Nirvana Kitchen & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Vernon Hills

We called ahead to make sure reservations weren’t required. When we arrived the host was hesitant to seat us, since we not have a reservation. I let him know that I called ahead and asked if reservations were required and was told that reservations were not.

After being seated our waiter did not introduce himself and seemed to be in a hurry when he asked for our drink order. When the waiter came back with our drinks and took our food order, he still seemed to be in a hurry.

Upon bringing our food to the table, the waiter never came back one single time. I tried several times to get his attention by waving my hands, but that did not work. I heard him tell another table that his name was Michael and then he brought them some samples of wine. He seemed to take his time with ALL of the tables around us, and didn’t seem to be in a hurry when chatting with them. It’s important to note that all of the customers around us were white.

Finally, after waving my hands and saying his name on several occasions, I was able to get his attention to let him know that he did not bring out bread that was supposed to be served with the pasta (bread service). I also asked for parmesan because the pasta had no flavor. When he returned with the bread, it was hard and cold.

As a person of color, I wish this were not my experience, but it seems as though Michael may have some unconscious biases that he needs to recognize if he would like more than a $5 tip. I hope in the future no other people of color have the experience I had at this restaurant. I also hope this restaurant incorporates more training for their...

I went to Nirvana yesterday afternoon with a couple of friends for happy hour and was very disappointed. We order 3 appetizers along with a cheese board and 3 cocktails. The presentation was nice but the servings were very small. I don't think the servings were enough to fill a cavity! In fact, when I left there I was still hungry! And the grapes they served were shriveled up. They did not have a cocktail menu yet and told us it won't be ready for a couple of weeks. We were limited to what we wanted to order. And on top of that the service was horrible!!! I went to go to the bathroom and saw the waiter hanging out in the bar streaming on his phone! When the waiter finally came to ask us how we liked everything I was very truthful with him! He apologized but did not do anything to remedy the situation. And on top of it he said he got sidetracked in the back! Our bill was $130 and we did not leave him a tip! That was the first time I never left a tip in my life. If Nirvana is going to survive they need to up their game. I would never go back! Too bad because I really enjoyed their other location...

My wife and I have been here a few times and it seems like each time we come it gets less and less special. Our first visit was spectacular and our waiter was helpful and efficient all night long and made the experience wonderful. Our most recent visit was for my wife's birthday dinner and the service was a train-wreck, our waitress was nice and friendly but the restaurant was way understaffed so it was few and far between that she visited the table. We loved the cheese trays here but the last one we received was half the size of the first time we came and served on mismatched dinnerware. The entree was very good but the wait was forever to get it. All in all I think we will have to start trying to find another place for date nights as I think this place is...