Cafe Vincero
714 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA, 98402
Cafe Vincero Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tacoma for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tacoma for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
714 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA, 98402 - Phone (253) 503-6141
- Website https://www.cafevincero.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dessert
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
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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Jennie D.
We went to Cafe Vincero anticipating the great food based on the Yelp reviews. We were a bit wary, as my neighbor had been there last week and said that the owner loudly berated one of the servers. She was the only one waiting tables, they were busy, and he yelled at her to get off of the computer (putting an order in) and get back to waiting tables. My neighbor said he felt sorry for her, and that she seemed embarrassed. When we went in, we were greeted by a young man who asked if we were with the private party. All but three tables were moved to the side for a private party. They only had three tables for patrons, which were occupied. We were told we could leave our names and come back in 30 minutes. They do not have a bar or waiting area. We went outside, and then my neighbor went in to leave his name and cellphone number. He told a waitress that we would go across the street and have a drink, and she said she would call when a table was available in about 30 minutes. After almost 45 minutes, we returned (no call) to see that the three tables were filled with new diners. We explained the situation to the young man who asked us if we were with the private party--not remembering who we were from earlier. My neighbor explained to him about leaving our information and waiting for a table. I kid you not, he told us that it was really too bad and walked away. He did not apologize or ask if we would still want to wait for a table. He just walked away, so we left.
(1)Alexandra D.
My boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience here. We were seated right away and had attentive service (hard to find on a Friday night). We've had our eye on this place for about a month and finally made it in. 1.) I am a huge fan of their prices. Super reasonable 2.) the food was ssssooooooo good! I had the chicken Marsala over risotto...HEAVEN. 3.) we had awesome service Definitely coming back for more
(5)Kurtis L.
Cafe Vincero is a great restaurant. I will gladly go again. I ordered the Caesar salad with chicken and my date ordered the chicken fettuccine. We were both very happy with our meals.
(4)Julia C.
Stopped by Tacoma en route to Mt Rainier, and we are so glad we found Cafe Vincero! We came on a Monday night around 8pm, and there were only a few couples (no families, since by regulation everyone who enters must be 21+), so we were seated immediately, whereas another place down the street was fully booked for the night (and pricier to boot!). The waitress explained that since it was Monday and their meat delivery comes on Tuesday mornings, they were missing dishes with meat sauce. At first we were pretty disappointed not to be able to order lasagna, but instead we got the ravioli with mushroom and Marsala sauce, chicken Marsala over a risotto and the sausage over polenta and spinach. All were delicious! We also got a house salad to start which was very fresh. The bread that came first was also great. Prices for the dishes are around $10-15, so very reasonable for the quality and quantity. We were so pleased with the quality that we ordered a dessert even though we were pretty full after our salad, dishes, and loads of bread. But this was a good call because the cheesecake with the sautéed berries in wine sauce was incredible! Would highly recommend to those seeking Italian dishes with very fresh ingredients and who aren't dining with those under 21.
(5)Mrs. G.
The food here is great! I have the mushroom ravioli in cream sauce. It has tons of flavor and the pasta was cooked perfectly. It is a very hearty dish, so I ended up taking half home for lunch the next day. ( It was just as good the second day). My friend ordered the Cannelloni, and she said it was delicious. The portions are a good size, and the prices are reasonable. The service was great too. The only thing I was surprised about was how empty the restaurant was. We went on a Tuesday, which could explain some of the emptiness, but there were only two other tables occupied. I hope more people start going to this place because I want it to stick around. Try it out!
(4)Kippi L.
If the Caesar salad would have been amazing the meal would have received 5 stars. The salame picante pizza was excellent with the right amount of San marzano pomodoro, mozzarella and sweet with the honey drizzle and hot. I'd come back just for that. I'd encourage them to change the cheese on their Caesar to hand grated and revamp it entirely. A good Caesar sets the tone. Great Chianti by the glass and a generous pour. Bread starter was warm and delicious with the olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce. Service great with just the right amount of attention. Will be back to try the pasta!
(3)Pam H.
Hands down, this place has amazing service. They were very accomodating of our large group and made sure we were no less than pleased. As for the food, it was so-so quality. Unfortunately, nothing stuck out to me as anything more than average.
(3)Christopher C.
This place didn't have very many people eating which I though was odd. The server was very attentive and the food was excellent. He wasn't afraid to tell us his favorite things on the meh when we had questions which is something my wife and I enjoy in a restaurant. The only critique I have is that the bar wasn't fully open yet (as of the time of this writing) so they didn't have a cocktail list. However, they were willing to make anything we ordered so long as they had the ingredients to do so. As it turns out, they didn't, but during our meal the server brought the drink my wife wanted to our table. They had sent a server to the store for the juice they needed to make her drink! Talk about above and beyond. Anyway, this place has a very authentic feel. The servers are a lot more casual like we're in a bar environment. This is by no mean a bad thing, but if you're expecting five star fine dining, then look elsewhere. This place is place feels authentic as in it would be a place in Italy that the natives would eat at as opposed to tourists. Anyway, great place and I hope this review will bring in more business because Tacoma needs more places like this.
(5)Danica L.
New restaraunt that serves great italian food. Had the lasagna and the chicken Marsala with a mushroom risotto and the waitress gave the heads up that those two take the most time to prepare, so a glass of wine was a must and man was it delicious! "Licking lips". The owner or perhaps manager (did not say) came out and spoke for a few minutes about the character of the wine and a few details about the dishes. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and seemed to enjoy his job. That is always an extra star in my book; have workers and owners love what they do. Back to the lasagna and Chicken Marsala, once it was tasted I wanted more! So much more! The lasagna was meaty and the chicken Marsala was cooked I absolute perfection. The mushroom risotto matched the dish perfectly and I would recommend this to any one who was unsure of what to get. I can't wait to come back and try another item. Nomnomnom!
(5)Mary L.
My friend and I stopped for a quick lunch and it was an altogether wonderful experience. We had two pizzas and both were great and reasonably priced. The service was attentive and professional and the space was well designed with attention given to the details. I plan to return with my husband and try some of the pasta dishes!
(5)Chris W.
Unassuming yet very charming with a sophisticated and surprising menu. Give this place a try. The service is great and the value is great for an Italian bistro.
(4)Bobby M.
You need to be here! Actually was there last night. Everything we ate was great! Very rare to find restaurants that serves great food without gouging your pocket. Well done Vincero!
(5)Kurt K.
I've been here a few times and now ready for an honest review. Really good! It is nice to have a good Italian restaurant right in town. A beautifully decorated restaurant with contemporary art on the walls made for a pleasant dining experience. There is quite a variety of food from pizza to spaghetti and all at a very reasonable price. One of the meals started with a classic Caesar salad. A word of caution to those who do not like anchovies...they have it in their salad...lots of it. The pizza ordered was simple but flavorful. A nice chewy crust and the perfect amount of ingredients and sauce. The other entree orders was the cannelloni. "Fresh pasta sheets filled with Spinach, Ricotta Cheese, Mushrooms, and herbs then rolled into cannelloni, topped with either marinara or mushroom cream sauce and mozzarella then baked until golden." It was good but slight too garlicky. Also tried the spaghetti with meatballs and the chicken cacciatore. The spaghetti had a lot of meat with the red sauce. It was excellent. One of the better spaghettis I've had in a while. The chicken cacciatore was quite spicy, which I liked. The cut was breast and a wing on top of a perfect cooked risotto. Both of these dishes were generous in portion. At this meal, we started with the grilled pear and mozzarella bruschetta. Wow! Nice flavor combination drizzled with balsamic. Definitely a nice addition to the downtown growing dining scene. Give them a try!
(4)Kelley B.
Walked in with a party of 14, wanted a drink. The manager said that "this is not a bar & if we weren't eating food then we "needed to get the fuck out" I've never experienced service like this in my life.
(1)Alice Y.
As soon as I left, I wanted to go back and get more...haven't had good Italian food in a while! Everything tastes so perfectly made. Very good price for quality and quantity! (~13 per entree). Liked: _lasagna!! (House special lasagna is very different from others I've had since the noodles taste so fresh.) _chicken dishes! _starter rosemary bread with balsamic! _Portobello ravioli (overall taste was grreat. Sauce was a little sweet for me. Portion was so big I couldn't finish) Did not like as much: _brown sugar garlic bread (comes in pizza form, tastes more like a dessert. Tasted good but not really appropriate for an appetizer) Sad: _We got there around 7 on a Sunday, the chicken masala and tiramisu were sold out...I'll have to go back to try these. Service: _A little slow, but it looked like one waiter was working by herself so understandable.
(5)Annette B.
They have a surprisingly nice atmosphere and decent food. I had the shrimp and crab ravioli while my husband opted for the pepperoni pizza. They have a great wine selection but unfortunately not a great beer selection (downside for most men). The seating in between the tables is a little tight. You pretty much have to walk out sideways in order to get out from the table.
(4)Shawn P.
My wife and I went here tonight on her birthday. It was our first time and everything was great. Started with a simple fresh side salad and great bread. She had the delicious crab/shrimp ravioli and I had the tasty asparagus chicken. So tender that a butter knife went through the chicken with little effort. Finished with the rich, delightful chocolate sin with strawberries made to look like roses.
(5)Alex K.
ate here on a sunday night. it was just myself and a buddy of mine in the entire restaurant. the server ended up getting my order wrong and brought out an entirely different pasta. he did end up not charging me for it so i guess it wasnt that bad, but still, no one else was on the restaurant and you bring out the wrong pasta? but the pasta wasnt too bad, but nothing special. my buddy said his ravioli was pretty good. i'd say you can pass on this place, nothing special really. Kevin, responding to your response, If your touch screen sometimes reads the wrong input....sounds like you need to get a new touch screen? and yes, my friend said his ravioli was very delicious but this is my review of the place. and actually, the cook did not come out to greet us. she came to clean up the table next to us and my friend stopped her and asked her if she was the chef. then we had a brief conversation about the food. and to be honest, my pasta wasnt good, it was ok. and i understand that mistakes can be made with the order but the fact that you got the order wrong when there were like 4? people in the entire restaurant seems a little absurd. or at least that is what we thought walking out of the place. and yes thats just my opinion so yelp reviewers can go and try this place out for themselves! Ciao
(2)Paul R.
Well, It's been a few months of passing by this little Italian restaurant. Since the Matador had a 45min wait we decided to give it a try. Boy am I glad we did! The service and food exceeded my expectations and Bruce was awesome! Down to earth, fun, and provided a fun end to our evening. We ordered a pizza, wine, and ravioli it was delicious. I highly recommend you give it a try yourself!
(5)Brittany S.
It was strange that we had the place to ourselves... I feel like I've been to a large variety of Italian restaurants and this food was great! Slightly different, wasn't sure about mushroom sauce but it was super yummy. the focaccia bread i would ask not to be toasted, and the salami and cheese antipasti could be better, I didn't care for it.
(5)Rainer E.
Date: 6 March, 2015. Super awesome Italian food. The food gets as many stars as possible. The waiter appeared to be the only waiter working, which can be a lot of work. Luckily for him, it's not a large restaurant. The guy was unusually awkward, though. Like, actions one might be making if they were expecting to quit their job in the very near future; that type of awkward. There seemed to be a lot of emotion within this dude before we even stepped inside with a group of 7.
(3)Ariel B.
If you're looking for a place to have a good conversation with someone, great food, and excellent service then Café Vincero is definitely the spot for you. The waiter was courteous, quick, and good at recommending something, especially for a first time diner. Please, do try the Chicken Marsala.
(5)Diane C.
I went for the first time last week and a friend went as well. I ordered the chicken parmigiana. The chicken had been grilled on a dirty grill and the Parmesan covered this up until one took a bite. It ruined the flavor and I did not eat it. My friend confirmed the awful taste. When I told the waitress she told the cook and they took 10% off. I have never written a review and rarely complain but this was really bad. I will never return. If they had made it right I would have given them another chance and never reviewed them. Any meal that was ruined like this was should be compensated at the full rate or made again and boxed up for take out... no questions asked. The chicken should have been baked. It is an easy dish to make. The chef and waitress should know better. 10% off for a ruined entree is an embarrassment for the business and a shows a total lack of concern for the customer. DC
(1)K C.
Had walked by this place visiting breweries and bars on this end of Pac Ave several times, finally stopped in. The Normal: We ordered a vodka soda, got a vodka with 7-up. It was replaced promptly and the both the wrong drink and right drinks were comped. The Abnormal: Because the liquor in this restaurant is stored in an accessible area, children and people under 21 are not allowed in the restaurant. This was a non-factor for us, and is perhaps a positive or negative depending on what your lifestyle is like. Worth considering before packing the kids up for a family dinner, though. The Good: The waitress was very nice Wine list looked extensive They use the good crushed ice The Bad: Pasta was disappointing. Pizza was OK, but there are better options in Tacoma. It may have just been a bad night, seems like people either love or hate the food. Beer selection wasn't good. I'm a beer guy. They had one of each broad style category, but mostly from Pike Brewing. I'm admittedly a little beer-snobbish and this weak selection is a little bit more acceptable from a restaurant, not a bar. The surrounding restaurants have a much deeper selection of quality craft offerings, though. Summary: Had we read the reviews beforehand we probably still would have gone here. Seems like enough people like the food that it's worth your time to check it out. It seemed ordinary and under-salted to me, but people's tastes vary. I was surprised to see that this restaurant was rated so high. What may have turned us off are the combative review responses on Yelp from the owner, which is the real genesis of this review. It seems hard to believe that these recollections are always the complete opposite from the perception of the reviewer, and attempting to humiliate your customers into coming back doesn't seem like a winning strategy. I recognize that a small business owner who takes a lot of pride in their work can be made defensive by what is ultimately a criticism of their passion/dream. That said, a customer's poor experience should be collected as a data point, apologized for, and considered as part of the future shaping of your business. IN RESPONSE TO THE RESPONSE: I don't doubt that some of these customers are wrong. But winning the argument should be less important than winning their repeat business, or winning the first time patronage of people who read what you say publicly. I don't think being 21+ is necessarily bad. For most people in the population-dense surrounding neighborhoods, it probably doesn't matter because they don't have kids. Just worth the reader knowing. Also, I accept your beer selection considering you are a restaurant. I'm a high-maintenance customer in that regard, and you have a better selection than many restaurants. When I go out to eat I'm a big believer in letting the restaurant decide how the food should taste. I'm not an expert in cooking or seasoning Italian food, and customers are paying you to be the experts. Regardless of what you expect from your customers, most dissatisfied customers will neither send their food back or comment on Yelp. They'll just never come back. You can't depend on the customer for feedback and then attempt to discredit them when it comes in a form you're less happy to deal with. Great example, I've had pizza all over the country and traditional Italian style pizza. I'm no pizza expert, but I have a pretty wide range of experiences from which to create expectations. This didn't meet mine, but dismissing my opinion as that of an ignorant "westerner" who just wants his pizza piled high with meat and hot at his doorstep in 15 minutes or less is condescending, combative, and rude. Probably enough to talk some people out of giving it a shot. But really, I'm just a data point also. My opinion shouldn't be weighted any heavier than a single good review. I'll just say that a single bad experience can erase several good experiences for those people too. We have a bar by where we live at which we've had probably 100 good experiences, but we think about the four bad experiences we've had a lot more. Ultimately, I'm not going to be back, but I want to see small businesses in Tacoma succeed. That's the reason I'm writing the review.
(2)Dustin B.
Stopped by here for desert and was very impressed by there chocolate cake. The cake was delicious and the server was very nice and attentive. My water glass never was empty. Highly recommend and can't wait to try the rest of there menu!
(5)Vickie P.
Downtown Tacoma just keeps getting better and better!! Searched on Yelp and Google for something new for a place to go and wanted Italian, found Cafe Vincero!!! When we arrived at 4:30 on a Fri. evening we were surprised at how quiet the place was, almost had a glass of wine and left but wanted to give it a chance. Joe was our server and only there for a couple of days but clearly had good experience, we enjoyed ourselves very much. Took advantage of having their undivided attention and grazed our way through a couple of appetizer's an entree and two bottles of wine while finishing with the tiramisu. We just hung out for a good 3 hours and never felt rushed or uncomfortable. So here it is, you must have the Brochette, absolutely the best.... We tried the Brown Sugar Garlic Bread because the reviews were good, and it was, but a little sweet for a starter, way good though brought it home and made it last!! We split the Chicken Marsala and it was probably the best Marsala I have had. Served over wild mushroom risotto it is a huge serving and well worth the $12.99 price point!!! Yes this is a new restaurant and they are working out the kinks, but the spot is welcoming, clean, comfortable and the food is full of flavor as well as great service, Thank you Joe (Joseppi) and Ken....
(5)Jacob H.
If you haven't been, it's because you haven't been invited. All joking aside, the owners Kevin & Ed have done a soft opening for the last three days and are now ready to serve. This place is amazing and absolutely no expense was spared creating this unique and quaint Italian eatery. Wood fired pizza, too many wines to list, and a made to order menu. And, wait they are going to stay open Friday through Sunday! Finally a place to go in Tacoma late night and in to the early hours. Love this place and love the owners! Thank you.
(5)Christy R.
Let me start by saying the food was exceptional. Absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was more cozy than I had anticipated, as well. The service, however, was so poor that I have to give it 1 star. This makes me sad, considering how fantastic everything else was. We had a party of 7. Three couples, and 1 single in our party. The waiter informed us, after we were seated and when we ordered, that there could not be separate checks. I'm not sure why, but okay. Several of us ordered a glass of wine to start and the others had beer. The beer drinkers were on their second beer before a glass of wine even appeared at the table. Our waiter was reminded 3 times of the wine order before it even showed up. On the 3rd reminder our waiter said he'd be bringing our "free wine" because of the wait. Secondly, one of the members of our party was without a place setting for the entire meal. No napkin or silverware. We all pitched in to make this work..... But should we have to?! Water glasses went unfilled. Our bread order went unfilled. I observed wait staff just standing around when they could've been attending to the tables and just being more observant of guest needs. I've been in customer service for 25 years, and this was lacking in the most basic sense. Finally the food came, and it was decadent. Every single dish was delicious. The check came and there was our wine. On the bill. Mind you, we would gladly have paid for it, but the service was so poor, it was the principle. When we questioned the waiter about it, he appeared disgruntled. He did take the wine off the bill, but after shouted at us that he "was sorry you didn't get your wine, but I was slammed!". It was rather loud and uncalled for. I've NEVER been spoken to by a wait person that way. I get that you may have had a bad day. But get it together and take care of your tables. This place isn't even that big, and with the standing around, they didn't appear to be slammed. Bottom line: the food was amazing. Hats off to the chef! The service was so poor, I will not go back there again.
(1)Jessica D.
I am so in love with this restaurant. We were a party of four dining for dessert only. We ordered one of each of their desserts and each dessert was to die for. Coffee was perfect and the waitress was attentive and prompt. The interior is nice and tasteful, comfortable seating and the volume was low so conversations could be had.
(5)Lisa M.
Great food at reasonable prices. Been here twice and will be back. Much, much better than cheese-laden food at Olive Garden.
(4)Andrew W.
After reading some of the reviews and looking at the menu I decided to give the restaurant a try. Went in on Saturday 16 May, the place was somewhat busy. I ordered the garlic flat bread with brown sugar and mozzarella for an appetizer, and it was AWESOME! For my entree had the Fettuccine Alfredo and that was great as well, really liked the creaminess of the Alfredo and the saltiness brought on by the prosciutto. Service was a little slow but that was due to amount of servers on staff and number of diners at the time. The server was great otherwise, very friendly. I would recommend this to my friends.
(5)Greg F.
Quiet atmosphere, excellent service, and terrific meal. You have to try the cheesecake for dessert. This is a real gem and well worth your time.
(4)Lia L.
Went here for dinner on a Monday night to try and find a place besides the usual Tacoma spots. I was slightly hopeful looking at the mostly positive reviews and great location but was disappointed with a lackluster strawberry and spinach salad, an overly rich grape and blue cheese ravioli, and completely over salted chicken cacciatore. The salad wasn't bad: large and plenty of sliced strawberries but I could've made it better at home. The only dish that stood out as enjoyable to eat was the Pizza Bianca which had a thin but chewy crust and a surprising spiciness that balanced out the cheese. A good amount of chopped basil rounded out the pizza. It was this balance of flavors that was absent in all the other dishes. The complimentary rosemary bread was good, but if you're diabetic, again watch out for the salty olive and vinegar dip that comes alongside. Why it was salty escapes me... Oh, but the chicken breast was very well cooked, with the bone in to keep its moisture. I saw the cook take it out of the oven and check the temp. so I was confident that it was cooked well. The space is large with tall ceilings and there are some nice details. I liked it that there was some visibility to the kitchen. However, overall the interior decorating and styling is clearly confused. Apart from the name and the small chalkboard sign on the sidewalk, you wouldn't have guessed this place was an Italian joint. We walked in to an empty restaurant, and the house manager/waiter was sitting next to the door on his phone. He quickly got up and told us to sit where we liked, and after we pointed out that he gave us the Lunch menu, he quickly apologized and brought the correct menus. He was very nice, friendly, and attentive, but despite his polished outfit and sparkling eyes, he didn't give the sense of ease I'd expect from someone serving just one table. To be fair, perhaps he was self conscious of the completely empty restaurant. The depressing music continuously playing didn't help the mood. Missy Higgins, Damien Rice, and a cover of Say Something aren't the best songs to fill the cavernous insides of a restaurant. That is unless you just broke up with someone and you want your heart breaking as you attempt to eat. Apart from our waiter, the only other staff I saw was the cook and someone else in the kitchen. How this restaurant could've served even one more table let alone full capacity is beyond me. Maybe it's a completely different scene on the weekends, but if you're checking out Cafe Vincero, I'd say proceed with caution. It's got great prices, but unfortunately that's pretty much it.
(2)Maxwell U.
Good food. Pretty bad service though. We sat down and the table sat down after us was served before us. They were drinking wine before anyone ever even talked to us. Wine took 5-10 minutes to be giving to us b Multiple things were messed up on our order. Waitress left a lot to be desired.
(3)Matthew H.
The service was poor, took half an hour to just get bread. When asked if they were making the bread from scratch, we were old no. The food was bland, meaning the owner probably doesn't believe in salt! My girlfriend sent back her chicken marsala. No flavor and undercooked risotto. I ate my chicken cacciatore only due to the fact that I was starving and had been waiting for about an hour and a half. The owner/chef did come to apologize about the food. When we told him what was wrong, his excuse was "well, I did have a dozen orders working!" Lazy lazy lazy. Being a good chef means.every plate goes out great, I should know this, I am one!
(1)Kaylene And Ryan P.
My husband and I stopped into Vincero on a whim for dinner a few weeks ago because I was craving Italian food and we'd driven by it several times, read the menu on the door and the place looked nice. The restaurant really is beautiful. I could actually smell the new paint in the bathroom and everything was brand new and tastefully updated. It's a gorgeous place, clean, and the fresh flowers on the table are a nice touch. There was only one other diner in the restaurant. Our server was very attentive and quick to deliver wine and bread. We ordered the salami pizza, and, upon his suggestion, the portobello mushroom ravioli. We had been tempted by the night's special, ravioli with crab (or was it lobster?) but when he reported that the ravioli was frozen, we went with our second choice. I am glad we did because the mushroom ravioli was phenomenal. I may have believed the pasta was homemade, had our server not told us they do not make their own. He said they used to get it from a local lady, but not anymore. It was disappointing that the pasta wasn't fresh, but I assume that how they keep the prices so low, and in any case, it tasted really good. The prices are great. The menu is concise - not too many options, but something for everyone. They have a coffee bar that we intend to try before work some day, as it is conveniently open at 6:30 a.m.. The ambiance is lovely and it is located in a really neat, up and coming part of Tacoma. I'm giving this 3 stars. I would like to give an extra half star, but four stars is a little generous. I think an authentic Italian restaurant should make their own pasta, and any upscale restaurant less than a mile from the waterfront should use fresh seafood. However, the place is gorgeous, the food was great, and I want to see Vincero do well. Overall, it is a welcome contribution to the neighborhood and we will be back.
(3)Tom Z.
Finally found an Italian restaurant that cooks like mom. Everything is fresh, even the flower on the table. The staff is friendly. The menu is simple in that they offer a good variety but not 100 items to chose from. If you appreciate good food and great atmosphere stop in. When a place makes the risotto fresh to order you know you found a good eatery.
(5)Anne W.
Very quaint cafe with great decor and a warm vibe. The server was great, he really seemed to enjoy what he was doing and that type of positive attitude is infectious and quite frankly how all wait staff should be. We were there for lunch and split 2 different sandwiches: the Gobbler and Chicken club and it definitely hit the spot. The quality of food is of course important but for us what's more important is the level of customer service. My husband comes to Cafe Vincero quite often for business meetings/networking and he's actually the one that told me about it. I look forward to returning!
(4)Breffni M.
Super pizza
(5)John W.
I went there at 5:30 on a Saturday and there were 2 tables filled. The waiter told me that they are booked with reservations. I asked him how long until I could be seated and he said 90 minutes. I had brought reading material, so I said I would wait. It only ended up being 30 minutes. The whole time I was there 2-3 of the tables were never filled, but the waiter told me they had to keep them open in case the reservations showed up. The food was great and enough that I had to take some of it home. More about the seating: the waiter said they just started this reservation system and he was disappointed that he had to turn away so many people because of the reservations that had been made but the people had not shown up. While I was there, I witnessed at least 3 parties who were turned away and as i mentioned there were plenty of tables for them to have been served if there was no reservation system. The waiter also mentioned they were expanding into the next lot and that would solve the limited seating issue. I recommend checking this place out, but make a reservation just to be sure you can get seated.
(4)Ty D.
I've been searching for a good Italian restaurant in Tacoma. I've been to several duds. But this place is legit. My wife and two daughters had a fantastic meal tonight. We had the mushroom ravioli and fettucine carbonara. Exquisite. I ordered a lasange, but decided to take it home. I can't wait to eat it tomorrow as it looked amazing. The pepperoni pizza was also very good. The brown sugar garlic bread was not bad, but I suspect that it will pair well with coffee in the morning. I loved the cheesecake with berries. Bathrooms are clean too. Bonus. The only thing that was missing was beer. I really wish you had Peroni on draft. I was hoping for Tiramisu. Next time for sure. I really hope that the owner of Cafe Vincero continues to supervise and train the staff and chefs because this restaurant is about to become a go-to place for people like me who like Italian food without all the snooty service. Update: Lasange was perfect. But I hope you will experiment with a bechemel sauce in the future. HINT-HINT
(5)John H.
Update 2 Check out their happy hour: 14 wines by the glass in the $6-$9 range, things like crab stuffed mushrooms and bacon wrapped scallops (are you kidding me? Holy cow amazing), and a host of other things that will make you happy to be able to taste good. Older Review Menus have been revamped and much improved. Cobb salad: excellent. Pizzas are bar none phenomenal, best in the area (as I previously noted). Chicken cacciatore: I'd slap a baby to get some of this stuff. Delicious. Some personnel changes that have produced an excellent server staff. Cafe Vincero continues to impress, to improve, and to provide the downtown area with a much needed product that had been lacking. Get some!
(5)Ryan L.
Outstanding food, slow service, inattentive waiter (Bruce) that was rude when asked to split the tip. I think he was just having a bad day, at least I hope so.
(3)Karyna B.
This place is just what downtown Tacoma needed! Another restaurant AND another Italian restaurant at that! This place is fairly new and I hope more people stop in for some really great food! I went with a friend for dinner and there weren't too many people there, but it was rainy and cold on a Tuesday so I blame the weather for lack of people! The service was efficient and great. This would be a great place for HH or dinner with friends and family as the environment is cozy and inviting. We ordered the Garlic Mozzarella bread as an appetizer (after the already yummy, fresh Rosemary bread that comes pre-dinner). I highly recommend this appetizer. I ordered the special which was Crab and Shrimp Ravioli. Very tasty with the right amount of cheese and sauce. My friend got a wood fired pizza ( pepperoni & mushroom) that he said he really enjoyed. The prices are very reasonable, and I will definitely be going back as there are more items on the menu I'd like to try and the desserts look like they'd be amazing too! Side note: They have a coffee bar so I will have to check that out some time too.
(5)Miranda B.
The restaurant is clean and well-maintained. The decorative tile used throughout does cause everything to echo, making it seem a bit loud in there. Overall, I was impressed when I first walked in. I work in downtown Tacoma and a new place for lunch is always a fun outing. We had a party of about 12 people. I ordered a Casear salad, plus grilled chicken, no croutons and sub vinagrette dressing. I was relieved that they didn't make a face when I gave my customized order. Everyone else's dishes looked amazing. My co-workers ordered the pizza and alfredo which was hot, melty, and hearty. My salad, however, wasn't up to the same standard. It was more of a side salad portion then a lunch portion. It had a bit of dressing and lemon wedge, but no other accompaniments. It was definitely not worth the $11 it was going to cost. The restaurant did make it right. They took the dish back and I wasn't charged for my meal. My only suggestion is to stick to the real-deal, unhealthy italian food! If you want a sensible lunch, not the place to find it. I did end up filching some of my co-worker's pizza - delicious!
(2)Charles G.
I have been here three times now and have had lunch each time, I've had the Caesar salad, spaghetti with meatballs, and the meatball sandwich. All of which were really tasteful and the service has gotten better each time I've been there. Carli was my server and she has been very polite each time and has gotten more knowledgeable every time about the food and the place. I would definitely keep this place in my top ten for lunch locations!!!
(5)Katlyn H.
I've eaten here a total of four times now, what started out wonderful seems to be a train collision. The last visit was just horrible the poor hostess was all alone waiting tables and the place was packed, you felt lucky to get a piece of bread because the food took so long. Numerous people left articles of clothing and purses all over the place to get out of the restaurant as quick as they could after paying and disgust. I feel bad for the poor waitress. They seemed so understaffed to even offer as many tables as they do. they also happened to be out of 1/3 of the menu. We waited the whole time for the whole experience and were only pleased with one of the four dishes we ordered.
(1)Ashley C.
I love this restaurant so much. It's a great atmosphere, it's reasonably priced, and the food is fantastic! For lunch, I recommend the meatball or Italian sandwich. If you have time, ask to order off their dinner menu. For dinner, I highly recommend their chicken Marsala and portobello mushroom ravioli. Their desserts are also good, too. They do barista coffees, which are at a fair price and pretty darn tasty.
(5)Sabrina S.
I've eaten here a few times now -- mostly takeout as I work directly across the street. I struggled a bit with the rating as the food here is really hit or miss. I've never been served BAD food but they frequently get the order wrong, use produce slightly past prime or other small errors. The pasta is usually fairly good, the salads are mediocre. I would rate this spot closer to two stars due to all the errors but management is usually fairly quick to fix any errors that are noted. I just don't feel that I want to go back after returning to my office at every visit. I had hoped that narrowing their hours would help with the issues but that doesn't seem to be the case. I also would like to point out that it seems they have changed the takeout containers and I am not a fan. I had a puddle of dressing in the bottom of my bag and the salad was nearly spilling out of the Styrofoam takeout box. All in all, it's an OK place to check out if you like pasta and have a couple of hours. Try the specials if they sound interesting because they are usually pretty good.
(3)m m.
A Pierce County Gem. The food was excellent. Great Caesar Salad : perfect mix of homemade dressing bursted with flavor. Our family split two entrees, the chicken and asparagus and a Margherita pizza. First the chicken: tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Melt in your mouth good. The pizza, wood fired, bright red zesty sauce, fresh mozzarella accented with basil. Nice choice of Italian wine -- they have domestic too but I stuck with Italian red. I consider myself a foodie and Cafe Vincero's food is superior to Marzano's, lagging only behind only in atmosphere. A must try for South Sound Italian lovers. I would rate this restaurant a high 4 if it was in San Francisco. Will absolutely return.
(5)Deverie S.
Delicious marsala sauce! Meatballs were divine and the portion sizes were awesome as well as the price point is super affordable! Will be back!
(5)Robb T.
What a great addition to the downtown Tacoma atmosphere. I've been several times and it gets better & better. This last Sunday, I had the mushroom ravioli which was rich, but not too heavy. I've had the lasagna and the pizza. Both are fabulous ... The lasagna is my favorite and is made from scratch to order. If you want to be treated to a fantastic meal with an awesome decor that's easonably priced, come on by. You'll be treated with great food & wine and lots of good humor as the owner usually comes out and chats. I'm looking forward to the signature beer coming soon. BTW, don't go and not get coffee... You'll miss out on Italys best it has to offer. I think it's the only place in downtown Tacoma serving Lavazzo coffee.
(5)Danielle J.
My super picky husband just gave his compliments to the chef. Chicken Marsala is fantastic and meatballs were delicious. Definitely recommend.
(5)Jason S.
Food is fantastic, but they are often understaffed...once they figure out the service portion I'll adjust to 5 stars because the food is really THAT good.
(4)Ryan D.
Great food. Friendly service. Reasonable prices. Attractive decor. Steady stream of Billy Joel, Elton John, and Bob Dylan. A win for Tacoma!
(5)Sue N.
My husband used to work in a wood fired pizza place and we haven't been able to find a place to go that has the pizza as good. The sauce wasn't seasoned, like it's supposed to be. The cheese was fresh and the dough had a nice flavor, Pizza came out nicely charred with the pinch being light and crunchy. This is definitely wood fired, not that crap Farelli's and The Rock serve. Only suggestion that would make the pizza better, is to brush some garlic oil on the pinch right after it comes out of the oven, We will be back because we want to try more items on their menu.
(5)Jennifer V.
Great service. Lovely atmosphere and delicious wine. We started with the grilled peach and mozzarella bruschetta. Yum!!! Ten chicken parm and crab ravioli. We were not disappointed!! I loved the marinara on the chicken parm!! Sooo good! My only regret is not trying the tiramisu! Next time!!
(5)Craig J.
Drove around looking for parking for 15 minutes, walked a quarter of a mile to get to this place at 9:55pm on a freezing friday night to see the staff walking around in the dark. Funny, the lights were on and the open sign was lit when I passed by before looking for a parking spot. The hours on the door clearly say it is open till 11pm. Where I come from that means the place is supposed to be open. Lazy people.
(1)Andrew S.
I must say we were very impressed from the moment we walked in the door. We did not have reservations and we visited Café Vencero during prime time dinner hour on a Saturday night. The hostess informed us that even though we did not have a reservation, she would seat us within 15 minutes. She kindly showed us a place we could sit and wait and that she would bring us a beverage of our liking while we waited for our table. There was a table open when we arrived but she did say that the table was for a reservation. Within a few minutes, she said that the reservation did not show or call and that she was going to give us their table. After being seated, we immediately received menus and water. The selections looked amazing and the tough part was deciding on what to have. After we placed our order, fresh hot bread arrived. It was so good, we had to stop eating in order to save room for the main course. The food arrived and it was a definite 5 star. Amazing!! Huge portions and perfectly cooked. Every table was full but yet the wait staff visited us it seemed like very few minutes filling our water and bringing more bread. We will most certainly be going back again and again. This place gets it!!!
(5)Julie B.
This place was just so-so. I felt like their menu had a lot of delicious sounding food, but they failed to deliver on flavor. We had a group of six, one person in our group didn't even get their order, and it was a simple salad! They did not charge her for her food though and did give it to her to go. The wine was tasty though, and the service was good.
(3)L. L.
I always enjoy my time here. The food is made fresh, so a pasta dish will take a few extra minutes !...Sauces are homemade as well. Quite a wine menu, even not on menu, so ask.......The food is wonderful and the prices are perfect.
(4)Nikki M.
This place is a romantic small restaurant that is a combination of a cafe and classy restaurant. The prices aren't bad at all and the customer service was great! I ordered the citrus chicken salad. It was pretty good but could've used just a little bit more vinaigrette. My date ordered the pizza which was very yummy. The kitchen is open so you can see your chef tossing the dough and preparing your meal depending on where you sit in the restaurant. The ambiance is relaxing yet sort of upscale. If you're not sure what to order, I'd say go with the pizza. Right amount of ingredients and the crust was Italian thin and the sauce was quite tasty.
(4)Shayla S.
Loved the ambience! The staff were helpful and attentive. The food...the food was DELICIOUS!! I eat a vegan diet, so they made a Portabella Pizza with fresh basil and roasted onions and garlic with a hint of red chili peppers! Simply Devine! Their rosemary bread was crisp on the outside and soft inside! Pair that up with their dipping sauce and you have a little bit of heaven!! I highly recommend Cafe Vincero!
(5)Jeff A.
Chicken marsala was horrible. Chicken came out tasting like rubber. Not appetizing at all. Food came out very slow. Only good thing was that the waitress was very polite.
(1)Hamy N.
2 stars, 1 for the garlic flatbread, the other for the ambiance/decor and service. Food was horrible! Though it was cheap compared to many other Italian restaurants out there. I guess in this case it is true you get what you pay for. First we ordered the garlic flatbread, which was good. You can smell the garlic from feet away. Yum! The dish, however, didn't look appetizing. I Wish the cook had decorated the dish a little bit, like putting a few dash of parsley and giving some life to the food. Our entrees were the special T-bone steak and the crab and shrimp ravioli. The T-bone steak looked like some cheap steak. It didn't have the color of a delicious steak and it was bland. I swear I make better steak. Again, horrible decor. The steak was placed on top of a pile of clumsily mashed potatoes and overcooked yellow squash and broccoli. Yuck! The crab and shrimp ravioli tasted ok. None of the fillings tasted fresh. The crab was more like crab paste and the shrimps were like the precooked mini shrimps in a jar of water from Costco/Walmart. The sauce for the ravioli was ok, nothing special. And one more time the dish looked boring. A whole bunch of ravioli in sauce, no life to the dish. The worst part is the dirty plates! This restaurant has so much potential: great location, nice decor. But it failed on the food! Too bad I won't be back
(2)Dennis B.
Referred by the owners of Odd Otter Brewing (opening soon next door) and have been back several times. Great food selection and reasonable prices. Pizza, pasta, and salad selections are all excellent. Good place for special occasions or just when you need a night out.
(5)Lothario D.
The service was outstanding and the food amazing. Very good ambiance, nice setting and numerous wines to choose from that they will even take the time to let you sample. the food is made to oder and is plated ellegently and the food was excellent. could have easily charged $5-$10 per dish I'll definitely go here again.
(5)Julie P.
We found this place on Yelp and we were not disappointed! The first time we went they were out of lasagna... The second time they were out of lasagna but the third time they comped the lasagna to make up for it! They were only out because it's so darn yummy! Bruce is fantastic, great wines, we love the lasagna and chicken marsala - and the Chocolate Sin dessert!! Amazing service, so much fun, always comfortable, can't wait til the outdoor seating is finished. There is a little wait but it is just because everything is made fresh. Worth it! :-)
(5)Raquel J.
Wow. Color me impressed! First, let me say, could this place be any more reasonably priced? 5 of us dined: with 3 appetizers, all had a drink," or latte, 5 entrees and 2 desserts, for 100.00. That's crazy great. Next, the food!!! Omg. Delicious. The brown sugar, garlic bread is TO DIE FOR! I could have just had 100 of those and been happy as a clam. And the portion was huge. It was like the size of a 15" pizza. My husband had the lasagna...definitely worth the wait! Between the rest of us, there was tortellini, a calzone, the chicken Marsala, and some "kids Mac n cheese". Calzone was good, tortellini were excellent. I did ask for broccoli in my Marsala, and it didn't get made that way, but was still good. The chicken wasn't my fave, it wasn't really seasoned itself, and could have had a nice pan sear or something, but was still tasty. The kids Mac n cheese wasn't super "kid" friendly. It was great...for me, but for a 3.5 year old, it was a bit too sophisticated tasting. A simple white cream cheese sauce that is void of complex sharp cheese tastes (Parmesan namely) and cracked pepper would be a good alternative, but from my understanding, they are still working on getting a kids menu so this was done on the fly. Let me go back really quick to the appetizers...the bruschetta...wow. So fresh, so good. The caprese insalata was also very good, and fresh...could use a little more balsamic and fresh basil. Their house bread is epic. They put some cracked salt on it or something after they lightly toast it...amazing. I had a raspberry Italian soda too. Best I've ever had. It wasn't that cheesy overly sweet syrup , it was tart, creamy and light tasting. Best ever raspberry soda. At the end, we had 2 tiramisu. They were very good. A bit heavy on the rum, and while it was good, was lacking a real richness I love from that dessert. To be fair, I am a tiramisu SNOB. It's my favorite dessert on earth, so my bar is set really high.
(5)Don S.
This is a great find! I stay in Tacoma probably 25 nights plus/year, and sometimes do not feel like driving from Marriott Ctyd. This place is under a mile walk, spacious, clean and new. I had a brand new waitress that didn't really know her way around, but made up in effort and friendliness what she lacked in knowledge. The food: fantastic! Wood fired pizzas with very good toppings, nice selection of other Italian fare that I could not sample this time around. Great Caesar salad. Drinks: not great, unless you drink wine. They had what I imagine is a great wine list/selection. One mediocre beer on tap, several in bottles.. No liquor. Prices:pretty reasonable. I will be back often.
(5)Ashley M.
Great service and great food! The restaurant is decorated super elegantly yet still casual. They have restaurant style Italian food, beer, wine, and a cafe bar available. The pizzas are cooked on wood fired ovens (I think that's what you call it?) and it was delicious. We ordered the pollo pizza and the chicken was really good - wasn't dry nor did it taste old. Definitely coming back!
(5)Cory L.
I've had better but not too bad. The hostess said we should have had made reservations... the place was empty (only two tables had anyone at them). Overall I'd give it a go if you haven't been so you can decided for yourself.
(2)David E.
What a fascinating find! New to area and wanted Italian food, had good reviews so we tried it. Atmosphere was very comfortable and our server Adina was great. Food was exceptional, had spaghetti with the spicy red sauce and meat balls. AWESOME, possibly best meat balls ever. Spicy sauce was to die for. Great find.
(5)S. M.
Beautiful atmosphere! Great service and exceptional food! I highly recommend this place and it is very decently priced.
(5)Shannon M.
So sad to be giving this place 2 stars. Visited a few weeks ago with friends from out of town. It was my recommendation since I'd been 2 times previously and loved it. Where do I start...as soon as she came to the table you could tell the server was brand new and not trained well. She took our food and drink order at the same time and when the bottle of wine arrived at the table she poured a taste for me and then corked it without filling anyone else's glass. It was strange. We received the wrong appetizer order and when we got the correct one the antipasto plate was deli meats and cheese sliced up and arranged all fancy on the plate. One half of the tables dinners came out a full 10 minutes before the others and the food was just OK. I was embarrassed since I was the one who'd recommend the place. On my first two visits the food and service had been great. Maybe they were having an off night. I sincerely hope it changes because I'd love to go back again.
(2)Andrew R.
The food here is amazing. The staff here is awesome. I would highly recommend the New York Strip and the mushroom appetizer.
(5)Mandi C.
Absolutely amazing! I thought I made the best lasagna... until I ate it here, very delicious. Equally amazing is their Bianca pizza... coming from a pizza connoisseur and having had some of the world's best pizza, I was fairly impressed by this hot little number. I give this place two thumbs up and will definitely be coming back soon! Oh... and don't forget the tiramisu... see if you can guess what that awesome finishing flavor is :)
(5)Owen M.
Great restaurant, I grab a sandwich there whenever I am around and sometimes stop by to get one to go (the lunch box actually comes with a mini dessert). All the food is great!
(5)Lena S.
The food is delicious especially mushroom ravioli and lasagna!!!service is great too! We paid 35$ for two dishes and two ciders very good deal!!!
(5)Carolyn R.
Excellent little find. Affordable, great location, friendly service, beautiful food that's fresh and original.
(4)Ted B.
This is our third or fourth visit here and will probably be our last. Our server was friendly but opened up the wrong bottle of wine at our table and then overcharged us by $18 for it. She corrected the bill and apologized for things not going well but we ran out of patience waiting an hour for our three orders of spaghetti and meat balls. The food was fine but not at all remarkable. The restaurant was not crowded but it did look like there was only one person in the kitchen. Even if that is true, an hour for a spaghetti order is a bit much. We live downtown and wanted this place to be successful but poor service, average food and long wait times are enough of a reason for us to go elsewhere.
(2)S K.
Alright, so we enjoyed our first visit and were very hopeful about the future... Unfortunately, while the food is still great, weaknesses from our first visit are still evident: the server (who was different each visit) had to be flagged down if we wanted to order drinks, send food back, and get the check (we were not in a hurry). Send food back, you ask? Why yes, every visit at least one order was wrong, and every time the server blamed the kitchen. It took forever to get our food and then longer to get what I'd actually ordered. Still, the quality of the food is superior.
(3)M C.
Possibly the worst pizza and second worst Italian food I have ever had. The service was so slow that I was watching a third of the customers get up and leave after they had been waiting for over half an hour to be served. Will never return
(2)John P.
This place is amazing. If you want pasta from a box or food designed in a corporate focus group, Vincero is not for you. But, if you want to take the time for pasta made from scratch by the owner who is putting their heart into it, then you will love it here. It is truly some of the best Italian in the whole Seattle-Tacoma area. The place is very well done on all levels. The decor is very warm with a slightly modern feel. You feel the age of the building in a really good way. Highlights include the infused balsamic used as a dipping sauce for the bread and in the caprese appetizer; an out-of-this world lasagna; great meatballs; an awesome meat sauce; and an amazing cheese cake with a fresh fruit topping. Honestly, everything was great. Everyone loved their meals. In addition to the lasagna, we had the mushroom ravioli, the chicken with asparagus and chicken parmigiana. All top notch. The service was also very good. Attentive but comfortable. It's a great place to relax and enjoy. To top it all off, the prices were extremely reasonable. I can't recommend Cafe Vincero enough.
(5)Mike Y.
This place is a nice addition to the Tacoma restaurant scene. There is a sincere desire to do well and take care of the customer that's evident here, and that alone would cause me to come back again. The food was solid and tasty (not fancy), though it's a fairly limited menu. The pizza had a great crust, and the tortellini was ample and flavorful. The mushroom risotto could have been a bit softer and creamier, but it, too, was quite good. Service was friendly. The atmosphere is pretty sterile and could use some warming up. The main issue is the speed and capacity of the kitchen. They were terribly slow and they knew it. A more robust and competent kitchen crew will be needed in order for this place to succeed. But they're new, so I'll be back and will look forward to seeing how they grow and improve.
(3)Tom A.
Enjoyed excellent appetizers and dinner at a business function on Tuesday night. Food was superb and service was outstanding. Highly recommend authentic Italian cuisine. Everything was delicious!
(5)