Vita

Recommends

cheers2all9

Joined 4 years ago

Best Pizza in Town. This place definitely has the best pizza around and it's at a reasonable price (eight bucks!). The flank steak sandwich is very good too. Certainly worth a try

Recommends

elsbells

Joined 5 years ago

Good food but mediocre service. My friend recently moved from the Southpoint area to downtown Durham, so we have been trying to eat at new places around Brightleaf Square and 9th Street. I looked on Citysearch and found Verde, in Erwin Square, just up the road from 9th street. I googled it so I could find a menu, and I found that the name has been changed to Vita, but it's the same place with the same owner.

We arrived for dinner, and walked into a nearly deserted dining room. We were promptly seated and the waitress came over within minutes. I ordered a glass of champagne. After a few minutes, the bartender walked over to tell us that they were out of that kind of champagne but gave me a glass of something different. My friend drank a jack&coke. We started with the 4 cheese appetizer plate, which was delicious. I always love cheese. The portion size was perfect. After the appetizer the waitress came back to take our dinner order. She seemed very confused and hesitant, and didn't appear to be very knowledgable about the menu. We also ordered another round of drinks. She tried to take my friend's cocktail even though it was still half full. The bartender came over with a half-full flute of champage and told me it was the rest of the champagne in house. I got the half-full glass free. I was happy that I didn't have to pay for it, but I still think a restaurant should have more than 1.5 glasses of champagne in house!

We shared a spinach salad, which was good but not spectacular. Our entrees were excellent and a good size. Midway through the meal the waitress brought us parmesean cheese. I wasn't sure why she hadn't brought it earlier. After our meal, the waitress awkwardly took our plates and brought us the check. She never offered desert or coffee, which was disappointing. If she had offered dessert, I definitely would have wanted to get something.

Overall, food and ambience were great, but the service was nothing special.

Recommends

mkamdne

Joined 6 years ago

Verde. My friends and I had a wonderful experience at Verde. The the steak I ordered was juicy and the Kobe burger my wife ordered was unbelievable! The martinis and the music were great as well. I'm used to hearing more European techno, the music they played (hindi zen like music) reminded me of "Chai Chai bollywood joint" perfect atmosphere to say the least. The service was good but the manager made us feel right at home. I truly recommend checking out this chic/hip modern restaurant.

Doesn't Recommend

tnelson1

Joined 6 years ago

Nice decor but an otherwise tremendous disappointment. After reading previous reviews, my party of 4 was excited about trying out Verde. One of us had brought some clients there earlier in the week for lunch and had a good experience, so we figured dinner there would be great. It ended up being very disappointing. First of all, the place was deserted on a Saturday night at what should have been the prime time for a crowd. Instead, we had a view of a sea of empty tables set nicely for patrons that never appeared. Parizade, the parent company's sister restaruant next door, appeared to be a much more happening place. As for our dining experience: We first all ordered mojitos - not an atypical cocktail for an establishment that bills itself as casual chic. We were told it would be a while for them to be made, since they were out of mint and the bartender had to run over to Parizade and get some. When the drinks were finally made, our server told us that she had a message from the bartender: "The mojito train has left the building" - meaning, of course, that the bartender would not be making another mint trip if we wanted a second drink. Surely that message could have been relayed a bit more graciously, but whatever. Our appetizers were uneventful. Our main courses were tasty, though two of us who ordered the ribeye found it to be extraordinarily fatty. Over 3/4 of mine was left on the plate as a result. One dining partner thought the soup was nondescript, likening it to a watery Campbell's soup that someone simply made spicy. Twice we asked for bread that never came. Our server, despite the sheer desolation of the dining room, was unattentive and could be seen chatting with the bartender frequently. Once our food was delivered, she never returned until coming by to ask, "All finished?" We then ordered coffee, but were told they were "out" and only had decaf. I guess the "coffee train" left the building, too. This was a terribly disappointing experience for all of us, and I doubt any of us will return.

Recommends

tehama

Joined 8 years ago

Surprising Find! Delicious!. My friend and I dined at Verde last week for the first and it was a delightful find! The lush green hues ranging from asparagus to kelly to shamrock to fern to olive to celedon ticked the senses and made us feel relaxed and excited at the same time. The interior design could be found in some European hotbed of culture with the strategically placed lighting and clean lines of the furniture and bar area.

The ambiance, however, did not overshadow the food. It was scrumptious and the price-point was excellent. We shared the bread and three-dip appetizer; had two remarkably fresh and intoxicating salads, and shared the tuna entree which was flavorful and not dry at all. I wish I had not been so full, as the desserts sounded mouthwatering.

What was unusual: to have such tempting treats from the kitchen, we were surprised it was not more busy. Triangle residents/visitors - you must give this one a try!

What they need to work on: To be one of George Bakatsias? restaurants, the service needs to be more polished. Our waiter was nice, though not terribly attentive. In fact - he was more than a little clueless (maybe he was new?). Also, I think they were trying to be avant-guard, but still wine is not served in flutes or trumpets. The stemware to be more appropriate for the drinks they contain.

Recommends

mikebibi

Joined 6 years ago

Good food,great out doors. Verde lets diners be whoever they want. Depending on where you sit, what you drink, or what you eat, you can feel relaxed and casual or intimate and "special occasion." The elegant simplicity of the decor and cuisine here allows the restaurant to fit your mood.

Great place

Doesn't Recommend

foodstob1

Joined 6 years ago

Unimpressive food, good martinis and great service. We live within walking distance so were excited to try it but were highly disappointed. The tortilla soup was boring, the blue cheese dressing on the flank salad was unimpressive, and the ginger tuna was dull and dry (I only took a few bites and pushed it aside). The waiter was extremely attentive and very friendly.

Go for a martini and the great service - nothing more.

Recommends

margaret1970

Joined 7 years ago

Very good food,cool outdoor seating. I been to Verde few times and they get better all the time.The food is better i recoment the chili squid for starters,caprese salad and the pork chop or tuna with the brown rice.

Sit outside.Very hot inside they have to do somethinhk with the AC.

Good place over all

Recommends

ziko2000

Joined 7 years ago

Good food,cool place. Verde is the litle secret of Durham.I was the weekend whith my frieds and we have a good time and good food at terific prices.We sat outside and we enjoy the evening under the stars.Visit verde and you will see your selfs.

Recommends

phoe1025

Joined 7 years ago

Not the best of the chains. Verde is own by the same team that operates several other high-end places in Durham; however, I have to say, it is not the best one of them. On a Sat night (which is not particularlly busy for the place), they were out of 3 of the 5-6 entree listed, and the portion is really on the small side, even for a "fancy" rest. One fritatta appertizer was good, and the desserts were all good. Our waitress was friend, but service was extremely slow most of the time. I will not recommed this place unless you are in for coffee & dessert.