BYOB according to these guys is Bring Your Own Wine!! And what kind of wine please suggest that too . They say alcohol is not allowed,While they do have beer in their menu. Coming to food,I have been to many other restaurants around this place this one turns out to be the worst.food tasted bad and it was so over priced. If anyone wants to try Italian I would not recommend any one go here,poor service ,stale over priced food. So disappointing!!!wish to give this place negative stars ..made us feel so uncomfortable,we were jus waiting for our meals to finish and run away. And yeah forgot to mention you will have to wait for everything ...for table...for food..for check...avoid this place!! :(
(1)
Mark G.
I hate this place--and don't let these positive posts fool you (How much can people know about food who drink Yellow Tail and Bartenura with dinner?) My wife and I went there for an anniversary. I got some sort of seafood special that was missing the fish that was supposed to be center of dish. They took my plate, added fish, nuked plate, and served me after a very long wait. No apologies. The busboy kept trying to take our plates as well as our bread whenever we'd pause or be in the middle of our conversation. At one point I had to snatch our bowl of bread from him, and exclaim that we were still eating. This really gets me, we're still eating and the waitress comes over to ask us if we want dessert. Again, WE ARE STILL EATING! Obviously, they just wanted to flip a table, and obviously, they don't understand how we eat in Italy. I sent a letter to management--addressed to owner. He didn't even have the decency to reply. What a jerk. (I gave them 1 star because they have running water)
(1)
Uncle Howdoo S.
Mixed experience on a Saturday night. We had reservations for 4 at 7:15. When we arrived on time, we were told it was a 30 min wait, "and that they always run behind on Saturday nights". In short, if they always run behind, why don't they fix it. There was a huge crowd waiting to be seated. I felt badly for the two top right near the door. We waited about 25 mins to be seated, passed our reservation time. (The only thing they did right was to hand out some cheap wine to the dozen plus people standing in the foyer.) When we were finally seated, the service was terrible. Slow to pour water, messed up our order, and never brought the second helping of bread. All of that said, the food itself was delicious. They need to work out the kinks on their reservation system, and service, before I would try it again.
(2)
robert c.
Well first off I dined there tonight and the place was full of patrons and extremely noisy. This almost made me leave but I stayed. The pasta dishes are expensive starting at $16 a plate. I chose to get an appetizer I chose the vine ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for$10. I asked the waiter if the tomatoes were ripe he said yes. The tomatoes were not vine ripe just ordinary tomatoes. I also ordered a side of pasta with spicy tomato sauce. This was also expensive at $8 but really nothing special. If you want better Italian food I'd go to macaroni grill its way cheaper and you get way more for your money and better quality. Stay away from Vito's
(1)
Jennifer K.
We look for excuses to be in Cockeysville when we are in the mood for Italian. We've been here several times and always have a good, solid Italian meal. For the price, quality of ingredients, and size of the entree, it is a fair value. Highly recommend the veal tortellini. We've generally had positive experiences with the service. Friendly, responsive, and patient with a toddler. We advise you, however, to review your bill. One time, my husband discovered the server accidentally overcharged us $30. This is a good place to bring some wine and a good group of friends. Rest assured everyone will enjoy their meal.
Normally I shy away from strip mall restaurants however this is a different kind of place. Nestled between a bar, car dealerships, and dry cleaners, I didn't think much when my in laws suggested we met them at Vito's. I WAS WRONG. I spent a full month in Italy last summer and the key to Italian food is the sauce. Vito's has it 100% on the mark. Once inside the restaurant the surrounding businesses are far from mind. We eat here on a regular basis now driving from up from the City (Guilford). The food is simply amazing and I have not had a bad dish yet. I truly enjoy the seafood dishes when they have them and if you're lucky- the homemade soups which are sometimes available are out of this world. If you are in the area and looking for a great Italian restaurant- definitely give this place a try! I would recommend calling for a table ahead or making reservations. BYOB
(5)
Joe C.
quaint restaurant with efficient service. Surprisingly good Italian food in a strip mall. Our waiter informed that they do not serve alcohol but welcome walk ins. they even have a customer discount at the store 2 doors down. We had a variety of plates on the table: Pizza, pasta and fish. All were wonderful. The marinara sauce was exceptional. i would be proud to make and serve that at home!
(4)
Laura K.
I have been coming to Vito's since opening week 20 some years ago. Up until two visits ago I would have given Vito's 5 stars every time but in the last few years Vito's has started to become a little disappointing and the last two visits have made me want to find a new special occasion restaurant. I have celebrated every birthday here since Vito's opened, celebrated my high school graduation, college graduation, my husband proposed to me in Vito's and we even held our rehearsal dinner at Vito's. I moved 3 hours away 8 years ago and we still drive 3 hours just to have a meal at Vito's. The classic dishes that I love at Vito's have slowly disappeared off the menu. The menu is over run with veal medallion dishes which I have tried two of, the portion of veal is small and very dry both times. The specials never seem to change. The veal chop special is very good but has been the special for what seems like years now. The menu needs updating especially the Carne section of the menu how about a nice lamb dish, braised short ribs some more options then just veal medallions. Also train your staff to be more accommodating if a customer asked to substitute one of your vegetable sides for a bowl of pasta. I was in shocked to be told no I could not sub spinach for a bowl of pasta.
(2)
Paul O.
A nice little surprise in the strip mall. Salads were large and tasty. The bread was a bit disappointing, but the garlic bread made up for it. We had the bolognese, the veal chop and the sea bass. Each where wonderful with the veal chop the top winner of the three. I would sacrifice the sea bass presentation by putting the sea bass on the bottom pouring the lovely broth and zucchini mixture over it to let it steep in those flavors. We moved on to desserts and the cherries with ice cream (sorry forgot the name and the profiteroles we perfect. Too bad they do not team up with the great cup cake place next store like they do with liquor store. Lastly, was the perfect service balancing attentiveness and recommendations to give us a great evening meal.
(4)
Jennifer S.
This restaurant was one of our favorites, until we attempted to enjoy our 15th anniversary dinner there last night. Tons of overly dressed, overly made up elderly people took over. I have nothing against those that retired and are enjoying life. This group of individuals kept whining, "you don't have reservations, we do." The hostess told us we would have to wait 15 to 20 minutes, at a minimum, when there were tons of empty tables and tons of employees to serve us. We had lines of diners with "reservations" behind us who whined about us being in line in front of them. I will never dine again there. I prefer Fanzinni's on Cranbrook Road, which is casual, and prepares everything in house. I did not like the alleged "outdoor dining area," low end tables on concrete overlooking a parking lot.
(1)
MJ W.
Very pricey special of Dover Sole, $45. A bit over done. Who needs a liquor license with those prices. Fish as Bluestone is preferred. Very disappointing. Don't need to go back.
(2)
Bryan B.
Eggplant parm is the best in town! Very good veal and seafood dishes. They have a great house dressing. I wish the salads had a little more lettuce in them but overall this restaurant is one of our local regular places.
(4)
Max M.
I went back to Vito's this weekend after not having been there for nearly a year. I got the massive bone in veal chop, which I'm told is always available as a special. It was cooked perfectly and came out the best medium rare I could have hoped for. The chop was about 3 inches thick and had excellent flavor. The escargot and calamari appetizers, and the ceasar salads were also exceptional. Our server was also great. Impressive meal and again a great experience overall.
(4)
Judith L.
What a delightful find! I had been to the little mall before and never even really registered this little (not so little) restaurant. Very unpretentious from the outside, but inside--candles, snowy tablecloths, and fine italian food. I had black ink pasta with scallops and crab--plenty of garlic, wine sauce, and absolutely yummy! All diners were served a flute of home made egg nog for dessert: nice touch for the holidays. The two brothers who own the restaurant were back in the kitchen cooking, and came out to greet us and welcome us to their establishment. The restaurant was quite busy for a Tuesday night--a sign that local folks are happy with the quality and the service. I can see why!
(4)
Vlad F.
The Veal Oscar here with a side of fettuchini Alfredo is the best Italian dish on earth.
(4)
Julie B.
Make a reservation on the weekend,.. We arrived about 6:30pm on Saturday evening, and got seated immediately, thanks to our reservation, because the place was packed. We ordered a calamari appetizer, and it was ready in record time. The service was attentive and mindful of our dietary restrictions (no dairy). I would have given five stars, but one server took my leftover pasta to wrap it up for me to take home, and then never returned it. They did eventually find it, but that was the only flaw in the evening. We will definitely be returning here.
(4)
Michael G.
We've been here a # of times but never tried the mussels. Wow! The eggplant parm is SUPER! The chick parm is good BUT if these folks ( who have been here for a while will listen) use Bell & Evans chicken, raise your price on the dish by $2 bucks and you'll have the best chicken parm in the Baltimore area, bar none! PS excellent cappuccino. This is a BYOB restaurant. You get 10% off at the liquor store a few doors down if you say you're eating at Vito's.
(4)
Carl W.
this place is good to very good. BYOB is a major plus. I would like to see a little less of "topped with crabmeat" and perhaps a little more creativity with the pastas.
(4)
Kathy G.
Highly recommended! Food was perfectly prepared and service was very nice. I had one of the specials for the day, Chilean sea bass, with asparagus and grape tomatoes with a side of spaghetti. So good. Best meal I'd had in a long time. We even took our kids and my son has special needs and they were respectful and accommodating. My husband had the veal parm which he thoroughly enjoyed, and my son had the cheese ravioli with marinara and he polished his plate (and he can be picky). It is a BYOB restaurant which is great to know you can have your favorite wine and save money.
(5)
Janeen D.
this hidden gem in the middle of strip mall world has absolutely amazing italian food. their chef is from bocaccio downtown and creates some of the most amazing sauces to tempt your palate! the veal dishes are some of the tastiest you can find, especiallly without venturing down to little italy in bmore! my favorite is the saltimbocca-topped with thinly sliced proscuitto on a bed of escarole. the brown sage, butter, and veal pan drippings sauce is so delectable, the saltimbocca seems to melt in your mouth! i could eat the sauce alone with some italian bread and some sharp provolone and olives on the side! the only thing lacking here is the service...very friendly, but very inconsistent. however, the food definitely makes up for it! ps...this place is BYO wine and beer. there is a liquor store in the same shopping plaza that will give you a discount if you are dining at Vito's.
(4)
Ross M.
Authentic Italian! This place is great! We started with the Barbabietole salad with beets and then the Sorrentina...oh my god, it was so good. A good Italian meal starts with a good tomato sauce...this one was great! I highly recommend trying this place out. I'm a total foodie, and I set the bar pretty high. Congratulations Vito's Cafe! Finally, someone who knows how to cook real Italian food. I can't wait to go back and try more. Our waiter was excellent as well. Way to go Vito!
(4)
Kathleen C.
I have been to Vito's Cafe at least four times. The wait staff is magnificent. The food is great today I had eggplant parmigiana. It was the best I've ever had. I give it a five star rating!
(5)
Stephen J.
Why take the time to go to "Little Italy" when "Little Italy" is right in our own back yard? Great food, great service & a wonderful meal awaits! It's also BYOB, so you save some $$$ as well. Never a disappointment...
(5)
M M.
Wonderful italian food but a little pricey. The price is offset by the fact that it is BYOB however. Great service too.
(4)
M L W.
I have eaten at Vito's only twice, both times for at dinner. First of all, kudos for the tranquil atmosphere. What a delight to be able to hold a conversation without having to compete with loud music or clattering dishes! It is also a pleasure to be served by formally dressed waitstaff, even in a place where customers dress casually. They were pleasant and efficient, too. Mini cons: (1) I found the tomato sauce on the spaghetti side to be undistinguished - a little bland and a little thick. This did not keep me from eating it, however. (2) The leek soup I bought to take home could have been delicious, but it was entirely too salty, so much so that I think it must have been salted twice by mistake. Pros: Everything else. The house side salad was fresh, crisp, and generous, and the house parmesan dressing was very nice. I ordered the flounder (both times) and loved it - flaky yet moist (not soggy), and the sauce was delicious. I was grateful for the large size of my fish portion. I didn't save room for dessert (having enjoyed too much nice, crunchy bread) but finished off with coffee - good coffee.
(4)
Brian C.
I'm a fan of wood fired pizza, and seeing this was an Italian cafe boasting an authentic wood fired oven, I figured I was in for a pretty good pizza experience. I was so wrong. Sadly, in fact, I must go further and say this is, without a doubt, the WORST PIZZA I have ever tasted. Domino's would have been an overwhelming victor pitted against this pie. I ordered the Margherita, a simple Italian staple with sauce, mozzarella, and basil. First thing I noticed - No Basil. WTF? It has THREE toppings! Second, I ordered it with Buffalo mozzarella, and not only was the cheese an un-melted plastic mess, the upgrade cost me $9.00 - practically the cost of the whole pizza at $10.49. I buy Buffalo mozzarella frequently and know that at retail it cost $6 a pound. Lastly, the crust of this abomination was, at best, akin to a generic supermarket brand Tombstone. In defense of the cafe, my waitress was exceedingly friendly and knowledgeable. In conclusion, well, good luck!
(1)
Emily T.
I have been coming here with my family for years! 1. Best salad dressing on the planet!!!! 2. the salmon is amazing 3. any of the veal is awesome 4. the service is great 5. lastly it is BYOB don't let the strip mall location fool you... it is hard to get a table here on a sat night
(5)
Chuck C.
Incredible dinner this evening. Started with red wine, cesar salad, fish special w a side of pasta and finished dinner w coffee and an amazing dessert. Love this Place !!!!
(5)
Shriram P.
Awesome place - cannot believe we did not go here for out first five years in the area. Everything we have tried had been amazing. The desserts are truly spectacular.
(5)
John M.
How disappointed 30 year anniversary set up a week in advance order and told no steak This was the second time this has happened. Will not be a 3rd time
(2)
Dave S.
Average quality, fine dining Italian restaurant. Their take on many traditional dishes can be a substantial departure from the norm. Unfortunately, this is usually for the worse rather than the better. There are several better Italian restaurants within a several mile radius.
(3)
Benjamin S.
Let me start by saying, if I was able to give this place negative stars...I most certainly would. A friend of mine made a reservation with this establishment 2 months before our night out and confirmed it a few days before we were to arrive for 8 people. We showed up 5 minutes before our reservation time and proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait. We waited a total of 55 minutes with no table, no food and no apologies. They eventually pulled to small tables together and basically gave us an ultimatum of either we could take this make shift table or wait possibly another hour for our actual table. We sat down and ate our dinner. The food was average Italian food at best. When we were finished they brought us the check. As we took a look at the check, we noticed something was wrong. They had over charged us by $140.00. We sent the check back and the waitress returned with a revised check, she made a halfhearted apology. Needless to say at this point we were ready to leave after feeling as though we were being treated with a total lack of respect. We all payed our share of the bill and left. There was no manager who came over to explain, apologize or offer some kind of recompense for the evening's debacles. Here's a tip Vito's...Get your act together. You lost 8 customer's tonight and we are all going to tell 10 people each to never visit your establishment.
Love this place! We enjoyed the excellent sole, veal saltimbocca, few diablo, sea bass - all good. They now serve alcohol.
(4)
Bobby W.
Took the family to Vito's for dinner and the service was incredibly slow. We have 3 young children who ordered pasta and meatballs and it took over 45 minutes to be served. I asked the waiter numerous times if he could bring out the pasta for our children to no avail. I finally spoke to the manager and he simply said that they were busy. No apology or remorse. The food is good but be prepared for poor, slow service if they are busy.
(3)
Joyce K.
Several recent experiences have literally left a very bad taste in my mouth. First of all, reservations on the weekend are a total joke. They jam the small lobby every Friday and Saturday night and the matronly hostess treats customers with indifference and acts as if they won the lottery to eat there. Every other major restaurant can manage reservations so one can only assume that this is their policy in order to get as many covers as possible. Recent service was crude and rude. Water never refilled. Saw waitress twice. If this is Baltimore I can't to move to an A city and eat at restaurants that respect their customers.
(2)
Monique T.
I loved this place my husband and I came from out of town and they were polite and the food was amazing! Great service great ambiance
(4)
Deborah G.
New Year's eve and my first time dining on this holiday at Vito's Cafe (Note: Vito's has recently changed its name to Vito Ristorante Italiano). I am a regular customer at this eatery and at La Famiglia in Roland Park. Both of these have excellent Italian fare and both have chefs from the old Boccaccio's in Little Italy. It is interesting to note that while these have two chefs from the same restaurant, they have different sauces and totally different menus to please their customers. We had a 7pm reservation which was honored immediately. After we were seated in the back room near the kitchen we were asked what we wanted to drink. Vito's does not have a liquor license but you can BYOB. The liquor store next door has a good selection of wines and will give a 10% discount if you mention you are dining at Vito's. The server will help you set up the wine at the table. Next we received the bread, olive oil for dipping and butter for those who want to butter their bread. Our server told us about the special New Year's menu on the back page and said we could order anything but pizza from the regular menu. All three of us ordered the Branzino al forno (headless by request) in a fish reduction broth with zucchini and grape tomatoes. We also ordered a house salad to start. The house salad(Insalata della casa) was a nice mixture of romaine lettuce, red cabbage, tomato, cucumbers and one lonely hot pepper and an olive. It was served with a creamy cheese and olive oil house dressing. This was a nice fresh salad and it helped to pass the time while we waited for the main course to arrive. The beautiful whole fish arrived, minus its head, and it was perfectly cooked Along with the fish we were served a nice bowl of naked pasta so we could add our own tomato sauce and avoid eating soggy noodles. All in all a very good dinner. The pasta was a little cool but the tomato sauce helped warm it a bit. After dinner we ordered one dessert to share. The dessert was a parfait glass filled with vanilla ice cream and cherry sauce with four dark cherries on top. It was tasty and we ate it all including those delicious dark cherries. The dinner was expensive but we thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance, the service and the food. The minus one star is for the lukewarm spaghetti and tomato sauce. On regular nights, this usually does not happen. I would recommend Vito's Cafe for pizza, pasta and almost any of the other dishes on the menu. The chef is very good and the kitchen is always consistent in its preparation.
(4)
Pappa D.
We visited Vito's for the first time in their "new "space. We had a 6pm reservation and were seated immediately. The space was soon filled to capacity. Maybe too filled .The table are so close together that you are able to hear fellow guests quiet conversations. It was almost impossible to move from our table to the restroom without knocking into another table. We ordered a bottle of wine that was of good quality .They also have a full bar now. My friend had the eggplant parmesan. She did not care for it. Heavy on the cheese,sauce and salt.We split a spinach salad that was a generous serving and more than enough for the both of us. I tried the veal,eggplant combination. I found it to be average with too much salt. All in all a very average meal. Not bad but not memorable.
(3)
Brandi P.
I've made Vito's a regular of mine. I've been to this quaint establishment twice and have yet to be disappointed. Came here for lunch for my birthday back in February and ordered a sandwich and fries. Both came out fresh and delectable. This past week, I called ahead to confirm that there was outdoor seating for my furry friend and I. They had absolutely no problems with allowing my pet to join me for dinner. This is much appreciated out of restaurant establishments. I ordered the penne alla vodka, although a little strong on the vodka - still rather tasty. My date ordered the Chicken Parmigiana and said it was amazing. It was just right crispy, with a delicious red sauce. The staff has always been super friendly and attentive. Although I can admit that when you call ahead the hostess does not sound the most friendly and seems a bit overwhelmed or caught up in whatever is going on at the restaurant to completely give you the attention you deserve. Overall though, the service and food for Vito's is on point.
(4)
James M.
Picked this restaurant because I was in the mood for some great Italian food. It was highly rated on Yelp. I came at 5:30 pm on a Wed evening. Was given a table immediately. Not busy on a Wed. Atmosphere was very nice. White table cloth tables. Waiters wearing white shirts, ties and vests. Ordered the caprese salad. It came out quickly and tasted great! Bus boy kept my water glass full consistently. For my main course, I ordered the chicken parm. Delicious!! I would highly recommend it! For dessert, I ordered the Limoncello Flute. It was excellent as well! My waiter, Jose (from Spain), was attentive and provided excellent service! It was a great dinner experience!
(5)
A. C.
(05/04/2013) I am totally bewildered as to the superlative accolades and the wait for this place, it's neither the only nor the best Italian-American place north of the city. There have been many comparisons where the bar is set at Baltimore's Little Italy restaurants, and I think Vito's is comparable, but, in general, Little Italy's red sauce houses are mediocre at best. Considering the chef, Luca Pesci, hails from the former Boccaccio's, one of the best downtown, we really expected more. Maybe we chose poorly; went with one classic, one house specialty, and one pizza. The Lasagna was tall, dense, had creamy layers of seasoned ricotta and ground veal (some grisly bits), and made with pasta sheets (somewhat underdone and on the tough, chewy side). The pizza had a thin, crispy, slightly chewy crust, lightly sauce with crushed tomatoes; was topped with meaty, salty prosciutto and a mix of melted white cheeses (probably mozzarella and provolone, maybe touch of Swiss). The Veal Sorrentino (veal scallopine layered with eggplant, prosciutto and mozzarella cheese) had a rather high breading and cheese to meat ratio, heavily sauced with marinara. The same salty and crushed tomato marinara dressed an extra "dente" side of spaghetti (from dried). The restaurant is listed as "casual", but it's dressed with white linens and cloth napkins. There were folks in jeans there, but the clientele is about as WASPy as you can get (caters to the Talbot's set, and lo and behold, there's a Talbot's a couple doors down), which makes your jeans less classy than their jeans (the only minorities in the place were, duh, in the kitchen or pouring your water). Overall, Vito's is good, but not great, and for the prices, there's another place nearby on Cranbrook where the focaccia and pasta are housemade, and the experience is a better value.
(3)
Daniel B.
Vito's Italian food is well above average. I would go there much more often if they honored reservations. On the last three times I visited, I was seated between 30 to 60 minutes after my reserved time. There is no bar or comfortable place to wait. Most of the time the greeter is apologetic but on our most recent visit, the matronly hostess was not pleasant or concerned. No restaurant is worth the hassle.
(4)
Robert B.
The variety and quality of the pizzas and starters was excellent. They do now have a wine list but also allowed us to consume the wine that we had brought with us. Was worth the trip from west Howard County.
(4)
Joe C.
Been coming here for almost twenty years and I think I've finally had enough. Although the chef is talented, the management is unable to properly mange reservations on the weekends. Thirty minute waits twice in February and twice in March with reservations shows no concern for its customers. The older hostess is unpleasant and acts like you're fortunate to be waiting. Guess what Vito's? For my time and money I can go elsewhere. Managing reservations is not rocket science.
(3)
Ben K.
Excellent authentic Italian food. Will definitely fill you up. Everything on the menu is good and fresh. Very hard to be disappointed by this place
(5)
Constantine L.
Vito's offers competent Italian fare for relatively high prices, but the fact that they are BYOB, get your food out quickly, and can handle large groups balances out some of their weaker points. We had the calamari as an appetizer. It was crisp and light and not overly-breaded, but the portions were relatively small for the price. I had the pollo alla valdostana and enjoyed it, other favorites from my fellow diners included the fettuccine bolognese and the white gourmet pizza. The pasta side for the meat dishes is an unremarkable bowl of spaghetti with marinara sauce.
(3)
Carole P.
Without hesitation a very delicious resturant.
(4)
Michaek S.
WHAT HAPPENED TO VITO'S??!!??? The snooty factor has been amped up- what was a casual, nice, BYOB walk-in Italian joint with nice decor and good food has now become reservation-only feeding trough for the over-dressed elderly. Never going back.
(1)
Kyle D.
Great food, great staff, and great atmosphere. BYOB love the bread and pasta. Best Italian on York RD, well worth the prices for the quality of the food.
(5)
Karen L.
I'll begin by saying that the name of Vito's Cafe has changed to Vito's Ristorante Italiano and they now have a liquor license. My wife had made reservations for us and our daughter to celebrate my birthday this past Saturday night, March 28th. We arrived a few minutes prior to our 6:30 PM reservation. We waited at least 5 minutes before being addressed by one of the hostesses. One of them didn't seem to be addressing the waiting patrons. After advising the other hostess of our reservation time we had to wait another 10 minutes before being seated. This is not a complaint, since the restaurant seemed to be full, but a point of reference. Once seated our waiter arrived in a timely manner and took our beverage order. He returned promptly with our bottle of wine and since we knew what we wanted for dinner he proceeded to take our order. Our salads and entrees arrived shortly after. We were all pleased with our food and have, absolutely no complaints. When finished the bus person cleared our table. Here is where the restaurant lost its 5 star rating. The server returned with our check never offering or asking us if we would like to see a dessert menu, as we had observed other diners surrounding us making selections from. He, also, didn't inquire whether or not we would like coffee or an after dinner drink. We found this highly unusual and felt as though we were "rushed" out of there. I wanted to adjust his tip accordingly, but my wife wouldn't allow it. So, as stated in the title the food was very good, but the service was below par.
(2)
dane h.
The food was great. Loved the red sauce. If u r north of Baltimore and in the mood for Italian, this place is surprisingly solid.
(4)
Andrew B.
This place is good but they always have same appetizer special and the gnocchi sauce is very salty.and my waiter disappeared for like 1/2an hour and never brought my soup!?!
(2)
Crystal B.
I've been here twice and both times it was near closing and our waitress was AWESOME! The manager is another story but I am on a positive roll today so I will stick to the positive. I went here with my Italian Aunt and Uncle and they love this place. Truth be told......I am a big Olive Garden fan which is why I struggle with authentic Italian cuisine. The place always has a decent crowd when we go which is a good sign if you ask me. I forgot to take photos :-( but I will take some the next time we go as this is a place that my family frequents when we are in the area. Thanks Vitos for making my family's emotional trips to John's Hopkins a little better with your good food and great wait staff.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Sahana S.
BYOB according to these guys is Bring Your Own Wine!! And what kind of wine please suggest that too . They say alcohol is not allowed,While they do have beer in their menu. Coming to food,I have been to many other restaurants around this place this one turns out to be the worst.food tasted bad and it was so over priced. If anyone wants to try Italian I would not recommend any one go here,poor service ,stale over priced food. So disappointing!!!wish to give this place negative stars ..made us feel so uncomfortable,we were jus waiting for our meals to finish and run away. And yeah forgot to mention you will have to wait for everything ...for table...for food..for check...avoid this place!! :(
(1)Mark G.
I hate this place--and don't let these positive posts fool you (How much can people know about food who drink Yellow Tail and Bartenura with dinner?) My wife and I went there for an anniversary. I got some sort of seafood special that was missing the fish that was supposed to be center of dish. They took my plate, added fish, nuked plate, and served me after a very long wait. No apologies. The busboy kept trying to take our plates as well as our bread whenever we'd pause or be in the middle of our conversation. At one point I had to snatch our bowl of bread from him, and exclaim that we were still eating. This really gets me, we're still eating and the waitress comes over to ask us if we want dessert. Again, WE ARE STILL EATING! Obviously, they just wanted to flip a table, and obviously, they don't understand how we eat in Italy. I sent a letter to management--addressed to owner. He didn't even have the decency to reply. What a jerk. (I gave them 1 star because they have running water)
(1)Uncle Howdoo S.
Mixed experience on a Saturday night. We had reservations for 4 at 7:15. When we arrived on time, we were told it was a 30 min wait, "and that they always run behind on Saturday nights". In short, if they always run behind, why don't they fix it. There was a huge crowd waiting to be seated. I felt badly for the two top right near the door. We waited about 25 mins to be seated, passed our reservation time. (The only thing they did right was to hand out some cheap wine to the dozen plus people standing in the foyer.) When we were finally seated, the service was terrible. Slow to pour water, messed up our order, and never brought the second helping of bread. All of that said, the food itself was delicious. They need to work out the kinks on their reservation system, and service, before I would try it again.
(2)robert c.
Well first off I dined there tonight and the place was full of patrons and extremely noisy. This almost made me leave but I stayed. The pasta dishes are expensive starting at $16 a plate. I chose to get an appetizer I chose the vine ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for$10. I asked the waiter if the tomatoes were ripe he said yes. The tomatoes were not vine ripe just ordinary tomatoes. I also ordered a side of pasta with spicy tomato sauce. This was also expensive at $8 but really nothing special. If you want better Italian food I'd go to macaroni grill its way cheaper and you get way more for your money and better quality. Stay away from Vito's
(1)Jennifer K.
We look for excuses to be in Cockeysville when we are in the mood for Italian. We've been here several times and always have a good, solid Italian meal. For the price, quality of ingredients, and size of the entree, it is a fair value. Highly recommend the veal tortellini. We've generally had positive experiences with the service. Friendly, responsive, and patient with a toddler. We advise you, however, to review your bill. One time, my husband discovered the server accidentally overcharged us $30. This is a good place to bring some wine and a good group of friends. Rest assured everyone will enjoy their meal.
(4)Daniel F.
There is absolutely nothing inferior about this strip mall restaurant and therefore a solid 5 star from me. The waitress was excellent and answered courageously my repeated challenges on whether the sole almandine is good or not. They don't have a liquor license so bring your own wines is welcomed and they have proper wine glasses. That impressed me. All the 4 appetizers were fresh and tasty and perfect for our party of 4. 4 pieces of prosciutto with burrata and chutney. 4 pieces of large sauté shrimp, a large plate of fresh arugula & tomato salad and grilled portobello mushroom with goat cheese. My sole almandine was perfect. Filleted expertly at table side and tasty. Two other pasta entrees were cooked perfectly also. So was the halibut special. We were so full that we just shared an incredible coconut sorbet as dessert Can you believe that I may return to Baltimore just to eat here again?
(5)s p.
Normally I shy away from strip mall restaurants however this is a different kind of place. Nestled between a bar, car dealerships, and dry cleaners, I didn't think much when my in laws suggested we met them at Vito's. I WAS WRONG. I spent a full month in Italy last summer and the key to Italian food is the sauce. Vito's has it 100% on the mark. Once inside the restaurant the surrounding businesses are far from mind. We eat here on a regular basis now driving from up from the City (Guilford). The food is simply amazing and I have not had a bad dish yet. I truly enjoy the seafood dishes when they have them and if you're lucky- the homemade soups which are sometimes available are out of this world. If you are in the area and looking for a great Italian restaurant- definitely give this place a try! I would recommend calling for a table ahead or making reservations. BYOB
(5)Joe C.
quaint restaurant with efficient service. Surprisingly good Italian food in a strip mall. Our waiter informed that they do not serve alcohol but welcome walk ins. they even have a customer discount at the store 2 doors down. We had a variety of plates on the table: Pizza, pasta and fish. All were wonderful. The marinara sauce was exceptional. i would be proud to make and serve that at home!
(4)Laura K.
I have been coming to Vito's since opening week 20 some years ago. Up until two visits ago I would have given Vito's 5 stars every time but in the last few years Vito's has started to become a little disappointing and the last two visits have made me want to find a new special occasion restaurant. I have celebrated every birthday here since Vito's opened, celebrated my high school graduation, college graduation, my husband proposed to me in Vito's and we even held our rehearsal dinner at Vito's. I moved 3 hours away 8 years ago and we still drive 3 hours just to have a meal at Vito's. The classic dishes that I love at Vito's have slowly disappeared off the menu. The menu is over run with veal medallion dishes which I have tried two of, the portion of veal is small and very dry both times. The specials never seem to change. The veal chop special is very good but has been the special for what seems like years now. The menu needs updating especially the Carne section of the menu how about a nice lamb dish, braised short ribs some more options then just veal medallions. Also train your staff to be more accommodating if a customer asked to substitute one of your vegetable sides for a bowl of pasta. I was in shocked to be told no I could not sub spinach for a bowl of pasta.
(2)Paul O.
A nice little surprise in the strip mall. Salads were large and tasty. The bread was a bit disappointing, but the garlic bread made up for it. We had the bolognese, the veal chop and the sea bass. Each where wonderful with the veal chop the top winner of the three. I would sacrifice the sea bass presentation by putting the sea bass on the bottom pouring the lovely broth and zucchini mixture over it to let it steep in those flavors. We moved on to desserts and the cherries with ice cream (sorry forgot the name and the profiteroles we perfect. Too bad they do not team up with the great cup cake place next store like they do with liquor store. Lastly, was the perfect service balancing attentiveness and recommendations to give us a great evening meal.
(4)Jennifer S.
This restaurant was one of our favorites, until we attempted to enjoy our 15th anniversary dinner there last night. Tons of overly dressed, overly made up elderly people took over. I have nothing against those that retired and are enjoying life. This group of individuals kept whining, "you don't have reservations, we do." The hostess told us we would have to wait 15 to 20 minutes, at a minimum, when there were tons of empty tables and tons of employees to serve us. We had lines of diners with "reservations" behind us who whined about us being in line in front of them. I will never dine again there. I prefer Fanzinni's on Cranbrook Road, which is casual, and prepares everything in house. I did not like the alleged "outdoor dining area," low end tables on concrete overlooking a parking lot.
(1)MJ W.
Very pricey special of Dover Sole, $45. A bit over done. Who needs a liquor license with those prices. Fish as Bluestone is preferred. Very disappointing. Don't need to go back.
(2)Bryan B.
Eggplant parm is the best in town! Very good veal and seafood dishes. They have a great house dressing. I wish the salads had a little more lettuce in them but overall this restaurant is one of our local regular places.
(4)Max M.
I went back to Vito's this weekend after not having been there for nearly a year. I got the massive bone in veal chop, which I'm told is always available as a special. It was cooked perfectly and came out the best medium rare I could have hoped for. The chop was about 3 inches thick and had excellent flavor. The escargot and calamari appetizers, and the ceasar salads were also exceptional. Our server was also great. Impressive meal and again a great experience overall.
(4)Judith L.
What a delightful find! I had been to the little mall before and never even really registered this little (not so little) restaurant. Very unpretentious from the outside, but inside--candles, snowy tablecloths, and fine italian food. I had black ink pasta with scallops and crab--plenty of garlic, wine sauce, and absolutely yummy! All diners were served a flute of home made egg nog for dessert: nice touch for the holidays. The two brothers who own the restaurant were back in the kitchen cooking, and came out to greet us and welcome us to their establishment. The restaurant was quite busy for a Tuesday night--a sign that local folks are happy with the quality and the service. I can see why!
(4)Vlad F.
The Veal Oscar here with a side of fettuchini Alfredo is the best Italian dish on earth.
(4)Julie B.
Make a reservation on the weekend,.. We arrived about 6:30pm on Saturday evening, and got seated immediately, thanks to our reservation, because the place was packed. We ordered a calamari appetizer, and it was ready in record time. The service was attentive and mindful of our dietary restrictions (no dairy). I would have given five stars, but one server took my leftover pasta to wrap it up for me to take home, and then never returned it. They did eventually find it, but that was the only flaw in the evening. We will definitely be returning here.
(4)Michael G.
We've been here a # of times but never tried the mussels. Wow! The eggplant parm is SUPER! The chick parm is good BUT if these folks ( who have been here for a while will listen) use Bell & Evans chicken, raise your price on the dish by $2 bucks and you'll have the best chicken parm in the Baltimore area, bar none! PS excellent cappuccino. This is a BYOB restaurant. You get 10% off at the liquor store a few doors down if you say you're eating at Vito's.
(4)Carl W.
this place is good to very good. BYOB is a major plus. I would like to see a little less of "topped with crabmeat" and perhaps a little more creativity with the pastas.
(4)Kathy G.
Highly recommended! Food was perfectly prepared and service was very nice. I had one of the specials for the day, Chilean sea bass, with asparagus and grape tomatoes with a side of spaghetti. So good. Best meal I'd had in a long time. We even took our kids and my son has special needs and they were respectful and accommodating. My husband had the veal parm which he thoroughly enjoyed, and my son had the cheese ravioli with marinara and he polished his plate (and he can be picky). It is a BYOB restaurant which is great to know you can have your favorite wine and save money.
(5)Janeen D.
this hidden gem in the middle of strip mall world has absolutely amazing italian food. their chef is from bocaccio downtown and creates some of the most amazing sauces to tempt your palate! the veal dishes are some of the tastiest you can find, especiallly without venturing down to little italy in bmore! my favorite is the saltimbocca-topped with thinly sliced proscuitto on a bed of escarole. the brown sage, butter, and veal pan drippings sauce is so delectable, the saltimbocca seems to melt in your mouth! i could eat the sauce alone with some italian bread and some sharp provolone and olives on the side! the only thing lacking here is the service...very friendly, but very inconsistent. however, the food definitely makes up for it! ps...this place is BYO wine and beer. there is a liquor store in the same shopping plaza that will give you a discount if you are dining at Vito's.
(4)Ross M.
Authentic Italian! This place is great! We started with the Barbabietole salad with beets and then the Sorrentina...oh my god, it was so good. A good Italian meal starts with a good tomato sauce...this one was great! I highly recommend trying this place out. I'm a total foodie, and I set the bar pretty high. Congratulations Vito's Cafe! Finally, someone who knows how to cook real Italian food. I can't wait to go back and try more. Our waiter was excellent as well. Way to go Vito!
(4)Kathleen C.
I have been to Vito's Cafe at least four times. The wait staff is magnificent. The food is great today I had eggplant parmigiana. It was the best I've ever had. I give it a five star rating!
(5)Stephen J.
Why take the time to go to "Little Italy" when "Little Italy" is right in our own back yard? Great food, great service & a wonderful meal awaits! It's also BYOB, so you save some $$$ as well. Never a disappointment...
(5)M M.
Wonderful italian food but a little pricey. The price is offset by the fact that it is BYOB however. Great service too.
(4)M L W.
I have eaten at Vito's only twice, both times for at dinner. First of all, kudos for the tranquil atmosphere. What a delight to be able to hold a conversation without having to compete with loud music or clattering dishes! It is also a pleasure to be served by formally dressed waitstaff, even in a place where customers dress casually. They were pleasant and efficient, too. Mini cons: (1) I found the tomato sauce on the spaghetti side to be undistinguished - a little bland and a little thick. This did not keep me from eating it, however. (2) The leek soup I bought to take home could have been delicious, but it was entirely too salty, so much so that I think it must have been salted twice by mistake. Pros: Everything else. The house side salad was fresh, crisp, and generous, and the house parmesan dressing was very nice. I ordered the flounder (both times) and loved it - flaky yet moist (not soggy), and the sauce was delicious. I was grateful for the large size of my fish portion. I didn't save room for dessert (having enjoyed too much nice, crunchy bread) but finished off with coffee - good coffee.
(4)Brian C.
I'm a fan of wood fired pizza, and seeing this was an Italian cafe boasting an authentic wood fired oven, I figured I was in for a pretty good pizza experience. I was so wrong. Sadly, in fact, I must go further and say this is, without a doubt, the WORST PIZZA I have ever tasted. Domino's would have been an overwhelming victor pitted against this pie. I ordered the Margherita, a simple Italian staple with sauce, mozzarella, and basil. First thing I noticed - No Basil. WTF? It has THREE toppings! Second, I ordered it with Buffalo mozzarella, and not only was the cheese an un-melted plastic mess, the upgrade cost me $9.00 - practically the cost of the whole pizza at $10.49. I buy Buffalo mozzarella frequently and know that at retail it cost $6 a pound. Lastly, the crust of this abomination was, at best, akin to a generic supermarket brand Tombstone. In defense of the cafe, my waitress was exceedingly friendly and knowledgeable. In conclusion, well, good luck!
(1)Emily T.
I have been coming here with my family for years! 1. Best salad dressing on the planet!!!! 2. the salmon is amazing 3. any of the veal is awesome 4. the service is great 5. lastly it is BYOB don't let the strip mall location fool you... it is hard to get a table here on a sat night
(5)Chuck C.
Incredible dinner this evening. Started with red wine, cesar salad, fish special w a side of pasta and finished dinner w coffee and an amazing dessert. Love this Place !!!!
(5)Shriram P.
Awesome place - cannot believe we did not go here for out first five years in the area. Everything we have tried had been amazing. The desserts are truly spectacular.
(5)John M.
How disappointed 30 year anniversary set up a week in advance order and told no steak This was the second time this has happened. Will not be a 3rd time
(2)Dave S.
Average quality, fine dining Italian restaurant. Their take on many traditional dishes can be a substantial departure from the norm. Unfortunately, this is usually for the worse rather than the better. There are several better Italian restaurants within a several mile radius.
(3)Benjamin S.
Let me start by saying, if I was able to give this place negative stars...I most certainly would. A friend of mine made a reservation with this establishment 2 months before our night out and confirmed it a few days before we were to arrive for 8 people. We showed up 5 minutes before our reservation time and proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait. We waited a total of 55 minutes with no table, no food and no apologies. They eventually pulled to small tables together and basically gave us an ultimatum of either we could take this make shift table or wait possibly another hour for our actual table. We sat down and ate our dinner. The food was average Italian food at best. When we were finished they brought us the check. As we took a look at the check, we noticed something was wrong. They had over charged us by $140.00. We sent the check back and the waitress returned with a revised check, she made a halfhearted apology. Needless to say at this point we were ready to leave after feeling as though we were being treated with a total lack of respect. We all payed our share of the bill and left. There was no manager who came over to explain, apologize or offer some kind of recompense for the evening's debacles. Here's a tip Vito's...Get your act together. You lost 8 customer's tonight and we are all going to tell 10 people each to never visit your establishment.
(1)Maggi R.
We enjoyed a delightful evening at Vito's. Thank you for participating in Restaurant Week and presenting a creative menu. We thoroughly enjoyed the burrata with prosciutto and fig - the soft shell crabs although small were delicious along with the peaches with vanilla gelato for dessert. We especially liked BYOB with a corkage fee of $10. 00 per bottle. José, our server, was friendly and attentive.
(5)Sue H.
Love this place! We enjoyed the excellent sole, veal saltimbocca, few diablo, sea bass - all good. They now serve alcohol.
(4)Bobby W.
Took the family to Vito's for dinner and the service was incredibly slow. We have 3 young children who ordered pasta and meatballs and it took over 45 minutes to be served. I asked the waiter numerous times if he could bring out the pasta for our children to no avail. I finally spoke to the manager and he simply said that they were busy. No apology or remorse. The food is good but be prepared for poor, slow service if they are busy.
(3)Joyce K.
Several recent experiences have literally left a very bad taste in my mouth. First of all, reservations on the weekend are a total joke. They jam the small lobby every Friday and Saturday night and the matronly hostess treats customers with indifference and acts as if they won the lottery to eat there. Every other major restaurant can manage reservations so one can only assume that this is their policy in order to get as many covers as possible. Recent service was crude and rude. Water never refilled. Saw waitress twice. If this is Baltimore I can't to move to an A city and eat at restaurants that respect their customers.
(2)Monique T.
I loved this place my husband and I came from out of town and they were polite and the food was amazing! Great service great ambiance
(4)Deborah G.
New Year's eve and my first time dining on this holiday at Vito's Cafe (Note: Vito's has recently changed its name to Vito Ristorante Italiano). I am a regular customer at this eatery and at La Famiglia in Roland Park. Both of these have excellent Italian fare and both have chefs from the old Boccaccio's in Little Italy. It is interesting to note that while these have two chefs from the same restaurant, they have different sauces and totally different menus to please their customers. We had a 7pm reservation which was honored immediately. After we were seated in the back room near the kitchen we were asked what we wanted to drink. Vito's does not have a liquor license but you can BYOB. The liquor store next door has a good selection of wines and will give a 10% discount if you mention you are dining at Vito's. The server will help you set up the wine at the table. Next we received the bread, olive oil for dipping and butter for those who want to butter their bread. Our server told us about the special New Year's menu on the back page and said we could order anything but pizza from the regular menu. All three of us ordered the Branzino al forno (headless by request) in a fish reduction broth with zucchini and grape tomatoes. We also ordered a house salad to start. The house salad(Insalata della casa) was a nice mixture of romaine lettuce, red cabbage, tomato, cucumbers and one lonely hot pepper and an olive. It was served with a creamy cheese and olive oil house dressing. This was a nice fresh salad and it helped to pass the time while we waited for the main course to arrive. The beautiful whole fish arrived, minus its head, and it was perfectly cooked Along with the fish we were served a nice bowl of naked pasta so we could add our own tomato sauce and avoid eating soggy noodles. All in all a very good dinner. The pasta was a little cool but the tomato sauce helped warm it a bit. After dinner we ordered one dessert to share. The dessert was a parfait glass filled with vanilla ice cream and cherry sauce with four dark cherries on top. It was tasty and we ate it all including those delicious dark cherries. The dinner was expensive but we thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance, the service and the food. The minus one star is for the lukewarm spaghetti and tomato sauce. On regular nights, this usually does not happen. I would recommend Vito's Cafe for pizza, pasta and almost any of the other dishes on the menu. The chef is very good and the kitchen is always consistent in its preparation.
(4)Pappa D.
We visited Vito's for the first time in their "new "space. We had a 6pm reservation and were seated immediately. The space was soon filled to capacity. Maybe too filled .The table are so close together that you are able to hear fellow guests quiet conversations. It was almost impossible to move from our table to the restroom without knocking into another table. We ordered a bottle of wine that was of good quality .They also have a full bar now. My friend had the eggplant parmesan. She did not care for it. Heavy on the cheese,sauce and salt.We split a spinach salad that was a generous serving and more than enough for the both of us. I tried the veal,eggplant combination. I found it to be average with too much salt. All in all a very average meal. Not bad but not memorable.
(3)Brandi P.
I've made Vito's a regular of mine. I've been to this quaint establishment twice and have yet to be disappointed. Came here for lunch for my birthday back in February and ordered a sandwich and fries. Both came out fresh and delectable. This past week, I called ahead to confirm that there was outdoor seating for my furry friend and I. They had absolutely no problems with allowing my pet to join me for dinner. This is much appreciated out of restaurant establishments. I ordered the penne alla vodka, although a little strong on the vodka - still rather tasty. My date ordered the Chicken Parmigiana and said it was amazing. It was just right crispy, with a delicious red sauce. The staff has always been super friendly and attentive. Although I can admit that when you call ahead the hostess does not sound the most friendly and seems a bit overwhelmed or caught up in whatever is going on at the restaurant to completely give you the attention you deserve. Overall though, the service and food for Vito's is on point.
(4)James M.
Picked this restaurant because I was in the mood for some great Italian food. It was highly rated on Yelp. I came at 5:30 pm on a Wed evening. Was given a table immediately. Not busy on a Wed. Atmosphere was very nice. White table cloth tables. Waiters wearing white shirts, ties and vests. Ordered the caprese salad. It came out quickly and tasted great! Bus boy kept my water glass full consistently. For my main course, I ordered the chicken parm. Delicious!! I would highly recommend it! For dessert, I ordered the Limoncello Flute. It was excellent as well! My waiter, Jose (from Spain), was attentive and provided excellent service! It was a great dinner experience!
(5)A. C.
(05/04/2013) I am totally bewildered as to the superlative accolades and the wait for this place, it's neither the only nor the best Italian-American place north of the city. There have been many comparisons where the bar is set at Baltimore's Little Italy restaurants, and I think Vito's is comparable, but, in general, Little Italy's red sauce houses are mediocre at best. Considering the chef, Luca Pesci, hails from the former Boccaccio's, one of the best downtown, we really expected more. Maybe we chose poorly; went with one classic, one house specialty, and one pizza. The Lasagna was tall, dense, had creamy layers of seasoned ricotta and ground veal (some grisly bits), and made with pasta sheets (somewhat underdone and on the tough, chewy side). The pizza had a thin, crispy, slightly chewy crust, lightly sauce with crushed tomatoes; was topped with meaty, salty prosciutto and a mix of melted white cheeses (probably mozzarella and provolone, maybe touch of Swiss). The Veal Sorrentino (veal scallopine layered with eggplant, prosciutto and mozzarella cheese) had a rather high breading and cheese to meat ratio, heavily sauced with marinara. The same salty and crushed tomato marinara dressed an extra "dente" side of spaghetti (from dried). The restaurant is listed as "casual", but it's dressed with white linens and cloth napkins. There were folks in jeans there, but the clientele is about as WASPy as you can get (caters to the Talbot's set, and lo and behold, there's a Talbot's a couple doors down), which makes your jeans less classy than their jeans (the only minorities in the place were, duh, in the kitchen or pouring your water). Overall, Vito's is good, but not great, and for the prices, there's another place nearby on Cranbrook where the focaccia and pasta are housemade, and the experience is a better value.
(3)Daniel B.
Vito's Italian food is well above average. I would go there much more often if they honored reservations. On the last three times I visited, I was seated between 30 to 60 minutes after my reserved time. There is no bar or comfortable place to wait. Most of the time the greeter is apologetic but on our most recent visit, the matronly hostess was not pleasant or concerned. No restaurant is worth the hassle.
(4)Robert B.
The variety and quality of the pizzas and starters was excellent. They do now have a wine list but also allowed us to consume the wine that we had brought with us. Was worth the trip from west Howard County.
(4)Joe C.
Been coming here for almost twenty years and I think I've finally had enough. Although the chef is talented, the management is unable to properly mange reservations on the weekends. Thirty minute waits twice in February and twice in March with reservations shows no concern for its customers. The older hostess is unpleasant and acts like you're fortunate to be waiting. Guess what Vito's? For my time and money I can go elsewhere. Managing reservations is not rocket science.
(3)Ben K.
Excellent authentic Italian food. Will definitely fill you up. Everything on the menu is good and fresh. Very hard to be disappointed by this place
(5)Constantine L.
Vito's offers competent Italian fare for relatively high prices, but the fact that they are BYOB, get your food out quickly, and can handle large groups balances out some of their weaker points. We had the calamari as an appetizer. It was crisp and light and not overly-breaded, but the portions were relatively small for the price. I had the pollo alla valdostana and enjoyed it, other favorites from my fellow diners included the fettuccine bolognese and the white gourmet pizza. The pasta side for the meat dishes is an unremarkable bowl of spaghetti with marinara sauce.
(3)Carole P.
Without hesitation a very delicious resturant.
(4)Michaek S.
WHAT HAPPENED TO VITO'S??!!??? The snooty factor has been amped up- what was a casual, nice, BYOB walk-in Italian joint with nice decor and good food has now become reservation-only feeding trough for the over-dressed elderly. Never going back.
(1)Kyle D.
Great food, great staff, and great atmosphere. BYOB love the bread and pasta. Best Italian on York RD, well worth the prices for the quality of the food.
(5)Karen L.
I'll begin by saying that the name of Vito's Cafe has changed to Vito's Ristorante Italiano and they now have a liquor license. My wife had made reservations for us and our daughter to celebrate my birthday this past Saturday night, March 28th. We arrived a few minutes prior to our 6:30 PM reservation. We waited at least 5 minutes before being addressed by one of the hostesses. One of them didn't seem to be addressing the waiting patrons. After advising the other hostess of our reservation time we had to wait another 10 minutes before being seated. This is not a complaint, since the restaurant seemed to be full, but a point of reference. Once seated our waiter arrived in a timely manner and took our beverage order. He returned promptly with our bottle of wine and since we knew what we wanted for dinner he proceeded to take our order. Our salads and entrees arrived shortly after. We were all pleased with our food and have, absolutely no complaints. When finished the bus person cleared our table. Here is where the restaurant lost its 5 star rating. The server returned with our check never offering or asking us if we would like to see a dessert menu, as we had observed other diners surrounding us making selections from. He, also, didn't inquire whether or not we would like coffee or an after dinner drink. We found this highly unusual and felt as though we were "rushed" out of there. I wanted to adjust his tip accordingly, but my wife wouldn't allow it. So, as stated in the title the food was very good, but the service was below par.
(2)dane h.
The food was great. Loved the red sauce. If u r north of Baltimore and in the mood for Italian, this place is surprisingly solid.
(4)Andrew B.
This place is good but they always have same appetizer special and the gnocchi sauce is very salty.and my waiter disappeared for like 1/2an hour and never brought my soup!?!
(2)Crystal B.
I've been here twice and both times it was near closing and our waitress was AWESOME! The manager is another story but I am on a positive roll today so I will stick to the positive. I went here with my Italian Aunt and Uncle and they love this place. Truth be told......I am a big Olive Garden fan which is why I struggle with authentic Italian cuisine. The place always has a decent crowd when we go which is a good sign if you ask me. I forgot to take photos :-( but I will take some the next time we go as this is a place that my family frequents when we are in the area. Thanks Vitos for making my family's emotional trips to John's Hopkins a little better with your good food and great wait staff.
(4)