Vista Spring Cafe

Update: my wife and I visited when we were back in the neighborhood, still a gem. Original: Vista Spring has always been there. It's never the first place I think of to eat out but it's always the place I'm so thankful has been around when I do. The pizza is pretty good, everything is straightforward and dependable. It's just a great combination of cozy, warm atmosphere, decent food, and a historic location (one that I hope keeps keeping on).

This is one of those hidden gem restaurants that have delicious food and yet, somehow stay off the radar. First, the location is in the absolutely gorgeous Goose Hollow Neighborhood with large and historic houses perched along the hillside. Second let’s talk about the atmosphere, the restaurant is very quaint with small booths and tables along with a full bar. A small stairway leads into a cute antique shop next door. Third, let’s talk about the food. I started with their homemade meatballs which were some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Our family got a large Sicilian Pizza and it was amazing. (Much better than Ken’s) Perfect amount of toppings and the crust had been cooked perfectly. Not too hard and not too soft. Lastly, the waitstaff were very attentive and super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Everything looked so good but, their suggestions helped us pick out the most popular dishes and they didn’t disappoint. Definitely give the Vista Spring Cafe a try for your next dinner. If you love homemade Italian food, this is the place

I hadn't been here in probably a decade, but it was pretty much just as I remember it. We came in at opening time for a late lunch/early dinner. There was steady traffic coming in on a Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't too busy. I had the poppyseed chicken crunch salad which was very satisfying; my spouse had a personal garlic panceta pizza which he quite enjoyed. We shared a bread pudding at the end of our meal, which was outstanding. The server was attentive, though it took a while to receive our food, but we enjoyed the windowside table and the music plying as we waited.

It is a very difficult job to be a food critic, especially when writing a review for only a second time in my life, so I won't even pretend to be one. Nevertheless, I believe it may be beneficial for any potential patrons of the place we visited to put forward a few words about the good, the bad and the ugly. As far as the latter two, we found none for the Vista Spring Cafe. The food, the service, the environment, and surrounding are all good. The menu isn't long, but each item we ordered was very pleasing to our taste buds and stomachs. Few of us ended up with plates completely cleaned up and the little of the food that was left simply couldn't fit into our stuffed bellies anymore. The waitress provided very prompt service and was able to tend to every question and menu alteration we threw at her. The place itself, though not very big, is nice and cozy with some interesting installations and decorations of the mid-twentieth century. It is situated in an upscale neighborhood on a hill, which can be explored before or after the meal, provided the weather cooperates. Of course there are also few smaller tables set outside during the warmer seasons, so a not too big group of customers (along with their pets) can actually explore a corner of that neighborhood while consuming the meal. Overall the Vista Spring Cafe is a wonderful place that's definitely worth returning to.