Translated from the Italian language, Vivace means "lively", which is exactly the ambiance at Vivace Ristorante where culinary creations join with excellent wines to celebrate the cuisine of Northern Italy. Highly regarded as one of the best restaurants on the Peninsula, Vivace Ristorante is located in the charming city of Belmont. The warm interior is designed as to permit the viewing of the talented chefs as they prepare an array of Italian dishes with emphasis in the regions of Piemonte and Toscana. With its exceptional cuisine, elegant ambiance, high level of service, and extensive wine list (2003-2012 Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence), Vivace creates a wonderful dining experience in which the gastronomia of Northern Italy is celebrated everyday!
"It is hard to believe Vivace has been a Belmont fixture for 19 years. The food was as good as maybe even better then found on the streets of Rome or Firenze...and it's just down the street!!!!. The service , and the food were very good. The menu selection diverse. My wife had the vegetarian pizza - I thought - yuck !- I was wrong it was great!!! . The Tortellini alla Vivace -(veal stuffed) was al dente and delicious.
We'll be back"
Dined on 5/19/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"Four of us enjoyed Mother's Day Dinner at Vivace. The food was good, but not great as prior meals have been. Service was attentive but a bit slow although I attribute that to a packed house for Mother's Day with a wave a guests arriving the same time we did. Overall, still a favorite but need to return soon to see if their fare still impresses."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"This is truly a neighborhood gem and we are always greeted warmly by the owner and staff. Food is consistently good and there is something for everyone on the menu."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Great food. Lots to choose from and no option disappoints. Notables are the skirt steak, pork loin and chicken divoli. If you're craving traditional Italian, the gnocchi is a must."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We frequent Vivace and like it better than Divino or Mistral. It isn't always consistent, but the food is good and the ambiance is very good. We did not have good pasta this trip and pizza was ok. The wine list is lacking some. Used to be better."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem
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"Unfortunately, this was not a good experience. I had taken my wife here for her birthday with our 2 daughters, and the service was very poor. Our waiter was slow, and inattentive. When one of his helpers brought our dinners, he had no idea who had what, so had to ask. This is inexcusable at a restaurant of this level. They also brought 2 of the meals separately, and much later than the first. We have dined here numerous times over the years, and found it to be very inconsistent. Very disappointing, when you consider our dinner for 4 was over $140, before tip."
Dined on 5/01/2013
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"Service was mediocre at best. The server seemed uninterested in making any connection with us. One of the worst servers that I have encountered in several years. We have been to this restaurant several times and never experienced such poor service. As usual, the food was good so our visit was not a loss."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2001
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Vivace has always been one of my favorite restaurants. Service was a little slow but that was due to large parties that seemed to arrive at the same time.
All the dishes we ordered were very satisfactory-- the ahi tuna, lasagna, and the potato wrapped sea bass."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2001
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"The food was outstanding. The waiter was more than helpful on selections. Great wine list and great value for the quality of food. Even the we do not live in the area we will find a reason to go back to try other items on the menu. An outstanding neighborhood place. Do not miss if you are looking for graet Italian food. They make you feel like you are a regular"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 12 for Vivace
Overall rating
(Outstanding)5/5
It's always a pleasure to
OpenTable Diner Since
Dined on 04/19/2013
2002
Dined on 04/19/2013
2002
Food
(Outstanding)5/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)5/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It's always a pleasure to dine at Vivace; the ambiance and food are excellent and service is outstanding."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2002
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Excellent pear salad, though would have enjoyed more if the pears had not been spiced. Had the osso buco lamb shank. Tender but not as flavorful as I remembered in the past. However sauce + creamy polenta was a great combination."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"As always - the food and service were just outstanding!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We are glad we tried Vivace. The food was very good. My wife had the red snapper, and I had the veal with marsala sauce. The atmosphere is very nice, quite tastefully done. The bar appeared nice as well. The service was good, but a bit slow. The wine list was good. Yes, wewill return and try it again."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"My friend and I had the veal scaloppini and a side order of brussels sprouts. All very delicious. The sauce was wonderful and the vegetables were cooked perfectly. The restaurant was, as always, very noisy, but I love their food so will eat there again."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Celebrated birthdays for my daughter and grandson at a wonderful and delightful dining experience. Everyone was so attentive, courteous and efficient!"
Dined on 03/16/2013
2004
Special Features: special occasion
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"Amusing fact: the old school waiter gave the wine list to one of three men in a table of nine. Did not cross his mind at all to even acknowledge the women at the table visually for the wine operation. It's definitely an old school place."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"another good meal at Vivace's. Leek and basil pizza was fabulous. Took half home as the house salad was so big, I was getting full - of course the wonderful french bread helped a big. Love their bread - very crunchy crust and not too soft middle... Very enjoyable meal. Also at our table was the baked eggplant with reports of DELICIOUS. I did notice that as the restaurant started to fill up - we ate at 5:30, the noise level was increasing. I have not had a party there but there a couple of large groups in side rooms."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2004
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"I have been there several times and the food and service have been consistently good. Each time I have tried something different, but everything I have gotten has been very well prepared, tasty and visually appealing. They take care with their ingredients. I've been there with kids once and they have a pretty good kids menu. Service is friendly and attentive."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2000
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Romantic ambiance, more than decent service, bartenders who actually knows how to make drinks stiff!!!!!!!!!!!!!! everything else was really good but their food was one of the worst ever!!!!!!!
Skirt Steak that my friend got and New York Steak for me was good other than it was too burnt outside. However their pasta (Paglia e Fiano) that my wife had was one of the worst pasta that we ever tasted.
I would only go back if i have to grab a drink after dinner. First part of experience before food was very good but after we receive what we ordered, it was the biggest disappointment ever for valentines day."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
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"We celebrated Valentine's Day here and the atmosphere and service were great. I had the seafood risotto and my husband had a snapper. Both were delicious. I was especially impressed that there were big, fresh pieces of fish in my risotto."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We had a 7:15 reservation and didn't get seated until 8:20. The hostess was so rude, she could have made a bad situation better by being more pleasant. When we finally sat down it took our waiter a half and hour to take our order. The food was good but the rest of the experience ruined the night."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2005
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"Food and dessert were excellent, but pricy. Was there to celebrate a 30th birthday. Made reservation via Open Table, but didn't receive any complimentary cake. I guess I should have asked."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Very efficient service -- I say this because we had a play to attend close by and we were served quickly but not too quickly. Food, very good and wine too. Waiter was attentive."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I live in the neighborhood, so I tend to come here about once a month or so. Every time I've come to Vivace, I've had a great meal, with great wine, served to me by a manager, waiters and a host/hostess that are cordial, and friendly. This restaurant is one of those places that offers great food, at a reasonable price, with free parking. What's not to love? Come and enjoy this gem..."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Our family has been loyal to Vivace since day one. The food is excellent and the best in Belmont and in the whole county. From the caesar salad to the best short ribs I have ever had you can't go wrong. The dessert list is marvelous as well with the best profiteroles in town. Take a group or for a romantic evening it is worth your time. The service exceeds as well."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We go here monthly and are never disappointed. Sometimes we just go to the Happy Hour in the bar area - which is a great deal - other times for a sit down dinner. Staff is friendly and attentive but not over-bearing. Food is consistently very good. It is our "go to" restaurant."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Wife and I have dined here many times. We know what to expect: Very good food, decent service. Bartender makes exceptional Manhattans. I often get the Penne con Salsiccia; wife often gets Linguine con Vongole. Never disappoints. Appetizers and deserts are also quite good."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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