ViVA Bistro & Lounge
901 Hill Ave, Wyomissing, PA, 19610
ViVA Bistro & Lounge Menu
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Address :
901 Hill Ave
Wyomissing, PA, 19610 - Phone (610) 685-5299
- Website https://vivagoodlife.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 12
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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shaw g.
6 of us went to Viva last night with an expectation of Tapas and a relaxing evening; we experienced neither. Viva is enormous and not intimate even with the low lighting. The tile floors are a law suit ready to happen. We were promptly seated and drink orders taken quickly (good beer choices). The menu lacked any point of view with an mixture of burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, and meat prepared many ways. The Tapas turned out to be just smaller appetizers & entre portions not the expected Spanish small plates as the name would suggest. While the food was "good", the service was dreadful. 2 of our entres arrived after the other 4 of us were done, and only with a call to the Manager, and a visit to the kitchen by one of our guests, was the "special" delivered. While ultimately the meal was comped (and desert was offered on the house), even getting a correct check was a chore. So based on the atmosphere, food, and most importantly, the service (Manager included) pitiful, I'm being generous with a 1 star rating,.
(1)Tanya T.
The italian Buff sauce for the wings are the only excitement that VIVA has to offer. What do you expect for the only decent restaurant in WEST bubbleville. (lol) good prices for drinks versus the NYC prices I'm used to paying. $3.50 for a captain a coke WHOA. go for drinks & please avoid the over salted LOBSTER BISQUE
(2)Robert S.
Went here for drinks and apps with a friend on a Thursday evening. Sat in the lounge, which was pretty much empty. Lighting was a little bright for this type of restaurant/bar. Mini crab cakes were good. Supposedly closes at 9pm, but we and many patrons were there past 10pm until they started "winding down" the place for the night. Viva is probably one of the only places of its kind in the Reading area; a non-chain restaurant that isn't a dive. I'd go back the next time I'm in the area.
(4)Robert R.
I have been at Viva three times. Here is how I sum it up... GO to Viva to meet with friends and if you have a large group in the lounge area. Ample, warm, comfortable seating. I recommend you go on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 1/2 price beer and wine. Then, order some appetizers. I liked the crab dip. Now, what to avoid... My husband ordered a Tanqueray Gin and tonic cocktail, and had to return it because all he tasted was tonic. The next drink he got had "something" in it...but it certainly did not taste like any gin he had ever had, much less Tanqueray Gin. Avoid cocktails - stick to bottled wine and beer. We also order a flatbread pizza. This flatbread was the thickest We had ever seen; it was not flatbread, which is supposed to be very thin and "crackery" texture. Disappointing flavor, too. The food is poorly seasoned, has a weird taste, and is not well crafted. Yesterday we stopped at Viva for lunch on the way to the airport (which I really didn't want to go but my husband thought we'd try again. I did so with trepidation.). Again, a disappointing experience. My husband ordered the beef stew. It was a gray/brown color, and had a heap of mashed potatoes in the center of the bowl surrounded by MORE cut up potatoes, gray/brown overlooked peas, bagged baby carrots...and CANNED mushrooms. Do they freshly prepare ANY of the vegetables? Yech. The taste was off, too. Just bad tasting. The beef was tough. I had the crab dip again, which was good. Just another note when ordering a salad...The ingredients listed on the menu may not be what you get. My first experience at Viva was July '13, and I ordered a salad specifically because the menu listed it had candied walnuts and cranberries, with blue or Gorgonzola cheese. (I can't remember which cheese was listed.) What I do remember is, 1) there were no candied walnuts in the salad, 2) there were no cranberries, 3) there was a hard-to-find crumble of cheese, and 4) our server disappeared for 15' after serving us, finally returning to our table at that time to check if everything was okay...which it wasn't. Viva - go to meet friends and order the beer and wine. Find one or two food items on the menu you like and stick to ordering that. For me, it is the crab dip!
(2)Seth G.
When you order your drinks and you server asked if you would like to double the booze for a few more dollars, I knew I was going to have a good time. Our server was great, in that he was able to read us and knew we were there to have a good time. Had a grilled salmon sandwich, that was fresh and tasty.
(4)Kar N.
I came here with my company and a bunch of interns for dinner. We had a room to ourselves and the appetizers were indeed appetizing. I really liked the hummus and pits bread but avoided the cheese. For entree we had a rice dish with grilled chicken and beef (which was really good) with tomato soup. I thoroughly enjoyed eating here but the best part was the desert. They had the best cannoli I have ever had, plus the chocolate cake was really good.
(4)Brad W.
We went to Viva and the entire experience was great! We had the seafood mac and cheese and the crab cakes. Both were excellent and the portions were generous. I would also recommend Viva for any group celebration as it is very roomy with lots of large tables.
(4)Haboo Z.
I have never eaten here so I cannot comment on the food. The moscato wine is good and I enjoyed the entertainment when we were there on a Friday night. I think they need to dim the lights when it is after 9 p.m. We were there from 9:30-11 p.m. and it was very bright inside. It was not overly busy, but there are plenty of places to sit. My husband used to go there pretty often and he said it has changed a lot. He said it used to be more fun. Personally, I just think most people are boring now and don't like to go out or dance! I would go back for a drink and listen to music again. I would also be willing to try their food.
(3)John M.
Slow service. Ok food. The only saving grace is the thousands of promotions they have running.
(2)Christy N.
I don't know what all the complaints are about. This place is great!! I came in because I was staying at the Courtyard Marriott for business. We ate at the bar-- what a great big bar. Great place! Great decor! Great good! Great atmosphere! That's it. Don't read the negative reviews!
(4)Naomi S.
Good service. Nice atmosphere. Mediocre food. Bathroom is fragranced so heavily patrons carry the smell to the front of the restaurant.
(3)Rebecca H.
I was in town for a work trip and stopped here as it's right next to the hotel. Although it's locally owned it's very big and feels like a chain. The menu was big and the food was good, the bar service was lousy, but I imagine with a big group of friends it woul be fab. It was loud and happening for sure, even live music on a saturday night.
(3)Devonna H.
The only thing to say is "a WOW". This place has an amazing atmosphere, fantastic server (George-you are the best), and great food. We were in a hurry to make a concert and we were fed and on our way in plenty of time. If I am in the area again, I will definitely go and spend more time enjoying the whole experience.
(5)E A.
This is the second time I have been here, and I was pleasantly surprised this time around. We had soup, salads and the baked rainbow trout. The lobster bisque was unusual as it had corn in it. It was tasty, but the corn threw me off. Each of the salads was very good, fresh and nicely displayed. The flat bread pizza was very good, And the Rainbow trout which came with a side of vegetables and cous cous was filling and fresh. We arrived at 11 AM for a meeting of friends and by the time we left at 1:30 the place was filling up quite quickly for a Thursday afternoon. The service was good, the bread fresh. There are so many restaurant springing up in West Reading that I may not return here soon, but I will definitely consider eating here again.
(3)Scott B.
Meh.... I've been contemplating going here for my last three visits to the Reading area, as it is located right next to my hotel. I finally made it this week for happy hour and Im really just meh towards the place. To start, I was expecting the place to be a little more upscale, judging on the outside of the bldg. When I went in, I was reminded of pretty much any large fairly new Jersey diner. Excessively large, fake plants throughout and kind cheesey lighting. Not that this is really a bad thing, its just that it doesnt really go with the theme of a tapas lounge. I was there for happy hour & the drink specials were solid. $2 domestic drafts, $4.50 specialty cocktails, 1/2 off flatbread pizzas. And that sentence right there is what Viva does well.
(3)Devon D.
I've been to Viva twice now during two totally different times and have been nothing but impressed. The first time was over a month ago on a Saturday night. I was starving and although they were not serving the full menu, but the server quickly handed me a late-night menu. We did have a bit of a wait on our drinks, but I don't think it was her fault. However, I am a bartender myself and have worked in the industry for many years, so I am super picky. But I also do give some people the benefit of the doubt. Anyways, we had ordered the mini crab cakes and bacon wrapped shrimp and they were so good that we ordered another round of them along with another perfectly made dirty martini. I also stopped in today to treat myself to a late birthday lunch on my day off. I sat at the bar and the bartender (I didn't catch his name) was super sweet and very prompt. Once again, I had the bacon wrapped shrimp which were fantastic. I also had a small Caesar salad and a cup of the lobster bisque. Everything was great! Honestly, whether its lunch or a night out, check this place out!
(4)Ryan L.
Apparently, this is the place to go cougar hunting. Not my words, but that seems to be the demographic they aim for. Large bar with a ton of options for drinks. The dinners seem to be lacking. I understand the point of tapas, but putting four small items on a plate for the prices they charge seems steep in comparison. It's certainly ambitious for the area, which they should be commended for - but the space is just too darn large to be intimate, and too darn loud with the bar/music they insist on blaring.
(3)Greg P.
Viva is big. It has the kind of atmosphere that reminds you of a trendy hip restaurant... a happening place. And judging from the crowd on a Saturday night, I'd say that there are plenty of people who think so too. The wait for a table for two was about 30 minutes. The bar area was packed and the bartenders were pushing out drinks with vigor. The menu is big as well. They offer both small plates (tapas style) and full dinners. That's fine, but I prefer a restaurant to decide who they want to be. Too often, when an establishment tries to be all things at once, they excel at none. Which gets me to my only real complaint about Viva. While the food here is not bad, it never quite lives up to my expectations. I've not yet had a dish that made me really think that I wanted to come back and have it again. One thing I like is that they frequently have live music. If you come on a night when Dave Cullen is playing, it might be worth it just for that.
(3)Heather S.
Not being able to visit home very often, I look forward to catching up with girlfriends over brunch. Little did I realize that brunch in Berks County involves one of two things 1) a chain restaurant/diner or 2) brunch that lacks brunch food. I have been to Viva in the past; drinks with friends, lunch with grandma, dinner with the 'rents. When my friends suggested Viva to meet on a Sunday (because brunch doesn't exist on Saturdays in Berks), I was in blind agreement. If a brunch menu has 60+ menu choices, you know you're in the wrong place. Maybe I'm just super spoiled because of Philadelphia being such a pro-brunch city. Alright, I AM spoiled, because this is where the 2 stars come from. Although Viva isn't a chain like Olive Garden or IHOP, the extensive menu deters me. And out of all of the menu options, only a small box aptly titled "Brunch Combos" had brunch options. The french toast was dry, didn't appear cooked to order. Reminded me of diner-style breakfast items. The skillets our food was served in were overflowing, and although everything appeared appetizing, my eggs were a little undercooked for my taste. So with the food being put out, I opted for some booze. My mimosa tasted like a combination of frozen orange juice concentrate and Sprite. Our server was rarely at the table but the food runners or other waitstaff were always readily available. I know she was busy with some demanding tables of families, so no deduction on stars for that. My review is strictly brunch food based. If you offer a 'Sunday Brunch,' I would hope brunch would be delivered. Fish, Meatloaf, Pizza and a selection of 12+ side items don't quite seem like brunch to me.
(2)Emily F.
Love love love this place.. Amazing vibe for all ages.. Kid friendly, elderly friendly, night out friendly. Yummy foods, expansive menu, fresh drinks! Good for any occasion at any time of day... By far my favorite restaurant!
(5)Michael G.
I ate here last night and was quite disappointed. I had a 3-plate tapas and a bowl of french onion soup. The tapas I chose were calamari, "firecracker" shrimp, and pulled pork sliders. I had to send back the calamari and shrimp - they were no good (fishy taste, shrimp was over-cooked and chewy). To Viva's credit they did take them off my bill. The pulled pork sliders were pretty good as was the french onion soup - nothing to write home about but good. The restaurant was roomy and well decorated and seemed to be newly renovated. The wait staff were very helpful / attentive. I would try it again and try something new. One problem I think they have is their menu is too varied - they need to focus and be great at one style of cuisine.
(2)Amber G.
I've been here a couple times when I visited friends in the Reading area. Everything I've tried there has been great. Portions are big enough to have leftovers for the next day. The drinks are excellent as well. Last time I shared a colossal margarita (complete with glowing plastic ice cube) with 2 friends, it was well made and worth $18, it's huge! I really like the ambiance too. I wish they had a location down here in Virginia Beach!
(5)Barbara M.
We enjoyed our dinner. Food was fantastic. My husband & I are culinary grads, so tough to please. This food was pleasing, fresh, & affordable. Go to prove me wrong.
(4)Chris W.
Its an establishment where all the "cool" kids go(puke). The small plate menu is good idea but after splitting 3 of them between 2 of us we were both still hungry. Had a guy playing guitar at the bar. The wine and beer menu is decent but I don't have to go back.
(2)Sabrina F.
Girls Night! Yes we had fun because the early bird drink special on Friday night rocks. The Emerald Pear Martini was delicious. The crab dip is by far the best thing on the menu. I shared a choose 2 menu. The Sicilian Crunchy Chicken Salad was average. They used to have a far better version. The parmigiana mushrooms were alright. Would rather they have used caps and stuffed them with bread cubes and cheese as opposed to breading slices of portabella. The chocolate creme brulee was just okay. I would recommend for appetizers and drinks over dinner.
(3)Mike B.
Great spot for food, drinks atmosphere.. kid friendly but not oppressively kid crazy at all. They typically play good 4x4 upbeat house, at least on Fridays, and great decor and beer selection.
(5)Ann L.
I was not happy with my most recent experience. We went for Sunday brunch the service and food were average, nothing special. There was 2 kinds of music running simultaneously This place has always been good. I was very disappointed today.
(2)Chuck S.
Great value for the $. Very nice bar area & live entertainment was superb. Drinks in the bar & then the 4 course dinner for two. Shrimp appetizer was fab! I would stay away from meat loaf next time! Overall very good time and excellent value! Would recommend!
(4)Rachel N.
Theres so much Hype on this place and its just not all its cracked up to be. Service is eh, and food is sometimes cold and just nothing spectacular. It is nice looking inside and their salad is good.
(3)Frederick K.
1/11/12 - Dinner Enjoyed the restaurant and meal. Ordered the 9 oz fillet medium rare. Excellent. Atmosphere is open and contemporary - not my cup of tea, but okay. Service: excellent Food: very good to excellent Decor: contemporary Price: in line for quality - good value.
(4)Mick K.
This is my second time here because I am staying next door. This time I ordered the Tilapia sandwich and it was great this time.
(5)Margo K.
Stopped here last night after the restaurant we planned to go to was closed. What a nice surprise! The bread was warm and crusty and fresh. I had the French Chicken Pie with puff pastry top - very reminiscent of a shore favorite of mine and it was really delicious! My Husband was very happy with his French Onion Soup and Prime Rib. We will be back again!
(4)Alex C.
Our food was good, but cold.
(3)Mandy M.
This was the worst dining experience I have ever had and the first time I have felt compelled to write a review of a restaurant. The place was moderately busy, but not crazy. It started at the bar when Lee the bartender took his sweet time serving my fiance and I because he was busy flirting with two female patrons. When he finally gave me my glass of wine, the glass had crust on the outside. When we were seated with our party, the real fun began. The waitress took a half hour to even get our drink order. My fiance ordered a Sam Smith Chocolate Stout. The waitress returned another 20 minutes later with our drinks and brought the wrong beer for my fiance. He asked for the Sam Smith again, with a pint glass to pour it into. She returned 15 minutes later and told my fiance they do not have the beer and never had. He had a Sam Smith at the bar before we were seated. She finally found the Sam Smith but didn't give my fiance a glass. He had to go to the bar to get one because our waitress was nowhere to be found. The glass was crusty and sticky. Disgusting. For my dinner, I ordered a french onion soup, a caesar side salad, and the pecan encrusted chicken with brie from their light menu. Two other people in our party ordered the pecan encrusted chicken. After at least a half hour, a manager came to me and informed me that they RAN OUT of pecan encrusted chicken. They had enough for the two other dishes, but ran out for mine. For my trouble, she gave me a voucher for a free dessert and asked me to order a different dinner. They told another person at our table that they ran out of chicken parm. Somehow, they found more chicken parm. When our waters came out, not everyone got one because they ran out of glasses. How does a restaurant run out of so many things on a night when they are only moderately busy? Apparently they ran out of matches as well because a waiter interrupted our table and took one of our tealights to light a birthday cake. My replacement Woodfire chicken was so overcooked I could barely cut into it. The food was cold. I had one bite. The french onion soup was underwhelming, as was the salad. Drink orders, again, took so long that my fiance went to the bar to order me a glass of wine. I understand that this is a busy time of year for restaurants. I really do. But there was no excuse for the service we received. At the end of dinner, I took my "free dessert" ticket back to the manager and told her I wouldn't be needing it because I would not be eating here again.
(1)Carrie P.
The food was delicious and the service was excellent! I had the crab cake sandwich and the chopped salad, both of which were well proportioned in addition to being delicious. For the dessert, the chocolate creme brulee was phenomenal and hit the spot, even being served in 2 different sizes for those of us that like to eat smaller amounts of a lot of different things. We sat in the atrium area, which was a bit quieter than the main dining area, and was much brighter, making it a very pleasant dining experience. My only criticism is that the server was rude, but efficient and accurate nonetheless.
(4)R N.
The bad: Barely mediocre food, inexperienced staff, a guy playing guitar. The good: Broad menu, adjacent to a nice Courtyard, DFH 60min on tap, the guy on guitar wasn't playing too loud.
(3)Margo K.
It's nice to go to a restaurant that's locally owned and operated, it keeps the money in our community. Viva features French and Italian cuisine, as well as tapas, which are a Spanish tradition. I had their tapas on a separate visit; they weren't remarkable. In this review, I'll discuss my recent visit on a Tuesday around 5:30pm. Yes, Viva is huge and cavernous. The decor looks a little cheap, it should be more consistent with "Viva Good LIfe Bistro and Lounge." Our server pleasantly greeted us, but soon we had a bit of a problem ordering our beer. Viva has an okay tap list, with some rotating local favorites. That's fine. I asked for Grimbergen Double Ale because I have never had it, and my mom ordered a Blanche de Bruxelles Biere Blanche. The server left to get them, but returned with only water, and told us that those beers were actually bottled, not on tap (though they were clearly listed under "Drafts" on the menu). So I asked which Troegs was on tap, and she replied with some response about a Victory beer. I said, "No, the Troegs." She said, "I think it's the Java Head Lager." Java Head is not a lager. Java Head is a stout. My mom asked her to double check for us which Troegs it was, and she confirmed that it was "Java Head." I've had Java Head before, and it's one of my favorite Oatmeal Stouts. Our server returned with two amber-colored 16-oz (we weren't asked if we wanted the 12 or 16 oz size). Luckily mom and I both like ambers. I went to ask the bartender which Troegs they had on tap to find out what we were actually drinking. Troegs Hop Back was the answer. We never said anything to our server, because Troegs does no wrong. In short - The rest of the meal was good, my french onion soup was very tasty. We did the two four-course meals for $30, and it was A LOT of food! I brought most of my chicken marsala home, it was good, but the chicken was a little over done. And we both gave our desserts to other family members. So it was a good value. The food is not overly creative or fresh. As for the service - well, I found our server's lack of knowledge of the restaurant's beer selection to be inexcusable. I mean it's appalling to me that the manager expects diners to accept that. It's offensive even. All I *really* ask of Viva's management is that they educate their servers on their beer offerings. A server opens with the drink offering, it's important for them to give the diners a good feeling.
(2)Jason S.
I love the food here. Everything is very tasty and the atmosphere is nice and romantic (although it can be pretty dark). The only real negative is that it is very expensive.
(4)Amy H.
Perfect place to go with a group of friends for dinner! It was very warm, not like most places you sit there & freeze! Great food deals, but you do need to ask to see the special menus with the dinner for 2 deals (they will not bring it unless you ask). Serves was a little slow (the only down fall)! I will be going back again with a group of friends!!
(4)David D.
If you are looking for a menu offering a wide variety of bland, inoffensive but poorly cooked food, Viva is the place for you. It's sadly probably one of the better places in Reading to take a group of people who don't know anything about good food, which is most people. My theory is that anyone who knows how to cook either emigrates from Reading at a young age or has their talent beaten out of them, little by little: "This was too spicy! I could taste spice. I don't like that." or "My pasta wasn't cooked enough. I like it when it comes out all mushy." The alternative theory is that anyone who likes good food flees this place as soon as possible, leaving only the bad cooks and the bad eaters behind. We had three "tapas", the hummus, the baked potato wedges, and the crunchy sputino rolls. The hummus was totally flavorless, although the rosemary pita it came with was a high point. The potatoes are basic baked potatoes with cheddar, and a supposedly horseradish aioli. I couldn't taste horseradish, but my fiancee detected it. The sputino rolls were probably the weirdest thing I've eaten in a while. They were chunks of cold cream cheese wrapped in lukewarm fried coating. Both of us took a bite and immediately stopped chewing, not believing this was being sold in a restaurant. For the entrees, we got the eggplant parm and the primavera. (We're vegetarian.) The eggplant was a gloopy mess and the pasta it came with was boiled to death. The primavera was bad, oversalted pasta, sunflower seeds, some good vegetables and some canned ones, and gorgonzola, with the only spice being salt. The service was friendly but incompetent. They have no idea how to time each course. The tapas came out while we were still eating our salad, and even though the tapas were rushed one of them was still cold. Then we were only half-way through the tapas when the entrees came out. The hilarious thing was they have a $18 for $25 Yelp deal, and neither the server nor the manager had any clue what we were talking about when we showed it to them. Then the manager brought out a revised check with $7 off - she thought the deal meant that we got the difference between $25 and $18. We patiently explained the concept of a gift card and she apologized and produced the correct bill the second time. The decor is decent, a little Olive Garden, and has a few TVs over the bar but not enough to disturb lunch.
(2)Tanya L.
Very Large Menu. Prices are very good. Food is average. Service is good. This isn't a Spanish restaurant.Its very American style food.
(4)Susan L.
Food good consistent, stay away from the bar server with the long brown hair, very rude, bad service
(4)L B.
Soup and salad combo for 5.99 was good. The French onion soup was amazing- good size portion and very tasty and not too salty. One of the best non-homemade French onion soups I've had. The tomato & mozzarella caprese salad was alright but I wouldn't get it again, especially not with the $2 upcharge. Mozzarella wasn't that fresh and the tomatoes were mediocre winter tomatoes.
(4)Christine B.
Went here with David D, although I am the one who purchased the $18 for $25 Yelp certificate, which ended up confusing the staff. (See below). I would have just let his review, which we both composed, stand but I was checking my email and Yelp asked how I liked Viva. So, I will tell you to see his review but will also add that it would have taken very little to improve the dishes. Anyone with taste buds - not even a minimal knowledge of Middle Eastern cuisine - should know that hummus needs garlic and lemon juice. Anyone with taste buds should know that Gorgonzola is NOT the cheese to toss in with black olives, sunflower seeds, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus and broccoli in a primavera; let alone allowing those elements to be included with over-salted rotini. The aioli that came with the potatoes only need a BIT more horseradish to elevate the taste. The spaghetti that came with the eggplant parmesan should NOT have been served to anyone overcooked the way it was. The sputino rolls needed to be served crisp and hot - not cold and chewy. Timing is important in the service industry. No one wants to watch their food becoming gelatinous and cold before their very eyes. Better that it wither under a heat lamp!
(2)Kay P.
Excellent atmosphere, super service, wonderful menu choices. Locally owned and operated. Don't miss the crab asparagus soup. Tapa selections excellent.
(4)Tia T.
Horrible Horrible Horrible!!!!! Pasta is awful, sweet potato fries (which took 30 mins) were RAW! The hostess gave us a gift card for our trouble but we'll probably throw it away!
(1)John Z.
Well, Viva is open again. That's good news! And there's some stuff that's the same and some stuff that's different. The wine and beer list seems to have improved. There are some good choices! And the big new difference is there is a new room in the back (which I think used to be a conference room) that has been converted into a lounge. There is a bar there and much more comfortable lounge chairs than the old Viva had. And there are some huge screens with some trippy images. Overall it's a pretty cool room to hang out in. . However the menu really isn't vegan-friendly. The olive plate was not worth the $6.99 price tag. But there were a few side dishes that were OK. I wonder why they don't throw something simple like a vegan burger. There were a dozen or so burgers/meat sandwiches but no veggie/vegan burger or a portabello mushroom sandwich. Why not? Even Third and Spruce and Canal Street have them. So with the sparse choices for vegans I have to say this is a great place to have a drink in, but a not so good place to eat. Except for the lounge in the back the rest of Viva looks about the same as it did before it re-opened. However there are the same new comfortable chairs near the windows and fireplace. So that is a good place to relax. And where else can you get wireless and have a glass of wine or beer? I'm glad this restaurant re-opened and Reading really needs this place -- especially as a good place to go to for a drink and some bar food later at night. I just wish their food options were a little more upscale and more vegetarian/vegan friendly. They also seem to be still getting their act together with the service. Because it was slow and disorganized. I don't blame the servers. They were working hard. There seems to be some managerial disorganization and they seem to be understaffed. But it just re-opened. So maybe they're still working some things out.
(3)Jerry V.
It's hard to beat this very friendly, large, locally-owned restaurant. My dining companion and I had an Entertainment Book coupon for tapas, so we ordered 5. May sound like a lot for lunch (and, frankly, four would have been sufficient) but at 5 you get a special price. The hostess, seater, and waiter were all very friendly and helpful. We were a bit early for lunch so the as we waited for your food, the lunch crowd trickled in. At least two tables who arrived after us were served before us and I believe the waiter even noticed when he stopped by to say our food would be out in 4 or 5 minutes (which became more like 8 or 9). But, we were in no hurry and the food was excellent! I'd probably pass on the stuffed potato wedges next time but the crab cakes were particularly good.
(4)Tim H.
The food is OK and the service is horrible. The service hasn't changed from before the remodel. The bar is fun and the new lounge is great. Eat somewhere else then go there for drinks. Great place to go for drinks, and appetizers... No so much for meals...
(2)Deborah H.
Okay, I know I shouldn't hold restaurants in READING to the same expectations as other cities, but, come on. Even my township in randomville NJ has some pretty bomb-ass restos. Viva was NOT good. Service was, um, regional (*sniff*), the menu was upper-class diner fare (NOT "European-Mediterranean"), and the ambiance was just awkward. I did like the garden salad that came with my entree, the whipped vanilla butter, and the carrot cake, but everything else was just obscenely bad. If this is the best Reading has to offer, I'd strongly recommend a chain restaurant over Viva.
(2)Julie K.
Hmmmm...despite others reactions on this place, my boyfriend and I rather enjoyed it. We came here back in February... I got some sort of glazed mahi-mahi that was perfect, the grilled asparagus was tender, and my mashed sweet potatoes melted in my mouth. My boyfriend isn't a huge fan of seafood, yet he enjoyed his immensely. The mashed potatoes weren't that good, though. The dinner came with bread that was very yummy too. The drink I got before my meal was heavenly...blueberry lemonade--but alcoholic. It had fresh blueberries and I don't know what else. But I loved every sip of it... The restaurant itself was rather large, and got very crowded not long after we arrived (which was around 4:30--we were going to a show). I liked the atmosphere of the place...just very open without gaudy nicknacks everywhere...
(4)Erin P.
stopped in for lunch while i was in the area. the restaurant is huge, so i can't imagine having to wait for a table. my eyes were too big for my stomach so i ended up ordering a lot of food. the menu was huge and a little overwhelming. i somehow managed. for starters, i had a cup of the lobster bisque. i'll admit i'm only recently coming around to bisque. it was pretty tasty. the appetizer trio was meh. (mini crabcakes, bacon-wrapped shrimp w/ bbq, and bruschetta). i got the buffalo chicken sandwich. it came with gorgonzola and alfredo sauce. the combination sounded gross so i nixed the alfredo. the sandwich was just okay. i wish there was lettuce and tomato on it though. chicken, hot sauce, and a skimpy sprinkling of gorgonzola doesn't really make for an awesome sandwich. all in all: meh.
(2)David R.
We have eaten at Viva quite a number of times since it opened, although not recently so I cannot comment on any significant menu changes or possible backsliding. It's basically a big noisy family oriented place without a lot of charm, almost on an industrial scale, like Applebee's on the much bigger. However we have had some very enjoyable meals at Viva. If you really want to impress a date with your sophistication, this is not the place. If you want to go out with a bunch of friends and have fun, make noise, drink, watch TV and enjoy decent food, Viva is fine.
(2)Michael B.
I was surprised. I had been here a couple of years ago and loved the food. Now, however, it seems as if they replaced their slightly interesting cuisine for food which wouldn't pass at a mediocre chain restaurant. My seafood Mac n cheese ($20, bad but a huge portion) was simply disgusting. It tasted bland, the cheese was flavorless and the seafood instead of acting as a nice, flavorful highlight oozed into the dish- making it watery and oily (in conjunction with their version of "cheese"). The crumbs on top only added insult to injury- making a bland dish even more generic. The tomatoes couldn't rescue the dish. I had several bites then gave up. I love a well done Mac n cheese but this was the worst I've ever had. My friend got the chicken pot pie- we should have gone to a big chain store's frozen food aisle instead to get better taste. Not good. The lobster bisque had no pieces of lobster in it. It was bland and flavorless. At least the place has wonderful decor and attentive service. The drinks are watered down a lot. There is a $10 charge per person at 10pm for "entertainment" that a Viva representative explains how it works in a follow-up comment to this post... Management and the kitchen need some serious help with this place. They should throw out the menu and start over with a chef who knows what they're doing. I think they're desperate to make money and don't really care about quality. Very close to a one star- but it is a nice looking place with a nice atmosphere? I'd avoid it and won't ever be coming back until they turn this ship around.
(2)M C.
I dined here since it was a really way walk from the hotel. First thing that hit me was the strange smell. It wasn't the smell of food and I can't describe the smell other than strange. The space is rather large so it seemed empty when I dined here on a Tuesday night. I decided to order from the tapas menu: mini crab cakes, mini-sirloin sliders and a side Caesars salad. They were all very mediocre. The crb cakes were really soft me mushy with very little flavor. The mini-sliders should have been called micro sliders. I will admit the meat rates good but the rest of it was, meh. The Caesar salad salad was cold straight from the fridge so it was nice and cold, with too much dressing poured on top, instead of it being tossed. On the plus side; the Guinness was good. My bill came out to $25, which would have bought a pretty decent dinner anywhere else, but here. You'll be better off going to McDonald's across the street.
(2)M D.
We enjoyed Valentine's dinner and had the most wonderful food and atmosphere. Only gripe I have is the server who delivered our entrée'. Our table had not been cleared of our appetizer dishes or empty glasses. We looked at each other trying to figure out where we were supposed to put two more dishes on the small table. The server said in a snarky way "look, I am just the messenger". Very friendly folks except for the one server who really needs to rethink her interaction with patrons.
(3)Joe C.
This place has a great atmosphere, fun vibe, and excellent food. Their takeout system on their website is also very easy to use.
(4)Jessica P.
Viva is always our place to go when we get a night out (which isn't often) but the last 2 times we went, there left a lot to be desired. They changed the menu, which is ok, but they took my favorite thing (Parmesan crusted chicken) off the menu and scaled back their tapas. The food is still OK but it's def not to the level it used to be. We would still go back but it's not our #1 any longer. The last 2 times we were in I had the Herb encrusted chicken and Seafood Mac and cheese. Neither were very good. My husband had the new Spinach salad and said it was good. I'll try that the next time if we go
(4)Marc K.
We don't go to to Viva often, but my wife and I do enjoy it on occasion... We really enjoy their chopped salad and typically get their pasta dishes, such as Penne Bravo a la Vodka or Chicken & Broccoli Fettucine Alfredo. We've been there for brunch too, that's always nice even if service seems to be slower... The free croissants served with brunch are quite delicious.
(4)Brian A.
Nice spot. Both times I've been here they had a live guitarist performing. I had the herb chicken and started with the tomato bisque. Staff was friendly and wasn't too long of a wait for food. Was less impressed with desert menu, but not a big deal.
(4)Alexandriagirl V.
Ordered a burger, tiramisu and sparkling water from the courtyard next door. They delivered a burger without ketchup despite what the menu says, no fork to eat the tiramisu with, and still water instead of sparkling. When I called to let them know there was an issue, the girl asked me "what do you want us to do?" Really? How about your job, done right?
(1)Becky D.
The food is decent for this area. However, they rarely switch up their menu, which is a bit of a downer. They do have live music, which is good for the most part. Whoever, their service is unimpressive and keeps getting worse. It's not so much the table service, but the bar service could be 10x better. There's been multiple times I've gone to the bar and waited at least 10 minutes to be waited on.
(3)Crystal B.
Average last time we ate dinner there. Fish dish is average. The drinks are good and great atmosphere. Call ahead for larger groups. Very accommodating.
(3)Brian H.
The food never disappoints, and they have some of the friendliest and most talented staff in the area. Always a great experience.
(5)Meg A.
This place has a beautiful bar with a great drink menu! It's a lovely place to go for happy hour for some cocktails and delicious appetizers! They also offer a large dinner menu with some good items on it too. It's also located next to the Marriott which is convenient for out of town guests. I have been to many private parties here as well, and the food and service was outstanding. It's a great place to have a birthday party, business dinner, or even rehearsal dinner.
(5)Dustin C.
My g/f and I lived in Wyomissing 3 years ago. I would always meet her on Friday nights for a drink and their appetizers, which were amazing. We are in the area again and wanted to go back to reminisce and have a few drinks and apps. We noticed the clientele was a bit different from what we remembered. First glance at the menu and it seems like it has changed a bit. I could not find the bacon wrapped bbq shrimp. I asked the waitress and she said there has been some changes with the food. My g/f ordered a mudslide which used to be with real coffee beans. This time around, no coffee beans. I ordered the bruschetta, which came out not toasted, no basil, no spices and completely lifeless. I told my waitress that it was terrible and refused to pay for it. I have to agree with some of the prior postings about Viva. It has gone down hill. For the fella that was playing acoustics, please practice before you book a show. Its obvious as to why there is free entertainment. As we were finishing up, a family came in with 3 boys under the ages of 10 with yo-yo's and toy cars on a Saturday night at 6:30 in the bar area at the high tables where the guy pulled two circular tables together. Why management let him do this is beyond me?!?!?! I would honestly compare this establishment to an Applebee's. Even my waitress stated that she hears frequent complaints about the change. Bottom line, don't make the same mistake I did. There are plenty of good places to eat in West Reading.
(1)Elizabeth S.
I hadn't been here in a few years, but my sister and brother in law were visiting from out of town and we were planning Sunday brunch. After looking at several menus for area restaurants online, we settled on Viva because of the variety of food offered on the brunch menu. We got here around 10:45am and the place was surprisingly empty. We were seated promptly but after that the service slowed way down. It took about 30 minutes to even receive our drinks. We weren't concerned because we were not in a rush and were enjoying each other's company, but this may be a problem for some. The food was phenomenal. I got eggs benedict with a side of Viva spring salad (so delicious). The roasted potatoes that accompanied had a great flavor. My sister got a Spanish omelet which she raved about, and my daughter the wood fired chicken which she said was great. All in all we had a great experience and I will definitely be back again.
(4)Kimba Z.
They ditched all their specialty menus, which were just Stuff Taken Off menus (i.e. pizza was on there with instructions to take off the cheese and meat) but hey, it was something. But this is still one of the few places in Berks with actual lounge space, meaning a comfortable area in between the bar and restaurant tables.
(3)Elaine M.
I was visiting friends over the weekend and we stopped into Viva around 10 PM on Saturday night. We were only there for drinks, so I can't comment on the food. The restaurant is large and a lot of people were still eating dinner. I ordered a drink at the bar, while some of my other friends grabbed a cocktail table. The waitress came over to them and took their order. They tried to order two different martinis that they had at Viva not too long ago. The waitress told them they didn't have them on the menu anymore. They asked "well can't the bartender make it anyway?" The waitress shot them down. The martinis in question sounded pretty simple to me (ex-bartender) so I would be really surprised if they didn't have the liquor behind the bar to make them (or a close rendition to one). I don't think the waitress was well educated or this place is very particular about their specialty drinks. My friends settled on vodka/clubs, that took 15+ minutes to show up. In addition to the poor service, there was a strange little man playing an acoustic guitar and singing his own renditions of top 40's and oldies. It was odd. We left after everyone finished their drink. My friends told me that it isn't usually that bad.
(2)Liz P.
I had the pleasure of eating at Viva a few Friday's ago with my friend and wanted to comment on my great experience. I've read some reviews on Yelp about Viva and felt they were not legit but more vindictive in nature and wanted to give a more accurate description. We started at the bar till our table was ready, wow what a creative drink menu! We ended up giving our pager back and eating at the bar because of the hospitality shown to us by the bar staff. The two guys waiting on us made us laugh and had an awesome sense of humor.(One was the manager I believe.) We opted for a bunch of apps, including the tuna special, instead of entrees. Although they took a little long to get to us,they were totally worth the wait! My friend and I will be back the next time we are in town and will recommend Viva to everyone in the Lancaster Area! Thanks again for your smiles, great food and lovely atmosphere!!
(4)E A.
This is the second time I have been here, and I was pleasantly surprised this time around. We had soup, salads and the baked rainbow trout. The lobster bisque was unusual as it had corn in it. It was tasty, but the corn threw me off. Each of the salads was very good, fresh and nicely displayed. The flat bread pizza was very good, And the Rainbow trout which came with a side of vegetables and cous cous was filling and fresh. We arrived at 11 AM for a meeting of friends and by the time we left at 1:30 the place was filling up quite quickly for a Thursday afternoon. The service was good, the bread fresh. There are so many restaurant springing up in West Reading that I may not return here soon, but I will definitely consider eating here again.
(3)Scott B.
Meh.... I've been contemplating going here for my last three visits to the Reading area, as it is located right next to my hotel. I finally made it this week for happy hour and Im really just meh towards the place. To start, I was expecting the place to be a little more upscale, judging on the outside of the bldg. When I went in, I was reminded of pretty much any large fairly new Jersey diner. Excessively large, fake plants throughout and kind cheesey lighting. Not that this is really a bad thing, its just that it doesnt really go with the theme of a tapas lounge. I was there for happy hour & the drink specials were solid. $2 domestic drafts, $4.50 specialty cocktails, 1/2 off flatbread pizzas. And that sentence right there is what Viva does well.
(3)Devon D.
I've been to Viva twice now during two totally different times and have been nothing but impressed. The first time was over a month ago on a Saturday night. I was starving and although they were not serving the full menu, but the server quickly handed me a late-night menu. We did have a bit of a wait on our drinks, but I don't think it was her fault. However, I am a bartender myself and have worked in the industry for many years, so I am super picky. But I also do give some people the benefit of the doubt. Anyways, we had ordered the mini crab cakes and bacon wrapped shrimp and they were so good that we ordered another round of them along with another perfectly made dirty martini. I also stopped in today to treat myself to a late birthday lunch on my day off. I sat at the bar and the bartender (I didn't catch his name) was super sweet and very prompt. Once again, I had the bacon wrapped shrimp which were fantastic. I also had a small Caesar salad and a cup of the lobster bisque. Everything was great! Honestly, whether its lunch or a night out, check this place out!
(4)Ryan L.
Apparently, this is the place to go cougar hunting. Not my words, but that seems to be the demographic they aim for. Large bar with a ton of options for drinks. The dinners seem to be lacking. I understand the point of tapas, but putting four small items on a plate for the prices they charge seems steep in comparison. It's certainly ambitious for the area, which they should be commended for - but the space is just too darn large to be intimate, and too darn loud with the bar/music they insist on blaring.
(3)Kar N.
I came here with my company and a bunch of interns for dinner. We had a room to ourselves and the appetizers were indeed appetizing. I really liked the hummus and pits bread but avoided the cheese. For entree we had a rice dish with grilled chicken and beef (which was really good) with tomato soup. I thoroughly enjoyed eating here but the best part was the desert. They had the best cannoli I have ever had, plus the chocolate cake was really good.
(4)Brad W.
We went to Viva and the entire experience was great! We had the seafood mac and cheese and the crab cakes. Both were excellent and the portions were generous. I would also recommend Viva for any group celebration as it is very roomy with lots of large tables.
(4)Rachel N.
Theres so much Hype on this place and its just not all its cracked up to be. Service is eh, and food is sometimes cold and just nothing spectacular. It is nice looking inside and their salad is good.
(3)Frederick K.
1/11/12 - Dinner Enjoyed the restaurant and meal. Ordered the 9 oz fillet medium rare. Excellent. Atmosphere is open and contemporary - not my cup of tea, but okay. Service: excellent Food: very good to excellent Decor: contemporary Price: in line for quality - good value.
(4)Mick K.
This is my second time here because I am staying next door. This time I ordered the Tilapia sandwich and it was great this time.
(5)Margo K.
Stopped here last night after the restaurant we planned to go to was closed. What a nice surprise! The bread was warm and crusty and fresh. I had the French Chicken Pie with puff pastry top - very reminiscent of a shore favorite of mine and it was really delicious! My Husband was very happy with his French Onion Soup and Prime Rib. We will be back again!
(4)Susan H.
Normally, when we're in West Reading/Wyomissing we head over to Delish for a Cuban sandwich, come dinner time. However, we were here on Christmas Eve. Businesses along Penn Avenue tend to close early---many even close around sundown. On Christmas eve, many didn't even open and those that did closed way before sundown---I'm talking around 3 p.m.! So...where to eat that was close by? While in the hotel lobby, we heard a group of people talking and say that Viva was closing at 7 p.m. Since it's practically next door to the hotel and it was starting to snow...well...it wasn't a difficult decision when it came to where to have dinner. We got there around 5 p.m. and had a bit of a wait for a table. It seems that there might have been an event there as we saw a band packing up and leaving, along with many customers. So, it took a bit of time to clear off the tables. Our server came to our table within a few minutes to take our drink orders. I was going to go for an iced tea until I saw the holiday specialty drink menu. So, I opted for an "Irish mint cookie", which consisted of kahlua, Bailey's Irish cream and creme de menthe. This was a tasty drink with kahlua mainly predominating. I suspect that it wasn't very well blended because toward the bottom, the creme de menthe flavoring showed up. My husband had a Stella Artois. Viva's menu is huge which can make coming to a decision somewhat difficult. They have a tapas menu as well as burgers, pizza, Italian entrees, soups, salads, appetizers, meat, chicken and fish main courses. Each main course comes with your choice of soup or salad. We each chose a cup of French onion au gratin soup. This soup has gruyere cheese on it which was surprisingly strongly flavored. It was a decent, if not memorable, soup. We were also given "Fresh baked French bread" which had some garlic butter on top. The bread was indeed fresh and the garlic flavoring came through. I chose Simply grilled fish. You get a choice of tilapia, cod or salmon. My choice was tilapia. "Simply grilled" fish has "lemon, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil" in it. It also comes with a side of sauteed Mediterranean vegetables. I think that the kitchen was confused as there is a similar fish dish on the menu which comes with a side of pineapple mango salsa. They must have thought I ordered that because I got it along with my meal. The fish was properly cooked and was moist. I could taste the lemon flavoring but not the garlic and "fresh herbs". The sauteed vegetables were very tasty. My husband had "Meat loaf Wellington with Marsala mushroom sauce and garlic mashed potatoes". As its name suggests, the meatloaf was encased in crusty bread. My husband found the meat to be on the dry side even thought it appeared to have been prepared medium-well. We suspect that a low fat ground beef was used. He thought his dish was decent and very filling. Dinner cost $41 + change before the tip. Service was friendly if a bit uneven. The manager brought out our main courses and apologized because it wasn't our server who was bringing us our food. We felt that an apology was unnecessary as the food arrived still hot. Would we go again? Sure, it's a good back-up plan if we can't have our Cuban sandwiches---or if the weather isn't cooperating.
(3)Linh N.
I had the side salad, chicken enchiladas and mini crab cakes. Everything was delicious. The crab cakes were reasonable with the price. Don't expect jumbo lumps of crab meat for this price! It's just wrong! I most definitely come back the next time I travel here.
(5)Maria R.
I was surprised because the restaurant looked very nice, but the food on the other hand needs a little improvement! I ordered steak, and it was hard and dry. Very disgusting! I hope it can be improved..
(1)Vanessa E.
My friends and I having been coming here for years to have drinks and watch Scott perform. The food has gone down hill for sure. But the bar service on Friday and Saturday evenings is dreadful. The bartenders and bar managers are rude and slow. They don't pay attention to the bar. Too busy screwing around. I'm in the hospitality industry and if they were my staff, they would be gone. They say cocky comments, lie about drinks. I even asked what the GM name was and the bartender rolled his eyes at me, laughed and said " I don't know who my GM is". He refused to tell me. Asked for the bar manager and he refused to come over. I refuse to give this bar anymore of my money until they get new staff.
(1)Jeff G.
Why I keep coming back I'm not really sure. Tonight's disappointment was the salmon. Sweet potato crusted was good but the fresh apples and cranberries with the odd yogurt sauce was not good. Just didn't fit. Couple that with one entree being over cooked and I can't honestly recommend that anyone come here. Gave 2 stars because they had dogfish 60 minute on tap.
(2)Haboo Z.
I have never eaten here so I cannot comment on the food. The moscato wine is good and I enjoyed the entertainment when we were there on a Friday night. I think they need to dim the lights when it is after 9 p.m. We were there from 9:30-11 p.m. and it was very bright inside. It was not overly busy, but there are plenty of places to sit. My husband used to go there pretty often and he said it has changed a lot. He said it used to be more fun. Personally, I just think most people are boring now and don't like to go out or dance! I would go back for a drink and listen to music again. I would also be willing to try their food.
(3)John M.
Slow service. Ok food. The only saving grace is the thousands of promotions they have running.
(2)Christy N.
I don't know what all the complaints are about. This place is great!! I came in because I was staying at the Courtyard Marriott for business. We ate at the bar-- what a great big bar. Great place! Great decor! Great good! Great atmosphere! That's it. Don't read the negative reviews!
(4)Naomi S.
Good service. Nice atmosphere. Mediocre food. Bathroom is fragranced so heavily patrons carry the smell to the front of the restaurant.
(3)Rebecca H.
I was in town for a work trip and stopped here as it's right next to the hotel. Although it's locally owned it's very big and feels like a chain. The menu was big and the food was good, the bar service was lousy, but I imagine with a big group of friends it woul be fab. It was loud and happening for sure, even live music on a saturday night.
(3)Devonna H.
The only thing to say is "a WOW". This place has an amazing atmosphere, fantastic server (George-you are the best), and great food. We were in a hurry to make a concert and we were fed and on our way in plenty of time. If I am in the area again, I will definitely go and spend more time enjoying the whole experience.
(5)Robert R.
I have been at Viva three times. Here is how I sum it up... GO to Viva to meet with friends and if you have a large group in the lounge area. Ample, warm, comfortable seating. I recommend you go on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 1/2 price beer and wine. Then, order some appetizers. I liked the crab dip. Now, what to avoid... My husband ordered a Tanqueray Gin and tonic cocktail, and had to return it because all he tasted was tonic. The next drink he got had "something" in it...but it certainly did not taste like any gin he had ever had, much less Tanqueray Gin. Avoid cocktails - stick to bottled wine and beer. We also order a flatbread pizza. This flatbread was the thickest We had ever seen; it was not flatbread, which is supposed to be very thin and "crackery" texture. Disappointing flavor, too. The food is poorly seasoned, has a weird taste, and is not well crafted. Yesterday we stopped at Viva for lunch on the way to the airport (which I really didn't want to go but my husband thought we'd try again. I did so with trepidation.). Again, a disappointing experience. My husband ordered the beef stew. It was a gray/brown color, and had a heap of mashed potatoes in the center of the bowl surrounded by MORE cut up potatoes, gray/brown overlooked peas, bagged baby carrots...and CANNED mushrooms. Do they freshly prepare ANY of the vegetables? Yech. The taste was off, too. Just bad tasting. The beef was tough. I had the crab dip again, which was good. Just another note when ordering a salad...The ingredients listed on the menu may not be what you get. My first experience at Viva was July '13, and I ordered a salad specifically because the menu listed it had candied walnuts and cranberries, with blue or Gorgonzola cheese. (I can't remember which cheese was listed.) What I do remember is, 1) there were no candied walnuts in the salad, 2) there were no cranberries, 3) there was a hard-to-find crumble of cheese, and 4) our server disappeared for 15' after serving us, finally returning to our table at that time to check if everything was okay...which it wasn't. Viva - go to meet friends and order the beer and wine. Find one or two food items on the menu you like and stick to ordering that. For me, it is the crab dip!
(2)Seth G.
When you order your drinks and you server asked if you would like to double the booze for a few more dollars, I knew I was going to have a good time. Our server was great, in that he was able to read us and knew we were there to have a good time. Had a grilled salmon sandwich, that was fresh and tasty.
(4)Greg P.
Viva is big. It has the kind of atmosphere that reminds you of a trendy hip restaurant... a happening place. And judging from the crowd on a Saturday night, I'd say that there are plenty of people who think so too. The wait for a table for two was about 30 minutes. The bar area was packed and the bartenders were pushing out drinks with vigor. The menu is big as well. They offer both small plates (tapas style) and full dinners. That's fine, but I prefer a restaurant to decide who they want to be. Too often, when an establishment tries to be all things at once, they excel at none. Which gets me to my only real complaint about Viva. While the food here is not bad, it never quite lives up to my expectations. I've not yet had a dish that made me really think that I wanted to come back and have it again. One thing I like is that they frequently have live music. If you come on a night when Dave Cullen is playing, it might be worth it just for that.
(3)Heather S.
Not being able to visit home very often, I look forward to catching up with girlfriends over brunch. Little did I realize that brunch in Berks County involves one of two things 1) a chain restaurant/diner or 2) brunch that lacks brunch food. I have been to Viva in the past; drinks with friends, lunch with grandma, dinner with the 'rents. When my friends suggested Viva to meet on a Sunday (because brunch doesn't exist on Saturdays in Berks), I was in blind agreement. If a brunch menu has 60+ menu choices, you know you're in the wrong place. Maybe I'm just super spoiled because of Philadelphia being such a pro-brunch city. Alright, I AM spoiled, because this is where the 2 stars come from. Although Viva isn't a chain like Olive Garden or IHOP, the extensive menu deters me. And out of all of the menu options, only a small box aptly titled "Brunch Combos" had brunch options. The french toast was dry, didn't appear cooked to order. Reminded me of diner-style breakfast items. The skillets our food was served in were overflowing, and although everything appeared appetizing, my eggs were a little undercooked for my taste. So with the food being put out, I opted for some booze. My mimosa tasted like a combination of frozen orange juice concentrate and Sprite. Our server was rarely at the table but the food runners or other waitstaff were always readily available. I know she was busy with some demanding tables of families, so no deduction on stars for that. My review is strictly brunch food based. If you offer a 'Sunday Brunch,' I would hope brunch would be delivered. Fish, Meatloaf, Pizza and a selection of 12+ side items don't quite seem like brunch to me.
(2)Emily F.
Love love love this place.. Amazing vibe for all ages.. Kid friendly, elderly friendly, night out friendly. Yummy foods, expansive menu, fresh drinks! Good for any occasion at any time of day... By far my favorite restaurant!
(5)Alex C.
Our food was good, but cold.
(3)Mandy M.
This was the worst dining experience I have ever had and the first time I have felt compelled to write a review of a restaurant. The place was moderately busy, but not crazy. It started at the bar when Lee the bartender took his sweet time serving my fiance and I because he was busy flirting with two female patrons. When he finally gave me my glass of wine, the glass had crust on the outside. When we were seated with our party, the real fun began. The waitress took a half hour to even get our drink order. My fiance ordered a Sam Smith Chocolate Stout. The waitress returned another 20 minutes later with our drinks and brought the wrong beer for my fiance. He asked for the Sam Smith again, with a pint glass to pour it into. She returned 15 minutes later and told my fiance they do not have the beer and never had. He had a Sam Smith at the bar before we were seated. She finally found the Sam Smith but didn't give my fiance a glass. He had to go to the bar to get one because our waitress was nowhere to be found. The glass was crusty and sticky. Disgusting. For my dinner, I ordered a french onion soup, a caesar side salad, and the pecan encrusted chicken with brie from their light menu. Two other people in our party ordered the pecan encrusted chicken. After at least a half hour, a manager came to me and informed me that they RAN OUT of pecan encrusted chicken. They had enough for the two other dishes, but ran out for mine. For my trouble, she gave me a voucher for a free dessert and asked me to order a different dinner. They told another person at our table that they ran out of chicken parm. Somehow, they found more chicken parm. When our waters came out, not everyone got one because they ran out of glasses. How does a restaurant run out of so many things on a night when they are only moderately busy? Apparently they ran out of matches as well because a waiter interrupted our table and took one of our tealights to light a birthday cake. My replacement Woodfire chicken was so overcooked I could barely cut into it. The food was cold. I had one bite. The french onion soup was underwhelming, as was the salad. Drink orders, again, took so long that my fiance went to the bar to order me a glass of wine. I understand that this is a busy time of year for restaurants. I really do. But there was no excuse for the service we received. At the end of dinner, I took my "free dessert" ticket back to the manager and told her I wouldn't be needing it because I would not be eating here again.
(1)Carrie P.
The food was delicious and the service was excellent! I had the crab cake sandwich and the chopped salad, both of which were well proportioned in addition to being delicious. For the dessert, the chocolate creme brulee was phenomenal and hit the spot, even being served in 2 different sizes for those of us that like to eat smaller amounts of a lot of different things. We sat in the atrium area, which was a bit quieter than the main dining area, and was much brighter, making it a very pleasant dining experience. My only criticism is that the server was rude, but efficient and accurate nonetheless.
(4)R N.
The bad: Barely mediocre food, inexperienced staff, a guy playing guitar. The good: Broad menu, adjacent to a nice Courtyard, DFH 60min on tap, the guy on guitar wasn't playing too loud.
(3)Margo K.
It's nice to go to a restaurant that's locally owned and operated, it keeps the money in our community. Viva features French and Italian cuisine, as well as tapas, which are a Spanish tradition. I had their tapas on a separate visit; they weren't remarkable. In this review, I'll discuss my recent visit on a Tuesday around 5:30pm. Yes, Viva is huge and cavernous. The decor looks a little cheap, it should be more consistent with "Viva Good LIfe Bistro and Lounge." Our server pleasantly greeted us, but soon we had a bit of a problem ordering our beer. Viva has an okay tap list, with some rotating local favorites. That's fine. I asked for Grimbergen Double Ale because I have never had it, and my mom ordered a Blanche de Bruxelles Biere Blanche. The server left to get them, but returned with only water, and told us that those beers were actually bottled, not on tap (though they were clearly listed under "Drafts" on the menu). So I asked which Troegs was on tap, and she replied with some response about a Victory beer. I said, "No, the Troegs." She said, "I think it's the Java Head Lager." Java Head is not a lager. Java Head is a stout. My mom asked her to double check for us which Troegs it was, and she confirmed that it was "Java Head." I've had Java Head before, and it's one of my favorite Oatmeal Stouts. Our server returned with two amber-colored 16-oz (we weren't asked if we wanted the 12 or 16 oz size). Luckily mom and I both like ambers. I went to ask the bartender which Troegs they had on tap to find out what we were actually drinking. Troegs Hop Back was the answer. We never said anything to our server, because Troegs does no wrong. In short - The rest of the meal was good, my french onion soup was very tasty. We did the two four-course meals for $30, and it was A LOT of food! I brought most of my chicken marsala home, it was good, but the chicken was a little over done. And we both gave our desserts to other family members. So it was a good value. The food is not overly creative or fresh. As for the service - well, I found our server's lack of knowledge of the restaurant's beer selection to be inexcusable. I mean it's appalling to me that the manager expects diners to accept that. It's offensive even. All I *really* ask of Viva's management is that they educate their servers on their beer offerings. A server opens with the drink offering, it's important for them to give the diners a good feeling.
(2)Jason S.
I love the food here. Everything is very tasty and the atmosphere is nice and romantic (although it can be pretty dark). The only real negative is that it is very expensive.
(4)Amy H.
Perfect place to go with a group of friends for dinner! It was very warm, not like most places you sit there & freeze! Great food deals, but you do need to ask to see the special menus with the dinner for 2 deals (they will not bring it unless you ask). Serves was a little slow (the only down fall)! I will be going back again with a group of friends!!
(4)Michael G.
I ate here last night and was quite disappointed. I had a 3-plate tapas and a bowl of french onion soup. The tapas I chose were calamari, "firecracker" shrimp, and pulled pork sliders. I had to send back the calamari and shrimp - they were no good (fishy taste, shrimp was over-cooked and chewy). To Viva's credit they did take them off my bill. The pulled pork sliders were pretty good as was the french onion soup - nothing to write home about but good. The restaurant was roomy and well decorated and seemed to be newly renovated. The wait staff were very helpful / attentive. I would try it again and try something new. One problem I think they have is their menu is too varied - they need to focus and be great at one style of cuisine.
(2)Amber G.
I've been here a couple times when I visited friends in the Reading area. Everything I've tried there has been great. Portions are big enough to have leftovers for the next day. The drinks are excellent as well. Last time I shared a colossal margarita (complete with glowing plastic ice cube) with 2 friends, it was well made and worth $18, it's huge! I really like the ambiance too. I wish they had a location down here in Virginia Beach!
(5)Barbara M.
We enjoyed our dinner. Food was fantastic. My husband & I are culinary grads, so tough to please. This food was pleasing, fresh, & affordable. Go to prove me wrong.
(4)Chris W.
Its an establishment where all the "cool" kids go(puke). The small plate menu is good idea but after splitting 3 of them between 2 of us we were both still hungry. Had a guy playing guitar at the bar. The wine and beer menu is decent but I don't have to go back.
(2)Sabrina F.
Girls Night! Yes we had fun because the early bird drink special on Friday night rocks. The Emerald Pear Martini was delicious. The crab dip is by far the best thing on the menu. I shared a choose 2 menu. The Sicilian Crunchy Chicken Salad was average. They used to have a far better version. The parmigiana mushrooms were alright. Would rather they have used caps and stuffed them with bread cubes and cheese as opposed to breading slices of portabella. The chocolate creme brulee was just okay. I would recommend for appetizers and drinks over dinner.
(3)Mike B.
Great spot for food, drinks atmosphere.. kid friendly but not oppressively kid crazy at all. They typically play good 4x4 upbeat house, at least on Fridays, and great decor and beer selection.
(5)Ann L.
I was not happy with my most recent experience. We went for Sunday brunch the service and food were average, nothing special. There was 2 kinds of music running simultaneously This place has always been good. I was very disappointed today.
(2)Chuck S.
Great value for the $. Very nice bar area & live entertainment was superb. Drinks in the bar & then the 4 course dinner for two. Shrimp appetizer was fab! I would stay away from meat loaf next time! Overall very good time and excellent value! Would recommend!
(4)David D.
If you are looking for a menu offering a wide variety of bland, inoffensive but poorly cooked food, Viva is the place for you. It's sadly probably one of the better places in Reading to take a group of people who don't know anything about good food, which is most people. My theory is that anyone who knows how to cook either emigrates from Reading at a young age or has their talent beaten out of them, little by little: "This was too spicy! I could taste spice. I don't like that." or "My pasta wasn't cooked enough. I like it when it comes out all mushy." The alternative theory is that anyone who likes good food flees this place as soon as possible, leaving only the bad cooks and the bad eaters behind. We had three "tapas", the hummus, the baked potato wedges, and the crunchy sputino rolls. The hummus was totally flavorless, although the rosemary pita it came with was a high point. The potatoes are basic baked potatoes with cheddar, and a supposedly horseradish aioli. I couldn't taste horseradish, but my fiancee detected it. The sputino rolls were probably the weirdest thing I've eaten in a while. They were chunks of cold cream cheese wrapped in lukewarm fried coating. Both of us took a bite and immediately stopped chewing, not believing this was being sold in a restaurant. For the entrees, we got the eggplant parm and the primavera. (We're vegetarian.) The eggplant was a gloopy mess and the pasta it came with was boiled to death. The primavera was bad, oversalted pasta, sunflower seeds, some good vegetables and some canned ones, and gorgonzola, with the only spice being salt. The service was friendly but incompetent. They have no idea how to time each course. The tapas came out while we were still eating our salad, and even though the tapas were rushed one of them was still cold. Then we were only half-way through the tapas when the entrees came out. The hilarious thing was they have a $18 for $25 Yelp deal, and neither the server nor the manager had any clue what we were talking about when we showed it to them. Then the manager brought out a revised check with $7 off - she thought the deal meant that we got the difference between $25 and $18. We patiently explained the concept of a gift card and she apologized and produced the correct bill the second time. The decor is decent, a little Olive Garden, and has a few TVs over the bar but not enough to disturb lunch.
(2)Tanya L.
Very Large Menu. Prices are very good. Food is average. Service is good. This isn't a Spanish restaurant.Its very American style food.
(4)Susan L.
Food good consistent, stay away from the bar server with the long brown hair, very rude, bad service
(4)L B.
Soup and salad combo for 5.99 was good. The French onion soup was amazing- good size portion and very tasty and not too salty. One of the best non-homemade French onion soups I've had. The tomato & mozzarella caprese salad was alright but I wouldn't get it again, especially not with the $2 upcharge. Mozzarella wasn't that fresh and the tomatoes were mediocre winter tomatoes.
(4)Christine B.
Went here with David D, although I am the one who purchased the $18 for $25 Yelp certificate, which ended up confusing the staff. (See below). I would have just let his review, which we both composed, stand but I was checking my email and Yelp asked how I liked Viva. So, I will tell you to see his review but will also add that it would have taken very little to improve the dishes. Anyone with taste buds - not even a minimal knowledge of Middle Eastern cuisine - should know that hummus needs garlic and lemon juice. Anyone with taste buds should know that Gorgonzola is NOT the cheese to toss in with black olives, sunflower seeds, sun dried tomatoes, asparagus and broccoli in a primavera; let alone allowing those elements to be included with over-salted rotini. The aioli that came with the potatoes only need a BIT more horseradish to elevate the taste. The spaghetti that came with the eggplant parmesan should NOT have been served to anyone overcooked the way it was. The sputino rolls needed to be served crisp and hot - not cold and chewy. Timing is important in the service industry. No one wants to watch their food becoming gelatinous and cold before their very eyes. Better that it wither under a heat lamp!
(2)Kay P.
Excellent atmosphere, super service, wonderful menu choices. Locally owned and operated. Don't miss the crab asparagus soup. Tapa selections excellent.
(4)Tia T.
Horrible Horrible Horrible!!!!! Pasta is awful, sweet potato fries (which took 30 mins) were RAW! The hostess gave us a gift card for our trouble but we'll probably throw it away!
(1)Tanya T.
The italian Buff sauce for the wings are the only excitement that VIVA has to offer. What do you expect for the only decent restaurant in WEST bubbleville. (lol) good prices for drinks versus the NYC prices I'm used to paying. $3.50 for a captain a coke WHOA. go for drinks & please avoid the over salted LOBSTER BISQUE
(2)Robert S.
Went here for drinks and apps with a friend on a Thursday evening. Sat in the lounge, which was pretty much empty. Lighting was a little bright for this type of restaurant/bar. Mini crab cakes were good. Supposedly closes at 9pm, but we and many patrons were there past 10pm until they started "winding down" the place for the night. Viva is probably one of the only places of its kind in the Reading area; a non-chain restaurant that isn't a dive. I'd go back the next time I'm in the area.
(4)Deborah H.
Okay, I know I shouldn't hold restaurants in READING to the same expectations as other cities, but, come on. Even my township in randomville NJ has some pretty bomb-ass restos. Viva was NOT good. Service was, um, regional (*sniff*), the menu was upper-class diner fare (NOT "European-Mediterranean"), and the ambiance was just awkward. I did like the garden salad that came with my entree, the whipped vanilla butter, and the carrot cake, but everything else was just obscenely bad. If this is the best Reading has to offer, I'd strongly recommend a chain restaurant over Viva.
(2)John Z.
Well, Viva is open again. That's good news! And there's some stuff that's the same and some stuff that's different. The wine and beer list seems to have improved. There are some good choices! And the big new difference is there is a new room in the back (which I think used to be a conference room) that has been converted into a lounge. There is a bar there and much more comfortable lounge chairs than the old Viva had. And there are some huge screens with some trippy images. Overall it's a pretty cool room to hang out in. . However the menu really isn't vegan-friendly. The olive plate was not worth the $6.99 price tag. But there were a few side dishes that were OK. I wonder why they don't throw something simple like a vegan burger. There were a dozen or so burgers/meat sandwiches but no veggie/vegan burger or a portabello mushroom sandwich. Why not? Even Third and Spruce and Canal Street have them. So with the sparse choices for vegans I have to say this is a great place to have a drink in, but a not so good place to eat. Except for the lounge in the back the rest of Viva looks about the same as it did before it re-opened. However there are the same new comfortable chairs near the windows and fireplace. So that is a good place to relax. And where else can you get wireless and have a glass of wine or beer? I'm glad this restaurant re-opened and Reading really needs this place -- especially as a good place to go to for a drink and some bar food later at night. I just wish their food options were a little more upscale and more vegetarian/vegan friendly. They also seem to be still getting their act together with the service. Because it was slow and disorganized. I don't blame the servers. They were working hard. There seems to be some managerial disorganization and they seem to be understaffed. But it just re-opened. So maybe they're still working some things out.
(3)Jerry V.
It's hard to beat this very friendly, large, locally-owned restaurant. My dining companion and I had an Entertainment Book coupon for tapas, so we ordered 5. May sound like a lot for lunch (and, frankly, four would have been sufficient) but at 5 you get a special price. The hostess, seater, and waiter were all very friendly and helpful. We were a bit early for lunch so the as we waited for your food, the lunch crowd trickled in. At least two tables who arrived after us were served before us and I believe the waiter even noticed when he stopped by to say our food would be out in 4 or 5 minutes (which became more like 8 or 9). But, we were in no hurry and the food was excellent! I'd probably pass on the stuffed potato wedges next time but the crab cakes were particularly good.
(4)Tim H.
The food is OK and the service is horrible. The service hasn't changed from before the remodel. The bar is fun and the new lounge is great. Eat somewhere else then go there for drinks. Great place to go for drinks, and appetizers... No so much for meals...
(2)Julie K.
Hmmmm...despite others reactions on this place, my boyfriend and I rather enjoyed it. We came here back in February... I got some sort of glazed mahi-mahi that was perfect, the grilled asparagus was tender, and my mashed sweet potatoes melted in my mouth. My boyfriend isn't a huge fan of seafood, yet he enjoyed his immensely. The mashed potatoes weren't that good, though. The dinner came with bread that was very yummy too. The drink I got before my meal was heavenly...blueberry lemonade--but alcoholic. It had fresh blueberries and I don't know what else. But I loved every sip of it... The restaurant itself was rather large, and got very crowded not long after we arrived (which was around 4:30--we were going to a show). I liked the atmosphere of the place...just very open without gaudy nicknacks everywhere...
(4)Erin P.
stopped in for lunch while i was in the area. the restaurant is huge, so i can't imagine having to wait for a table. my eyes were too big for my stomach so i ended up ordering a lot of food. the menu was huge and a little overwhelming. i somehow managed. for starters, i had a cup of the lobster bisque. i'll admit i'm only recently coming around to bisque. it was pretty tasty. the appetizer trio was meh. (mini crabcakes, bacon-wrapped shrimp w/ bbq, and bruschetta). i got the buffalo chicken sandwich. it came with gorgonzola and alfredo sauce. the combination sounded gross so i nixed the alfredo. the sandwich was just okay. i wish there was lettuce and tomato on it though. chicken, hot sauce, and a skimpy sprinkling of gorgonzola doesn't really make for an awesome sandwich. all in all: meh.
(2)shaw g.
6 of us went to Viva last night with an expectation of Tapas and a relaxing evening; we experienced neither. Viva is enormous and not intimate even with the low lighting. The tile floors are a law suit ready to happen. We were promptly seated and drink orders taken quickly (good beer choices). The menu lacked any point of view with an mixture of burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, and meat prepared many ways. The Tapas turned out to be just smaller appetizers & entre portions not the expected Spanish small plates as the name would suggest. While the food was "good", the service was dreadful. 2 of our entres arrived after the other 4 of us were done, and only with a call to the Manager, and a visit to the kitchen by one of our guests, was the "special" delivered. While ultimately the meal was comped (and desert was offered on the house), even getting a correct check was a chore. So based on the atmosphere, food, and most importantly, the service (Manager included) pitiful, I'm being generous with a 1 star rating,.
(1)Elaine M.
I was visiting friends over the weekend and we stopped into Viva around 10 PM on Saturday night. We were only there for drinks, so I can't comment on the food. The restaurant is large and a lot of people were still eating dinner. I ordered a drink at the bar, while some of my other friends grabbed a cocktail table. The waitress came over to them and took their order. They tried to order two different martinis that they had at Viva not too long ago. The waitress told them they didn't have them on the menu anymore. They asked "well can't the bartender make it anyway?" The waitress shot them down. The martinis in question sounded pretty simple to me (ex-bartender) so I would be really surprised if they didn't have the liquor behind the bar to make them (or a close rendition to one). I don't think the waitress was well educated or this place is very particular about their specialty drinks. My friends settled on vodka/clubs, that took 15+ minutes to show up. In addition to the poor service, there was a strange little man playing an acoustic guitar and singing his own renditions of top 40's and oldies. It was odd. We left after everyone finished their drink. My friends told me that it isn't usually that bad.
(2)Liz P.
I had the pleasure of eating at Viva a few Friday's ago with my friend and wanted to comment on my great experience. I've read some reviews on Yelp about Viva and felt they were not legit but more vindictive in nature and wanted to give a more accurate description. We started at the bar till our table was ready, wow what a creative drink menu! We ended up giving our pager back and eating at the bar because of the hospitality shown to us by the bar staff. The two guys waiting on us made us laugh and had an awesome sense of humor.(One was the manager I believe.) We opted for a bunch of apps, including the tuna special, instead of entrees. Although they took a little long to get to us,they were totally worth the wait! My friend and I will be back the next time we are in town and will recommend Viva to everyone in the Lancaster Area! Thanks again for your smiles, great food and lovely atmosphere!!
(4)Susan H.
Normally, when we're in West Reading/Wyomissing we head over to Delish for a Cuban sandwich, come dinner time. However, we were here on Christmas Eve. Businesses along Penn Avenue tend to close early---many even close around sundown. On Christmas eve, many didn't even open and those that did closed way before sundown---I'm talking around 3 p.m.! So...where to eat that was close by? While in the hotel lobby, we heard a group of people talking and say that Viva was closing at 7 p.m. Since it's practically next door to the hotel and it was starting to snow...well...it wasn't a difficult decision when it came to where to have dinner. We got there around 5 p.m. and had a bit of a wait for a table. It seems that there might have been an event there as we saw a band packing up and leaving, along with many customers. So, it took a bit of time to clear off the tables. Our server came to our table within a few minutes to take our drink orders. I was going to go for an iced tea until I saw the holiday specialty drink menu. So, I opted for an "Irish mint cookie", which consisted of kahlua, Bailey's Irish cream and creme de menthe. This was a tasty drink with kahlua mainly predominating. I suspect that it wasn't very well blended because toward the bottom, the creme de menthe flavoring showed up. My husband had a Stella Artois. Viva's menu is huge which can make coming to a decision somewhat difficult. They have a tapas menu as well as burgers, pizza, Italian entrees, soups, salads, appetizers, meat, chicken and fish main courses. Each main course comes with your choice of soup or salad. We each chose a cup of French onion au gratin soup. This soup has gruyere cheese on it which was surprisingly strongly flavored. It was a decent, if not memorable, soup. We were also given "Fresh baked French bread" which had some garlic butter on top. The bread was indeed fresh and the garlic flavoring came through. I chose Simply grilled fish. You get a choice of tilapia, cod or salmon. My choice was tilapia. "Simply grilled" fish has "lemon, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil" in it. It also comes with a side of sauteed Mediterranean vegetables. I think that the kitchen was confused as there is a similar fish dish on the menu which comes with a side of pineapple mango salsa. They must have thought I ordered that because I got it along with my meal. The fish was properly cooked and was moist. I could taste the lemon flavoring but not the garlic and "fresh herbs". The sauteed vegetables were very tasty. My husband had "Meat loaf Wellington with Marsala mushroom sauce and garlic mashed potatoes". As its name suggests, the meatloaf was encased in crusty bread. My husband found the meat to be on the dry side even thought it appeared to have been prepared medium-well. We suspect that a low fat ground beef was used. He thought his dish was decent and very filling. Dinner cost $41 + change before the tip. Service was friendly if a bit uneven. The manager brought out our main courses and apologized because it wasn't our server who was bringing us our food. We felt that an apology was unnecessary as the food arrived still hot. Would we go again? Sure, it's a good back-up plan if we can't have our Cuban sandwiches---or if the weather isn't cooperating.
(3)Linh N.
I had the side salad, chicken enchiladas and mini crab cakes. Everything was delicious. The crab cakes were reasonable with the price. Don't expect jumbo lumps of crab meat for this price! It's just wrong! I most definitely come back the next time I travel here.
(5)Elizabeth S.
I hadn't been here in a few years, but my sister and brother in law were visiting from out of town and we were planning Sunday brunch. After looking at several menus for area restaurants online, we settled on Viva because of the variety of food offered on the brunch menu. We got here around 10:45am and the place was surprisingly empty. We were seated promptly but after that the service slowed way down. It took about 30 minutes to even receive our drinks. We weren't concerned because we were not in a rush and were enjoying each other's company, but this may be a problem for some. The food was phenomenal. I got eggs benedict with a side of Viva spring salad (so delicious). The roasted potatoes that accompanied had a great flavor. My sister got a Spanish omelet which she raved about, and my daughter the wood fired chicken which she said was great. All in all we had a great experience and I will definitely be back again.
(4)Vanessa E.
My friends and I having been coming here for years to have drinks and watch Scott perform. The food has gone down hill for sure. But the bar service on Friday and Saturday evenings is dreadful. The bartenders and bar managers are rude and slow. They don't pay attention to the bar. Too busy screwing around. I'm in the hospitality industry and if they were my staff, they would be gone. They say cocky comments, lie about drinks. I even asked what the GM name was and the bartender rolled his eyes at me, laughed and said " I don't know who my GM is". He refused to tell me. Asked for the bar manager and he refused to come over. I refuse to give this bar anymore of my money until they get new staff.
(1)Jessica P.
Viva is always our place to go when we get a night out (which isn't often) but the last 2 times we went, there left a lot to be desired. They changed the menu, which is ok, but they took my favorite thing (Parmesan crusted chicken) off the menu and scaled back their tapas. The food is still OK but it's def not to the level it used to be. We would still go back but it's not our #1 any longer. The last 2 times we were in I had the Herb encrusted chicken and Seafood Mac and cheese. Neither were very good. My husband had the new Spinach salad and said it was good. I'll try that the next time if we go
(4)Marc K.
We don't go to to Viva often, but my wife and I do enjoy it on occasion... We really enjoy their chopped salad and typically get their pasta dishes, such as Penne Bravo a la Vodka or Chicken & Broccoli Fettucine Alfredo. We've been there for brunch too, that's always nice even if service seems to be slower... The free croissants served with brunch are quite delicious.
(4)David R.
We have eaten at Viva quite a number of times since it opened, although not recently so I cannot comment on any significant menu changes or possible backsliding. It's basically a big noisy family oriented place without a lot of charm, almost on an industrial scale, like Applebee's on the much bigger. However we have had some very enjoyable meals at Viva. If you really want to impress a date with your sophistication, this is not the place. If you want to go out with a bunch of friends and have fun, make noise, drink, watch TV and enjoy decent food, Viva is fine.
(2)Brian A.
Nice spot. Both times I've been here they had a live guitarist performing. I had the herb chicken and started with the tomato bisque. Staff was friendly and wasn't too long of a wait for food. Was less impressed with desert menu, but not a big deal.
(4)Alexandriagirl V.
Ordered a burger, tiramisu and sparkling water from the courtyard next door. They delivered a burger without ketchup despite what the menu says, no fork to eat the tiramisu with, and still water instead of sparkling. When I called to let them know there was an issue, the girl asked me "what do you want us to do?" Really? How about your job, done right?
(1)Becky D.
The food is decent for this area. However, they rarely switch up their menu, which is a bit of a downer. They do have live music, which is good for the most part. Whoever, their service is unimpressive and keeps getting worse. It's not so much the table service, but the bar service could be 10x better. There's been multiple times I've gone to the bar and waited at least 10 minutes to be waited on.
(3)Crystal B.
Average last time we ate dinner there. Fish dish is average. The drinks are good and great atmosphere. Call ahead for larger groups. Very accommodating.
(3)Brian H.
The food never disappoints, and they have some of the friendliest and most talented staff in the area. Always a great experience.
(5)Dustin C.
My g/f and I lived in Wyomissing 3 years ago. I would always meet her on Friday nights for a drink and their appetizers, which were amazing. We are in the area again and wanted to go back to reminisce and have a few drinks and apps. We noticed the clientele was a bit different from what we remembered. First glance at the menu and it seems like it has changed a bit. I could not find the bacon wrapped bbq shrimp. I asked the waitress and she said there has been some changes with the food. My g/f ordered a mudslide which used to be with real coffee beans. This time around, no coffee beans. I ordered the bruschetta, which came out not toasted, no basil, no spices and completely lifeless. I told my waitress that it was terrible and refused to pay for it. I have to agree with some of the prior postings about Viva. It has gone down hill. For the fella that was playing acoustics, please practice before you book a show. Its obvious as to why there is free entertainment. As we were finishing up, a family came in with 3 boys under the ages of 10 with yo-yo's and toy cars on a Saturday night at 6:30 in the bar area at the high tables where the guy pulled two circular tables together. Why management let him do this is beyond me?!?!?! I would honestly compare this establishment to an Applebee's. Even my waitress stated that she hears frequent complaints about the change. Bottom line, don't make the same mistake I did. There are plenty of good places to eat in West Reading.
(1)Meg A.
This place has a beautiful bar with a great drink menu! It's a lovely place to go for happy hour for some cocktails and delicious appetizers! They also offer a large dinner menu with some good items on it too. It's also located next to the Marriott which is convenient for out of town guests. I have been to many private parties here as well, and the food and service was outstanding. It's a great place to have a birthday party, business dinner, or even rehearsal dinner.
(5)Michael B.
I was surprised. I had been here a couple of years ago and loved the food. Now, however, it seems as if they replaced their slightly interesting cuisine for food which wouldn't pass at a mediocre chain restaurant. My seafood Mac n cheese ($20, bad but a huge portion) was simply disgusting. It tasted bland, the cheese was flavorless and the seafood instead of acting as a nice, flavorful highlight oozed into the dish- making it watery and oily (in conjunction with their version of "cheese"). The crumbs on top only added insult to injury- making a bland dish even more generic. The tomatoes couldn't rescue the dish. I had several bites then gave up. I love a well done Mac n cheese but this was the worst I've ever had. My friend got the chicken pot pie- we should have gone to a big chain store's frozen food aisle instead to get better taste. Not good. The lobster bisque had no pieces of lobster in it. It was bland and flavorless. At least the place has wonderful decor and attentive service. The drinks are watered down a lot. There is a $10 charge per person at 10pm for "entertainment" that a Viva representative explains how it works in a follow-up comment to this post... Management and the kitchen need some serious help with this place. They should throw out the menu and start over with a chef who knows what they're doing. I think they're desperate to make money and don't really care about quality. Very close to a one star- but it is a nice looking place with a nice atmosphere? I'd avoid it and won't ever be coming back until they turn this ship around.
(2)M C.
I dined here since it was a really way walk from the hotel. First thing that hit me was the strange smell. It wasn't the smell of food and I can't describe the smell other than strange. The space is rather large so it seemed empty when I dined here on a Tuesday night. I decided to order from the tapas menu: mini crab cakes, mini-sirloin sliders and a side Caesars salad. They were all very mediocre. The crb cakes were really soft me mushy with very little flavor. The mini-sliders should have been called micro sliders. I will admit the meat rates good but the rest of it was, meh. The Caesar salad salad was cold straight from the fridge so it was nice and cold, with too much dressing poured on top, instead of it being tossed. On the plus side; the Guinness was good. My bill came out to $25, which would have bought a pretty decent dinner anywhere else, but here. You'll be better off going to McDonald's across the street.
(2)M D.
We enjoyed Valentine's dinner and had the most wonderful food and atmosphere. Only gripe I have is the server who delivered our entrée'. Our table had not been cleared of our appetizer dishes or empty glasses. We looked at each other trying to figure out where we were supposed to put two more dishes on the small table. The server said in a snarky way "look, I am just the messenger". Very friendly folks except for the one server who really needs to rethink her interaction with patrons.
(3)Joe C.
This place has a great atmosphere, fun vibe, and excellent food. Their takeout system on their website is also very easy to use.
(4)Jeff G.
Why I keep coming back I'm not really sure. Tonight's disappointment was the salmon. Sweet potato crusted was good but the fresh apples and cranberries with the odd yogurt sauce was not good. Just didn't fit. Couple that with one entree being over cooked and I can't honestly recommend that anyone come here. Gave 2 stars because they had dogfish 60 minute on tap.
(2)Maria R.
I was surprised because the restaurant looked very nice, but the food on the other hand needs a little improvement! I ordered steak, and it was hard and dry. Very disgusting! I hope it can be improved..
(1)Kimba Z.
They ditched all their specialty menus, which were just Stuff Taken Off menus (i.e. pizza was on there with instructions to take off the cheese and meat) but hey, it was something. But this is still one of the few places in Berks with actual lounge space, meaning a comfortable area in between the bar and restaurant tables.
(3)