Keith J.
Yelp
I'm cracking up here, because--thinking about my meals at Vivi--the "worst" thing I had was actually excellent! And I just finished enjoying it as a leftover. The Margherita pizza. So many in town can't get a Neapolitan pizza right, too often with a limp-penis center. Well, not Vivi! The crust was near perfect, with a nice chew, and no mushy center, nor a need to eat it with a knife and fork. Simple, classic, and provided me with a couple of days of leftovers. It was nice to keep enjoying the pure flavors. (At home, I did add some crushed red peppers and a thin stream of an excellent extra virgin olive oil).
But I'm just getting started. If that was merely excellent, then let's move to the other parts of my recent dinner. Incredible bread--that I believe was freshly baked--started off the meal. That one important measure of a great Italian restaurant--stellar freshly baked bread. If it wasn't freshly baked (I didn't verify), then it sure tasted that way. A nice crunch on the outside and lovely on the inside. Some EVOO and balsamic enhanced it even more. You could smell its herbs as the waiter was bringing it to the table.
My dining partner got the Pappardelle Bolognese. Forget leftovers. He woofed it down. It was so good he couldn't stop eating it. I tried some, and yes, it was to die for. Homemade pasta. A wonderful nuanced bolognese with no off-flavors. Everything sang together.
But let me sing the praises of MY entree--Casarecce Al Ragu Bianco. Casarecce is an extruded pasta, sort of like cut bucatini #2 that's been in a fight. The sauce was a marriage of braised pork ragu that's been slow cooked with various herbs and veggies, along with parmigiano. No tomato sauce. Very light but the flavors were lovingly intense. Waves of various flavors flowing over the tongue like a choir in a resplendent cadence. I decided after that first bite that 1) I would eat the whole thing and not take any home, but 2) that I would eat it slowly, taking a bite, putting my fork down, and let this bite of pasta make slow Barry White love to my mouth. This was one of the most exceptional pasta dishes I've had lifetime.
We finished with cannoli and tiramisu, both of which had wonderful flavor and texture.
If we had had wine (waiting on license), we probably would have broken down and wept with happiness.
I *had* to ask for the chef to thank him for such an excellent meal. This was my second time into Vivi, and my incredible lunch experience a few weeks ago was sustained with this amazing dinner experience.
The restaurant made my partner feel like he was back home in a friend's parent's neighborhood Italian restaurant. Even though Vivi is in a little strip mall of casual eateries (most of which are OUTSTANDING, by the way, notably Curry Zone and Los Cuates Gourmet), Vivi is a bit more formal, but not in a dress-up way. The music and lighting were perfect. And our server was friendly and attentive.
I will be back to work my way through the menu, including the Secondi. I'm very happy I stumbled upon Vivi. It's great to have such a nice place in my local area. Yeah, we have lots of nice Italian restaurants around, but this one is special.....