Verve Restaurant — Restaurant in Somerville

We were really excited to go to Verve tonight, not long after reading about its being voted best bar in NJ.

We were slightly early to our reservation, and our table was already waiting for us. We walked through the bar area, which had a classy-not-upity vibe, and my husband and I agree we could definitely see coming back here for cocktail or two sometime.

The dining room area in the back is a little fancier, but not intimidatingly so. It wasn’t crowded, so it didn’t take long to place our drink order. I’m currently pregnant, so I inquired about non-alcoholic cocktails. Though there are none on the menu, the bartender was willing to make one for me; I simply had to specify sweet or savory. I had a sweet cocktail, very grapefruity and tangy, absolutely refreshing. My husband was also happy with his Somerville Shandy.

Complimentary salad was provided, which was a nice touch.

When our entrees came out, though, there was a bit of a hiccup. My husband ordered the pork, and it was far from being fully cooked. It was taken back, and we were told it would be about 5 minutes. I was left with my crab cakes, which were delicious. But 5 minutes stretched into more like 15, and I ate hesitantly, not wanting to finish my food before my husband was served. After about 10 minutes, our waiter offered to take my food back to keep it warm; I wish that had been done sooner.

We were told we would be comped a dessert for our troubles.

When the pork came out a second time, it still wasn’t fully cooked. (It was a VERY thick piece of meat.) Not wanting to cause a fuss or wait any longer, my husband sliced it shank up and ate the parts that were cooked and brought the rest home. At least we’ll be able to finish cooking it here.

That said, the quality of the food was fantastic.

After we finished our entrees, the dessert menu was brought to us and we were told again to pick something on the house. I had read the Creme brûlée was fantastic, so we went with that. It was perfectly creamy, the sugar beautifully burned to a caramel crisp.

But when the bill came - we had been charged for it. Talk about awkward. Neither of us felt right calling our waiter over to tell him that our free dessert wasn’t free. I was hoping that that would be changed before my card was run, but it wasn’t. So we paid for our free dessert.

I hate leaving complaints, particularly because our experience wasn’t altogether negative. Again, the food itself was delicious. It’s costly, but the portion size isn’t skimpy, as can often happen when you’re paying a pretty penny for upscale food. The cocktail menu and wine selection are unbelievable.

We’re forgiving; we understand that such a large piece of meat would take a long time to cook. We just didn’t feel it was 100% handled properly, even though the attempt was made.

We will definitely go back, and we might even order the pork again. Just an interesting mix of...

Verve Restaurant in Somerville, NJ, is a charming bistro that offers a unique blend of ambiance, service, and culinary prowess, making it a standout destination in the heart of downtown Somerville. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and eclectic menu, Verve has established itself as a local favorite for both casual diners and food enthusiasts alike.

The ambiance at Verve is distinctly European, reminiscent of a classic Parisian bistro with a touch of American flair. The decor features vintage accents, dark wood finishes, and an inviting bar area that sets the tone for a relaxed yet sophisticated dining experience. The restaurant is often buzzing with energy, especially during its well-attended happy hours and live music nights, which add to its lively charm.

The menu at Verve is a thoughtful fusion of French bistro classics and contemporary American cuisine, with a focus on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The chef's creativity shines through in dishes like the duck confit and the steak frites, both of which are perennial favorites. The seasonal menu changes reflect the chef’s commitment to freshness and innovation, offering diners new tastes with each visit.

The wine list deserves a special mention, carefully curated to complement the menu while offering a range of options to satisfy both novice and experienced wine drinkers. The cocktail program is equally impressive, featuring classic mixes with a twist, crafted with artisanal spirits and fresh garnishes.

Service at Verve is attentive without being intrusive. The staff is knowledgeable, eager to share recommendations, and always mindful of guests' needs, enhancing the overall dining experience with their professionalism.

Verve also hosts special events that showcase its versatility and community focus, including wine tastings and culinary events that highlight local products and producers. These events are well-executed and add an extra layer of engagement to the dining experience.

In summary, Verve Restaurant in Somerville, NJ, is more than just a dining destination; it's a vibrant social hub that offers a high-quality culinary experience in a setting that feels both intimate and inclusive. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner, a night out with friends, or a place to celebrate a special occasion, Verve provides an atmosphere and menu that are...

Verve, was recomend by friends, especially they know I love Duke breast and usually me and my wife we go to NY. We visited on a Friday night 3 weeks ago, the server she seemed like she doesn't know what she is serving, I believe she was new because it was my first time at this restaurant and I asked questions she didn't have an answer, I advised her to ask the chef several times.( Frustrating) We ordered 2 glasses of wine, Clambs as an appetizer(was very good) Lamp chops well done and Duck breast well done. All came out very satisfying. Had the Fig tarts for dessert after waitress came in and we didn't even finish our main course saying(Kitchen will close are going to order dessert)!!! Food was very good(5 Starts) but service wasn't good at all (1star) We decided to go again last Friday craving Duck breast, different server , we orderd 2 of the Duck breast well done but not dry, server advised me to order medium well, I told her we don't like it bloody, she said no worries I will tell the kitchen, green mix was served, I told the server we didn't order the green mix, she said it comes with the order, I said we were her 3 weeks ago and that wasn't served, she said , it is for my special guests. 2 Duck breast comes out and it was bloody, I asked her to take it back and have it cooked well done, she took the plates and come back after 3 minutes with the same plates saying here we go, I told her that was very fast, she replied, yes they are very fast. We started eating and we see that was never re-cooked because the blood still all over the breast!! I wasn't happy with this. A male server was standing by the corner I asked him if I can talk to the manager, he politely replied If he can help. I explained to him what's going on, he apologized, replaced the silverware( because had boold on it) and took the food to re-cook, came out not as well but he did his best to fix the situation, and offered a dessert on the house for the inconvenience. The Female server I would give her 1 Star for not being honest and having an attitude. The Male server I would give him 5 stars for being professional, respectful and attentive. Not sure after this experience, either me or my friends who recommended this restaurant will be...