Vivolo's Chowder House — Restaurant in Pacific Grove

Discrimination or Hatred? You Decide.

I wasn’t sure if I should write a review, but after discussing it with friends, they encouraged me to share this to raise awareness.

About three weeks ago, I took my wife to this restaurant, hoping to give her a taste of local clam chowder and enjoy a nice dining experience. As most people know, great service and food both contribute to that experience. Unfortunately, when either is lacking, the whole evening can be ruined.

It was a busy Friday evening, and we waited a bit for a table—no problem, that was expected. We were eventually seated at a small table behind a wall near the host stand. Another two-top next to us was also available, and soon, a couple was seated there as well.

Both our tables waited for a while before a server finally arrived. He had a noticeably unfriendly demeanor and went straight to the other couple without acknowledging us. I wanted to believe it was an honest mistake—maybe he didn’t see who was seated first. But then, he stood with his back toward me, blocking my path and making it awkward for me to even get up. My wife made direct eye contact to signal we were ready, but was met with a dismissive expression. I wish she had told me at the time.

After serving the other table, he finally turned to us and took our order. I figured at least the food might come out around the same time. Another staff member eventually brought us our dishes, and we never saw that server again—except when he kept checking in on the couple next to us. He repeatedly ignored our table while providing warm, attentive service to them.

The contrast was painfully clear.

At the end of the meal, he asked the table next to us if they wanted dessert. They declined and asked for the check. I took that opportunity to ask for ours as well. What happened next confirmed everything I had been feeling.

He brought the other couple’s bill in a proper check presenter—but handed ours to us as a loose paper receipt. No explanation, no apology. Just dropped it on the table. Then, when I gave him my credit card, he dropped it on the floor before completing the transaction.

At that point, I had no more excuses to make for him.

I don’t know what it was about us that led to this treatment—was it because we’re women? Because we’re Asian? Because we’re an LGBTQ+ couple? The couple next to us was a white male and Asian female. Whatever the reason, no one in customer service—especially in a tourist area—should act with such blatant disrespect.

We didn’t ask for substitutions. We didn’t complain. We just wanted to be treated like every other paying customer. I even left a tip—something he didn’t earn—out of respect for the fact that he works for a living, hoping he might reflect on his actions.

After speaking with friends, one of them looked into it and found that this kind of discriminatory behavior seems to be a known issue in the area. In fact, the city even has a website for reporting such incidents.

To sum it up: if you’re a person of color or part of any marginalized group, think twice before dining here. Save yourself the hurt and disappointment. Maybe stick to more commercialized spots where professionalism is at...

Came here hearing great things about this place and their chowder, but unfortunately didn’t turn out that well.

The clam chowder bread bowl w/ garlic cheese lid was probably the best item that we got, but not great in general. The cheese lid itself was extremely greasy, soggy with oil to the point that I squeezed it and tablespoons of oil came out. The chowder itself was way too liquid-like, and tasted very fishy with poor quality clam (very rubbery despite being very thin sliced). It lacked flavor and creaminess, feeling more like a filler than a chowder. The bread bowl it came in was decent, although a little dense.

The fish and chips were just plainly unseasoned. It was quite literally tasteless white fish (that fell apart) in a soggy fried casing, and the fries were just, well, fries— can’t really go wrong there.

The crab sandwich, which was an expensive $32 as market price, came drenched in butter, and was cold in places it shouldn’t (bread, crab) and warm where it shouldn’t (avocado, lettuce). The flavor of the crab just wasn’t there— it tasted like a lukewarm, oily tuna sandwich.

Additionally, the iced tea we had had a very strange fermented taste to it— needless to say, we did not refill it.

However, service was great and the staff were very polite and helpful. The joint is also very cozy and casually decorated.

Even though this is supposedly the go-to chowder place for locals, I would just say to save the time— my family and I were able to find better quality chowders at establishments not known for/advertising chowder as their...

Update from Vivolo's response to my original review: True, I didn't eat the grilled cheese my nephew got, and I assumed the cheese was american. But... I did get the same bread on my sandwich -- and it tasted like 20-slice-to-a-loaf white bread, AND the bottom slice was completely soaked through from the watery crab salad. I should have taken a pic of my plate at the end: I'd removed both slices of bread and just ate the crab salad from the inside -- which was tasteless. And, no, it wasn't the most expensive thing on the menu - by far. I don't mind paying top dollar IF THE FOOD IS GOOD. This was not, thus I complained that I paid over $50 for lunch for one person and a child. If it had been fresh-caught crab on slice of sourdough loaf, as I assumed it would be, it would have been worth it. Maybe you don't get your ingredients from Sysco -- but it sure tastes like it.

Original review: Lame food. This place must be getting by on its old reputation? Came here because Hooks looked too tourist-trap, but thinking that was a mistake. Service at Vivolo’s was lovely and fast, but the food was mediocre. I came for the chowder and it was meh. Not out of a can, but Sysco ingredients.

Got the crab salad sandwich— tasteless canned crab on white bread. Side salad was good- actual spring greens. Definitely the highlight. My nephew loved his grilled cheese, but he’s 11… American cheese on white bread.

With tax and tip, lunch was over $50 for me and a child.

Vivolos: wake up to the Bay Area in 2024 and use higher-quality ingredients. Won’t be...