Windsor is a difficult city for restaurants. As the job losses mount, the restaurants close. So Vito's Pizzeria is a welcome addition to the dwindling scene. We stumbled upon Vito's during the week and decided to return with friends on Saturday night. Our server recommended that we make reservations for weekend dining. It was a good idea for our party of six. It was so busy that people were sitting on stools around the wood-burning pizza oven.We began with prosecco cocktails. um...what's a better appetizer than that? I love bubbly wine! Next we moved into the white wine sangria and then a bottle of red. Fun times!
The Sicily's Golden Orbs (rice croquettes) and Nana's Polpette (meatballs) were hearty appetizers. The meatballs consisted of veal, pork, beef and you could actually see chunks of garlic! We also ordered the Brie al Forno which was essentially a sweet baked Brie. This dish was underwhelming...it was too small to share for more than two people. I guess I wasn't surprised since it wouldn't typically be my first choice with an Italian meal. Remember, I'm a matchy-matchy menu maniac!
Wherever I go for dinner, I must try the Caesar salad. It's old school but I'm obsessed. The Caesar at Vito's does not disappoint. Their creamy dressing is garlicky and parmesany (is that even a word?) with perfectly toasted homemade croutons.
Our main courses included pastas and pizzas galore! My favourite dish is the Prosciutto Funghi pizza. I love that it's topped with an egg. Usually I don't like cooked prosciutto but they have found a way to keep it from being too mushy. Back to the egg...WOW! Earlier this year, there was a recipe for pizza with eggs in Gourmet Magazine. I think I'm going to finally have to try it at home.
The Pasta all Bolegnese is outstanding. The sauce includes veal, pork and beef; just like the meatballs. And, all of the pasta dishes are made with fresh pasta from the kitchen.
Our main courses included pastas and pizzas galore! My favourite dish is the Prosciutto Funghi pizza. I love that it's topped with an egg. Usually I don't like cooked prosciutto but they have found a way to keep it from being too mushy. Back to the egg...WOW! Earlier this year, there was a recipe for pizza with eggs in Gourmet Magazine. I think I'm going to finally have to try it at home.The Pasta all Bolegnese is outstanding. The sauce includes veal, pork and beef; just like the meatballs. And, all of the pasta dishes are made with fresh pasta from the kitchen.
The Pasta Carbonera is super creamy. We all agreed that it could have used a bit more salt but would order it again.
The Patate Pizza has potatoes and onions on it. We couldn't really taste the onions and the potatos might be cut too thickly. My recommendation would be for the chef to drizzle some really good quality extra virgin olive oil on it. In fact, I wish that they had olive oil and spiced olive oil on the table for dipping and drizzling.
Overall, it's a fun new restaurant! I know that we'll be back soon. They've been open for about three weeks which tells me that things will only get better.To see Vito Pizzeria's menu, visit http://www.vitospizzeria.net/menu.pdf
P.S. I should also mention that the restaurant doesn't have a large freezer on site so the food is brought in fresh daily. Let's hope this practice continues!
this is a very cool blog!
ReplyDeletePictures look great. Wish they didn't botch our reservation that we made for a special event we had planned. Will not dine or recommend to anyone EVER - we were sent down the street to another restaurant to wait while they tried to accodate a table ... "I'll come and get you when we're ready for you???" Needless to say we loved the Gourmet Emporium and plan to eat there again ... thanks for the referral Vito's.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous (Nov. 19) - I talked with the chef last night about your experience. He told me that they are opening up another section upstairs in the coming weeks that should help solve this problem. - Menu Maniac
ReplyDeleteWe had an abysmal and embarrassing experience there as well in terms of reservations. We walked in, and were told we could not join our family members who were there already ensconced and on apetizers because it would take too long to serve us and the table was promised to someone else at a certain time. I was astounded. I kept trying to explain to a seemingly brain dead waitress that restaurant protocol is such that you let the party who has the table finish their meal there and seat the others elsewhere, if you have miscalculated the times. Many a time I have waited in other restaurants while my table was occupied, and when the last party leaves you take over or simply stay at the other table. They refused to budge. Half our family had to go some where else! They really need to get it together obviously in this department. I would not recommend this restaurant because of the lousy service. The food is fine apparently.
ReplyDeleteWe also had a terrible experience with reservations at Vitos. We have been there a couple times and absolutely love the food but the way they operate their place is not right. The way the waitress dealt with our reservations made us feel as though we were being silly for being upset at waiting for a table (we had reserved weeks prior!!) for an hour.It seems as if they really do not appreciate their customers. We even saw them seat people who came after us before us!!! Won't be going there EVER again.
ReplyDeleteVito's is a wonderful spot to eat and I love their pizza beyond all others. And, yes, they have a reservation/seating problem. The upstairs loft which they've recently opened is OK but the chairs put the table at my mouth level which was great for grazing but not so good for chatting with my family members. Perhaps Vito needs to consider a bigger location without changing anything else. Wonderful pizza, don't miss out!
ReplyDeleteI just called for a reservation.. they were yelling in the background, rude.. and hung up on me.. after i heard someone say there was nothing til 10.. I have never been there now i never will.
ReplyDeleteIf you want the best... you have to wait and Vito's is worth it! I've been there several times (3+ times now) and understand each time that we'll be waiting... they never disappoint when the food hits your table!
ReplyDeleteI too have been pushed aside on a reservation and made to wait for 45 minutes. They do try to make you feel demanding and unreasonable that you have to wait for your reservation. There is no place to go while waiting other than the little entrance that gets backed up and is very uncomfortable.We were then seated at the bar, which is where I had specifically requested not to be seated when making the reservation. Too bad as the food is good - the people running it are just not equipped to handle it properly. They turn what could be a great experience into a miserable one by not managing the reservation/seating process. I stood there while they sat a non reservation patron before me as a walk in....If you want to eat there be prepared to wait.....
ReplyDeleteThis place knocked our socks off! We went on a Sunday and it was packed. We didn't have a reservation so we requested to eat at the bar. The hostess/waitress seated us and even got us more comfortable bar chairs to sit in. We thought the service was great - the staff was very friendly and as busy as they were, didn't act like they were in too big of a hurry to take time out to answer questions. We shared a traditional salad (my gosh - it was big enough for 4 people) and an antipasto plate that had the most wonderful cheeses and sliced meats from italy (huge also). We each ordered the tuta mare (I know I didn't spell that right) - pasta with huge shrimp a huge scallop, muscles and calmari in a declicous, kind of spicy red sauce. Yum! After all that, we had the nerve to order dessert, cappacino and a shot of sambuca on the side. It was my birthday - so we had an excuse! Dessert was wonderful also. I can't say enough good about our first experience at this restaurant. We live in Michigan, but we will be back very soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best place in windsor for sure. The food is great, the servies is great and they are really busy which is a great thing for walkerville. It makes me really happy that vitos pizzeria doing so well.Check it out this wonderfull spot!
ReplyDeleteWe had reservations, weren't seated bc the waitress took a walk in right before we got there and gave them our table!?!? waited 45 min and they kept saying we would get a table soon- no table 1 hr 35 later still no table... was run by very immature young waitresses who were giggling and laughing about us getting upset about the wait- they need a dining room manager who knows how to arrange seating/ reservations- no table after 1 hr 45 min we left.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Vito's will catch a clue and do something about the dining room management (or lack thereof).
ReplyDeleteI too experienced the "your reservation is obviously uselss" experience.
Too bad...I am going to a show in the near future and was actually CONSIDERING a return try to Vito's but reading the above comments well that just VITO'D OUT my decision to return.
Thanks for saving me the headache!
We had a terrible experience there this past weekend, a party of 12 whom had a reservation booked for a month. We picked up some take out earlier in the week and confirmed or reservation. We arrived at 8pm and were told that we didn't have a reservation by the very rude "manager" (owner's brother). Turns out that the empty table set for 12 was given to a prominent Windsor family whom, was quite friendly with the owner, as his party walked past ours and was seated with no problem. Get your act together Vito's, these comments SPEAK VOLUMES !!
ReplyDeleteWe made a reservation earlier in the week and the table was ready on time, when we arrived. The meal was awesome... really the food is fresh , generous portions and DELICIOUS! we have been there several times, ordered many menu items and were never disappointed!
ReplyDeleteWe were also part of a party of 12 prior to the Elton John concert . We were served quickly and efficiently with no worry about being late for the concert.
The quarters are tight but worth it when the food arrives. The upstairs is also lovely and the musical entertainment excellent.
We will be back .
Love vitos - make a reservation though! Food is great and service is wonderful. :)
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