11/30/08

great spot!

by trueblue80

I have always enjoyed hitting this unique spot in the west loop for a great meal and a great time. The service is not stuffy and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I have had the same server a few times and he always remember waiting on me and what wine I usually order. The most recent time I was there we got him again and he came up to the table and told us they were actually out of the wine I liked but he had already thought of some suggestions of different bottles I might enjoy just as much. He was right on, the new wine was fantastic. And I was pretty impressed by his ability to remember and offer something he knew we would enjoy.

There is always a long list of specials to choose from. I ordered a bone in stuffed veal chop that was delicious, and my date ordered the rigatoni pasta with peas and goat cheese, which the waiter said was one of his favorites.

If your looking for a very fine-dining, stuffy atmosphere, with robots as waiters, this is not the place for you. If you want to be in a fun and lively space with good food, service, and ambiance; then Vivo is the place.

They also recently opened the new lounge next door and had a DJ playing the Saturday night we were there. We sat in the lounge after our meal for a night cap and had a great time.

They are obviously still doing things right, since I was told they have been open for 17 years. I will definitely be returning again and again.

• Pros: food, atmosphere, service
• Cons: drinks tend to be a little pricey

11/24/08

Great Restaurant, Great Atmosphere.

by Freejack

I've been a restaurant owner in San Antonio, Texas for 15 years, so when I was in Chicago on business I decided to check out Vivo, based on a suggestion by a friend. For a busy Saturday night it was perfect! The service was impeccable. My server knew everything about ever bottle of wine on the list (I think he even mentioned he ordered the wine), and helped me pair with an excellent entree. I kept htinking to myself: "I wish I could find staff this knowledgable for my restaurants." After dinner me and my friends decided to check out the lounge for some more drinks. The atmosphere was great, the DJ played great music that fit the atmophere perfectly, and the bartenders were very friendly. Just when I thought to myself this place was perfect I noticed a very loud, older gentleman ordering the staff around. He was very angry and very bitter, and not to mention very intoxicated. Being in resaturants myself I assumed this clown was just some obnixious regular, so I asked the hostess, and she said: "Oh, thats the owner." I'm not sure if this man knows anything about running a restaurant, but that kind of image is really bad for business. ESPECIALLY if he's the owner! All in all Vivo is a great restaurant, and I would recommend it to anyone. I just hope the owner isn't there when they go.

• Pros: Knowledgable staff, great food.

09/17/08

Avoid this restaurant during early evening - beware if there are a lot of empty tables!

by Joangie

I took a friend to Vivo's for his birthday after telling him how many times over the past 10 years I had enjoyed the food and service -- what a mistake! I don't know what was going on with our server but she was rude and very curt. She seemed to be put out because we asked questions about the appetizers and wine. After our meal arrived, we were being rushed through our meaI which seemed odd because there were at least 5 vacant tables. I tried not to make a scene while there but the next day I called to speak to a manager and was told someone would call me back. No one did. I even gave the server's name plus I went to their website and wrote a long narrative about the problems we had but, no response! I have never been so ticked off and disappointed in a restaurant!