Vicino — Restaurant in Indianapolis

We visited during the last Devour Indy. Our server, Sydney, was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and doing her best under difficult circumstances—and the cocktails were great. I never do reviews, so I was hesitant to post this one, hence the delay. I want to preface it with: please, if you read this, still give it a shot; we want nothing more than for restaurants, including this one, to succeed—it’s good for everyone. This is simply for higher managerial staff and ownership to understand what is most likely contributing to a "slow" Saturday during Devour, especially since we were not given much opportunity otherwise to share our experience.

We ordered the Devour menu, and the first steak arrived with a huge chunk of unrendered fat throughout. Sydney noticed on her way to the table and took it back to be redone. When the second steak arrived, the manager—who never introduced herself—asked if everything was okay. We said yes, as it was the right meal but we hadn’t even touched it yet, and she promptly left. However, upon slicing it, the steak was raw/blue.

After waiting over two hours for our main course, we decided to end the evening rather than risk another refire. No worries, we thought—it must not be our night. When the bill came, we were still charged full price for the steak that we never got to eat. Despite Sydney advocating for us, the manager refused a discount or to come to our table, relaying via Sydney, “she can't discount Devour.” By then, we just wanted to go home, so we paid. On our way out, the manager was at the front desk, and I asked her, as someone in the industry, why her system doesn’t allow discounts. She deflected, claiming we “said it was fine,” argued over minor details of the steak being precut so we should have known before she walked away, and abruptly said, “I’m not arguing with you!”

Okay, this part admittedly feels harsh, but the interaction came across as dismissive and unprofessional, with little willingness to take responsibility or make things right—the opposite of the hospitality that Indy is known for.

Adding to the disappointment, we learned that the chef had been sent home two hours before our reservation, so the quality of the food depended entirely on who was left. Being told, “If the chef were here, you would have had a great steak.” We would have loved to leave our experience feeling excited to come back when the chef was there (we want to be charitable—maybe he was sick that day, etc.). Yet, the experience clearly trickled down and left us feeling the opposite. A lackluster experience is only as “bad” as how it is handled.

In any industry, but especially the restaurant industry, things aren’t always going to go perfectly. Unfortunately—and fortunately—those moments create opportunities that no “perfect” dining experience ever could. They’re chances for managers and senior staff to step up, connect with their guests, and leave a lasting impression of attentiveness, integrity, and hospitality. It’s not the misstep that matters, but the way it’s handled.

In short, Sydney was wonderful, and the cocktails were excellent, but the food and managerial experience were disappointing. It is a great location, we hope it is the best, and we hope that others do not have...

Big shoutout to some of the best Italian food I’ve had in a long time and that’s coming from a girl who basically skipped meals all day in anticipation like it was the Super Bowl of pasta. Worth it. Every bite.

Let’s start with that marinara absolutely dreamy. Light, garden-fresh, and perfectly balanced. The chunks of fresh tomatoes were delightful, I felt like I was enjoying my garden heirlooms. It wasn’t drowning the dish or leaving me feeling like I needed to be rolled out of the restaurant. Just clean, fresh flavor that tasted like someone’s Nonna had been simmering it all day with love and homegrown tomatoes.

The chicken Parmesan was everything it should be crisp breading that didn’t fall apart or try to overpower the chicken. Just golden, delicate perfection.

Now. The tiramisu. I’m ridiculously picky. Like… Olympic-level judgmental. For reference, my favorites have been Carmichael’s in D.C. and this cozy, heavy family Italian spot in Virginia that I can never remember the name of probably because I left in a food coma. But this one? Light, airy, rich without being overwhelming and it 100% earned a spot on the podium. Like if cream and clouds had a baby and then that baby went to culinary school in Italy. Silky, not too sweet, and just enough decadence to make you pause mid-bite and stare into the distance in bliss. I didn’t need a nap or a stretcher after eating it.

We stole a bite of my daughter’s scallops and pasta, divine. And SIL’s pesto chicken dish? Shockingly amazing, especially considering I usually think pesto tastes like something scraped off a lawn mower. This one was vibrant, lightly creamy, and completely changed my pesto prejudice.

Oh the meatball appetizer? Had a slow-cooked depth. Perfect.

Portions were just right. No need to unbutton pants or pretend I was “just resting my eyes” at the table. We all left full and genuinely happy.

And the service? Phenomenal. Attentive, friendly, and on top of everything (and let’s be honest) finding truly good service these days is rare enough to deserve its own round of applause.

The vibe? Spot on. Not stuffy or overly formal, but still had that intentional, elevated feel. The walls were lined with soft sepia-toned art, string lights gave it that warm, patio-like glow, and the high industrial ceilings kept it open and airy, major bonus since we had ‘Wicked’ afterward. I got all the ambiance of outdoor dining without melting off my makeup. Only Elphaba was doing the melting that night.

Bottom line: Highly recommend. It’s Italian food that makes you feel good, not like you need to go lie down and reevaluate your life choices.

I left full and putting this as a ‘must’ for another...

Vicino offers a fantastic blend of atmosphere, creativity, and flavor that keeps me coming back. (Fun fact: the “c” in Vicino is pronounced like “ch,” which I didn’t know at first!) The space itself is charming, with huge windows overlooking Mass Ave, giving the interior a bright, open feel. The patio, situated on the corner, has lush greenery that adds a bit of privacy, perfect for a relaxing outdoor experience. Bonus: It’s dog-friendly, which makes it even better.

Both times I sat at the bar, and each visit was outstanding. Julian, the bartender on my first visit, is truly a master of his craft. With 90% of the cocktails on the menu curated by him, I trusted his ability to mix something unique based on my spirit of choice—and he did not disappoint. He seems to love experimenting, and his passion shows in every sip. On my second visit, Devin was behind the bar and proved just as talented, accommodating my desire to switch things up again with different spirits.

I also had the pleasure of trying the food on my first visit, and it was absolutely delicious, pairing perfectly with the drinks. Overall, Vicino delivers a stellar experience across the board, with the only small downside being the lack of a trash can by the bathroom door for those who prefer to use a paper towel to exit. But that’s a minor detail in what is otherwise...