Della Viti — Restaurant in Ames

I came here with my husband and a friend on Friday night and had the most disappointing time. Everything started great, we were acknowledged right away and after asking the bartender a few questions about different wines on the menu, she highly recommended one, so we decided to get a bottle, even after informing us of the $10 corking fee. We sat down and were served within a few minutes. The first thing we noticed is that we just paid a $10 corking fee for a TWIST OFF BOTTLE. Are you kidding me? We were annoyed but shrugged it off and just wanted to enjoy our night, so we picked out a couple of games to play as we drank. Once we opened the bottle, and after a few sips we ALL pointed out and agreed right away how disgusting it was. The wine was a sweet sangria and the cap had a weird, sugary crust around it. We thought about it and none of us like to complain, but it was bad enough that I decided to go politely express our dislike and asked if there was something of equal or lesser value to switch it out for. The bartender who was the same one who initially help us was very nice, expressed concern and said she’d have to ask the manager. I then proceeded to watch her go to the opposite end of the bar and talk to the ‘manager’ who was sitting at the bar herself. Very unprofessional. She came over to me a few minutes later and pretty much told me ‘too bad, so sad and that’s not how we do that here’. I didn’t bother to ask but she made it clear anyway that they weren’t going to give any discounts either. I was so shocked at her tone and unprofessionalism that I didn’t even bother to try and negotiate, so we choked down our bottle so we wouldn’t waste $25 ($12 bottle and $10 “corking fee” for a twist off cap!!) and left feeling very disappointed. I’ve been to much better and upscale restaurants and wine bars with extremely good customer service and have received much better accommodations, so why is Della...

Yesterday I had my first time in this place, I think the last one too. You have to give them your card with a minimum charge of $10, so far everything great! then you go to the self service wine. But at the end, I just had the chance to drink one complete drink. Two more tries and the bottles were empty, but no matter that, the complete charge in both of the cases was done. I let "Abby" the waitress know two times about it and she explained me that the machine will just charge the exactly amount dispensed. And it was at the fourth time when the wine card didn't have more funds. So when I went to the cashier for my credit card the total was anyway $10. I know that is not a big deal, but definitely is when I just could try a small drink of $2.50. And even worst when you ask for the service people to help, and the just ignore you as if it was convenient just to keep empty bottles and to get the money anyway. I report the case to the official business control, I guess this is not the first time and I'm not the first person who has the same situation. And if the do the same to a certain number of people, it turns into not that...

This is a great place to meet up with friends, but still have it quiet enough to have a conversation. I also find in the earlier part of the evening it's a great place to take a book and get a his glass of wine and relax on the leather chairs or sofa.

They have a lot of great wines to choose from, sorted by types and there are some great featured wines as well. It's a great set up of putting how much you want to spend up front and loading it to your card. It helps not to overspend, but you can always add more if you want to. You can also not use your whole balance and it will be there waiting the next time you return!

Staff has always been friendly and it's a very well kept establishment in downtown Ames.

Only complaint is that some of the wines are really pricey and if you go when it isn't happy hour pricing you can go through your money quick since it's more economical to get glasses rather than the tastes. The machines have 3 options with the price for each listed, taste is 1oz, sample is 3oz,and a glass is 5oz or something...