Ginger F.
Yelp
Updated
Great food, missing that special touch.
I've updated my previous post from 3 stars to 4, which I couldn't edit and had to delete. So, this is a repost with updates, with 4 stars being rounded up for the food quality and our server.
As foodies, my husband and I enjoy indulging in a good dining experience, often spending $200-$400 per visit. We appreciate restaurants that value customers like us and provide excellent food and an equally exceptional customer experience.
Food: 5
The food deserves 5 stars for its quality, taste, and presentation. There is no argument that everything we tried was delicious and top-notch. If the rating were based solely on food, 5 stars would be unquestionable.
Ambiance: 3
This restaurant is a converted old house. Due to the small interior, we opted to sit outside so we could hear each other. It was nice, but not particularly romantic despite the candle on our table, as we were literally sitting on the front porch. The landscaping hasn't been well-maintained and could use some mood lighting or something else. No big deal though, as we enjoy looking at each other more than anything. Also, seeing random people walk by added a bit of fun.
Server: 5
Our server was excellent, knowledgeable about the menu, and gave great recommendations. We would have gladly tipped him if it weren't a tip-less restaurant. We later learned he is also the manager, but that wasn't made known to us at the time.
Corkage and Cover Charge: 1
We were put off by the $12 cover charge and the $75 corkage fee. I could understand these fees in places like Chicago, LA, or New York, but they seemed absurd for Utah. Most high-end restaurants here don't charge more than $25 for corkage, and many don't charge us at all.
It's true that we discovered the corkage fee after a DM with the restaurant earlier that day. Since we already had a reservation, we decided to dine anyway, but the fee deterred us from bringing our own bottle and it left a bad impression. While I understand the rationale for the fee, given the sommelier services and curated wine offerings, it still felt unusually high compared to other high-end restaurants in Utah with similar offerings. We ended up having a couple of glasses of wine from the menu, which were overpriced. However, we would have preferred one of our own bottles. After dinner, we went elsewhere for drinks.
While the cover charge is listed on the menu and appears on the receipt as 'coperto,' it seems unnecessary. The charge itself is not outlandish, but it is not something we are used to paying for at other restaurants.
Menu Options: 4
The second course options are excellent if you like beef and are okay with the required portions and related costs. There aren't many lighter options if you fill up from the appetizer and first course, other than Branzino or a side dish. I opted for a salad. I was surprised there wasn't a lighter protein option besides red meat, or another type of fish besides Branzino, which often contains bones even when deboned thoroughly. Adding a little more variety could be beneficial.
Customer Experience and Overall Service: 3
After learning it was our first visit, it would have been nice if the chef or owner had stopped by our table to greet us and check on our meal and service - which would have taken 5 minutes, tops. Although we had the manager serving our table, having someone like the chef or owner show appreciation for our business, would have been a nice touch and it's one of the things that sets apart the best restaurants.
Summary:
In hopes of trying something new, I made reservations here based on the rave reviews. Had I visited for a business gathering focused primarily on the food, my review might differ. However, with any fine dining, great food is the expectation, and when I dine with my husband, the customer experience & service interaction is equally important. That is what makes us want to return, and what we felt was missing from this visit. Perhaps it was an off night. That said, while many customers may return here for the food and extensive wine list, to us, this restaurant felt more transactional with the fees and the 'order everything at once' approach, along with the 90-minute time limit for a table of two. "We'll be back" was not part of our vocabulary during this visit. If anything, it solidifies what we love about the other restaurants we most frequent, who also offer an extensive wine list, but with a lower corkage fee (if any), along with a romantic atmosphere and attentive service that makes us feel valued.
This just wasn't for us. Regardless, thank you Veneto. We wish you continued success.
