Vivilore — Restaurant in Independence

Primarily a happy hour (which has exhibited its own difficulties), regular patron for two years, I just concluded the worst dining experience I have ever had at any restaurant in the greater Independence MO area, bar none. Low quality food and over inflated pricing. I had convinced my Lady friend to join me in a dinner at Vivilore, dining in the garden (which really is a quite lovely option, excepting the flies). We arrived around 7P and were promptly seated at a nice outdoor table. The server was initially pleasant, but later not to be found. She pushed for an entree order, but accepted our appetizer and wine order and left. We had explained that my friend and I would be sharing each course, appetizer, soup, entree and desert. She acquiesced. The house Pinot Grigio was ok, but pricey for what it was. The appetizer, wild mushroom cheese cake, seemed stale (I had a creamier version on a previous visit). The cracker was stale, the pita bread a close second, and the appetizer itself tasted to be a reheated version of a formerly good dish. She next brought out our soup order. I have to admit I have always enjoyed excellent soup at Vivilore! If not for the rest of the story, I would be back for their soup. Then the "medium rare" rib eye was delivered and the server disappeared. Since I didn't have a fork, I stood up and was moving towards the kitchen area when one of the other servers stated they would bring me one, and did. I next bit into a cold, under cooked, grisly piece of meat, possibly not even a rib eye. The "twice baked potato" was cold as well. Even the veggies were cold. My companion agreed. I looked for the server, not to be found. As my friend and I were deciding to leave, the server returned. We told her the meal, other than the soup, was disappointing, in its entirety. She told us she would send a manager. We waited 10 minutes and no one returned, so we started towards the register located in the restaurant. One of the other waitresses stepped in and we told her why we were leaving, She stated she would bring us the bill, and promptly brought us the full bill, although we actually had no dinner. There was never an offer of a replacement, or any compensation for the terrible meal. I explained to that waitress, a server manager?, that poor service, poor food, and no consideration equaled no tip. Upon arriving home and further discussing the event with my friend, who commented, I should have asked to take it home for my dog, but that would have been mean to the dog. I then called the owner, she claimed to have actually tasted our rejected, returned steak, "it was fine." She offered absolutely NO consideration, let alone any compensation. I told her she can now "color me gone". All in all, Vivilore food quality has been going steadily down, while prices keep increasing. I wholeheartedly suggest any Diners consider Ophelia's, or Cafe Verona, located on the Independence Square before here. Then...

My husband and I live up North. But driving to Vivilore was worth the trip! We heard quite a lot about this place, specifically the patio garden. My Aunt told me "go there for something special."

It was my husband's birthday so I decided to go there as the pictures looked amazing. When we arrived they directed us to the back and told us to choose our own seating (it was a Tues night and we did have a reservation). Literally, as I walked through the doorway to the patio I gasped. Think of the movie "Great Expectations" it was better than anything I could have imagined.

I requested Andy as our server given another reviewer's suggestion--thank you! He was perfect. The service is hometown, unpretentious, warm and inviting. All the bells and whistles are focused on the garden and the amazing food.

Last night we had the most amazing Scottish salmon-whoa! Thick, juicy, tender, a portion size akin to what I serve up at home! It was the best salmon I have ever had.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. For a starter we had the crab cakes that were perfect. Big, lumpy, and perfectly seasoned, with an amazing aioli. We couldn't decide on the hummus of the day so Andy brought us a generous sample with fresh warm pida wedges.

I had a delicious (again generous) pour of Pinot noir, my husband went for a boulevard. My salmon was served with a spinach salad, which was covered in every berry in season- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries; tangerines, huge (slightly) sweetened walnuts, a light lemony vinigrette, it was the perfect flavor combination. My husband chose the twice baked potato-hot, lightly buttered, with the perfect smattering of melted cheese.

I am extremely picky about food that is suppose to be hot- hot and food that should be cold--cold. I LOVED that our salmon was piping hot, my husband's potato was just amazing, not a pile of accolades on top, all the seasonings just melded together flawlessly, the experience on your tongue was simple. Ambrosia.

We finished dinner with a piece of lemon, creamy, topped with berries, cake- damn! I mean, perfect 10!

I am almost hesitant to write this. I don't want the laid back vibe to change or this place to get so crazy that we can't get a reservation.

This review is long because Vivilore is a true masterpiece. My husband and I had the most romantic night. My only complaint is the Mosquitos. Citronella candles should be out!

I get easily bitten so I actually brought bug spray and used it on my legs before we walked in. You have to know you are going into the Garden of Eden--there will be bugs--but it did not take away from our experience.

We can't wait to go back-most likely this weekend for appetizers and cocktails.

Don't overthink this-book a reservation. Go have a truly unique...

Walked in with very little idea what to expect. Which is, firstly, that you should have a reservation. The decor could be overwhelming if it wasn't so well put together. The restaurant is also an antique store, so a lot, if not all, of the decor, is for sale, along with another floor or two of antiques, which I did not visit.

Back to the lack of reservation - the manager said they could serve the two of us in half an hour, and we were welcome to view the garden in the meantime. The garden is gorgeous, with plenty of shade along the walkway, and outdoor seating and it was somehow cooler there than anywhere else on this summer day.

When it was time for us to order, it was a tough decision. Menu items range in price mostly from $16-30. It was more than I'd anticipated, but not unreasonable. I wanted to eat light, and got salmon and herbed cream cheese bruschetta, minus the bread, since I'm gluten free. My companion got a housemade chicken salad sandwich with a side of potato salad.

The portion sizes completely justified the price. I got 4 thin slices of salmon rolled up with cream cheese (the server said the kitchen had fun making that) on a bed of shredded romaine, topped with housemade (bread & butter style) pickles, picked red onion, sliced hard boiled egg, crumbled goat cheese, and capers. There was a slice of orange and of watermelon on the side. The chicken salad was on thick toasted bread. It also came with fruit and pickles. We both decided the pickles were tasty, but too spicy.

We considered dessert, but were already taking home half of our meals, so we declined. The options were lemon cake with mascarpone filling, flourless chocolate torte, or créme bruleé.

UPDATE 6/22/23: Went with my husband for our anniversary. Dinner entrée prices range from $20-60. I had a grilled salmon with apricot sauce, rice pilaf and sautéed vegetables on the side. My husband got a tenderloin steak with loaded baked potato and sautéed vegetables. I got dessert this time! Creme brulee with berries - a traditional nutmeg custard. We also walked around the upper floors and in the gardens. The...