Vivilore

Prior to this week, I last visited this restaurant several years ago. I had fond memories of the ambiance and setting, and it was exactly the same. Quaint and quirky/artistic indoors and very cool garden/patio seating outdoors. I honestly appreciate the amount of effort required to maintain this place. Food options were diverse and ample. Service was nice, although predictable and almost humorous with chronic up-selling. I had a seafood special which was nice, probably the best scallops I’ve ever had… my daughter had a huge salad that was actually quite epic. Crab cakes were nice. One thing I really appreciated was the size of the Old Fashion my MIL ordered. It was easily twice the size of those at other similar priced restaurants we’ve visited lately. Others at dinner got chicken, and something else. I liked the personal feel to the restaurant. The server (who I swear was the same one who served us years ago) had an actual investment into the place. Gave bit of interest/intimacy/personal flair that I feel is uncommon for casual upscalish dining. Most have an antiseptic/forced fake nicety, no? Anyway. They put a candle in a cream brûlée for my daughter’s birthday which I thought was cool. The quality is unexpected “for Independence” and appreciated. We will be back.

Excellent place to eat. Quirky decorations inside lend a whimsical atmosphere. The food is superb. Pricing is higher than casual places; most entrees $25-50. Plus appetizers, dessert, drinks. The drink menu is stocked with a variety of mixed drinks, wine and some beer. But the best thing is eating outside. Very good atmosphere though apparently it can get dark outside when it’s not summer. The biggest downside is that it’s not close to a highway so it does take a few more minutes to get to it.

We had dinner tonight for the first time at this restaurant. Excellent food and service. For many years we have frequented restaurants on the Country Club Plaza and even Gordon Ramsay, however, the food at Vivilore was so much better tasting and had generous portions. Pleasantly surprised. The crab cake was probably the best I've had anywhere, it was large and not overcooked or greasy. We shared each other steak, salmon, several appetizers and desserts, none of them disappointed!