VV The Italian Experience — Restaurant in Cincinnati

I was really disappointed by my experience here, and we did speak up during the meal to no benefit. I was embarrassed I chose to bring guests here.

I saw a social media post advertising a special focaccia brunch and made a reservation a week ahead since my parents (Italian food lovers) would be visiting. We arrived on time and were not greeted at the host stand for about 4 minutes, as we were jostled by the door traffic. We had to find a staff member and tell them of our reservation. They seated us at a beautiful table and it was a nice atmosphere. So far, so good, but then it went downhill.

We asked our server about the focaccia special. She said we could buy some to-go outside and that there were no special focaccia items being served in the dining room. Disappointing but also even more disappointingly, that turned out not to be quite true—only true for us, apparently! We later saw many diners around us were eating focaccia offerings we were not given the option to choose from, even though we asked and it was the reason we came.

We started by ordering special pistachio cappuccinos and some sfogiatelle (pastries), which we had to explain multiple ways, because she didn't seem to understand us or maybe didn't know what it was.

The sfogiatella was greasy. The cappuccinos came much later and were barely luke warm. They had no pistachio cream or ground pistachio, as described on the menu. When we said we thought we got regular cappuccinos by mistake and the server agreed, she came back a few minutes later with a self-serve tiny bowl of chopped pistachio (no pistachio cream until about 10 minutes after that, and again, self-serve). She didn't fix them or remake them. We paid for the specialty version on our bill. When we said we were not pleased with the drinks, nothing was done. A new Americano ordered didn't come, so when we were done with our meal, we asked to cancel it and received pushback, even though it obviously hadn't been made yet.

Our party's main dishes came out at least 5 minutes apart, we think because they brought another table's order to us first, and gave us one of the other table's dishes by accident. Our sandwiches were fine, but lacked balance in flavors (salt, fat, acid). And the restaurant was out of burrata.

Adding insult to injury, at the end of our meal, our server gave a non-apology, saying, "Sorry, but in Italy they don't drink hot coffee," or something like that. She said they were understaffed, but we saw as many staff as seated diners, at least 12 people.

I don't think I'll go back any time soon, which is a shame, because the interior is bright and fun and the items sounded good on the menu/looked good...

As someone who relishes authentic Italian cuisine, I was truly overjoyed to find VV Italian nestled in the heart of Mount Lookout. Their exquisite paninis, scrumptious pastries, and the welcoming ambiance make for an extraordinary culinary journey reminiscent of a picturesque Italian streetside cafe.

One of VV Italian's standout offerings is their panzerotti. Reminiscent of those found in Bari, the panzerottis here are crafted with passion, bringing an authentic Italian experience to this Ohio neighborhood. Those of us yearning for a taste of Italy will find solace in the flaky pastries and flavorful fillings. My palate is already eager to return for this Bari-style delight.

Not to be outdone by their baked goods, their coffee is noteworthy as well. The cappuccino was absolutely spot on - creamy, rich, and invigorating. The cornetto paired with it was a match made in heaven, giving me a true Italian breakfast experience in the heart of the Midwest.

When it comes to dessert, VV Italian has an enticing array of pastries that all look deliciously authentic. While I missed out on the last slice of their coveted pistachio cheesecake, the rave reviews from fellow diners have me resolute to return for a taste.

VV Italian is more than just a place to eat; it's an experience. With Prosecco that sparkles, a fresh and delightful meat and cheese platter, and free Wi-Fi for those needing to work, this spot truly caters to a variety of needs. Be warned, though - parking is an extra expense, but a small price to pay for such an immersive culinary trip to Italy.

The service at VV Italian is second to none. Friendly staff that go above and beyond to ensure a great experience truly adds to the charm of this gem.

VV Italian is an absolute must-visit for anyone craving an authentic taste of Italy. Just remember to get there early enough to secure a slice of their pistachio cheesecake - something I'll be sure to do on my next visit!

Follow @angieknowsthetruth & @cincinnatifoodies for more...

This had to be the worst experience I have had in a while. I met a friend there for lunch and to check out the new place as we both had heard about. We decided to get a pasta and salad to share. We ordered our food sometime between 12:00 and 12:10. After some time catching up we both looked at the clock to see it was approaching 1:00 (both on lunch breaks) and still we had no food nor did the server come by to let us know at any point what was going on! It was after I mentioned the time to her(server) that she said "the kitchen is backed up" even though food continued to come out to everyone around us (even those who showed up well after we had ordered). The food came out an hour after ordering, the pasta was cold and the salad was covered in salt, to the point it was tough to eat. Both she and I had empty water glasses the entire time we ate and with all the salt consumption could have used a refill badly. At one point we both found just straight salt in the bottom of the salad. If only the server would have checked on us rather than ignore us. It wasn't until the server FINALLY came over, not to check on the food, but to say she would get checks ready. Again, I had to ask for more water! She was very prompt in taking our payment and gave a half a$#ed "sorry it took so long" as we left. Anyone thinking about trying this place out, I would recommend saving your time and money. For only offering lunch for three hours, it sure seemed like the staff could use some major training and learn how to help as a team. The service was definitely not worth a star, nor was the food.

*I spent just shy of twenty years in restaurants (mostly in Italian cuisine) and my friend is currently a GM for a very successful restaurant as well. So between the two of us we know a little bit about service and...