The only place I ever go out of my way to visit on the West Side is Price Hill Chili, are you telling me there is another worthy place for me to visit?

 

Believe it or not, there is a GREAT place in Saylor Park called Cabana On The River. I'm not sure if they're still open but it's definitely worth looking into. I had a great time when I went there like 2 years ago.

Graeter's opened today as a dry run.  They are having their grand opening on Monday. 

 

Also, I'm taking my claim as the first forum member to patronize the new Graeter's with an official receipt time of 11:40am.

 

Crap, mine is from like 2:45.  You beat me.

Stopped in at Via Vite Saturday.  I was in around 7:00.  The bar was full, and people were starting to show up for tables.  There was live music upstairs, which is a combination dining/lounge area. There is also a smaller bar upstairs for serving that area and terrace.

 

Back downstairs, I managed to grab a seat at the bar. The service at the bar was efficient.  The made sure that the bar patrons were covered as well as the drink orders coming in from the wait staff (although the dining room wasn't very crowded yet). I ordered a pizza and a glass of wine. 

 

One feature of note in the downstairs bar area, there are three or four bar stools at a short counter which looks into the open kitchen.

 

On the down side, I would recommend ordering something besides the pizza. I think they're still trying to get the hang of their brick oven.

 

 

We recieved coments about it tasting like "Deweys Pizza". Also, that it isn't sliced, but if we were to slice the pizza, it wouldn't be Italian. If there's enough people commenting on it, they will order pizza slicers. What was it about the pizza that you didn't like? I'll tell the chefs. They're very dedicated to perfection. Most of the menu is brand new so they're still working out the kinks so any comments, good and especially bad, are very influential.

 

Our pizza oven is a combination of gas and firewood to insure a consistant temperature but also to give it the brick oven taste.

 

If you like lamb shanks I would definitely try them out, as they're cooked starting the night before, in a very expensive oven that controls high levels of humidity, making it so tender the next day that it literally falls off the bone, wet!

 

The bar ran pretty smoothly; I think if people didn't know any better they would assume it had been open a year!

 

 

The bar ran pretty smoothly; I think if people didn't know any better they would assume it had been open a year!

 

Can't argue with that comment.  If I hadn't known, I would never have guessed it was the second night.

 

I've sent you a PM about the pizza.  Feel free to forward.

As a NY pizza snob ( I really dislike La Rosa's) I actually like Dewey's A LOT.  Not sure if the commen was meant to be an insult or not.  As far as he slicing goes, there are some NY thin crust truly authentic Italian  places (Naples 45 to name one) that do cut the pizza in slices.  The Italians have no problems getting it whole and eating it w/ a fork and knife but I think that is one detail the restaurant should compromise on.  Bocca al Lupo.

As a NY pizza snob ( I really dislike La Rosa's) I actually like Dewey's A LOT.  Not sure if the commen was meant to be an insult or not.  As far as he slicing goes, there are some NY thin crust truly authentic Italian  places (Naples 45 to name one) that do cut the pizza in slices.  The Italians have no problems getting it whole and eating it w/ a fork and knife but I think that is one detail the restaurant should compromise on.  Bocca al Lupo.

 

The pizza was replaced, so it wasn't a compliment. As far as slicing, it's not what they do where the Executive Chef is from, he specifically told us that but of course if there's a high demand for slicing, that's what they'll end up doing. Its important to the owners that it remains as authentic as possible, for example you won't find Fetuccini or Lasagna there, those were born in America. Plus, given the place is somewhat upscale, people don't like to eat with their hands. Overall, there's a lot of people that like foreign food to be Americanized but there's still many people that like dining somewhere that is truely authentic. To each his own I guess.

Lester, my mother-in-law is from Brooklyn and also likes Dewey's. She also likes Gondola's on 7th St. You should check in out.

As a NY pizza snob ( I really dislike La Rosa's) I actually like Dewey's A LOT.  Not sure if the commen was meant to be an insult or not.  As far as he slicing goes, there are some NY thin crust truly authentic Italian  places (Naples 45 to name one) that do cut the pizza in slices.  The Italians have no problems getting it whole and eating it w/ a fork and knife but I think that is one detail the restaurant should compromise on.  Bocca al Lupo.

 

Sounds like we have something in common.  I am also a New York pizza snob.  If you want a delicious New York style pizza in Cincinnati, I recommend Aponte's in Mason off Route 42, Fratelli's in West Chester off Cin-Day Road & Tylersville or Flying Pizza off Field's Ertel and Route 22.  Sadly they are all north of I-275.  Dewey's is a good pizza but it isn't a true New York style pizza.

Nothing comes close to this:

 

I prefer Chicago deep dish but I'm not that picky when it comes to pizza; as long as it's not Papa Johns or Dominos!

Cincinnatus, I am drooling.

Please don't turn this thread into a New York vs Chicago pizza thread, I think there are a few of them floating around already.

Sounds like we have something in common.  I am also a New York pizza snob.  If you want a delicious New York style pizza in Cincinnati, I recommend [glow=yellow,2,300]Aponte's in Mason[/glow] off Route 42, [glow=yellow,2,300]Fratelli's in West Chester[/glow] off Cin-Day Road & Tylersville or [glow=yellow,2,300]Flying Pizza off Field's Ertel[/glow] and Route 22.  Sadly they are all north of I-275.  Dewey's is a good pizza but it isn't a true New York style pizza.

 

You would.

so David, wheres the best place to sit at Via Vite and whats the reservation situation look like? 

how do these google tags work, one of the tags for this page is "steak ultra genine"

so David, wheres the best place to sit at Via Vite and whats the reservation situation look like? 

 

We haven't really been that busy and we have a lot of seating. The best place to sit depends on what you like personally. The downstairs dining room is more quiet. If you like to watch chefs cook, eat at the bar against the kitchen. If you want to sit at a big bar, sit at the one downstairs. Upstairs is more energetic. Live music, a smaller bar, as well as tables. People tend to get up and dance after a few drinks. Outside on the terrace there's a good view of the jumbotron; I'd recommend coming down during one of the games on a nice day to enjoy the terrace. I prefer eating outside, myself. The weather isn't too bad yet imo.

Sounds like we have something in common.  I am also a New York pizza snob.  If you want a delicious New York style pizza in Cincinnati, I recommend [glow=yellow,2,300]Aponte's in Mason[/glow] off Route 42, [glow=yellow,2,300]Fratelli's in West Chester[/glow] off Cin-Day Road & Tylersville or [glow=yellow,2,300]Flying Pizza off Field's Ertel[/glow] and Route 22.  Sadly they are all north of I-275.  Dewey's is a good pizza but it isn't a true New York style pizza.

 

You would.

 

Sad isn't it?  There isn't a true New York Style pizza inside the I-275 beltway.  Where is the best place in Cincinnati for Chicago style outside of the obligatory Uno's.

Mio's has a decent Chicago pie.

Hey David,

 

My mother is in town from Seattle, and I wanted to take her to Via Vite for lunch tomorrow.  I tried making a reservation at Open Table, and it said none were available, so I called the restaurant, and they said they don't take reservations for less than 8 people at lunch.  Do you think we have a good chance of not having to wait if we go tomorrow at 11:30 AM?  Are you a server there?  Should we request you if you are working at lunch?  Any other info I should know?  Thanks! Looking forward to trying it out!

Mio's has a decent Chicago pie.

I'll second that one.  Mio's has a damn good chicago style deep dish. 

 

As far as NY Style by the slice - Ramundo's in Mt. Lookout is only one I can think of around me.  It's just so-so.  The Flying Pizza in Dayton & Cbus have great NY slices (and Sicilian), but the one in Mason is pretty inconsistant and I've never been very fond of Fratelli's.

I've had Ramundo's and agree that it is ok for a New York style pie.  I never had Mio's, I will try it out next time I am in town.

All this talk about Chicago style pizza prompted a pizza order from Pomodori's last night. Stick to their regular hand-toss. ;)

My mother, mother-in-law, husband, and myself had a nice lunch at Via Vite today.  The place's ambiance is nice and it reminded us of Bella on the interior.  The crowd was slim when we first arrived around 11:30ish but was beginning to pick up with a lot of people who walked over from the 5/3rd building.  The rainy weather may have kept some away today.  

 

Food was good.  The presentation though was incredible.  Us girls tried the soup and salad combo.  The soups they were offering were a yellow pepper soup and a leek and potato.  Both were excellent.  My hubbie ordered the spicy sausage panini, and cleaned his plate.  I think this place is going to be a winner not only for the square but also for downtown residents.  Best of luck to them.  The next time I go, I want to sit at the bar and enjoy the happy hour dining menu.......

I think Via Vite would be a little intimidating for out-of-towners. It looks kind of cold and un-inviting in my opinion. I know it's background and reputation so it doesn't bother me, but someone else that's new to the area it might.

I think Via Vite would be a little intimidating for out-of-towners. It looks kind of cold and un-inviting in my opinion. I know it's background and reputation so it doesn't bother me, but someone else that's new to the area it might.

Agreed. I don't like that there is a garage in front. We have one entrance and there is construction still going on. Garage entrances should never be given precendence over a restaurant; that was just bad urban design no matter how you look at it. On a very positive note, people coming out to the terrace creates a sense that we're open and that people should come in to eat.

I don't really know how you could have reworked the garage entrance so that it wouldn't be there (that is without a major amount of additional money).  You're right that it is not the ideal fit, but they were working a restaurant space into an area where nothing used to be.  It was an addition of a restaurant, over a garage entrance, not an addition of a garage entrance underneath a restaurant...that is an important distinction to make.

^ I actually don't mind it.  A little simple and sleek but I also don't like or want the visual clutter of multiple materials, over designed mess.  I think maybe some first floor awnings and that's it for me.  The 5/3 Dubois Tower needs them as well as their renderings show.  It would help Graeters for instance which interiors don't bother me. It is just like all their new stores so let's not take it out on just the Fountain Square location.

 

Remember when everyone was saying there were too many trees in the plan...many of those same people are now saying that there aren't enough trees there.  Oh the tangled webs we weave.

I don't think they're trying to be deceiving... There's no canopy of trees because they haven't grown in yet. How many years until the trees mature?

I was talking about the nay sayers out there.  At first they were complaining about one thing...then they switched tunes and complained about the same thing in a opposite fashion.

I was a Via Vite Monday night for a drink or 2, nothing to eat, and thought the place was fantastic!  Plus, the boyfriend got a job there. 

 

The Square does need more trees.  From the 2nd floor veranda at Via Vite, it seems sparse. 

Is the entrance to Via Vite on the Square or is it off of Vine? Does any one have any pictures so I could see what the finished product looks like? I can't wait to try this place out when I come home for Thanksgiving Break!

Is the entrance to Via Vite on the Square or is it off of Vine? Does any one have any pictures so I could see what the finished product looks like? I can't wait to try this place out when I come home for Thanksgiving Break!

 

Joe Wessles Blog http://joewessels.net/2007/10/14/square-dancing-on-the-square-new-businesses-open/ has a pic from the terrace and an interior shot.

 

And entrance is from the Square.

re the trees, if you compare the original drawings (on display in the lobby outside Macy's) you will see that they eliminated one entire row of trees running along Vine on the west side.  They may have cut down other sections as well, but I have neither the time nor patience to engage in that type of scrutiny.

 

Also--yes, the trees will grow in and mature for a better canopy.  That said, however, you could get more mature trees, however the cost goes up considerably.  I'm no arborist, so I couldnt tell you what kind of trees these are, however one can only hope that they will grow and mature considerably from their current incarnation (as opposed to certain other sidewalk tree plantings that never seem to grow)

The key is the soil type brought on site. Apparently, the usual type used leads to trees that never seem to grow. My understanding is that the soil used at Fountain Square is the high test stuff.

Is the entrance to Via Vite on the Square or is it off of Vine? Does any one have any pictures so I could see what the finished product looks like? I can't wait to try this place out when I come home for Thanksgiving Break!

 

Joe Wessles Blog http://joewessels.net/2007/10/14/square-dancing-on-the-square-new-businesses-open/ has a pic from the terrace and an interior shot.

 

And entrance is from the Square.

 

Thanks, Those pictures make the interior look very sharp, but the photo showing the terrace doesn't make that look all that great.  How does the restaurant look from the square?

^ edale...I cant wait either! :) And yeah the interior looks awesome! It seems really impressive at least from that picture that the restraunt is that close to the fountain.

I really don't think those pictures do the place justice. You can't beat the view from the terrace.

^ edale...I cant wait either! :) And yeah the interior looks awesome! It seems really impressive at least from that picture that the restraunt is that close to the fountain.

 

Perhaps we'll go together! :wink:

the outside is ugly the inside is nice, but the outside of via vite is ugly really ugly, almost paper bag ugly

the outside is ugly the inside is nice, but the outside of via vite is ugly really ugly, almost paper bag ugly

 

Why don't you tell us how you really feel...I personally don't mind the exterior of the building.  The materials they selected are very durable and with weather nicely over the years.  It is the same type of stuff they have put up all over UC's campus.  In moderation I think it is fine...just don't go cladding old buildings in that stuff.

im not sure how i feel about via vites exterior.  it could use more color or something.

Another reason why I hop the trees grow well and quickly. To slightly obscure that mess.

well all the recent rain helps :)

Another reason why I hop the trees grow well and quickly. To slightly obscure that mess.

well all the recent rain helps :)

 

I know what they use in comic books to make things grow real big real quick-- radiation.

They used five different species of trees on Fountain Square.  The plane trees along Fifth St. are quite large already for newly-planted specimens and in just a year or two will start to change the feel of Fifth St (heck, they already have). The elms on the north side near Via Vite and Rock Bottom are also large and they will be well established by next growing season and will grow very quickly, and in just a few years we should have a tables-among-the-trees effect.  It will take about 5-7 years for the maples on the west side and along Vine St. to give a consistent, useful amount of shade in the area.  I don't know about the ones near Graeter's.

David, what are the entree's price range at Via Vite? I think we're going there tomorrow night with a couple of friends...

$16+

I love ravioli, lasagna, veal, and pasta with tomato sauce ... any recommendations?