Italian sausage in the dish had such large chunks that one piece was raw in the middle. Gross. I blew it off, but let the waiter know that it was okay, but..... They did nothing. Via Vite people - at least do something in cases that that. Desert, comp the app, have a manager appoligize, something.... Ignorance is not bliss in the food industry. Ahhh. Well glad I tried it. Cheers.
(2)F R.
The house made rosemary pappardelle is fantastic. I get it vegetarian style without the sausage and I love it more and more all the time. I also really love the gnocchi. The warm Boucheron goat cheese salad, and the asparagus salads are amazing. We have had the same server every time we have gone and I don't remember her name but I love her. The chefs table is awesome, but if you are on the pizza oven side you will get warm. That's a good seat for an under-dressed lady, not a man in a jacket. Monday night half price wine night is awesome.
(5)JoEllen H.
The tomato mozzarella salad is worth four or five stars alone! We really enjoy this restaurant, best choice on Fountain Square by far! Forget the chains and support our local restaurant owners!
(4)Jenna H.
I decided to dine at Via Vite while working in Ohio. It was right across from my hotel room and Italian was calling my name. The restaurant had a nice décor and I was greeted right away by the hostess. I decided to take a seat at the bar - great decision when dining alone. The bartender was nice, informative, but also gave you space. I started with his app recommendation - the Diver Caught Scallops 'Spiaggia' with sauteed oyster mushrooms, Parmigiano, and brown butter-truffle vinaigrette. This dish was heaven. The ingredients were fresh and went so well together and the scallops were cooked to perfection. I decided to get my meal to go and chose the Handmade Tagliolini with braised baby octopus ragout, fresh lemon zest and parsley. I expected an excellent dish in my hotel but for some reason the octopus ragout had this awful taste to it. I had to throw my dinner out it was so bad. I am not sure what happened with this dish but I would not order it again.
(3)MEdlinda C.
Via Vite is via so-so. I ordered the special entree - white tuna and spring onions. The tuna was perfectly cooked - moist, flaky, medium/rare in the middle and buttery sweet. The waiter was very accomodating and let me swap out the potatoes for the caramelized brussel sprouts, which was quite good. My main problem with Via Vite is the amount of oil that drenched my dish. I take issue with restaurants that cloak the flavors of fresh, well-prepared food with oil and butter. I see that olive oil is listed at $19.50/bottle on your menu but seriously, y'all could have saved some on me and left it for the bottle!
(3)Juliane S.
Via Vite is not by any means a cheap place to get a meal but it does have exceptional food and for an occassional special night out this is the place. Wonderful view of the fountain on the second floor ads to the incredible ambiance of the place. The drinks are also delectable and with easy parking in the Fountain Sq garage this is a great place to head out a special night on the town.
(4)Sarah T.
I liked it. Good atmosphere in a great location downtown. I really liked both the crusty started bread and my braised lamb shank over polenta (but I am also partial to polenta). My friend got a pizza that was well made. I also liked the design, furniture, etc. I want to go back during the day when I can the surroundings.
(3)Ben S.
I've passed this place several times and finally I stopped in around 2PM on Saturday for lunch with a friend. The place was not dead but it wasn't crowded either. We were seated at a two person table near the wall of windows. The first floor dining space is bright and stylish and comfortable aside from the pole that was next to my seat. The view was very pleasant (of Fountain Sq) so it was a nice backdrop to light conversation. The prices for lunch are very good, all things considered. My friend and I split a delicious margherita pizza upon the waiter's suggestion. The pizza was generously sized and very tasty. We didn't even finish it. The bread is free and good too. I really have few complaints. The music they play doesn't match the atmosphere but it was okay. I would recommend Via Vite for a nice lunch in the city for a reasonable price.
(4)Osito S.
I was Cincy for business and was told to stop by. Excellent food, really great service with people who give you real recommendations on why you should order certain dishes and phenomenal dessert!
(5)Rachel L.
I have been here several times now, and it never fails to take me to my happy place. It's a very romantic and warm place for a date, but I also took the girls there for a fun night out. The service is attentive but not stuffy, and they have a fantastic view of Fountain Square. And the wine...oh the wine! I have ordered a few different things there, but the bolognese is pure heaven. All made in house, along with their own fresh pasta and wonderfully simple salads to cleanse your pallette. And if you're not quite ready to end your date when dinner is over,they also have a gorgeous modern bar area where you can cuddle over that one last drink.
(5)Meg G.
We first went to Via Vite for our wedding anniversary. It was mid-April, so we made reservations for seating on the deck. We were brought to our table, and greeted with two glasses of sparkling wine and a fantastic view of fountain square. When it comes to location, this place has got it. The wine selection is terrific. For an appetizer, we had the veal meatballs. They were good, but nothing outstanding. For my main course, I had the goat cheese salad. It was a generous portion of grilled goat cheese, topped with greens, pistachios, and a white truffle vinaigrette. It was delicious. I don't think I can say that overall, the food is great. But I would certainly return for the atmosphere alone.
(3)Priya K.
Excellent ambiance and service. A couple of vegetarian choices. The margharita pizza was made in Italian style but the crust was a little bit too thick and should have been cooked a tad bit more. The tomato sauce, cheese and pepper toppings were great. Hazelnut gellatto was awesome as well.
(3)Jann W.
Love love love the contemporary adaption of Italian food, but I have to grit my teeth not to get annoyed with slow service. Even still, it's one of my favorite Italian spots in Cincinnati.
(4)Lisa M.
The location, building & atmosphere are great! I don't want to rate the food due to the fact that all we ordered was 2 plates of spaghetti with red sauce. The spaghetti was good, kinda tuff to mess up. My problem is with the price: 2 plates of spaghetti and 2 mixed drinks = $55.... Ouch! Cool scene and high prices!
(2)Kathryn W.
You know how it is when you lose touch with someone you like.? That's how it was with our family and Maggie--the best waitperson we have ever known. She was a favorite with us at Pho Paris and when it went under, we missed where she went. Thanks to Julie of the Wine Me Dine Me blog, we found her at Via Vite. Made a reservation right away and went that night. She's just the same.. Knowledgeable, charming, helpful, intuitive. Oh--and the food was great too. Let Maggie guide you towards the best wine on the list-she knows them all. She said she had imagined what she would feed us even before we knew we were coming. She was right all the way. Will we be back? You bet-and we won't lose touch this time.
(5)Mike D.
I had a very limited experience, on a friday night we stopped in for a happy hour beer and pizza. I love that they're open late. +100. The space is very cool and modern, and probably chill when there isn't a techno rave going on upstairs. Maybe not the best space for a date, as it's pretty wide open. At first the service was standoffish, we got some wierd looks, after we were seated it was very good, they even split our pizza onto 2 plates for us. The pizza was good. Cooked at a super high temp so the crust blisters, but the underside was a little undercooked which didnt make sense to me. The toppings were supposed to include prosciutto, but it had the taste and texture of regular ham, which was a disappointment. All in all a good but brief experience. I'm looking forward to trying it again.
(3)Joe P.
Got really lucky, Saturday night, no reservation, but the "chefs table" had room for two so we sat and enjoyed; outstanding appetizer, handed to us by one of the sous chefs-gratis! very good wine, Marsala, pizza & dessert. a real treat & totally unexpected. will def be back...
(4)Todd A.
I eat at Via Vite almost every time I travel to Cinci - mainly because I can't get enough of the Cioppino. I love this Cioppino, it's not like most of the cioppino's I eat on the East Coast or the few I've had in San Fran, but good is good. It's closer to a tomato based seafood chowder loaded with extremely tender calamari. I also love the rosemary pappardelle which you can often see being rolled out when you walk in - I'm a sucker for fresh pasta! The only thing I haven't liked here is the skate wing, which I thought was just okay and price for what you get. I tend to stick with the appetizers and fresh pasta, which you can't go wrong with.
(4)SeaElle R.
I love this place. Best dining in Cincinnati (IMO). I love everything about this place, especially the food. Truffles, truffles, truffles....mmmmm...they prepare so many dishes with truffles and the restaurant often smells like truffles. Divine! I dined recently for lunch. The goat-cheese salad had a truffle dressing. Fabulous. The linguine with clams was fantastic. Again, this is by far my favorite dining in Cincinnati. Great job!
(5)Bea D.
Ahh, the pasta. It was wonderful. I had a nice view of the square from the window. The lighting was festive and twinkling. The service was so-so, as the staff seemed aloof. All things considered, I'll return. I may even branch out past the pasta!
(4)Nicole B.
Dined at the chef's table and watched a master in action. Truly an amazing experience. Every course was just divine. The staff trully worked as a well oiled machine. The service was impeccable. Must have the bood orange creme brulee! I have tried it as resturantes all over the country and this was truly TO DIE FOR!
(5)D F.
located right in the heart of Fountain Square, this place was not only really affordable, but the food was totally awesome and spiced perfectly. Wine list was good, nothing outrageous and the service was knowledgeable and friendly. Diverse menu ranges from simple margherita pizza to slow cooked peasant food which is my favorite. Had a rissotto dish that was to die for...
(4)Jonathan S.
Cincinnati Magazine published the top 10 restaurants, arguably under influence of much wine. Seven seemed to jive true, yet one obvious irregularity: Via Vite instead of Primavista?! Suddenly, the list amounts to rubbish. Nicola's earns a formidable spot in a top 10 list. However, Nicola's sister locale, Via Vite, equates to little more than younger, hipper decor in the best location downtown... flat smack on fountain square. Yet, Via Vite served overcooked seafood and ill-prepared pasta during both my visits. A great disappoint from a restaurant family with a rich history of excellence in the city. If you are stopping by for half priced wine night after dinner elsewhere, you'll be satisfied with the ambiance and location. Avoid the food.
(2)Marie E.
We went there for dinner prior to going to see Infamous Love songs which was one of my favorite performances of all time. The food was expensive and not good. I had the lasagna which was around $20 that tasted like pasta from a can. I am not exaggerating. So disappointed. the noodles were soggy and just overall not good. My husbands sauce was also bland and just not good. The gnocci and ravioli were decent so if you get stuck there I would recommend those or one of the wood fire pizzas. Not planning on going back unless it is for a late night pizza and drink after a show. We dropped close to $100 don't repeat our mistake.
(1)Rich H.
Via Vite is a mixed bag for me. The location is great and the food is good, but the price point makes this a once-in-a-while place for me that I'm never super excited for. I've always had great service and I like being so close to the heart of downtown, but the food has never wowed me enough to justify the price. But if you're looking for a relatively upscale environment that's not at the price point of Jeff Ruby's then this might be the destination for you. There is a fairly good wine selection to look at and the specials are usually good enough. Really the location is what I like most about this restaurant. Draw your own conclusions from that.
(3)Erin Z.
I went to Via Vite because I heard about the pizza. It was fresh, light, and very tasty. I also tried the goat cheese/fig salad and yellow pepper soup. Both were delicious. The bread they serve has to be the best bread I have had in Cincinnati so far. I read that the prices were high, but I found the lunch menu to be quite reasonable. Our server knew the menu inside and out, and I find that to be incredibly helpful when trying a new restaurant. Both the server and hostess were polite and friendly.
(4)Peter S.
I'm always fairly impressed with this place whenever I come to Cincinnati. Everything from the pasta to the vegetables are fresh and well prepared. The salmon fillet that I had last time was cooked to perfection, and was seasoned accordingly. They have a fairly robust wine selection, and the desserts are well portioned after the meal. The cuts of meat are also a good choice.
(4)dale d.
The location is perfect, set right on Fountain Square, and it's a wonderful place to take a date for an evening out, or a couple friends for happy hour. I had the Farfalle with smoked salmon, asparagus and mascarpone and it was fantastic. The wine selection is very nice, as well. We sat outside and the noise level was low, although you certainly could see that the city was alive below, a rarity for Cincinnati in the evening. Two thumbs up.
(4)Brian F.
Not your standard Italian restaurant. The menu has as many meat dishes as it does pasta, and they suprisingly look good. I had the arugula salad and the bolognese, both of which were great. Server was attentive and friendly. A little bit pricey, but overall a good experience.
(4)Katherine R.
Solid Italian food, set against quintessential downtown Cincinnati scenery ... I was here in late December and loved the view of snow-covered Fountain Square, especially with the holiday lights and ice skaters. The menu offered a nice variety - several kinds of pizzas, lots of pasta options, at least six entree choices and a very good wine selection. I went with an encrusted pork tenderloin, which was perfectly prepared. Others at my table ordered lamb with polenta and pizza, and their meals tasted fabulous as well. Portions were all generous, which was welcomed after being at several nice restaurants lately whose dinner entrees seemed more like appetizers. Our waitress was very good - attentive but also personable. Would gladly return here anytime!
(4)Andrew W.
To be fair to Via Vite, I was part of a 20+ person group. So to begin I had rather low expectations. The did accommodate us quite well, considering some of our party desired to be at one large table instead of the two separate ones they had set up for us. It took quite some time for our food to arrive, and they attempted to bring it all out at the same time. This seemed a little strange as most of the table had ordered some type of appetizer/salad/soup. So here I am sitting with a Caesar salad on a large plate and a margarita pizza on a large slab of wood. Juggling the two was quite difficult. Some dishes were given to the wrong people, but this I understand... it was quite a large order. As for the quality of food, what really counts, I was less than impressed. The salad which boasted house made croutons featured no more than a tablespoon of them on the side. It was clearly lacking in something, especially for $11. The pizza was decent, but hardly exceptional. For such a small menu, I expected a bit more in the taste department. Overall, I was disappointed. Would I return? Probably, but only if coerced by someone first.
(2)Hot Mama J.
In a word. Excellent. Beautiful environment. delicious meal. great staff. divine wine choices. A definite yes.
(4)Carl H.
Best Italian food in town next to Nicolas.
(5)Heather J.
Had Fancy Lunch Day there today and really enjoyed it. I'd like to give the food a 4 and the dessert a 5. I had fettucini with vodka sauce (they modified for me from tortellini) and it was really deilcious! Came with a salad for $14 (lunch menu). Then the dessert - I had the chocolate panna cotta - AMAZING! Waitress wasn't too bright - she told me a panna cotta was like a souffle - um - no - it's like a custard/creme brulee (minus the brulee) - but oh well... Tried bites of orange tart and hazelnut gelato and both were also delectable...very surprised by tart - wasn't overpowering on orange - really liked it. It was sort of like creme brulee pie (without the brulee again). Nice dining experience and relatively quick for lunch.
(4)Erin K.
We went here for my husband's birthday; the service and food were great. For dinner my husband ordered the tuna special and I ordered the salmon; both recommendations from our waiter. I have to say the tuna was better but the salmon was very good. For dessert we ordered the chocolate panna cotta but something just didn't taste right so our waiter brought us a different dessert, the dessert special which was great. The chef actually came out, apologized and explained they had tried something new with the dessert and that's why it tasted funny and also brought a champagne drink out for us. It wasn't necessary as the rest of the food was wonderful but we thought it was a nice touch. We would definitely return and recommend to others.
(4)Pablo G.
Good Pizza, atmoshpere & very reasonably priced....even when not Happy Hour
(4)Heidi A.
Stopped by here when we couldn't get a reservation at another local Italian restaurant. I was skeptical at first...signage and location made me think that this was more of an Americanized chain restaurant. I admit, I was wrong! Max our server, although a little overwhelmed by the marathon traffic, did a great job. Dinner was excellent, from bruschetta to gelato. Menu was very thoughtful, as was execution. The chef/owner stopped by our table as well, which we enjoyed. We saw him throughout the restaurant, helping bus tables, delivering orders, etc. Will go back!
(5)Caroline C.
Very friendly, knowledgeable service. The food is delicious. I recommend getting whatever special they have. If not, get the lamb shank. But whatever you do - get the polenta. I don't even want to know the cheese/butter/olive oil to polenta ratio, because it's probably ridiculous. But so, so good. The sauce-work at this restaurant is probably the best I've seen in Cincinnati. Everything has just layers and layers of flavor. Via Vite also has a good wine selection. I don't know much about Italian wines, but the bartenders were extremely helpful.
(5)Rick B.
Have only been here once. But we ordered a number of items. Everything looks very good. Service was great, food was great too. I especially liked the Ravioli with shaved truffles. We didnt get the pizza, but everyone else's looked great. Will go back if ever in Cinnci again.
(4)SD L.
What a great place. Only complaint is it took a while for anyone to acknowledge us once we were seated, and we weren't busy. But once we got going, it was great. I had the spinach and ricotta ravioli with a butter sauce and white truffle. Clean plate! My date had the ravioli special with rustic tomato sauce. clean plate #2! We will be back
(4)Carrie V.
We went for lunch on New Years Eve day, as one last carb-filled meal before attempting some resolutions of eating healthier. We had reservations at 1pm and were seated immediately by the window. This is a great people-watching spot! However, I was really looking forward to a warm, cozy meal and instead the room was very drafty and chilly! Our waiter was super-polite and friendly, and service was excellent. Bread was brought out quickly (although with butter instead of oil?) and our drinks were always filled. I ordered the warm goat cheese salad which was delicious--greens served over a broiled piece of Boucheron. My husband had the potato-leek soup which was delicious but very rich. For the second course I had the gnocchi in a vodka tomato sauce which was cooked perfectly and had a nice amount of heat to it. My husband had the penne with bolognese sauce which he couldn't finish but took home and heated up the next day--almost unheard of for him!! He said it was still delicious! Since we were going all out, we had to get dessert. I had the bread pudding served with pastry cream which was amazing. My husband had Madisono's salted caramel gelato which was good but, according to him, not as good as Jeni's ice cream! Overall we were pleased with the experience. We had been a few times before and always have had good food and service. We will definitely be back!
(4)Lauren C.
You done me wrong, Yelp. The vibe was pretentious, the pizza (bianca-garlic confit) was chewy and bland (but pretty cheap, so that's a plus), and the service was friendly, but slow and clueless. This place is clearly trying to do upscale, but my experience was a complete miss.
(2)John C.
The staff were incredibly friendly and nice...I can't say enough good things about them. That said, the food was overpriced. Sea Scallops appetizer is $15 and comes with 2 - yes 2 - sea scallops. That's not an appetizer, that's a taste. I get more food at the sampler stations in Costco. For the main course I had the "Seared Canadian salmon with butternut squash puree and caramelized Brussels sprouts." The salmon was good, but nothing impressive at all. The Brussels sprouts and butternut squash puree was really good, however. My date had the warm goat cheese salad. This was basically some greens & dressing with goat cheese in it. Love goat cheese but was not impressed with the salad at all. All in all it cost me $120 with tip for dinner and drinks for 2 people. We probably drank a bit more than most so you could knock $20 or so off that. For that money I'll go somewhere else.
(2)Trisha K.
Food: Meh Service: Above Meh Atmosphere: Meh x 2 Location: GREAT! I love looking at it from my favorite place across the street. I pass!
(2)Laura G.
Via Vite is fabulous because it's located right on Fountain Square. The Christmas lights give your dining experience a little whimsical touch that goes perfectly with a glass of red wine. However, that's where the magic ended for me, the rest of the experience was simply standard. After working an event downtown, a couple friends and myself decided to grab a bit to eat. I was really in the mood for a giant glass of red wine, so my friend recommended Via Vite. We waited at the hostess stand for what seemed like eternity, when it was actually about 5-7 minutes. But when you're hungry and looking forward to an intense glass of Merlot, this is really annoying. So we were finally sat and attended to by a waitress who couldn't bare to crack a smile. I've served before and know that around midnight is tough, but no stars deducted for this. We all ordered drinks and our respective second dinners. This is probably where my favorite part about Via Vite starts. We suddenly noticed a parade of scantily clad, shivering 20-somethings leaving a nearby bar. One after another they balanced on their sky-high heels, clutching their bare arms for warmth and barreled through the cold wind, no doubt on their way to conquer the next bottle of tequila or mechanical bull. So dinner entertainment is also included if you come after 11:30 pm on a Friday or Saturday. As for the food, I ordered a salad comprised of warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, raspberry white truffle vinaigrette and pistachios. Frankly, it was a little bland and wasn't attractive on the plate. My friends shared a focaccia with prosciutto cotto, fontina, roma tomatoes and spring mix. Beware, the pizza looks like it has a salad on top, that's the spring mix friends. They both seemed satisfied by their choice, but weren't exactly raving about it. So for now Via Vite has two stars in my book, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying lunch or diner before a show. And maybe next time I'll go for the pizza.
(2)Alicia S.
Had Sunday brunch with a party of 5 other people. The hostess was a little snooty but accomodating when we wanted to sit upstairs on the terrace. Brunch was a good deal, 2 courses for 15$. I had Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. It was beautifully presented, simple and tasty. Other dishes ordered were procuitto and melon, yellow pepper soup (yum!) nd cured salmon and greens (eh). For my main I had Italian ham with poached eggs and a spicy mayo on a bagel. Overall the dish was bland however the eggs were nicely poaching and the bagel soft and doughy with a nice sweetness to it. Other dishes at the table were crepes with spinach florentine..very good. "ham and cheese" sandwich with truffled artichokes, also tasty. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and being in the industry myself and from New York, I was pretty pleased with our overall experience. Everything was enjoyable.
(4)N S.
A wonderful view of fountain square. Staff attentive. Went from brunch. Polenta was amazing! No bread served to us with our meal. And this is picky, but the bathrooms were less than pleasant (a little unkept and smelled of warm urine, or could have been the portable heater?).
(3)Dan M.
The number one thing to say about this place is its location on Fountain Square. Convenient, nice, whatever, glad we can get past that and talk about what matters - the food. I split a pizza and penne bolognese here for a birthday dinner. The two items were very good. The ingredients were fresh and the menu was inspired. All in all, a pretty good place, but the prices are a bit steep. If I'm going to pay prices like this, I'd rather hit up their sister restaurant, Nicola's. Or if I was just looking for pizza, I'd certainly be at A Tavola (which is both better AND cheaper). In fact, I only ended up here because the wait at A Tavola was 2 hours (our fault for showing up there at 8 on a Friday night). Anyways, the experience was enjoyable overall if but a little pricey. Oh, and don't forget to tack on at least $5 for parking. Bottom Line: I might be back if someone else was paying the bill.
(4)Holly P.
I cannot say enough to thank Via Vite and their event coordinator, Kara, for a wonderful evening. We had a small reception dinner party at VIa Vite. The staff was ideal. The atmosphere is classy and sophisiticated. The food was perfect. I had a few bites of my husband's filet. Oh my. My ravioli was tasty. Kara was so delightful to work with. I'm very happy with my entire experience.
(5)Robert M.
what a confused restaurant. We have a high price menu, but your table is a colorful plastic top. The interior is all shiny and pretty. But we make the waiters dress casual. So began the downward spiral. Out comes our bottle of champange, slightly warm. Ugh. Servered in a chilled marble vessel which does little to chill it further. Waiter returns are we complain with a ice bucket. Out comes our brushetta, smelling like a dead dog. Oh yeah the smelling bad is meant to be like that and it was made fresh today. Us handing the waiter a plate and telling him to have it. time states to drag. Out comes our food. Luke warm to hot. Guess the kitchen timing sucks as well cannot smell. Time really drags.... Here is your bill, oh you want dessert? Time stops. Out comes coffee. Dessert?? 20 minutes later out comes our dessert. checks?? 30 minutes passes. Check? 10 more minutes. Here is your check. Please god let me pay and leave never to return.
(3)Rachel B.
Food is good, but it's a little expensive. I can never seem to bring myself to pay 20 for pasta that I feel like I could make at home (though I never do....). The bruschetta appetizer is luscious, however. Different types for sharing. This place can get really busy on nights with a show going on.
(4)Ramzy N.
Last night, Thursday Nov 11, I took my wife out for her birthday. I asked her to book a table at the restaurant of her choosing and she selected Via Vite. As we walked up to the restaurant she recalled how when she made the reservation over the phone, the lady asked her to spell our last name multiple times. This is not an unusual request (it's an unconventional last name) but she was also asked to spell her first name, twice. Her first name is - brace yourself - "Jill." We approached the hostess and gave the name and time of the reservation. She scrolled up and down through her list, unable to find it. She asked, "are you sure it's for tonight?" as if we weren't sure when we had planned to celebrate her birthday. She also questioned whether we had booked a reservation for that particular restaurant, since people with unconventional last names are notorious for restaurant confusion. Nope - it was definitely Via Vite, and the number for the restaurant we were standing in was still in her phone from having been recently dialed. But thanks for the humor; there's nothing quite like being spoken down to by an obviously distracted restaurant hostess. After fruitlessly searching a third time for our reservation, she informed us that we did not have a reservation, despite having made it and being equipped to proven exactly when it was made. She did not make any effort to accommodate us in the dining room (well over half of the tables, at least from our view at the hostess stand, were available) nor did she apologize for the error, despite the mishap probably not being her own fault. No reasonable attempt was made to make it right. She said we should "feel free to sit at the bar" or even outside, where "they have heaters out there." Not that we're opposed to eating at a bar - I might actually prefer this normally - but it was the principle of the matter, coupled with it being my wife's birthday. It wasn't an eat-at-the-bar evening. So we said we'd leave, without any protest from the hostess. I've had a Yelp account for years, but rarely use it. This is because I travel extensively and probably eat out 15-20 times a week. Just don't have the time to review every restaurant meal I consume. I figured I'd make an exception though, and write one for Via Vite, based on the meal we *could* have had last night, had Via Vite been 1) competent enough to execute the daunting task of correctly taking a dinner reservation, and 2) competent enough to recover from failing to do so in a 3) half-empty dining room. Here goes: "We started our meal with two of the finest glasses of tap water Cincinnati had to offer. Because we were in Cincinnati - as anyone from the mostly-indigenous population here that has barely ever ventured out of the tri-state area can tell you - it *must* be the best tap water available, anywhere. It was delicious, with the optimal amount of wetness and ice/liquid ratio. The wine list was expansive but we finally settled on a vintage box of Franzia, recalling our romantic 2002 trip through the Italian Riviera when we paired the finest American fast food we could locate with the most Italian yet affordable aperitif we could procure. It was disappointing to not find Beef-a-roni on the menu; we did not realize that Via Vite only specialized in *southern* Italian cuisine. Call us snobs, but we celebrate the entire boot. My unicorn steak was divine and actually made me a little horny. Our request for a gelato Chipwich was respectfully declined though. Overall, it was one of the best imaginary meals I could have ever fabricated." I wish I could say that someday we'd actually like to try Via Vite, but I think we'll keep last night as our defining memory of what it's like to (attempt to) eat there. Why bother, with so many other restaurants in Cincinnati that are capable of - dramatic pause - taking a reservation.
(1)Brieanne S.
Recently, I had a full week off of work and I made it my goal to go to hit up some of Cincinnati's best happy hour. The first restaurant on my list was Via Vite. I had heard it was super yummy and very affordable during the weekday from 5 to 7. We had a great time here. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very cute and charming. He was very crafty with his drinks and we gladly drank them. My favorite drink was the.....well I can't remember the name of it (is that a bad sign or what?) I do remember what was in it. Pure luxury in a glass- Grapefruit gelato and grapefruit vodka. It was pure bliss. I felt like a prince among the paupers when I drank this beautiful drink from the champagne flute. Ohhh it was great but I never could afford this at the non-happy hour price. (I think it is normally around $8 but at happy hour it was $5) There were other great drink specials, there is something for the wine and beer drinkers. Also on the happy hour menu are flat bread pizzas to die for. The flatbreads are about $6 (happy hour price) and can feed about 3 women. What a deal! I couldn't believe the final bill. The flatbreads come out super fresh (you can watch them make it if you don't believe me). If you have never had one from here I would sure recommend it. I loved this place. The restaurant has a great feel. There is a beautiful patio that overlooks fountain square. We had been here before and ate dinner while watching bands perform on the square. Inside the restaurant has a clean artsy feel to it that makes you feel like you are a part of the cool crowd in the city.
(4)Aristotle H.
One of my favorite places in downtown cinci. Chic and modern place to go on a date or a friend. A bit pricey, but well worth it. I absolutely love the lamb here... Plenty of parking at the lot below and a nice walk await you outside near fountain square.
(4)S D.
Review based on a lunch visit. Had a delicious potato leek soup and goat cheese salad. Food presentation was top notch. A bit pricey for lunch ($22 for that plus espresso and bottled water) but the view from the terrace was worth it. One star off for slow service on a Tuesday at 2pm when the place was almost empty. Upscale food in a pleasant setting. Recommended.
(4)Jessica M.
Love the patio and the service has been good every time I've been. Food has been great. I've been disappointed in service lately from other places but going to via vite recently I can say the service will keep me returning.
(4)Doug O.
Great atmosphere! The food was unique and a very tasty twist on traditional Italian. Our server was patient, friendly and knowledgeable with an outstanding personality. Definitely try the pizza and the Chocolate Millefoglie for dessert! Excellent!
(5)Lesley C.
This is a great Italian restaurant, right on Fountain Square. I've been a few times now, and I'm always impressed by the gorgeous decor, the view out on the square, the waitstaff and the food. The food is superb, and the menu has all sorts of items you don't find at your neighborhood Buca di Beppo and the like. It's great for a date or for going out with some friends.
(4)Cortney A.
My friends and I went here for my birthday while we were at the National Women's Studies Association annual conference. I had high hopes because this place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. After an entire weekend of horrible service and crap-tastic menus in Cincinnati we were trying to be optimistic. We were seated quickly at a very nice table with a decent view. The ambiance was lovely and the food was decent. The options were not great especially considering five of our party of seven were vegetarian. This place could easily have been a four star if not for what happened after we got our bill and the fact that they never brought the birthday cake my friends had secretly requested for me. We had told our server that we would need separate receipts for alcohol since we had outside funding for food during the trip. The server told us that was fine but ended up overcharging one of my friends' credit card. We asked him to fix it and he refused saying that it was too late, the transaction had already gone through. Having been a server before I knew that was b.s. After spending nearly a half an hour trying to fix the math ourselves we asked to see a manager. Again the server refused. One of my friends went over to the server's station to talk to him again and he was very condescending to her (we believe it is because she is Mexican... he was much more polite when a white friend demanded to see the manager). Finally the manager did come over. We told him the whole story and how we had been dealing with this for over an hour! He took the server's side and refused to do anything other than bring out a tiny piece of cake and seven forks. Ugh. We were so upset we didn't even end up going out for after dinner drinks to celebrate. We had such horrible experiences dining in Cincinnati but this one easily takes the cake. I was angry, insulted and we all felt robbed by being forced to pay 20% gratuity because it is added automatically. NEVER EVER patronize this horrible restaurant.
(1)Leisa W.
I didn't want to like this place. I'm not sure why...I kept passing by it on Fountain Square and something about their logo made me think it was some sort of fast food place. Then, I looked inside, and a friend came into town and it was convenient to her hotel...and now, grudgingly, I'm a fan. I've been here twice. The first time I had the Greek salad, which was fantastic, and the tortellini, which was lovely (and enough to take home). My friend had some sort of steak, which she seemed to like but was just a slab of meat (I hate it when restaurants do this--really, how expensive are a few carrots or something to throw on the side?). The next time I was there, it was for lunch. I had a really yummy goat cheese salad, which was just enough for lunch (though I wasn't very hungry at the time). If you want a light meal, it was great. Both times, someone else was footing the bill, or this review would possibly be lower. I feel like it's a bit pricey for what it is. However, the space is lovely and the location is great and the food has not yet missed a step for me. And honestly, it might be worth more money to me if they changed their logo (it may be ridiculous but that's what you get when you think about branding all day). I'll tell you this though--next time someone wants to take me to eat there, I'm in!
(4)John B.
Great food. Great Ambiance. Great wine. Great service. Reasonable prices.
(4)Christoffer M.
It's always fun to test a restaurant during its opening week, which we did for Via Vite. Unwise decision. Their woodburning oven wasn't ready yet, which really robs housemade pizzas of their allure. Nonetheless, the sauce was good and I could imagine how it would taste baked over fiery logs. The star of the meal was the penne bolognese, which was identical to the perfect version served at Nicola's, chef Cristian Pietoso's main restaurant in the area. What was not lagging was the service: crisp, friendly, and very apologetic for the various dramas that inevitably plague new fine dining rooms. Fast forward a few months. This time the pizza was crisp and perfectly browned. Plus, they use premiere ingredients: fresh mozzarella, rich mushrooms, classic Italian prosciutto. That said, the bolognese is still the best you'll find outside of Bologna, much less anywhere else in the area. This place packs out at lunch, which is no surprise considering its prime location on Fountain Square. It might look a little odd (it's basically a box), but the inside decor is sleek and warm. As a bonus, it's open late (2 am on weekends) with a limited menu (that includes the bolognese). Probably a little bit more than you'd want after bar-hopping, but would be a prime finale for a date that's going better than expected.
(4)Don G.
Pretty good brunch and great views on Fountain Square for people watching.
(3)Kerri B.
Amazing!!! M-F, 4-7 half off wine and apps. We arrived at 5 and it is now 7:30 and it's packed on a Monday. Thank you Christian and your family for creating authentic Italian for my friends and I.
(5)Anthony D.
Wow! Some of you recent Yelpers have been a bit tough. I am a local that frequents Via Vite on occasion and adding my two cents for out of towners wanting some great Italian food , in a great location in the city square. The ambiance here is upscale contemporary , so if you are in town for the Square Dancing Convention and looking red and white checkered table cloths and want to eat cheap mediocre southern Italian pasta dishes with lots of melted cheese for around $10.00 you need to go to Campanello's. Via Vite's signature dish is the lamb shank served on top of creamy white polenta. This is to die for! Ask your waiter and they can go into great detail about the lamb shank is roasted. The polenta is made with tons of butter and cream. Have your dining partner order a fresh pasta dish and share bites. Check out the happy hour times. You can't beat $4.00 glasses of house wine and $6.00 pizzas. The pizzas are the real deal and remind me of my trips to Italy.
(4)Scot H.
had an incredible lamb shank with polenta. warm goat cheese salad was fantastic. best part was chef cristopher bringing out a flaming branzino in salt for his wife and guests and singeing her hair. atmosphere was okay, staff was decent.
(4)Mike S.
This is one of my regular places to get dinner in downtown Cinci. They have very good food and the kitchen comes up with adventurous specials. The wine selection is pretty good too, though I usually stick to the cabernet. It's a sure bet for a good meal.
(4)Scott S.
Went to this Italian restaurant on Fountain Square three days in a row and loved it for: a wonderful pasta dinner at the bar; a lovely glass of wine outdoors on the upstairs deck; and a wonderful brunch in the main dining room on the main floor. Had rigatoni with a deep, dark red sauce I've never had before but it has ruined me for regular pasta sauce. The featured red wine special (a blend) was also great. The next day sitting outdoors the waiter had a good suggestion for a light refreshing white that proved to be the perfect choice. On my last day in Cincy I went back for Sunday brunch and had the dish recommended by Cincinnati magazine (polenta with a fried egg and Italian sausage) and it was delicious; as a first course I had carpaccio of cured beef with arugula and lots of shaved parm, and it was fantastic. I loved the chi-chi look of the place (modern lines, open kitchen, swanky with no hint of stuffiness), and the staff was unbelievably friendly and sweet, and generally prompt without hovering. I would love to sit at the chef's table the next time.
(5)R E.
While in town for business had dinner there and absolutely every thing I had was delicious! Starting with the Tocai wine our server recommended to dessert. I tried everything he recommended and our server was spot on every time! I normally don't enjoy my meals while traveling on business but was nicely surprised by Via Vite. A definite must visit while in that area.
(4)Steve K.
I've been to Via Vite twice, once for a very expensive work party and once for lunch. Both experiences can be summed up by two words-- underwhelmed and overpriced. The pasta that I had last time was something between hamburger helper and chef boyardee. The setting is really cool, but so is my loft, I can make top ramen here for like $0.25, don't waste the cool space on something that reminded me of dog food.
(2)Julie W.
Nice dinner with my cousins, great location on Fountain Square with live music playing, but food only average - nothing to write home about.
(3)Vib M.
I went here with my girlfriend during my first night in Cinci (yes, I am a CA transplant). The location is great with outdoor seating overlooking Fountain Square. Try to stay on the side away from the Time Warner billboard, otherwise you get glare from what they are showing on TV. The food was exactly what we were looking for after a trip from SF. They had some thin crust pizzas and light, fluffy pastas. Good place for vegetarians. The wine selection was also pretty good.
(4)Kevin B.
They have an excellent location on the square, and the decor to match. You feel good in this place. The food does it justice as well. Nice beer menu too - Stone IPA and Dogfish 90 Min. I'm set.
(4)Kailani N.
margherita pizza!!
(5)Kirsten F.
i'm coming out of yelp retirement for this. i'm in cincinnati for business and staying right downtown - i was looking for that "business traveler dinner" - relatively quick, with attentive service, nice atmosphere, and a good glass of wine. i got all of that and then some with via vite. i feel most compelled to comment on the service, which was fantastic. the bartender has mastered the chattiness required to accommodate lone diners, but he wasn't overbearing. the manager checked in on me at one point (and cautioned me about a ridiculously hot plate i was about to sear my hand on), and the chef made an appearance with a recommendation from the menu. all were warm and seemed genuinely concerned that i have a good experience. i didn't eat in the dining room, but the atmosphere was very appealing with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and rich, modern colors. i managed to order three things all featuring goat cheese, which isn't even my favorite thing. i was after the beets, asparagus (beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad), pesto (pesto, artichoke and goat cheese pizza), and was recommended the salad featuring mixed greens, hazelnuts (nice), a very light, delicious raspberry viniagrette and, yes, goat cheese. the salad was amazing. it was an after thought, but was my favorite thing. wide selection of italian wines, which i know nothing about. the bartender made nice suggestions. in all, very impressed. i hope that this restaurant succeeds because the staff seemed committed to providing a high quality experience.
(4)Kim B.
I have been to Via Vite several times. It is one of my favorites in Cincinnati, and I fall in love with it everytime I go! My husband and I have pretty much tried everything on the menu, and all is great. The Warm Goat Cheese Salad is soooo good. I love how the cool greens contrast against the warm goat cheese and the vinegarette, yum. The soups are great. I've had Potato and Leek, Cauliflower and my favorite Yellow Pepper soup. I have taken my little sisters and we got pizza, which was just like you were transported back to Italy! ALL pasta dishes are excellent. Fish dishes are sooo good, especially the Skate Wing. The steaks melt in your mouth like butter. My all time favorite is, the Roasted Lamb Shank and Polenta. It's like dying and going to heaven! You don't even need a fork for the Lamb, it literally falls off the bone. The polenta is soooo creamy and cheesy. Tiramisu is awesome! Gelato is mind blowing, so creamy, and has such a variety of flavors. This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Great food, friendly owners, Georgous Setting.
(5)Sean B.
This new venture by the folks who run Over The Rhine's Nicolas is a welcome local addition to a renovated Fountain Square surrounded by national and regional chains. While the dinner menu is somewhat limited - most of the appetizer choices are pizzas and they could add an entree or three (as it is you have a choice of 4 pastas or 4 meat dishes - the food is excellent. On a recent visit the mussels appetizer, penne with bolognese meat sauce, and tuna steak special were all delicious. The view overlooking the Square is great, but what holds the establishment back is the service. It's downright awful. Considering the prices, you might expect a more attentive managerial, bar, and service staff, but it just doesn't gel. There is no attention to detail on the floor side of the house, and as a result the entire scene suffers.
(3)Ice Cream Truck I.
OK, I'll admit I'm a San Francisco snob. Visiting for business, I learned from OpenTable that this was a popular restaurant and its website looked intriguing. It was better than I expected. When I drove up to the underground parking, I sorta shuttered. I saw that I was in ground zero of downtown, at Fountain Plaza (or Square?). I looked around: Macy's, Brooks Brothers, Palamino, etc. And a big watery fountain in the middle of a downtown square, so I was nervous: would this be a good-location, good-view, but so-so-but-overpriced-food kinda place? The atmosphere is unpretentious, friendly, comfortable, and slightly trendy. The servous was superb - - very attentive without being pushy. The caprese salad was great (colorful red, yellow and green cherry tomatoes cut in half, with generous slices of mozzarella, with a light shred of basil, which could have been more plentiful, but maybe it's because it's late-season?). I asked for their recommended pasta, and the accommodated my request for half-portions of two of their great pastas (gnocchi, rigatoni). And it wasn't overpriced, at least by major US city standards. Just ignore that you're basically in a city on the Kentucky border.
(3)Mike S.
Had a good and quick dinner here before a play at Ensemble Theater. The space was nice but surprisingly not crowded at 7 pm on a Saturday evening (only about 3/4 full). Our table of 4 shared the bruschetta assortment and focaccia appetizers. Our server was not that competent or enthusiastic. When we asked what was the assortment of five bruschetta, she didn't know one and got another one wrong. Unfortunately the wrong one had sausage and was already eaten by the vegetarian at the table. Despite the incompetence, the bruschetta were all good. The "focaccia" looked surprisingly like a thin pizza, not nearly as thick as I would expect, but delicious. I had the special beef short ribs. I remarked that they quivered like jello when served; tender, perfectly prepared, and tasty. Some of the best I've ever had. The other diners had the potato gnocchi, a special mushroom tortellini, and the pork chops. The gnocchi and pasta were very good. Didn't try the pork, but was reported to be excellent. One thing I really liked was the offering of a 1-liter carafe of wine for $28. I wish more places would offer a reasonably priced and good house wine by the carafe. Jean-Ro's does too. Overall we were happy with the meal: very good food, not overpriced, fair service.
(4)Jennifer H.
Via Vite is trying to be a lot of different things at once and, for the most part, it is fairly successful. The upside of that is there is a new swinging hot spot in downtown Cincinnati (where hot spots are sorely needed) with good food, the downside is that none of the components truly soar on their own. This place can clearly get packed on the weekends and last Saturday, there was a live band that proved more enjoyable than we expected when we saw them starting to set up. Couples were even dancing in the crowded bar area, which provided more entertainment than the band itself! It can definitely get loud with the crowds and the music, but it never stopped our table from having a conversation. I'd expect better food from the Nicola's folk. Surprising at an Italian joint, the salads were the highlights. My favorite was the grilled asparagus, roasted beet and goat cheese, but everything is fantastic. The menu is small, so if you're not in the mood for pizza, pasta or one of the 4 basic meat options, you're out of luck. I tried the calamari-spinach stew from the appetizers, which was more than enough food with the addition of a salad, but I found it incredibly salty. I wasn't terribly impressed with the other entrees I sampled. If you stick to the salads and enjoy the music and the view, this is a great night on the town. If you want a killer Italian meal, head to Nicola's.
(4)Amy B.
Couples night. Began the evening with wine and appetizers. Pork belly with bacon was my fav. With 6 couples, we sampled several different. Next, we sampled Caesar salad (family size) or spring mix with slightly melted goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette and sprinkles of pistachio. I selected the Lamb Shank for my meal. WOW!!! Melt in you mouth. Great atmosphere and our server (blond with a blue streak) was very attentive and extremely patient.
(5)Chelsea C.
I ordered the ceasar salad and lab shank. BIG MISTAKE!! My salad was not fresh. The lettuce was old, wilted and lifeless. My lamb shank was extremely dry and hard to swallow. I could eat it either of them! I have to say the manager was prompt to take care of me and I appreciated her attentiveness.
(1)Tom G.
Excellent food. Who knew the brussel sprouts would be my favorite.
(5)Sarah G.
We enjoyed a nice late night supper on the enclosed and upper terrace. Terrific waiter (he's a PhD in music ed, y'all) with excellent attentiveness to detail. My food recommendations: the pork belly and the asparagus beet salad. One of our colleagues had the lamb and raved about it--he wanted another. My husband has the meatballs and the octopus, the latter which he is still unsure he liked. The chef came out to our table at the end and was very gracious. Great for a small group (we had 8) and perfect for later evening. The crowd thins and you get excellent service.
(5)Jena D.
This place has it all! Right on the square, great atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly service. If you have never been, try it for Happy Hour which lasts till seven. I love the wood fired pizzas which are half price...my favorite being the pizza Bianca with kalamata olives, artichokes, and goat cheese. Also a must try is the Scorpino: Prosecoo, grapefruit vodka, and grapefruit sorbet.
(5)Kristin N.
Thank god for Yelp. In town for a conference and checked to see what was nearby and found Via Vite. My colleagues and I enjoyed this a lot. The server was very, very knowledgeable about the menu and didn't bat an eye when we needed 6 checks (stupid business travel). Now on to the food. The bread was the perfect combo of chewy crust but fluffy inside....served with balsamic vinegar and oil. We ordered gnocchi, pizzas, salads and polenta. Everyone cleaned their plate. The prices were reasonable, as were the portions. I'm now 2 for 2 for picking restaurants when out of town with co-workers ;o)
(4)Lyndsey G.
In town for work and had a colleague recommend Via Vite. Wow. Glad we listened. The food was amazing, we had the grilled octopus, the veal, and the lamb shank. All were excellent. Our server Ashley did a great job with recommendations and wine pairing suggestions. The dessert was off the charts good. Get the creme brûlée for sure. All in all a great dinner in a nice little location!
(5)Lia V.
Final rating of this place. I like to come here. It's a good location. Great ambiance. The food is USUALLY good/great. I have had a few off meals that really changed my mind about this place at one point, but OVERALL it is really good food. The bartenders could use some work on being attentive and friendly. Servers are nice and on top of it. Their happy hours are great. VINO = fantastico. Prices = okay.
(4)Brandee B.
Don't believe the hype. At least not for brunch. I have been wanting to try this place since it opened but to my dismay there is not much variety on the menu and what was there was not very inventive or innovative. I would have liked to have seen more brunch items and more fusions that included pasta or Italian meats and breakfast It did not have much on the brunch menu and what it did have was not very exciting. I chose to get the ham and cheese focaccia which I must say was pretty good and cheesy, I love cheese , and it had nicely seasoned artichoke hearts, which I had never tried before but was pleasantly surprised to see that I like them. My friend had pancakes with sweet ricotta cheese and syrup she said that she did not need the syrup because the cheese was that good. The service was fine and everyone was nice so I guess overall it was a nice experience just a little underwhelming.
(3)Nick H.
This place was great, had a large dinner party there for a recent graduation and everyone walked away satisfied. Portions are generous and they were even nice enough to provide free dessert for the graduates.
(5)Kathleen K.
Via Vite Since living in Cincinnati for four years, I've made Via Vite my go-to Italian place. While there are certainly better and more authentic places, the relatively reasonable prices and fresh pasta are what keep me coming back. Although I've eaten the regular menu twice for special occasions, my review will focus on the Happy Hour, which is easily one of the best in the city, for both food and drink. During happy hour, all drinks, including cocktails are half-off. I usually stick with a glass (s) of pinot grigio, but happy hour is a perfect opportunity to try their amazing cocktails. I recommend anything with Campari, as it is especially delicious during the hot summer months. For food, you have a set of options, which can be paired together to make a meal. I typically order the Arugula salad, along with an order of Pasta Bolognese (Their samples at Taste of Cincinnati got me hooked!). The portion is rather small, but for six dollars, it's a steal! You can also add a meatball for three dollars. One possible downside of happy hour is that it is restricted to the bar and patio area. If you come around six, however, you should not have issues with seating. This is a great place to come right before the Summer Fountain Square Concerts.
(4)Helen P.
I did enjoy this place my daughter loved the pasta so did I. The location is perfect and the service amazing! Go there and enjoy
(5)Amanda K.
Went to this restaurant and wanted some good Italian without being too "old-fashioned". Decor is contemporary but welcoming. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the lasagna, which was one of the specials. It was the creamiest, freshest lasagna I've had. Highly recommend.
(4)Denny C.
I have been referring to this restaurant as Via Vitae for several years, and thus I am embarrassed. Why family, friends and acquaintances never corrected me, is beyond my hyper critical persona. I would have corrected me immediately! Food from Via Whatever addresses my taste buds several times a month. I live a few blocks away, and stop in or do "take out" often. Sometimes the food, service, and ambiance are very good, and sometimes the food, service and ambiance are terrible. That's what I mean by bi-polar, and unfortunately there is no medication to cure a restaurant of this psychiatric disorder. In the past, I chalked this up to Christian, the owner/operator, not being present, but I Do not know for sure. The pastas, pizza are often some of the best in the city. Often the pasta and pizza are some of the worst in the city. Consistency is a lost art at Via Whatever. When Yusef is behind the bar, everything works smoothly and he accommodates a patron's wishes. I've had other bartenders who are more interested in themselves then any customer. Sometimes the ambiance hopping with great energy. Sometimes the ambiance is quiet, empty, and depressing., like a former girlfriend of mine. I will continue to dine at Via V....Whatever, but I will keep my fingers crossed.
(3)Katie D.
Finally made it this popular happy hour! Tried sips of 3 cocktails and they all were pretty tasty. The bolognese is very good for the price, but I prefer the recipe at Nicolas. My friend disagrees, so really it's just a matter of preference. We were also pleased with the greens and the veal meatballs. The margherita pizza was mediocre, but I'll admit the other pizzas looked super tasty! #orderfail We sat outside on the piazza deck which had it's pros and cons. It's cool to eat out on fountain square but at times it was very loud. Service was slow but it was because they seemed understaffed out there. The chef came out and introduced himself to us which was pretty cool. I will definitely being going to this happy hour again! A great Friday night spot to go with your girlfriends before a night on the town!
(4)George O.
I've been to a few upscale Italian restaurants and this one certainly competes with the best of them. They have a huge selection of wines and a handful of specialty cocktails available. The bruschetta was one of the best I've ever eaten. I tried gnocchi for the first time at this restaurant. It's served over cheese fondue sauce and truffle shavings. The gnocchi dish was unbelievably tasty. I can't say that enough. The gnocchi was so good. I can't wait to go back and have it again. Service was a little slow, but it was a very busy night (New years eve). The quality of food and beverage more than made up for it though. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Rick S.
I love this place. It's modern-hip and the food is really good. Christian, the owner-chef, is a terrific guy. He comes out of the kitchen to mingle. He makes it a friends, special occasion. Pasta is his passion. The penne bolognese makes me crazy. I love it. Cristian Pietoso is pure Italian. He sounds like it. Looks like it. Cooks like it. A winner!
(5)Carrie R.
What a fabulous restaurant on Fountain Square! We went on a Thursday when there were salsa singers in the square which attracts a huge crowd of salsa dancing couples. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the food was fantastic. My group split the mussels zuppa and the warmed whipped ricotta cheese spread as appetizers. Both of which were delicious! I had the best scallops here! My husband loved his lamb shank (it was perfectly prepared - falling off the bone and well seasoned). My sister loved the paccheri alla napoletana dish that she tried and my brother-in-law loved his whole chicken. For dessert we all ordered something and then shared as a group. We tried: ~tiramisu ~risotto pudding (the favorite) ~carmel complexity This truly epitomizes the perfect restaurant to have a dinner date.
(5)Susanne H.
I had both lunch and dinner here. For lunch I got the margarita pizza. It was excellent, the mozzarella was very good. For dinner we had an assortment of appetizers. The octopus was actually pretty good. We ordered the brushetta thinking it was a normal brushetta, it came out as an assortment where we had to guess what we were eating. The other items were so-so. By far the best thing we had was the Penne with traditional meat sauce alla Bolognese. It was amazing. On Mondays they do a lunch special where you can get it for $7.00. The atmosphere was nice, the music was a little loud, we just made a request to have it turned down a bit and staff was accommodating.
(3)Tiera A.
I had been to Via Vite a few times for private parties but never for happy hour. I decided to check it out for my birthday and have a few friends join me. We had a really nice time, the atmosphere (we sat on the patio outside) was great. We went on a Tuesday evening so the place was not extremely busy but our wait times were a little long. There was only one server in our area, who wasn't that accommodating. Luckily, I had great company so I didn't really notice the long wait times. We all got pizza and cocktails. The pizza had a lot to be desired. Mine was a little too doughy (think Papa Johns) and my friend's was burnt. These weren't the best pizzas we'd ever had but certainly not the worst. Via Vite has a signature cocktail called Sgroppino and it is absolutely amazing. The drink is about $5 during happy hour. Overall, this is a nice place. I'll definitely go back. I hope that when I return the service will be better.
(3)Elvin H.
Great Italian restaurant on Fountain Square. Nice wine list. The meatballs are my favorite, but a little heavy for warm weather. The Bolognaise is my absolute favorite. Small menu, but great chef with seasonal and daily features. Nice happy hour in the bar.
(4)Mike P.
Was pretty good - limited menu, but in the middle of town, good wine list, great bar and food pretty good - not great. Fun place though.
(4)Brian M.
This was the first restaurant I ever went to in Cincinnati, and it remains one of my favorites. The Italian food here is quite good and reasonably priced. There's a reason the lamb keeps getting mentioned over and over on Yelp; it's in the top 5 of all lamb that I've ever had. The service is excellent as well. This place has some wonderful views of Fountain Square. Definitely going back.
(4)Craig C.
This restaurant is always on my short list when entertaining clients. First and foremost, you can't beat the location; Via Vite is in the heart of our city, and if you pick the right table on the patio you can even get a view of Fountain Square. Chef Christian does a terrific job of keeping his menu fresh and hosting various types of tasting events that keep his customers engaged and looking for more. As for the food, my favorite dish at Via Vite is the Bolognese. Truthfully, I think it is the best bolognese I have ever eaten, and I even like it better than the higher end sister restaurant - Nicola's. The sauce is incredibly flavorful, and they always do a good job of cooking their pasta to a perfect al dente. I also regularly eat the warm goat cheese salad, which is quite memorable. I have found that seating on the restaurant's terrace patio (my favorite location by a long shot) can be a bit inconsistent, as they will decide to close this area if it is a slower night. In addition, they close this area due to certain events that they are hosting. If you are really trying to impress a client/date, and you are expecting a patio seat, I would advise you to call ahead and make sure it is available.
(4)Tom H.
Food taste is outstanding. Portions are a bit small for the cost. Atmosphere is great. Drinks are watered down A LOT. Two long islands and didn't feel a thing. Service is a bit slow and inattentive especially when busy. Nice to experience once, but plan to spend a lot.
(3)Tyler M.
Gnocchi swimming in vodka sauce, Bolognese 4 dayzzz, and one of the best outdoor patios in the city, what more could guy ask for? A nap. I dined here for lunch, and loved the mix-n-match special (pick two items from the select menu, i.e. Gnocchi + Fresh Arugula Salad) for $12, not bad. My dining-companion and I each picked a different pasta dish so we could share...Thus, I was able to try both the Gnocchi in vodka sauce as well as the Bolognese. Both were delicious. The Gnocchi in vodka sauce was comfort food at its finest. Something about a smooth vodka sauce just puts the mind at ease. The Bolognese was fantastic as well. The arugula salad was served with our entrée (which made it hard to cherish the salad next to the rich and savory dishes). Will I be back? For a lunch special, or perhaps some happy hour goodness, You Betcha!
(4)Scott M.
To be fair, this was a business dinner with a set menu. Nonetheless, the service was very good. Friendly, helpful and engaging...but too much. The food was tasty. I had the goat cheese salad. A small plate size - perfect. The beef with fingerling potatoes and chard (I think. I was green. So it was good for me.). The portion size was perfect. Which translate to 3oz of meat. For many people, this might have been considered an appetizer. However, it was the proper amount of food. I rounded out the dinner with tiramisu. It was served in a mason jar. Which was kinda strange since the rest of the service was not country style. Regardless, it was super tasty and I wanted to have seconds. (I didn't!). I wish I had now that I'm thinking about it again.
(4)Martin E.
The food was phenomenal and the service, impeccable. Attentive yet not intrusive. Great recommendations for first-time customers. I give it five stars only because I can't give six!
(5)Priyanka G.
Really disappointed. Tuna was terrible, brussel sprouts came at the end of the meal, had to ask for silverware... All in all, expected much more out of a 4 star place. Will not return
(2)Joe M.
The bosses were taking their troops to lunch in downtown Cincinnati and we had reservations at the swanky Via Vite for lunch. The favorite eatery of elite bankers in the area, we were a ragtag group amongst a bunch of suits. After a very long wait, we started off with bread and butter. The bread was squished and seemed to be made up of scraps, and there was literally a thimble-sized dollop of butter in the bowl, perhaps good for one or two slices of bread in the entire basket. For my entree, I ordered their spinach and ricotta ravioli with shrimp and a light cream sauce, and was disappointed to find only five raviolis on a plate that ended up costing almost $18. When it was served, it wasn't even that hot, and the pasta tasted undercooked. Overall, I was so underwhelmed by the food that I just snacked on bread while others ate. Totally not worth the money. Service was appalling and our server was slow and rude. I'm not sure what her attitude was fueled by, but it really wasn't my problem. The chef came out later to ask how everything was, and considering I was there with our big group, I opted to not be "that guy" and complain. However, I was very disappointed with the experience and would prefer to dine elsewhere in the future. Food: 5/10 Service: 3/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 6/10
(2)Sara M.
I'd first noticed Via Vite while looking for a sports bar to watch a soccer game. The second story patio with its bright red umbrellas definitely caught my eye, but since I was in Cincy only for a couple of days for a wedding, I didn't think I'd be able to try this place. As it turned out, Sunday brunch at the restaurant inside our hotel was booked. It has a really good reputation, and since it was Father's Day, I can see why they'd be filled up. I was bummed when I found out. So we decided to give Via Vite a try and an hour later, we were so glad we did! We dined inside, with a nice view of Fountain Square, which made for great people-watching. Inside, the restaurant decor is sleek and stylish. I was very surprised that the restaurant wasn't full, considering the good food, prime location, and Father's Day holiday. Maybe Cincinnati doesn't take its brunch as seriously as Atlanta. The brunch menu didn't have your typical American breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Instead, it had amazing-sounding choices like prosciutto and fontina cheese on ciabatta or braised pork belly with fagioli and a fried egg. There were also a couple of pasta and pizza options. Definitely a very unique assortment of brunch offerings. I had a hard time deciding between the two aforementioned dishes and ended up going with the former. Good lawd that was an amazing sandwich. A very generous amount of cheese and prosciutto that was delightfully crisp at the edges of the sandwich. Also on the sandwich were truffled artichoke hearts. YUM. The sandwich came with a side salad of field greens, but I asked for a side of the parmesan polenta for a slight upcharge. I'm not sure how I feel about the polenta. The texture was a little too runny and slightly gluey, but it tasted pretty good. It was difficult to eat out of the bowl it came in using a fork. My SO had the bianca pizza (garlic confit, goat cheese, artichokes, mozzarella, and Kalamata olives) with a side of Italian sausage, which he sprinkled over his pizza (why he didn't just add it to his pizza I don't know). The pizza was really good, but I enjoyed my meal more. The coffee was actually really good. I wanted to take a big ol' to-go cup of it. I probably should have asked, considering we had a seven-hour drive back to Atlanta. Our server offered us a dessert menu, which I would have loved to browse, but we had our hearts set on Graeter's. Speaking of our server, she was friendly, upbeat, and eager to answer our questions about the menu. The host was also very friendly. Should I ever find myself back in Cincinnati, I would definitely come back here for dinner. And possibly dessert, if the call of Graeter's isn't too strong!
(4)Willie S.
So dining by yourself on a business trip is not ideal. But I found two ways to enjoy it in my recent trip to Cincy. At Via it was the Chefs table - much better than the bar - I met the chef and several of his team. I watched the cooking, plating and serving process. A veritable ballet of constant motion. Very fun. Team was well behaved - they got along, I saw teaching moments - ones that really worked - Gordon Ramsey is an ass. Ok but the food - Grilled Spanish Octopus - wow. Glad I added that one. Tender and tasty. Blackened Gnocchi - the dish I went for was also great - a very different presentation. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts were not the bomb but hey they were just a bit heavy handed on the carmalizing. Really enjoyed watching a team work well together. Will do this again.
(5)Cindy G.
I cannot believe I have never eaten here before this weekend!! Ok, what you are about to read are true, amazing, delicious, incredible, savory, tales of deliciousness. Prepare yourself.... My boyfriend and I are kind of in love with Palomino's happy hour deal. When we need a cheap quick bite we usually pop over there. As we were walking past I asked him, "I feel bad, but can we cheat on Palomino's just once and try Via Vite?" He said, "Of course dear, you are always right." (Or something like that LOL) We see that they have an INCREDIBLE happy hour: ** Monday-Friday 3-7pm $4 house reds, whites $2 off ALL cocktails $2 off ALL beers 1/2 price pizzas!! **AND it's available in the main bar, the Terrace, Courtyard and the newly opened Piazza. Where else would you want to be? Am I right??! We choose the Terrace overlooking Fountain Square. It was hot as heck, but the fans made for a nice breeze. It was Friday so the music on the square was the perfect ambiance. We ordered the house white and red, which were both fantastic for only $4 bucks! Then we chose the Sausage and Sauteed Onion Pizza for 1/2 price = $6 bucks. The pizza comes out and mind you, we are expecting a little flatbread, we had dinner plans somewhere else after. What we got--LORD HAVE MERCY!!! A hand tossed, home made crust, wood fired pizza that tasted like it was sent down from the Italian gods! This thing had fresh Italian sausage (made at Findlay Market just for them) basil, sauteed onions for a little sweetness, basil, and mozzarella cheese. The server then brought out more cheese and red pepper table side for us which was a nice touch. We took each took a bite, swooned, eyes rolled back in our heads, regained consciousness and looked at each other and said, "This is the best pizza I have ever had in my life." We couldn't believe it. From the crust, to the sauce, to the toppings, everything was home made and super fresh! Much to my surprise, the chef came out to ask us how we were doing and if you ask me that is the sign of a good restaurant. He was charming and really cared about his food. You could literally taste the passion in this pizza. Our bill was $14 and we cancelled our dinner reservation. Stuffed, satisfied, and so so happy. We had the perfect date night thanks to Via Vite. And not to be weird, but we have been sending texts back and forth to each other about that damn pizza ever since. Can't wait to go back!
(5)William W.
Just visited on business trip. Get location and vibe. Ate at bar and had great service. Had the wild bore pa
(4)Patti T.
What an amazing treat! If you are in the Cincinnati area you must try this restaurant. My husband and I got a recommendation from our hotel to have dinner at this local gem. From the fabulous salad with warm goat cheese to the tasty penne bolognese we were wowed. We finished up with the caramel magic dessert. I would have licked the plate....absolutely one of the best meals we have had. And the service was great too.
(5)L M.
Very tasty and great service. Very good wine list. Right on Fountain Square. Wonderful place for a great dinner without a crazy price!
(5)Fred C.
Enjoyed some wonderful food. The lamb shank was perfectly prepared and delicious. The meat balls we GREAT! The pizzas where wonderful as well. Great staff to take care of you too.
(4)Joel L.
I've eaten here twice and it's been good each time. The service was very good and the food tasted good too. I had the gnocchi and the ravioli, both were good. The location in Fountain Square is excellent. Overall, this restaurant is A-OK.
(3)Amanda C.
Great service! Server was prompt and friendly. Pizza was hot and delicious, the outside seating has great people watching views.
(5)Ploy K.
Via Vite was pretty stellar in my opinion. The atmosphere is classy but also not too stuffy, and the staff are friendly and helpful, as well as very knowledgable about their food. I went for dinner with my family before a show at the Aronoff last weekend, and we ordered a ton of food - pork belly, octopus, and scallops (appetizers); butternut squash ravioli with lobster, lamb shank, tuna, and the fluke special (entrees); tiramisu, dark chocolate creme brûlée, and bourbon soaked dates (dessert). The food was all excellent, including the bread that was brought before the appetizers. I do have one complaint, however, and that is about the tiramisu. It was more a heavy whipped cream custard dessert with a few lady fingers stuck in than the delicate layered Italian dessert. The lady fingers were more like hard cookies, which means they had not been soaked in either the mascarpone or espresso hardly at all, and about 85-90% of the cup was filled with the heavy cream mixture. If you're looking for traditional tiramisu, stay away from this. Though I will recommend the dark chocolate creme brûlée. This is definitely a place for nicer meals, though they may have happy hour specials that I am unaware of. I will definitely be back!
(4)Claire S.
Average food and drinks. Definitely not the best Italian in Cincinnati (Sotto, Nicola's).
(2)Michele G.
My daughter and I had been to Via Vite before but my other half had not. I have to be honest I had worked at a different Italian place and am partial. We walked in and the atmosphere is how I remembered (good). The music wasn't to loud and current. Our daughter ordered a cheese pizza that was not only delicious but the size of a medium pizza from a delivery place. She was so happy she knew that leftovers would be tomorrows lunch. I ordered the chicken stuffed with sausage. The chicken was good and moist. I am always afraid to order chicken becuase places tend to dry it out. My wife always gets the better dish and once again she did. She ordered the pork with a salsa verde. The salsa verde was reminiscent of a chimichurri. The manager sent over crispy gnocchi with a white cheese sauce and black truffles. When I go back I think that is what I would order it was so good. I love Italian wine and my wife is starting to get to know how good they are thanks to half price bottle night on Sunday. We got a killer Barolo for $35.00.The server was great. She was knowledgeable about the wine and pairings with food. My daughter loves to go out to eat and talk to the server and I have to thank the server for engaging with her. I will be back for sure and maybe I will forget about that other place I had worked at when I want real Italian.
(4)Megan H.
Love this restaurant! Great servers and delicious food!
(5)Nicole D.
I love this place! It's relaxing, classy, and awesome. After terrible service at another restaurant, I ended up here before heading to see a show. The chef came out and greeted people and asked if food was good, and if people were enjoying themselves. It was all together a fantastic dining experience. PS - I highly recommend the rigatoni.
(5)Jennifer N.
Being a first timer I wasn't sure what to expect but I am certainly glad I made the trip! First off I should mention the pizzas are half off during happy hour which is definitely a plus. Second I should mention how incredibly good the pizza is!! The pizza is wood fired and the sauce is very unique and isn't saucy like other sauces it is fresh and robust and the cheese is light not too heavy just right. I will definitely come back in the near future the pizza is definitely worth it!!
(4)Jack R.
Can't believe that I never been here before. I have seen this place but with it being on Fountain Square and the way it looked just thought it would be really pricey. We got a free meal here for doing an event on the square and it was great. Got to look over the menu and prices for the next time as well. It really isn't that pricey add the food and service was great. The veal meatball appetizer was great and then we got a clam pizza with white sauce. I did not expect them to have pizza but they did and it was great. It is a smaller place so the tables are set a bit to close together for my comfort but this is a place that we will have to try again. It would make for a great place for your next date night.
(4)Ed P.
Two Saturday's ago was a rare date night for my wife and I. Since our son was born I think I can count on one hand the number of meals we have eaten without him. However now that he is less tolerable of sit down meals, this may become a more regular occurrence. Anyway, the destination for our dinner was Via Vite on Fountain Square downtown. I had seen the outside of this restaurant numerous times due to its very central location but had never ventured inside. We made reservations with OpenTable and arrived at our designated time, quickly being ushered to our reserved table in the relatively crowded dining area. It was crowded with nearly all tables being occupied, but it was also crowded in that the tables were very close to each other. The cramped dining area was therefore quite noisy. Service on the other hand was wonderful! Our drinks were never empty and the pace of the meal felt just right. The first item delivered to our table was some fresh bread along with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. Nothing out of the ordinary hear, but still a nice way to start the meal. For dinner I ordered the Handmade Spaghetti Chitarra with velvet pioppini mushroom ragout and Parmigiano Reggiano ($19). The spaghetti is handmade and cut in the restaurant and thicker than what you would typically make at home. The mushroom based sauce was outstanding! It was still full of a nice tomato flavor and a hint of spice as well. My wife had the Italian spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza ($13). The pizza was large and covered with sausage and onions. I was able to steal a piece from her and I have to admit that this was one of the better slices of pizza I've had in a long time. The mozzarella used was certainly fresh and really stood out to me. With such flavorful cheese and toppings, the sauce took a backseat, but that's not to say that it wasn't tasty on its own. I was very happy to have some of this leftover to take home with us. The food at Via Vite was excellent and the service was great. Twice Executive Chef Cristian Pietoso stopped by our table to chat and ask how everything tasted. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Bill E.
Came here a few weeks ago for Sunday brunch around 11 and there were just a few tables which was suprising to us. Our server was friendly and suggested the minestrone soup and so my mom was hooked for her first course. Via Vite does a two course brunch menu for fifteen dollars each and it is a great value. I ordered a bloody mary and for my first course the fruit salad which a few days before Polly Campbell the food critic said it was the best she has ever had with fresh mint and lime. It was good. My mom ordered the minestrone soup and she raved about it. My second course was the polenta with sausage and a fried egg and chives on top, it was great and one of the best things I have had at brunch as the egg's yolk added to the creaminess of the polenta. My mom ordered the quiche of the day which happened to be aspargus and really liked it. I highly suggest going to Via Vite for brunch.
(4)Regina G.
This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati!!! The bolognese Monday lunch special is a deal that can't be passed up! The menu is priced amazingly for the quality of the food. It's always busy, so make a reservation. My only complaint is that the service can be quite slow, so don't plan on a quick meal.
(5)Danielle S.
I came here for brunch, and much like the other reviews for brunch I ran into the same problem. There was A HUGE lack of variety on the menu. My husband and I ordered shrimp and grits and a soufflé. I was so disappointed by how small the portions were. My husband finished the shrimp and grits in literally four bites and thus ordered more bread to get his moneys worth. After brunch we went to the bar and tavern right behind it and had a second meal. What a waste of time and money this place was. Its also not as nice and fancy as I thought it was going to be. The tables were right on top of each other and were cheap. Techno music was playing... what a waste of a valentines day meal. I wont be going back.
(1)Anthony R.
Delicious. We had a large group and our server did fantastically well. Attentive and well timed service.
(5)Danae B.
one of my fav restaurants downtown, they always have something going on. Dinner, Happy Hour, Brunch...they do it all. Brunch is my fav. If you are vegan/vegetarian, be sure to ask the chefs to make something special whipped up for you. It is also on a great spot, very scenic. A great spot downtown, very central to everything.
(4)Emily L.
I visited Via Vite for dinner with my friend, and we were immediately greeted by the friendly hostess. The overall atmosphere is inviting and family friendly. If I ever get the chance to visit again, I'll order their tapas and shrimp. Overall, this downtown spot seems like a great spot for an intimate dinner with friends or a romantic date. I wasn't too impressed with my noodle entree, AND it came out much later than stated. Our waitress wasn't making our experience any better because she didn't seem to want to talk, and I felt bad for her, but I just didn't understand why she would tell us that our food was ready several times, but then come back to tell us that it wasn't. I'm not sure how a date would fare well here, but I think this restaurant has a lot of potential.
(2)Mitch D.
Very surprising experience at Via Vite. For some reason I had written this place off a bit, probably because of its potentially "touristy"/"chain" location. But the reality I experienced was great food, phenomenal service, and a really cool atmosphere that fits in the heart of the city. The service was actually a bit too attentive at times, but typically I'll take that over the alternative any day. one of the chefs as well as the dinner manager both stopped by our table, in addition to the many visits by our waitress. They could have cut that back by a third and the service would still have been great.
(4)Monica D.
I brought my family to Via Vite tonight for dinner while they were in town because I wanted them to see downtown and still get a solid meal. First, the ambiance is awesome with a killer view of fountain square. We sat in the main dining room which is decorated with modern and classic lighting and seating. Onto the food. We ordered the veal and ricotta meatballs and the bruschetta of the day (which happened to be tuna). Both were yummy but not outstanding. The crostini bread and oil with balsamic would have probably been just fine to hold us over. We did order a bottle of Pinot noir that was awesome. The entrees we ordered were the rigatoni, pasta Bolognese, butternut squash ravioli, and four cheese gnocchi. All were very flavorful and wonderfully seasoned. I must say though hands down the ravioli was incredible. Served with a sage butter sauce and lobster tail it was a total knockout. The serving sizes were fairly large, enough to share tastes between my family. One final note that gained itself a star on it's own was that the head chef and owner of the restaurant (chef Cristian) was not only greeting tables and asking how the food was, but he was running food himself. This humble appreciation for his customers satisfaction was phenomenal to see. He was shaking hands and smiling the entire time. I love to see owners and chefs show this kind of passion. I will definitely be back to try their famous happy hour and pizza!
(4)Victor A.
There could not be a more centrally located restaurant in Cincinnati and in the boot a pretty good one as well. These folks have a number of house made pastas and a wide variety of Italian fare. I've had the braised veal shanks before and they are delicious. This night my daughter had Gnocchi grilled somehow so they were "crisped", and I had the pasta e fagioli. The Gnocchi were rich but portioned correctly so they were not over powering and the bean soup was hearty with house made sausage. I'd have added more tomato but that didn't stop me from eating every drop. The "Carmel Complexity" was a bit overwrought in my view but my daughter enjoyed it and we got out with dinner, a couple of glasses of a quite respectable Barbera, cognac and espresso for about $125. I thought it was a good deal. I've been here a number of times and I'll be back.
(3)Lianna N.
Swanky,nice staff, and very Italiano Modern! The second floor is relaxing and it's a great place to hang out during the summer time when it's warm.
(4)Joyce K.
Fantastic atmosphere, really good for groups or if you want to go with a group of coworkers for a quiet conversation. I got the lamb shank and it was GREAT! I highly recommend that and don't skimp out on dessert. Their gelato (which i think is purchased from a local maker?) is very good too - it comes in really interesting flavors like Honey Lavender. Great service, too. The only thing that wasn't so great was their Tiramisu. Don't order that unless you really like mascarpone cheese because there's a 2 inch layer of that and like 1/3 layer of the actual cake.
(4)Joe M.
Had the gnocchi with cheese fondue sauce and the goat cheese salad. Both were amazing. Service was excellent. Wine was an acceptable Nero d'Avola that was half price on Sunday. Very good meal. Not 5 star, but definitely not 3 or less stars as some reviewers would suggest.
(4)Suz M.
When I worked Downtown, I loved going to Nicola's for lunch. Not that I did it that often (Neither my waistline nor my wallet could afford frequent visits). Via Vite is Nicola's slightly less expensive sister. The menu is different than Nicola's, but the food is just as good. I like the convenience of Via Vite's location and ease of parking at the Fountain Square garage. Plus, the restaurant is open late, so it's good for after theater or other late night dining. I also absolutely love the interior design. I'd love to have my home look as sleek and modern as the decor of Via Vite. I don't remember what I got the first time I ate at Via Vite, I just remember it was SO good, I couldn't wait to go back. This last time I was with the BF and my parents, we all ordered something different. I got the grilled asparagus/beet/whipped goat cheese salad. It was very tasty. The saltiness of the goat cheese nicely complemented the sweetness of the beets. It was my favorite part of the meal. For my entrée, I got the gnocchi with vodka sauce. It was good, but I actually like the gnocchi with vodka sauce at Maggiano's WAY better. I probably wouldn't order it again. The BF ordered the braised lamb shank and said it was very good. It had a beautiful presentation, so I guess if it tasted as good as it looked, then it tasted pretty good. My dad got the bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. I'm guessing it was good, since he ate everything. My mom ordered a pizza, because she's cheap (even though she wasn't paying) and because she doesn't like a lot of non-basic food preparations. She got the bianca pizza and ordered it with mushrooms and olives instead of artichokes and olives. It came out with artichokes and mushrooms, no olives. So, it had to be sent back. The replacement pizza came out fairly quickly, but it looked super greasy. My mom said it was "OK," which means she didn't really like it. Not sure if it was the taste or the price. Overall, the service was very good and the food was tasty. I was completely stuffed, but when the server started talking about desert, I couldn't resist...nor could the BF. I got the vanilla bean risotto pudding (I love rice pudding) and the BF got strawberry gelato (it looked like sorbet). My dad ate the cookie that came with the gelato. I know the BF and I will be back, but I don't think my parents will, as it was a little pricey for them.
(4)Donna L.
This restaurant only affirmed in my mind that Cincinnati is a city full of rude, crabby people. Firstly, their happy hour specials, which are good, are only available at the bar. So, if you're seated a mere 25 feet from the bar as my friends and I were, you're basically screwed. Secondly, the food, while good, is about $4-$5 overpriced. I don't mind paying a lot for quality food but the $12 margherita pizza was only worth about $8. Yes, this is being somewhat parsimonious, but overpriced food pisses me off. Thirdly, our server was pretty much rude and stuck up to us the entire night after I went to the bar to get a happy hour special drink. Yes, I understand this takes away from her tip, however i had planned to leave her a tip to make up for this supposed trangression. I have also worked in the service industry before so I have little sympathy for rude and obnoxious service workers. Additionally, I have a hard time with restaurants that restrict their specials to certain areas of the restaurant, esp ones as small as this one. This was no nicer than many restaurants I've patronized in Columbus and yet the service and food were FAR below what I get there. Basically, if you want a good dining experience in Cincinnati, you have a 50-50 shot if getting crappy service and food, along with being surrounded by some of the biggest douchebag rednecks ever. On a side note, the bartender was very nice and I tipped her well. I usually never tip badly anywhere I go but I made an exception for the overinflated ego this restaurant and the majority of its staff clearly have. Columbus definitely has a much better and much more polite restaurant scene than Cincinnati.
(1)Ameet C.
I was a social outcast with my friends at work, as I had never been to Via Vite, inspite of being to Fountain Square a million times. At every office party, or by the water cooler, I had to hear "Have you been to Via Vite?" , "Oh you have to eat at Via vite" . Last week, on a Friday night, I got home late and my friend and I were very hungry. Now, we were faced with the dilemma : where can we get good food at 9 pm on a Friday night without having to wait for hours (which is the norm nowadays at all places in OTR)? So I made a few phone calls and luckily Via Vite didn't have a waiting time. So, we drove to fountain square, there was a live band playing there, which was very cool. I liked the fact that there is ample parking for Via Vite at the Fountain Square Garage, which is very convenient and secure. The restaurant has a very well appointed interior. Our server was very professional and provided us with a lot of information about the menu. I have a weakness for sea food, and I ordered the "Mussels Zuppa" with grilled bread and my friend ordered Pasta e Fagioli. Before our dinner arrived, we were served fresh warm bread with olive oil. The bread was fantastic ! Dinner arrived just right (not too soon, which is scary or not too late). Even though my mussels were an "appetizer", the quantity was sufficient, and the mussels were very flavorful. I tried some of the pasta e fagioli too, althogh it was flavorful, I thought it was a bit bland. I was expecting a bold rosemary flavor in the pasta dish, but it was good none the less. The ambience was very nice and it was a nice delicious meal. I will be back to Via Vite for sure.
(4)Christian G.
I have dined at almost every restaurant on the City's top lists and this was my second time at Via Vite. The first time was just for appetizers and I was impressed overall with the food and the wine selection and we returned last night for dinner. I truly believe service makes or breaks a meal. Typical food can seems outstanding if the service is also top notch. Via Vite had typical food for what I would expect. I was not amazed or wow-ed but I was not disappointed. The Gnocchi was good (Nicola's is better) and the Bianca pizza was very well done. Neither though was anything that will remain memorable. I do firmly believe that had the service been better the meal would have been more special. For starters it was extremely cold inside on a winter evening, but we were greeted by a friendly hostess and promptly seated. No table cloths which would have been an added special touch for the price range. Our waitress took longer than expected to show up and then returned several minutes later to take drink orders. It took over ten minutes for the drinks to arrive from the bar on what I would call only a mildly busy night. During this period I had time to notice how caked in dust the window shades are which is disappointing. The waitress was overall very unfriendly and abrupt - nearly knocking into one of us on several occasions when she came barreling through without warning with the water pitcher. She seemed rushed every time she came to the table and it was a solid 25 minutes from seating to ordering entrees. The chef hurried by our table and told us to "have fun" which seemed odd. The waitress explained no specials, did not ask if it was our first time there and offered no advicee on drinks or food. A 5 star restaurant has top notch service and awesome food in its price point, a 4 star restaurant excels in either food or service and is just typical in the other. A 3 star place is just typical all around. Via Vite is very typical. Had the service been exceptional I would have given 4 stars. A $50 dinner should be better than average. For your money give Sotto a try instead - a true 5 star. UPDATE: Within just a short time from reviewing I received a call from the general manager. His prompt willingness to to address the service shortcomings is the type of service recovery that should be enacted in all establishments. I appreciate this and would take their willingness to reach out as a sign of the service level they typically provide. Thank you Via Vite.
(3)Beth A.
Really enjoyed this place! Great pizza in a nice setting right on the square. We stumbled on it accidentally but were happy we did. Highly recommend it.
(5)Miiim R.
Pizza had a lot of cheese on it. High price and low amount of food .
(2)Robert H.
Beautiful place, I was recently there before a show at the Aronoff Center. The food was great, everyone in my party enjoyed what the ordered. I ordered the special for the day which was lasagna. It was well prepared, great sauce, and a larger portion then I expected. Our waitress was somewhat awkward, but drinks came out fast and food as well. The one thing I did not realize when making the decision to eat here was the happy hour. I originally chose this please for its great happy hour drink specials. Once we were seated the waitress explained that the happy hour would only apply to the bar and upstairs patio, not the main dining area. We didn't move, but it's not well advertised information. I will definitely be back to Via Vite.
(4)Kelly R.
Via Vite is positively and absolutely wonderful. I had never heard of this wonderful little gem until my boss announced she was pregnant and I immediately began planning her office baby shower. Knowing she wouldn't want a typical shower of games and being the center of attention, I asked her husband about her favorite lunching spots. Via Vite was brought up and I booked a private area upstairs and away we went. They were so accommodating to our group and made sure we were taken care of - from the second we walked out the door to a follow-up email thanking us and sending well wishes to the mom-to-be. The food was outstanding - the bolognese was enough for both lunch and dinner. I highly recommend anyone who wants good, hearty Italian food to stop by!
(5)Denise S.
We had been recommended by a friend to this place. We went for a friends birthday, and with a party of only 10 they were very ill equipt! The staff was rude and we may have been able to get past that yet the food was mediocre at best. The scallops were low quality and grainy thus not edible. The pizza was tasteless and not finishable. However, the worst was it was pouring outside and my friends asked the hostess for something to cover our heads at the hostess suggestion we could get pizza boxes to cover us to the cab, AND were told they couldn't do it. Wow over 1000 dollars spent and they wouldn't even allow their patrons to stay dry. So sad. We will never visit this place again or recommend
(1)Sarah H.
Struggling with this review because there was no consistency here. We had the tuna which was delicious, maybe one of the best fish dishes ever eaten; however, the puréed fennel and peppers served with it was very weird to say the least. Odd texture, odd taste, and overall odd decision to serve as a side. Bruschetta was delicious, salad just so-so. Scallops were tender but there was a burnt taste at first bite from the sear, but the mushrooms that were served with the scallops were to die for. I'm still dreaming of them. Bottom line.. I'm not sure that the prices match up to the food items. A few changes and this could have been 5 stars.
(4)E. K.
The food was really good, but my portion was tiny. Yeah yeah portion distortion. But when I pay 20 bucks for pasta (and some extra just to get some vegetables in it) then I shouldn't be able to count my gnocchi on one hand. The waitress was way too pushy, too. She kept trying to upsell. No, don't get that wine; get this more expensive one. Oh, if you order that you HAVE to get this and this and this in it. Um...no?
(3)Karen D.
Enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner Saturday night at Via Vite. I picked the center of down for my celebration, why not its on Fountain Square the heart of Cincinnati and Via Vite is showcased in a great modern building. I made reservations a few days in advance, they reconfirmed the reservation the afternoon of, we arrived and were seated right away. We started with the margarita pizza, which was served hot from the oven and we devoured it right away. Then sampled salads, the greens with the melted goat cheese is their best salad. Main course everyone tried something different, I went with the spinach ravioli and wasn't disappointed and enjoyed every bite. Finished dinner with chocolate mousse. My only complaint is the lack of restrooms, I always forget my birthday falls around prom season & there were several prom groups, so you had to wait on either floor for the facilities.
(4)Damion T.
BEST FOOD IN CINNCY!!! The chef is great and does a great job reinventing the menu throughout the season. I ate here for 18 months while working on a project and never had a bad experience!!
(5)Tracey J.
If you're looking for a happy hour with more than the usual bar food, in gorgeous surroundings, Via Vite's happy hour is the place for you. Centrally located on Fountain Square, Via Vite is a hop, skip and a jump away from the office. After a hard day at the office, the food, libations and contemporary casual elegance atmosphere of Via Vite are pampering. If you're a wine drinker, this is your kind of happy hour. The $4 house red and white special is a great deal and the friendly bartenders are always ready to fill you up. The house red is a decent Italian table wine, not the swill on the bargain shelves at Kroger's. The beer and liquor is $2 off at happy hour so if wine is not your taste, you can have your favorite go-to beverage without breaking the bank. Another great deal for their happy hour is that their wood-fired pizzas are half-off; perfect for those days when you don't want to go home and cook dinner, after a trying day at the office. If you're lucky enough to be there when it's available, try the salmon tartare. Salmon, sea salt, chives and a healthy dose of orange zest served with crostini- it is delectable. A popular choice are the Italian sliders, coming in at a reasonable 3 for $7, which you can mix and match. I recommend the veal and ricotta meatball slider. The portion size is just enough and you can always pair it with a salad or pizza. So, when you're having that bad day at work, plan a trip to Via Vite for happy hour, and that day will be just a little more tolerable!
(4)Matt B.
Went there for restaurant week. The atmosphere was pretty cool. Lots of glass the overlooks Fountain Square. Lots of people watching. Service was good given that they were busy. The seating was a little cramped. The specials for restaurant week menu was good. Portions were not big but plenty of food for the whole meal. I would definately go back.
(4)Jenna M.
Last evening my boyfriend suggested we eat at Via Vite since we have not tried it yet. The host was friendly and quick. The service was fair. The food was every bit of disappointing. The only good part of our dinner was the bread. We ordered scallops as an appetizer, they tasted fine but they were a little too done. The pizza was not good at all. The crust was good and a nice thickness, the sauce tasted like the used tomato soup and spread it around, there was about four pieces of mozzarella on top, there was no flavor it was very bland. I ordered the caeser salad and added salmon, the salad portion was good, it is a wedge with fresh parmesan and if I remember correctly and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The salmon tasted very fishy and was not prepared correctly. We ordered tiramisu for dessert and I was expecting typical tiramisu and that's not what came to the table. It was in a martini shaped dish and it was prepared using Kalhua and if you've made tiramisu you would know you use brandy. The taste was all wrong and had a horrible after taste. The mascarpone cheese tasted like cream cheese and was warm and almost runny. We will never eat here again the review that we had tea before choosing here to eat were misleading and not helpful. The food was bland and over priced for what it is.
(1)John B.
Recently for Santacon a large group of us pounced upon this place and ate and drank until the next twitter clue came our way. I shared a pizza with my group and we enjoyed it. The pieces were covered in big chunks of mozzarella and tasted wonderfully. The bartenders were friendly and actually looked like they enjoyed dozens of loud half drunk Santas and elves cavorted around the place. The bathrooms were clean too! While overall I find this place pretentious and overpriced, for the quick pizza, it was great.
(3)Valerie G.
Excellent lunch options, good for dinner, service can be hit-or-miss. I have many, many experiences at Via Vite. Lately, it has become one of my go-to lunch options. There are several things Via Vite does extremely well, and the lunch combos allow you to try these excellent options! For lunch, try the lunch combo of either soup and salad, soup and pasta, or salad and pasta. The soups are excellent, and even the "creamy" soups show some restraint and are not too rich. I think Via Vite does salads very well, and I am obsessed with the Boucheron Goat Cheese Salad. The greens are dressed perfectly, and the goat cheese hides underneath, so you can get the perfect amount in each bite. The lunch pasta options are arguably two of the best pastas - gnocchi or penne bolognese. I love the gnocchi and get it almost every time. I have had hit-or-miss service at Via Vite in the past, but my server last time was wonderful - she was friendly, helpful and efficient. Glasses were filled and she quickly fulfilled a special request our table made. Other great options to try: house made peperonata is to die for!, beet and asparagus salad is pretty and tasty, all the sides with dinner are very good, the specials are usually very good, the scruppino (spelled wrong) cocktail is yummy.
(4)Elizabeth R.
This is a hard one to judge. The menu doesn't really appeal to me, though the three times I've eaten there, I've been fairly satisfied with what I had. Once I had the tuna - cooked well, seasoned okay, another time, I had the ravioli (nice flavor) super thick though, so they sat like a rock in my stomach when I was done. A dinner companion the last time had whatever the house special of the day was - and loved it. The service is blah. Not really bad, not very good - just not really memorable at all. The location is great - right on Fountain Square, and the private room on one side upstairs overlooks the Square, which is pretty cool. I just can't really get on board with this, though I will say - they have some pretty good desserts. And the wine list is pretty good, too. I think this might be a better drink and appetizer place than a dinner place, and that's what I'll do in the future here.
(3)Ron A.
To Italians, Via Vite means the way of life. To Americans, Via Vite means bombass Northern Italian cuisine in downtown Cincinnati. Via Vite is located in the true social center of downtown, Fountain Square. You can really do it all on Fountain Square. You can start your day off at Via Vite enjoying a fantastic lunch special such as the $7 Penne Bolognese on Mondays. Afterward, you can check out the art deco hi-rise, Carew Tower, for shopping and breathtaking views. Then, you can drop some dinero at Saks for designer clothes and make your way over to Mynt Martini for some overpriced drinks and dirty dancing with girls who think they're hot. And then you can call it a night at the Westin across the street (maybe even in the arms of a lovely club rat if Lady Luck is on your side). And you can tell your friends you did it all on Fountain Square! But back to Via Vite. This place really has something for everyone. As previously mentioned they have great lunch specials during the day. They have an incredible happy hour which features discounts on some of their well-known pastas and award-winning wood-fired pizzas (the spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza makes Domino's taste like Wonder Bread with ketchup). They also have selected half price wines on Sundays (and not just your typical Robert Mondavi monstrosities but delicious imported Italian wines with names you can't even pronounce). And as great as Via Vite's specials are, the real attraction is the main dining experience itself. This restaurant prides itself on using quality local and imported ingredients prepared by relevant chefs who are trained in the art of culinary wonderment. And it's not just the pasta and pizza that's so money but there are ridiculously amazing hand-made desserts as well. This would be the perfect place to bring a date and impress her with an upscale dining experience far superior to that of her ex-boyfriend whose understanding of Italian fare ranged from Olive Garden to Ragu. And if a magical meal full of bolognese, bordeaux, and brulee doesn't impress her enough to earn you a nightcap at the neighboring Westin then you can always call her a cab and take your chances at Mynt Martini. Or do what I do when I get rejected, go back home to my studio apartment and three cats and watch Grey's Anatomy.
(4)Kelly K.
Awesome location, view, service, and The. Best. Lamb. Shank. Ever!!!!
(5)Darrell D.
Wow...does not even do this place justice. I was so lucky to follow the lead of others on yelp and select this place for my business dinner in Cincy based on their recommendations. I literally found it on yelp and made a reservation day of...but you would have thought I knew the chef and had this planned a month out. Greeted warmly and seated immediately. Incredible service including Chef Cristian Pietoso coming out to greet my group. Made the most wonderful wine recommendation (and not based on just picking most expensive). He took pics with the ladies in my group, who loved that, and even made a second round post entrees to be sure we were pleased. This was the best combination of good food and incredible service I have ever received and I travel and host dinners all over the country (many for much more $). Now you may not even believe this part...I get home and this weekend I get an e-mail from Chef Cristian thanking me for coming and referencing the exact wine he selected for us!?! Are you kidding me?!? If I could invest in this place without even living in Cincy you can count me in. Absolutely the most sincere (and maybe first or second ever) 5 star I have ever offered. Please do yourself the favor of trying Via Vite and Chef Cristian!!!
(5)Erin H.
The food is good and they have a few really good martinis. The dining environment is awful though. They pack the tables so close together in this place, the poor waitstaff can barely make it through. The first time I went to this place, a bus boy caught the corner of our table with his jacket and turned the entire table of drinks up on me. I was soaked. They didn't even offer to comp my $12 salad. I will not be going back here again.
(2)John C.
Although the ambiance and service were superb the food made me ill for the rest of the night. I ordered the lasagne which was a special for dinner and although it tasted amazing, the after-effects were a nightmare of nausea and heartburn. Maybe other dishes would not affect me in such a way, but I will not go back to this restaurant. I think they use cheap ingredients in their food and load their food with MSG. Not worth my terrible night!
(1)Phoebe P.
I have lost count of the numerous times I have eaten here and every single time the service and food has been amazing!!! Please don't take primitivo wine off of the wine menu, also the grilled Brussel sprouts, omg yummo!!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)Nancy P.
The evening started out on the right tone when we were seated at a window overlooking Fountain Square. The wait staff was very attentive, and the food was fantastic! I had the lamb shank and was very pleased!
(5)Julia C.
Great menu with a variety of choices, and our server was very friendly and knowledgable. I had a hard time deciding what to order because of the wide variety of options. The bruschetta is DELICIOUS (I would recommend the goat cheese and classic). I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was awesome - and the lobster was cooked very well, not chewy like some lobster I've had. They also have a very nice wine list. There are windows everywhere, so you can look out onto Fountain Square.
(4)Steve B.
Tasty, fresh, very nice food in a great restaurant, 4.5 stars. Normally you'd expect a cool restaurant with a great location to have marginal food, but you'd be definitely mistaken. Price may be a bit high for Cincy, but location location = worthy pricing premium. Very fresh and tasty Italian options were all over the menu. I had the pappardelle daily special, some of the best pasta I'd had all year - made and cooked al dente, just perfect. The sauce and meat were great too, had shredded the plate no problem. She had the gnocchi with a sorta marinara sauce - great pillows of potatoey goodness with a bit of a kick in the sauce, again just good stuff. Have no complaints other than for hoping for a better beer list - if you like good Italian food and are in downtown Cincy, this should be your destination.
(4)Jen L.
I have been here twice, once for lunch and once for a work Christmas Party...since they were both work sponsored events, I can't really comment on the price, but I will comment on the food and service.... For lunch I ordered the pasta bolognese lunch portion and it was really rich and delicious. It came with a salad and with a basket of warm bread and soft butter that I could not get enough of...they also have lots of fun flavored sparkling waters that you can enjoy at lunch.... For our work Christmas Party, the service, drinks and food were all wonderful... Our plates and drinks were cleared immediately...and they went out of their way to accommodate us in every way they could. My husband especially appreciated that all of their specialty beers were poured into the glass that they are meant to be drank from....and the selection was very good! Also I just love the location...when it's nice out you can sit out on the patio over looking the square..
(4)George K.
Pretty good food. I love it's location on the square. My wife and I shared the bruschette for an app.... Simple but a lot of fresh flavor. Did the pizza for dinner.... Very good, nice crust with nice flavor . My wife did the house pasta special and enjoyer hers as well. Well be back
(4)Khwaja H.
Been here twice and both times had the Gnocchi. Great food and ambiance. Head chef comes to check on every table while eating. Good service as well.
(5)Steve L.
This place has a very pleasant atmosphere, the service was average. It's interior decoration is nice and peaceful(being on the square helps) but I couldn't help but feel cramped. Pricing isn't too bad, the Salmon was very good, the Tuna was good also. Small portions but nonetheless, filling. I would recommend going for a date and not a casual night out. They could step up their table service a bit and maybe receive a little higher rating from me.
(3)Will M.
It's strange to me that I've been to Via Vite so infrequently. It's such a conspicuous restaurant, but that's part of why I've avoided it. Something about the location, the constant advertising, the exterior design, etc., has screamed "Upscale Olive Garden" to me. As a result, I'd been there only once and barely recall my meal (I believe I had a squash pizza.) Fortunately it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I finally gave it a true shot, albeit because the restaurants I headed out for had quite a line. I'd recently seen it on a list of the best pizzas in Cincinnati, or more than that a good pizza in the city, so I decided to take up that challenge. The pizza had a good sauce. No denying it. I've found very, very few places out here with decent marinara, and this qualified. It tasted fresh, not salty or cheaply herbed. Similarly, the crust had a good flavor, it was just too thick. For $12, though, I felt it was a good pie. I'd never take it over A Tavola, but if I'm ever fortunate enough to work near my apartment I'd be here for the half priced happy hour. My friend had pasta, which was somewhat plain but pretty good. Both our dishes were vegetarian and simple, so I'm judging on basic entrees. I can't say how they'd do with something more challenging. We had excellent service, though. As you may be able to guess, our meal was particularly cheap. This isn't a cheap restaurant, but we walked out for under $40. Our waiter was extremely attentive to two people ordering cheap meals and drinking water. I'll give credit for that. I suppose that may be standard out here, but it still surprised me. Kudos to the waiter. I don't give many 3 star reviews, but this definitely gets it. Good service, decent to good food. Nothing I loved, nothing I disliked. Can't see much of a reason to ever go back, aside from Happy Hour, given how many fantastic restaurants are in a short walk. But, if you're not the type who enjoys wandering Downtown, this is may be for you when you come in to see the Square.
(3)Darlene L.
My first visit to Via Vite was this past weekend. The decor was inviting, chic, and very elegant. I had the cioppino soup and Gnocchi which were the best I've ever had. The service in general was the best I've seen in the city. We do go out a lot, and we are self-proclaimed restaurant critics. Via Vita is one of the best restaurant we have been to. It HAS IT ALL; creative, fresh, memorable food, and a great atmosphere, serene, comfortable elegant furnishings, nice music played at the perfect volume, not meant to overwhelm conversations. This restaurant does have it all and we can't wait to go back again and again. WELL DONE! A+
(5)Bob S.
Great roasted beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad. Pizza was really good too. 1/2 price wine deal. Almost a four rating.
(3)Michelle C.
The location of this restaurant is great- right in fountain square. Parking is difficult to find, but so is every other restaurant in the downtown area. Ambience in the restaurant is great- young professionals, a bit dressy, nice decor, and the architecture of the restaurant is great. I sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and recommended a great glass of pinot noir. I had their steamed mussels in tomato broth as an appetizer. The flavor of the broth was great, but the mussels weren't too fresh. Overall, I had a great experience until I went to talk to the manager to compliment the bartender. He didn't seem to care about my feedback and almost hurried me out of there. With that said, I probably wouldn't go back for the food.
(3)Jason F.
Decided I was long overdue in throwing down some english on one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. Via Vite was a welcome addition to Fountain Square a number of years ago. The spot is still one of my favorite places in town. I could list many reasons, but here are a few: 1.) The food is just plain good...Chef Christian Pietso has put together a terrific menu that brings new items from time to time to a core of dishes that I would truly miss if they were removed. At the end of the day, there is no reason to mess with consistency so long as it is refreshed from time to time with quality ingredients, creativity and most importantly passion for the art. Chef Christian is ALWAYS at his place. And that...makes my heart smile. Too often in today's restaurant scene we see the founder not at his place. This is very important to me as it speaks volumes as to why they are even in the business to being with. Always a gentleman and always out on the floor soliciting feedback, he will even give you some tips on certain dishes and ingredients. My wife loved the polenta and he was kind enough to give her some pointers. (I have to admit...she wife might have a little crush on him...must be the accent or something.) SO, lesson to all of your would be chefs and restaurateurs...be at your restaurant! 2.) Location is outstanding. Right above Fountain Square parking, it makes it very convenient as a starting place for the evening as well as an occasional business lunch. 3.) The service is really terrific. My wife and I have been coming the last two years for our anniversary and have had the same incredible waitress. Forgive me...I unfortunately forgot her name, but if she is reading this, she probably remembers us. She so charming and attentive. As a bonus, they even prepared something special for dessert for us for our anniversary. So, in conclusion, you don't have to go far to experience Italian hospitality and goodness. Chef, thank you for bringing a bit of your culture to us here in Cincinnatii and thank you to all of the staff that make this little gem a consistent joy to patron.
(5)Alex S.
Oh, Via Vite - you'll always have a place in my heart ... but not my memory, as somehow I've always been drinking before walking through your doors. I'm not sure what it is about this place that calls to me after alcohol - or, like the Urban Cincy redesign party, during alcohol. Yes, they're open late and yes, they're located centrally, right on Fountain Square, making them easy to get to when I'm downtown, but still, this is a damn classy place. This is a place for sit-down meals where you can overlook the square and people watch and have a date and just enjoy life. This is not a place to bar hop to. So after bar hopping in downtown, I love coming to Via Vite. They've got a nice selection of beers, a great bar (both upstairs and downstairs) to enjoy being at and friendly people always around. However, what I really come here for are the pizzas. They have the BEST flatbread pizzas in Cincinnati. They're warm and flavorful and so damn good after beer - especially after beer. I've looked at the menu here and like everything else directly circling Fountain Square, it's overpriced. I'm not sure I would actually ever sit here for a meal. However, for a late-night, semi-drunk, still-drinking delicious pizza, you bet your classy ass I would.
(4)Edith M.
From the creators of Nicola's let me introduce you to Via Vite. Food is not bad... It just so happens that when you had experience their big brother Nicola's you don't want to date the younger and less attractive sibling. I would say their gnochi is good.
(3)Petunia L.
I have been for pizza late night a few times and lunch twice. I will be updating my review after I eat dinner in the near future. The pizza is great, pretty authentic, cooked in a wood fire oven, and VERY reasonably priced for this establishment. My absolute favorite things on the menu for lunch are the Cioppino (Italian fish stew) and the free-range Amish chicken salad (which comes with mixed green and candied walnuts). I always order the smaller portion of the fish stew and it's very large! It's a thick roux-based tomato "broth" with several types of seafood including wonderful little tentacles (maybe squid or baby octopus?) that I cannot get enough of!!! The chicken salad is hands down the BEST within a hundred miles of Cincinnati. I don't think I'll ever be able to order any other combination. My mother ordered the yellow pepper soup and the asparagus beet salad. Although I didn't try either, she couldn't stop talking about it. The service has always been great. Even the least friendly waiter I've encountered was very efficient and did his job well...leaving us happy diners. I have heard nothing other than great personal reviews of dinner guests and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite places to enjoy an excellent lunch. I will be back often. In fact, I'm craving it now.
(5)Andy D.
I would have given a five star review if it weren't for the subpar service. 5 stars for food and ambiance. We went for happy hour and sat on a nice comfy patio couch on the second floor which had a wonderful view of fountain square, which I imagine would be nice if a band or show was playing in the square. The atmosphere and interior design was fantastic. We sat down and ordered a couple if beers, and our waiter was helpful in describing menu items, however after delivering our beers, he never came back to take our food order for almost half an hour, to the point where I actually had to go find one of their workers and ask them to take our food order as we were almost finished with our beers by then and we had hoped to have food with our drinks. When our bread and olive oil was finally delivered, we had no plates our utensils provided to us and we also had to ask a separate waiter to bring these to us. Both of these oversights were enough to make our experience at the restaurant somewhat frustrating despite the delicious food. Onto the food review--we ended up getting the prosciutto y funghi pizza (italian ham and mushroom) which was garnished with generous amounts of arugula lightly bathed in olive oil that made for a hearty yet refreshing and delicious pizza at a great price ($7 for 8 slices!). We also ordered the $5 Penne Bolognese and $3 'Panino Tonnato' mini-panini (tuna-based pesto), both of which were good but the pizza definitely was the star of the show. Honestly, the pizza was bigger than I expected and the mini-panini was smaller than I expected, so everything balanced out. Overall, the food was delicious, but the service made a huge dent in the experience. If the service matched the food, I would definitely go up to 5/5.
(3)Green D.
Ok, so I've dined here often enough to give the fifth star. These guys are consistent every time around! The bar service is outstanding, the pricepoints are perfect to leave a little value, and the food is phenomenal for this type of establishment. The wines by the glass are adequate and quality is there. And the bartender or host will always try to satisfy any reasonable requests made by the diners. IMO, that's the chasm between the stars. These guys do it and do it well. I would eat here day after day if I needed to. And I must recommend the chocolate creme brulee (made with Valhrona) and the absolute standout is the Kyrie special (it's really got some Italian name but basically it's chocolate gelato, cointreau, and espresso served in a martini glass) It's one of my ever favorites!! Many thanks to all of your staff that make life on the road so much more pleasant!!
(5)Marichi P.
Food and wine are primo BUT the funky music is really not conducive to a fine dining atmosphere.
(3)Colin P.
This was my first time here. Great service. Great atmosphere. I had the penne with meatball--I guess I expected more from all the rave reviews. But it was good.
(4)Carol J.
Via Vite is a great place to go for a nice dinner at a reasonable price. I've never had any bad experiences with their food or service.
(4)Toree C.
This place was wonderful. My very picky husband and I came here and were impressed. The restaurant in itself was so cute. The portions were perfect and everything tasted so good. We both agreed to visit often.
(5)Tim L.
Cool place. Kinda hip. Prime location. I enjoyed my meal, but didn't enjoy the bill that accompanied it. Little pricey for what they offer in my opinion.
(3)Mark M.
What a great little find in downtown Cincinnati. Not to sound like an ass or anything--but this place easily clears four Yelp stars in Ohio..however, in San Fran, NY, etc---2.75ish. Situated on multiple floors overlooking a public plaza and fountain, Via Vite was hopping at six on a Friday evening. We were lucky to get an outdoor seat upstairs with a great view. The service is top notch and highly accommodating. My biggest praise is around the happy hour 'situation'. Super cheap beers (I'm from NYC...so a few bucks is cheap), excellent appetizer/small plate type items at great prices. The pizzas are really good and very affordable. The mini panini aren't that great. The bread they use (ciabatta) is yummy..but it overtakes the fillings of the sandwich and that seems like all you're eating....bread. The cocktails are yummmmmmy. And $2 off during happy hour. So yes, you are justified to get a third because of this great saving. Great atmosphere, good food, better drinks, great service!
(4)Arnmd P.
What a fabulous dining experience. Best Italian meal at a Resturant that all 3 in our party have had. We were going to eat at the Hilton where we were staying but we had no reservations and there were no openings for 3 hours. We took a stroll from the hotel and figured Italian sounded good. We were pleasantly surprised with the taste and quality if the food, which was topped by the friendly staff. Even the chef made the rounds of the tables to great the patrons. Go here for a meal it's wonderful.
(5)Parker P.
DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! Most of us know, or have at least heard of, Via Vite, which sits prominently on Fountain Square. What almost no one knows is that they offer what just might be the Happy Hour deal of the century. From 3-7 M-Th they offer their artisan-quality, wood-fired pizza (already a bargain at $12) for $6! Yes, really. And you'll end up taking half of it home. Factor in a glass of wine for $4 (also half-price, so you're really drinking an already well-priced $8 glass), $1 for an hour of parking in the Fountain Square Garage directly below your destination, and $4 for a tip (the service is sharp, and you're a buffoon of you tip less), and your grand total for a truly upscale late lunch/early dinner is $15. This is less than you'd spend at a depressing chain restaurant in the suburbs. I almost didn't post this because I wanted it to remain my personal secret, but the sharp folks at Via Vite deserve to be packed full in the mid-afternoons if they're offering a deal this generous.
(5)Dianne S.
It was a Friday night at 10pm. We were out-of-towners who had just gotten out of a concert at the U.S. Bank Arena and were staying at the Westin downtown. We were hungry! I spotted Via Vite from our hotel room as soon as we checked in. It's hard to miss since it's directly in Fountain Square. Looking for a quick late night bite, my husband and I felt a bit underdressed. Entrees range from $20-25 a plate. We opted for their oven cooked pizzas...deeslish! Had a light artichoke & pesto pizza that was perfectly crunchy thin. Service was above & beyond. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly, even talking Chicago with us. Would defintely stop in again!
(3)Louise D.
Second time around for me at Via Vite and the first time I wasn't really convinced. Perhaps because I had to pay for the meal by myself and I thought my pasta was overpriced... This time though I came here for a work dinner and we had a nice bottle of the red housewine (recommend it and at $28 per bottle it's the cheapest one you can get), the bruschettas and the special of the day peppers as appetizers. I tried out the standard bruschetta, just with tomato and it was perfect. I'm not much of a pepper person but the special, with tuna inside was mmmmmm! And not as spicy as you would think (or as I feared). I then had the asparagus and red beet as a salad - delicous, I recommend it and it changes from a green boring salad. And then as a main course: the salmon! Try it! It came with Brussels sprouts and it was amazing!. I wasn't as big a portion as the pasta plates (my colleagues all got a box), but for me it was the perfect size. All in all a perfect meal! We asked for a quiet table so we could talk and not have the rather loud music and they were really good about this. Loved it - just not sure it has the special 5 star ingredient -- and also, it's still pretty pricy!
(4)Kimberly P.
Via Vite was a home run! We wanted a view of Cincinnati's downtown Christmas tree while we had dinner and VV did not disappoint. We started our dinner with an octopus appetizer that was perfect! Not chewy, just the perfect size. I had a salad that was the bes part of my meal. (how often can you say that?) Warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, pistachios and truffle vinaigrette dressing. Perfect with the bread brought to your table! My husband and I shared our entrees as they were divine. Spinach ravioli and seared yellow fin tuna Dinner was very pricey! I would go back at happy hour and try the pizza and drink specials.
(3)Rachel H.
The number one reason I'm even writing this review is because the lamb shank is absolutely to die for. Seriously. If you have not tried this, it warrants a trip here. Even if you don't eat lamb. Try it. This was only my second time ever having lamb- I tried the cherry glazed lamb chops at Wine Guy a little while back and made a mental note to order lamb again. I have to say lamb "shank" does not sound appetizing to me, but holy crap. This was incredibly tender, fall off the bone, perfectly cooked meat. I have to hand it to my waitress as I was choosing between this and a pasta dish and she quickly suggested I have the lamb. She was all a quiver over the polenta- I can count the number of times I've had polenta on one hand. But she was right, it was fantastic! And whatever sauce (described on the menu as lamb jus) was on top- freaking delicious. I only wish my stomach was bigger so I could have actually eaten it all. And to be honest I tried most of their cocktail menu as well (loved them all- and that is saying something). What started off as two drinks with dinner soon turned into returning to the bar after we got about 10 yards away to continue enjoying this new favorite restaurant of mine. Why go somewhere else when you're already at a great place, right? The waitstaff was friendly and helpful. The establishment itself is very clean and well designed (except perhaps the single stall bathroom, but there's not a whole lot of room for them to have done anything about that). Other diners were dressed a bit too casually for such a nice place (seriously yoga pants and a tshirt? common) but it didn't bring down the atmosphere. I will absolutely be frequenting this place, and as I hope to try more of the other menu items I have to say that the lamb found itself a place in my heart, and I might just have to settle for nibbles off my date's plate to satisfy my desire to try the rest. I am also dying to sit on the second floor, it looks like it would have a fun flair. Whatever you folks are doing in the kitchen is genius. Seriously hats off. Bottom line though- GET THE LAMB. Even if there are five of you at the table. Get five plates of this stuff because it is that good.
(5)Brad E.
I will preface this review with the fact I am not a lover of Italian food. The wine list was good. We had a nice chiannti. I ordered the pork belly. It was flavorful with a great crispy texture on the outside. I found the wait staff to be a little annoying. This place is worth trying, but I sure wouldn't burn this as your night in the big city.
(3)Sarah L.
Again, I've been skunked at Via Vite. Server was slow to reach us, even slower to deliver our order, and then brought the wrong glass of wine. Which would have been OK, if it weren't already sorely late, and if they didn't later charge me more than was listed on the menu. The hostesses were gracious and stepped in to help our poor service situation, which we appreciated. But the experience left us a bit disgruntled.
(2)John C.
I have been here many times and the food, service, and atmosphere is always exceptional.
(4)Arlene S.
My boyfriend and I found this gem on a spontaneous Saturday night. Since we couldn't get reservations anywhere we decided to walk to fountain square, which was really close to our hotel, to figure something out. It was St Patricks day weekend and everyone was out & about in their green attire. We went walking around to a few places & all had 45 min wait time. We came across Via Vite where there was a 20 min wait but the Chef's table had open seats available. Since we were starving tourist we said yes to the Chef's table and boy am I glad!! It was quite the experience. Nothing I have ever encountered! We were literally seated in front of an opened kitchen during the late dinner hours. It was so much fun seeing it all live lol we kept trying to figure out the process but had no luck. There's so much going on! The food & wine was very tasty & the experience was out of this world! Sit at the Chef's table for a fun dinning experience!!
(5)Shea B.
My fiance and I visited prior to seeing a performance at the Arnoff and were highly impressed. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and split a margherita pizza. The bruschetta was different than any other we had tried elsewhere -- one slice was spinach artichoke -- but it was so tasty! The pizza was rather good, and definitely enough to split between two people. This a great restaurant! It's the perfect dinner to compliment an evening at the theatre! We will definitely be back.
(5)George N.
Very good food, but with a few Italian glitches. I judge Italian restaurants on three thing:. Caesar salad, meatballs, and Italian sausage (if they make ion-house). The Caesar salad, with the fresh anchovies was five stars for sure. I didn't try the Italian sausage, but ordered the meatballs with Ragu and Penne pasta. The meatballs were lemony and gamey, totally Un-Italian and totally nasty. Two of my children also ordered it also, took one bite of the meatball and said the same thing. These are children that have been raised Italian, and eaten at many great Italian restaurants. I'm sure the service is decent there, but the waitress we had at Sunday 4 o'clock pm and an empty restaurant, was inattentive and very sad. She didn't notice that three different people did not touch their meat balls, and when asked about what was in them was defensive. I would go back, but would be worried they would try some crazy fusion on other Italian classics
(3)Katie F.
Went to Via Vite for Valentine's Day dinner the other night and had an absolutely great meal. I can't believe I had never been (actually I can... I'm pretty broke). Although we had a reservation, it took a minute for us to get sat. No big deal. The tables were super close together which I don't really like but maybe it was just that way so they could cram more people in for the holiday. Who knows. Anyway - not the most private meal of my life, but the food made up for it! Definitely order wine - my boyfriend ordered a gin and tonic and it was all tonic. Their wine selection is big so just stick with that. I ordered the Butternut Squash Lasagna with Lobster and HOLY SMOKES that stuff was so delicious. We also had a nice special dessert and some delicious coffee! Staff was all friendly and our server was attentive and helpful. It was an all around romantic night with delicious food and a great vibe. Just wish we could have been a bit more secluded!
(4)Leigh W.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Via Vite this year. We were in Cincinnati for an event and didn't really know where we should go, and this location was within walking distance of our hotel and had great reviews. Silly us. We didn't have reservations, but the host was happy to add our name to the list. On a Saturday night of a holiday weekend at 8 p.m., we only had to wait 40 minutes. We weren't in a hurry and sometimes it feels good to be spontaneous and not tied down by a reservation. While we waited, we were able to check out the facility and regret for just a moment that we weren't there during the warmer months. It looks like there's a great open air bar on Fountain Square and that the second floor of the restaurant can also become a nice spot for a little al fresco dining experience. We were seated in the very tight quarters on the first floor's main dining area with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. Yes, it was crowded and yes, it was loud - two things that my husband usually despises, but he said this was the best Italian food he's ever had. Truly, everything we were served was better than the item that preceded it. I started my meal with the grilled asparagus and beet salad. It was exquisitely paired with goat cheese and the tips of the asparagus were grilled to crunchy perfection. For my entree, I chose the crispy gnocchi in four cheese fondue. The handmade, pan-seared pasta would've been delightful enough on its own, but when coupled with the richest, most-delectable sauce I've ever had, it became out of this world. To make sure I was getting my daily requirement of vegetables, I ordered an accompanying very generous side of roasted brussels sprouts, which were also quite good. My husband opted for the bianca pizza. It was plenty to share, so we joined all the other patrons and exited the restaurant with a to-go sack. And, because every fine dinner ends with dessert, we ordered the caramel complexity. Holy moly! I normally always go for the chocolate item, but caramel is a close second favorite for me. I'm glad I took a risk. I don't know how any dessert on the menu could be better than the one we had. When we're in Cincinnati again, it will be hard for us to choose any restaurant other than Via Vite. And our meal was so perfect that it will be hard for us to order anything other that what we got on our first trip.
(5)Ryan Z.
I've always enjoyed the food here, especially during their incredible happy hour. Unfortunately, my most recent visit wasn't nearly as good. Some friends hosted a group 'drinks and dinner' birthday celebration here on Saturday night. The pre-meal service wasn't too bad. The food for dinner was pretty good. The service at the end was the deal killer. We were trying to surprise the two birthday'ers with a party bus after the meal. To do this, we would need to get our tabs paid and dip out a few minutes early to meet the bus and load it with the booze we had purchased. This process was like pulling teeth with the waitstaff. They seemed determined to go in order from one side of the room to the other, which would have left us for last. It took over 30 minutes to get the check. When we finally received it, I slapped a standard 20+ % tip on the bill (despite the poor service) and left. I had specifically asked if gratuity was included as it often is for large parties. The bartender assured me that it wasn't. The next day as I'm reviewing all my receipts, I see that the bartender had lied to me and the bill had gratuity automatically added on. So, in the end, I tipped $51 on a $103 tab with poor service and mediocre food. She took advantage of the fact that we were in a hurry and lied directly to our faces about the gratuity. There's obviously nothing I can do about the matter at this point, but I obviously won't be going back there for dinners or parties in the future. Shame on you, Via Vite, for allowing your waitstaff to sully your reputation!
(2)Tori M.
Went for brunch. The Nutella flat bread looked more like pizza but was delish.the french toast was good but not as good as the Flatbread. The balcony was really comfortable and you could see the fountain square tv making it a good place to go during or before a Bengals or reds game.
(5)Amanda T.
This restaurant is in fountain square in the middle of the square. It is a bit hidden and you have to go up a ramp to the entrance. It has a view of the square and a nice ambiance. It is a slightly upscale restaurant, but you can still go in jeans if you want. There is a wide range of menu options including pasta, pizza, and main entrees. The bruschetta appetizer was delicious, but only feeds two. The staff was very friendly and good at checking on the table often. The farfalle pasta was beautiful and tasted wonderful, and there was enough for a full meal the next day. I would go back!
(4)Kristan H.
Potentially 4.5 or 5 stars, but we'll need to go back a couple more times before I'm sure. The short version is that Via Vite has changed its menu since I last went (years ago) and it now features a lot of my fave items from Nicola's. Such as... - OMFG THE GNOCCHI. - And the bolognese (still). - And the boucheron salad. - And the muscato d'asti. Given that I can get all that, and for a wee bit less money than at Nicola's, I'm definitely inclined to go back more often. Especially since it's right in the heart of downtown, with a nice view of Fountain Square, making it a pleasant and convenient location for dinner before a game or a show.
(4)Unknown C.
Heading to the Aronoff center to see of all things Food Network star Alton Brown we decided to check out Via Vite. When we arrived we were promptly seated and began to peruse the menu. I ordered a half Artesian salad and the Vodka Rigatoni, the wife ordered the roasted pepper soup and the crispy gnocchi. The salad was ok as was the Rigatoni, the vodka sauce seemed a bit bitter. The soup had good flavor as did the gnocchi and sauce. Portions were a bit small, the more I ate the rigatoni the more I realized how mediocre it really was, and how much better (God forbid) Macaroni Grille's Pasta Vodka was. After dinner we ordered dessert, bread pudding and the Carmel Complexity as well as an espresso with a shot of Sambuca. Both desserts were very good, the Espresso Sambuca was excellent . But based on the meals themselves, I really can't rate it very high.
(2)Alyssa F.
I was hoping to come here to take advantage of happy hour before the music started on fountain square on a Friday night. Because I was expecting a larger group of friends (it was my birthday weekend), I made a reservation so that we could have a table guaranteed. Once we were seated, and while I was outside talking to some people, the waitress I guess came by and said that happy hour specials aren't valid inside, only in the bar or at the outside tables. Bummer! I am not sure how else we could've done it because all of the outside tables were full, but we decided that it was probably better to eat inside than try to find another place where we could all sit on a Friday night. - there were about 7 of us. But then, we didn't see the waitress for a while. Actually service was kind of a problem. When she came back to talk about the specials, my mom asked if we could order food then, and she said ok. My mom ordered an appetizer and a pizza, and then the waitress said "Great, I'll put that in for you," and walks away... Um, the other six of us hadn't ordered yet! After my mom's food came out (so a good 15 min?), the waitress came back to check on it and I asked if the rest of us could order. She seemed really put out the whole time that she was having to wait on us, I'm not sure if she was annoyed by a big group, but it was pretty awkward. The food itself wasn't anything special. I had the lasagna special, which the waitress really talked up and stated was $12-13 but was really $19 when the check came, that's kind of a big difference I think. I also tried the ricotta appetizer and the Divo pizza that had fig and prosciutto on it, and neither were very good. Overall, I think I'd come back if I could actually have the happy hour deals. $5 for a glass of wine, and I think half off on all the pizzas would make it a bargain. The service was really subpar, I was really surprised. Plus, and this just annoying, there was only one bathroom, so there was constantly a line of 3-4 women waiting.
(3)Chester L.
Continues to be one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Food is outstanding, service is very attentive, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. About $50 for app, entree, drink, dessert. The Pizza is an absolute must -- but to be honest, I have been 6 times to keep trying different items, and the food always impresses. Tonight I had the Farfalle with Butternut Squash and Smoked Salmon and it blew me away. Sooooooo good. Dreaming of my next visit back already.
(5)Sharmaine H.
Worst Customer Service Ever; hostesses were unprofessional with major attitude; waitress was okay until she said "that's the amount of cheese u get" as my friend stares at 2 slices of mozzarella on her pizza; manager had to take over...
(1)Charles S.
We drove over from Indianapolis to celebrate our anniversary. Excellent casual fine dining. Up-beat, open, friendly atmosphere. The restaurant was well staffed and the service was as good as it gets. The food was well prepared with fresh ingredients that were combined in a thoughtful, sophisticated manner. The bread had a good crust and "crumb" and a light, sweet "short fermentation" flavor. The bread was served with very nice olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We started off with the Bruschetta del Giorno of tomatoes, goat cheese and liver pate'. They were all very good. Second course was Yellow Pepper soup and a Fava Bean, Arugula and Prosciutto salad. The soup was creamy and just enough acidity to make the flavor of the yellow pepper really pop while not masking the earthiness of the pepper. The flavor combinations of the Fava Beans, Arugula and Prosciutto was incredible. The Fava Beans were particularly good. Third course was Handmade Crispy Gnocchi four cheese fondue and Italian truffle, Balsamic Glazed Swordfish natural jus and creamy polenta tomato white wine broth, mussels, shrimp, nduja sausage and grilled bread. The Gnocchi was very good. The "crispy gnocchi" made for a great mix of textures and the truffle flavor was just right. The Swordfish, mussels and shrimp were perfectly cooked and the sauce provided multiple layers of flavor over time with every taste. Spectacular! For sides we had White Corn Polenta with Parmigiano Reggiano and the Braised Fennel with fresh thyme and Parmigiano Reggiano. The Fennel was very good, fresh and the flavor was not over powering. The White Corn Polenta was the best Polenta I've ever had. Creamy, smooth and truly remarkable flavor. And then desert, tasty decaf Americano Coffee, Crème Brûlée of Valhrona dark chocolate and raspberry whipped cream and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Italian Wild Amarene Cherries and a scoop of Fig Gelato. The Crème Brûlée was crispy on top and the body was rich and creamy with complex flavors of cream, chocolate and raspberry. The Panna Cotta had a solid consistency without being gelatinous and changed to creamy texture in the mouth. The vanilla was intense and provided a great background for the perfectly tart cherries. Not too sweet - just right. The Fig Gelato was a good compliment to the Panna Cotta. The Chef was kind enough to take time to come to our table and introduce himself. Via Vite doesn't have a Maître d to speak of but rather a Guest Relations host who was friendly and attentive without being over bearing. Our server was knowledgeable, extremely competent and genuinely friendly again with out being over bearing. There was a large staff both front and back of house and they all appeared to be moving/working with relaxed efficiency and deliberation. Staff also appeared to be enjoying themselves. All of this was happening with a full restaurant. One of the things I look for in a restaurant is to feel special. It's part of the dining and hospitality experience. Via Vite provided this type of experience and did it genuinely. Bottom line: We had a great time, excellent food and we will be back!
(5)Ashley K.
The bolognese is amazing! The lunch portion of the pick 2 is the perfect size - just enough pasta to be satisfied but not so much that you leave feeling stuffed. The pasta itself was perfectly Al dente with a wonderful bolognese sauce. I was a little disappointed by the field greens salad - the only thing that seemed to be added to the generic salad greens was a few chunks of cucumber.
(4)Pamela F.
Food well-prepared but not distinguished or particularly nuanced, service uninformed bordering on inept, ambiance more trattoria than fine dining for the price points. My husband and I began with chardonnay ($5 at the bar happy hour, but $10 at table service) the creamy ricotta, anchovy spread at $6 and the fig, prosciutto pizza at $16 and had the bechamel lasagna special -- quoted as $12-$13 by our server Rachel, who said she "didn't really know how much the specials cost, she couldn't remember, about $12-$13." Wrong, billed at $19. Fig/prosciutto pizza not crispy or light, but doughy and bit bland -- savory flavors of carmelized onion need to be foregrounded better and more distinctly seasoned. While the lasagna is rich and meaty, the bechamel was an incorrect consistency, more congealed which gave it a mushy floury texture. Disappointed. Try the patio seating for small plate prices and by the glass wine and drink specials.
(3)Mark T.
I run marathons regularly, and on the night before Cincinnati's big "Flying Pig Marathon" I needed to find an Italian restaurant to carbo-load up. I randomly picked this place so I didn't really have any expectations. Gimme a sh*tload of pasta, and get out of my way. I immediately liked the location of this place because it is right next to Fountain Square, which I am guessing is the one of the main outdoor attractions of the city. The night that I dined there the city was having an outdoor concert/market in the square, which was cool. Going into the actual restaurant, it looked pretty classy from the outside. You can feel the warm atmosphere in the interior as the hostess led you to your seat. I wish I ate outside in their outdoor patio because a) the weather was perfect for it and b) experiencing the concert in the square from the second floor outdoor patio sounded awesome. Oh well. I didn't want anything too heavy in preparation for the race tomorrow morning, so I settled on a light three course meal. Started of with the Cioppino- Italian seafood stew with tomato, fish, shellfish & garlic crostini. Great dish...seafood was well done, and the spice kicked the flavor up a notch. The Caesar house salad was pretty basic, however I don't expect too much from this. For the main course, I ended up getting a dinner special of Gnocchi with tomatoes. A very fine dish; just the right amount of vegetables, and the texture of the noodles was amazing. The server was great and the kitchen to table time for each dish was excellent. My only small concern was that this restaurant was bad at math! When I got my bill there were three amounts listed for tips: "A 15% tip on this bill is $6. A 20% tip on this bill is $7. A 25% tip on this bill is $8." I initially assumed that they were correct in their calculations so I started to write $7 as a tip. I then started to do the math in my head and figured out that that amount wasn't right. I would have short changed the server! I would have felt horrible if I did. I put the correct amount on the bill, thanked the server and left. Overall, it was a great experience for a first time visitor to the city. if I ever make a return trip next year to run the race, I wouldn't mind making this place a destination.
(3)Crystal V.
Came to celebrate a bride-to-be in classy and elegant style. The owner came out to greet and treat us and make us feel like the most incredible guests in the restaurant. Food was incredible and wine was delicious. Highly recommend Via Vita for any celebratory occasion!!
(5)Sam S.
So I had the chance to go on a date recently. My date was gorgeous, intelligent, well-spoken, funny...oh, wait. I'm supposed to be talking about the restaurant. Via Vite is quite fancy, I should say, and I felt slightly underdressed even for a moment until I realized the TV screen had sports on and a child was noisily eating bread nearby. My date and I were seated near a window quickly even though we had no reservation, and took a chance to look over the menu. Via Vite has a great selection of authentic and wonderful dishes, which my date and I pored over between staling flirty glances with each other. The wine list was prohibitively expensive but certainly was a good selection. My date and I settled on some veal meatballs which came with a flavorful sauce and some toasted bread. For our main, we split the Pasta e fagioli, which was like an Italian pot roast stew. Our server, without even asking, brought the entree out divided into two dishes so we could share without eating out of the same bowl. The only drawback I have to Via Vite was that it was rather cramped and some parts of the restaurant's atmosphere put me off, as though little pieces of it wanted to be a sports bar while the rest wanted to be an intimate dining experience. Via Vite was worth every cent, however, and I would certainly recommend them as a nice date place.
(4)Elyse H.
Love this place. Never has disappointed. Great service , food and atmosphere. Prices reasonable for quality. Portions at times small but entrees are a healthy portion.
(5)JS G.
Quite simply, one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. The food and service are nothing short of outstanding. And, one of the best pizzas in the city!
(5)A H.
We walked into this restaurant cause it was lose to the big fountain in downtown Cincinnati. The service was good, and the ambience was nice. To start we had a Bianaca pizza and some wine, it was really good and crispy. I had Gnocchi and it was great. I probably won't ever be in Cincinnati again but if you ever do end up there try it out.
(3)Marzina R.
I stopped in for happy hour before I had to meet some friends downtown. Half priced drinks 3-7. Not sure of it is the bar only. Select smaller wine list featuring a lot of Italian wines obviously. Their super Tuscan is delicious! Great deal half off. Cheese plate was okay. 3 different cheeses and really hard crostini... Should be cut thinner so it doesn't break your teeth. The bartenders were very nice and did a great job. Attentive and helpful! Slightly chilly on a cold night in the bar as it is right in front of the door.
(4)Reggie R.
I'll have to say. I don't live in Cincy but I make it a point to eat at Via Vite. The staff and even the chef once make an effort to make my friends and I feel like the most important people in the room. My latest visit was Friday, March 6, 2015 and our server was busy. We were in no hurry, but she gave it her all and literally treated us like V.I.P.s. Just awesome. Will back back very soon. Just heard about their brunch from my roommate (again I live hour and half away).
(5)Deanna P.
My family and I landed here on a Saturday night after a wine tasting event at Fountain Square and were blown away. Even without a reservation, we were seated on the patio and immediately greeted by the server, who was helpful in accommodating my food allergies. The food came within a half hour, and everything was delicious. I ordered the pork belly with bacon and brussel sprouts, and it was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. We ended up having a family-style dinner with everyone swapping plates and reaching across the table to try everything. I picked up the check for the 5 of us and though it was very reasonable ($112 total for our dinners + 3 drinks). Will definitely go back here next time I'm in the area.
(5)Peter S.
Perfect casual HIGH END comfort food place for the corporate road warrior . And in walking distance from major hotels. Perfect after 8-6 global meeting :)
(4)Mary Z.
We are visiting the downtown area and with all the great reviews we decided to have dinner here. I must say I am so glad! We ordered a bottle of Italian red wine that I wasn't familiar with but thought how bad could it be? Well the bartender came to our table and asked if I had it before because no one really cares for it. Lol so I told her no but I didn't want a $50 bottle of wine. So she asked what type of wine we like and since we like the Argentine malbec wines, she suggested the Primitive del Salento for under $40. We were pleased!! Very smooth and fruity wine. We decided on the Gnocchi and the Braised lamb shank and 1/2. Size Caesar salads. Everything was delicious!! The Caesar was so fresh and light not like the traditional heavy creamy dressing. The gnocchi is fresh and the sauce is very creamy and garlicky. The lamb shank falls off the bone and the polenta is such a wonderful creamy complement! The service was great without being intrusive. Jennifer our server was so pleasant. We will definitely come back tee next time we visit Cincy
(5)Jenny F.
My husband and I had dinner here on one of the coldest days in February. The restaurant, which has three walls of floor to ceiling windows, was freezing. We asked to be moved from our table which sat right against the window and was very promptly given a table maybe six feet farther away. It didn't help much. When I took my phone from my purse it was ice cold. I started the meal with Asparagus soup which was good. My order of Scallops was not. There were four of them and they were stringy and tough, rather tasteless. My husbands Spicy Italian Pizza was not spicy but had a sweet taste. He thought it was from the sauce. We shared a Bread Pudding which was okay but not like any we had had before. It had a top layer of some kind of dough (not sure what it was) a very thick layer of dried fruit and raisins that we didn't like and a small amount of custard on the bottom. There was no sauce on top. At least it was hot. Nothing else was, not even my coffee. It was warm. The chef was making rounds to the tables and he did stop at ours and asked how things were. I just said my husband liked his pizza. He quickly walked away. The staff was very friendly. As we were paying our check we told the waitress about the scallops, but we didn't want any kind of discount. The manager apologized and brought us a gift card.
(1)Krystyna C.
Via Vite is amazing. The location is amazing. The food is authentic. So why are so many people giving them bad reviews?? My husband and I go here as a "special treat" to ourselves when we want to go to the ballet or a play downtown. I've never eaten a bad thing at this place and I know the food is authentic and fresh. Chef Christian Pietoso travels back to Italy a few times a year to learn new cooking techniques and recipes and bring them back to Cincinnati. We are lucky to have a place like this here, especially when you look at the alternatives, like Olive Garden and Pompillo's. The Italian recipes are true to Italy and are fantastically delicious. I try to get the lasagna when we go on Fridays and the gnocchi every other time. Chef Christian is a true artist with his food! If you come here and say that the menu doesn't appeal to you, it's obvious that Olive Garden is probably listed as your favorite Italian restaurant and that's probably where you should stick to going. Which is unfortunate because you are really missing out on the most authentic Italian around.
(5)Chandri V.
I heard about Via Vite from a few colleagues and given the rave reviews, we reserved ourselves a table to celebrate our wedding anniversary. In a nutshell, this turned out to be my most disappointing meal at these prices! My first beef (no pun intended) is that there were no vegetarian appetizers available! Really, come on!! How hard is it to serve a tomato bruschetta if the bruschetta of the day has tuna confit?! Anyway, apparently my being vegetarian was too much of a discomfort to the chef, and so they pointed me to "pizza that you can eat as an appetizer". Yes, sure because that's just how we class it up! I ordered the goat cheese, garlic confit, pizza and it tasted much like Socrates' Revenge from Dewey's. Ok, I will admit I am stretching the truth, but only just a little bit, I promise. Anyway, you get the idea. It was good but if it is only as good as Dewey's, couldn't you just eat it there and save the money? After the disappointing main course, I ordered tiramisu and that I will vouch for and declare to be the world'a BEST tiramisu, and the only reason for the 2 star review! Also, pretty poor service with a waitress who seemed determined to turn her face the other way while navigating the tables. She was too busy to be bothered with attending to us. We did see the very friendly chef a couple of times. All in all, my first and last visit to via vite!
(2)T N.
I'll make this shirt and simple. Pricey. Decent tasting food. Environment was definitely nice, wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I ordered the spicy Italian sausage pizza, which was roughly a medium sized pizza. Flavor was decent, the crust was chewy, sauce was fine, toppings seemed fresh, and was A-OK.
(4)Samara A.
Love love love Via Vite. I have never had anything that did not please my appetite here, whether it's lunch/happy hour/dinner...although the lunch specials are the best deal no doubt! Highly reco their soups, pasta Bolognese, and the arugula salad (Via Vite is the reason I started eating Arugula salads woot). Choco crème brulee is yummy too!
(5)Virginia B.
The brunch is just okay but the thing to get here is the grapefruit cocktail - it was simply amazing! The location is great as well.
(3)Katie B.
My parents and I went here for Easter Sunday brunch. The goat cheese and fig salad was delicious. I had a special smoked salmon bagel, my dad had a truffle and spinach frittata. We have been to Bologna in Italy and are always really picky when it comes to bolognese sauce, but the lasagna bolognese passed my (and my mom's) test! My dad is also an extremely picky foodie, and even he agreed it was very good. We even finished our meal off with some gelato -- reminded me of being back in Italy. The executive chef is the son of the executive chef at Nicola's in OTR. He (Christian) actually came around and greeted us, asked what we ordered, and checked back in to see if his bolognese "passed the test". He is from Florence, Italy, so no surprise his food reminded us of authentic Italian food. It was the first time we've ever had the executive chef greet us -- anywhere! Very cool. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Nicole D.
I went here for my birthday. Not the best italian food. The penne pasta dish I received tasted like Hamburger Helper. :( the bruschetta was heavy (almost to the point where it was soggy) with cold cheese and smothered heavily in hot onions and a little tomato. The waiter was surprised when I returned the dish... I've never had bruschetta like that. I was very disappointed. The service wasn't bad... Everyone was friendly. Just disappointing food.
(2)Monica C.
This is second weekend in a row that my husband and I have come here. Helped that the weather has been great so sitting at the piazza bar and enjoyed the mimosas and view of the people and fountain.
(5)Rebecca S.
Best scallops I've ever had!! Great food, wine and service. The chef came out and visited with us. His recommendations were delicious. The service and attention level they gave is rare and made our experience very special!
(5)Home Plate Gourmet B.
This place is good if you're looking for good Italian-inspired food that leaves you feeling full enough to go straight to bed. Great bolognese pasta, decent pizzas, and awesome Brussels sprouts. The wine is hit or miss, so stick to the Super Tuscans and ask for a reco from a waiter who knows their stuff.
(3)Valentine A.
We went there for brunch on a sunday, after an agitated night... And we all left pretty satisfied. The food and service were good. I would definitly recommend the fruit salad - healthy option for a hungover morning. A friend asked if he could build his own pizza - his wish was granted and the pizza looked amazing! The waiter made some relevant recommendations and we all had a good time. A friend ordered the pancake and was a little upset about having to pay an extra 1$ for the maple syrup - shouldn't it come with it? But other than that nice atmosphere, with a view on the fountain.
(4)Adrianna P.
Came across this restaurant on a tour through Cincinnati on our Anniversary. Loved the modern decor, service was great, and the food was excellent! I recommend the Lamb and the Chocolate Creme Brulee. Very great experience and definately going back.
(5)Melissa C.
For my first visit here, I was meeting friends for lunch. Unfortunately the air-conditioning was not working that day also and it was a hot day. They did have the windows open but some warning would have been nice before being seated. Aside from the warm atmosphere, this place has fresh ambiance and great food. Drinks were being promptly refilled (this may have been due to the conditions) and food came out in timely manner. There is a good variety of choices such as sandwiches, salads, soup / salad combos, and pizza for lunch. I selected the margarita pizza and it was very good. I hear that their happy hour is also very good so look forward to a future visit.
(4)Matthew C.
I frequent Via Vite at least once a month for the Monday Bolognese lunch special and have had the pleasure of dinner there a few times. All of the food I've tasted there has been awesome. The gnocchi, pizzas, pastas and salads. But probably my best litmus test is the bread. The fresh made table bread is second only to Nicola's offering. If you work in the CBD and haven't had the Bolo special you are missing out.
(5)Stephanie O.
SGROPPINO. I will elaborate in a moment as to what a sgroppino is, but I really needed to just yell it at you to get your attention. On a rather rainy tuesday night, Olivia and I decided to go to Nada, but alas, Nada is too far to be walking with a tiny umbrella. We decided to change our dinner plans to Via Vite, a two story restaurant right on Fountain Square that's centrally located to the parking garage. Yes, essentially we decided on our dinner spot based on its proximity to our parking spot. We're lazy, we know. #merica Anywho, we walked in without reservations and received a table right on the spot. The decor leans toward trendy and intimate; while obviously a big restaurant, they do well with the space in that every table is ensured privacy during a meal. Our waiter Cody came over and started us with a pineapple vodka (Liv's mainstay) and a sgroppino for myself. A sgroppino is their signature drink, made with grapefruit vodka, sorbet, and prosecco. UGH. Let me have 5 more please. The drink was incredibly sweet and strong at the same time. Liv was def jealous of my drink and of course we ordered another round pretty quickly. We started out with the bruschetta, which varies daily. On our particular day, we had tomato and basil (their regular), smoked salmon and mascarpone, roasted fig with bacon and ricotta, and summer squash. All of them were delicious and flavorful - the roasted fig with bacon was our favorite though. It had the perfect ratio of sweet and salty. For entrees, Olivia ordered the Proscuitto Cotto E Fontina pizza and I went with the Handmade Crispy Gnocchi. THE GNOCCHI. OH. MY. GOD. The gnocchi is literally crispy little fluffy pillows of potato deliciousness. I was so full between the complimentary bread and bruschetta but I was absolutely determined to finish it off - it was that amazing. Liv's pizza looked fantastic; unfourtunately I was so stuffed I couldn't try it, but she really seemed to enjoy it, except for the salad...but she's not a fan of rabbit food. The staff was well rehersed in how to treat the guests and the manager came out and asked about our food. He was geninunely concerned about our experience and wanted to make sure we were having a good time. I very much appreciate when people do that! This was an exceptional experience and I have told many, many people to visit. It was THAT good.
(5)Anna S.
My belated birthday dinner tonight confirmed that Via Vite is my favorite sit-down restaurant in Cincinnati. The staff and owner treat you like royalty; I am bursting at the seams from eating all the decadent, delicious food; and our friends (first-time diners here) LOVED the food and wine selection. And for heavens sake, get dessert: the dark chocolate creme brûlée and the new panettone bread pudding are both life changing.
(5)Leann P.
I always appreciate a restaurant that utilizes the OpenTable app for setting up reservations. It makes setting up reservations so much more efficient. I suggest requesting to sit outdoors because you can sometimes hear live music and there is a jumbotron on the square that we could see playing the Reds game. The food was all flavorful and delicious! My biggest complaint is that soup or salad is not included in the entree price. It is an extra $10+ to have a salad--yikes! Also, I ordered the ravioli with lobster (I don't remember the exact name of the dish) and the lobster was very small. There were five in my group (all females) and we ordered 3 entrees, 2 salads, and the bruschetta appetizer to split and it worked pretty well for us. I did appreciate that they would even split the salad for you. Overall, the food is excellent, you just don't get a ton of it for the price.
(4)Lauren J.
My happy place is Florence, Italy. Never has another place replicated la bella vita for me as that enchanted city. That was until last night. My friends and I decided to meet at Via Vite for their happy hour. We had heard it was the best happy hour in Cincinnati. Via Vite did not disappoint. When we walked in, we were given the choice of the bar, courtyard, or chef's table. Chef's table? Sign me up! Our waitress Megan greeted us quickly and explained the happy hour specials. All beers, wines by the glass and cocktails were half off. The happy hour food menu included appetizers, pasta dishes and pizzas. As we waited for our other friend to join, we decided to try the bruschetta del giorno. It was only $4 and we were starving. We watched as the chefs toasted fresh baked bread, topped one with an artichoke cheese spread and the other with a Bolognese sauce, drizzled olive oil over them and brought it to our table. My friend and I quickly tasted both, trying to be polite but excited at the intoxicating smells taking over the board in front of us. The crusty bread, rich sauces, and fresh parmesan was gone too quickly. We laughed with Megan that we should hide our dirty plates and pretend that we hadn't ordered yet when our friend arrived. Megan quickly cleared the board and our plates and brought new silverware to hide our secret. Bless you, Megan. We sipped on our drinks, myself a bloody mary and my friend an Italian beer on tap. Both were fantastic recommendations from Megan. We watched fresh cucumber blossom pizzas be made and then come out of the oven steaming. This pizza was art, the colors bright from the farm fresh ingredients, each different shapes from the hand rolled dough. Lasagnas were being layered with homemade noodle sheets. Sauce was made with tomatoes and vegetables, blended with the largest immersion blender I have ever seen, manned by a smiling chef that was happy to pose for pictures. Our friend was able to join us, and we continued to be amazed at the kitchen activity. We saw the owner and head chef Christian come in, tasting different dishes that his staff prepared for him. He even took time and gave a short lesson to a staff member about cooking something. He expertly maneuvered between saying hello, tasting dishes, and speaking Italian into his phone while smiling a hello at us. We took this time to order, 2 pizzas, bruschetta (again) and the pasta Bolognese. Each meal was crafted in front of us, weaved into the bustle of the kitchen. The manager stopped by to say hello when we were discussing dessert for an event we were planning. He asked if we would like to speak with the dessert chef, Adelaide Colombano and introduced her. She spoke about Italy and her excitement to return there in a week to visit friends and family. She asked about our event and offered ideas of what to serve, explaining how to make them. She even wrote her number down for my friend in case we had any questions or needed help. We were impressed with her kindness and willingness to help, and creativity to come up with dessert ideas on the spot. Then, it was back to work and she began conversing in Italian with Chef Christian over a new dessert they were trying, both taking bites, thinking, and talking about what the other staff thought. I easily thought I was right back in Florence, dining with friends and making the best memories in a ristorante tucked away on the side of a cobblestone square in front of a large fountain... To our delight and surprise, a sample of desserts made it's way to our table. Sweet Adelaide, good times never felt so good. Neil Diamond wrote that about your desserts. Forget Caroline. Chef Christian, please make sure she comes back from Italy safely. We need more of that dark chocolate crème brulee, panne cotta, tiramisu and goat cheese cheesecake in our lives. (Yes reader, there were 4 desserts and only 3 of us. Stop judging.) I could Eat, Pray, Love right here every night. Great friends, amazing food, and a happy soul. Brava Via Vite! You made our night unforgettable with an incredible staff, amazing food and talk of when we could meet up again. As my friends and I said goodbye and walked out onto the square, salsa music playing and people dancing, I thought maybe la bella vita is right here in Cincinnati.
(5)Carolyn B.
We went with friends last night to Via Vite which is in a prime location in the heart of Fountain Square. As we entered, the decor struck me as modern chic with an air of sophistication. One unique feature is the uniquely creative metalwork near the stairs which can be seen as you walk in and in the lighting fixtures in the main dining room. Because we told our waiter that we were going to the Aronoff, we didn't have to wait very long between courses or ordering, yet still maintained a semi-leisurely pace. Throughout the evening the wait staff was both attentive and knowledgeable. I started off with their signature drink - a Sgroppino made with Grapefruit vodka, our very own Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco. What a beautiful soft pink glass of refreshing fruity essence - perfect for the hot day we had! After reading Yelp reviews, I knew that we should try the Gnocchi, but still wanted to have room for our entrees, too. After asking, we were brought a half serving which was ideal for us to all enjoy the perfectly crispy dish with truffle oil. For my entree, I was in the mood for their Scallops. However, I am not a fan of the capers and caperberries. The chef was accommodating and made my portion without and oh my goodness! The scallops were the perfect temperature, texture and the flavor sublime. Honestly, they were hands down my favorite version of this seafood ever!! Our friends were also pleased with the Risotto and Penne Bolognese. To top everything off, we ordered the one dessert Yelpers raved about - Carmel Complexity - and shared it as well. This dolce is caramel panna cotta millefoglie with caramel sea salt gelato and bourbon maple syrup!!! If you have any doubts, look at the accompanying photos and try to tell me that your mouth isn't drooling just a little bit!
(4)Rich M.
Sitting on the patio and I haven't seen a server in over 15 minutes. I think we are going to leave. We ended up going to rock bottom. It was better. Actually so much better.
(1)Troy J.
As someone that travels alone for work from time to time and dines alone, I appreciate the chef's table at Via Vite where you can watch the staff prepare meals. The restaurant's location, at Fountain Square, also provides plenty to look at: the iconic fountain in the summer and the outdoor skating rink in winter. I decided to embrace the chef's table to the fullest by letting the chef decide which wood-fired pizza entree and side dish I'd dine on. The result was a half-and-half pizza featuring spicy Calabrese salame and mozzarella on one half and italian sausage with peppers on the other. Carmelized brussels sprouts, a favorite selected by my waitress, were provided as the appetizer. The pizza had good flavor but wasn't crispy in the center. Judged solely on my weeknight woodfire pizza experience, I give it three stars -- but I suspect that authentic Italian dishes, shared at romantic corner tables with wine, are Via Vite's specialty. I ordered Sgroppino, a frozen cocktail with Grapefruit vodka, Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco for dessert. It was a good way to finish the meal.
(3)Jessie T.
I came here with a group of girl friends on a Monday evening and the service, food, and drinks were all wonderful. I had the pea ravioli with lobster butter sauce, with a lobster tail included.. and it was absolutely delicious. They were not joking around about that butter sauce, that was just pure, delicious butter. I also ordered their signature cocktail, which was a champagne infused with vodka and grapefruit sorbet.. soo refreshing! We then all shared the dessert sampler, which included a tiramisu, dark chocolate orange gelato, and the panna cotta.. my favorite was definitely the panna cotta.. so light and creamy like a dream! This is a nice place for an enjoyable Italian dinner that leaves you satisfied and not overly and grossly full. I've heard they also have an awesome brunch here and I fully intend on coming back.
(5)Anjelica N.
Located in Fountain Square, Via Vite is sometimes easy to miss but when there's so much going on in the Square. It's definitely a spot to check out, at the very least for happy hour. Decently priced wine and food, such as their huge pizzas are a great draw in. However, I'm most partial to their gnocchi. Cooked in a spicy tomato vodka sauce, this dish is rich, flavorful and just enough spice to tingly the taste buds. At first you might not think you're getting much food but this dish is delectably satisfying and filling.
(4)Eli D.
We decided to try the happy hour offerings this Friday eve. We mistakenly assumed that everything from the happy hour menu was half off, sort of like a half off sushi menu. It was not. The happy hour food offerings are discounted and priced as listed on the menu, but are only discounted because you get a smaller portion than normal, not because it's a happy hour discount price. The only items which are actually discounted half off during happy hour are the drinks, so do not be fooled like I was -- the menu won, not me. That being said, my calabrese pizza was excellent. We still ended up paying $68 for dinner tonight: a small pizza, a small serving of mussels, a small cheese plate, 2 meatballs, and 2 drinks for each of us. If we wanted to pay for overpriced portions, we would've gone to Abigail St. It was our fault for not realizing that half off happy hour only applies to drinks. Regardless, we still had a good time, and the bartenders (we sat at the bar) were helpful and nice.
(3)Rachel C.
TRUFFLE GNOCCHI~ BRAISED LAMB~ In case you were wondering they were BOTH so delish! I had a hard time sharing any bites of my gnocchi to my SO. Yes it was our anniversary so I was in more of a sharing mood than usual but had it been any other day I would have licked the dish clean. The gnocchi is so soft and chewy but the way they cooked it gives one side a nice char and crispness that I particularly enjoyed with every bite. The dish is cheesy / creamy / heavy so don't be fooled by its delicate appearance. You will find yourself savoring every single bite. The lamb....oh goodness the lamb was cooked to perfection! Soft that it practically fell off the bone but crisp on the outside that, like the truffle gnocchi, you get some of the char flavor. I mean I think it is obvious what my personal favorite dish was given I have a mad affinity for all things truffled and gnocchi....That is the dish that has me salivating still. I came here with my SO on our anniversary date. Yes... made the reservation left a note through yelp (my favorite part of yelp) and low and behold....the message went through. Our server was so sweet and congratulated our evening. She made sure to let us know about the specials of the day and OH! all bottles of wine were 1/2 off! Not sure if that's a regular thing (didn't ask oops!) but what a wonderful occasion to pop a bottle of champagne! To my recollection neither of our glasses were ever empty and our dining experience felt so very intimate. I appreciated the attentive and non-intrusive service! Our server also topped our evening by bringing us complimentary dessert! What can I say. The service was great! The food...I still dream about...and I haven't found a place here yet that gave me such a unforgettable first impression!
(5)Elena W.
We LOVE this place!!! Our favorites are the goat cheese salad all I can say is you have to try it. On Fridays they have lasagna night and let me tell you the BEST Lasagna in town the Béchamel and the Bolognese combination is ..... you have to try it. If we go there on any other night or days we get the Pasta Bolognese our family favorite. The food is just soooo good you won't be disappointed.
(5)Bianca D.
tl;dr GET THE GNOCCHI FOR THE LOVE OF TRUFFLES so this was our third dinner of the day and we weren't feeling that hungry but still wanted to try something new. I came specifically for the gnocchi. I looked at the menu and said what?! $20?! for WHAT? There isn't even protein in this dish. But once we received the dish I realized. People this dish reeks of truffle without even having to waft it! It's delicious. Also indicative of it's value are the thin slices of heaven. aka. black truffle. This stuff goes for a couple grand a mushroom. I understand now. as for the logistics, via vite hit it on the nose. Perfectly soft and pillowy light and airy gnocchi. DID I MENTION THEY'RE FRIED?! so there is an added dimension of texture. THe sauce is like Alfredo and perfectly creamy and salty. I would definitely pay $20 to eat this again. The service and ambiance were nice too
(5)D'suni U.
Before going over to the Taste of Cincinnati I stopped her for a little brunch. There are a lot of reasons to like Via Vite. It's in the true center of Cincinnati right on Fountain Square but it feels like it could be in New York or San Francisco. Along with Nicola's, which is its more upscale counterpart, I hear it's the best Italian food in the region. I loved the coffee (I hate Starbucks coffee). I had the shrimp and grits, a fruit and berry cup and a chocolate croissant. The service was exemplary, just as if the staff was working in a moderately priced national chain (I mean that as the highest compliment) with efficient teamwork. However, it goes beyond that with subtle dishes in portions that are perfect, not too large and not too small. Everything is prepared from scratch by a hard working kitchen staff led by the quietly charming, very talented Cristian Pietoso. Here are a couple of other details that place it in a different league for a moderately priced independent: it's open late Thursday through Saturday with a tightened menu for after theater, concert, or ball games; the two course $15 Sunday Brunch menu is one of the best deals in the region; the music selection is always intriguing because it's neither elevator music, 'classic' rock, or current pop. Instead, it crosses over a number of genres without seeming obscure. Each time I've been there, I've heard a song about which I wanted more information. The music is chosen by the general managers or staff members from their own play lists. The ambience was pleasant.
(5)Whit R.
I went to Via Vite for lunch recently and it was excellent. They have a varied menu with something for everyone - pasta, salads, sandwiches, pizza, etc. Most of it sounded delicious. I went with the gnocchi and got ground italian sausage added to it. It was delicious. The sauce was creamy and was just a little spicy. The portion was perfect for lunch, too. My lunch mates had the bolognese and some kind of beet salad. The bolognese looked amazing, and he finished it all. The salad wasn't really my kind of thing, but it was all eaten, too. I'd go back for sure.
(5)Jasmin R.
After reading the not so stellar brunch reviews on here we decided to give it a whirl this morning... And were not disappointed. We were seated quickly, and our server was super attentive and friendly. Our party ordered the pancakes, fried dough and Nutella, the Americano, and the sausage panini. I will say the portion of the pancakes was pretty small, as well as the Americano, but the dough and panini were plenty filling and large entrees. The presentation was beautiful, and everything tasted delicious. The only negative I have was that the music was a little obnoxious for a Sunday brunch, some overly loud disco jams. I know I love Marvin Gaye, but not over breakfast with my future mother in law... Overall I would absolutely recommend this for anyone to try!
(5)J w.
I'm a big fan of white wine. Mostly because it doesn't count as drinking. And during happy hour, when all glasses are half off, that rule is in full effect. I ordered my go to pizza at any new restaurant, a margherita. Reason being is that is pizza in its purist form, letting each ingredient shine. Like Destiny's Child. But I digress. Everything was great - fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella. I was however surprised with how thick the dough came out. I've become accustomed to thinner, and slightly more charred pies at authentic restaurants. That said, I ate every slice and enjoyed it to bits.
(4)Philip L.
Stopped in during happy hour to get some paperwork done and to get a bite to eat. The service from the bartender was fantastic and the two glasses of wine I had were fairly tasty for the half-off price. Ordered the bruschetta (which I posted a picture of) - which, although the crostini was a little soggy, really won in terms of flavor. The penne bolognese had to be the best part of my meal; not sure the secret to their sauce, but it's got a unique smoothness to it that really makes it feel like a homemade dish. Also tried the chocolate creme brulee; I've never had one before, so it was a must when I saw it on the menu. It's a really interesting concept, and I'd try it again, but it seemed to lack a bit of that lightness that a regular creme brulee has - still fairly delicious, though. Overall, great service, good food, and pretty good value!
(4)Sandy S.
Sat at chef's bar -- very professional staff; quality is definitely top of mind. Service was very good; wonderful team approach. Bolognese never disappoints; huge portions. You can ask for half portion but leftovers are great! My go-to is always that and the boucheron goat cheese salad...however a ravioli dish topped with lobster meat looked awesome and seemed very popular.
(5)Maggie B.
Updating my review after a Happy Hour trip. Happy Hour is amazing!!!! 5 stars all the way. Go for a drink and some flatbread but maybe skip the dinner. But don't forget about dessert. The drink are all half off at the bar until 7. And considering the level of awesome of each drink we had this is an absolute steal. The Bellini was top notch and we had an Agrodolce that was also good but it is all about their signature grapefruit cocktail made with gelato, the Sgroppino. One of the best cocktails I have ever had. Get one now! Also their flatbreads are fantastic. My favorite was the Margarita but the procuitto was also good. And of course the Caramel Complexity is a must.
(4)Leif H.
This is a great place in the center of downtown. We had reservations for a Saturday night after visiting the Aronoff. I was surprised how busy it still was late in the evening (around 10). The dress is not as fancy as some of the other restaurants of this caliber, but still a little more than casual. The food is delicious. We started off with the pork belly app. It was good and comparable to pork belly appetizers in other restaurants. For the main course we had the gnocchi and penne with meat sauce. Both were awesome. We love gnocchi and this is some of the best in the city (similar to nicolas). The penne dish was very flavorful as well. Overall, it was a great night. The atmosphere was upbeat, ambience inviting and food delicious. As a side note, it looked like 85% of the tables were eating the pizza the night we went. It looked very good and will be something to try for our next visit.
(4)Esther K.
Definitely a delicious alternative to Nicola's. Not as pricey but still great, fresh Italian food. Can't beat Nicola's bolognese night though :)
(4)Keith C.
I've started including Via Vite on a small rotation of "truly local" places that I take my out-of-town friends when they come to visit, and most always come away with a very positive impression. I was won over long ago, but still like to flaunt my city's quality restaurants like a badge of honor when friends come to town. Tonight, since we were all comfortable enough with each other, we each ordered several entrees and two appetizers and decided to just nibble on each other's plates in an effort to maximize the tastings we experienced. The Overnight Braised Lamb Shank with Polenta is amazing and would stand out on anyone's menu. I generally like to order this item most places I go, and rarely have I had a lamb shank as tender and juicy as this. The flavor combinations of the savory lamb shank, sweet lamb jus, rosemary and creamy polenta all combined to make a taste that defines rustic cooking. It's truly a must have if you go here. Via Vite had a nice "starter" special on the menu tonight - it was a zucchini blossom and zucchini (not a typo) pizza that made even at least one of our non-zucchini lovers at the table a fan. It was our first time trying pizza at Via Vite, but having had this pleasant surprise, we won't hesitate to pull the trigger on other pizzas in the future. The Handmade Crispy Gnocchi was awesome as usual. I know there is some restaurant affiliation with Nicholas, so it might be obvious when I say this, but if you've had crispy Gnocchi at one place, you've had the other (I've had both). They are both distinctly delicious. The crispy preparation, as it is described on the menu, is like none other and the rich, creamy fondue cheese sauce with hints of truffle is enough to make you want to slow down so you don't devour the plate too quickly (I seriously find myself doing that with this dish). The other items that we ordered (Asparagus and Mascarpone Ravioli with lobster & a Warm Boucheron Goat Cheese salad) had some excusable flaws. Our table mate found the lobster tough (perhaps overcooked) and the salad definitely lacked dressing. Service was ok. I was a slightly underwhelmed by the lack of jovial attitude from our waitress, but she did execute for the most part - there were a few times where we sat empty with drinks, but nothing egregious. Solid job by a solid restaurant. I look forward to continuing to go back in the future.
(4)Lisa M.
Lamb shank and polenta, excellent. BUT I'm missing something crunchy to provide structure. The meat falls away as it should, the polenta is creamy, but the textures are lost together without something else, perhaps deep fried shallots? Did enjoy the chocolate creme brûlée, but was not toasted enough to give a nice crunch sugar bite. A crush a tad of salt and slightly dipped my soon into it. Bartender Barbra was excellent and friendly. We bought a nice bottle of wine to take home and finished the evening with a shot of espresso. Chef Christian as always was visible throughout the night and greeted us as we were leaving. I thanked him and told him even my 7 year old boy orders and appreciated the salmon and skate wing. Nice evening. Thanks
(4)Erin J.
Trust me. . . sit out on the square, and devour a slice of the "Dina" pizza. (Arugula, prosciutto, Gorgonzola, oh my!!!!! Beautiful, upscale decor. HUGE wine list. (reds, whites, alike) A fantastic view of Cincinnati's Fountain Square, and you can park right under the building. How easy is that??!
(5)Hannah P.
Had such an amazing New Year's Eve dinner here. From the friendly servers, to the unique cocktails, best bruschetta I've ever had, and a huge pizza with prosciutto, fig and arugula that made yummy leftovers the next day. I also got to try the gnocchi and that was to die for!! This is a great place for winos- the alcohol list was three pages long! Great place for groups or a romantic dinner for two and it overlooks Fountain Square.
(5)Nevena K.
Ok, so ... whoever designed this place did not get the memo that this is supposed to be a higher-end restaurant (as implied by the prices). The lighting is bright, people are on top of each-other, I had a better time hearing the tables next to us than the waitress trying to tell us the specials and there is no relaxed refinement in the decor as one would expect from a place with a $20-$30 entree. Our waitress seemed rushed yet ineffective. We spent time trying to get her attention to get some guidance on ordering on get questions answered, but once we did, the answers left us perplexed and underwhelmed. The staff that bussed tables took away plates with food still on them, WITHOUT ASKING. It was a nightmare to try and get any extra bread once we had run out (BTW a good Italian kitchen is always all about the sauces and dipping your bread in the sauce). I was underwhelmed by the Bruchetta special mainly due to the unimaginative combination of flavors. The textures were right on with the grilled bread and some fresh veggies/goat cheese. This appetizer kind of set the mood for the night. Things were cooked well and to the right texture, but I found the flavors missing and the potatoes side was heavy and greasy to the point of needing salt to make it good. I will say that their flatbreads and pizzas looked good, so I will be back for that. I do want to say that next time we will take the waitress' recommendations with a grain of salt. Tonight we were sold a mind-blowing chocolate creme brule and received a Jell-o pudding in a ceramic bowl with a crunchy top. Wifey on the other hand LOVED the Caramel Complexity, and I should say it was excellently executed.
(3)Allison B.
This is probably one of my favorite lunch spots on Fountain Square. You can almost always find a reservation for the same day, and the staff is always polite and friendly. On nice days, it's such a treat to sit on their patio and people watch. Especially since during the warmer seasons, there's always something happening on the square. Food is delicious. The pasta is homemade, however I can never get past the warm goat cheese salad. Goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette are my two favorite things! I've been for dinner, too, but honestly I almost prefer the atmosphere at lunch. It would be a great place to go on a summer day off for a nice long (wine filled) lunch!
(5)Rudy N.
I really enjoyed the gnocchi here with lots of truffle. and white Alfredo sauce yummy Yum Yum and since it is right next to a huge venue Fountain Square you can be subject to the audience of a lot of cool events
(5)Justin W.
My wife and I frequent $$$ dining in the major cities we visit and We have come to expect great service, creative flavors and a classy atmosphere but nothing to write home about. Via Vite blew us away. Each dish was the best we have had in each category. Pizza? Can't be beat. Pasta and vegetables? Cooked and spiced to perfection. And the best dish on the menu might be the one least ordered: The fennel. I have yet to taste food this pure and innovative and this restaurant is worth a visit to Cincinnati.
(5)Megan A.
Via Vite was an excellent dinner choice while recently visiting Cincinnati. My man friend had called ahead for an 8:45pm reservation as we were driving up from Louisville and they had no problems at all if we needed to change it depending on traffic. We ended up stopping by the hotel to get ourselves a bit more presentable after a full day of work and then walked over to Via Vite. We ended up getting there right at our reservation time and they sat us right away. The restaurant was packed though, including the bar area so beware of that on the weekends. We were seated right next to the window that overlooked Fountain Square, which was very nice as they were playing music out there. We both ordered some drinks, blatons neat for my friend and I ordered a grey goose martini. The martini was done perfectly and even polished off with some blue cheese olives. Yum! I ordered the meatballs to start and was more than happy. For my main course, I had the scallops and potatos and it was a wonderfully prepared entree. The entrees aren't overly large, but prepared beautifully. Our waitress was also very helpful on meal suggestions. As it was overly crowded, we didn't see her very often, but it was fine with us as we were enjoying a nice leisurely dinner. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping in.
(4)Zoran O.
Have to say - beyond impressed. Assuming the location and easy prey on obvious convenance for folks roaming around right in front on the square - this restaurant in any other city would skate on the guaranteed foot traffic clientele - but not these guys. Our waitress was very very informative and more than eager to create new vegetarian dishes to please our diet. From the killer toasted baguette with olive oil, herb and balsamic, as the first thing that hits your table, to our white polenta, to the margarita pizza and finally the custom homemade pasta dish - each one was surprisingly delicious. Really well done. Staff was really nice.
(5)Katie M.
Wow, just wow. I loved this restaurant. Go on a Friday night and get the lasagna! It's sooooo good. It is not as heavy as other lasagna's. It as a creamy bechamel sauce instead of the ricotta mixture that you normally get. Plus the cheese cake with orange marmalade is heaven on earth. So light and creamy with the right amount of sweetness. It was wonderful! Then the homemade lemoncello - yum. Overall the atmosphere is great being right down by Fountain Square and the service is friendly and outstanding. This will be a return visit when I'm back in Cincinnati.
(5)Jim B.
This is the best restaurant downtown - when you balance the fantastic Italian food, the superb view of Fountain Square from either inside or outside; the practical pricing, and the service. You will see the owners and Chef - Christian work the dining room as hard as he works the kitchen and makes everyone feel VIP. This is a must right in the center of downtown. I eat vegan - and they have several options but I keep returning to an awesome vegetable pizza just to get that crust! It is my go to lunch when it needs to be nicer, but not an absurd price tag. VEGAN OPTIONS.
(5)Lauren J.
This past weekend we went out for a bachelorette party with a large group. The reservation process for a busy weekend in Cincinnati was seamless. We arrived and were greeted by two amazing hostess. They even took the honor of setting our table inside (without us asking) versus outside due to the extreme heat/humidity we were having that night. Our group greatly appreciated that! Our server continued the great service, as I know larger parties can sometimes be hard to accommodate. While I've been to Via Vite a handful of times, I always wish the menu had a few more options or variety. The food always taste great, I just wish I had more to choose from. Overall the entire group enjoyed their service, food, and drinks!
(4)Ben S.
So I just got done doing a proper dinner here tonight with a great meal. The Pork Belly appetizer was something fantastic, the carpaccio salad was really damn good and I think that was the best lamb shank I've ever eaten. Staff was slightly slow, but I like that in a meal service. The chef/owner was walking the floor, talked to us and the couple next to us and paid attention to their comments like he cared. Good to go in my book. The family does Italian Cuisine better than a vast majority, definitely a favorite now.
(5)Melanie R.
Absolutely delicious!! Madison was our server and provided a wonderful experience! We had the bruschetta and the crispy gnocchi...amazing!!!
(5)Cassaundra T.
We went before the rush so that was good, but our server was slow and it felt that we were not being attended to. All other tables were brought their bread and we had to ask for ours and that took extra time to bring. Food we good. The meatball appetizer was delicious and I had a pizza which was from their brick oven which kept all of the flavors in and cheesy. My friend got the butternut squash with the lobster and enjoyed that. she would have liked more lobster (who doesn't want more lobster?!) Overall it had good food and ambiance but I didn't care much for the for the service.
(3)Cathy S.
Absolutely amazing evening! The service was attentive, the food was fabulous, the atmosphere was festive and inviting. Could not have enjoyed the evening more!
(5)Sarah F.
The first time I tried Via Vite, not too long after it opened, I thought it was a bit over-hyped (and over-priced), but I dined there again this weekend and had a nice experience. With all the cool new places opening in OTR, I feel like this place has been somewhat forgotten about, which perhaps explains why we were able to walk in and get a table immediately without advance reservations on a Saturday evening. It wasn't packed inside, but still fairly well-populated and the interior remains as sleek and cool as the last time I was there. Entrees here are pricey, but there are definitely some more reasonable options including their flatbreads, or as I chose to do on this trip, combining a starter and side (or a couple of starters). Each meal starts with a small basket of bread and dipping oil. The by-the-glass Prosecco is a very nice one. For my meal, I got (from the starter menu) a bowl of Ciopinno (seafood stew) with a side of Creamy Polenta. To avoid being disappointed, don't expect the traditional dish of Ciopinno with a bounteous assortment of seafood heaped in the bowl--it's more of a soup with a few pieces of seafood (no whole shrimp or mussels in shells, etc.) in it. Nonetheless, it was very tasty and satisfying and the grilled bread on the side of the dish was delicious. The Creamy Polenta was rich and smooth and a nice complement to the spice and garlic of the soup. I'm torn a bit between 3 and 4 stars for this restaurant, because while my last experience was good, I still think it's over-priced for what you actually get. Given that I was able to create a meal that I was happy with from different parts of the menu, I'll go with 4 stars, but just be ready to either be creative with your ordering or sign a big bill at the end.
(4)Vincent O.
I'll probably only come back here for a late night drink on the patio and great view of fountain square during the summer. The food is over priced, portions are small and over seasoned. My server was not very knowledgeable about the menu and food took too long between courses to be served.
(3)Karla S.
This restaurant had wonderful food and impeccable service. The braised lamb shank with creamy polenta is the best meal that I have ever eaten. The whipped ricotta eaten on crostini for an appetizer was warm and delicious. My husband had he pasta with smoked salmon and Brussels sprouts in a brandy cream sauce. So many layers of flavor. They had big portions so save room!
(5)Samantha H.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner. Everything was outstanding! The servers were excellent in keeping everyone happy and the drinks full. The food was so good. The lamb just fell right off the bone. The chocolate creme brulee was amazing and gigantic. The goat cheese salad was different and great. Oh yeah the penne with the vodka sauce was just the right amount of spicy and creamy. The balcony and lounge area was great too. I can't wait to be back.
(5)Sandra B.
Oh well, I'm writing this review about one month later so I won't be able to give you a detailed description. However, I will say three things about this place: I loved their pizza, there is a good beer selection and I will definitively go back to Via Vite during my next visit to Cincinnati!
(5)Sam S.
Food was okay. Service was pretty terrible. We sat on the piazza to try to listen to the salsa music on the square. Our food took forever and they kept turning the music louder to try to drown out the music on the square. Rather than drown it out it gave me a headache. Gave it two stars because of the location. Rather than try to drown out what is happening in the square they should try to work with it a little more. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)Kevin T.
Dinner here last night was surprisingly good. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and generally excellent. Service was a little overzealous, but professional. Given the location, I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)Jessica C.
Food was spot on; not overpowering, classic flavors. And I've never had such wonderful service anywhere. Kind, attentive, and not overbearing. Absolutely blown away.
(5)Jessica S.
In one of the most visible locations in downtown Cincinnati, Via Vite is smack dab in Fountain Square. The prime location is, in my opinion, its best feature, but coming in a close second would be the food. I've had their penne pasta, a salad, and wine. Their bar is very nicely stocked but not over-the-top. The price is pretty decent and the view is great. A coworker of mine had her wedding reception (albeit a small one) at Via Vite and she said it was a great place to have an event. All-in-all if you want some good (not special, but just plain good) food in a great location, come to Via Vite.
(4)Karen B.
Been craving to visit this restaurant for so long and finally got to go for Valentine's Day weekend (thanks to my fantastic boyfriend). We had reservations and were seated within minutes. It was rather crowded (to be expected since it was a Saturday night, the weekend before Valentine's Day and is on Fountain Square) but was still a great, loungy atmosphere. The bar is right up front and packed and the tables felt kind of close together but we sat by the window, overlooking the square. The food was to die for. I had the Flounder which was on special and served with a leek-parmiagno fondue which I would have almost sold my boyfriend up the river for. It was so rich and flavorful, I could have just had a bowl of that. On top of the fondue and the melt in your mouth flounder were Pizelles (potato strings fried) ... um ... yum!? Yes. Yum. The bread was perfectly toasted and fluffy. The wine was perfection. The dessert? The chocolate mousse with chocolate chips and mascarpone cheese? OMG please go and try this asap. So decadent. The amount they serve is perfect for two people ... eating it on your own is possible but you might die. :) Aside from the server bringing us regular soda when we asked for DIET soda, TWICE, it was a great dinner. I can't wait to get back there and try more dishes. Although I may be tempted just to get the flounder again.
(4)Dave L.
Ate dinner at the bar. Everything was great except, well, the main course. Service was fast and friendly, it's a nice setting overlooking the square, food came out fast, and the Caesar salad starter was tasty. But for the main course I ordered the pappardelle pasta with Italian spicy sausage and navy beans and a "hint" of tomato sauce, expecting a light-ish pasta dish with some sausage and maybe a little tomato sauce. Instead what I got was a plate covered with beans and bean sauce. I literally had to hunt in the thick sauce for the pasta. The sausage did add a nice kick, but it was way too heavy. Oh well, live and learn. I would come back, but I'll order something else.
(3)Miranda H.
I dined here on a Tuesday night and expected the typical week night crowd. I was in for quite a shock as the place was packed. Thankfully I had a reservation and was seated quickly. However, since the restaurant was packed our chairs were constantly bumped by the waitstaff. Overall the food was good. Definitely on par with other restaurants downtown.
(3)Kristi H.
To be fair, we came here for drinks and appetizers on a Saturday afternoon so the restaurant was not busy and we did not try any entrees. Also, we sat at the bar, which was a small area, but since it wasn't busy, it was perfect. Although when we left around 7, it was pretty packed. And the draft from the door made things a little uncomfortable until my first glass of wine kicked in. The bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. They were patient with me as I took forever to decide. I finally told the bartender to surprise me with any red wine. We also ordered the bruschetta. Refills were perfectly timed, even as business picked up. The bruschetta toppings sounded interesting but they were all ground to the consistency of hummus, so I had a hard time really differentiating the flavors. Next time I will order a pizza. I tried a bite of my friend's margherita pizza and it was much tastier. Five stars for a great wine/bottled beer selection and friendly bartenders. Three stars for okay bruschetta. Four stars because occasionally they have a DJ dance party upstairs and that sounds like fun.
(4)Sarah R.
Sadly, this was a poor experience. A few months ago, we arrived at 5:30 PM on a Friday evening, and was told by the hostess that if we didn't have reservations, she couldn't seat us. We asked if we could make reservations, and she said no. Oddly, the dining room was at least 2/3 empty. As we turned around to leave, she told us that we could sit at the bar for dinner. We took her up on the offer. (And FYI, the dining room continued to be almost totally empty until we left.) We ordered the bruschetta, which is an interesting version including several different toppings. If you don't like olives - you probably aren't going to enjoy this. Most of the toppings include an olive tapenade. If you like olives, you will probably enjoy this! At the bar, I think perhaps the bartender was not well-versed in the menu. I asked for some info on a dish that sounded like it had a cream sauce, and when he said "yes, it has a cream sauce," , I said, "Ok, I'll pass on that because I don't want a cream sauce." I ended up ordering a pasta dish off the specials menu, and since it didn't mention a cream sauce, i didn't think to double check - which in the end, is my own fault. When it showed up, it was doused with an extremely heavy cream sauce. I would have expected the bartender to mention that when I was ordering it. I didn't ask specifically, he didn't mention it, it happens, life goes on. However, it wasn't super tasty. It might have been a combination of my expectations not being met along with adequate food, but I just didn't really enjoy my meal. I didn't finish it. What put the experience on the 2-star rating instead of 3-star rating was my boyfriend's meal. He ordered a lobster pasta special - it mentioned big chunks of lobster mixed with pasta. However, when it showed up, it was pasta in a cream sauce with an EMPTY LOBSTER SHELL sitting on top of the pasta. No chunks of lobster to be found. Literally. No chunks of lobster. The sauce was very odd, and had some very liberal herb seasoning that was not mentioned in the menu description. My boyfriend didn't even finish half of it. The fact that it did show up with an empty lobster shell did crack us up, though. It was pretty funny. This review makes it sound like I'm really negative, and super picky - and I just want to say, I'm not. In general, if the service is friendly and the meal tastes pretty good, I'm very happy. In this case, however, while the bar service was friendly - everything else was sub-par. Perhaps some of it was just bad luck - one of the tastes neither of us enjoy is olive tapenade, and that was the main ingredient in the bruschetta. I should have asked for more info on the surprising cream sauce special, and well, the lobster pasta just didn't have any lobster! The bill (1 appetizer, 2 meals, 2 glasses of wine) totaled up to well over $125 including tip, and felt like a huge waste of money for 2 meals that weren't eaten or enjoyed. In retrospect, we could have mentioned this to the bartender, and perhaps it would have been made right - but we were newly dating, and neither of us wanted to cause a fuss. Probably if just one thing had gone poorly, this review wouldn't have been written. But the meal went very poorly from start to finish, to the extent that it caused us a lot of laughter. We won't return - it was just a poor experience.
(1)Emily H.
Via Vite's solid food is definitely bolstered by a modern, classy atmosphere and great, central location. For me, that's probably what moves it from a 3 to a 4. Oh, and the pizza! I've eaten at Via Vite several times now and the food is definitely good. I don't have glorious words to add to "good." I think it's because nothing I've had was especially memorable. I remember having a nice dinner and enjoying my food, but I was never blown away by the food. However, the pizza is memorable. The crust is among my favorites and they have a nice selection of more traditional and some more interesting options, as well. They got a mention in Cincy Mag's Best Pizza issue for a reason! Side note: I know it's not meant to be compared to Nicola's Ristorante which is owned by the same people... but it's hard not to compare it when Nicola's is so amazing. That may be another reason why I feel like the food, other than the pizza, is solid but not exceptional.
(4)Cathy S.
Absolutely amazing evening! The service was attentive, the food was fabulous, the atmosphere was festive and inviting. Could not have enjoyed the evening more!
(5)Louise D.
Second time around for me at Via Vite and the first time I wasn't really convinced. Perhaps because I had to pay for the meal by myself and I thought my pasta was overpriced... This time though I came here for a work dinner and we had a nice bottle of the red housewine (recommend it and at $28 per bottle it's the cheapest one you can get), the bruschettas and the special of the day peppers as appetizers. I tried out the standard bruschetta, just with tomato and it was perfect. I'm not much of a pepper person but the special, with tuna inside was mmmmmm! And not as spicy as you would think (or as I feared). I then had the asparagus and red beet as a salad - delicous, I recommend it and it changes from a green boring salad. And then as a main course: the salmon! Try it! It came with Brussels sprouts and it was amazing!. I wasn't as big a portion as the pasta plates (my colleagues all got a box), but for me it was the perfect size. All in all a perfect meal! We asked for a quiet table so we could talk and not have the rather loud music and they were really good about this. Loved it - just not sure it has the special 5 star ingredient -- and also, it's still pretty pricy!
(4)Kimberly P.
Via Vite was a home run! We wanted a view of Cincinnati's downtown Christmas tree while we had dinner and VV did not disappoint. We started our dinner with an octopus appetizer that was perfect! Not chewy, just the perfect size. I had a salad that was the bes part of my meal. (how often can you say that?) Warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, pistachios and truffle vinaigrette dressing. Perfect with the bread brought to your table! My husband and I shared our entrees as they were divine. Spinach ravioli and seared yellow fin tuna Dinner was very pricey! I would go back at happy hour and try the pizza and drink specials.
(3)Dave L.
Ate dinner at the bar. Everything was great except, well, the main course. Service was fast and friendly, it's a nice setting overlooking the square, food came out fast, and the Caesar salad starter was tasty. But for the main course I ordered the pappardelle pasta with Italian spicy sausage and navy beans and a "hint" of tomato sauce, expecting a light-ish pasta dish with some sausage and maybe a little tomato sauce. Instead what I got was a plate covered with beans and bean sauce. I literally had to hunt in the thick sauce for the pasta. The sausage did add a nice kick, but it was way too heavy. Oh well, live and learn. I would come back, but I'll order something else.
(3)Miranda H.
I dined here on a Tuesday night and expected the typical week night crowd. I was in for quite a shock as the place was packed. Thankfully I had a reservation and was seated quickly. However, since the restaurant was packed our chairs were constantly bumped by the waitstaff. Overall the food was good. Definitely on par with other restaurants downtown.
(3)Rachel H.
The number one reason I'm even writing this review is because the lamb shank is absolutely to die for. Seriously. If you have not tried this, it warrants a trip here. Even if you don't eat lamb. Try it. This was only my second time ever having lamb- I tried the cherry glazed lamb chops at Wine Guy a little while back and made a mental note to order lamb again. I have to say lamb "shank" does not sound appetizing to me, but holy crap. This was incredibly tender, fall off the bone, perfectly cooked meat. I have to hand it to my waitress as I was choosing between this and a pasta dish and she quickly suggested I have the lamb. She was all a quiver over the polenta- I can count the number of times I've had polenta on one hand. But she was right, it was fantastic! And whatever sauce (described on the menu as lamb jus) was on top- freaking delicious. I only wish my stomach was bigger so I could have actually eaten it all. And to be honest I tried most of their cocktail menu as well (loved them all- and that is saying something). What started off as two drinks with dinner soon turned into returning to the bar after we got about 10 yards away to continue enjoying this new favorite restaurant of mine. Why go somewhere else when you're already at a great place, right? The waitstaff was friendly and helpful. The establishment itself is very clean and well designed (except perhaps the single stall bathroom, but there's not a whole lot of room for them to have done anything about that). Other diners were dressed a bit too casually for such a nice place (seriously yoga pants and a tshirt? common) but it didn't bring down the atmosphere. I will absolutely be frequenting this place, and as I hope to try more of the other menu items I have to say that the lamb found itself a place in my heart, and I might just have to settle for nibbles off my date's plate to satisfy my desire to try the rest. I am also dying to sit on the second floor, it looks like it would have a fun flair. Whatever you folks are doing in the kitchen is genius. Seriously hats off. Bottom line though- GET THE LAMB. Even if there are five of you at the table. Get five plates of this stuff because it is that good.
(5)Brad E.
I will preface this review with the fact I am not a lover of Italian food. The wine list was good. We had a nice chiannti. I ordered the pork belly. It was flavorful with a great crispy texture on the outside. I found the wait staff to be a little annoying. This place is worth trying, but I sure wouldn't burn this as your night in the big city.
(3)Kristi H.
To be fair, we came here for drinks and appetizers on a Saturday afternoon so the restaurant was not busy and we did not try any entrees. Also, we sat at the bar, which was a small area, but since it wasn't busy, it was perfect. Although when we left around 7, it was pretty packed. And the draft from the door made things a little uncomfortable until my first glass of wine kicked in. The bartenders were extremely friendly and helpful. They were patient with me as I took forever to decide. I finally told the bartender to surprise me with any red wine. We also ordered the bruschetta. Refills were perfectly timed, even as business picked up. The bruschetta toppings sounded interesting but they were all ground to the consistency of hummus, so I had a hard time really differentiating the flavors. Next time I will order a pizza. I tried a bite of my friend's margherita pizza and it was much tastier. Five stars for a great wine/bottled beer selection and friendly bartenders. Three stars for okay bruschetta. Four stars because occasionally they have a DJ dance party upstairs and that sounds like fun.
(4)Sarah L.
Again, I've been skunked at Via Vite. Server was slow to reach us, even slower to deliver our order, and then brought the wrong glass of wine. Which would have been OK, if it weren't already sorely late, and if they didn't later charge me more than was listed on the menu. The hostesses were gracious and stepped in to help our poor service situation, which we appreciated. But the experience left us a bit disgruntled.
(2)Dianne S.
It was a Friday night at 10pm. We were out-of-towners who had just gotten out of a concert at the U.S. Bank Arena and were staying at the Westin downtown. We were hungry! I spotted Via Vite from our hotel room as soon as we checked in. It's hard to miss since it's directly in Fountain Square. Looking for a quick late night bite, my husband and I felt a bit underdressed. Entrees range from $20-25 a plate. We opted for their oven cooked pizzas...deeslish! Had a light artichoke & pesto pizza that was perfectly crunchy thin. Service was above & beyond. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly, even talking Chicago with us. Would defintely stop in again!
(3)Rachel B.
Food is good, but it's a little expensive. I can never seem to bring myself to pay 20 for pasta that I feel like I could make at home (though I never do....). The bruschetta appetizer is luscious, however. Different types for sharing. This place can get really busy on nights with a show going on.
(4)Sarah R.
Sadly, this was a poor experience. A few months ago, we arrived at 5:30 PM on a Friday evening, and was told by the hostess that if we didn't have reservations, she couldn't seat us. We asked if we could make reservations, and she said no. Oddly, the dining room was at least 2/3 empty. As we turned around to leave, she told us that we could sit at the bar for dinner. We took her up on the offer. (And FYI, the dining room continued to be almost totally empty until we left.) We ordered the bruschetta, which is an interesting version including several different toppings. If you don't like olives - you probably aren't going to enjoy this. Most of the toppings include an olive tapenade. If you like olives, you will probably enjoy this! At the bar, I think perhaps the bartender was not well-versed in the menu. I asked for some info on a dish that sounded like it had a cream sauce, and when he said "yes, it has a cream sauce," , I said, "Ok, I'll pass on that because I don't want a cream sauce." I ended up ordering a pasta dish off the specials menu, and since it didn't mention a cream sauce, i didn't think to double check - which in the end, is my own fault. When it showed up, it was doused with an extremely heavy cream sauce. I would have expected the bartender to mention that when I was ordering it. I didn't ask specifically, he didn't mention it, it happens, life goes on. However, it wasn't super tasty. It might have been a combination of my expectations not being met along with adequate food, but I just didn't really enjoy my meal. I didn't finish it. What put the experience on the 2-star rating instead of 3-star rating was my boyfriend's meal. He ordered a lobster pasta special - it mentioned big chunks of lobster mixed with pasta. However, when it showed up, it was pasta in a cream sauce with an EMPTY LOBSTER SHELL sitting on top of the pasta. No chunks of lobster to be found. Literally. No chunks of lobster. The sauce was very odd, and had some very liberal herb seasoning that was not mentioned in the menu description. My boyfriend didn't even finish half of it. The fact that it did show up with an empty lobster shell did crack us up, though. It was pretty funny. This review makes it sound like I'm really negative, and super picky - and I just want to say, I'm not. In general, if the service is friendly and the meal tastes pretty good, I'm very happy. In this case, however, while the bar service was friendly - everything else was sub-par. Perhaps some of it was just bad luck - one of the tastes neither of us enjoy is olive tapenade, and that was the main ingredient in the bruschetta. I should have asked for more info on the surprising cream sauce special, and well, the lobster pasta just didn't have any lobster! The bill (1 appetizer, 2 meals, 2 glasses of wine) totaled up to well over $125 including tip, and felt like a huge waste of money for 2 meals that weren't eaten or enjoyed. In retrospect, we could have mentioned this to the bartender, and perhaps it would have been made right - but we were newly dating, and neither of us wanted to cause a fuss. Probably if just one thing had gone poorly, this review wouldn't have been written. But the meal went very poorly from start to finish, to the extent that it caused us a lot of laughter. We won't return - it was just a poor experience.
(1)Carolynne M.
Sleek, modern and comfortable interior. We were seated near a window which gave a great people watching opportunities from a concert that was being held in the square outside. Andy wanted to try the veal and ricotta meatball appetizer. They were tasty, but a tad on the dense side. The sauce that they were in was awesome though and after tasting the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce for the bread basket (which was just awful, sorry, and reminded me too much of way-too-strong salad dressing) I was happy to have something to put on the bread. I ordered "my grandmas peperonata" which was a medley of different roasted peppers that was incredibly delicious. Also fantastic on the bread. The cioppino, an Italian fish stew, was absolutely delicious, but it was mostly broth and very few chunks of seafood. Had they not skimped on the ingredients it would have easily been a five star dish. Atmosphere, at least on the Friday night we were there, was young, and people were dressed up to be seen. A very vibrant and energetic crowd. I dont know if that was due to the concert outside or if this is what you can expect everyday though.
(4)Jackie S.
Stopped in for some light bites during a night on the town. Although the waiter was confused by the fact that we just wanted to split a pizza and not order entrees, he was very attentive. We were seated right away with our request for outdoor seating and enjoyed the view of the fountain. I've been here a few times and have always found the food to be scrumptious, the atmosphere cosmopolitan, and the service refined. It's my top choice for a place to eat on fountain square.
(4)Angela C.
There is not much to dislike about Via Vite, though it might be missing that special something for me that would give it a 5. The scope of my visits have been once for business lunch and once for happy hour. Both times were very pleasant- there is a nice, clean, modern ambiance and it's awesome that it's on Fountain Square. The pizzas are tasty, and I had the most spectacular grapefruit gelato martini (it had some Italian name that I can't remember). I might be drooling for that martini right now. Maybe. Anyway, they have a nice lunch menu that won't break the bank- I enjoyed the soup and salad combo for $10. Service was fast and very friendly both times. I'm not sure it's a place I'll frequent for meals (still not cheap), but would definitely come back for a pizza snack and gelato martini for happy hour any day of the week.
(4)Eva S.
Nothing amazing to report. Went for a birthday dinner for a friend. Good food, service was a bit spotty (either too much attention, or nowhere to be found when you needed something- like a wine bottle cooler which came about 10 minutes after the birthday girl's wine arrived). Seemed slightly overpriced. I had the tuna, spouse had the salmon. Tuna was delicious, and his salmon was also tasty. I didn't know I liked butternut squash until I tried his. Not very generous pours on the liquor (no ice means I get less alcohol, maybe? But for $8 per drink, I feel slightly cheated, even if I do order my scotch neat). $27 for tuna (same price for salmon) seemed a bit steep. The rest of our party seemed to enjoy their food (all pasta dishes, actually). I don't feel like we got $136 worth of a meal or evening out of it. Probably won't go back; I can spend that kind of money elsewhere and enjoy it better.
(3)John B.
They try, but not quite there for me. Read Steve K's review about the hamburger helper and the chef boy-r-dee and I think I got the same dish. The pasta was actually very good and Syeve was a tad harsh in his comments, buy I instantly recalled his review when I tasted my dish. Too funny. Only thing with mine was that the Italian sausage in the dish had such large chunks that one piece was raw in the middle. Gross. I blew it off, but let the waiter know that it was okay, but..... They did nothing. Via Vite people - at least do something in cases that that. Desert, comp the app, have a manager appoligize, something.... Ignorance is not bliss in the food industry. Ahhh. Well glad I tried it. Cheers.
(2)F R.
The house made rosemary pappardelle is fantastic. I get it vegetarian style without the sausage and I love it more and more all the time. I also really love the gnocchi. The warm Boucheron goat cheese salad, and the asparagus salads are amazing. We have had the same server every time we have gone and I don't remember her name but I love her. The chefs table is awesome, but if you are on the pizza oven side you will get warm. That's a good seat for an under-dressed lady, not a man in a jacket. Monday night half price wine night is awesome.
(5)JoEllen H.
The tomato mozzarella salad is worth four or five stars alone! We really enjoy this restaurant, best choice on Fountain Square by far! Forget the chains and support our local restaurant owners!
(4)Jenna H.
I decided to dine at Via Vite while working in Ohio. It was right across from my hotel room and Italian was calling my name. The restaurant had a nice décor and I was greeted right away by the hostess. I decided to take a seat at the bar - great decision when dining alone. The bartender was nice, informative, but also gave you space. I started with his app recommendation - the Diver Caught Scallops 'Spiaggia' with sauteed oyster mushrooms, Parmigiano, and brown butter-truffle vinaigrette. This dish was heaven. The ingredients were fresh and went so well together and the scallops were cooked to perfection. I decided to get my meal to go and chose the Handmade Tagliolini with braised baby octopus ragout, fresh lemon zest and parsley. I expected an excellent dish in my hotel but for some reason the octopus ragout had this awful taste to it. I had to throw my dinner out it was so bad. I am not sure what happened with this dish but I would not order it again.
(3)MEdlinda C.
Via Vite is via so-so. I ordered the special entree - white tuna and spring onions. The tuna was perfectly cooked - moist, flaky, medium/rare in the middle and buttery sweet. The waiter was very accomodating and let me swap out the potatoes for the caramelized brussel sprouts, which was quite good. My main problem with Via Vite is the amount of oil that drenched my dish. I take issue with restaurants that cloak the flavors of fresh, well-prepared food with oil and butter. I see that olive oil is listed at $19.50/bottle on your menu but seriously, y'all could have saved some on me and left it for the bottle!
(3)Ben S.
I've passed this place several times and finally I stopped in around 2PM on Saturday for lunch with a friend. The place was not dead but it wasn't crowded either. We were seated at a two person table near the wall of windows. The first floor dining space is bright and stylish and comfortable aside from the pole that was next to my seat. The view was very pleasant (of Fountain Sq) so it was a nice backdrop to light conversation. The prices for lunch are very good, all things considered. My friend and I split a delicious margherita pizza upon the waiter's suggestion. The pizza was generously sized and very tasty. We didn't even finish it. The bread is free and good too. I really have few complaints. The music they play doesn't match the atmosphere but it was okay. I would recommend Via Vite for a nice lunch in the city for a reasonable price.
(4)Osito S.
I was Cincy for business and was told to stop by. Excellent food, really great service with people who give you real recommendations on why you should order certain dishes and phenomenal dessert!
(5)Rachel L.
I have been here several times now, and it never fails to take me to my happy place. It's a very romantic and warm place for a date, but I also took the girls there for a fun night out. The service is attentive but not stuffy, and they have a fantastic view of Fountain Square. And the wine...oh the wine! I have ordered a few different things there, but the bolognese is pure heaven. All made in house, along with their own fresh pasta and wonderfully simple salads to cleanse your pallette. And if you're not quite ready to end your date when dinner is over,they also have a gorgeous modern bar area where you can cuddle over that one last drink.
(5)Meg G.
We first went to Via Vite for our wedding anniversary. It was mid-April, so we made reservations for seating on the deck. We were brought to our table, and greeted with two glasses of sparkling wine and a fantastic view of fountain square. When it comes to location, this place has got it. The wine selection is terrific. For an appetizer, we had the veal meatballs. They were good, but nothing outstanding. For my main course, I had the goat cheese salad. It was a generous portion of grilled goat cheese, topped with greens, pistachios, and a white truffle vinaigrette. It was delicious. I don't think I can say that overall, the food is great. But I would certainly return for the atmosphere alone.
(3)Priya K.
Excellent ambiance and service. A couple of vegetarian choices. The margharita pizza was made in Italian style but the crust was a little bit too thick and should have been cooked a tad bit more. The tomato sauce, cheese and pepper toppings were great. Hazelnut gellatto was awesome as well.
(3)Jann W.
Love love love the contemporary adaption of Italian food, but I have to grit my teeth not to get annoyed with slow service. Even still, it's one of my favorite Italian spots in Cincinnati.
(4)Kathryn W.
You know how it is when you lose touch with someone you like.? That's how it was with our family and Maggie--the best waitperson we have ever known. She was a favorite with us at Pho Paris and when it went under, we missed where she went. Thanks to Julie of the Wine Me Dine Me blog, we found her at Via Vite. Made a reservation right away and went that night. She's just the same.. Knowledgeable, charming, helpful, intuitive. Oh--and the food was great too. Let Maggie guide you towards the best wine on the list-she knows them all. She said she had imagined what she would feed us even before we knew we were coming. She was right all the way. Will we be back? You bet-and we won't lose touch this time.
(5)Mike D.
I had a very limited experience, on a friday night we stopped in for a happy hour beer and pizza. I love that they're open late. +100. The space is very cool and modern, and probably chill when there isn't a techno rave going on upstairs. Maybe not the best space for a date, as it's pretty wide open. At first the service was standoffish, we got some wierd looks, after we were seated it was very good, they even split our pizza onto 2 plates for us. The pizza was good. Cooked at a super high temp so the crust blisters, but the underside was a little undercooked which didnt make sense to me. The toppings were supposed to include prosciutto, but it had the taste and texture of regular ham, which was a disappointment. All in all a good but brief experience. I'm looking forward to trying it again.
(3)Joe P.
Got really lucky, Saturday night, no reservation, but the "chefs table" had room for two so we sat and enjoyed; outstanding appetizer, handed to us by one of the sous chefs-gratis! very good wine, Marsala, pizza & dessert. a real treat & totally unexpected. will def be back...
(4)Todd A.
I eat at Via Vite almost every time I travel to Cinci - mainly because I can't get enough of the Cioppino. I love this Cioppino, it's not like most of the cioppino's I eat on the East Coast or the few I've had in San Fran, but good is good. It's closer to a tomato based seafood chowder loaded with extremely tender calamari. I also love the rosemary pappardelle which you can often see being rolled out when you walk in - I'm a sucker for fresh pasta! The only thing I haven't liked here is the skate wing, which I thought was just okay and price for what you get. I tend to stick with the appetizers and fresh pasta, which you can't go wrong with.
(4)SeaElle R.
I love this place. Best dining in Cincinnati (IMO). I love everything about this place, especially the food. Truffles, truffles, truffles....mmmmm...they prepare so many dishes with truffles and the restaurant often smells like truffles. Divine! I dined recently for lunch. The goat-cheese salad had a truffle dressing. Fabulous. The linguine with clams was fantastic. Again, this is by far my favorite dining in Cincinnati. Great job!
(5)Bea D.
Ahh, the pasta. It was wonderful. I had a nice view of the square from the window. The lighting was festive and twinkling. The service was so-so, as the staff seemed aloof. All things considered, I'll return. I may even branch out past the pasta!
(4)Jonathan S.
Cincinnati Magazine published the top 10 restaurants, arguably under influence of much wine. Seven seemed to jive true, yet one obvious irregularity: Via Vite instead of Primavista?! Suddenly, the list amounts to rubbish. Nicola's earns a formidable spot in a top 10 list. However, Nicola's sister locale, Via Vite, equates to little more than younger, hipper decor in the best location downtown... flat smack on fountain square. Yet, Via Vite served overcooked seafood and ill-prepared pasta during both my visits. A great disappoint from a restaurant family with a rich history of excellence in the city. If you are stopping by for half priced wine night after dinner elsewhere, you'll be satisfied with the ambiance and location. Avoid the food.
(2)Marie E.
We went there for dinner prior to going to see Infamous Love songs which was one of my favorite performances of all time. The food was expensive and not good. I had the lasagna which was around $20 that tasted like pasta from a can. I am not exaggerating. So disappointed. the noodles were soggy and just overall not good. My husbands sauce was also bland and just not good. The gnocci and ravioli were decent so if you get stuck there I would recommend those or one of the wood fire pizzas. Not planning on going back unless it is for a late night pizza and drink after a show. We dropped close to $100 don't repeat our mistake.
(1)Rich H.
Via Vite is a mixed bag for me. The location is great and the food is good, but the price point makes this a once-in-a-while place for me that I'm never super excited for. I've always had great service and I like being so close to the heart of downtown, but the food has never wowed me enough to justify the price. But if you're looking for a relatively upscale environment that's not at the price point of Jeff Ruby's then this might be the destination for you. There is a fairly good wine selection to look at and the specials are usually good enough. Really the location is what I like most about this restaurant. Draw your own conclusions from that.
(3)Erin Z.
I went to Via Vite because I heard about the pizza. It was fresh, light, and very tasty. I also tried the goat cheese/fig salad and yellow pepper soup. Both were delicious. The bread they serve has to be the best bread I have had in Cincinnati so far. I read that the prices were high, but I found the lunch menu to be quite reasonable. Our server knew the menu inside and out, and I find that to be incredibly helpful when trying a new restaurant. Both the server and hostess were polite and friendly.
(4)Peter S.
I'm always fairly impressed with this place whenever I come to Cincinnati. Everything from the pasta to the vegetables are fresh and well prepared. The salmon fillet that I had last time was cooked to perfection, and was seasoned accordingly. They have a fairly robust wine selection, and the desserts are well portioned after the meal. The cuts of meat are also a good choice.
(4)Andrew W.
To be fair to Via Vite, I was part of a 20+ person group. So to begin I had rather low expectations. The did accommodate us quite well, considering some of our party desired to be at one large table instead of the two separate ones they had set up for us. It took quite some time for our food to arrive, and they attempted to bring it all out at the same time. This seemed a little strange as most of the table had ordered some type of appetizer/salad/soup. So here I am sitting with a Caesar salad on a large plate and a margarita pizza on a large slab of wood. Juggling the two was quite difficult. Some dishes were given to the wrong people, but this I understand... it was quite a large order. As for the quality of food, what really counts, I was less than impressed. The salad which boasted house made croutons featured no more than a tablespoon of them on the side. It was clearly lacking in something, especially for $11. The pizza was decent, but hardly exceptional. For such a small menu, I expected a bit more in the taste department. Overall, I was disappointed. Would I return? Probably, but only if coerced by someone first.
(2)Hot Mama J.
In a word. Excellent. Beautiful environment. delicious meal. great staff. divine wine choices. A definite yes.
(4)Carl H.
Best Italian food in town next to Nicolas.
(5)Heather J.
Had Fancy Lunch Day there today and really enjoyed it. I'd like to give the food a 4 and the dessert a 5. I had fettucini with vodka sauce (they modified for me from tortellini) and it was really deilcious! Came with a salad for $14 (lunch menu). Then the dessert - I had the chocolate panna cotta - AMAZING! Waitress wasn't too bright - she told me a panna cotta was like a souffle - um - no - it's like a custard/creme brulee (minus the brulee) - but oh well... Tried bites of orange tart and hazelnut gelato and both were also delectable...very surprised by tart - wasn't overpowering on orange - really liked it. It was sort of like creme brulee pie (without the brulee again). Nice dining experience and relatively quick for lunch.
(4)Erin K.
We went here for my husband's birthday; the service and food were great. For dinner my husband ordered the tuna special and I ordered the salmon; both recommendations from our waiter. I have to say the tuna was better but the salmon was very good. For dessert we ordered the chocolate panna cotta but something just didn't taste right so our waiter brought us a different dessert, the dessert special which was great. The chef actually came out, apologized and explained they had tried something new with the dessert and that's why it tasted funny and also brought a champagne drink out for us. It wasn't necessary as the rest of the food was wonderful but we thought it was a nice touch. We would definitely return and recommend to others.
(4)Pablo G.
Good Pizza, atmoshpere & very reasonably priced....even when not Happy Hour
(4)Scot H.
had an incredible lamb shank with polenta. warm goat cheese salad was fantastic. best part was chef cristopher bringing out a flaming branzino in salt for his wife and guests and singeing her hair. atmosphere was okay, staff was decent.
(4)Lesley C.
This is a great Italian restaurant, right on Fountain Square. I've been a few times now, and I'm always impressed by the gorgeous decor, the view out on the square, the waitstaff and the food. The food is superb, and the menu has all sorts of items you don't find at your neighborhood Buca di Beppo and the like. It's great for a date or for going out with some friends.
(4)Scott S.
Went to this Italian restaurant on Fountain Square three days in a row and loved it for: a wonderful pasta dinner at the bar; a lovely glass of wine outdoors on the upstairs deck; and a wonderful brunch in the main dining room on the main floor. Had rigatoni with a deep, dark red sauce I've never had before but it has ruined me for regular pasta sauce. The featured red wine special (a blend) was also great. The next day sitting outdoors the waiter had a good suggestion for a light refreshing white that proved to be the perfect choice. On my last day in Cincy I went back for Sunday brunch and had the dish recommended by Cincinnati magazine (polenta with a fried egg and Italian sausage) and it was delicious; as a first course I had carpaccio of cured beef with arugula and lots of shaved parm, and it was fantastic. I loved the chi-chi look of the place (modern lines, open kitchen, swanky with no hint of stuffiness), and the staff was unbelievably friendly and sweet, and generally prompt without hovering. I would love to sit at the chef's table the next time.
(5)R E.
While in town for business had dinner there and absolutely every thing I had was delicious! Starting with the Tocai wine our server recommended to dessert. I tried everything he recommended and our server was spot on every time! I normally don't enjoy my meals while traveling on business but was nicely surprised by Via Vite. A definite must visit while in that area.
(4)Steve K.
I've been to Via Vite twice, once for a very expensive work party and once for lunch. Both experiences can be summed up by two words-- underwhelmed and overpriced. The pasta that I had last time was something between hamburger helper and chef boyardee. The setting is really cool, but so is my loft, I can make top ramen here for like $0.25, don't waste the cool space on something that reminded me of dog food.
(2)Julie W.
Nice dinner with my cousins, great location on Fountain Square with live music playing, but food only average - nothing to write home about.
(3)Vib M.
I went here with my girlfriend during my first night in Cinci (yes, I am a CA transplant). The location is great with outdoor seating overlooking Fountain Square. Try to stay on the side away from the Time Warner billboard, otherwise you get glare from what they are showing on TV. The food was exactly what we were looking for after a trip from SF. They had some thin crust pizzas and light, fluffy pastas. Good place for vegetarians. The wine selection was also pretty good.
(4)Kirsten F.
i'm coming out of yelp retirement for this. i'm in cincinnati for business and staying right downtown - i was looking for that "business traveler dinner" - relatively quick, with attentive service, nice atmosphere, and a good glass of wine. i got all of that and then some with via vite. i feel most compelled to comment on the service, which was fantastic. the bartender has mastered the chattiness required to accommodate lone diners, but he wasn't overbearing. the manager checked in on me at one point (and cautioned me about a ridiculously hot plate i was about to sear my hand on), and the chef made an appearance with a recommendation from the menu. all were warm and seemed genuinely concerned that i have a good experience. i didn't eat in the dining room, but the atmosphere was very appealing with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and rich, modern colors. i managed to order three things all featuring goat cheese, which isn't even my favorite thing. i was after the beets, asparagus (beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad), pesto (pesto, artichoke and goat cheese pizza), and was recommended the salad featuring mixed greens, hazelnuts (nice), a very light, delicious raspberry viniagrette and, yes, goat cheese. the salad was amazing. it was an after thought, but was my favorite thing. wide selection of italian wines, which i know nothing about. the bartender made nice suggestions. in all, very impressed. i hope that this restaurant succeeds because the staff seemed committed to providing a high quality experience.
(4)Kim B.
I have been to Via Vite several times. It is one of my favorites in Cincinnati, and I fall in love with it everytime I go! My husband and I have pretty much tried everything on the menu, and all is great. The Warm Goat Cheese Salad is soooo good. I love how the cool greens contrast against the warm goat cheese and the vinegarette, yum. The soups are great. I've had Potato and Leek, Cauliflower and my favorite Yellow Pepper soup. I have taken my little sisters and we got pizza, which was just like you were transported back to Italy! ALL pasta dishes are excellent. Fish dishes are sooo good, especially the Skate Wing. The steaks melt in your mouth like butter. My all time favorite is, the Roasted Lamb Shank and Polenta. It's like dying and going to heaven! You don't even need a fork for the Lamb, it literally falls off the bone. The polenta is soooo creamy and cheesy. Tiramisu is awesome! Gelato is mind blowing, so creamy, and has such a variety of flavors. This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Great food, friendly owners, Georgous Setting.
(5)Sean B.
This new venture by the folks who run Over The Rhine's Nicolas is a welcome local addition to a renovated Fountain Square surrounded by national and regional chains. While the dinner menu is somewhat limited - most of the appetizer choices are pizzas and they could add an entree or three (as it is you have a choice of 4 pastas or 4 meat dishes - the food is excellent. On a recent visit the mussels appetizer, penne with bolognese meat sauce, and tuna steak special were all delicious. The view overlooking the Square is great, but what holds the establishment back is the service. It's downright awful. Considering the prices, you might expect a more attentive managerial, bar, and service staff, but it just doesn't gel. There is no attention to detail on the floor side of the house, and as a result the entire scene suffers.
(3)Kevin B.
They have an excellent location on the square, and the decor to match. You feel good in this place. The food does it justice as well. Nice beer menu too - Stone IPA and Dogfish 90 Min. I'm set.
(4)Kailani N.
margherita pizza!!
(5)Ice Cream Truck I.
OK, I'll admit I'm a San Francisco snob. Visiting for business, I learned from OpenTable that this was a popular restaurant and its website looked intriguing. It was better than I expected. When I drove up to the underground parking, I sorta shuttered. I saw that I was in ground zero of downtown, at Fountain Plaza (or Square?). I looked around: Macy's, Brooks Brothers, Palamino, etc. And a big watery fountain in the middle of a downtown square, so I was nervous: would this be a good-location, good-view, but so-so-but-overpriced-food kinda place? The atmosphere is unpretentious, friendly, comfortable, and slightly trendy. The servous was superb - - very attentive without being pushy. The caprese salad was great (colorful red, yellow and green cherry tomatoes cut in half, with generous slices of mozzarella, with a light shred of basil, which could have been more plentiful, but maybe it's because it's late-season?). I asked for their recommended pasta, and the accommodated my request for half-portions of two of their great pastas (gnocchi, rigatoni). And it wasn't overpriced, at least by major US city standards. Just ignore that you're basically in a city on the Kentucky border.
(3)Mike S.
Had a good and quick dinner here before a play at Ensemble Theater. The space was nice but surprisingly not crowded at 7 pm on a Saturday evening (only about 3/4 full). Our table of 4 shared the bruschetta assortment and focaccia appetizers. Our server was not that competent or enthusiastic. When we asked what was the assortment of five bruschetta, she didn't know one and got another one wrong. Unfortunately the wrong one had sausage and was already eaten by the vegetarian at the table. Despite the incompetence, the bruschetta were all good. The "focaccia" looked surprisingly like a thin pizza, not nearly as thick as I would expect, but delicious. I had the special beef short ribs. I remarked that they quivered like jello when served; tender, perfectly prepared, and tasty. Some of the best I've ever had. The other diners had the potato gnocchi, a special mushroom tortellini, and the pork chops. The gnocchi and pasta were very good. Didn't try the pork, but was reported to be excellent. One thing I really liked was the offering of a 1-liter carafe of wine for $28. I wish more places would offer a reasonably priced and good house wine by the carafe. Jean-Ro's does too. Overall we were happy with the meal: very good food, not overpriced, fair service.
(4)Jennifer H.
Via Vite is trying to be a lot of different things at once and, for the most part, it is fairly successful. The upside of that is there is a new swinging hot spot in downtown Cincinnati (where hot spots are sorely needed) with good food, the downside is that none of the components truly soar on their own. This place can clearly get packed on the weekends and last Saturday, there was a live band that proved more enjoyable than we expected when we saw them starting to set up. Couples were even dancing in the crowded bar area, which provided more entertainment than the band itself! It can definitely get loud with the crowds and the music, but it never stopped our table from having a conversation. I'd expect better food from the Nicola's folk. Surprising at an Italian joint, the salads were the highlights. My favorite was the grilled asparagus, roasted beet and goat cheese, but everything is fantastic. The menu is small, so if you're not in the mood for pizza, pasta or one of the 4 basic meat options, you're out of luck. I tried the calamari-spinach stew from the appetizers, which was more than enough food with the addition of a salad, but I found it incredibly salty. I wasn't terribly impressed with the other entrees I sampled. If you stick to the salads and enjoy the music and the view, this is a great night on the town. If you want a killer Italian meal, head to Nicola's.
(4)Taylor W.
Via Vite has a great location right on Fountain Square. We went last Saturday with a big group of friends and found our tabe ready and waiting when we got there at 6:00. I hate it when I make a reservation and still have to wait 15 minutes. We ordered crab cakes for appetizers, the goat cheese salad, and the papperdelle with spicy sausage. The crab cakes were really good. Soft soft with a slightly spicy dipping sauce. Goat cheese salad with pretty good. It has a huge piece of bake goat cheese under the salad. Salad would have been very plain without the goat cheese. The papperdelle was pretty good. I have to admit I was a little confused about what it was exactly, but it said "spicy sausage" so I ordered it. Larger portion than I thought. I tried a bit of my friend's tortellini with creamy tomato sauce. (I'm pretty sure that is what it was.) Creamy is an understatement. It may have been the richest sauce I've ever had. Delicious, but a bit heavy. Bottom Line: Via vite is good. It's pretty classy. They got our reservation nailed. But there are several other places I'd rather spend $70 for dinner. (I did have two $5 beers) It's a good place to try, but I probably won't go back unless a bigger group wants to go.
(3)Tara N.
I've had multiple great experiences at Via Vite. The most critical was their saving of my wedding rehearsal dinner when Jeff Ruby's Waterfront floated away 10 days before our event! The staff were fantastic, the room beautiful, and everyone raved about the food. Via Vite also has a fantastic happy hour! I think their non-happy hour prices are pretty steep, but during happy hour you can get a small plate pasta (which is enough dinner for me) and a glass of wine for $10. Can't beat that!
(4)Gavin D.
We'd had a restaurant.com coupon for a while for Via Vite, and a 7:30pm concert:nova show at the Mercantile Library last night was a perfect opportunity to eat and then walk across the square to the event. I'd heard mixed reviews, and now that I've been I'd say I'm not surprised. There was nothing terribly wrong, but nothing excitingly right either - par for the course. The Food: We ordered the grilled asparagus salad to share, and then two pasta dishes - pappardelle and tortellini - for our mains. The asparagus comes with roasted beets and goat cheese. The presentation was nice, but that was probably the best thing. Salt was helpful on everything we had, and in general there just wasn't much flavor popping from this plate. Shame on us for ordering asparagus out of season, I suppose, and thankfully if you put enough goat cheese on anything it can't be horrible (and they do give you a lot of goat cheese). We ordered the pappardelle in part because it was house-made (only a couple of the pastas are), and it comes with Italian sausage the waitress said is from Findlay Market (I'd guess Kroeger & Son's, but can't say that for sure). It was a "pasta e fagioli," which basically means that it's got beans in it, something that I would have liked to have known initially (I just Googled it) because, try as I might, I just am not that big of a fan of beans as a main component of dishes. There were big cherry tomatoes that had been cooked with the sauce as well, and they were one of my favorite things. The pasta was cooked well, and overall the dish was solid, but the flavors just did not pop at all for me. I was hoping for more. The tortellini was another "fresh" pasta option, and it was my preferred dish. It was very creamy, as the menu noted, and had sundried tomatoes and basil. The tortellini were filled with what I believe was ricotta cheese, but I didn't ask so can't be sure. The pastas were delicate and the cheese sauce was very savory. I'd say it was a couple notches above a good macaroni and cheese (the creamy cheese sauce reminded us of mac & cheese), but again, nothing special. The Ingredients: There is a quote prominently on the menu from the chef saying that they "never take shortcuts and import the finest products that Italy has to offer." I wonder where they get their tomatoes? Seriously though, nothing on the menu about local or organic ingredients. The Story, Setting, & Service: The space is quite nice - open, well put together, modern and sharp without being over-the-top. Windows onto the square are a plus, except that when seated next to the window we were cold the entire meal. I'm generally a warm person, so if you're a cold person, definitely ask for a table away from the glass. Service was fine, nothing notably good or bad. If you planned ahead and got a reservation outside or upstairs overlooking the square on a busy day, I think that could be pretty cool. On this night, it didn't add much since it was dead - in large part due to the fact it was very chilly out. The Last Bite: I'm not sure what I'd order if I went back - maybe try the penne with bolognese, which the waitress said was good and there are some other good reviews about. But, realistically, I don't think we'll go back. There are plenty of places in the same price range where I'm confident I'll get a better meal, and while Fountain Square is an understandable draw - especially if you have someone in from out of town - it's just not my thing. Disappointing but true, this was probably our only visit.
(3)Derek M.
We had an early dinner at Via Vite last night. Incredible. My wife and I both started with the Caesar salad. Unlike most Caesar dressings, this was light and lemony. There was garlic, but I didn't hit you ove the head and kill your rate buds for the rest of the evening. Following the salad, my wife had the wild boar ragout and I had the braised lamb shank. Both were delivered to our table by Chef Cristian, who took the time to talk a bit about the dishes. The lamb was so tender I wondered how they even got it into the bowl without it falling off the bone. Deep brown from an overnight braise, it was simply delicious. The surprise, though, was in the polenta served underneath the shank. Creamy with a rich, deep flavor all on its own. A bowl of that polenta with a bit of bread and wine would be a lovely lunch. The boar was just as good, with a mix of subtle spices adding interest. It went especially well with the Piedmont blend our server helped us select. We don't always save room for dessert, but did lat night. Panettone bread pudding for my wife, Bourbon marinated dates for me. The atmosphere is lively. Not particularly quiet, though we never had to raise our voices to be heard. By the time we left (dinner was just under 2 hours) the downstairs bar was packed and the tables were full. A great meal, attentive servers, an inspired chef. We'll be going back soon.
(5)Mike C.
I was here on a Thursday night for a business dinner. I'd heard that Via Vite was one of the better restaurants in the city and had seen it on the list of Cincinnati's Best Restaurants in Cincinnati Magazine. I do like their location on Fountain Square. Very easily accessible and you can still get out to do stuff in the area afterwards. Good ambience in the restaurant. Nice decor. At first, I thought it was really small, but noticed that they also have a second floor. I thought our service was reasonable. Our waitress was actually waiting to take our order, but we were talking so it took a while on our end to order. I started with their Via Vite Caesar salad. Honestly, i've made a salad just as good at home with parmigiano reggiano and Caesar dressing from the grocery store. However, for my entree, I had the papardelle fagioli, which I really liked. The waitress also added parmigiano reggiano and some red pepper flakes. Good pasta and a very good meat sauce. I definitely would have that dish again. Overall, I liked Via Vite. I don't know if it's a place that I'd be thinking about all the time, but it'll be on my list of options for dinner downtown.
(4)Brandy L.
Love love love love loved it! Was in town for a conference and after standing on the street corner weighing our options for 5 minutes, my colleagues and I were drawn by the appearance of the restaurant's upstairs. We never made it to the upstairs, but thought the downstairs dining room was very nice. We stumbled upon half-price wine night and got a fabulous recommendation from our waitress. Her description of the wine was dead on and it complimented all of our meals beautifully. We spent a long time catching up and did not feel rushed even though we arrived relatively late for a Monday. We ordered the carpaccio to start and then we took forever deciding on the rest of our orders. Unfortunately, ALL of the specials were sold out, but once again our server came through on the recommendations. One friend got the pappardalle and really enjoyed it. Another friend and I split the goat cheese salad and the spinach ravioli which they graciously served each of us our perfectly halved portions, already split. We gushed over our food and both cleaned our plates. Yummy truffles! Overall, I almost wish I lived in Cinci so I could make this one of my regular haunts...well almost.
(4)Jacob Z.
Fantastic fresh food. Reasonable pricing for the quality. Highly recommended for date night or any other special occasion.
(5)Robin M.
I was looking for a locally owned and operated business in downtown Cincy and was lucky to have found this gem. Its a modern take on good old Italian fare. The atmosphere is very modern, the waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. The food was very fresh and tasteful.
(5)Mike S.
We walked and walked looking for Trattoria Roma Ristorante only to find it had closed and was now a martini bar. With a taste for Italian we yelped the next closest thing and found Via Vite. It's a mix of upscale dining with ultra lounge - but it works. What's to like? For starters wife has the yellow pepper soup. It was so freaking good. It's made of grilled yellow peppers blended with Yukon potato's, chick broth and cream (i think). Very good. I had the tuna capparchio stuffed red peppers. Addictive. For dinner - Wife had spinach/ricotta stuffed ravioli and I had pasta with sun dried tomato cream sauce. Both very good and tasty. Service was very attentive and nice and kept the bread basket full (always a bonus!) My only gripe is its a bit pricey. The above cost $75 which to me is a lot for a plate of pasta and a appetizer. I'll try it again for sure.
(4)Andy M.
Via Vite features a cool, modern interior. They have a nice wine and Bourbon selection. The Best part of Via Vite is the people watching. It's a young crowd with lots of eye candy and drama. The couple that was seated next to us looked like they were breaking up. The bar was filled with beautiful young women, not to mention the Skeezy old guys who were hitting on them. It was like an episode of Melrose place with real good food. Oh, yeah, the food? The Meatball appetizer and the steak I ordered were delicious. Our server was wonderful, she pointed us towards the Meatball dish. My only complaint was that the drinks were a bit on the stingy side. When I eat at a high end establishment like Via Vite, I'm used to getting at least a couple of shots when I order a Bourbon, but this drink was barely a shot. The bottom line on Via Vite is this: The food and service are wonderful, and the people watching is top notch. All and all, it was a great place to dine. If I'm ever back in the C-Town, I would definitely go back.
(4)Namrata A.
Cute place to grab a glass of wine or a drink with someone. Pizza looked good though I didn't try it, too stuffed otherwise. I like the open kitchen - great feel to a place.
(3)Joe M.
Had the gnocchi with cheese fondue sauce and the goat cheese salad. Both were amazing. Service was excellent. Wine was an acceptable Nero d'Avola that was half price on Sunday. Very good meal. Not 5 star, but definitely not 3 or less stars as some reviewers would suggest.
(4)Arnmd P.
What a fabulous dining experience. Best Italian meal at a Resturant that all 3 in our party have had. We were going to eat at the Hilton where we were staying but we had no reservations and there were no openings for 3 hours. We took a stroll from the hotel and figured Italian sounded good. We were pleasantly surprised with the taste and quality if the food, which was topped by the friendly staff. Even the chef made the rounds of the tables to great the patrons. Go here for a meal it's wonderful.
(5)Parker P.
DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! DEAL ALERT! Most of us know, or have at least heard of, Via Vite, which sits prominently on Fountain Square. What almost no one knows is that they offer what just might be the Happy Hour deal of the century. From 3-7 M-Th they offer their artisan-quality, wood-fired pizza (already a bargain at $12) for $6! Yes, really. And you'll end up taking half of it home. Factor in a glass of wine for $4 (also half-price, so you're really drinking an already well-priced $8 glass), $1 for an hour of parking in the Fountain Square Garage directly below your destination, and $4 for a tip (the service is sharp, and you're a buffoon of you tip less), and your grand total for a truly upscale late lunch/early dinner is $15. This is less than you'd spend at a depressing chain restaurant in the suburbs. I almost didn't post this because I wanted it to remain my personal secret, but the sharp folks at Via Vite deserve to be packed full in the mid-afternoons if they're offering a deal this generous.
(5)Rachel C.
TRUFFLE GNOCCHI~ BRAISED LAMB~ In case you were wondering they were BOTH so delish! I had a hard time sharing any bites of my gnocchi to my SO. Yes it was our anniversary so I was in more of a sharing mood than usual but had it been any other day I would have licked the dish clean. The gnocchi is so soft and chewy but the way they cooked it gives one side a nice char and crispness that I particularly enjoyed with every bite. The dish is cheesy / creamy / heavy so don't be fooled by its delicate appearance. You will find yourself savoring every single bite. The lamb....oh goodness the lamb was cooked to perfection! Soft that it practically fell off the bone but crisp on the outside that, like the truffle gnocchi, you get some of the char flavor. I mean I think it is obvious what my personal favorite dish was given I have a mad affinity for all things truffled and gnocchi....That is the dish that has me salivating still. I came here with my SO on our anniversary date. Yes... made the reservation left a note through yelp (my favorite part of yelp) and low and behold....the message went through. Our server was so sweet and congratulated our evening. She made sure to let us know about the specials of the day and OH! all bottles of wine were 1/2 off! Not sure if that's a regular thing (didn't ask oops!) but what a wonderful occasion to pop a bottle of champagne! To my recollection neither of our glasses were ever empty and our dining experience felt so very intimate. I appreciated the attentive and non-intrusive service! Our server also topped our evening by bringing us complimentary dessert! What can I say. The service was great! The food...I still dream about...and I haven't found a place here yet that gave me such a unforgettable first impression!
(5)Elena W.
We LOVE this place!!! Our favorites are the goat cheese salad all I can say is you have to try it. On Fridays they have lasagna night and let me tell you the BEST Lasagna in town the Béchamel and the Bolognese combination is ..... you have to try it. If we go there on any other night or days we get the Pasta Bolognese our family favorite. The food is just soooo good you won't be disappointed.
(5)Bianca D.
tl;dr GET THE GNOCCHI FOR THE LOVE OF TRUFFLES so this was our third dinner of the day and we weren't feeling that hungry but still wanted to try something new. I came specifically for the gnocchi. I looked at the menu and said what?! $20?! for WHAT? There isn't even protein in this dish. But once we received the dish I realized. People this dish reeks of truffle without even having to waft it! It's delicious. Also indicative of it's value are the thin slices of heaven. aka. black truffle. This stuff goes for a couple grand a mushroom. I understand now. as for the logistics, via vite hit it on the nose. Perfectly soft and pillowy light and airy gnocchi. DID I MENTION THEY'RE FRIED?! so there is an added dimension of texture. THe sauce is like Alfredo and perfectly creamy and salty. I would definitely pay $20 to eat this again. The service and ambiance were nice too
(5)D'suni U.
Before going over to the Taste of Cincinnati I stopped her for a little brunch. There are a lot of reasons to like Via Vite. It's in the true center of Cincinnati right on Fountain Square but it feels like it could be in New York or San Francisco. Along with Nicola's, which is its more upscale counterpart, I hear it's the best Italian food in the region. I loved the coffee (I hate Starbucks coffee). I had the shrimp and grits, a fruit and berry cup and a chocolate croissant. The service was exemplary, just as if the staff was working in a moderately priced national chain (I mean that as the highest compliment) with efficient teamwork. However, it goes beyond that with subtle dishes in portions that are perfect, not too large and not too small. Everything is prepared from scratch by a hard working kitchen staff led by the quietly charming, very talented Cristian Pietoso. Here are a couple of other details that place it in a different league for a moderately priced independent: it's open late Thursday through Saturday with a tightened menu for after theater, concert, or ball games; the two course $15 Sunday Brunch menu is one of the best deals in the region; the music selection is always intriguing because it's neither elevator music, 'classic' rock, or current pop. Instead, it crosses over a number of genres without seeming obscure. Each time I've been there, I've heard a song about which I wanted more information. The music is chosen by the general managers or staff members from their own play lists. The ambience was pleasant.
(5)Whit R.
I went to Via Vite for lunch recently and it was excellent. They have a varied menu with something for everyone - pasta, salads, sandwiches, pizza, etc. Most of it sounded delicious. I went with the gnocchi and got ground italian sausage added to it. It was delicious. The sauce was creamy and was just a little spicy. The portion was perfect for lunch, too. My lunch mates had the bolognese and some kind of beet salad. The bolognese looked amazing, and he finished it all. The salad wasn't really my kind of thing, but it was all eaten, too. I'd go back for sure.
(5)Jasmin R.
After reading the not so stellar brunch reviews on here we decided to give it a whirl this morning... And were not disappointed. We were seated quickly, and our server was super attentive and friendly. Our party ordered the pancakes, fried dough and Nutella, the Americano, and the sausage panini. I will say the portion of the pancakes was pretty small, as well as the Americano, but the dough and panini were plenty filling and large entrees. The presentation was beautiful, and everything tasted delicious. The only negative I have was that the music was a little obnoxious for a Sunday brunch, some overly loud disco jams. I know I love Marvin Gaye, but not over breakfast with my future mother in law... Overall I would absolutely recommend this for anyone to try!
(5)J w.
I'm a big fan of white wine. Mostly because it doesn't count as drinking. And during happy hour, when all glasses are half off, that rule is in full effect. I ordered my go to pizza at any new restaurant, a margherita. Reason being is that is pizza in its purist form, letting each ingredient shine. Like Destiny's Child. But I digress. Everything was great - fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella. I was however surprised with how thick the dough came out. I've become accustomed to thinner, and slightly more charred pies at authentic restaurants. That said, I ate every slice and enjoyed it to bits.
(4)Philip L.
Stopped in during happy hour to get some paperwork done and to get a bite to eat. The service from the bartender was fantastic and the two glasses of wine I had were fairly tasty for the half-off price. Ordered the bruschetta (which I posted a picture of) - which, although the crostini was a little soggy, really won in terms of flavor. The penne bolognese had to be the best part of my meal; not sure the secret to their sauce, but it's got a unique smoothness to it that really makes it feel like a homemade dish. Also tried the chocolate creme brulee; I've never had one before, so it was a must when I saw it on the menu. It's a really interesting concept, and I'd try it again, but it seemed to lack a bit of that lightness that a regular creme brulee has - still fairly delicious, though. Overall, great service, good food, and pretty good value!
(4)Sandy S.
Sat at chef's bar -- very professional staff; quality is definitely top of mind. Service was very good; wonderful team approach. Bolognese never disappoints; huge portions. You can ask for half portion but leftovers are great! My go-to is always that and the boucheron goat cheese salad...however a ravioli dish topped with lobster meat looked awesome and seemed very popular.
(5)Maggie B.
Updating my review after a Happy Hour trip. Happy Hour is amazing!!!! 5 stars all the way. Go for a drink and some flatbread but maybe skip the dinner. But don't forget about dessert. The drink are all half off at the bar until 7. And considering the level of awesome of each drink we had this is an absolute steal. The Bellini was top notch and we had an Agrodolce that was also good but it is all about their signature grapefruit cocktail made with gelato, the Sgroppino. One of the best cocktails I have ever had. Get one now! Also their flatbreads are fantastic. My favorite was the Margarita but the procuitto was also good. And of course the Caramel Complexity is a must.
(4)Leif H.
This is a great place in the center of downtown. We had reservations for a Saturday night after visiting the Aronoff. I was surprised how busy it still was late in the evening (around 10). The dress is not as fancy as some of the other restaurants of this caliber, but still a little more than casual. The food is delicious. We started off with the pork belly app. It was good and comparable to pork belly appetizers in other restaurants. For the main course we had the gnocchi and penne with meat sauce. Both were awesome. We love gnocchi and this is some of the best in the city (similar to nicolas). The penne dish was very flavorful as well. Overall, it was a great night. The atmosphere was upbeat, ambience inviting and food delicious. As a side note, it looked like 85% of the tables were eating the pizza the night we went. It looked very good and will be something to try for our next visit.
(4)Esther K.
Definitely a delicious alternative to Nicola's. Not as pricey but still great, fresh Italian food. Can't beat Nicola's bolognese night though :)
(4)Keith C.
I've started including Via Vite on a small rotation of "truly local" places that I take my out-of-town friends when they come to visit, and most always come away with a very positive impression. I was won over long ago, but still like to flaunt my city's quality restaurants like a badge of honor when friends come to town. Tonight, since we were all comfortable enough with each other, we each ordered several entrees and two appetizers and decided to just nibble on each other's plates in an effort to maximize the tastings we experienced. The Overnight Braised Lamb Shank with Polenta is amazing and would stand out on anyone's menu. I generally like to order this item most places I go, and rarely have I had a lamb shank as tender and juicy as this. The flavor combinations of the savory lamb shank, sweet lamb jus, rosemary and creamy polenta all combined to make a taste that defines rustic cooking. It's truly a must have if you go here. Via Vite had a nice "starter" special on the menu tonight - it was a zucchini blossom and zucchini (not a typo) pizza that made even at least one of our non-zucchini lovers at the table a fan. It was our first time trying pizza at Via Vite, but having had this pleasant surprise, we won't hesitate to pull the trigger on other pizzas in the future. The Handmade Crispy Gnocchi was awesome as usual. I know there is some restaurant affiliation with Nicholas, so it might be obvious when I say this, but if you've had crispy Gnocchi at one place, you've had the other (I've had both). They are both distinctly delicious. The crispy preparation, as it is described on the menu, is like none other and the rich, creamy fondue cheese sauce with hints of truffle is enough to make you want to slow down so you don't devour the plate too quickly (I seriously find myself doing that with this dish). The other items that we ordered (Asparagus and Mascarpone Ravioli with lobster & a Warm Boucheron Goat Cheese salad) had some excusable flaws. Our table mate found the lobster tough (perhaps overcooked) and the salad definitely lacked dressing. Service was ok. I was a slightly underwhelmed by the lack of jovial attitude from our waitress, but she did execute for the most part - there were a few times where we sat empty with drinks, but nothing egregious. Solid job by a solid restaurant. I look forward to continuing to go back in the future.
(4)Lisa M.
Lamb shank and polenta, excellent. BUT I'm missing something crunchy to provide structure. The meat falls away as it should, the polenta is creamy, but the textures are lost together without something else, perhaps deep fried shallots? Did enjoy the chocolate creme brûlée, but was not toasted enough to give a nice crunch sugar bite. A crush a tad of salt and slightly dipped my soon into it. Bartender Barbra was excellent and friendly. We bought a nice bottle of wine to take home and finished the evening with a shot of espresso. Chef Christian as always was visible throughout the night and greeted us as we were leaving. I thanked him and told him even my 7 year old boy orders and appreciated the salmon and skate wing. Nice evening. Thanks
(4)Erin J.
Trust me. . . sit out on the square, and devour a slice of the "Dina" pizza. (Arugula, prosciutto, Gorgonzola, oh my!!!!! Beautiful, upscale decor. HUGE wine list. (reds, whites, alike) A fantastic view of Cincinnati's Fountain Square, and you can park right under the building. How easy is that??!
(5)Nevena K.
Ok, so ... whoever designed this place did not get the memo that this is supposed to be a higher-end restaurant (as implied by the prices). The lighting is bright, people are on top of each-other, I had a better time hearing the tables next to us than the waitress trying to tell us the specials and there is no relaxed refinement in the decor as one would expect from a place with a $20-$30 entree. Our waitress seemed rushed yet ineffective. We spent time trying to get her attention to get some guidance on ordering on get questions answered, but once we did, the answers left us perplexed and underwhelmed. The staff that bussed tables took away plates with food still on them, WITHOUT ASKING. It was a nightmare to try and get any extra bread once we had run out (BTW a good Italian kitchen is always all about the sauces and dipping your bread in the sauce). I was underwhelmed by the Bruchetta special mainly due to the unimaginative combination of flavors. The textures were right on with the grilled bread and some fresh veggies/goat cheese. This appetizer kind of set the mood for the night. Things were cooked well and to the right texture, but I found the flavors missing and the potatoes side was heavy and greasy to the point of needing salt to make it good. I will say that their flatbreads and pizzas looked good, so I will be back for that. I do want to say that next time we will take the waitress' recommendations with a grain of salt. Tonight we were sold a mind-blowing chocolate creme brule and received a Jell-o pudding in a ceramic bowl with a crunchy top. Wifey on the other hand LOVED the Caramel Complexity, and I should say it was excellently executed.
(3)Allison B.
This is probably one of my favorite lunch spots on Fountain Square. You can almost always find a reservation for the same day, and the staff is always polite and friendly. On nice days, it's such a treat to sit on their patio and people watch. Especially since during the warmer seasons, there's always something happening on the square. Food is delicious. The pasta is homemade, however I can never get past the warm goat cheese salad. Goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette are my two favorite things! I've been for dinner, too, but honestly I almost prefer the atmosphere at lunch. It would be a great place to go on a summer day off for a nice long (wine filled) lunch!
(5)Rudy N.
I really enjoyed the gnocchi here with lots of truffle. and white Alfredo sauce yummy Yum Yum and since it is right next to a huge venue Fountain Square you can be subject to the audience of a lot of cool events
(5)Justin W.
My wife and I frequent $$$ dining in the major cities we visit and We have come to expect great service, creative flavors and a classy atmosphere but nothing to write home about. Via Vite blew us away. Each dish was the best we have had in each category. Pizza? Can't be beat. Pasta and vegetables? Cooked and spiced to perfection. And the best dish on the menu might be the one least ordered: The fennel. I have yet to taste food this pure and innovative and this restaurant is worth a visit to Cincinnati.
(5)Megan A.
Via Vite was an excellent dinner choice while recently visiting Cincinnati. My man friend had called ahead for an 8:45pm reservation as we were driving up from Louisville and they had no problems at all if we needed to change it depending on traffic. We ended up stopping by the hotel to get ourselves a bit more presentable after a full day of work and then walked over to Via Vite. We ended up getting there right at our reservation time and they sat us right away. The restaurant was packed though, including the bar area so beware of that on the weekends. We were seated right next to the window that overlooked Fountain Square, which was very nice as they were playing music out there. We both ordered some drinks, blatons neat for my friend and I ordered a grey goose martini. The martini was done perfectly and even polished off with some blue cheese olives. Yum! I ordered the meatballs to start and was more than happy. For my main course, I had the scallops and potatos and it was a wonderfully prepared entree. The entrees aren't overly large, but prepared beautifully. Our waitress was also very helpful on meal suggestions. As it was overly crowded, we didn't see her very often, but it was fine with us as we were enjoying a nice leisurely dinner. If you're in the area, I highly recommend stopping in.
(4)Zoran O.
Have to say - beyond impressed. Assuming the location and easy prey on obvious convenance for folks roaming around right in front on the square - this restaurant in any other city would skate on the guaranteed foot traffic clientele - but not these guys. Our waitress was very very informative and more than eager to create new vegetarian dishes to please our diet. From the killer toasted baguette with olive oil, herb and balsamic, as the first thing that hits your table, to our white polenta, to the margarita pizza and finally the custom homemade pasta dish - each one was surprisingly delicious. Really well done. Staff was really nice.
(5)Katie M.
Wow, just wow. I loved this restaurant. Go on a Friday night and get the lasagna! It's sooooo good. It is not as heavy as other lasagna's. It as a creamy bechamel sauce instead of the ricotta mixture that you normally get. Plus the cheese cake with orange marmalade is heaven on earth. So light and creamy with the right amount of sweetness. It was wonderful! Then the homemade lemoncello - yum. Overall the atmosphere is great being right down by Fountain Square and the service is friendly and outstanding. This will be a return visit when I'm back in Cincinnati.
(5)Jim B.
This is the best restaurant downtown - when you balance the fantastic Italian food, the superb view of Fountain Square from either inside or outside; the practical pricing, and the service. You will see the owners and Chef - Christian work the dining room as hard as he works the kitchen and makes everyone feel VIP. This is a must right in the center of downtown. I eat vegan - and they have several options but I keep returning to an awesome vegetable pizza just to get that crust! It is my go to lunch when it needs to be nicer, but not an absurd price tag. VEGAN OPTIONS.
(5)Lauren J.
This past weekend we went out for a bachelorette party with a large group. The reservation process for a busy weekend in Cincinnati was seamless. We arrived and were greeted by two amazing hostess. They even took the honor of setting our table inside (without us asking) versus outside due to the extreme heat/humidity we were having that night. Our group greatly appreciated that! Our server continued the great service, as I know larger parties can sometimes be hard to accommodate. While I've been to Via Vite a handful of times, I always wish the menu had a few more options or variety. The food always taste great, I just wish I had more to choose from. Overall the entire group enjoyed their service, food, and drinks!
(4)Ben S.
So I just got done doing a proper dinner here tonight with a great meal. The Pork Belly appetizer was something fantastic, the carpaccio salad was really damn good and I think that was the best lamb shank I've ever eaten. Staff was slightly slow, but I like that in a meal service. The chef/owner was walking the floor, talked to us and the couple next to us and paid attention to their comments like he cared. Good to go in my book. The family does Italian Cuisine better than a vast majority, definitely a favorite now.
(5)Melanie R.
Absolutely delicious!! Madison was our server and provided a wonderful experience! We had the bruschetta and the crispy gnocchi...amazing!!!
(5)Sarah F.
The first time I tried Via Vite, not too long after it opened, I thought it was a bit over-hyped (and over-priced), but I dined there again this weekend and had a nice experience. With all the cool new places opening in OTR, I feel like this place has been somewhat forgotten about, which perhaps explains why we were able to walk in and get a table immediately without advance reservations on a Saturday evening. It wasn't packed inside, but still fairly well-populated and the interior remains as sleek and cool as the last time I was there. Entrees here are pricey, but there are definitely some more reasonable options including their flatbreads, or as I chose to do on this trip, combining a starter and side (or a couple of starters). Each meal starts with a small basket of bread and dipping oil. The by-the-glass Prosecco is a very nice one. For my meal, I got (from the starter menu) a bowl of Ciopinno (seafood stew) with a side of Creamy Polenta. To avoid being disappointed, don't expect the traditional dish of Ciopinno with a bounteous assortment of seafood heaped in the bowl--it's more of a soup with a few pieces of seafood (no whole shrimp or mussels in shells, etc.) in it. Nonetheless, it was very tasty and satisfying and the grilled bread on the side of the dish was delicious. The Creamy Polenta was rich and smooth and a nice complement to the spice and garlic of the soup. I'm torn a bit between 3 and 4 stars for this restaurant, because while my last experience was good, I still think it's over-priced for what you actually get. Given that I was able to create a meal that I was happy with from different parts of the menu, I'll go with 4 stars, but just be ready to either be creative with your ordering or sign a big bill at the end.
(4)Susanne H.
I had both lunch and dinner here. For lunch I got the margarita pizza. It was excellent, the mozzarella was very good. For dinner we had an assortment of appetizers. The octopus was actually pretty good. We ordered the brushetta thinking it was a normal brushetta, it came out as an assortment where we had to guess what we were eating. The other items were so-so. By far the best thing we had was the Penne with traditional meat sauce alla Bolognese. It was amazing. On Mondays they do a lunch special where you can get it for $7.00. The atmosphere was nice, the music was a little loud, we just made a request to have it turned down a bit and staff was accommodating.
(3)Kristin N.
Thank god for Yelp. In town for a conference and checked to see what was nearby and found Via Vite. My colleagues and I enjoyed this a lot. The server was very, very knowledgeable about the menu and didn't bat an eye when we needed 6 checks (stupid business travel). Now on to the food. The bread was the perfect combo of chewy crust but fluffy inside....served with balsamic vinegar and oil. We ordered gnocchi, pizzas, salads and polenta. Everyone cleaned their plate. The prices were reasonable, as were the portions. I'm now 2 for 2 for picking restaurants when out of town with co-workers ;o)
(4)Martin E.
The food was phenomenal and the service, impeccable. Attentive yet not intrusive. Great recommendations for first-time customers. I give it five stars only because I can't give six!
(5)Sandra B.
Oh well, I'm writing this review about one month later so I won't be able to give you a detailed description. However, I will say three things about this place: I loved their pizza, there is a good beer selection and I will definitively go back to Via Vite during my next visit to Cincinnati!
(5)Karla S.
This restaurant had wonderful food and impeccable service. The braised lamb shank with creamy polenta is the best meal that I have ever eaten. The whipped ricotta eaten on crostini for an appetizer was warm and delicious. My husband had he pasta with smoked salmon and Brussels sprouts in a brandy cream sauce. So many layers of flavor. They had big portions so save room!
(5)Samantha H.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner. Everything was outstanding! The servers were excellent in keeping everyone happy and the drinks full. The food was so good. The lamb just fell right off the bone. The chocolate creme brulee was amazing and gigantic. The goat cheese salad was different and great. Oh yeah the penne with the vodka sauce was just the right amount of spicy and creamy. The balcony and lounge area was great too. I can't wait to be back.
(5)Nick H.
This place was great, had a large dinner party there for a recent graduation and everyone walked away satisfied. Portions are generous and they were even nice enough to provide free dessert for the graduates.
(5)Amy B.
Couples night. Began the evening with wine and appetizers. Pork belly with bacon was my fav. With 6 couples, we sampled several different. Next, we sampled Caesar salad (family size) or spring mix with slightly melted goat cheese, raspberry vinaigrette and sprinkles of pistachio. I selected the Lamb Shank for my meal. WOW!!! Melt in you mouth. Great atmosphere and our server (blond with a blue streak) was very attentive and extremely patient.
(5)Brandee B.
Don't believe the hype. At least not for brunch. I have been wanting to try this place since it opened but to my dismay there is not much variety on the menu and what was there was not very inventive or innovative. I would have liked to have seen more brunch items and more fusions that included pasta or Italian meats and breakfast It did not have much on the brunch menu and what it did have was not very exciting. I chose to get the ham and cheese focaccia which I must say was pretty good and cheesy, I love cheese , and it had nicely seasoned artichoke hearts, which I had never tried before but was pleasantly surprised to see that I like them. My friend had pancakes with sweet ricotta cheese and syrup she said that she did not need the syrup because the cheese was that good. The service was fine and everyone was nice so I guess overall it was a nice experience just a little underwhelming.
(3)Cassaundra T.
We went before the rush so that was good, but our server was slow and it felt that we were not being attended to. All other tables were brought their bread and we had to ask for ours and that took extra time to bring. Food we good. The meatball appetizer was delicious and I had a pizza which was from their brick oven which kept all of the flavors in and cheesy. My friend got the butternut squash with the lobster and enjoyed that. she would have liked more lobster (who doesn't want more lobster?!) Overall it had good food and ambiance but I didn't care much for the for the service.
(3)Kathleen K.
Via Vite Since living in Cincinnati for four years, I've made Via Vite my go-to Italian place. While there are certainly better and more authentic places, the relatively reasonable prices and fresh pasta are what keep me coming back. Although I've eaten the regular menu twice for special occasions, my review will focus on the Happy Hour, which is easily one of the best in the city, for both food and drink. During happy hour, all drinks, including cocktails are half-off. I usually stick with a glass (s) of pinot grigio, but happy hour is a perfect opportunity to try their amazing cocktails. I recommend anything with Campari, as it is especially delicious during the hot summer months. For food, you have a set of options, which can be paired together to make a meal. I typically order the Arugula salad, along with an order of Pasta Bolognese (Their samples at Taste of Cincinnati got me hooked!). The portion is rather small, but for six dollars, it's a steal! You can also add a meatball for three dollars. One possible downside of happy hour is that it is restricted to the bar and patio area. If you come around six, however, you should not have issues with seating. This is a great place to come right before the Summer Fountain Square Concerts.
(4)Helen P.
I did enjoy this place my daughter loved the pasta so did I. The location is perfect and the service amazing! Go there and enjoy
(5)Amanda K.
Went to this restaurant and wanted some good Italian without being too "old-fashioned". Decor is contemporary but welcoming. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. I ordered the lasagna, which was one of the specials. It was the creamiest, freshest lasagna I've had. Highly recommend.
(4)Denny C.
I have been referring to this restaurant as Via Vitae for several years, and thus I am embarrassed. Why family, friends and acquaintances never corrected me, is beyond my hyper critical persona. I would have corrected me immediately! Food from Via Whatever addresses my taste buds several times a month. I live a few blocks away, and stop in or do "take out" often. Sometimes the food, service, and ambiance are very good, and sometimes the food, service and ambiance are terrible. That's what I mean by bi-polar, and unfortunately there is no medication to cure a restaurant of this psychiatric disorder. In the past, I chalked this up to Christian, the owner/operator, not being present, but I Do not know for sure. The pastas, pizza are often some of the best in the city. Often the pasta and pizza are some of the worst in the city. Consistency is a lost art at Via Whatever. When Yusef is behind the bar, everything works smoothly and he accommodates a patron's wishes. I've had other bartenders who are more interested in themselves then any customer. Sometimes the ambiance hopping with great energy. Sometimes the ambiance is quiet, empty, and depressing., like a former girlfriend of mine. I will continue to dine at Via V....Whatever, but I will keep my fingers crossed.
(3)Katie D.
Finally made it this popular happy hour! Tried sips of 3 cocktails and they all were pretty tasty. The bolognese is very good for the price, but I prefer the recipe at Nicolas. My friend disagrees, so really it's just a matter of preference. We were also pleased with the greens and the veal meatballs. The margherita pizza was mediocre, but I'll admit the other pizzas looked super tasty! #orderfail We sat outside on the piazza deck which had it's pros and cons. It's cool to eat out on fountain square but at times it was very loud. Service was slow but it was because they seemed understaffed out there. The chef came out and introduced himself to us which was pretty cool. I will definitely being going to this happy hour again! A great Friday night spot to go with your girlfriends before a night on the town!
(4)George O.
I've been to a few upscale Italian restaurants and this one certainly competes with the best of them. They have a huge selection of wines and a handful of specialty cocktails available. The bruschetta was one of the best I've ever eaten. I tried gnocchi for the first time at this restaurant. It's served over cheese fondue sauce and truffle shavings. The gnocchi dish was unbelievably tasty. I can't say that enough. The gnocchi was so good. I can't wait to go back and have it again. Service was a little slow, but it was a very busy night (New years eve). The quality of food and beverage more than made up for it though. Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Rick S.
I love this place. It's modern-hip and the food is really good. Christian, the owner-chef, is a terrific guy. He comes out of the kitchen to mingle. He makes it a friends, special occasion. Pasta is his passion. The penne bolognese makes me crazy. I love it. Cristian Pietoso is pure Italian. He sounds like it. Looks like it. Cooks like it. A winner!
(5)Carrie R.
What a fabulous restaurant on Fountain Square! We went on a Thursday when there were salsa singers in the square which attracts a huge crowd of salsa dancing couples. The restaurant itself is beautiful and the food was fantastic. My group split the mussels zuppa and the warmed whipped ricotta cheese spread as appetizers. Both of which were delicious! I had the best scallops here! My husband loved his lamb shank (it was perfectly prepared - falling off the bone and well seasoned). My sister loved the paccheri alla napoletana dish that she tried and my brother-in-law loved his whole chicken. For dessert we all ordered something and then shared as a group. We tried: ~tiramisu ~risotto pudding (the favorite) ~carmel complexity This truly epitomizes the perfect restaurant to have a dinner date.
(5)Chelsea C.
I ordered the ceasar salad and lab shank. BIG MISTAKE!! My salad was not fresh. The lettuce was old, wilted and lifeless. My lamb shank was extremely dry and hard to swallow. I could eat it either of them! I have to say the manager was prompt to take care of me and I appreciated her attentiveness.
(1)Tom G.
Excellent food. Who knew the brussel sprouts would be my favorite.
(5)Tiera A.
I had been to Via Vite a few times for private parties but never for happy hour. I decided to check it out for my birthday and have a few friends join me. We had a really nice time, the atmosphere (we sat on the patio outside) was great. We went on a Tuesday evening so the place was not extremely busy but our wait times were a little long. There was only one server in our area, who wasn't that accommodating. Luckily, I had great company so I didn't really notice the long wait times. We all got pizza and cocktails. The pizza had a lot to be desired. Mine was a little too doughy (think Papa Johns) and my friend's was burnt. These weren't the best pizzas we'd ever had but certainly not the worst. Via Vite has a signature cocktail called Sgroppino and it is absolutely amazing. The drink is about $5 during happy hour. Overall, this is a nice place. I'll definitely go back. I hope that when I return the service will be better.
(3)Elvin H.
Great Italian restaurant on Fountain Square. Nice wine list. The meatballs are my favorite, but a little heavy for warm weather. The Bolognaise is my absolute favorite. Small menu, but great chef with seasonal and daily features. Nice happy hour in the bar.
(4)Mike P.
Was pretty good - limited menu, but in the middle of town, good wine list, great bar and food pretty good - not great. Fun place though.
(4)Brian M.
This was the first restaurant I ever went to in Cincinnati, and it remains one of my favorites. The Italian food here is quite good and reasonably priced. There's a reason the lamb keeps getting mentioned over and over on Yelp; it's in the top 5 of all lamb that I've ever had. The service is excellent as well. This place has some wonderful views of Fountain Square. Definitely going back.
(4)Craig C.
This restaurant is always on my short list when entertaining clients. First and foremost, you can't beat the location; Via Vite is in the heart of our city, and if you pick the right table on the patio you can even get a view of Fountain Square. Chef Christian does a terrific job of keeping his menu fresh and hosting various types of tasting events that keep his customers engaged and looking for more. As for the food, my favorite dish at Via Vite is the Bolognese. Truthfully, I think it is the best bolognese I have ever eaten, and I even like it better than the higher end sister restaurant - Nicola's. The sauce is incredibly flavorful, and they always do a good job of cooking their pasta to a perfect al dente. I also regularly eat the warm goat cheese salad, which is quite memorable. I have found that seating on the restaurant's terrace patio (my favorite location by a long shot) can be a bit inconsistent, as they will decide to close this area if it is a slower night. In addition, they close this area due to certain events that they are hosting. If you are really trying to impress a client/date, and you are expecting a patio seat, I would advise you to call ahead and make sure it is available.
(4)Tom H.
Food taste is outstanding. Portions are a bit small for the cost. Atmosphere is great. Drinks are watered down A LOT. Two long islands and didn't feel a thing. Service is a bit slow and inattentive especially when busy. Nice to experience once, but plan to spend a lot.
(3)Tyler M.
Gnocchi swimming in vodka sauce, Bolognese 4 dayzzz, and one of the best outdoor patios in the city, what more could guy ask for? A nap. I dined here for lunch, and loved the mix-n-match special (pick two items from the select menu, i.e. Gnocchi + Fresh Arugula Salad) for $12, not bad. My dining-companion and I each picked a different pasta dish so we could share...Thus, I was able to try both the Gnocchi in vodka sauce as well as the Bolognese. Both were delicious. The Gnocchi in vodka sauce was comfort food at its finest. Something about a smooth vodka sauce just puts the mind at ease. The Bolognese was fantastic as well. The arugula salad was served with our entrée (which made it hard to cherish the salad next to the rich and savory dishes). Will I be back? For a lunch special, or perhaps some happy hour goodness, You Betcha!
(4)Scott M.
To be fair, this was a business dinner with a set menu. Nonetheless, the service was very good. Friendly, helpful and engaging...but too much. The food was tasty. I had the goat cheese salad. A small plate size - perfect. The beef with fingerling potatoes and chard (I think. I was green. So it was good for me.). The portion size was perfect. Which translate to 3oz of meat. For many people, this might have been considered an appetizer. However, it was the proper amount of food. I rounded out the dinner with tiramisu. It was served in a mason jar. Which was kinda strange since the rest of the service was not country style. Regardless, it was super tasty and I wanted to have seconds. (I didn't!). I wish I had now that I'm thinking about it again.
(4)Arlene S.
My boyfriend and I found this gem on a spontaneous Saturday night. Since we couldn't get reservations anywhere we decided to walk to fountain square, which was really close to our hotel, to figure something out. It was St Patricks day weekend and everyone was out & about in their green attire. We went walking around to a few places & all had 45 min wait time. We came across Via Vite where there was a 20 min wait but the Chef's table had open seats available. Since we were starving tourist we said yes to the Chef's table and boy am I glad!! It was quite the experience. Nothing I have ever encountered! We were literally seated in front of an opened kitchen during the late dinner hours. It was so much fun seeing it all live lol we kept trying to figure out the process but had no luck. There's so much going on! The food & wine was very tasty & the experience was out of this world! Sit at the Chef's table for a fun dinning experience!!
(5)Shea B.
My fiance and I visited prior to seeing a performance at the Arnoff and were highly impressed. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and split a margherita pizza. The bruschetta was different than any other we had tried elsewhere -- one slice was spinach artichoke -- but it was so tasty! The pizza was rather good, and definitely enough to split between two people. This a great restaurant! It's the perfect dinner to compliment an evening at the theatre! We will definitely be back.
(5)Sara M.
I'd first noticed Via Vite while looking for a sports bar to watch a soccer game. The second story patio with its bright red umbrellas definitely caught my eye, but since I was in Cincy only for a couple of days for a wedding, I didn't think I'd be able to try this place. As it turned out, Sunday brunch at the restaurant inside our hotel was booked. It has a really good reputation, and since it was Father's Day, I can see why they'd be filled up. I was bummed when I found out. So we decided to give Via Vite a try and an hour later, we were so glad we did! We dined inside, with a nice view of Fountain Square, which made for great people-watching. Inside, the restaurant decor is sleek and stylish. I was very surprised that the restaurant wasn't full, considering the good food, prime location, and Father's Day holiday. Maybe Cincinnati doesn't take its brunch as seriously as Atlanta. The brunch menu didn't have your typical American breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Instead, it had amazing-sounding choices like prosciutto and fontina cheese on ciabatta or braised pork belly with fagioli and a fried egg. There were also a couple of pasta and pizza options. Definitely a very unique assortment of brunch offerings. I had a hard time deciding between the two aforementioned dishes and ended up going with the former. Good lawd that was an amazing sandwich. A very generous amount of cheese and prosciutto that was delightfully crisp at the edges of the sandwich. Also on the sandwich were truffled artichoke hearts. YUM. The sandwich came with a side salad of field greens, but I asked for a side of the parmesan polenta for a slight upcharge. I'm not sure how I feel about the polenta. The texture was a little too runny and slightly gluey, but it tasted pretty good. It was difficult to eat out of the bowl it came in using a fork. My SO had the bianca pizza (garlic confit, goat cheese, artichokes, mozzarella, and Kalamata olives) with a side of Italian sausage, which he sprinkled over his pizza (why he didn't just add it to his pizza I don't know). The pizza was really good, but I enjoyed my meal more. The coffee was actually really good. I wanted to take a big ol' to-go cup of it. I probably should have asked, considering we had a seven-hour drive back to Atlanta. Our server offered us a dessert menu, which I would have loved to browse, but we had our hearts set on Graeter's. Speaking of our server, she was friendly, upbeat, and eager to answer our questions about the menu. The host was also very friendly. Should I ever find myself back in Cincinnati, I would definitely come back here for dinner. And possibly dessert, if the call of Graeter's isn't too strong!
(4)Willie S.
So dining by yourself on a business trip is not ideal. But I found two ways to enjoy it in my recent trip to Cincy. At Via it was the Chefs table - much better than the bar - I met the chef and several of his team. I watched the cooking, plating and serving process. A veritable ballet of constant motion. Very fun. Team was well behaved - they got along, I saw teaching moments - ones that really worked - Gordon Ramsey is an ass. Ok but the food - Grilled Spanish Octopus - wow. Glad I added that one. Tender and tasty. Blackened Gnocchi - the dish I went for was also great - a very different presentation. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts were not the bomb but hey they were just a bit heavy handed on the carmalizing. Really enjoyed watching a team work well together. Will do this again.
(5)Cindy G.
I cannot believe I have never eaten here before this weekend!! Ok, what you are about to read are true, amazing, delicious, incredible, savory, tales of deliciousness. Prepare yourself.... My boyfriend and I are kind of in love with Palomino's happy hour deal. When we need a cheap quick bite we usually pop over there. As we were walking past I asked him, "I feel bad, but can we cheat on Palomino's just once and try Via Vite?" He said, "Of course dear, you are always right." (Or something like that LOL) We see that they have an INCREDIBLE happy hour: ** Monday-Friday 3-7pm $4 house reds, whites $2 off ALL cocktails $2 off ALL beers 1/2 price pizzas!! **AND it's available in the main bar, the Terrace, Courtyard and the newly opened Piazza. Where else would you want to be? Am I right??! We choose the Terrace overlooking Fountain Square. It was hot as heck, but the fans made for a nice breeze. It was Friday so the music on the square was the perfect ambiance. We ordered the house white and red, which were both fantastic for only $4 bucks! Then we chose the Sausage and Sauteed Onion Pizza for 1/2 price = $6 bucks. The pizza comes out and mind you, we are expecting a little flatbread, we had dinner plans somewhere else after. What we got--LORD HAVE MERCY!!! A hand tossed, home made crust, wood fired pizza that tasted like it was sent down from the Italian gods! This thing had fresh Italian sausage (made at Findlay Market just for them) basil, sauteed onions for a little sweetness, basil, and mozzarella cheese. The server then brought out more cheese and red pepper table side for us which was a nice touch. We took each took a bite, swooned, eyes rolled back in our heads, regained consciousness and looked at each other and said, "This is the best pizza I have ever had in my life." We couldn't believe it. From the crust, to the sauce, to the toppings, everything was home made and super fresh! Much to my surprise, the chef came out to ask us how we were doing and if you ask me that is the sign of a good restaurant. He was charming and really cared about his food. You could literally taste the passion in this pizza. Our bill was $14 and we cancelled our dinner reservation. Stuffed, satisfied, and so so happy. We had the perfect date night thanks to Via Vite. And not to be weird, but we have been sending texts back and forth to each other about that damn pizza ever since. Can't wait to go back!
(5)William W.
Just visited on business trip. Get location and vibe. Ate at bar and had great service. Had the wild bore pa
(4)Patti T.
What an amazing treat! If you are in the Cincinnati area you must try this restaurant. My husband and I got a recommendation from our hotel to have dinner at this local gem. From the fabulous salad with warm goat cheese to the tasty penne bolognese we were wowed. We finished up with the caramel magic dessert. I would have licked the plate....absolutely one of the best meals we have had. And the service was great too.
(5)L M.
Very tasty and great service. Very good wine list. Right on Fountain Square. Wonderful place for a great dinner without a crazy price!
(5)John C.
I have been here many times and the food, service, and atmosphere is always exceptional.
(4)George N.
Very good food, but with a few Italian glitches. I judge Italian restaurants on three thing:. Caesar salad, meatballs, and Italian sausage (if they make ion-house). The Caesar salad, with the fresh anchovies was five stars for sure. I didn't try the Italian sausage, but ordered the meatballs with Ragu and Penne pasta. The meatballs were lemony and gamey, totally Un-Italian and totally nasty. Two of my children also ordered it also, took one bite of the meatball and said the same thing. These are children that have been raised Italian, and eaten at many great Italian restaurants. I'm sure the service is decent there, but the waitress we had at Sunday 4 o'clock pm and an empty restaurant, was inattentive and very sad. She didn't notice that three different people did not touch their meat balls, and when asked about what was in them was defensive. I would go back, but would be worried they would try some crazy fusion on other Italian classics
(3)Katie F.
Went to Via Vite for Valentine's Day dinner the other night and had an absolutely great meal. I can't believe I had never been (actually I can... I'm pretty broke). Although we had a reservation, it took a minute for us to get sat. No big deal. The tables were super close together which I don't really like but maybe it was just that way so they could cram more people in for the holiday. Who knows. Anyway - not the most private meal of my life, but the food made up for it! Definitely order wine - my boyfriend ordered a gin and tonic and it was all tonic. Their wine selection is big so just stick with that. I ordered the Butternut Squash Lasagna with Lobster and HOLY SMOKES that stuff was so delicious. We also had a nice special dessert and some delicious coffee! Staff was all friendly and our server was attentive and helpful. It was an all around romantic night with delicious food and a great vibe. Just wish we could have been a bit more secluded!
(4)Priyanka G.
Really disappointed. Tuna was terrible, brussel sprouts came at the end of the meal, had to ask for silverware... All in all, expected much more out of a 4 star place. Will not return
(2)Joe M.
The bosses were taking their troops to lunch in downtown Cincinnati and we had reservations at the swanky Via Vite for lunch. The favorite eatery of elite bankers in the area, we were a ragtag group amongst a bunch of suits. After a very long wait, we started off with bread and butter. The bread was squished and seemed to be made up of scraps, and there was literally a thimble-sized dollop of butter in the bowl, perhaps good for one or two slices of bread in the entire basket. For my entree, I ordered their spinach and ricotta ravioli with shrimp and a light cream sauce, and was disappointed to find only five raviolis on a plate that ended up costing almost $18. When it was served, it wasn't even that hot, and the pasta tasted undercooked. Overall, I was so underwhelmed by the food that I just snacked on bread while others ate. Totally not worth the money. Service was appalling and our server was slow and rude. I'm not sure what her attitude was fueled by, but it really wasn't my problem. The chef came out later to ask how everything was, and considering I was there with our big group, I opted to not be "that guy" and complain. However, I was very disappointed with the experience and would prefer to dine elsewhere in the future. Food: 5/10 Service: 3/10 Price: $$ Atmosphere: 6/10
(2)Leigh W.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Via Vite this year. We were in Cincinnati for an event and didn't really know where we should go, and this location was within walking distance of our hotel and had great reviews. Silly us. We didn't have reservations, but the host was happy to add our name to the list. On a Saturday night of a holiday weekend at 8 p.m., we only had to wait 40 minutes. We weren't in a hurry and sometimes it feels good to be spontaneous and not tied down by a reservation. While we waited, we were able to check out the facility and regret for just a moment that we weren't there during the warmer months. It looks like there's a great open air bar on Fountain Square and that the second floor of the restaurant can also become a nice spot for a little al fresco dining experience. We were seated in the very tight quarters on the first floor's main dining area with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. Yes, it was crowded and yes, it was loud - two things that my husband usually despises, but he said this was the best Italian food he's ever had. Truly, everything we were served was better than the item that preceded it. I started my meal with the grilled asparagus and beet salad. It was exquisitely paired with goat cheese and the tips of the asparagus were grilled to crunchy perfection. For my entree, I chose the crispy gnocchi in four cheese fondue. The handmade, pan-seared pasta would've been delightful enough on its own, but when coupled with the richest, most-delectable sauce I've ever had, it became out of this world. To make sure I was getting my daily requirement of vegetables, I ordered an accompanying very generous side of roasted brussels sprouts, which were also quite good. My husband opted for the bianca pizza. It was plenty to share, so we joined all the other patrons and exited the restaurant with a to-go sack. And, because every fine dinner ends with dessert, we ordered the caramel complexity. Holy moly! I normally always go for the chocolate item, but caramel is a close second favorite for me. I'm glad I took a risk. I don't know how any dessert on the menu could be better than the one we had. When we're in Cincinnati again, it will be hard for us to choose any restaurant other than Via Vite. And our meal was so perfect that it will be hard for us to order anything other that what we got on our first trip.
(5)Ryan Z.
I've always enjoyed the food here, especially during their incredible happy hour. Unfortunately, my most recent visit wasn't nearly as good. Some friends hosted a group 'drinks and dinner' birthday celebration here on Saturday night. The pre-meal service wasn't too bad. The food for dinner was pretty good. The service at the end was the deal killer. We were trying to surprise the two birthday'ers with a party bus after the meal. To do this, we would need to get our tabs paid and dip out a few minutes early to meet the bus and load it with the booze we had purchased. This process was like pulling teeth with the waitstaff. They seemed determined to go in order from one side of the room to the other, which would have left us for last. It took over 30 minutes to get the check. When we finally received it, I slapped a standard 20+ % tip on the bill (despite the poor service) and left. I had specifically asked if gratuity was included as it often is for large parties. The bartender assured me that it wasn't. The next day as I'm reviewing all my receipts, I see that the bartender had lied to me and the bill had gratuity automatically added on. So, in the end, I tipped $51 on a $103 tab with poor service and mediocre food. She took advantage of the fact that we were in a hurry and lied directly to our faces about the gratuity. There's obviously nothing I can do about the matter at this point, but I obviously won't be going back there for dinners or parties in the future. Shame on you, Via Vite, for allowing your waitstaff to sully your reputation!
(2)Tori M.
Went for brunch. The Nutella flat bread looked more like pizza but was delish.the french toast was good but not as good as the Flatbread. The balcony was really comfortable and you could see the fountain square tv making it a good place to go during or before a Bengals or reds game.
(5)Emily H.
Via Vite's solid food is definitely bolstered by a modern, classy atmosphere and great, central location. For me, that's probably what moves it from a 3 to a 4. Oh, and the pizza! I've eaten at Via Vite several times now and the food is definitely good. I don't have glorious words to add to "good." I think it's because nothing I've had was especially memorable. I remember having a nice dinner and enjoying my food, but I was never blown away by the food. However, the pizza is memorable. The crust is among my favorites and they have a nice selection of more traditional and some more interesting options, as well. They got a mention in Cincy Mag's Best Pizza issue for a reason! Side note: I know it's not meant to be compared to Nicola's Ristorante which is owned by the same people... but it's hard not to compare it when Nicola's is so amazing. That may be another reason why I feel like the food, other than the pizza, is solid but not exceptional.
(4)Heidi A.
Stopped by here when we couldn't get a reservation at another local Italian restaurant. I was skeptical at first...signage and location made me think that this was more of an Americanized chain restaurant. I admit, I was wrong! Max our server, although a little overwhelmed by the marathon traffic, did a great job. Dinner was excellent, from bruschetta to gelato. Menu was very thoughtful, as was execution. The chef/owner stopped by our table as well, which we enjoyed. We saw him throughout the restaurant, helping bus tables, delivering orders, etc. Will go back!
(5)Caroline C.
Very friendly, knowledgeable service. The food is delicious. I recommend getting whatever special they have. If not, get the lamb shank. But whatever you do - get the polenta. I don't even want to know the cheese/butter/olive oil to polenta ratio, because it's probably ridiculous. But so, so good. The sauce-work at this restaurant is probably the best I've seen in Cincinnati. Everything has just layers and layers of flavor. Via Vite also has a good wine selection. I don't know much about Italian wines, but the bartenders were extremely helpful.
(5)Rick B.
Have only been here once. But we ordered a number of items. Everything looks very good. Service was great, food was great too. I especially liked the Ravioli with shaved truffles. We didnt get the pizza, but everyone else's looked great. Will go back if ever in Cinnci again.
(4)SD L.
What a great place. Only complaint is it took a while for anyone to acknowledge us once we were seated, and we weren't busy. But once we got going, it was great. I had the spinach and ricotta ravioli with a butter sauce and white truffle. Clean plate! My date had the ravioli special with rustic tomato sauce. clean plate #2! We will be back
(4)Carrie V.
We went for lunch on New Years Eve day, as one last carb-filled meal before attempting some resolutions of eating healthier. We had reservations at 1pm and were seated immediately by the window. This is a great people-watching spot! However, I was really looking forward to a warm, cozy meal and instead the room was very drafty and chilly! Our waiter was super-polite and friendly, and service was excellent. Bread was brought out quickly (although with butter instead of oil?) and our drinks were always filled. I ordered the warm goat cheese salad which was delicious--greens served over a broiled piece of Boucheron. My husband had the potato-leek soup which was delicious but very rich. For the second course I had the gnocchi in a vodka tomato sauce which was cooked perfectly and had a nice amount of heat to it. My husband had the penne with bolognese sauce which he couldn't finish but took home and heated up the next day--almost unheard of for him!! He said it was still delicious! Since we were going all out, we had to get dessert. I had the bread pudding served with pastry cream which was amazing. My husband had Madisono's salted caramel gelato which was good but, according to him, not as good as Jeni's ice cream! Overall we were pleased with the experience. We had been a few times before and always have had good food and service. We will definitely be back!
(4)Lauren C.
You done me wrong, Yelp. The vibe was pretentious, the pizza (bianca-garlic confit) was chewy and bland (but pretty cheap, so that's a plus), and the service was friendly, but slow and clueless. This place is clearly trying to do upscale, but my experience was a complete miss.
(2)John C.
The staff were incredibly friendly and nice...I can't say enough good things about them. That said, the food was overpriced. Sea Scallops appetizer is $15 and comes with 2 - yes 2 - sea scallops. That's not an appetizer, that's a taste. I get more food at the sampler stations in Costco. For the main course I had the "Seared Canadian salmon with butternut squash puree and caramelized Brussels sprouts." The salmon was good, but nothing impressive at all. The Brussels sprouts and butternut squash puree was really good, however. My date had the warm goat cheese salad. This was basically some greens & dressing with goat cheese in it. Love goat cheese but was not impressed with the salad at all. All in all it cost me $120 with tip for dinner and drinks for 2 people. We probably drank a bit more than most so you could knock $20 or so off that. For that money I'll go somewhere else.
(2)Trisha K.
Food: Meh Service: Above Meh Atmosphere: Meh x 2 Location: GREAT! I love looking at it from my favorite place across the street. I pass!
(2)Laura G.
Via Vite is fabulous because it's located right on Fountain Square. The Christmas lights give your dining experience a little whimsical touch that goes perfectly with a glass of red wine. However, that's where the magic ended for me, the rest of the experience was simply standard. After working an event downtown, a couple friends and myself decided to grab a bit to eat. I was really in the mood for a giant glass of red wine, so my friend recommended Via Vite. We waited at the hostess stand for what seemed like eternity, when it was actually about 5-7 minutes. But when you're hungry and looking forward to an intense glass of Merlot, this is really annoying. So we were finally sat and attended to by a waitress who couldn't bare to crack a smile. I've served before and know that around midnight is tough, but no stars deducted for this. We all ordered drinks and our respective second dinners. This is probably where my favorite part about Via Vite starts. We suddenly noticed a parade of scantily clad, shivering 20-somethings leaving a nearby bar. One after another they balanced on their sky-high heels, clutching their bare arms for warmth and barreled through the cold wind, no doubt on their way to conquer the next bottle of tequila or mechanical bull. So dinner entertainment is also included if you come after 11:30 pm on a Friday or Saturday. As for the food, I ordered a salad comprised of warm boucheron goat cheese, spring mix, raspberry white truffle vinaigrette and pistachios. Frankly, it was a little bland and wasn't attractive on the plate. My friends shared a focaccia with prosciutto cotto, fontina, roma tomatoes and spring mix. Beware, the pizza looks like it has a salad on top, that's the spring mix friends. They both seemed satisfied by their choice, but weren't exactly raving about it. So for now Via Vite has two stars in my book, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying lunch or diner before a show. And maybe next time I'll go for the pizza.
(2)Alicia S.
Had Sunday brunch with a party of 5 other people. The hostess was a little snooty but accomodating when we wanted to sit upstairs on the terrace. Brunch was a good deal, 2 courses for 15$. I had Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. It was beautifully presented, simple and tasty. Other dishes ordered were procuitto and melon, yellow pepper soup (yum!) nd cured salmon and greens (eh). For my main I had Italian ham with poached eggs and a spicy mayo on a bagel. Overall the dish was bland however the eggs were nicely poaching and the bagel soft and doughy with a nice sweetness to it. Other dishes at the table were crepes with spinach florentine..very good. "ham and cheese" sandwich with truffled artichokes, also tasty. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and being in the industry myself and from New York, I was pretty pleased with our overall experience. Everything was enjoyable.
(4)N S.
A wonderful view of fountain square. Staff attentive. Went from brunch. Polenta was amazing! No bread served to us with our meal. And this is picky, but the bathrooms were less than pleasant (a little unkept and smelled of warm urine, or could have been the portable heater?).
(3)Dan M.
The number one thing to say about this place is its location on Fountain Square. Convenient, nice, whatever, glad we can get past that and talk about what matters - the food. I split a pizza and penne bolognese here for a birthday dinner. The two items were very good. The ingredients were fresh and the menu was inspired. All in all, a pretty good place, but the prices are a bit steep. If I'm going to pay prices like this, I'd rather hit up their sister restaurant, Nicola's. Or if I was just looking for pizza, I'd certainly be at A Tavola (which is both better AND cheaper). In fact, I only ended up here because the wait at A Tavola was 2 hours (our fault for showing up there at 8 on a Friday night). Anyways, the experience was enjoyable overall if but a little pricey. Oh, and don't forget to tack on at least $5 for parking. Bottom Line: I might be back if someone else was paying the bill.
(4)Holly P.
I cannot say enough to thank Via Vite and their event coordinator, Kara, for a wonderful evening. We had a small reception dinner party at VIa Vite. The staff was ideal. The atmosphere is classy and sophisiticated. The food was perfect. I had a few bites of my husband's filet. Oh my. My ravioli was tasty. Kara was so delightful to work with. I'm very happy with my entire experience.
(5)Robert M.
what a confused restaurant. We have a high price menu, but your table is a colorful plastic top. The interior is all shiny and pretty. But we make the waiters dress casual. So began the downward spiral. Out comes our bottle of champange, slightly warm. Ugh. Servered in a chilled marble vessel which does little to chill it further. Waiter returns are we complain with a ice bucket. Out comes our brushetta, smelling like a dead dog. Oh yeah the smelling bad is meant to be like that and it was made fresh today. Us handing the waiter a plate and telling him to have it. time states to drag. Out comes our food. Luke warm to hot. Guess the kitchen timing sucks as well cannot smell. Time really drags.... Here is your bill, oh you want dessert? Time stops. Out comes coffee. Dessert?? 20 minutes later out comes our dessert. checks?? 30 minutes passes. Check? 10 more minutes. Here is your check. Please god let me pay and leave never to return.
(3)Ramzy N.
Last night, Thursday Nov 11, I took my wife out for her birthday. I asked her to book a table at the restaurant of her choosing and she selected Via Vite. As we walked up to the restaurant she recalled how when she made the reservation over the phone, the lady asked her to spell our last name multiple times. This is not an unusual request (it's an unconventional last name) but she was also asked to spell her first name, twice. Her first name is - brace yourself - "Jill." We approached the hostess and gave the name and time of the reservation. She scrolled up and down through her list, unable to find it. She asked, "are you sure it's for tonight?" as if we weren't sure when we had planned to celebrate her birthday. She also questioned whether we had booked a reservation for that particular restaurant, since people with unconventional last names are notorious for restaurant confusion. Nope - it was definitely Via Vite, and the number for the restaurant we were standing in was still in her phone from having been recently dialed. But thanks for the humor; there's nothing quite like being spoken down to by an obviously distracted restaurant hostess. After fruitlessly searching a third time for our reservation, she informed us that we did not have a reservation, despite having made it and being equipped to proven exactly when it was made. She did not make any effort to accommodate us in the dining room (well over half of the tables, at least from our view at the hostess stand, were available) nor did she apologize for the error, despite the mishap probably not being her own fault. No reasonable attempt was made to make it right. She said we should "feel free to sit at the bar" or even outside, where "they have heaters out there." Not that we're opposed to eating at a bar - I might actually prefer this normally - but it was the principle of the matter, coupled with it being my wife's birthday. It wasn't an eat-at-the-bar evening. So we said we'd leave, without any protest from the hostess. I've had a Yelp account for years, but rarely use it. This is because I travel extensively and probably eat out 15-20 times a week. Just don't have the time to review every restaurant meal I consume. I figured I'd make an exception though, and write one for Via Vite, based on the meal we *could* have had last night, had Via Vite been 1) competent enough to execute the daunting task of correctly taking a dinner reservation, and 2) competent enough to recover from failing to do so in a 3) half-empty dining room. Here goes: "We started our meal with two of the finest glasses of tap water Cincinnati had to offer. Because we were in Cincinnati - as anyone from the mostly-indigenous population here that has barely ever ventured out of the tri-state area can tell you - it *must* be the best tap water available, anywhere. It was delicious, with the optimal amount of wetness and ice/liquid ratio. The wine list was expansive but we finally settled on a vintage box of Franzia, recalling our romantic 2002 trip through the Italian Riviera when we paired the finest American fast food we could locate with the most Italian yet affordable aperitif we could procure. It was disappointing to not find Beef-a-roni on the menu; we did not realize that Via Vite only specialized in *southern* Italian cuisine. Call us snobs, but we celebrate the entire boot. My unicorn steak was divine and actually made me a little horny. Our request for a gelato Chipwich was respectfully declined though. Overall, it was one of the best imaginary meals I could have ever fabricated." I wish I could say that someday we'd actually like to try Via Vite, but I think we'll keep last night as our defining memory of what it's like to (attempt to) eat there. Why bother, with so many other restaurants in Cincinnati that are capable of - dramatic pause - taking a reservation.
(1)Brieanne S.
Recently, I had a full week off of work and I made it my goal to go to hit up some of Cincinnati's best happy hour. The first restaurant on my list was Via Vite. I had heard it was super yummy and very affordable during the weekday from 5 to 7. We had a great time here. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very cute and charming. He was very crafty with his drinks and we gladly drank them. My favorite drink was the.....well I can't remember the name of it (is that a bad sign or what?) I do remember what was in it. Pure luxury in a glass- Grapefruit gelato and grapefruit vodka. It was pure bliss. I felt like a prince among the paupers when I drank this beautiful drink from the champagne flute. Ohhh it was great but I never could afford this at the non-happy hour price. (I think it is normally around $8 but at happy hour it was $5) There were other great drink specials, there is something for the wine and beer drinkers. Also on the happy hour menu are flat bread pizzas to die for. The flatbreads are about $6 (happy hour price) and can feed about 3 women. What a deal! I couldn't believe the final bill. The flatbreads come out super fresh (you can watch them make it if you don't believe me). If you have never had one from here I would sure recommend it. I loved this place. The restaurant has a great feel. There is a beautiful patio that overlooks fountain square. We had been here before and ate dinner while watching bands perform on the square. Inside the restaurant has a clean artsy feel to it that makes you feel like you are a part of the cool crowd in the city.
(4)Nancy P.
The evening started out on the right tone when we were seated at a window overlooking Fountain Square. The wait staff was very attentive, and the food was fantastic! I had the lamb shank and was very pleased!
(5)Julia C.
Great menu with a variety of choices, and our server was very friendly and knowledgable. I had a hard time deciding what to order because of the wide variety of options. The bruschetta is DELICIOUS (I would recommend the goat cheese and classic). I had the butternut squash ravioli, which was awesome - and the lobster was cooked very well, not chewy like some lobster I've had. They also have a very nice wine list. There are windows everywhere, so you can look out onto Fountain Square.
(4)Joyce K.
Fantastic atmosphere, really good for groups or if you want to go with a group of coworkers for a quiet conversation. I got the lamb shank and it was GREAT! I highly recommend that and don't skimp out on dessert. Their gelato (which i think is purchased from a local maker?) is very good too - it comes in really interesting flavors like Honey Lavender. Great service, too. The only thing that wasn't so great was their Tiramisu. Don't order that unless you really like mascarpone cheese because there's a 2 inch layer of that and like 1/3 layer of the actual cake.
(4)Lisa M.
The location, building & atmosphere are great! I don't want to rate the food due to the fact that all we ordered was 2 plates of spaghetti with red sauce. The spaghetti was good, kinda tuff to mess up. My problem is with the price: 2 plates of spaghetti and 2 mixed drinks = $55.... Ouch! Cool scene and high prices!
(2)Aristotle H.
One of my favorite places in downtown cinci. Chic and modern place to go on a date or a friend. A bit pricey, but well worth it. I absolutely love the lamb here... Plenty of parking at the lot below and a nice walk await you outside near fountain square.
(4)S D.
Review based on a lunch visit. Had a delicious potato leek soup and goat cheese salad. Food presentation was top notch. A bit pricey for lunch ($22 for that plus espresso and bottled water) but the view from the terrace was worth it. One star off for slow service on a Tuesday at 2pm when the place was almost empty. Upscale food in a pleasant setting. Recommended.
(4)Jessica M.
Love the patio and the service has been good every time I've been. Food has been great. I've been disappointed in service lately from other places but going to via vite recently I can say the service will keep me returning.
(4)Mike S.
This is one of my regular places to get dinner in downtown Cinci. They have very good food and the kitchen comes up with adventurous specials. The wine selection is pretty good too, though I usually stick to the cabernet. It's a sure bet for a good meal.
(4)Doug O.
Great atmosphere! The food was unique and a very tasty twist on traditional Italian. Our server was patient, friendly and knowledgeable with an outstanding personality. Definitely try the pizza and the Chocolate Millefoglie for dessert! Excellent!
(5)Matthew C.
I frequent Via Vite at least once a month for the Monday Bolognese lunch special and have had the pleasure of dinner there a few times. All of the food I've tasted there has been awesome. The gnocchi, pizzas, pastas and salads. But probably my best litmus test is the bread. The fresh made table bread is second only to Nicola's offering. If you work in the CBD and haven't had the Bolo special you are missing out.
(5)Hannah P.
Had such an amazing New Year's Eve dinner here. From the friendly servers, to the unique cocktails, best bruschetta I've ever had, and a huge pizza with prosciutto, fig and arugula that made yummy leftovers the next day. I also got to try the gnocchi and that was to die for!! This is a great place for winos- the alcohol list was three pages long! Great place for groups or a romantic dinner for two and it overlooks Fountain Square.
(5)Vincent O.
I'll probably only come back here for a late night drink on the patio and great view of fountain square during the summer. The food is over priced, portions are small and over seasoned. My server was not very knowledgeable about the menu and food took too long between courses to be served.
(3)Stephanie O.
SGROPPINO. I will elaborate in a moment as to what a sgroppino is, but I really needed to just yell it at you to get your attention. On a rather rainy tuesday night, Olivia and I decided to go to Nada, but alas, Nada is too far to be walking with a tiny umbrella. We decided to change our dinner plans to Via Vite, a two story restaurant right on Fountain Square that's centrally located to the parking garage. Yes, essentially we decided on our dinner spot based on its proximity to our parking spot. We're lazy, we know. #merica Anywho, we walked in without reservations and received a table right on the spot. The decor leans toward trendy and intimate; while obviously a big restaurant, they do well with the space in that every table is ensured privacy during a meal. Our waiter Cody came over and started us with a pineapple vodka (Liv's mainstay) and a sgroppino for myself. A sgroppino is their signature drink, made with grapefruit vodka, sorbet, and prosecco. UGH. Let me have 5 more please. The drink was incredibly sweet and strong at the same time. Liv was def jealous of my drink and of course we ordered another round pretty quickly. We started out with the bruschetta, which varies daily. On our particular day, we had tomato and basil (their regular), smoked salmon and mascarpone, roasted fig with bacon and ricotta, and summer squash. All of them were delicious and flavorful - the roasted fig with bacon was our favorite though. It had the perfect ratio of sweet and salty. For entrees, Olivia ordered the Proscuitto Cotto E Fontina pizza and I went with the Handmade Crispy Gnocchi. THE GNOCCHI. OH. MY. GOD. The gnocchi is literally crispy little fluffy pillows of potato deliciousness. I was so full between the complimentary bread and bruschetta but I was absolutely determined to finish it off - it was that amazing. Liv's pizza looked fantastic; unfourtunately I was so stuffed I couldn't try it, but she really seemed to enjoy it, except for the salad...but she's not a fan of rabbit food. The staff was well rehersed in how to treat the guests and the manager came out and asked about our food. He was geninunely concerned about our experience and wanted to make sure we were having a good time. I very much appreciate when people do that! This was an exceptional experience and I have told many, many people to visit. It was THAT good.
(5)Leann P.
I always appreciate a restaurant that utilizes the OpenTable app for setting up reservations. It makes setting up reservations so much more efficient. I suggest requesting to sit outdoors because you can sometimes hear live music and there is a jumbotron on the square that we could see playing the Reds game. The food was all flavorful and delicious! My biggest complaint is that soup or salad is not included in the entree price. It is an extra $10+ to have a salad--yikes! Also, I ordered the ravioli with lobster (I don't remember the exact name of the dish) and the lobster was very small. There were five in my group (all females) and we ordered 3 entrees, 2 salads, and the bruschetta appetizer to split and it worked pretty well for us. I did appreciate that they would even split the salad for you. Overall, the food is excellent, you just don't get a ton of it for the price.
(4)Lauren J.
My happy place is Florence, Italy. Never has another place replicated la bella vita for me as that enchanted city. That was until last night. My friends and I decided to meet at Via Vite for their happy hour. We had heard it was the best happy hour in Cincinnati. Via Vite did not disappoint. When we walked in, we were given the choice of the bar, courtyard, or chef's table. Chef's table? Sign me up! Our waitress Megan greeted us quickly and explained the happy hour specials. All beers, wines by the glass and cocktails were half off. The happy hour food menu included appetizers, pasta dishes and pizzas. As we waited for our other friend to join, we decided to try the bruschetta del giorno. It was only $4 and we were starving. We watched as the chefs toasted fresh baked bread, topped one with an artichoke cheese spread and the other with a Bolognese sauce, drizzled olive oil over them and brought it to our table. My friend and I quickly tasted both, trying to be polite but excited at the intoxicating smells taking over the board in front of us. The crusty bread, rich sauces, and fresh parmesan was gone too quickly. We laughed with Megan that we should hide our dirty plates and pretend that we hadn't ordered yet when our friend arrived. Megan quickly cleared the board and our plates and brought new silverware to hide our secret. Bless you, Megan. We sipped on our drinks, myself a bloody mary and my friend an Italian beer on tap. Both were fantastic recommendations from Megan. We watched fresh cucumber blossom pizzas be made and then come out of the oven steaming. This pizza was art, the colors bright from the farm fresh ingredients, each different shapes from the hand rolled dough. Lasagnas were being layered with homemade noodle sheets. Sauce was made with tomatoes and vegetables, blended with the largest immersion blender I have ever seen, manned by a smiling chef that was happy to pose for pictures. Our friend was able to join us, and we continued to be amazed at the kitchen activity. We saw the owner and head chef Christian come in, tasting different dishes that his staff prepared for him. He even took time and gave a short lesson to a staff member about cooking something. He expertly maneuvered between saying hello, tasting dishes, and speaking Italian into his phone while smiling a hello at us. We took this time to order, 2 pizzas, bruschetta (again) and the pasta Bolognese. Each meal was crafted in front of us, weaved into the bustle of the kitchen. The manager stopped by to say hello when we were discussing dessert for an event we were planning. He asked if we would like to speak with the dessert chef, Adelaide Colombano and introduced her. She spoke about Italy and her excitement to return there in a week to visit friends and family. She asked about our event and offered ideas of what to serve, explaining how to make them. She even wrote her number down for my friend in case we had any questions or needed help. We were impressed with her kindness and willingness to help, and creativity to come up with dessert ideas on the spot. Then, it was back to work and she began conversing in Italian with Chef Christian over a new dessert they were trying, both taking bites, thinking, and talking about what the other staff thought. I easily thought I was right back in Florence, dining with friends and making the best memories in a ristorante tucked away on the side of a cobblestone square in front of a large fountain... To our delight and surprise, a sample of desserts made it's way to our table. Sweet Adelaide, good times never felt so good. Neil Diamond wrote that about your desserts. Forget Caroline. Chef Christian, please make sure she comes back from Italy safely. We need more of that dark chocolate crème brulee, panne cotta, tiramisu and goat cheese cheesecake in our lives. (Yes reader, there were 4 desserts and only 3 of us. Stop judging.) I could Eat, Pray, Love right here every night. Great friends, amazing food, and a happy soul. Brava Via Vite! You made our night unforgettable with an incredible staff, amazing food and talk of when we could meet up again. As my friends and I said goodbye and walked out onto the square, salsa music playing and people dancing, I thought maybe la bella vita is right here in Cincinnati.
(5)Carolyn B.
We went with friends last night to Via Vite which is in a prime location in the heart of Fountain Square. As we entered, the decor struck me as modern chic with an air of sophistication. One unique feature is the uniquely creative metalwork near the stairs which can be seen as you walk in and in the lighting fixtures in the main dining room. Because we told our waiter that we were going to the Aronoff, we didn't have to wait very long between courses or ordering, yet still maintained a semi-leisurely pace. Throughout the evening the wait staff was both attentive and knowledgeable. I started off with their signature drink - a Sgroppino made with Grapefruit vodka, our very own Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco. What a beautiful soft pink glass of refreshing fruity essence - perfect for the hot day we had! After reading Yelp reviews, I knew that we should try the Gnocchi, but still wanted to have room for our entrees, too. After asking, we were brought a half serving which was ideal for us to all enjoy the perfectly crispy dish with truffle oil. For my entree, I was in the mood for their Scallops. However, I am not a fan of the capers and caperberries. The chef was accommodating and made my portion without and oh my goodness! The scallops were the perfect temperature, texture and the flavor sublime. Honestly, they were hands down my favorite version of this seafood ever!! Our friends were also pleased with the Risotto and Penne Bolognese. To top everything off, we ordered the one dessert Yelpers raved about - Carmel Complexity - and shared it as well. This dolce is caramel panna cotta millefoglie with caramel sea salt gelato and bourbon maple syrup!!! If you have any doubts, look at the accompanying photos and try to tell me that your mouth isn't drooling just a little bit!
(4)Rich M.
Sitting on the patio and I haven't seen a server in over 15 minutes. I think we are going to leave. We ended up going to rock bottom. It was better. Actually so much better.
(1)Troy J.
As someone that travels alone for work from time to time and dines alone, I appreciate the chef's table at Via Vite where you can watch the staff prepare meals. The restaurant's location, at Fountain Square, also provides plenty to look at: the iconic fountain in the summer and the outdoor skating rink in winter. I decided to embrace the chef's table to the fullest by letting the chef decide which wood-fired pizza entree and side dish I'd dine on. The result was a half-and-half pizza featuring spicy Calabrese salame and mozzarella on one half and italian sausage with peppers on the other. Carmelized brussels sprouts, a favorite selected by my waitress, were provided as the appetizer. The pizza had good flavor but wasn't crispy in the center. Judged solely on my weeknight woodfire pizza experience, I give it three stars -- but I suspect that authentic Italian dishes, shared at romantic corner tables with wine, are Via Vite's specialty. I ordered Sgroppino, a frozen cocktail with Grapefruit vodka, Madisono's ruby red grapefruit sorbet and Prosecco for dessert. It was a good way to finish the meal.
(3)Jessie T.
I came here with a group of girl friends on a Monday evening and the service, food, and drinks were all wonderful. I had the pea ravioli with lobster butter sauce, with a lobster tail included.. and it was absolutely delicious. They were not joking around about that butter sauce, that was just pure, delicious butter. I also ordered their signature cocktail, which was a champagne infused with vodka and grapefruit sorbet.. soo refreshing! We then all shared the dessert sampler, which included a tiramisu, dark chocolate orange gelato, and the panna cotta.. my favorite was definitely the panna cotta.. so light and creamy like a dream! This is a nice place for an enjoyable Italian dinner that leaves you satisfied and not overly and grossly full. I've heard they also have an awesome brunch here and I fully intend on coming back.
(5)Anjelica N.
Located in Fountain Square, Via Vite is sometimes easy to miss but when there's so much going on in the Square. It's definitely a spot to check out, at the very least for happy hour. Decently priced wine and food, such as their huge pizzas are a great draw in. However, I'm most partial to their gnocchi. Cooked in a spicy tomato vodka sauce, this dish is rich, flavorful and just enough spice to tingly the taste buds. At first you might not think you're getting much food but this dish is delectably satisfying and filling.
(4)Eli D.
We decided to try the happy hour offerings this Friday eve. We mistakenly assumed that everything from the happy hour menu was half off, sort of like a half off sushi menu. It was not. The happy hour food offerings are discounted and priced as listed on the menu, but are only discounted because you get a smaller portion than normal, not because it's a happy hour discount price. The only items which are actually discounted half off during happy hour are the drinks, so do not be fooled like I was -- the menu won, not me. That being said, my calabrese pizza was excellent. We still ended up paying $68 for dinner tonight: a small pizza, a small serving of mussels, a small cheese plate, 2 meatballs, and 2 drinks for each of us. If we wanted to pay for overpriced portions, we would've gone to Abigail St. It was our fault for not realizing that half off happy hour only applies to drinks. Regardless, we still had a good time, and the bartenders (we sat at the bar) were helpful and nice.
(3)Anna S.
My belated birthday dinner tonight confirmed that Via Vite is my favorite sit-down restaurant in Cincinnati. The staff and owner treat you like royalty; I am bursting at the seams from eating all the decadent, delicious food; and our friends (first-time diners here) LOVED the food and wine selection. And for heavens sake, get dessert: the dark chocolate creme brûlée and the new panettone bread pudding are both life changing.
(5)D F.
located right in the heart of Fountain Square, this place was not only really affordable, but the food was totally awesome and spiced perfectly. Wine list was good, nothing outrageous and the service was knowledgeable and friendly. Diverse menu ranges from simple margherita pizza to slow cooked peasant food which is my favorite. Had a rissotto dish that was to die for...
(4)Beth A.
Really enjoyed this place! Great pizza in a nice setting right on the square. We stumbled on it accidentally but were happy we did. Highly recommend it.
(5)Miiim R.
Pizza had a lot of cheese on it. High price and low amount of food .
(2)Ameet C.
I was a social outcast with my friends at work, as I had never been to Via Vite, inspite of being to Fountain Square a million times. At every office party, or by the water cooler, I had to hear "Have you been to Via Vite?" , "Oh you have to eat at Via vite" . Last week, on a Friday night, I got home late and my friend and I were very hungry. Now, we were faced with the dilemma : where can we get good food at 9 pm on a Friday night without having to wait for hours (which is the norm nowadays at all places in OTR)? So I made a few phone calls and luckily Via Vite didn't have a waiting time. So, we drove to fountain square, there was a live band playing there, which was very cool. I liked the fact that there is ample parking for Via Vite at the Fountain Square Garage, which is very convenient and secure. The restaurant has a very well appointed interior. Our server was very professional and provided us with a lot of information about the menu. I have a weakness for sea food, and I ordered the "Mussels Zuppa" with grilled bread and my friend ordered Pasta e Fagioli. Before our dinner arrived, we were served fresh warm bread with olive oil. The bread was fantastic ! Dinner arrived just right (not too soon, which is scary or not too late). Even though my mussels were an "appetizer", the quantity was sufficient, and the mussels were very flavorful. I tried some of the pasta e fagioli too, althogh it was flavorful, I thought it was a bit bland. I was expecting a bold rosemary flavor in the pasta dish, but it was good none the less. The ambience was very nice and it was a nice delicious meal. I will be back to Via Vite for sure.
(4)Jennifer N.
Being a first timer I wasn't sure what to expect but I am certainly glad I made the trip! First off I should mention the pizzas are half off during happy hour which is definitely a plus. Second I should mention how incredibly good the pizza is!! The pizza is wood fired and the sauce is very unique and isn't saucy like other sauces it is fresh and robust and the cheese is light not too heavy just right. I will definitely come back in the near future the pizza is definitely worth it!!
(4)Jack R.
Can't believe that I never been here before. I have seen this place but with it being on Fountain Square and the way it looked just thought it would be really pricey. We got a free meal here for doing an event on the square and it was great. Got to look over the menu and prices for the next time as well. It really isn't that pricey add the food and service was great. The veal meatball appetizer was great and then we got a clam pizza with white sauce. I did not expect them to have pizza but they did and it was great. It is a smaller place so the tables are set a bit to close together for my comfort but this is a place that we will have to try again. It would make for a great place for your next date night.
(4)Melissa C.
For my first visit here, I was meeting friends for lunch. Unfortunately the air-conditioning was not working that day also and it was a hot day. They did have the windows open but some warning would have been nice before being seated. Aside from the warm atmosphere, this place has fresh ambiance and great food. Drinks were being promptly refilled (this may have been due to the conditions) and food came out in timely manner. There is a good variety of choices such as sandwiches, salads, soup / salad combos, and pizza for lunch. I selected the margarita pizza and it was very good. I hear that their happy hour is also very good so look forward to a future visit.
(4)Robert H.
Beautiful place, I was recently there before a show at the Aronoff Center. The food was great, everyone in my party enjoyed what the ordered. I ordered the special for the day which was lasagna. It was well prepared, great sauce, and a larger portion then I expected. Our waitress was somewhat awkward, but drinks came out fast and food as well. The one thing I did not realize when making the decision to eat here was the happy hour. I originally chose this please for its great happy hour drink specials. Once we were seated the waitress explained that the happy hour would only apply to the bar and upstairs patio, not the main dining area. We didn't move, but it's not well advertised information. I will definitely be back to Via Vite.
(4)Kelly R.
Via Vite is positively and absolutely wonderful. I had never heard of this wonderful little gem until my boss announced she was pregnant and I immediately began planning her office baby shower. Knowing she wouldn't want a typical shower of games and being the center of attention, I asked her husband about her favorite lunching spots. Via Vite was brought up and I booked a private area upstairs and away we went. They were so accommodating to our group and made sure we were taken care of - from the second we walked out the door to a follow-up email thanking us and sending well wishes to the mom-to-be. The food was outstanding - the bolognese was enough for both lunch and dinner. I highly recommend anyone who wants good, hearty Italian food to stop by!
(5)Denise S.
We had been recommended by a friend to this place. We went for a friends birthday, and with a party of only 10 they were very ill equipt! The staff was rude and we may have been able to get past that yet the food was mediocre at best. The scallops were low quality and grainy thus not edible. The pizza was tasteless and not finishable. However, the worst was it was pouring outside and my friends asked the hostess for something to cover our heads at the hostess suggestion we could get pizza boxes to cover us to the cab, AND were told they couldn't do it. Wow over 1000 dollars spent and they wouldn't even allow their patrons to stay dry. So sad. We will never visit this place again or recommend
(1)Sarah H.
Struggling with this review because there was no consistency here. We had the tuna which was delicious, maybe one of the best fish dishes ever eaten; however, the puréed fennel and peppers served with it was very weird to say the least. Odd texture, odd taste, and overall odd decision to serve as a side. Bruschetta was delicious, salad just so-so. Scallops were tender but there was a burnt taste at first bite from the sear, but the mushrooms that were served with the scallops were to die for. I'm still dreaming of them. Bottom line.. I'm not sure that the prices match up to the food items. A few changes and this could have been 5 stars.
(4)E. K.
The food was really good, but my portion was tiny. Yeah yeah portion distortion. But when I pay 20 bucks for pasta (and some extra just to get some vegetables in it) then I shouldn't be able to count my gnocchi on one hand. The waitress was way too pushy, too. She kept trying to upsell. No, don't get that wine; get this more expensive one. Oh, if you order that you HAVE to get this and this and this in it. Um...no?
(3)Karen D.
Enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner Saturday night at Via Vite. I picked the center of down for my celebration, why not its on Fountain Square the heart of Cincinnati and Via Vite is showcased in a great modern building. I made reservations a few days in advance, they reconfirmed the reservation the afternoon of, we arrived and were seated right away. We started with the margarita pizza, which was served hot from the oven and we devoured it right away. Then sampled salads, the greens with the melted goat cheese is their best salad. Main course everyone tried something different, I went with the spinach ravioli and wasn't disappointed and enjoyed every bite. Finished dinner with chocolate mousse. My only complaint is the lack of restrooms, I always forget my birthday falls around prom season & there were several prom groups, so you had to wait on either floor for the facilities.
(4)Damion T.
BEST FOOD IN CINNCY!!! The chef is great and does a great job reinventing the menu throughout the season. I ate here for 18 months while working on a project and never had a bad experience!!
(5)Tracey J.
If you're looking for a happy hour with more than the usual bar food, in gorgeous surroundings, Via Vite's happy hour is the place for you. Centrally located on Fountain Square, Via Vite is a hop, skip and a jump away from the office. After a hard day at the office, the food, libations and contemporary casual elegance atmosphere of Via Vite are pampering. If you're a wine drinker, this is your kind of happy hour. The $4 house red and white special is a great deal and the friendly bartenders are always ready to fill you up. The house red is a decent Italian table wine, not the swill on the bargain shelves at Kroger's. The beer and liquor is $2 off at happy hour so if wine is not your taste, you can have your favorite go-to beverage without breaking the bank. Another great deal for their happy hour is that their wood-fired pizzas are half-off; perfect for those days when you don't want to go home and cook dinner, after a trying day at the office. If you're lucky enough to be there when it's available, try the salmon tartare. Salmon, sea salt, chives and a healthy dose of orange zest served with crostini- it is delectable. A popular choice are the Italian sliders, coming in at a reasonable 3 for $7, which you can mix and match. I recommend the veal and ricotta meatball slider. The portion size is just enough and you can always pair it with a salad or pizza. So, when you're having that bad day at work, plan a trip to Via Vite for happy hour, and that day will be just a little more tolerable!
(4)Matt B.
Went there for restaurant week. The atmosphere was pretty cool. Lots of glass the overlooks Fountain Square. Lots of people watching. Service was good given that they were busy. The seating was a little cramped. The specials for restaurant week menu was good. Portions were not big but plenty of food for the whole meal. I would definately go back.
(4)Kevin T.
Dinner here last night was surprisingly good. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked, well-seasoned, and generally excellent. Service was a little overzealous, but professional. Given the location, I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)Jessica C.
Food was spot on; not overpowering, classic flavors. And I've never had such wonderful service anywhere. Kind, attentive, and not overbearing. Absolutely blown away.
(5)Jenna M.
Last evening my boyfriend suggested we eat at Via Vite since we have not tried it yet. The host was friendly and quick. The service was fair. The food was every bit of disappointing. The only good part of our dinner was the bread. We ordered scallops as an appetizer, they tasted fine but they were a little too done. The pizza was not good at all. The crust was good and a nice thickness, the sauce tasted like the used tomato soup and spread it around, there was about four pieces of mozzarella on top, there was no flavor it was very bland. I ordered the caeser salad and added salmon, the salad portion was good, it is a wedge with fresh parmesan and if I remember correctly and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The salmon tasted very fishy and was not prepared correctly. We ordered tiramisu for dessert and I was expecting typical tiramisu and that's not what came to the table. It was in a martini shaped dish and it was prepared using Kalhua and if you've made tiramisu you would know you use brandy. The taste was all wrong and had a horrible after taste. The mascarpone cheese tasted like cream cheese and was warm and almost runny. We will never eat here again the review that we had tea before choosing here to eat were misleading and not helpful. The food was bland and over priced for what it is.
(1)John B.
Recently for Santacon a large group of us pounced upon this place and ate and drank until the next twitter clue came our way. I shared a pizza with my group and we enjoyed it. The pieces were covered in big chunks of mozzarella and tasted wonderfully. The bartenders were friendly and actually looked like they enjoyed dozens of loud half drunk Santas and elves cavorted around the place. The bathrooms were clean too! While overall I find this place pretentious and overpriced, for the quick pizza, it was great.
(3)Valerie G.
Excellent lunch options, good for dinner, service can be hit-or-miss. I have many, many experiences at Via Vite. Lately, it has become one of my go-to lunch options. There are several things Via Vite does extremely well, and the lunch combos allow you to try these excellent options! For lunch, try the lunch combo of either soup and salad, soup and pasta, or salad and pasta. The soups are excellent, and even the "creamy" soups show some restraint and are not too rich. I think Via Vite does salads very well, and I am obsessed with the Boucheron Goat Cheese Salad. The greens are dressed perfectly, and the goat cheese hides underneath, so you can get the perfect amount in each bite. The lunch pasta options are arguably two of the best pastas - gnocchi or penne bolognese. I love the gnocchi and get it almost every time. I have had hit-or-miss service at Via Vite in the past, but my server last time was wonderful - she was friendly, helpful and efficient. Glasses were filled and she quickly fulfilled a special request our table made. Other great options to try: house made peperonata is to die for!, beet and asparagus salad is pretty and tasty, all the sides with dinner are very good, the specials are usually very good, the scruppino (spelled wrong) cocktail is yummy.
(4)Elizabeth R.
This is a hard one to judge. The menu doesn't really appeal to me, though the three times I've eaten there, I've been fairly satisfied with what I had. Once I had the tuna - cooked well, seasoned okay, another time, I had the ravioli (nice flavor) super thick though, so they sat like a rock in my stomach when I was done. A dinner companion the last time had whatever the house special of the day was - and loved it. The service is blah. Not really bad, not very good - just not really memorable at all. The location is great - right on Fountain Square, and the private room on one side upstairs overlooks the Square, which is pretty cool. I just can't really get on board with this, though I will say - they have some pretty good desserts. And the wine list is pretty good, too. I think this might be a better drink and appetizer place than a dinner place, and that's what I'll do in the future here.
(3)Erin H.
The food is good and they have a few really good martinis. The dining environment is awful though. They pack the tables so close together in this place, the poor waitstaff can barely make it through. The first time I went to this place, a bus boy caught the corner of our table with his jacket and turned the entire table of drinks up on me. I was soaked. They didn't even offer to comp my $12 salad. I will not be going back here again.
(2)John C.
Although the ambiance and service were superb the food made me ill for the rest of the night. I ordered the lasagne which was a special for dinner and although it tasted amazing, the after-effects were a nightmare of nausea and heartburn. Maybe other dishes would not affect me in such a way, but I will not go back to this restaurant. I think they use cheap ingredients in their food and load their food with MSG. Not worth my terrible night!
(1)Phoebe P.
I have lost count of the numerous times I have eaten here and every single time the service and food has been amazing!!! Please don't take primitivo wine off of the wine menu, also the grilled Brussel sprouts, omg yummo!!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)Ron A.
To Italians, Via Vite means the way of life. To Americans, Via Vite means bombass Northern Italian cuisine in downtown Cincinnati. Via Vite is located in the true social center of downtown, Fountain Square. You can really do it all on Fountain Square. You can start your day off at Via Vite enjoying a fantastic lunch special such as the $7 Penne Bolognese on Mondays. Afterward, you can check out the art deco hi-rise, Carew Tower, for shopping and breathtaking views. Then, you can drop some dinero at Saks for designer clothes and make your way over to Mynt Martini for some overpriced drinks and dirty dancing with girls who think they're hot. And then you can call it a night at the Westin across the street (maybe even in the arms of a lovely club rat if Lady Luck is on your side). And you can tell your friends you did it all on Fountain Square! But back to Via Vite. This place really has something for everyone. As previously mentioned they have great lunch specials during the day. They have an incredible happy hour which features discounts on some of their well-known pastas and award-winning wood-fired pizzas (the spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza makes Domino's taste like Wonder Bread with ketchup). They also have selected half price wines on Sundays (and not just your typical Robert Mondavi monstrosities but delicious imported Italian wines with names you can't even pronounce). And as great as Via Vite's specials are, the real attraction is the main dining experience itself. This restaurant prides itself on using quality local and imported ingredients prepared by relevant chefs who are trained in the art of culinary wonderment. And it's not just the pasta and pizza that's so money but there are ridiculously amazing hand-made desserts as well. This would be the perfect place to bring a date and impress her with an upscale dining experience far superior to that of her ex-boyfriend whose understanding of Italian fare ranged from Olive Garden to Ragu. And if a magical meal full of bolognese, bordeaux, and brulee doesn't impress her enough to earn you a nightcap at the neighboring Westin then you can always call her a cab and take your chances at Mynt Martini. Or do what I do when I get rejected, go back home to my studio apartment and three cats and watch Grey's Anatomy.
(4)Darrell D.
Wow...does not even do this place justice. I was so lucky to follow the lead of others on yelp and select this place for my business dinner in Cincy based on their recommendations. I literally found it on yelp and made a reservation day of...but you would have thought I knew the chef and had this planned a month out. Greeted warmly and seated immediately. Incredible service including Chef Cristian Pietoso coming out to greet my group. Made the most wonderful wine recommendation (and not based on just picking most expensive). He took pics with the ladies in my group, who loved that, and even made a second round post entrees to be sure we were pleased. This was the best combination of good food and incredible service I have ever received and I travel and host dinners all over the country (many for much more $). Now you may not even believe this part...I get home and this weekend I get an e-mail from Chef Cristian thanking me for coming and referencing the exact wine he selected for us!?! Are you kidding me?!? If I could invest in this place without even living in Cincy you can count me in. Absolutely the most sincere (and maybe first or second ever) 5 star I have ever offered. Please do yourself the favor of trying Via Vite and Chef Cristian!!!
(5)Steve B.
Tasty, fresh, very nice food in a great restaurant, 4.5 stars. Normally you'd expect a cool restaurant with a great location to have marginal food, but you'd be definitely mistaken. Price may be a bit high for Cincy, but location location = worthy pricing premium. Very fresh and tasty Italian options were all over the menu. I had the pappardelle daily special, some of the best pasta I'd had all year - made and cooked al dente, just perfect. The sauce and meat were great too, had shredded the plate no problem. She had the gnocchi with a sorta marinara sauce - great pillows of potatoey goodness with a bit of a kick in the sauce, again just good stuff. Have no complaints other than for hoping for a better beer list - if you like good Italian food and are in downtown Cincy, this should be your destination.
(4)Jen L.
I have been here twice, once for lunch and once for a work Christmas Party...since they were both work sponsored events, I can't really comment on the price, but I will comment on the food and service.... For lunch I ordered the pasta bolognese lunch portion and it was really rich and delicious. It came with a salad and with a basket of warm bread and soft butter that I could not get enough of...they also have lots of fun flavored sparkling waters that you can enjoy at lunch.... For our work Christmas Party, the service, drinks and food were all wonderful... Our plates and drinks were cleared immediately...and they went out of their way to accommodate us in every way they could. My husband especially appreciated that all of their specialty beers were poured into the glass that they are meant to be drank from....and the selection was very good! Also I just love the location...when it's nice out you can sit out on the patio over looking the square..
(4)George K.
Pretty good food. I love it's location on the square. My wife and I shared the bruschette for an app.... Simple but a lot of fresh flavor. Did the pizza for dinner.... Very good, nice crust with nice flavor . My wife did the house pasta special and enjoyer hers as well. Well be back
(4)Khwaja H.
Been here twice and both times had the Gnocchi. Great food and ambiance. Head chef comes to check on every table while eating. Good service as well.
(5)Steve L.
This place has a very pleasant atmosphere, the service was average. It's interior decoration is nice and peaceful(being on the square helps) but I couldn't help but feel cramped. Pricing isn't too bad, the Salmon was very good, the Tuna was good also. Small portions but nonetheless, filling. I would recommend going for a date and not a casual night out. They could step up their table service a bit and maybe receive a little higher rating from me.
(3)Kelly K.
Awesome location, view, service, and The. Best. Lamb. Shank. Ever!!!!
(5)Will M.
It's strange to me that I've been to Via Vite so infrequently. It's such a conspicuous restaurant, but that's part of why I've avoided it. Something about the location, the constant advertising, the exterior design, etc., has screamed "Upscale Olive Garden" to me. As a result, I'd been there only once and barely recall my meal (I believe I had a squash pizza.) Fortunately it wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared. I finally gave it a true shot, albeit because the restaurants I headed out for had quite a line. I'd recently seen it on a list of the best pizzas in Cincinnati, or more than that a good pizza in the city, so I decided to take up that challenge. The pizza had a good sauce. No denying it. I've found very, very few places out here with decent marinara, and this qualified. It tasted fresh, not salty or cheaply herbed. Similarly, the crust had a good flavor, it was just too thick. For $12, though, I felt it was a good pie. I'd never take it over A Tavola, but if I'm ever fortunate enough to work near my apartment I'd be here for the half priced happy hour. My friend had pasta, which was somewhat plain but pretty good. Both our dishes were vegetarian and simple, so I'm judging on basic entrees. I can't say how they'd do with something more challenging. We had excellent service, though. As you may be able to guess, our meal was particularly cheap. This isn't a cheap restaurant, but we walked out for under $40. Our waiter was extremely attentive to two people ordering cheap meals and drinking water. I'll give credit for that. I suppose that may be standard out here, but it still surprised me. Kudos to the waiter. I don't give many 3 star reviews, but this definitely gets it. Good service, decent to good food. Nothing I loved, nothing I disliked. Can't see much of a reason to ever go back, aside from Happy Hour, given how many fantastic restaurants are in a short walk. But, if you're not the type who enjoys wandering Downtown, this is may be for you when you come in to see the Square.
(3)Darlene L.
My first visit to Via Vite was this past weekend. The decor was inviting, chic, and very elegant. I had the cioppino soup and Gnocchi which were the best I've ever had. The service in general was the best I've seen in the city. We do go out a lot, and we are self-proclaimed restaurant critics. Via Vita is one of the best restaurant we have been to. It HAS IT ALL; creative, fresh, memorable food, and a great atmosphere, serene, comfortable elegant furnishings, nice music played at the perfect volume, not meant to overwhelm conversations. This restaurant does have it all and we can't wait to go back again and again. WELL DONE! A+
(5)Bob S.
Great roasted beet, asparagus and goat cheese salad. Pizza was really good too. 1/2 price wine deal. Almost a four rating.
(3)Michelle C.
The location of this restaurant is great- right in fountain square. Parking is difficult to find, but so is every other restaurant in the downtown area. Ambience in the restaurant is great- young professionals, a bit dressy, nice decor, and the architecture of the restaurant is great. I sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and recommended a great glass of pinot noir. I had their steamed mussels in tomato broth as an appetizer. The flavor of the broth was great, but the mussels weren't too fresh. Overall, I had a great experience until I went to talk to the manager to compliment the bartender. He didn't seem to care about my feedback and almost hurried me out of there. With that said, I probably wouldn't go back for the food.
(3)Jason F.
Decided I was long overdue in throwing down some english on one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. Via Vite was a welcome addition to Fountain Square a number of years ago. The spot is still one of my favorite places in town. I could list many reasons, but here are a few: 1.) The food is just plain good...Chef Christian Pietso has put together a terrific menu that brings new items from time to time to a core of dishes that I would truly miss if they were removed. At the end of the day, there is no reason to mess with consistency so long as it is refreshed from time to time with quality ingredients, creativity and most importantly passion for the art. Chef Christian is ALWAYS at his place. And that...makes my heart smile. Too often in today's restaurant scene we see the founder not at his place. This is very important to me as it speaks volumes as to why they are even in the business to being with. Always a gentleman and always out on the floor soliciting feedback, he will even give you some tips on certain dishes and ingredients. My wife loved the polenta and he was kind enough to give her some pointers. (I have to admit...she wife might have a little crush on him...must be the accent or something.) SO, lesson to all of your would be chefs and restaurateurs...be at your restaurant! 2.) Location is outstanding. Right above Fountain Square parking, it makes it very convenient as a starting place for the evening as well as an occasional business lunch. 3.) The service is really terrific. My wife and I have been coming the last two years for our anniversary and have had the same incredible waitress. Forgive me...I unfortunately forgot her name, but if she is reading this, she probably remembers us. She so charming and attentive. As a bonus, they even prepared something special for dessert for us for our anniversary. So, in conclusion, you don't have to go far to experience Italian hospitality and goodness. Chef, thank you for bringing a bit of your culture to us here in Cincinnatii and thank you to all of the staff that make this little gem a consistent joy to patron.
(5)Alex S.
Oh, Via Vite - you'll always have a place in my heart ... but not my memory, as somehow I've always been drinking before walking through your doors. I'm not sure what it is about this place that calls to me after alcohol - or, like the Urban Cincy redesign party, during alcohol. Yes, they're open late and yes, they're located centrally, right on Fountain Square, making them easy to get to when I'm downtown, but still, this is a damn classy place. This is a place for sit-down meals where you can overlook the square and people watch and have a date and just enjoy life. This is not a place to bar hop to. So after bar hopping in downtown, I love coming to Via Vite. They've got a nice selection of beers, a great bar (both upstairs and downstairs) to enjoy being at and friendly people always around. However, what I really come here for are the pizzas. They have the BEST flatbread pizzas in Cincinnati. They're warm and flavorful and so damn good after beer - especially after beer. I've looked at the menu here and like everything else directly circling Fountain Square, it's overpriced. I'm not sure I would actually ever sit here for a meal. However, for a late-night, semi-drunk, still-drinking delicious pizza, you bet your classy ass I would.
(4)Edith M.
From the creators of Nicola's let me introduce you to Via Vite. Food is not bad... It just so happens that when you had experience their big brother Nicola's you don't want to date the younger and less attractive sibling. I would say their gnochi is good.
(3)Petunia L.
I have been for pizza late night a few times and lunch twice. I will be updating my review after I eat dinner in the near future. The pizza is great, pretty authentic, cooked in a wood fire oven, and VERY reasonably priced for this establishment. My absolute favorite things on the menu for lunch are the Cioppino (Italian fish stew) and the free-range Amish chicken salad (which comes with mixed green and candied walnuts). I always order the smaller portion of the fish stew and it's very large! It's a thick roux-based tomato "broth" with several types of seafood including wonderful little tentacles (maybe squid or baby octopus?) that I cannot get enough of!!! The chicken salad is hands down the BEST within a hundred miles of Cincinnati. I don't think I'll ever be able to order any other combination. My mother ordered the yellow pepper soup and the asparagus beet salad. Although I didn't try either, she couldn't stop talking about it. The service has always been great. Even the least friendly waiter I've encountered was very efficient and did his job well...leaving us happy diners. I have heard nothing other than great personal reviews of dinner guests and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite places to enjoy an excellent lunch. I will be back often. In fact, I'm craving it now.
(5)Andy D.
I would have given a five star review if it weren't for the subpar service. 5 stars for food and ambiance. We went for happy hour and sat on a nice comfy patio couch on the second floor which had a wonderful view of fountain square, which I imagine would be nice if a band or show was playing in the square. The atmosphere and interior design was fantastic. We sat down and ordered a couple if beers, and our waiter was helpful in describing menu items, however after delivering our beers, he never came back to take our food order for almost half an hour, to the point where I actually had to go find one of their workers and ask them to take our food order as we were almost finished with our beers by then and we had hoped to have food with our drinks. When our bread and olive oil was finally delivered, we had no plates our utensils provided to us and we also had to ask a separate waiter to bring these to us. Both of these oversights were enough to make our experience at the restaurant somewhat frustrating despite the delicious food. Onto the food review--we ended up getting the prosciutto y funghi pizza (italian ham and mushroom) which was garnished with generous amounts of arugula lightly bathed in olive oil that made for a hearty yet refreshing and delicious pizza at a great price ($7 for 8 slices!). We also ordered the $5 Penne Bolognese and $3 'Panino Tonnato' mini-panini (tuna-based pesto), both of which were good but the pizza definitely was the star of the show. Honestly, the pizza was bigger than I expected and the mini-panini was smaller than I expected, so everything balanced out. Overall, the food was delicious, but the service made a huge dent in the experience. If the service matched the food, I would definitely go up to 5/5.
(3)Green D.
Ok, so I've dined here often enough to give the fifth star. These guys are consistent every time around! The bar service is outstanding, the pricepoints are perfect to leave a little value, and the food is phenomenal for this type of establishment. The wines by the glass are adequate and quality is there. And the bartender or host will always try to satisfy any reasonable requests made by the diners. IMO, that's the chasm between the stars. These guys do it and do it well. I would eat here day after day if I needed to. And I must recommend the chocolate creme brulee (made with Valhrona) and the absolute standout is the Kyrie special (it's really got some Italian name but basically it's chocolate gelato, cointreau, and espresso served in a martini glass) It's one of my ever favorites!! Many thanks to all of your staff that make life on the road so much more pleasant!!
(5)Marichi P.
Food and wine are primo BUT the funky music is really not conducive to a fine dining atmosphere.
(3)Colin P.
This was my first time here. Great service. Great atmosphere. I had the penne with meatball--I guess I expected more from all the rave reviews. But it was good.
(4)Carol J.
Via Vite is a great place to go for a nice dinner at a reasonable price. I've never had any bad experiences with their food or service.
(4)Toree C.
This place was wonderful. My very picky husband and I came here and were impressed. The restaurant in itself was so cute. The portions were perfect and everything tasted so good. We both agreed to visit often.
(5)Tim L.
Cool place. Kinda hip. Prime location. I enjoyed my meal, but didn't enjoy the bill that accompanied it. Little pricey for what they offer in my opinion.
(3)Mark M.
What a great little find in downtown Cincinnati. Not to sound like an ass or anything--but this place easily clears four Yelp stars in Ohio..however, in San Fran, NY, etc---2.75ish. Situated on multiple floors overlooking a public plaza and fountain, Via Vite was hopping at six on a Friday evening. We were lucky to get an outdoor seat upstairs with a great view. The service is top notch and highly accommodating. My biggest praise is around the happy hour 'situation'. Super cheap beers (I'm from NYC...so a few bucks is cheap), excellent appetizer/small plate type items at great prices. The pizzas are really good and very affordable. The mini panini aren't that great. The bread they use (ciabatta) is yummy..but it overtakes the fillings of the sandwich and that seems like all you're eating....bread. The cocktails are yummmmmmy. And $2 off during happy hour. So yes, you are justified to get a third because of this great saving. Great atmosphere, good food, better drinks, great service!
(4)Cortney A.
My friends and I went here for my birthday while we were at the National Women's Studies Association annual conference. I had high hopes because this place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. After an entire weekend of horrible service and crap-tastic menus in Cincinnati we were trying to be optimistic. We were seated quickly at a very nice table with a decent view. The ambiance was lovely and the food was decent. The options were not great especially considering five of our party of seven were vegetarian. This place could easily have been a four star if not for what happened after we got our bill and the fact that they never brought the birthday cake my friends had secretly requested for me. We had told our server that we would need separate receipts for alcohol since we had outside funding for food during the trip. The server told us that was fine but ended up overcharging one of my friends' credit card. We asked him to fix it and he refused saying that it was too late, the transaction had already gone through. Having been a server before I knew that was b.s. After spending nearly a half an hour trying to fix the math ourselves we asked to see a manager. Again the server refused. One of my friends went over to the server's station to talk to him again and he was very condescending to her (we believe it is because she is Mexican... he was much more polite when a white friend demanded to see the manager). Finally the manager did come over. We told him the whole story and how we had been dealing with this for over an hour! He took the server's side and refused to do anything other than bring out a tiny piece of cake and seven forks. Ugh. We were so upset we didn't even end up going out for after dinner drinks to celebrate. We had such horrible experiences dining in Cincinnati but this one easily takes the cake. I was angry, insulted and we all felt robbed by being forced to pay 20% gratuity because it is added automatically. NEVER EVER patronize this horrible restaurant.
(1)Leisa W.
I didn't want to like this place. I'm not sure why...I kept passing by it on Fountain Square and something about their logo made me think it was some sort of fast food place. Then, I looked inside, and a friend came into town and it was convenient to her hotel...and now, grudgingly, I'm a fan. I've been here twice. The first time I had the Greek salad, which was fantastic, and the tortellini, which was lovely (and enough to take home). My friend had some sort of steak, which she seemed to like but was just a slab of meat (I hate it when restaurants do this--really, how expensive are a few carrots or something to throw on the side?). The next time I was there, it was for lunch. I had a really yummy goat cheese salad, which was just enough for lunch (though I wasn't very hungry at the time). If you want a light meal, it was great. Both times, someone else was footing the bill, or this review would possibly be lower. I feel like it's a bit pricey for what it is. However, the space is lovely and the location is great and the food has not yet missed a step for me. And honestly, it might be worth more money to me if they changed their logo (it may be ridiculous but that's what you get when you think about branding all day). I'll tell you this though--next time someone wants to take me to eat there, I'm in!
(4)John B.
Great food. Great Ambiance. Great wine. Great service. Reasonable prices.
(4)Christoffer M.
It's always fun to test a restaurant during its opening week, which we did for Via Vite. Unwise decision. Their woodburning oven wasn't ready yet, which really robs housemade pizzas of their allure. Nonetheless, the sauce was good and I could imagine how it would taste baked over fiery logs. The star of the meal was the penne bolognese, which was identical to the perfect version served at Nicola's, chef Cristian Pietoso's main restaurant in the area. What was not lagging was the service: crisp, friendly, and very apologetic for the various dramas that inevitably plague new fine dining rooms. Fast forward a few months. This time the pizza was crisp and perfectly browned. Plus, they use premiere ingredients: fresh mozzarella, rich mushrooms, classic Italian prosciutto. That said, the bolognese is still the best you'll find outside of Bologna, much less anywhere else in the area. This place packs out at lunch, which is no surprise considering its prime location on Fountain Square. It might look a little odd (it's basically a box), but the inside decor is sleek and warm. As a bonus, it's open late (2 am on weekends) with a limited menu (that includes the bolognese). Probably a little bit more than you'd want after bar-hopping, but would be a prime finale for a date that's going better than expected.
(4)Don G.
Pretty good brunch and great views on Fountain Square for people watching.
(3)Kerri B.
Amazing!!! M-F, 4-7 half off wine and apps. We arrived at 5 and it is now 7:30 and it's packed on a Monday. Thank you Christian and your family for creating authentic Italian for my friends and I.
(5)Anthony D.
Wow! Some of you recent Yelpers have been a bit tough. I am a local that frequents Via Vite on occasion and adding my two cents for out of towners wanting some great Italian food , in a great location in the city square. The ambiance here is upscale contemporary , so if you are in town for the Square Dancing Convention and looking red and white checkered table cloths and want to eat cheap mediocre southern Italian pasta dishes with lots of melted cheese for around $10.00 you need to go to Campanello's. Via Vite's signature dish is the lamb shank served on top of creamy white polenta. This is to die for! Ask your waiter and they can go into great detail about the lamb shank is roasted. The polenta is made with tons of butter and cream. Have your dining partner order a fresh pasta dish and share bites. Check out the happy hour times. You can't beat $4.00 glasses of house wine and $6.00 pizzas. The pizzas are the real deal and remind me of my trips to Italy.
(4)Juliane S.
Via Vite is not by any means a cheap place to get a meal but it does have exceptional food and for an occassional special night out this is the place. Wonderful view of the fountain on the second floor ads to the incredible ambiance of the place. The drinks are also delectable and with easy parking in the Fountain Sq garage this is a great place to head out a special night on the town.
(4)Fred C.
Enjoyed some wonderful food. The lamb shank was perfectly prepared and delicious. The meat balls we GREAT! The pizzas where wonderful as well. Great staff to take care of you too.
(4)Joel L.
I've eaten here twice and it's been good each time. The service was very good and the food tasted good too. I had the gnocchi and the ravioli, both were good. The location in Fountain Square is excellent. Overall, this restaurant is A-OK.
(3)Amanda C.
Great service! Server was prompt and friendly. Pizza was hot and delicious, the outside seating has great people watching views.
(5)Ploy K.
Via Vite was pretty stellar in my opinion. The atmosphere is classy but also not too stuffy, and the staff are friendly and helpful, as well as very knowledgable about their food. I went for dinner with my family before a show at the Aronoff last weekend, and we ordered a ton of food - pork belly, octopus, and scallops (appetizers); butternut squash ravioli with lobster, lamb shank, tuna, and the fluke special (entrees); tiramisu, dark chocolate creme brûlée, and bourbon soaked dates (dessert). The food was all excellent, including the bread that was brought before the appetizers. I do have one complaint, however, and that is about the tiramisu. It was more a heavy whipped cream custard dessert with a few lady fingers stuck in than the delicate layered Italian dessert. The lady fingers were more like hard cookies, which means they had not been soaked in either the mascarpone or espresso hardly at all, and about 85-90% of the cup was filled with the heavy cream mixture. If you're looking for traditional tiramisu, stay away from this. Though I will recommend the dark chocolate creme brûlée. This is definitely a place for nicer meals, though they may have happy hour specials that I am unaware of. I will definitely be back!
(4)Claire S.
Average food and drinks. Definitely not the best Italian in Cincinnati (Sotto, Nicola's).
(2)Michele G.
My daughter and I had been to Via Vite before but my other half had not. I have to be honest I had worked at a different Italian place and am partial. We walked in and the atmosphere is how I remembered (good). The music wasn't to loud and current. Our daughter ordered a cheese pizza that was not only delicious but the size of a medium pizza from a delivery place. She was so happy she knew that leftovers would be tomorrows lunch. I ordered the chicken stuffed with sausage. The chicken was good and moist. I am always afraid to order chicken becuase places tend to dry it out. My wife always gets the better dish and once again she did. She ordered the pork with a salsa verde. The salsa verde was reminiscent of a chimichurri. The manager sent over crispy gnocchi with a white cheese sauce and black truffles. When I go back I think that is what I would order it was so good. I love Italian wine and my wife is starting to get to know how good they are thanks to half price bottle night on Sunday. We got a killer Barolo for $35.00.The server was great. She was knowledgeable about the wine and pairings with food. My daughter loves to go out to eat and talk to the server and I have to thank the server for engaging with her. I will be back for sure and maybe I will forget about that other place I had worked at when I want real Italian.
(4)Megan H.
Love this restaurant! Great servers and delicious food!
(5)Nicole D.
I love this place! It's relaxing, classy, and awesome. After terrible service at another restaurant, I ended up here before heading to see a show. The chef came out and greeted people and asked if food was good, and if people were enjoying themselves. It was all together a fantastic dining experience. PS - I highly recommend the rigatoni.
(5)Ed P.
Two Saturday's ago was a rare date night for my wife and I. Since our son was born I think I can count on one hand the number of meals we have eaten without him. However now that he is less tolerable of sit down meals, this may become a more regular occurrence. Anyway, the destination for our dinner was Via Vite on Fountain Square downtown. I had seen the outside of this restaurant numerous times due to its very central location but had never ventured inside. We made reservations with OpenTable and arrived at our designated time, quickly being ushered to our reserved table in the relatively crowded dining area. It was crowded with nearly all tables being occupied, but it was also crowded in that the tables were very close to each other. The cramped dining area was therefore quite noisy. Service on the other hand was wonderful! Our drinks were never empty and the pace of the meal felt just right. The first item delivered to our table was some fresh bread along with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. Nothing out of the ordinary hear, but still a nice way to start the meal. For dinner I ordered the Handmade Spaghetti Chitarra with velvet pioppini mushroom ragout and Parmigiano Reggiano ($19). The spaghetti is handmade and cut in the restaurant and thicker than what you would typically make at home. The mushroom based sauce was outstanding! It was still full of a nice tomato flavor and a hint of spice as well. My wife had the Italian spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza ($13). The pizza was large and covered with sausage and onions. I was able to steal a piece from her and I have to admit that this was one of the better slices of pizza I've had in a long time. The mozzarella used was certainly fresh and really stood out to me. With such flavorful cheese and toppings, the sauce took a backseat, but that's not to say that it wasn't tasty on its own. I was very happy to have some of this leftover to take home with us. The food at Via Vite was excellent and the service was great. Twice Executive Chef Cristian Pietoso stopped by our table to chat and ask how everything tasted. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Bill E.
Came here a few weeks ago for Sunday brunch around 11 and there were just a few tables which was suprising to us. Our server was friendly and suggested the minestrone soup and so my mom was hooked for her first course. Via Vite does a two course brunch menu for fifteen dollars each and it is a great value. I ordered a bloody mary and for my first course the fruit salad which a few days before Polly Campbell the food critic said it was the best she has ever had with fresh mint and lime. It was good. My mom ordered the minestrone soup and she raved about it. My second course was the polenta with sausage and a fried egg and chives on top, it was great and one of the best things I have had at brunch as the egg's yolk added to the creaminess of the polenta. My mom ordered the quiche of the day which happened to be aspargus and really liked it. I highly suggest going to Via Vite for brunch.
(4)Regina G.
This is by far one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati!!! The bolognese Monday lunch special is a deal that can't be passed up! The menu is priced amazingly for the quality of the food. It's always busy, so make a reservation. My only complaint is that the service can be quite slow, so don't plan on a quick meal.
(5)Danielle S.
I came here for brunch, and much like the other reviews for brunch I ran into the same problem. There was A HUGE lack of variety on the menu. My husband and I ordered shrimp and grits and a soufflé. I was so disappointed by how small the portions were. My husband finished the shrimp and grits in literally four bites and thus ordered more bread to get his moneys worth. After brunch we went to the bar and tavern right behind it and had a second meal. What a waste of time and money this place was. Its also not as nice and fancy as I thought it was going to be. The tables were right on top of each other and were cheap. Techno music was playing... what a waste of a valentines day meal. I wont be going back.
(1)Anthony R.
Delicious. We had a large group and our server did fantastically well. Attentive and well timed service.
(5)Danae B.
one of my fav restaurants downtown, they always have something going on. Dinner, Happy Hour, Brunch...they do it all. Brunch is my fav. If you are vegan/vegetarian, be sure to ask the chefs to make something special whipped up for you. It is also on a great spot, very scenic. A great spot downtown, very central to everything.
(4)Emily L.
I visited Via Vite for dinner with my friend, and we were immediately greeted by the friendly hostess. The overall atmosphere is inviting and family friendly. If I ever get the chance to visit again, I'll order their tapas and shrimp. Overall, this downtown spot seems like a great spot for an intimate dinner with friends or a romantic date. I wasn't too impressed with my noodle entree, AND it came out much later than stated. Our waitress wasn't making our experience any better because she didn't seem to want to talk, and I felt bad for her, but I just didn't understand why she would tell us that our food was ready several times, but then come back to tell us that it wasn't. I'm not sure how a date would fare well here, but I think this restaurant has a lot of potential.
(2)Mitch D.
Very surprising experience at Via Vite. For some reason I had written this place off a bit, probably because of its potentially "touristy"/"chain" location. But the reality I experienced was great food, phenomenal service, and a really cool atmosphere that fits in the heart of the city. The service was actually a bit too attentive at times, but typically I'll take that over the alternative any day. one of the chefs as well as the dinner manager both stopped by our table, in addition to the many visits by our waitress. They could have cut that back by a third and the service would still have been great.
(4)Jena D.
This place has it all! Right on the square, great atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly service. If you have never been, try it for Happy Hour which lasts till seven. I love the wood fired pizzas which are half price...my favorite being the pizza Bianca with kalamata olives, artichokes, and goat cheese. Also a must try is the Scorpino: Prosecoo, grapefruit vodka, and grapefruit sorbet.
(5)Monica D.
I brought my family to Via Vite tonight for dinner while they were in town because I wanted them to see downtown and still get a solid meal. First, the ambiance is awesome with a killer view of fountain square. We sat in the main dining room which is decorated with modern and classic lighting and seating. Onto the food. We ordered the veal and ricotta meatballs and the bruschetta of the day (which happened to be tuna). Both were yummy but not outstanding. The crostini bread and oil with balsamic would have probably been just fine to hold us over. We did order a bottle of Pinot noir that was awesome. The entrees we ordered were the rigatoni, pasta Bolognese, butternut squash ravioli, and four cheese gnocchi. All were very flavorful and wonderfully seasoned. I must say though hands down the ravioli was incredible. Served with a sage butter sauce and lobster tail it was a total knockout. The serving sizes were fairly large, enough to share tastes between my family. One final note that gained itself a star on it's own was that the head chef and owner of the restaurant (chef Cristian) was not only greeting tables and asking how the food was, but he was running food himself. This humble appreciation for his customers satisfaction was phenomenal to see. He was shaking hands and smiling the entire time. I love to see owners and chefs show this kind of passion. I will definitely be back to try their famous happy hour and pizza!
(4)Victor A.
There could not be a more centrally located restaurant in Cincinnati and in the boot a pretty good one as well. These folks have a number of house made pastas and a wide variety of Italian fare. I've had the braised veal shanks before and they are delicious. This night my daughter had Gnocchi grilled somehow so they were "crisped", and I had the pasta e fagioli. The Gnocchi were rich but portioned correctly so they were not over powering and the bean soup was hearty with house made sausage. I'd have added more tomato but that didn't stop me from eating every drop. The "Carmel Complexity" was a bit overwrought in my view but my daughter enjoyed it and we got out with dinner, a couple of glasses of a quite respectable Barbera, cognac and espresso for about $125. I thought it was a good deal. I've been here a number of times and I'll be back.
(3)Lianna N.
Swanky,nice staff, and very Italiano Modern! The second floor is relaxing and it's a great place to hang out during the summer time when it's warm.
(4)Suz M.
When I worked Downtown, I loved going to Nicola's for lunch. Not that I did it that often (Neither my waistline nor my wallet could afford frequent visits). Via Vite is Nicola's slightly less expensive sister. The menu is different than Nicola's, but the food is just as good. I like the convenience of Via Vite's location and ease of parking at the Fountain Square garage. Plus, the restaurant is open late, so it's good for after theater or other late night dining. I also absolutely love the interior design. I'd love to have my home look as sleek and modern as the decor of Via Vite. I don't remember what I got the first time I ate at Via Vite, I just remember it was SO good, I couldn't wait to go back. This last time I was with the BF and my parents, we all ordered something different. I got the grilled asparagus/beet/whipped goat cheese salad. It was very tasty. The saltiness of the goat cheese nicely complemented the sweetness of the beets. It was my favorite part of the meal. For my entrée, I got the gnocchi with vodka sauce. It was good, but I actually like the gnocchi with vodka sauce at Maggiano's WAY better. I probably wouldn't order it again. The BF ordered the braised lamb shank and said it was very good. It had a beautiful presentation, so I guess if it tasted as good as it looked, then it tasted pretty good. My dad got the bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. I'm guessing it was good, since he ate everything. My mom ordered a pizza, because she's cheap (even though she wasn't paying) and because she doesn't like a lot of non-basic food preparations. She got the bianca pizza and ordered it with mushrooms and olives instead of artichokes and olives. It came out with artichokes and mushrooms, no olives. So, it had to be sent back. The replacement pizza came out fairly quickly, but it looked super greasy. My mom said it was "OK," which means she didn't really like it. Not sure if it was the taste or the price. Overall, the service was very good and the food was tasty. I was completely stuffed, but when the server started talking about desert, I couldn't resist...nor could the BF. I got the vanilla bean risotto pudding (I love rice pudding) and the BF got strawberry gelato (it looked like sorbet). My dad ate the cookie that came with the gelato. I know the BF and I will be back, but I don't think my parents will, as it was a little pricey for them.
(4)Donna L.
This restaurant only affirmed in my mind that Cincinnati is a city full of rude, crabby people. Firstly, their happy hour specials, which are good, are only available at the bar. So, if you're seated a mere 25 feet from the bar as my friends and I were, you're basically screwed. Secondly, the food, while good, is about $4-$5 overpriced. I don't mind paying a lot for quality food but the $12 margherita pizza was only worth about $8. Yes, this is being somewhat parsimonious, but overpriced food pisses me off. Thirdly, our server was pretty much rude and stuck up to us the entire night after I went to the bar to get a happy hour special drink. Yes, I understand this takes away from her tip, however i had planned to leave her a tip to make up for this supposed trangression. I have also worked in the service industry before so I have little sympathy for rude and obnoxious service workers. Additionally, I have a hard time with restaurants that restrict their specials to certain areas of the restaurant, esp ones as small as this one. This was no nicer than many restaurants I've patronized in Columbus and yet the service and food were FAR below what I get there. Basically, if you want a good dining experience in Cincinnati, you have a 50-50 shot if getting crappy service and food, along with being surrounded by some of the biggest douchebag rednecks ever. On a side note, the bartender was very nice and I tipped her well. I usually never tip badly anywhere I go but I made an exception for the overinflated ego this restaurant and the majority of its staff clearly have. Columbus definitely has a much better and much more polite restaurant scene than Cincinnati.
(1)Karen B.
Been craving to visit this restaurant for so long and finally got to go for Valentine's Day weekend (thanks to my fantastic boyfriend). We had reservations and were seated within minutes. It was rather crowded (to be expected since it was a Saturday night, the weekend before Valentine's Day and is on Fountain Square) but was still a great, loungy atmosphere. The bar is right up front and packed and the tables felt kind of close together but we sat by the window, overlooking the square. The food was to die for. I had the Flounder which was on special and served with a leek-parmiagno fondue which I would have almost sold my boyfriend up the river for. It was so rich and flavorful, I could have just had a bowl of that. On top of the fondue and the melt in your mouth flounder were Pizelles (potato strings fried) ... um ... yum!? Yes. Yum. The bread was perfectly toasted and fluffy. The wine was perfection. The dessert? The chocolate mousse with chocolate chips and mascarpone cheese? OMG please go and try this asap. So decadent. The amount they serve is perfect for two people ... eating it on your own is possible but you might die. :) Aside from the server bringing us regular soda when we asked for DIET soda, TWICE, it was a great dinner. I can't wait to get back there and try more dishes. Although I may be tempted just to get the flounder again.
(4)Christian G.
I have dined at almost every restaurant on the City's top lists and this was my second time at Via Vite. The first time was just for appetizers and I was impressed overall with the food and the wine selection and we returned last night for dinner. I truly believe service makes or breaks a meal. Typical food can seems outstanding if the service is also top notch. Via Vite had typical food for what I would expect. I was not amazed or wow-ed but I was not disappointed. The Gnocchi was good (Nicola's is better) and the Bianca pizza was very well done. Neither though was anything that will remain memorable. I do firmly believe that had the service been better the meal would have been more special. For starters it was extremely cold inside on a winter evening, but we were greeted by a friendly hostess and promptly seated. No table cloths which would have been an added special touch for the price range. Our waitress took longer than expected to show up and then returned several minutes later to take drink orders. It took over ten minutes for the drinks to arrive from the bar on what I would call only a mildly busy night. During this period I had time to notice how caked in dust the window shades are which is disappointing. The waitress was overall very unfriendly and abrupt - nearly knocking into one of us on several occasions when she came barreling through without warning with the water pitcher. She seemed rushed every time she came to the table and it was a solid 25 minutes from seating to ordering entrees. The chef hurried by our table and told us to "have fun" which seemed odd. The waitress explained no specials, did not ask if it was our first time there and offered no advicee on drinks or food. A 5 star restaurant has top notch service and awesome food in its price point, a 4 star restaurant excels in either food or service and is just typical in the other. A 3 star place is just typical all around. Via Vite is very typical. Had the service been exceptional I would have given 4 stars. A $50 dinner should be better than average. For your money give Sotto a try instead - a true 5 star. UPDATE: Within just a short time from reviewing I received a call from the general manager. His prompt willingness to to address the service shortcomings is the type of service recovery that should be enacted in all establishments. I appreciate this and would take their willingness to reach out as a sign of the service level they typically provide. Thank you Via Vite.
(3)Sarah G.
We enjoyed a nice late night supper on the enclosed and upper terrace. Terrific waiter (he's a PhD in music ed, y'all) with excellent attentiveness to detail. My food recommendations: the pork belly and the asparagus beet salad. One of our colleagues had the lamb and raved about it--he wanted another. My husband has the meatballs and the octopus, the latter which he is still unsure he liked. The chef came out to our table at the end and was very gracious. Great for a small group (we had 8) and perfect for later evening. The crowd thins and you get excellent service.
(5)Lyndsey G.
In town for work and had a colleague recommend Via Vite. Wow. Glad we listened. The food was amazing, we had the grilled octopus, the veal, and the lamb shank. All were excellent. Our server Ashley did a great job with recommendations and wine pairing suggestions. The dessert was off the charts good. Get the creme brûlée for sure. All in all a great dinner in a nice little location!
(5)Lia V.
Final rating of this place. I like to come here. It's a good location. Great ambiance. The food is USUALLY good/great. I have had a few off meals that really changed my mind about this place at one point, but OVERALL it is really good food. The bartenders could use some work on being attentive and friendly. Servers are nice and on top of it. Their happy hours are great. VINO = fantastico. Prices = okay.
(4)Sam S.
Food was okay. Service was pretty terrible. We sat on the piazza to try to listen to the salsa music on the square. Our food took forever and they kept turning the music louder to try to drown out the music on the square. Rather than drown it out it gave me a headache. Gave it two stars because of the location. Rather than try to drown out what is happening in the square they should try to work with it a little more. Would not recommend and will not be back.
(2)Amanda T.
This restaurant is in fountain square in the middle of the square. It is a bit hidden and you have to go up a ramp to the entrance. It has a view of the square and a nice ambiance. It is a slightly upscale restaurant, but you can still go in jeans if you want. There is a wide range of menu options including pasta, pizza, and main entrees. The bruschetta appetizer was delicious, but only feeds two. The staff was very friendly and good at checking on the table often. The farfalle pasta was beautiful and tasted wonderful, and there was enough for a full meal the next day. I would go back!
(4)Kristan H.
Potentially 4.5 or 5 stars, but we'll need to go back a couple more times before I'm sure. The short version is that Via Vite has changed its menu since I last went (years ago) and it now features a lot of my fave items from Nicola's. Such as... - OMFG THE GNOCCHI. - And the bolognese (still). - And the boucheron salad. - And the muscato d'asti. Given that I can get all that, and for a wee bit less money than at Nicola's, I'm definitely inclined to go back more often. Especially since it's right in the heart of downtown, with a nice view of Fountain Square, making it a pleasant and convenient location for dinner before a game or a show.
(4)Unknown C.
Heading to the Aronoff center to see of all things Food Network star Alton Brown we decided to check out Via Vite. When we arrived we were promptly seated and began to peruse the menu. I ordered a half Artesian salad and the Vodka Rigatoni, the wife ordered the roasted pepper soup and the crispy gnocchi. The salad was ok as was the Rigatoni, the vodka sauce seemed a bit bitter. The soup had good flavor as did the gnocchi and sauce. Portions were a bit small, the more I ate the rigatoni the more I realized how mediocre it really was, and how much better (God forbid) Macaroni Grille's Pasta Vodka was. After dinner we ordered dessert, bread pudding and the Carmel Complexity as well as an espresso with a shot of Sambuca. Both desserts were very good, the Espresso Sambuca was excellent . But based on the meals themselves, I really can't rate it very high.
(2)Alyssa F.
I was hoping to come here to take advantage of happy hour before the music started on fountain square on a Friday night. Because I was expecting a larger group of friends (it was my birthday weekend), I made a reservation so that we could have a table guaranteed. Once we were seated, and while I was outside talking to some people, the waitress I guess came by and said that happy hour specials aren't valid inside, only in the bar or at the outside tables. Bummer! I am not sure how else we could've done it because all of the outside tables were full, but we decided that it was probably better to eat inside than try to find another place where we could all sit on a Friday night. - there were about 7 of us. But then, we didn't see the waitress for a while. Actually service was kind of a problem. When she came back to talk about the specials, my mom asked if we could order food then, and she said ok. My mom ordered an appetizer and a pizza, and then the waitress said "Great, I'll put that in for you," and walks away... Um, the other six of us hadn't ordered yet! After my mom's food came out (so a good 15 min?), the waitress came back to check on it and I asked if the rest of us could order. She seemed really put out the whole time that she was having to wait on us, I'm not sure if she was annoyed by a big group, but it was pretty awkward. The food itself wasn't anything special. I had the lasagna special, which the waitress really talked up and stated was $12-13 but was really $19 when the check came, that's kind of a big difference I think. I also tried the ricotta appetizer and the Divo pizza that had fig and prosciutto on it, and neither were very good. Overall, I think I'd come back if I could actually have the happy hour deals. $5 for a glass of wine, and I think half off on all the pizzas would make it a bargain. The service was really subpar, I was really surprised. Plus, and this just annoying, there was only one bathroom, so there was constantly a line of 3-4 women waiting.
(3)Chester L.
Continues to be one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. Food is outstanding, service is very attentive, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. About $50 for app, entree, drink, dessert. The Pizza is an absolute must -- but to be honest, I have been 6 times to keep trying different items, and the food always impresses. Tonight I had the Farfalle with Butternut Squash and Smoked Salmon and it blew me away. Sooooooo good. Dreaming of my next visit back already.
(5)Sharmaine H.
Worst Customer Service Ever; hostesses were unprofessional with major attitude; waitress was okay until she said "that's the amount of cheese u get" as my friend stares at 2 slices of mozzarella on her pizza; manager had to take over...
(1)Jessica S.
In one of the most visible locations in downtown Cincinnati, Via Vite is smack dab in Fountain Square. The prime location is, in my opinion, its best feature, but coming in a close second would be the food. I've had their penne pasta, a salad, and wine. Their bar is very nicely stocked but not over-the-top. The price is pretty decent and the view is great. A coworker of mine had her wedding reception (albeit a small one) at Via Vite and she said it was a great place to have an event. All-in-all if you want some good (not special, but just plain good) food in a great location, come to Via Vite.
(4)Charles S.
We drove over from Indianapolis to celebrate our anniversary. Excellent casual fine dining. Up-beat, open, friendly atmosphere. The restaurant was well staffed and the service was as good as it gets. The food was well prepared with fresh ingredients that were combined in a thoughtful, sophisticated manner. The bread had a good crust and "crumb" and a light, sweet "short fermentation" flavor. The bread was served with very nice olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We started off with the Bruschetta del Giorno of tomatoes, goat cheese and liver pate'. They were all very good. Second course was Yellow Pepper soup and a Fava Bean, Arugula and Prosciutto salad. The soup was creamy and just enough acidity to make the flavor of the yellow pepper really pop while not masking the earthiness of the pepper. The flavor combinations of the Fava Beans, Arugula and Prosciutto was incredible. The Fava Beans were particularly good. Third course was Handmade Crispy Gnocchi four cheese fondue and Italian truffle, Balsamic Glazed Swordfish natural jus and creamy polenta tomato white wine broth, mussels, shrimp, nduja sausage and grilled bread. The Gnocchi was very good. The "crispy gnocchi" made for a great mix of textures and the truffle flavor was just right. The Swordfish, mussels and shrimp were perfectly cooked and the sauce provided multiple layers of flavor over time with every taste. Spectacular! For sides we had White Corn Polenta with Parmigiano Reggiano and the Braised Fennel with fresh thyme and Parmigiano Reggiano. The Fennel was very good, fresh and the flavor was not over powering. The White Corn Polenta was the best Polenta I've ever had. Creamy, smooth and truly remarkable flavor. And then desert, tasty decaf Americano Coffee, Crème Brûlée of Valhrona dark chocolate and raspberry whipped cream and Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Italian Wild Amarene Cherries and a scoop of Fig Gelato. The Crème Brûlée was crispy on top and the body was rich and creamy with complex flavors of cream, chocolate and raspberry. The Panna Cotta had a solid consistency without being gelatinous and changed to creamy texture in the mouth. The vanilla was intense and provided a great background for the perfectly tart cherries. Not too sweet - just right. The Fig Gelato was a good compliment to the Panna Cotta. The Chef was kind enough to take time to come to our table and introduce himself. Via Vite doesn't have a Maître d to speak of but rather a Guest Relations host who was friendly and attentive without being over bearing. Our server was knowledgeable, extremely competent and genuinely friendly again with out being over bearing. There was a large staff both front and back of house and they all appeared to be moving/working with relaxed efficiency and deliberation. Staff also appeared to be enjoying themselves. All of this was happening with a full restaurant. One of the things I look for in a restaurant is to feel special. It's part of the dining and hospitality experience. Via Vite provided this type of experience and did it genuinely. Bottom line: We had a great time, excellent food and we will be back!
(5)Ashley K.
The bolognese is amazing! The lunch portion of the pick 2 is the perfect size - just enough pasta to be satisfied but not so much that you leave feeling stuffed. The pasta itself was perfectly Al dente with a wonderful bolognese sauce. I was a little disappointed by the field greens salad - the only thing that seemed to be added to the generic salad greens was a few chunks of cucumber.
(4)Pamela F.
Food well-prepared but not distinguished or particularly nuanced, service uninformed bordering on inept, ambiance more trattoria than fine dining for the price points. My husband and I began with chardonnay ($5 at the bar happy hour, but $10 at table service) the creamy ricotta, anchovy spread at $6 and the fig, prosciutto pizza at $16 and had the bechamel lasagna special -- quoted as $12-$13 by our server Rachel, who said she "didn't really know how much the specials cost, she couldn't remember, about $12-$13." Wrong, billed at $19. Fig/prosciutto pizza not crispy or light, but doughy and bit bland -- savory flavors of carmelized onion need to be foregrounded better and more distinctly seasoned. While the lasagna is rich and meaty, the bechamel was an incorrect consistency, more congealed which gave it a mushy floury texture. Disappointed. Try the patio seating for small plate prices and by the glass wine and drink specials.
(3)Mark T.
I run marathons regularly, and on the night before Cincinnati's big "Flying Pig Marathon" I needed to find an Italian restaurant to carbo-load up. I randomly picked this place so I didn't really have any expectations. Gimme a sh*tload of pasta, and get out of my way. I immediately liked the location of this place because it is right next to Fountain Square, which I am guessing is the one of the main outdoor attractions of the city. The night that I dined there the city was having an outdoor concert/market in the square, which was cool. Going into the actual restaurant, it looked pretty classy from the outside. You can feel the warm atmosphere in the interior as the hostess led you to your seat. I wish I ate outside in their outdoor patio because a) the weather was perfect for it and b) experiencing the concert in the square from the second floor outdoor patio sounded awesome. Oh well. I didn't want anything too heavy in preparation for the race tomorrow morning, so I settled on a light three course meal. Started of with the Cioppino- Italian seafood stew with tomato, fish, shellfish & garlic crostini. Great dish...seafood was well done, and the spice kicked the flavor up a notch. The Caesar house salad was pretty basic, however I don't expect too much from this. For the main course, I ended up getting a dinner special of Gnocchi with tomatoes. A very fine dish; just the right amount of vegetables, and the texture of the noodles was amazing. The server was great and the kitchen to table time for each dish was excellent. My only small concern was that this restaurant was bad at math! When I got my bill there were three amounts listed for tips: "A 15% tip on this bill is $6. A 20% tip on this bill is $7. A 25% tip on this bill is $8." I initially assumed that they were correct in their calculations so I started to write $7 as a tip. I then started to do the math in my head and figured out that that amount wasn't right. I would have short changed the server! I would have felt horrible if I did. I put the correct amount on the bill, thanked the server and left. Overall, it was a great experience for a first time visitor to the city. if I ever make a return trip next year to run the race, I wouldn't mind making this place a destination.
(3)Crystal V.
Came to celebrate a bride-to-be in classy and elegant style. The owner came out to greet and treat us and make us feel like the most incredible guests in the restaurant. Food was incredible and wine was delicious. Highly recommend Via Vita for any celebratory occasion!!
(5)Sam S.
So I had the chance to go on a date recently. My date was gorgeous, intelligent, well-spoken, funny...oh, wait. I'm supposed to be talking about the restaurant. Via Vite is quite fancy, I should say, and I felt slightly underdressed even for a moment until I realized the TV screen had sports on and a child was noisily eating bread nearby. My date and I were seated near a window quickly even though we had no reservation, and took a chance to look over the menu. Via Vite has a great selection of authentic and wonderful dishes, which my date and I pored over between staling flirty glances with each other. The wine list was prohibitively expensive but certainly was a good selection. My date and I settled on some veal meatballs which came with a flavorful sauce and some toasted bread. For our main, we split the Pasta e fagioli, which was like an Italian pot roast stew. Our server, without even asking, brought the entree out divided into two dishes so we could share without eating out of the same bowl. The only drawback I have to Via Vite was that it was rather cramped and some parts of the restaurant's atmosphere put me off, as though little pieces of it wanted to be a sports bar while the rest wanted to be an intimate dining experience. Via Vite was worth every cent, however, and I would certainly recommend them as a nice date place.
(4)Elyse H.
Love this place. Never has disappointed. Great service , food and atmosphere. Prices reasonable for quality. Portions at times small but entrees are a healthy portion.
(5)JS G.
Quite simply, one of the best restaurants in Cincinnati. The food and service are nothing short of outstanding. And, one of the best pizzas in the city!
(5)A H.
We walked into this restaurant cause it was lose to the big fountain in downtown Cincinnati. The service was good, and the ambience was nice. To start we had a Bianaca pizza and some wine, it was really good and crispy. I had Gnocchi and it was great. I probably won't ever be in Cincinnati again but if you ever do end up there try it out.
(3)Marzina R.
I stopped in for happy hour before I had to meet some friends downtown. Half priced drinks 3-7. Not sure of it is the bar only. Select smaller wine list featuring a lot of Italian wines obviously. Their super Tuscan is delicious! Great deal half off. Cheese plate was okay. 3 different cheeses and really hard crostini... Should be cut thinner so it doesn't break your teeth. The bartenders were very nice and did a great job. Attentive and helpful! Slightly chilly on a cold night in the bar as it is right in front of the door.
(4)Reggie R.
I'll have to say. I don't live in Cincy but I make it a point to eat at Via Vite. The staff and even the chef once make an effort to make my friends and I feel like the most important people in the room. My latest visit was Friday, March 6, 2015 and our server was busy. We were in no hurry, but she gave it her all and literally treated us like V.I.P.s. Just awesome. Will back back very soon. Just heard about their brunch from my roommate (again I live hour and half away).
(5)Deanna P.
My family and I landed here on a Saturday night after a wine tasting event at Fountain Square and were blown away. Even without a reservation, we were seated on the patio and immediately greeted by the server, who was helpful in accommodating my food allergies. The food came within a half hour, and everything was delicious. I ordered the pork belly with bacon and brussel sprouts, and it was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. We ended up having a family-style dinner with everyone swapping plates and reaching across the table to try everything. I picked up the check for the 5 of us and though it was very reasonable ($112 total for our dinners + 3 drinks). Will definitely go back here next time I'm in the area.
(5)Peter S.
Perfect casual HIGH END comfort food place for the corporate road warrior . And in walking distance from major hotels. Perfect after 8-6 global meeting :)
(4)Mary Z.
We are visiting the downtown area and with all the great reviews we decided to have dinner here. I must say I am so glad! We ordered a bottle of Italian red wine that I wasn't familiar with but thought how bad could it be? Well the bartender came to our table and asked if I had it before because no one really cares for it. Lol so I told her no but I didn't want a $50 bottle of wine. So she asked what type of wine we like and since we like the Argentine malbec wines, she suggested the Primitive del Salento for under $40. We were pleased!! Very smooth and fruity wine. We decided on the Gnocchi and the Braised lamb shank and 1/2. Size Caesar salads. Everything was delicious!! The Caesar was so fresh and light not like the traditional heavy creamy dressing. The gnocchi is fresh and the sauce is very creamy and garlicky. The lamb shank falls off the bone and the polenta is such a wonderful creamy complement! The service was great without being intrusive. Jennifer our server was so pleasant. We will definitely come back tee next time we visit Cincy
(5)Jenny F.
My husband and I had dinner here on one of the coldest days in February. The restaurant, which has three walls of floor to ceiling windows, was freezing. We asked to be moved from our table which sat right against the window and was very promptly given a table maybe six feet farther away. It didn't help much. When I took my phone from my purse it was ice cold. I started the meal with Asparagus soup which was good. My order of Scallops was not. There were four of them and they were stringy and tough, rather tasteless. My husbands Spicy Italian Pizza was not spicy but had a sweet taste. He thought it was from the sauce. We shared a Bread Pudding which was okay but not like any we had had before. It had a top layer of some kind of dough (not sure what it was) a very thick layer of dried fruit and raisins that we didn't like and a small amount of custard on the bottom. There was no sauce on top. At least it was hot. Nothing else was, not even my coffee. It was warm. The chef was making rounds to the tables and he did stop at ours and asked how things were. I just said my husband liked his pizza. He quickly walked away. The staff was very friendly. As we were paying our check we told the waitress about the scallops, but we didn't want any kind of discount. The manager apologized and brought us a gift card.
(1)Krystyna C.
Via Vite is amazing. The location is amazing. The food is authentic. So why are so many people giving them bad reviews?? My husband and I go here as a "special treat" to ourselves when we want to go to the ballet or a play downtown. I've never eaten a bad thing at this place and I know the food is authentic and fresh. Chef Christian Pietoso travels back to Italy a few times a year to learn new cooking techniques and recipes and bring them back to Cincinnati. We are lucky to have a place like this here, especially when you look at the alternatives, like Olive Garden and Pompillo's. The Italian recipes are true to Italy and are fantastically delicious. I try to get the lasagna when we go on Fridays and the gnocchi every other time. Chef Christian is a true artist with his food! If you come here and say that the menu doesn't appeal to you, it's obvious that Olive Garden is probably listed as your favorite Italian restaurant and that's probably where you should stick to going. Which is unfortunate because you are really missing out on the most authentic Italian around.
(5)Chandri V.
I heard about Via Vite from a few colleagues and given the rave reviews, we reserved ourselves a table to celebrate our wedding anniversary. In a nutshell, this turned out to be my most disappointing meal at these prices! My first beef (no pun intended) is that there were no vegetarian appetizers available! Really, come on!! How hard is it to serve a tomato bruschetta if the bruschetta of the day has tuna confit?! Anyway, apparently my being vegetarian was too much of a discomfort to the chef, and so they pointed me to "pizza that you can eat as an appetizer". Yes, sure because that's just how we class it up! I ordered the goat cheese, garlic confit, pizza and it tasted much like Socrates' Revenge from Dewey's. Ok, I will admit I am stretching the truth, but only just a little bit, I promise. Anyway, you get the idea. It was good but if it is only as good as Dewey's, couldn't you just eat it there and save the money? After the disappointing main course, I ordered tiramisu and that I will vouch for and declare to be the world'a BEST tiramisu, and the only reason for the 2 star review! Also, pretty poor service with a waitress who seemed determined to turn her face the other way while navigating the tables. She was too busy to be bothered with attending to us. We did see the very friendly chef a couple of times. All in all, my first and last visit to via vite!
(2)T N.
I'll make this shirt and simple. Pricey. Decent tasting food. Environment was definitely nice, wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I ordered the spicy Italian sausage pizza, which was roughly a medium sized pizza. Flavor was decent, the crust was chewy, sauce was fine, toppings seemed fresh, and was A-OK.
(4)Samara A.
Love love love Via Vite. I have never had anything that did not please my appetite here, whether it's lunch/happy hour/dinner...although the lunch specials are the best deal no doubt! Highly reco their soups, pasta Bolognese, and the arugula salad (Via Vite is the reason I started eating Arugula salads woot). Choco crème brulee is yummy too!
(5)Virginia B.
The brunch is just okay but the thing to get here is the grapefruit cocktail - it was simply amazing! The location is great as well.
(3)Katie B.
My parents and I went here for Easter Sunday brunch. The goat cheese and fig salad was delicious. I had a special smoked salmon bagel, my dad had a truffle and spinach frittata. We have been to Bologna in Italy and are always really picky when it comes to bolognese sauce, but the lasagna bolognese passed my (and my mom's) test! My dad is also an extremely picky foodie, and even he agreed it was very good. We even finished our meal off with some gelato -- reminded me of being back in Italy. The executive chef is the son of the executive chef at Nicola's in OTR. He (Christian) actually came around and greeted us, asked what we ordered, and checked back in to see if his bolognese "passed the test". He is from Florence, Italy, so no surprise his food reminded us of authentic Italian food. It was the first time we've ever had the executive chef greet us -- anywhere! Very cool. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Nicole D.
I went here for my birthday. Not the best italian food. The penne pasta dish I received tasted like Hamburger Helper. :( the bruschetta was heavy (almost to the point where it was soggy) with cold cheese and smothered heavily in hot onions and a little tomato. The waiter was surprised when I returned the dish... I've never had bruschetta like that. I was very disappointed. The service wasn't bad... Everyone was friendly. Just disappointing food.
(2)Monica C.
This is second weekend in a row that my husband and I have come here. Helped that the weather has been great so sitting at the piazza bar and enjoyed the mimosas and view of the people and fountain.
(5)Rebecca S.
Best scallops I've ever had!! Great food, wine and service. The chef came out and visited with us. His recommendations were delicious. The service and attention level they gave is rare and made our experience very special!
(5)Home Plate Gourmet B.
This place is good if you're looking for good Italian-inspired food that leaves you feeling full enough to go straight to bed. Great bolognese pasta, decent pizzas, and awesome Brussels sprouts. The wine is hit or miss, so stick to the Super Tuscans and ask for a reco from a waiter who knows their stuff.
(3)Sarah T.
I liked it. Good atmosphere in a great location downtown. I really liked both the crusty started bread and my braised lamb shank over polenta (but I am also partial to polenta). My friend got a pizza that was well made. I also liked the design, furniture, etc. I want to go back during the day when I can the surroundings.
(3)Nicole B.
Dined at the chef's table and watched a master in action. Truly an amazing experience. Every course was just divine. The staff trully worked as a well oiled machine. The service was impeccable. Must have the bood orange creme brulee! I have tried it as resturantes all over the country and this was truly TO DIE FOR!
(5)dale d.
The location is perfect, set right on Fountain Square, and it's a wonderful place to take a date for an evening out, or a couple friends for happy hour. I had the Farfalle with smoked salmon, asparagus and mascarpone and it was fantastic. The wine selection is very nice, as well. We sat outside and the noise level was low, although you certainly could see that the city was alive below, a rarity for Cincinnati in the evening. Two thumbs up.
(4)Brian F.
Not your standard Italian restaurant. The menu has as many meat dishes as it does pasta, and they suprisingly look good. I had the arugula salad and the bolognese, both of which were great. Server was attentive and friendly. A little bit pricey, but overall a good experience.
(4)Katherine R.
Solid Italian food, set against quintessential downtown Cincinnati scenery ... I was here in late December and loved the view of snow-covered Fountain Square, especially with the holiday lights and ice skaters. The menu offered a nice variety - several kinds of pizzas, lots of pasta options, at least six entree choices and a very good wine selection. I went with an encrusted pork tenderloin, which was perfectly prepared. Others at my table ordered lamb with polenta and pizza, and their meals tasted fabulous as well. Portions were all generous, which was welcomed after being at several nice restaurants lately whose dinner entrees seemed more like appetizers. Our waitress was very good - attentive but also personable. Would gladly return here anytime!
(4)Adrianna P.
Came across this restaurant on a tour through Cincinnati on our Anniversary. Loved the modern decor, service was great, and the food was excellent! I recommend the Lamb and the Chocolate Creme Brulee. Very great experience and definately going back.
(5)Valentine A.
We went there for brunch on a sunday, after an agitated night... And we all left pretty satisfied. The food and service were good. I would definitly recommend the fruit salad - healthy option for a hungover morning. A friend asked if he could build his own pizza - his wish was granted and the pizza looked amazing! The waiter made some relevant recommendations and we all had a good time. A friend ordered the pancake and was a little upset about having to pay an extra 1$ for the maple syrup - shouldn't it come with it? But other than that nice atmosphere, with a view on the fountain.
(4)