Vinny’s on Windward
5355 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA, 30004
Vinny’s on Windward Menu
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Soups Salads & Appetizers
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Pizzas & Pastas
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Dinner Entrees
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Vinny’s on Windward
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Soups Salads & Appetizers
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Pizzas & Pastas
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Dinner Entrees
-
Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Alpharetta for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alpharetta for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5355 Windward Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA, 30004 - Phone (770) 772-4644
- Website https://www.sedgwickrestaurantgroup.com/vinnys.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Adriano M.
Vinny's is a nice looking restaurant in Alpharetta GA.. Food is Good but the portions are small which is ok ONLY if that small portion has explosive flavor that fill your palate. Started with the pear& arugula salad with goat cheese...sounds great doesn't it? but they use spinach instead of arugula..haha. I asked the waiter and he had no clue what I was talking about. The salmon was very good but it was lunch portion for $27 bucks. the wine list was good, although the higher end wines by the glass are too expensive up to $18 a glass, too much for this restaurant. My advise to the restaurant, spend less money on the fancy linens and increase the portions. Overall not a bad restaurant just don't go there hungry.
(3)Scott W.
Consistently good. I have been here about once every quarter for some time (I live in Orlando) and I am always pleased to go here. Good quality food that is well made and served hot. Their wine selection contains some really good value selections. Too often you either get overpriced or if the price is reasonable the wine is crap. Not here. I had the Steele Cuvee chardonnay to start. That will go on my fave list. For dinner I had the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Whipped Potatoes, Italian Sausage Stuffing, Granny Apple Compote. It was incredible! Lot's of good flavors mixed in just the right proportions. Also, they did not skimp on the tenderloin. To drink I had the Spellbound petit sirah. It matched quite well with the grilled meat. My only complaint (which seems to be prevalent in Alpharetta) was the unnecessary valet service. There was plenty of parking.
(4)Angela N.
Love Vinny's. The ambiance, the food, the wait staff. Everything is excellent! I almost gave it 4 stars just because it's a little pricier than I think it should be, but I went ahead with 5 stars because it's just a really great place and I've never had a bad experience and will continue to go back. Love this place.
(5)Terri S.
My husband and I are "regulars" at this lovely restaurant, which resides in its own beautiful brick building. The food is excellent and the service always friendly and comforting. The wine list is good. We love to sit at the bar and enjoy the super friendly service of Derek and Michelle. They are the best. This has been a reliable favorite of ours for years.
(4)Mike V.
Average at best. Never trust a place that has a valet and paper menus. The chicken parm was flavorless and was basically a piece of fried chicken with cheese over a bed of fettuccini Alfredo. The pasta was good. There was almost no tomato sauce on the chicken. The sauce that was there had no taste and was basically chunks of tomato. Our server was very good, unfortunately the food just wasn't that good. There are much better Italian restaurants in the alpharetta area. The paper menu only consisted of two of the six panels with food on the, and not a great selection of anything and four of the panels with drinks. I won't go back.
(2)Susan O.
As some of you know, dining out is a real treat when you have a 16 month old. Long story short, it's just easier to eat at home. So, when we have an opportunity to eat out, needless to say, it's a treat! Well, we went to Vinny's on Saturday at 5:20 after a visit to the park, the place was completely empty, which is why the whole valet thing didn't make sense to me, but whatever. When we opened the door, the hostess was a complete B. Didn't even say hello, just looked at us and when we asked for 4 adults and a high chair at a booth, she just walked away and mumbled something. Later we asked if they had paper for our girls to color on and again no words, just motion, but in a fashion which really made us feel like we were second class citizens! Our kids were extremely well behaved and we got wine, beer, apps and entrees with a bill that came out well over $100. Whether you spend $5 or $100, no one should get treated the way we did. Okay -- so the food. The food was actually pretty good! I have to say they know what they are doing in the kitchen! I got the chicken scallopine and the arugula salad with the pear. Both were pretty good! Pizzas were definitely big enough to share! I order the kids spaghetti and that was also pretty tasty! I would have given 3 stars if the hostess wasn't so rude, but to me it's the food + service that make the whole experience.... so 2 stars, it is.
(2)Jennifer R.
I am so dissapointed! Hubby and I went there last night for a low-key Anniversary dinner after work. We made reservations and when asked if there was an occasion, we told them it was our 2nd wedding anniversary. We weren't expecting anything free of course, but thought they might sit us at a nice table. The place was PACKED! Mainly from surronding office buildings. We should have taken the clue and probably left, but we sat down anyhow. We waited about 20 minutes before someone came over to take our drink order. Another 20 minutes went by before some other waiter came to take our dinner order. Now I know they were completely understaffed, but that really didn't make us feel better about the terrible service. They were completely unattentive and never asked how the food was, if we wanted another drink, etc. We ordered the crab cake appetizer - and it had the most bizzare vanilla flavor. It also happened to taste like raw dough. The calamari was pretty good - your standard run of the mill. We then split the filet which happened to be delicious. Too bad the spinach it came with was literally so salty neither my husband nor I could swallow it. We really wanted dessert since we were out celebrating, but the waiter never came back. We had to ask the bus boy for our check and waited another 20 minutes for them to bring it. I really was so dissapointed in Vinny's and absolutely will never go back.
(2)Kirk B.
I used to come here for business dinners years ago when they first opened, and I always thought the food was OK but a little too blinged up for my taste. And it was noisy and crowded at dinner. Personally I preferred Cabaret down the street. Today my wife and I and a friend had lunch, and I was quite pleased. The restaurant was not over-crowded, service was prompt and courteous, and the food was excellent. I had the lamb panini, which a previous reviewer also liked, while my wife ordered the portobello mushrooms. Our friend, who eats there often, had his usual salad with sea scallops. The portions were generous, and none of us had room for dessert.
(4)T J.
Very classy and refined decor and lively ambiance. The restaurant has a romantic feel to it, which makes it date-friendly. The staff is very friendly. I ordered the Pizza Ai Funghi, which definitely hit the (pizza) spot. The combo of the truffle oil, melted gruyere cheese, and roasted mushrooms on their handmade crust was heavenly. Their pizzas are large! Big enough to feed 2-3 people and are around $11-14.
(5)Brad T.
Vinny's misses the mark on several points. I pulled into the parking lot and there were several spaces right by the front door. I pulled into a space and got out, only to be shouted at by a young man parking a convertible that all parking around the restaurant was "paid valet parking". Since I was already parked, I thought it silly that he should want me to get back into my car, drive it a few feet to his "drop off zone" and let him park my car. Really, what they are doing is charging rent for parking. The valet pointed to a parking lot across a busy driveway (to the hotel) where parking was free. We parked here, and then dodged traffic while carrying our three year old. We entered the restaurant and there were two hostesses having a conversation. They didn't greet us or even look at us. I let them go on for about thirty seconds before interrupting their very important conversation. I ordered a Rob Roy on the rocks; the pour was average, not generous, and they forgot the garnish. Clam chowder was unremarkable other than to point out it was warm, not hot. The grilled artichoke appetizer with buerre blanc was good. My son's lasagna was not as good as Stouffer's frozen lasagna (really), my wife's rigatoni was somehow overcooked and dry at the same time, and my halibut was as dry as cotton balls. We will not be back; we will be going to Trattoria 141 instead.
(1)Jennifer N.
Awesome place! I was staying at the Doubletree next door and they recommended this restaurant.. definitely not disappointed! Dinner on a Wed night...busy place but found me a table ( thank you!!!) And from then on the service was impeccable.... delicious food and unbelievable service...thank you Mike and the team I will be back
(5)Edward W.
3.75 stars. Vinnies is solid Italian food on Windward in Alpharetta. It's way better than Macaroni or Olive Garden. It won't get confused with Alfredo's Della Scrofa or maybe the more familiar Carmine's or Il Mulino, but the price point, ambience and food are perfect for a nice Italian meal out with family or maybe a casual date. The Calamari app is very good, as is the chicken parm entree, but you will be happy with everything at Vinnies. Service by Elliott or Cindy is efficient. Mangia, Alpharetta!
(4)Greg H.
I had the Trota Con Polenta. The top filet was well prepared and cooked however they hid a less than average piece of fish in the bottom. The polenta cakes were very good but overtook the plate with their out out proportion size compared to the fish and the small under sautéed spinach. Not worth the price in my opinion for just the food however the atmosphere was great as well as the staff if they could just find someone to cook great food it would be a great place.
(3)Frank Y.
Ordered the Veal Scallopini and got an amazingly small amount of Veal. It was more accurately a gnocchi dish with a small amount of Veal. Table of 5 and we had one request to make a vodka sauce and the chef said he was too busy. Too busy to mix some half and half into some marinara? Come on. There are so many other better options in Alpharetta. We won't be returning to this one.
(2)Ashwat R.
Nice ambiance. Very good service. Went here for a business meeting so decided to keep it simple. Got the chicken parmigano with fettucine alfredo. Huge portions. Chicken was a little overcooked but flavorful. The menu looked very fancy and there are a lot of varieties to try out. Might go again to do that.
(4)J. W.
Went here for a business lunch. They have a very "fancy" menu, and the interior is beautiful. I was a bit disappointed with my selection, which was the orzo with shrimp and scallops. It was almost like a pasta salad vs. a real meal. Nothing had seasoning and the whole dish was lacking in flavor. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back. Service was a little sketchy. We were waited on by the bar tender and the back was clear across from where we were sitting. If I do end up back here, I would try the chicken parm. That looked amazing.
(3)Karlie M.
Went here with a work group- Great Calamari!
(4)Vaughn K.
We went here for a business dinner. It was packed when we got there, which probably led to a few of our challenges with the menu. It seemed as though every time we found a wine that everyone at the table enjoyed...that just so happened to be the last bottle. I don't think we had the same bottle of wine twice. Other than that, the food was well prepared, and the staff was pleasant.
(3)Abigail L.
It's hard to find a good italian restaurant near by but this place hits the spot. Whenever we're in the mood for italian we come here great service, great atmosphere, and great food.
(5)Lillian G.
Happy anniversary to us!! This place is awesome! ! Small intimate staff great fresh Italian food and really good wine. Thanks Reese for a fantastic first experience! We will be back!
(5)Vicki L.
Order the lasagna and chicken parm dishes. Good services, nice wine by the glass list. Friendly service, nice scene.
(4)Jennifer M.
A favorite restaurant for our family. Nice variety of entrees offered whether very hungry, not so hungry, gluten free, carb free, etc. The staff are always ready to amend a dish to dietary guidelines.
(4)Ari A.
We came to Vinny's on a group trip, and they were great at seating a large group and never forgetting an order. I was able to nibble on the Fresh Pear & Arugula Salad, Steamed Mussels, Salt & Pepper Fried Calamari, Shrimp & Scallop Risotto, and the Tiramisu. I think the salad blew my mind most because they toasted the Goat cheese which I had never seen before. The Tiramisu was good, but nothing worth dying over, and probably not worth the calories at the end of the day. Everything else was your standard Italian fare, served to impress, but taste wise, just average. I will give Vinny's mad props for their bread, they were all tasty when put in front of a starving group.
(3)Rohit J.
Lot of people have given this restaurant a raving review. I just did not have the same experience. Maybe I did not order the right things or hit a bad time. I had a hard time chewing my medium rare ribeye. And for someone with a sweet tooth I could not finish the Tiramisu because it was so dry and less than ordinary. Worse, it took them a LONG time to get the dinner out. We were a large group. But still this was unusually long. Folks had gotten up after their appetizers and salads to start talking, it took so long.
(2)karen m.
This was our first time there. The food, service and atmosphere was great!
(5)Rahul K.
The food was average, the service or probably our server seemed extremely snooty with a condescending attitude. The place has an upscale vibe but we'll probably stick to Rosa Mia in Johns Creek which has way better service and attitude!
(2)Mackenzie M.
Overall the experience was very positive, my main dish of lasagna was very good. However, I started out with a caesar salad which arrived with a huge black hair, as I politely told the waiter, he didn't say a word to me, grabbed my plate and pulled the hair out in front of everyone. I was on the verge of leaving, but have eaten here several times and the food and service had always been very good. He brought me out a new salad (hair free) and I enjoyed the rest of my meal. Not once did he apologize which left me a little sour but as I said I've been here before and had never had this happen. I can't knock the restaurant, not the best waiter... delicous food!
(4)Nicole D.
Great staff. Great food. Lamb chops are to die for. Will definitely return
(4)Yngwie M.
The place was average, nothing great. Any decent chain Italian would have been better. As others have pointed out, parking is valet only. That's one of my peeves, especially when there's tons of parking since we're in the burbs. Got there early (5:30) and had to sit in the bar area, since we didn't have a reservation. Lame, especially since the place was practically empty. The hostess wasn't very apologetic or accomodating on the matter. Another couple came in 5 minutes later and got the same shaft. They pushed back, but still no dice. Food was just okay. Nothing great. Won't go back.
(2)Jan B.
Great Italian food! Homemade everything.. So yummy!!! I give it a 5, for sure. Oh and great service too! I will def go back sooner than later. Love, love, love!
(5)Brian D.
I love the decor here, but the design of the place is a double-edged sword. The brick, dark wood, open design, archways, and high ceilings give it a kind of outdoorsy, old world feel. They also allow the servers to survey the room and anticipate diners' needs without having to be flagged down. The service, as a result, tends to be pretty good. However, the design also makes for bad acoustics. Voices tend to carry quite a bit, and the dining area tends to be louder than it should be. If not for the noise, I'd probably be inclined to give this place another star. A little light music might help with that. Temperature control might be a minor issue, too. As far as the food is concerned, this is probably my favorite of the places started by the Sedgwicks (including Bistro VG, Aspen's, Pure, and Theo's Brothers Bakery.) The food is consistently good, and there's always at least one item that stands out as being fairly memorable. The last time I went, it was the creme brulee, probably because of the wafers and the mint that accompany it. This time, I ordered the salmon special. It was Columbia River, served over a bed of fennel sausage w/ sauteed escarole, with fennel whipped potatoes on the side. The plate looked small when it arrived, but it turned out to be a good portion, and everything was well cooked and seasoned. My girlfriend had the crispy trout, which was a rather large portion, maybe even a little too much for the average diner, even though the presentation was beautiful. The way they stack the two pieces of trout ensures that, when you get to the second piece, it's still hot. It was served with two large polenta cakes. Polenta can often be kind of bland, but these were cooked with a little bit of parmigiano that really made the flavor pop. Probably the tastiest polenta I've had in while. Their kids menu is cute. It's drawn in crayon, and looks like it was written by a child. It's also laminated, for obvious reasons. They have cheese pizza, chicken fingers, and other familiar fare. When it came time for dessert, the waiter was willing to tell us that there was something for which he didn't care a whole lot, and explained why. I always appreciate honesty from servers when it comes to these things, so he won a few points there. We decided on the pear frangipane tart with caramel and ice cream. It was delicious. Perhaps not as memorable as the creme brulee, but still very good.
(4)Robert A.
Terrific Service. Lamb Chops good. Portions good - not too much - not too little. Terrific atmosphere
(4)Ron T.
Tried to use $300 gift card. Declined numerous times. After long wait, manager said he had, "done us a big favor" and gotten it to work. Just abandoned. Embarrassing and frustrating. Do not buy cards for this chain. Clearly will not be back. Such bad service.
(1)Carlos L.
Had the fish with polenta for dinner, it was very good. The mango and peach sorbet was great also. Service is good, prices above average, but the food, presentation and service is very on par.
(4)Mike E.
Absolutely great food and very good service (most of the wait staff has been there for several years now). In fact, it's the only restaurant in the burbs I'll recommend to my friends and coworkers for a nice dinner. I've been dragged to the other "usual suspects" between Roswell and Alpharetta that have big names due to folks who have never ventured to the real restaurants that make Atlanta one of the top culinary cities in this country - and always very disappointed - starting with the losers they hire as hostesses and wait staff. Vinnie's is the only A-lister in Alpharetta. Don't assume you can go on a Tues or Weds without a reservation - this is a top place for the many corporate offices around Windward to take clients and visiting coworkers (I do it). It's slower and quieter on Friday and Saturday nights. In fact, if you go on a weekday with a date, I suggest you arrive at 6. They often have multiple tables of 8 - 14 people from a meeting and they tend to get loud (it's a loud building to begin with) Nice antipasto plate. Solid entrees that change regularly but always a good fish entree and good pasta. Great deserts. Flat breads are also excellent, as is the basket of assorted breads they bring along with olive oil. I had to knock them a star for their overpriced lunch menu - I guess they're betting on the corporate card more than 2 friends showing up for a nice lunch.
(4)Theja R.
One of my very favorite places to eat. The atmosphere is beautiful and cozy, the wine list is extensive and well done, the food is always wonderful. Best tiramisu around.
(5)Trevor W.
This place has continuously let me down over the past couple months. A long time staple for sit-down Italian dinners for either the family or business people in Alpharetta, the location, menu, and drink appear promising. However, my experience with the wait staff, cold food, and rather bland taste has left a lot to be desired. It's not that it couldn't be much more, its that it hasnt been when I've been there. The menu is solid on paper and has that gourmet flare, but when they consistently charge ~$30 for a plate and it comes out cold and lacking flavor, I simply cant stand for that. Vinnys is part of the larger Sedgwick group that features Aspens and Bistro VG (both restaurants I love). The facility is gorgeous, ambiance enticing, but my 5+ experiences in the latter part of 2011 really have me questioning if I will be back. One other small gripe, they do the valet only thing playing to the Corporate crowd which I find a bit annoying.
(2)Bobbie M.
Food always good but the portion is a bit small. Service is always good and nice atmosphere. Price is good for the quality of food.
(4)Jack S.
Very good place for a business lunch. OK for dinner. The problem, as with so many restaurants today, the acoustics are terrible. So the busier they are, like on a weekend for dinner, the louder it will be. Noise level can really detract from the enjoyment no matter the food or company. My wife and I ate here one night and decided to eat outside on the patio, this raises that experience to 4-stars because since the noise level inside was taken out of the equation. Everything on the menu is good, service is usually decent and the place is quite nice inside - but the noise :(
(3)Joel B.
Excellent meal. I had the filet and wifey had the rack of lamb. They were both excellent. The restaurant is very open with high ceilings and hard floors which makes it very loud when crowded. Our seating situation was unfortunate. We were given one-half of a very large table. We had four seats and another group had the other four seats. The areas were separated by a pot of plants but that didn't prevent us from being privy to their very loud, very rude conversations where the husband of one couple was blatantly berating his wife and making our dinner unpleasant. I know Vinny's can't control the conversations of its customers but it was their fault for seating us in such a weird situation. We also had reservations so it's not like they didn't know we were coming. The table we were seated at was also in a very confined corner area. The wait staff could barely get to us and had to either reach over our friends on the other side of the table or hurdle the guests at the other end of our side of the table. Why would you even put this table in that area in the first place if it's so difficult to serve guests there? Dumb.
(3)James H.
I wasn't impressed with the food or the service here. I had the scallop and prawn risotto and maybe i just don't know what risotto is.. but it wasn't very good. Scallops and prawns were delicious though. One thing I wasn't pleased wiht was how long it took the waiters to fill up your water glass. If i'm paying 30+ for a meal.. I expect that when my glass is half empty.. for someone to be quick to fill it up. Here I sat around for 10+ minutes with an empty gass and i STILL had to ask someone to fill it up. (that goes for the bread as well) If you were to come here get the scallops or the crab cake or even the proscuitto all tasty but definitely pricey.
(3)Luke T.
I had 2 business lunch here on weekdays. This area has several corporate campus, including Verizon, ATT and I think HP as well. Therefore, this place is rather busy during lunch. You may want to make reservations before coming over. The food is Italian influenced. Pasta and Grill is the motive here. IMO, the food is so-so. I had their specials and was hoping for them to use seasonal fresh and local produce. Unfortunately, this is a place that overuses butter, cream and cheese. On a second visit, I had their grilled flank steak. It was a flavorful and they did a good job on the grill. Its flank steak , so expect your jaw muscles are gonna get a work out. I think dinner service should be better. At least you'll partake in their seeming large inventory of wines.
(3)Kim B.
I had an awesome first visit here. The service was great. The chicken parmesan was the best I've ever had. My husband enjoyed the lasagna, too. From the outside, I always thought this place was too dressy/fancy to drop by, but the inside has a more business casual feel. I really liked it!
(5)Trey L.
Kinda high end Italian. I really like the Salmon caesar. They use onion rings instead of croutons. I will say the last time I went there they under cooked my salmon twice. I know some people like it rare but it was completely raw twice. That was only once out of a lot of times, but I still had to mention it. They kinda fumbled the situation by having to take it back twice then kinda shorted me on the salad when it finally came out.
(3)Jane M.
This was a trip down memory lane ... I was hera bout 10 years ago and it is still terrific. Great service, lovely menu with plenty to choose from and terrific desserts. The decor is great and the food delicious. If you are looking for a quiet dinner iwth a freind or a group outing this will work for you.
(5)Anthony D.
I went here again with my dad because it had been a while since my last visit. I took off a star this time. It was a solid 3 star meal. I had the pear and arugula salad, The veal scaloppini and the chocolate sandwich with ice cream and espresso for dessert. The food was solid. Good taste, none of it cooked wrong, salad was great, dessert was ok, and entree was good. Not the best, but i still enjoyed it. Service was really slow at the beginning for us, and towards the end it was really slow too, which is why i took off a star. Nonetheless, I would still recommend Vinnys because food is consistently good, at least it has been for me. I see a lot of people send back dishes because they were not cooked properly, luckily that hasnt happened to me. But go and try it for yourself. Its hit or miss. So you may like it, or you may not. Its kind of pricy. Average entree is $23-$25, but you dont need to dress up for it. Button down and jeans is fine, just no sneakers :P
(3)Enrique V.
Nice ambience. Just the look and atmosphere you would expect for a night out. Great food and better service.
(4)Jo P.
My steak was fabulous. My dinner guest ordered hers well done, and said it was the worst she'd ever had, so I'm not sure what happened there. Nice ambiance overall, but I haven't been back because it was very loud which made it difficult to have a conversation.
(3)Carolina Z.
On a business dinner we all met here to grab a bite. Even though we had a reservation they made us wait at the bar. The bar was cramped but the staff was very friendly. I had the Carolina trout. It was a bit too salty but the pollenta was delicious. The bread was very good. The wine list was a tad overpriced. Overall it was a nice experience. I wish I would have gotten the crab-cakes.
(4)Caroline C.
Absolute MUST! I come to Alpharetta for two months every year on business and I always take a trip to Vinny's. I will admit, during my most recent trip here, the service was not as great as it had been in my previous experiences in the past, but the food is always great! I highly recommend the Sea Bass and the Salt & Pepper Calamari paired with a glass of Riesling. The cappaccino is really good too! They are famous for their jumbo crab cake, but I didn't find it anything to brag about. Maybe it was an 'off day' as I felt my crab cake was a bit on the salty side.
(4)Java Z.
I really enjoyed my meal tonight... the salad was incredible, good cod and scallop entree, and decent dessert (3 layer creme brulee) The service by Cindy was perfect. I'll be back whenever I am in Alpharetta. yum.
(4)Hildee I.
I took a client for lunch there and was hoping to impress her. Her office had moved to the area a few weeks ago. We arrived at 12:15 and had to park across the street because their small lot was already full. Not the best first impression. We were seated right away and the first thing I noticed was how LOUD it was. The server greeted us right away but had to repeat himself twice so we could hear. Right away we were given ice water and poured olive oil into a small plate. I ordered calamari as a starter, the server apologized for how long it took. It arrived crispy, not greasy, with a nice tomato concasse for dipping. It was good but not special. Next we both ordered the lamb sandwich. I thought it was odd that we were not asked what temperature we wanted our meat cooked. Again it was good but not great. I finally decided to wave someone down and ask what the olive oil was on the table for and we were told that it wasn't the server's fault that the bus boy never served us any bread. REALLY? Isn't a server supposed to check on everything? After we finished lunch he asked us if we would like a cup of coffee and we both ordered cappuccinos. They arrived quickly and then the check was presented. At this point I said to my guest, I was wanting to order dessert, why didn't he ask us? He came back when the bus boy noticed my shock and asked if we wanted a dessert menu. I asked him to suggest and he told us hands down the tiramisu was the clear winner. We ordered it, we tasted it. Very average. If ever I need to take a client for lunch I will not take them to Vinny's.
(3)Adam C.
I wanted to like this place so bad! I went here on a saturday night, the inside is very nice and they had valet parking. The atmosphere seemed very inviting. The food was very good for the most part. Unfortunately I gave this place 3 stars for the service. I was with a party of 5 and our food came out at all different times. Second one of the members in our party was given the wrong sides and her steak was undercooked. She sent it back and then it was brought back approx. 5 mins later and it was still very undercooked. This was very unfortunate but I the manager came over and he handled the situation very professionally. He offered to get her something else, but it was already to late. But he offered us dessert which we took, and also took another entree off the bill as well as gave us a $25 gift card to come back to try the restaurant out again. The manager was very apologetic. It was unfortunate but I hope to go back soon and have a better experience. I wish I could give 3.5 starts because that is a more accurate rating!
(3)Mike C.
Service is the worst in town. We went for my dads 70th birthday and we will never go back! Our server was one of the worst I have ever encountered. My aunt asked our server "Tell me about the lamb." and he actually replied "What do you want to know?" Are you serious?? Next, my brother in law ordered a high end scotch, which he never got AND even asked again. And at the end of our dinner, My sister wanted to buy a bottle of champagne for the table so everyone could have a little. She asked if we could get a bottle somewhere in the 40-50$ range and he replied "Where did you see that??!!" and walked away from the table not to be seen again for several minutes. I have worked in the restaurant business for several years prior, and will no be returning. The food is actually good, but until they hire a staff who knows how to treat customers correctly, I will continue to tell my friends not to go based on the awful service.
(1)Bryan B.
I went to lunch here today. Got there a bit early for lunch and beat the crowd. Service was great. Food was good. I ordered CHICKEN SCALOPPINE & SPINACH-RICOTTA RAVIOLI, which had lemon, capers, kalamata olives & tomato. It was recommended to me by the hostess (who, by the way, really seemed to enjoy her job and chatted with me to pass the time as I was waiting for the rest of my party to arrive). She was very nice and professional. Anyway, the dish wasn't something I'd normally try and I won't get it again, but I didn't 'dislike' it...just wouldn't be something I'd normally get. So, will get something more to my tastes next time (but again, I have nothing negative to say about the dish...I just prefer more pasta and marinara based). I did try a scallop from the appetizer list - it was great...cooked perfectly! Will return.
(4)Jerry C.
It is a Sedgwick joint so you can expect a certain casual elegance, a well thought out interesting menu, and a nice level of service. We dropped by on Sunday evening and took advantage of the half price wine selection (which is limited, BTW, to selections for the discerning pallet). We ate like fiends! Seared cod for her; shrimp and scallops wrapped in prosciutto. Uncharacteristically, we cleaned our plates and topped it off with their triple stack creme brulee with a nice single malt. Our server was quite attentive. It was a great evening.
(4)M D.
12.14.12 I've frequented several times, however this time with young children and extended family. They had coloring books and crayons for the kids. Our waiter was very attentive, which helped move the evening along. The romain salad could have a better presentation; flavorful dressing. Ordered the black bass special with olives and tomatoes -tasty! The crab cakes are especially worth noting, no filler. No dessert or wine ordered. Wouldn't suggest bringing children, as there isn't anywhere for them to roam. Although for an early dinner, 6ish, it's fine.
(4)Mitchy B.
How i love you Vinny's of windward!! I haven't had bad food here (granted ive only been twice, but still!!) The place itself is so bright and welcoming, its very conducive for chatting it up with whomever you have with you. Ive never had bad service here either, very quick and they always have great recommendations. First time i had crab cake over linguini and julienne vegetables and omg it was amazing!! It is a very indulgent dish, very heart and just hits all the right spots! It is very rich tho so i couldn't eat all of it (i tried tho!!) Second time i had the Rare Seared Tuna Sandwich and i was very pleasantly surprised how flavorful it was! My companions have been all happy with their dishes as well. I'll def. come back! Yay!
(5)Chris P.
Alot of people don't seem to like this place and perhaps they just had bad luck. Or maybe I just had good luck. I have been here a few times and each time has been awesome! The food is always perfect and so is the service. I frequent the restaurants in the is group often and perhaps I just have a taste for their service, atmosphere, and food. I will say that when it comes to my service its probably because of when I go there. I have found its best to go to places like this when it is dead. For example go on a sunday night or right when they open. You can expect tough service at any place during their busiest time of the day.
(5)Mary C.
I've been to Vinny's twice and both times the good was outstanding. The pear salad is crisp and just the right mix of salty and sweet. The chicken scallopini has a unique mix of chicken with spinach ravioli, with olives and tomatoes, a different presentation than most traditional scallopini dishes. Just delicious!
(5)Ahsan J.
Went there for a dinner for the first time. Nice decor, okay food and too dark to see the person in front of me (will not be back) Don't get there too early since there is no waiting area. Ordered the rib-eye (medium). Started out tasting great, but half-way through I was struggling to finish my meal (it was over done, order medium-rare and started tasting bland oddly) My wife ordered the crab cake over pasta - was too salty and she said the same thing half-way through her meal. Also, apparently they have no set hours.. our waiter was saying they'll close early if there weren't many customers, so we sort of felt rushed.
(3)Phillip W.
This is a great spot. The food is always great (try the scalops!!!! fantastic)....also, the help at the bar is exceptional. My wife and I really enjoy dinner up at the bar here. Also, try the crab cake....#1 in ATLANTA. However, the scalops are my most favored.
(5)Samantha H.
My first visit here was a business meeting because it was a central location for us to meet. I was a little disappointed with the overall dining experience. The service was great, but the food was just ok. The chicken I ordered was good, but everything else was satisfactory. One person was not happy with the salmon, but another person loved the ravioli. It was definitely a hit and miss. The building was nice and inviting. I'm not sure if I will return. I may return if I am in the area. Who knows, I may love it next time.
(3)Ed G.
I stopped here for the first time on a Sunday evening. I was by myself and the hostess was kind and I sat at the bar. The bartender was attentive and friendly. The Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp & Scallops were pretty good. The scallops were awesome, and the shrimp was slightly overcooked to the point of being a little too firm. They were accompanied by Parmesan Polenta Cakes, Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini, Red Onion & Red Peppers which were good. Based on my first visit, I plan on visting again and trying another dish.
(4)Scott W.
I have been to the restuarant 3 times over the last few weeks. I must say I have enjoyed the visits alot. The service has been great and the food wonderful. I would have given it 5 stars, but the food is a little on the high side. The filet I had for dinner was extremely tender and cooked to perfection. The chicken I had for lunch was cooked perfect as was the salmon. Everyone else seemed to enjoy the food as well. The restaurant seems much quieter in the evening than during lunch.
(4)Sam W.
I'm careful not to award one star until after providing an establishment several opportunities to ensure they have worked to earn it. I gave this place four up to bats and after one walk and three strikes they are out. The food and wine selection is devine if you can just get past the service. My first major complaint is the parking situation. It's all valet otherwise your required to park in one of two lots - the restuarant arcoss Cingular Drive or in the AT&T parking lot. Yes this is supposed to be a fine dining experience, but they are on Windward not exactly a valet neighborhood. There are acres and acres of paved parking lots going to waste. Also isn't having a valet in this vast field of unsed parking really insulting?After all you successfully arrived driving your automobile and just as you become a guest on their property you've suddenly lost the ability to control a vehicle? Lets get real here. To be honest ther is no other way to say it service here simply sucks. The staff would be well served to walk across the street to one of the busiest McDonalds in Atlanta and observe customer service 101 in action. If you've got money to burn and just have to try it for yourself the following tips will help. - Make a reservation - Reconfirm your reservation - Arrive early - Take a full apron to protect yourself and clothing from the staff In my decades of dining out. Vinny's wins the distinguished award for the only establishment that has ever managed to give me a full immersion baptisim not once but twice. First with a full pitcher of ice water on vist three; followed by litterally dumping a full bottle of wine all over me on visit four. Apparently lightning does strike twice. Both times the manager apologized and offered to cover my dry cleaning expenses; but only if I returned and provided my dry cleaning receipt. They did not offer to refund the lost bottle of wine but were happy to include it and its replacement on my bill. Shame on you Vinny's. I will return and eat at the bar only because I love the butternut squash ravioli when it's a featured special.
(1)Bill E.
Took my project team here for dinner and had a nice time. The wine selection was fairly decent. Apps and the bread were good. We were all so full from the apps and bread that we didn't order much food. But what we ordered was all good. Recommend the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)Todd P.
Alpha-what-a? You mean there's civilization beyond the Perimeter? hehe. Just kidding. I actually have ventured up GA-400 numerous times but nearly every time has been work-related. Today was no exception -- lunch meeting with a customer at Vinny's on Windward. I have had lunch here twice, both times for biz meetings, and both times I have been pleased with my meal. Today I started with their daily soup special, a roasted red pepper bisque. It was a generous portion, more like a bowl than a cup, and it was light and flavorful. Followed that up with their Grilled Carolina Trout served with sauteed spinach and a fried polenta square. The fish was cooked well but needed a touch of salt. The spinach was excellent and packed a ton of flavor with some bits of shallot in the mix. I also enjoyed the polenta. My plate was spotless after I snarfed it all down -- you can call me a food vaccuum, go ahead. In terms of service, the hostess was pleasant, we were seated immediately, and our server was efficient. I have no need to go North after sunset so have not experienced dinner here. But from the other reviews I don't plan on trying it given the parking/service woes. But for lunch, it was nice.
(4)Nick R.
I just got back from here. It seemed really nice and after hearing the waiter list off the specials, it sounded like it was going to be a very refreshing treat from all the food I've had while traveling for business. It was clearly trying to be a fine dining experience and the menu prices reflected that. I wanted the filet mignon ($45) but figured that would be rude at a business dinner. I settled for the $30 crab cakes, a notch below. They were ok I suppose, really really heavy. I know theyre not the best thing for you, but after it felt like I ate two lead weights. It came with a pasta, heavy as well, in some alfredo sauce. Then, the other side was a massive mound of pan fried shredded veggies. It was weird they gave me so much "filler" , it seemed it was because the dish didn't have much to offer besides. I was told the crab cakes were "famous". The veggies should have been steamed or something, to offset the heaviness of the crab cakes. Crispy and not a fried mess. The pasta I didn't really even continue eating. Im not talking trash and I have nothing against this place. It was trying to be gourmet and didn't pull it off. Everything was really "fishy" from not using the freshest fish, I could really smell my coworkers dish. They had the red snapper. So, just beware. They use really heavy sauces, not the freshest fish, and something on your plate will definitely be fried. and btw, you have to use the lame valet. My coworkers just said "just give me the key" because as soon as they walked out, their car was three feet away.
(2)Dave C.
Visiting from our of town and Vinny's came highly recommended. The food was average but the service was awful. It took 1:45 to get entrees to the table, they brought 5 of 6 but forgot one. The Manager had the opportunity to save the experience by comping the food but blew it. Too bad as that is what I remember about Vinny's.
(1)T T.
Food was delicious Bread superb Beer , overpriced and low selection
(4)Lee G.
My wife surprised me with dinner at Vinny's this week. This place has been on my wish list for a long time. The restaurant itself is beautiful. A lot of stone, brick and tile work inside. Most of the tables have granite tops to them. The kitchen is open and can be a bit noisy. On the night we visited, business was slow, but I can imagine that this place could get noisy. We started with the crab cake appetizer. They were a little more on the cake side than some fancy restaurants. It seems these days that crab cakes are warmed up mounds of crab meat with some tasty goo to kinda hold it together. I never understood this. It is supposed to be a cake! At Vinny's it at least holds together more, with a sear on both sides. They top it with some kind of cole slaw that is made from apples. Seemed like an odd combination, but it worked together well. I enjoyed them a lot. For the entree, I picked the fresh catch of grouper. It was grilled and lightly blackened, with mashed potatoes. The fish was a little more chewy than I like, but it may have been more rare than I'm used to. But overall it was delicious. Wife ordered the cod off the menu and it was tasty as well. I didn't detect any hint of Italian cuisine in our meals. Vinny's, I thought, was an Italian joint. But still, it was a nice meal. All in all, a well prepared meal, with decent service in a nice setting. This would be a great place to entertain clients or visit if you're on an expense account.
(4)Jennifer N.
It's hard to complain about a restaurant with a smiling hostess, great atmosphere, wonderful food, and an attentive server, right? Our dining experience at Vinny's was a five-star evening until the bill and manager arrived together to squash the mood like a dead mosquito. First of all, we were there celebrating Grandpa's 89th birthday. Since it was Sunday, we ordered 2 bottles of wine that the server told us was listed on the "Sunday Specials of Half-Off Bottles." The bill arrived showing no discount but (2) full bottle price. At first the manager refused to adjust the bill and grandpa refused to pay it. A standoff! Finally, he discounted the bill $48 to honor the word of the server. When he returned the bill there had been an added gratuity sneakily put on now making the bill three hundred and something dollars, even higher than before the wine adjustment. This little hot shot-young-guy-manager thought he was going to pull one over on Grandpa! Little did he know Grandpa has the smarts, wit, and charm of any 30 year-old! He called him back over to question the add-on and the young-punk-manager lied and said it had been there the whole time. NOT TRUE!!! Everyone at the table saw it. And we were a party of 7, not 8, which the menu states a gratuity will be added to parties of 8 or more. He took off the add-on, slammed the bill on the table, smacked the back of a chair and told us all to have a great night. He was ready to fight.........an 89 year old man!!! Of course, we tipped the server generously---it's not her fault she works for a hothead. So that was our first AND LAST time at Vinny's. What an embarrassment. Anyone who can disrespect an elder in the way he did is shameful. And then try to sneak an add-on gratuity and LIE about it is double shameful. It's despicable and inexcusable.
(1)soomy s.
First off, I have to agree with Susan O. about her experience with the hostess at Vinny's. My family and my sister-in-law's family all went after an afternoon park play-date this past Saturday. We have a 2.5 year old and they have a 16 month old. We pulled up at 5:30 and walked in feeling a little under dressed but decided to dine here based on a coworkers recommendation. After we asked for a high chair and a booth (for my child so we can trap her in..hehe), the hostess looked at us with an expression that read something like this: "What the hell are you doing here with these two little trouble makers? Do you not see wine glasses on the table and cloth napkins? Are you out of your mind? Please turn around and make your way to Macaroni Grill just down the street." We actually almost left because we almost gave into her expression. But once she walked away to get our high chair and set up our table, we decided to stay and enjoy ourselves. She never cracked a smile and made us feel much like how Susan O. felt during her dining experience. Ok...onto the food. It was in a word....alright and nothing spectacular. The simple arugula salad was very good. It came with a light lemon oil vinaigrette that I did enjoy. I ordered the trout dish with spinach and polenta cakes. Again, I did enjoy it, although it was a bit salty. I think my dish was the best out of everyone else's dish. My husband ordered the spicy sausage pizza which sounded great, but was really just mediocre. I think the place attempts to make a higher end pizza, but really just falls flat with this one. I was interested in trying the Margarita pizza, but my husband is a carnivore indeed. My sister-in-law ordered a chicken dish, although I can't comment on this dish because I did not try it. The portions were a good size though. Brother in law ordered the chicken parmigiana. with fett. and this too was pretty good. My only complaint was that the chicken was way too breaded and crunchy for my taste. My daughter had some pizza and shared my trout which she liked (probably cause it was a bit salty). She did not like the pizza. I could not believe it. We ended up ordering the spaghetti for my daughter and niece and they ate it up. I was impressed with the fresh homemade pasta and light marinara sauce. Overall, the experience was exactly what 3 stars symbolize according to yelp - A-ok. I was contemplating on giving it 2 stars because of the hostess...but I figured they probably have more than 1 hostess and I don't want to prevent anyone from going there because of one bad person (that should NOT be a hostess). Oh, and btw, our kids were well behaved too. Note to Vinny's: If you decide on having a children's menu, then be pleasant to families with children.
(3)Nishant J.
I visited Vinny's on a business trip in ATL and was very impressed. Eating alone is always a bitch, so I got a bar seat to keep myself amused with the ball game while the bartenders bustled around. Wine list is limited but they have some good Napa Valley selections with decent options by the glass. The Lamb chops and the Crab cakes came highly recommended and I chose the latter and to good measure. The food was served right as it came out of the kitchen and was piping hot and delicious. If you like chunky Crab cakes, then this place is a MUST try. Will go back again when I'm in Alpharetta!
(4)Neal C.
Had a party of 6 at 730pm. Service was good and she highly recommended crab cakes, which was very below average and the pasta side that came with it was oily and overcooked. Felt like i made out with a stick of butter! I've eaten a lot of crab cakes in my time and this did nothing for me except regret the $30.00 I should have spent on something else. Others in our party felt the same about their food choices as well. So.... a few bottles of wine and several martinis later, our bill was about $450 bucks and the time was now 915 on a Saturday night. Apparently it was very late for Vinny's because they gave a hint that they were closing by cutting off the music and then started cleaning the place. There were others eating as well so we were not the only ones keeping the place open. I have never seen anything like this before and I found it insulting to treat spending customers this way. This was the the second and last time I will ever eat there. Lastly, I read another review about their gratuity process and experienced the same thing. They will add it on regardless of the amount of people in the party and don't disclose it as "gratuity" but something else which I can't remember because I was just done with this place by then.
(1)