This place is amazing!! Food is delicious! I always get a salad of some kind and everything tastes fresh and gourmet. The service is excellent. Ambiance is nice as well; we usually sit outdoors and there is a fireplace and a patio area out there; very chic. If you go, make sure to get the bread basket. Their breads and oils are the best!!
I revisited Cafe Via last Saturday evening. Dinner was superb-again.. It had been 6 months since my last dining experience here and I can easily say this is my favorite place to dine in metro Detroit now. The staff genuinely cares about making your dining experience the best it can be-there is no pomposity or arrogance as found at other places . The crab cake appetizer was the best ever- the beet salad, lamb chops,and filet with melted bleu cheese were also thoroughly enjoyed by our group. The ambiance and total experience is one any restaurant serious about overall excellence should try to emulate.
(5)
Heather L.
I have been wanting to try Cafe Via forever and finally got the opportunity during Birmingham Restaurant Week. First off, I love restaurant week, a 3 course lunch for $15 is such a fabulous way to try a new restaurant. I had the Tomato Bisque-very good and I loved the little grilled cheese thin that came it. This is terrible but I absolutely cannot remember which salad I had-I have sat here staring at the menu but it just does not jog my memory. I chose the pot roast sandwich, not a usual pick for me, but I was STARVING when I got there. The meal and the service were good and I really loved the different little rooms-a great place for a special or more intimate lunch or dinner. I can't wait to eat out in the beautiful courtyard this summer.
(4)
Em H.
This was my first time eating at Cafe Via and it will be my last. The waitress was apathetic and not friendly. The $20 caprese salad consisted of some quartered tomatoes that were not fresh and had dirt on them, placed next to a hunk of cheese. My boyfriend said his Sea Bass was the worst he has ever had. I would go to Mitchell's or to Sweet Lorraine's if you are looking for quality food and service. Yes, the patio is beautiful, but that does not make up for all the other shortcomings. I have eaten at Roast, London Chophouse, Forest Grill and all the other fine eateries in the Detroit area. This restaurant needs to shape up! The only reason I am giving two stars rather than one is because the waitress took the salad off the bill.
(2)
Lori D.
This restaurant is lovely. The wood and cozy atmosphere can be rated a 5 for sure. A great place to go on a first date because it was quiet and intimite restaurant. The little patio would be a great place to eat on a nice day. I gave Cafe Via three stars though, mainly because of the food. It was very good, but very pricey. I had the Osso Bucco that was about $34. It was wrapped in fatty bacon, which I had to unroll and was kind of unappealing. The taste of the Osso Bucco was good, however. My husband had the prime rib special, which he was very please with and it was pretty pricey as well. Our friends had the trout and the salmon and seemed satishfied with their meals. Everying is ala carte, so bring your wallet! The service was good, our server was very nice and polite and came back to check on us offen. I would certainly return if they had a Groupon or some other discount. The best was the desserts! If you are already paying about $60pp for dinner, might as well make it $70pp and bring a friend!
(3)
Jennifer R.
What an experience. I'd been dying to try this place to see what all the buzz was about, and it made an unmistakable impression, both good and bad (mostly good). With its beautiful courtyard seating, Cafe Via's capacity must double in the summertime, which makes it a draw, and also a potentially long wait. My first attempt at eating here on a weekend resulted in a quoted 2-hour wait at 8 p.m., so that didn't fly. When two girlfriends & I wanted to give it another go on a pleasant Friday evening, I was smart and put our name in in person at 6:30, hoping to be seated at 7/7:30. The very pleasant hostess called my cell phone before 7:00 and gave us a great table on the patio, right near the fireplace. Stopping by in person made a huge difference, as it was a mob scene around 8:00 and it looked like it was taking forever to get a table at that point. And what a scene it was! I saw no less than four different couples I knew and everyone was in the mood to mix & mingle. I loved the atmosphere and the yummy cucumber/absolut/lime/ginger ale cocktails I was drinking. While the service was knowledgeable and friendly enough, it was SOOO SLOW, and not in a slow-food kind of way, but in a "did the server forget us?" kind of way. Note to Cafe Via--if you ever want to turn tables, you might do yourselves a favor and try taking an order before the guests have to hunt you down to place it themselves!! That said, we were actually fine with the long wait, since we came to catch up and linger anyway. The wait we were less OK with was the wait for the single bathroom...what were they thinking? When my girlfriend went later in the night, the women had overtaken both the men's and the women's rooms to speed things along. On to the food, I LOVED my entree...pan roasted halibut with a light buttery, herbal sauce served with gnocchi, spring peas & fava beans. I would order it again in a heartbeat. My friends were less effusive about their entrees (salmon & whitefish), so I don't know if the food is across-the-board amazing, but my experience was awesome. My recommendation? Go in person to reserve a good table early, order the cucumber cocktails & the halibut, and sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace and the well-heeled crowd. It's an experience to savor.
(4)
Laura B.
My husband and I enjoyed this resturant one day as we were walking around the city. The food was very, very good and the service was very attentive. The menu constantly changes which is lovely, and everything really is quite tasty and well prepared. The atmosphere is what I love most about this place. It is very cozy and comfortable.
(5)
Harleen K.
Would get a 5 rating if not for the service. Started out with homemade sausage, brussel spouts and crab cakes. All were pretty good, but crab cakes were exceptional. I had the ravioli, which I liked although it came with a creamy sauce that I thought was a little unusual. Others in the party enjoyed the salmon and trout. Beef tenderloin was very tender with good flavor. One person had the halibut and felt it was flavorless and a little dry. Sat on the patio where there was a fireplace. Indoors the decor is warm and inviting- great ambiance Our waitress was nice, however, very slow.
(4)
Michelle D.
The food is ok and so is the atmosphere. Good service but the menu was a little disappointing. We decided to all share appetizers between the five of us. The stand outs were the crab cakes, the brussels sprouts, and the Bolognaise. The truffle fries were pretty good but the sliders, calamari, and the house made sausage were ok. The desserts were sweet and delicious. The Death by Chocolate was very chocolatey and the ice cream was a good addition to lighten it up. I really enjoyed the Mango Coconut dessert. It had bits of cake and chocolate crumbs with raspberries and half discs of mango. Overall for the prices, I expected more from the food. The food that was good was memorable enough but the other items were not even close to the standards I had going in. Maybe the entrees would have been a better choice.
(3)
Frank T.
What a find! A beautiful little Italian restaurant in Birmingham. Soft woods and elegant warm and private. The seafood pasta was one of he best ever. Be sure to park behind the restaurant
(5)
Clara H.
Beautiful night on the patio by the fireplace tonight
(3)
Missy O.
The Brussels sprouts were to DIE for!! Good wine list and friendly diners. Not to be missed!!
(4)
NaTasha R.
Ok so ATMOSPHERE wonderful, customer service equally fantastic.. They asked us to move due to their mis calculation of seating with a larger party but they more than made up for it with offering free alcoholic beverages & every appetizer on the menu for our party of 6! So I hate to give them three stars but thats the only reason why I'm giving the 3 because the food was quite bland.. So like i said we had every appetizer & the ones I was able to try (dietary restrictions) i was not impressed... my seafood entree was bland & a bit overcooked, the pureed veggie which I referred to as baby poo poo all night taste like Gerbers... But hey the drinks were good.. If in the neighborhood i would stop by to seat outside or at the bar for a drink & a BASIC no frill appetizer..
(3)
Cassie N.
Cafe Via should read their yelp reviews and work on their clear weaknesses. I agree with others that service is sporadic and fluctuates btw negligent and good. Salad was wilted and over-dressed it Bolognese is excellent as is their tomato soup! This place should work on their consistency and it could be excellent.
(3)
Martin H.
Good atmosphere, good service, good food. Our party tried a number of menu items and all were well prepared.
(4)
Priscilla G.
The food was good but not espetacular. My tenderloin was very good but my husband's seafood pasta was just ok. Atmosphere was nice. We sat in a nice four top under the covered patio. We arrived at 9 and by 11 there was nobody else at the restaurant but us. We were surprised since it was a beautiful Saturday night. We would have stayed longer and ordered more drinks. I guess it was time to go home.
(3)
Amanda A.
I need to talk about how awesome this place is for a moment. 1. Cool space. I love the outdoors and the fireplace, the inside was great as well. Super comfy chairs at our table inside. Made me not want to move. 2. The food is great. Our table ordered a bit of everything. For apps we ordered the calamari and shrimp, black angus tartar and crab cakes. The tartar came with a delicious kalmata olive spread, minced red onions, egg yolk and horseradish. So good. For entrees we ordered lamb chops, miso marinated cod, ruby trout, and filets. Everything was timed and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops may have been one of the best prepared rare chops I've ever had. Dessert we ordered the marscapone cheesecake, "oreo" ice cream cookie, and salted butterscotch pudding. Delicious. 3. Service- impeccable. 4. So why only 4 stars instead of 5. Reason being the bar. The drinks fell short. Our table ordered vodka martinis with bleu cheese olives- the olives tasted as if they have been prepared days before. The negroni was made with cranberry juice. I asked for my Hendricks gimlet to be served with a cucumber and instead after the drink was in front of me did I get a plate of cucumbers. You really need the cucumber to be present in the drink from the get go with Hendricks to bring out the aromatics. My advice- order wine and you'll be happy. Switched to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was delicious. I will absolutely come back here.
(4)
Andreea R.
Oh, where do I start. Food is mediocre at best. DO NOT get the beignets. Clumps of uncooked dough drenched in powder sugar. Drinks are decent. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(3)
Alex J.
The chicken paillard is light and delicious, perfect lunch plate. Love the Via (breezeway) especially on Thursdays!
(5)
Beth T.
We had a party of 7, and the food was delicious. The service, however, was appalling. We dined here on several occasions and usually the service is extremely professional but tonight the waitress was clearly somewhere else. Very disappointing as it was my mom's 86th birthday celebration.
(3)
Olivia D.
The herb frites are to die for and the tomato provencale is filling yet refreshing. The prices are out of my student budget but I wouldn't mind coming once in a while. My only complaint was that the service was slow for a Wednesday afternoon, not terribly slow but enough to notice since there weren't many people eating there at the time.
(4)
Angela R.
Wow. What a disappointment. Very, very, very slow service. Had a coffee but never got a refill. Wanted a condiment but the server didn't come back to check on the table until we were 90% finished with the meal. Someone at our table had to go to the bar to get a refill on her soda! Food was ok. Nothing worth typing about. Decor is great but that is about it. Still hungry and spent $80 with tip on two entrees (one being a salad) and one drink.
(2)
Assaf Z.
We didnt enjoy it all. small portions , the food was served cold, and we didnt felt anything special with the food. Not worth the price.
(2)
Daniel S.
Thought I would give it a second try. Had been here before and the food was awesome but the service was so so. Have to say that they really stepped up their game. The service was 5 star, and the food did not disappoint. Went for lunch, loved, loved the patio. We'll be back!
(4)
Johnny B.
We have never been disappointed here- the food is always on point and the bartender Jerry is clever and attentive. You simply must try it out!
(5)
Lizzy N.
My husband and I recently dined at the restaurant for lunch and we both thought the menu was lackluster. Nothing was really standout and neither was the service. Since it was lunch during the week it was slow and our waiter was not attentive. We ordered the mussels app and beverages.. the waiter had no clue what beers they had, none on tap. He had to check and get back to us. He took our app order and asked if we would like bread. He never came back with the bread. We ordered our meals which arrived in a timely manner. I ordered the pot pie and my husband the chicken paillard. The crust for the pot pie was premade I believe because it was not attached to the pot pie. So it was a crust that I could remove on top then the pot pie filling on the inside of the bowl. My husbands chicken was just blah, nothing over the moon. We had to ask for a water refill. For dessert we ordered the hazelnut cheesecake which took about 15 minutes to cut and present.... I mean come on, for a slow lunch during the week? Underwhelming overall.
(2)
Melinda Y.
Grew up in the area, but haven't been back in 10 years. Met friends and wasn't impressed. Liked the atmosphere. Service good. Food average. Had a house salad and the Halibut. The fish was overcooked. My friend sent her dish back because it was overcooked. It was also VERY salty. Might go back, but wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)
Ellen N.
My husband and I were in Birmingham and decided to try this place for brunch. Everything was fantastic! He had the pumpkin waffle and side order of grits. I had the pomegranate French toast. After one bite of the grits and was in heaven! The service was attentive and hospitable. The decor met my expectations and then some. I would definitely take family and friends there for a meal. Make sure to go on an empty stomach as the portions are very generous. Excellent quality food and well worth the price.
(5)
Red Arrow D.
They nay be dig friendly but our waiter wasn't. Our service was less then desired for the atmosphere and price point. My meal would've been more enjoyable had the staff taken an interest in taking care of us.
(2)
Robin S.
Went for a few glasses of wine and appetizers on the patio with a friend after work. The service was so bad! Slow returning to the table to take order. I had to ask busboy passing by the table to get our server. When she returned we ordered another glass of wine and appetizers but what we should have done is asked for the check!! Poor service! Bad food! No return!!
(1)
Naomi W.
Fabulous meal! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (its beautiful), food and service. The photos they have on yelp don't do it justice...very elegant and romantic. Everyone working there from John the bartender, our server Noah and the hostesses were personable and attentive. My filet was wonderful and the butterscotch pudding was delicious. Loved it!
(5)
John F.
This is a great spot. Very comfortable for lunch and the service is great. Solid menu. We hade the burger and it was excellent. Overall a very nice experience and we will certainly be coming back.
(4)
AndrewSumi G.
Today we decided to go there for lunch. We had heard good things so decided to give it a try. We were happy to sit outside on the patio and thought the setting was very cute. However, it took forever for the waiter to come to us. Finally the hostess that had sat us decided to bring us water and apologized for the waitress. When our waitress finally came to us she seemed unsure about the menu and specials when we asked questions. We got the beet salad with crab cake and the lamb soup special for appetizers. The beet salad was pretty good, it had good flavor and was light on dressing. However, the soup was quite salty. Then for entrees we got the mac and cheese with chicken and the Chicken Paillard. The Mac and cheese was kind of dry with not enough cheese and really not enough flavor at all. The chicken Paillard was also extremely unflavorful. In fact, after we took one bite of the entrees we asked for the check. We later took the meals home and cooked them again with some more flavoring to better fit our palates. For the price of the meal we were definitely expecting better! Will definitely not be going back.
(2)
Kellie H.
Where should I start, cafe via is one of my favorite down town spots. Their burger is second to none, with the pickled onions, grilled tomato, and garlic alioli mayo makes this burger my absolute favorite. Their fries match the burger: exceptional. The only thing better than their burger is John the bar tender he's always there with a friendly smile and a strong drink. I'd recommend cafe via to everyone!
(5)
Darin L.
Can I give a negative star? After looking forward to going there and hearing good things, it was not merely a let down but a disaster. Although dinner started with a very nice bottle of wine, it went down hill fast. Along with the wine came fruit flies. Even though we were sitting inside, we were bombarded by fruit flies all night long. They were in the glasses and all around the table. The Zingerman's burratta of course was good, but that was from Zingerman's. They could not get my main course correct. I ordered my steak medium. When the steak arrived, it was rare, so rare my plate was filled with blood. The waitress tried to tell me medium is pink. I showed her my steak and the blood were red. She took it back. Since no side was listed on the menu, I ordered a goat cheese side, which never came (someone obviously forgot to make it). By the time the server came back to see how things were going, I just canceled the side and asked that they reheat my steak. When they brought back my steak, it appeared to be a new piece, so I was pleased they did not dry out my old one. The problem, however, it was medium rare and still not medium. I ate the edges. When the bill came, I looked to see if I was charged for the goat cheese, thankfully I was not, but I was charged $20 more for the wine than was listed in the menu. Wanting to make sure I did not misread the menu, I went to the hostess and confirmed the $20 over charge, so even the nice bottle of wine I mentioned earlier was messed up in the end. We will never go back. It was a terrible experience all around.
(1)
Chelsea A.
Another of my fav salad spots, the Frisee salad here is magnificent. A lemony vin dressing over fresh frisee, topped with an egg over easy. I add rare tederloin but the salmon is also nice. Last week I ordered the herb omlette with spinach, gaot cheese and tomato compote, and added salmon. It was GRAET. I adore the patio here, its very cozy, complete with a fireplace. I really enjoy how its heated and enclosed on cooler days. The interior of Cafe Via is beautiful, very much my style. Ecclectic and comfortable. A regular lunch spot. If you like bubbly, the Cafe Via brut is very nice.
(4)
Barb H.
I really liked dining here 5 yrs. ago but yesterday was a real disappointment. We waited over an hour for our food and were given every excuse in the book...computer down, ran out of hash, etc. The only accommodation was taking off the soup, which was late too. We won't be returning.
(2)
Steve C.
The atmosphere was nice The food was great although I thought the portions were a bit small, and it took a long time to receive our food. If I was on a lunch hour I don't think I would of had time to eat we were there for lunch on the patio. Our server I think her name was Nicky asked if we were ready to order she did not offer any specials we had to ask if there were any- there was. I only gave it 2 stars For the mediocre service which I expect better in a place for the price and the long wait for food But the food was wonderfully so I will give this place another shot, next time for dinner
(2)
Sheila A.
Ambiance was very nice except that one of the four tables seated in our room was exceptionally boisterous which made it difficult for us to have a conversation. Our dinners were well prepared and presented. Our server was not on top of things and made no effort to make us feel welcome. Most disappointing of all, unbeknownst to us, our 3 children who live in 3 different states had made the dinner reservation and given a credit card to cover whatever we ordered that evening. When we asked for our check, our waitress read, "Happy Anniversary, (the three children's names)....and walked away. Normally, restaurants send some semblance of a celebratory dessert for special occasions...and this was a very special occasion for us!! No acknowledgment of our anniversary was a major misstep in our opinion--not that we were not served a dessert, but that the restaurant neglected to recognize a special celebration. Our guest said she would never go back as a result of this. She was especially disappointed as she had recommended this restaurant to our children for our special anniversary celebration...which they could not travel to help celebrate. That major oversight leads me to give Cafe Via this low rating.
(2)
Raquel S.
Very posh place. Excellent decor. My coworker and I went straight after work so we were dressed a like bit business casual and when we got there we felt under dresses but they didn't give us a hard time at all and we didn't have a reservation. Good food. A little on the pricey side but hey you're in Birmingham..soo.
(4)
M S.
We found Cafe Via when we got a bit lost which is a bit laughable but a happy accident. My friends and I really enjoyed our early dinner here. The ambiance is elegant but not stuck up and the covered heated patio is just a beautiful thing for (impending) spring. The crab cake appetizer was excellent - I felt I would happily have ordered a few of them as an entree. We had variations of salad with salmon vs steak, and all were polished off. My husband had the rather sizeable burger, which he liked. Our serves were helpful. The menu may benefit from a few more options, but a great place overall for a romantic or special meal with family or friends. Recommended.
(4)
Gabi M.
Straight off the plane, my dad dropped us off to meet our friends Sean and Christina at Cafe Via tonight around 8:15. We met them at the bar and enjoyed a couple of much needed libations. We enjoyed the bartender's heavy pour while we caught up with our friends... The restaurant was packed - nice to see on a Thursday night in Birmingham! Great service all around... we waited to get a table outside - it was worth it as the weather was pleasant outside (unlike the 106 degrees it is currently in AZ!) I continued with white wine and the others shared a bottle of red. We started with a caprese appetizer as well as crab cake and mussels. The mussels were on the small side but all were extremely tasty. I went with the halibut entree as did Sean. It was good - not amazing. Perhaps a bit on the bland side. I did enjoy the gnocchi that came on the side. Jared and Christina loved their goat cheese ravioli entrees. I had a bite and could tell right away why - go with that when you go for sure! Overall, we had a pleasant experience at Cafe Via... I am a fan although I'll probably visit some other dining destination in Michigan before returning for more.
(4)
S N.
Stopped in for dessert and coffee. Overrated. After reading so many good reviews we were excited to check it out. Ordered the chocolate cake and cappuccino. Cap arrived fairly quick, spoons for the cake arrived a minute later. Unfortunately the cake arrives about 15-20 minutes later. I thought they were baking it from scratch! When it did come it was cold and looked to have just been pulled from the cooler. Very disappointing. The cake was dressed up nice w a teeny scoop of choc ice cream and some dripping of choc syrup across the plate. Problem for $9 I would have expected something other than a tiny little pepperidge farms grocery store bought slice (no joke). We chuckled when we saw it. The restaurant should be embarrassed for serving something like that and charging so much for it. Another guest was pretty upset that one of the servers was walking by tables and had an uncontrollable cough. The server would just cough straight ahead and barely cover her mouth. Wasn't sure if we would need hazmat suits to eat there! :) The other diner basically let it be known to the manager that she was very upset with the coughing near guests tables like that. (We couldn't help but over hear her and she certainly expressed everything we were thinking as well). The manager seemed to handle the situation well with the guest, but would have been nicer if the server wasn't on the floor or near food with such a bad cough. The outdoor fireplace is pretty nice and the outdoor seating is pretty nice. The only other issue is that the restaurant staff seems to have a little hang out area just to the left of the fireplace area and in the parking structure that they use for their nicotine breaks (again could not help but notice that as well, ugh!) If they want to present this upscale atmosphere and high end menu/prices- at least keep it classy and get this behavior out of sight of the guests. In the end a not so great experience, unfortunately because I had been looking forward to this place and this first stop was just going to be a quick test run before a full scale dinner outing.
(1)
Elizabeth C.
My husband and I dined her for dinner on a Saturday night recently. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was really nice and was a great atmosphere. However, the service was average or slightly below average. Before ordering the Chicken Paillard I asked the waitress what kind of sauce was in the dish- was it a white wine sauce or was it cream based...she had no idea what was in the sauce. She said she would check for me and let me know but did not come back for so long to tell me that I'm sure our order was almost already made by that point. The Chicken Paillard had no flavor at all. We also had the calamari appetizer which was average at best, very deep fried, not much flavor. My husband did enjoy his steak but the mashed potatoes on the side also had little flavor. I might go back to have a drink on the patio because the atmosphere was nice but we both agreed we would not go back for dinner.
(2)
Cranky C.
Pretty nice setting. Little patio carved out of the back alleys of birmingham. We sat outside on a nice day. Waitress was kinda clueless and slow. Food was super average. I split a burger with someone and we were both kinda bummed. Everyone else ordered salads. They were giant! Giant bowls of lettuce. Maybe its me but large portions are more like applebees than im comfortable with.... If it werent for the awesome company, i woulda been pissed.
(2)
Lindsey B.
Ever since my mom moved to Birmingham (from Rochester Hills) in August 2010 she has been raving about this place. I think shes probably been there 10 times! So we finally went last week. So we went for dinner and sat on the patio. September in Michigan = chilly nights. The patio is kinda closed in with clear plastic & heaters. Very nice and comfortable! Our waiter was very nice. My mom and I both ordered a cocktail and we both ordered the Mussel, Shrimp & Sausage Pasta. I'm not one to order pasta at restaurants, but it was delicious. I omitted my sausage, thinking they might bulk up on mussels and shrimp, but no. The shrimp were huge, while the mussels were on the small side, but were still very tasty. They have bread that they bring out before your entree. Wow. I could have eaten soooo much more of that bread. They have oil on the table which is a nice touch. Overall, I would definitely dine there again. In regards to the reviews on the people there- yes, the Real Housewives of Oakland County hang out there. To go even further, there was a woman with her two purse dogs eating in the restaurant. I was a little suprised that they let her in the restaurant with her two dogs. She had them in her purse, and sat them on a chair in the restaurant. They were obviously not "service" dogs. But, I guess when you have bucko bucks, they will let you do anything.
(4)
Henry B.
This place has an amazing lobster roll. Worth the $20 at least once to try. The burger here is so good that ketchup and mustard ruin the taste. It needs no condiments. It's good as-is. I really like the vibe of the outdoor area. It's outdoor yet shaded. The kind of people during lunchtime on a weekday would be the Real Housewives of Oakland County. So there's us in t-shirts talking about Yelp and Twitter and them in Chanel talking about charity auctions and dudes named Brad.
(4)
Claire D.
The service was good, the food was good and the atmosphere was charming. There was an hour and a half wait for an outside table so we sat inside and there was plenty of room at our four person table with big comfy leather chairs. (They take lunch reservations, but not dinner.) The restaurant had been talked up a lot before I got there so I think we all had high expectations - but the food was good. it wasn't earth-shattering or anything but it was good. If anything, the atmosphere is what would bring me back.
(3)
Lara B.
I have only ordered the Frisee Salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato) with a crab cake on it. I have been here probably ten times- the salad just hits the spot! I have heard that they have a great burger. However, I go to Red Coat if I am craving a burger. I have nibbled on my husband's lamb chops and those were tasty too. I have only eaten outside (great area, fireplace rarely on though, maybe I come too early) but think the inside is VERY well done. The floor plan is a little odd, but great decor.
(4)
Gina S.
Ok, so I've had lunch here once, so take my review for what it's worth. . . Saw the good yelp reviews, so we checked it out. Really good food, probably 4.5 or 5 stars for the food. 1.5 stars for price. My lunch was a salad with beets, goat cheese, and some cheap cut of steak (although tasty, just sayin' not a filet or anything)...$20. And it was pretty small. I ate the whole thing and could have easily had more. And I usually doggy-bag food at restaurants. 1.5-2 stars for ambience/atmosphere attitude. Classic ladies who lunch and their daughters who are way to big for their britches at 23 years old. Pretty uncomfortable, actually. I grew up in a snobby town similar to Bham but this was over the top even for what I am used to. I think the icing on the snobby cake was the service. Basically, the server was a i-atch. No smiles whatsoever. I'm sure she thought she should have been the one lunching with her 2-pound dog on her lap while I served her. (Blond, 40s-ish gal, don't remember her name, but hello owner if you are reading this! You know who she is.) Also EXTREMELY slow service. It is weekday lunch. My salad (with steak or not) should not take 30 minutes. The decor is way over the top, way too trying-to-be-fancy-and-rich looking for my taste. (think grape vine tapestries and lots of different upholstery patterns,dark wood, weird marbled mirror) I doubt I will be back.
- The Spago of Downtown Birmingham ripped from a page in a Bret Easton Ellis novel? ... The atmosphere and crowd here are definitely snobby "Housewives of Oakland County" (to agree with one reviewer).... the food, however, isn't on that Wolfgang Puck leve
(3)
Stephanie C.
I agree with Henry B. The crowd matches its swanky downtown Birmingham ladies who lunch address but I didn't feel out of place. The patio tables are completely worth the wait in good weather for lunch or dinner. I'd recommend the Lobster Roll or the Beet Salad for lighter fare. During a recent visit with a friend we wandered in with cups of tea from a nearby coffee shop and earned questionable looks from our server. It was a snap decision to grab a few appetizers. Beyond that, though, the waitstaff was friendly, attentive and helpful. And the food was delicious. Cafe Via's unusual architecture offers some interesting private dining options inside as well, which might be suitable for a special event or occasion. I've been back a few times and am happy to have this tasty, upscale option in downtown Birmingham -close to work, shopping and home.
(4)
Daniel G.
This is a perfect example of upper class and pseudo upper class trying to see and be seen. The food is really not very good at all. The burgers are pretty decent but thats about it. Beer selection is just horrible, wine is very average. Service has always been great at he bar with bar tender Mitch (try his mango mojito) but my only other experience sitting in dining room the server was confused and had no problem sharing his personal issues with the table. Over priced and pretentious with little food quality to back it up.
(2)
Renee Y.
Charming restaurant in Birmingham-- combo of bistro and fine dining. I love the patio area most (unfortunately used less than half the year due to Michigan's long winters--boo!). I've ate here several times and always happy with both the food and service. Love the tomato bisque (comes with a yummy little grilled cheese thin), the crab cake appetizer, the frisee salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato), the lobster roll, and really love the burger (in my opinion rivals Red Coat)!
(5)
Jon T.
I'm a recovering Birminghamite...I moved from metro Detroit a little over a year ago and hadn't had the chance to check this place out until recently. Cafe Via has a nice vibe, somewhere between old school, upscale restaurant and 'Cheers' where everyone knows your name kind of place. And their patio is really nice. Just be prepared to wait because it is definitely frequented by a ton of regulars and the even if you include the patio, it's still on the small side. The food was good, as was the service. I wanted to give this place 4 stars but it seemed like something was lacking. Kinda one of those things you can't always identify but you can feel. Menu-wise, I would have liked to have seen another couple entrees...maybe another steak choice besides tenderloin. If I had to sum it up, it feels like Cafe Via settled. They aren't trying to be much different from the other places in town, rather it's easier to be one of the gang and just ride their coattails. I guess this is why it's just 'A-OK'. I'd definitely go back...next time though, I'd skip the food and just chill in the bar with a cocktail. This way, you still get to people watch and catch up with the Bham goings-on without having to settle on the food.
(3)
Lizzy B.
Nice, small menu; good atmosphere inside and outdoors. Recommended! I just had my third good meal at Cafe Via, so I think I'm qualified to write a review! I had been hearing about this place for a while, since one of our favorite hosts from 220 mentioned that she was going to be working at a new place, Cafe Via. The food is pretty good, but first let's talk about parking and finding the place. Cafe Via is tucked into the south side of Maple (15 Mile) between Woodward and Old Woodward. There's metered street parking, and two parking garages immediately behind the restaurant (access on Peabody St, the south bypass route). The closer structure indicates that it's for Cafe Via parking, but it's cheaper if you go to the structure 20 ft further down Peabody (the structure you'd park in for the Birmingham 8 Theater), since the first 2 hours are free. The entrance to the restaurant is tucked in a walkway that runs south off Maple, then turns east, heading out to Peabody St. If you're on Peabody St., in front of The Great Frame up, you're basically looking at the path you take. Of course, you can walk around to Maple, but I know you want to sneak in the back way. The inside of the restaurant is divided into smaller rooms; it feels like being in someone's [very nice] library. The room in front is actually one table in a flower shop that closes at night. While it's nice to have a room to yourseslf, it sort of feels like you're in a display window on Maple - because you are. It's a little drafty. There's also a large outdoor seating area along that back walkway; there aren't any nice views, but at least it's quiet, and you're not sitting on Maple. There's an outdoor fireplace, and heat lamps for chilly evenings. I've eaten dinner here twice - once for restaurant week and once on the regular menu - and lunch once. During restaurant week, the roast chicken was good enough that I ordered it again later, off the regular menu. The second time, it was a little too salty, but still delicious. Crispy skin, moist chicken, served on a hill of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, with a few stalks of asparagus alongside. Mmm! My friend had sea bass on a potato cake with a "melted tomato". That was also excellent, and not as salty as mine. But it was served as one of those stacked towers of food; that throws me a little, since I usually make such a mess of it. If you're coming for lunch or dinner, I suggest a reservation. We showed up for dinner, 2 people at 9:15pm on a Tuesday, and had to wait about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a wait after 9pm on a Tuesday?? For lunch, 3 people at 12:15 on a Wednesday, we were seated immediately, outdoors. There were plenty of tables indoors, but it looked like we snagged one of the last tables outside. During lunch, the crowd is local business people, and some ladies who lunch. Late dinner included a lot of Europeans, including some rather loud Italian ladies at the next table. Like most places in Birmingham, this is what I'd call sharp casual - anything from neat jeans to suits is the order of business.
(4)
Rose P.
Great service, good food, though the menu is a little small. My friend who went there with me is a vegetarian and she was pretty limited in what she could order.
(4)
Shane B.
Cafe Via is a great spot to enjoy a night when hanging in Birmingham. A great wine list and some really killer food. The burger rivals Red Coat, and is one of the best I have ever had. Great atmosphere, in a cool setting. The bar, though small, is always lively and good people watching is at hand. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a faux fireplace and it is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Cafe Via is pretty good. I would come here again, especially when it's warm out--there's outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Anyway, my boss--who loves to eat (that's why we're kindred spirits!)--wanted to try this place out today and who am I to turn down free lunch? Right. So we go here at lunchtime and there's a 1/2 hour wait! I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, especially for a new restaurant. I can deal with waiting for a bit because I enjoy the ambiance of a busy restaurant and kind of hate dining in an empty restaurant. Empty restaurants give me the creeps! We decided to eat at the bar in lieu of waiting for a non-bar table to open up. Before sitting down at the bar, we took a look around at the restaurant and you know what? I really like the way they (whoever "they" are) decorated the place--particularly the floor to ceiling book shelves filled with...wait for it...books (aside: I'm not sure if the books were real--they kind had a fake look to them). Bonus points for high ceilings and good lighting, too! p.s. don't you just hate harsh, offensive lighting?! I know I do. As for the food--not the best I've had but pretty good! I had the grilled flatbread sandwich with brie, tomato and arugula and a glass of cab. It was good, but didn't knock my socks off. For dessert I had chocolate creme brulee and it was pretty awesome (but I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't like). The bartender was cool--he was attentive without being overly-attentive, know what I mean? Struck up a little bit of conversation (as a good bartender should) but knew when to leave us alone. Overall, good place. I would come here again.
(4)
Sarah M. B.
Ok, first tip...if it's nice out and you want to eat on the patio-get there at 6pm(when they start taking names) and get your name on the list...we got there at 6:05 and weren't seated until 7:40, which is ok-we were expecting that. Our table was ok...of course my view of one of Birmingham's many fine parking structures, wasn't exactly what I wanted to look at, but whatever... We had apps. elsewhere due to the wait, which led us to ordering entrees right off that bat. Now, the menu is small and limited-literally, like a cafe...you aren't going to find a laundry list of options on apps, salads, soups, etc. Entrees cover the basics, beef, chicken and fish... I had the pan roasted haibut and really enjoyed it...served with a light butter sauce and gnocchi and fava beans(which I love) ...I am glad I enjoyed it because for 24 or so bucks, I would have been pissed. Texture was good and it was a high quality fish. My hubby had the uber delicious short ribs...tender and flavorful with a sauce that complemented the meat perfectly without overpowering it. Nice wine list and heavy pours....since we ate some of the complimentary bread, we were too full for dessert, althou what I saw come out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Now, with booze and such, you aren't going to get out of here for under 30 a person unless you order very carefully....2 entrees and I think we each had a glass of wine ran us in the 80 dollar range....attire is in between casual and dressy...I mean you don't have to be wearing a dress and tie, but don't go in there with old jeans(dress jeans, ok and a nicer top) and a wings tshirt... I will for sure go back, but probably wouldn't have it on a MUST HAVE NOW list...check it out, and enjoy the patio before winter is back....
Great feel to this place. Sat outside--was surprisingly comfortable given the warm temperature. Every staff person was welcoming and kind. Waitress had good knowledge of menu and was helpful in making recommendations. Food hit the spot--just what we expected. Only thing I wasn't wild about: a television in the outside dining area--didn't expect that given the overall vibe of the place. Would like to check this out for lunch--I've heard good things about the lunch menu.
(4)
Wessam H.
Where do I begin? The ambiance was great. The service was awesome. The food was beyond words. Being a frequent visitor of fine restaurants in the metro-detroit area, I know my food. After deciding to order a dish that I normally don't eat my entree arrived and never will I be the same again. This was one of the best meals I have ever ate. Forget the fact that I wasn't hungry and had eaten two hours before my arrival. Forget the fact that I am not a big Lamb chop fan. Had I not been in public I would have literally licked the plate clean. This was the only time I have ever asked to speak to the chef personally. I had to thank him for bestowing such an amazing dish (scratch that) such an incredible work of culinary art. We were the last to leave and everyone waited for us with smiles on their faces. My only regret is I do not make enough money to dine there every night for the rest of my life. My compliments to the staff, the manager, the owner and last, but certainly not the least, the chef
(5)
Tinker B.
Everything is always done with perfection and the staff is wonderful. The atmosphere is great. Quite overpriced but comfortable.
(5)
Barb H.
I really liked dining here 5 yrs. ago but yesterday was a real disappointment. We waited over an hour for our food and were given every excuse in the book...computer down, ran out of hash, etc. The only accommodation was taking off the soup, which was late too. We won't be returning.
(2)
Lara B.
I have only ordered the Frisee Salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato) with a crab cake on it. I have been here probably ten times- the salad just hits the spot! I have heard that they have a great burger. However, I go to Red Coat if I am craving a burger. I have nibbled on my husband's lamb chops and those were tasty too. I have only eaten outside (great area, fireplace rarely on though, maybe I come too early) but think the inside is VERY well done. The floor plan is a little odd, but great decor.
(4)
Sheila A.
Ambiance was very nice except that one of the four tables seated in our room was exceptionally boisterous which made it difficult for us to have a conversation. Our dinners were well prepared and presented. Our server was not on top of things and made no effort to make us feel welcome. Most disappointing of all, unbeknownst to us, our 3 children who live in 3 different states had made the dinner reservation and given a credit card to cover whatever we ordered that evening. When we asked for our check, our waitress read, "Happy Anniversary, (the three children's names)....and walked away. Normally, restaurants send some semblance of a celebratory dessert for special occasions...and this was a very special occasion for us!! No acknowledgment of our anniversary was a major misstep in our opinion--not that we were not served a dessert, but that the restaurant neglected to recognize a special celebration. Our guest said she would never go back as a result of this. She was especially disappointed as she had recommended this restaurant to our children for our special anniversary celebration...which they could not travel to help celebrate. That major oversight leads me to give Cafe Via this low rating.
(2)
Raquel S.
Very posh place. Excellent decor. My coworker and I went straight after work so we were dressed a like bit business casual and when we got there we felt under dresses but they didn't give us a hard time at all and we didn't have a reservation. Good food. A little on the pricey side but hey you're in Birmingham..soo.
(4)
M S.
We found Cafe Via when we got a bit lost which is a bit laughable but a happy accident. My friends and I really enjoyed our early dinner here. The ambiance is elegant but not stuck up and the covered heated patio is just a beautiful thing for (impending) spring. The crab cake appetizer was excellent - I felt I would happily have ordered a few of them as an entree. We had variations of salad with salmon vs steak, and all were polished off. My husband had the rather sizeable burger, which he liked. Our serves were helpful. The menu may benefit from a few more options, but a great place overall for a romantic or special meal with family or friends. Recommended.
(4)
Gabi M.
Straight off the plane, my dad dropped us off to meet our friends Sean and Christina at Cafe Via tonight around 8:15. We met them at the bar and enjoyed a couple of much needed libations. We enjoyed the bartender's heavy pour while we caught up with our friends... The restaurant was packed - nice to see on a Thursday night in Birmingham! Great service all around... we waited to get a table outside - it was worth it as the weather was pleasant outside (unlike the 106 degrees it is currently in AZ!) I continued with white wine and the others shared a bottle of red. We started with a caprese appetizer as well as crab cake and mussels. The mussels were on the small side but all were extremely tasty. I went with the halibut entree as did Sean. It was good - not amazing. Perhaps a bit on the bland side. I did enjoy the gnocchi that came on the side. Jared and Christina loved their goat cheese ravioli entrees. I had a bite and could tell right away why - go with that when you go for sure! Overall, we had a pleasant experience at Cafe Via... I am a fan although I'll probably visit some other dining destination in Michigan before returning for more.
(4)
Lindsey B.
Ever since my mom moved to Birmingham (from Rochester Hills) in August 2010 she has been raving about this place. I think shes probably been there 10 times! So we finally went last week. So we went for dinner and sat on the patio. September in Michigan = chilly nights. The patio is kinda closed in with clear plastic & heaters. Very nice and comfortable! Our waiter was very nice. My mom and I both ordered a cocktail and we both ordered the Mussel, Shrimp & Sausage Pasta. I'm not one to order pasta at restaurants, but it was delicious. I omitted my sausage, thinking they might bulk up on mussels and shrimp, but no. The shrimp were huge, while the mussels were on the small side, but were still very tasty. They have bread that they bring out before your entree. Wow. I could have eaten soooo much more of that bread. They have oil on the table which is a nice touch. Overall, I would definitely dine there again. In regards to the reviews on the people there- yes, the Real Housewives of Oakland County hang out there. To go even further, there was a woman with her two purse dogs eating in the restaurant. I was a little suprised that they let her in the restaurant with her two dogs. She had them in her purse, and sat them on a chair in the restaurant. They were obviously not "service" dogs. But, I guess when you have bucko bucks, they will let you do anything.
(4)
Cranky C.
Pretty nice setting. Little patio carved out of the back alleys of birmingham. We sat outside on a nice day. Waitress was kinda clueless and slow. Food was super average. I split a burger with someone and we were both kinda bummed. Everyone else ordered salads. They were giant! Giant bowls of lettuce. Maybe its me but large portions are more like applebees than im comfortable with.... If it werent for the awesome company, i woulda been pissed.
(2)
Henry B.
This place has an amazing lobster roll. Worth the $20 at least once to try. The burger here is so good that ketchup and mustard ruin the taste. It needs no condiments. It's good as-is. I really like the vibe of the outdoor area. It's outdoor yet shaded. The kind of people during lunchtime on a weekday would be the Real Housewives of Oakland County. So there's us in t-shirts talking about Yelp and Twitter and them in Chanel talking about charity auctions and dudes named Brad.
(4)
Gina S.
Ok, so I've had lunch here once, so take my review for what it's worth. . . Saw the good yelp reviews, so we checked it out. Really good food, probably 4.5 or 5 stars for the food. 1.5 stars for price. My lunch was a salad with beets, goat cheese, and some cheap cut of steak (although tasty, just sayin' not a filet or anything)...$20. And it was pretty small. I ate the whole thing and could have easily had more. And I usually doggy-bag food at restaurants. 1.5-2 stars for ambience/atmosphere attitude. Classic ladies who lunch and their daughters who are way to big for their britches at 23 years old. Pretty uncomfortable, actually. I grew up in a snobby town similar to Bham but this was over the top even for what I am used to. I think the icing on the snobby cake was the service. Basically, the server was a i-atch. No smiles whatsoever. I'm sure she thought she should have been the one lunching with her 2-pound dog on her lap while I served her. (Blond, 40s-ish gal, don't remember her name, but hello owner if you are reading this! You know who she is.) Also EXTREMELY slow service. It is weekday lunch. My salad (with steak or not) should not take 30 minutes. The decor is way over the top, way too trying-to-be-fancy-and-rich looking for my taste. (think grape vine tapestries and lots of different upholstery patterns,dark wood, weird marbled mirror) I doubt I will be back.
(2)
S N.
Stopped in for dessert and coffee. Overrated. After reading so many good reviews we were excited to check it out. Ordered the chocolate cake and cappuccino. Cap arrived fairly quick, spoons for the cake arrived a minute later. Unfortunately the cake arrives about 15-20 minutes later. I thought they were baking it from scratch! When it did come it was cold and looked to have just been pulled from the cooler. Very disappointing. The cake was dressed up nice w a teeny scoop of choc ice cream and some dripping of choc syrup across the plate. Problem for $9 I would have expected something other than a tiny little pepperidge farms grocery store bought slice (no joke). We chuckled when we saw it. The restaurant should be embarrassed for serving something like that and charging so much for it. Another guest was pretty upset that one of the servers was walking by tables and had an uncontrollable cough. The server would just cough straight ahead and barely cover her mouth. Wasn't sure if we would need hazmat suits to eat there! :) The other diner basically let it be known to the manager that she was very upset with the coughing near guests tables like that. (We couldn't help but over hear her and she certainly expressed everything we were thinking as well). The manager seemed to handle the situation well with the guest, but would have been nicer if the server wasn't on the floor or near food with such a bad cough. The outdoor fireplace is pretty nice and the outdoor seating is pretty nice. The only other issue is that the restaurant staff seems to have a little hang out area just to the left of the fireplace area and in the parking structure that they use for their nicotine breaks (again could not help but notice that as well, ugh!) If they want to present this upscale atmosphere and high end menu/prices- at least keep it classy and get this behavior out of sight of the guests. In the end a not so great experience, unfortunately because I had been looking forward to this place and this first stop was just going to be a quick test run before a full scale dinner outing.
(1)
Elizabeth C.
My husband and I dined her for dinner on a Saturday night recently. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was really nice and was a great atmosphere. However, the service was average or slightly below average. Before ordering the Chicken Paillard I asked the waitress what kind of sauce was in the dish- was it a white wine sauce or was it cream based...she had no idea what was in the sauce. She said she would check for me and let me know but did not come back for so long to tell me that I'm sure our order was almost already made by that point. The Chicken Paillard had no flavor at all. We also had the calamari appetizer which was average at best, very deep fried, not much flavor. My husband did enjoy his steak but the mashed potatoes on the side also had little flavor. I might go back to have a drink on the patio because the atmosphere was nice but we both agreed we would not go back for dinner.
(2)
Stephanie C.
I agree with Henry B. The crowd matches its swanky downtown Birmingham ladies who lunch address but I didn't feel out of place. The patio tables are completely worth the wait in good weather for lunch or dinner. I'd recommend the Lobster Roll or the Beet Salad for lighter fare. During a recent visit with a friend we wandered in with cups of tea from a nearby coffee shop and earned questionable looks from our server. It was a snap decision to grab a few appetizers. Beyond that, though, the waitstaff was friendly, attentive and helpful. And the food was delicious. Cafe Via's unusual architecture offers some interesting private dining options inside as well, which might be suitable for a special event or occasion. I've been back a few times and am happy to have this tasty, upscale option in downtown Birmingham -close to work, shopping and home.
(4)
Daniel G.
This is a perfect example of upper class and pseudo upper class trying to see and be seen. The food is really not very good at all. The burgers are pretty decent but thats about it. Beer selection is just horrible, wine is very average. Service has always been great at he bar with bar tender Mitch (try his mango mojito) but my only other experience sitting in dining room the server was confused and had no problem sharing his personal issues with the table. Over priced and pretentious with little food quality to back it up.
(2)
Jon T.
I'm a recovering Birminghamite...I moved from metro Detroit a little over a year ago and hadn't had the chance to check this place out until recently. Cafe Via has a nice vibe, somewhere between old school, upscale restaurant and 'Cheers' where everyone knows your name kind of place. And their patio is really nice. Just be prepared to wait because it is definitely frequented by a ton of regulars and the even if you include the patio, it's still on the small side. The food was good, as was the service. I wanted to give this place 4 stars but it seemed like something was lacking. Kinda one of those things you can't always identify but you can feel. Menu-wise, I would have liked to have seen another couple entrees...maybe another steak choice besides tenderloin. If I had to sum it up, it feels like Cafe Via settled. They aren't trying to be much different from the other places in town, rather it's easier to be one of the gang and just ride their coattails. I guess this is why it's just 'A-OK'. I'd definitely go back...next time though, I'd skip the food and just chill in the bar with a cocktail. This way, you still get to people watch and catch up with the Bham goings-on without having to settle on the food.
(3)
Renee Y.
Charming restaurant in Birmingham-- combo of bistro and fine dining. I love the patio area most (unfortunately used less than half the year due to Michigan's long winters--boo!). I've ate here several times and always happy with both the food and service. Love the tomato bisque (comes with a yummy little grilled cheese thin), the crab cake appetizer, the frisee salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato), the lobster roll, and really love the burger (in my opinion rivals Red Coat)!
(5)
Lizzy B.
Nice, small menu; good atmosphere inside and outdoors. Recommended! I just had my third good meal at Cafe Via, so I think I'm qualified to write a review! I had been hearing about this place for a while, since one of our favorite hosts from 220 mentioned that she was going to be working at a new place, Cafe Via. The food is pretty good, but first let's talk about parking and finding the place. Cafe Via is tucked into the south side of Maple (15 Mile) between Woodward and Old Woodward. There's metered street parking, and two parking garages immediately behind the restaurant (access on Peabody St, the south bypass route). The closer structure indicates that it's for Cafe Via parking, but it's cheaper if you go to the structure 20 ft further down Peabody (the structure you'd park in for the Birmingham 8 Theater), since the first 2 hours are free. The entrance to the restaurant is tucked in a walkway that runs south off Maple, then turns east, heading out to Peabody St. If you're on Peabody St., in front of The Great Frame up, you're basically looking at the path you take. Of course, you can walk around to Maple, but I know you want to sneak in the back way. The inside of the restaurant is divided into smaller rooms; it feels like being in someone's [very nice] library. The room in front is actually one table in a flower shop that closes at night. While it's nice to have a room to yourseslf, it sort of feels like you're in a display window on Maple - because you are. It's a little drafty. There's also a large outdoor seating area along that back walkway; there aren't any nice views, but at least it's quiet, and you're not sitting on Maple. There's an outdoor fireplace, and heat lamps for chilly evenings. I've eaten dinner here twice - once for restaurant week and once on the regular menu - and lunch once. During restaurant week, the roast chicken was good enough that I ordered it again later, off the regular menu. The second time, it was a little too salty, but still delicious. Crispy skin, moist chicken, served on a hill of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, with a few stalks of asparagus alongside. Mmm! My friend had sea bass on a potato cake with a "melted tomato". That was also excellent, and not as salty as mine. But it was served as one of those stacked towers of food; that throws me a little, since I usually make such a mess of it. If you're coming for lunch or dinner, I suggest a reservation. We showed up for dinner, 2 people at 9:15pm on a Tuesday, and had to wait about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a wait after 9pm on a Tuesday?? For lunch, 3 people at 12:15 on a Wednesday, we were seated immediately, outdoors. There were plenty of tables indoors, but it looked like we snagged one of the last tables outside. During lunch, the crowd is local business people, and some ladies who lunch. Late dinner included a lot of Europeans, including some rather loud Italian ladies at the next table. Like most places in Birmingham, this is what I'd call sharp casual - anything from neat jeans to suits is the order of business.
(4)
Rose P.
Great service, good food, though the menu is a little small. My friend who went there with me is a vegetarian and she was pretty limited in what she could order.
(4)
Shane B.
Cafe Via is a great spot to enjoy a night when hanging in Birmingham. A great wine list and some really killer food. The burger rivals Red Coat, and is one of the best I have ever had. Great atmosphere, in a cool setting. The bar, though small, is always lively and good people watching is at hand. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a faux fireplace and it is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Cafe Via is pretty good. I would come here again, especially when it's warm out--there's outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Anyway, my boss--who loves to eat (that's why we're kindred spirits!)--wanted to try this place out today and who am I to turn down free lunch? Right. So we go here at lunchtime and there's a 1/2 hour wait! I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, especially for a new restaurant. I can deal with waiting for a bit because I enjoy the ambiance of a busy restaurant and kind of hate dining in an empty restaurant. Empty restaurants give me the creeps! We decided to eat at the bar in lieu of waiting for a non-bar table to open up. Before sitting down at the bar, we took a look around at the restaurant and you know what? I really like the way they (whoever "they" are) decorated the place--particularly the floor to ceiling book shelves filled with...wait for it...books (aside: I'm not sure if the books were real--they kind had a fake look to them). Bonus points for high ceilings and good lighting, too! p.s. don't you just hate harsh, offensive lighting?! I know I do. As for the food--not the best I've had but pretty good! I had the grilled flatbread sandwich with brie, tomato and arugula and a glass of cab. It was good, but didn't knock my socks off. For dessert I had chocolate creme brulee and it was pretty awesome (but I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't like). The bartender was cool--he was attentive without being overly-attentive, know what I mean? Struck up a little bit of conversation (as a good bartender should) but knew when to leave us alone. Overall, good place. I would come here again.
(4)
Sarah M. B.
Ok, first tip...if it's nice out and you want to eat on the patio-get there at 6pm(when they start taking names) and get your name on the list...we got there at 6:05 and weren't seated until 7:40, which is ok-we were expecting that. Our table was ok...of course my view of one of Birmingham's many fine parking structures, wasn't exactly what I wanted to look at, but whatever... We had apps. elsewhere due to the wait, which led us to ordering entrees right off that bat. Now, the menu is small and limited-literally, like a cafe...you aren't going to find a laundry list of options on apps, salads, soups, etc. Entrees cover the basics, beef, chicken and fish... I had the pan roasted haibut and really enjoyed it...served with a light butter sauce and gnocchi and fava beans(which I love) ...I am glad I enjoyed it because for 24 or so bucks, I would have been pissed. Texture was good and it was a high quality fish. My hubby had the uber delicious short ribs...tender and flavorful with a sauce that complemented the meat perfectly without overpowering it. Nice wine list and heavy pours....since we ate some of the complimentary bread, we were too full for dessert, althou what I saw come out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Now, with booze and such, you aren't going to get out of here for under 30 a person unless you order very carefully....2 entrees and I think we each had a glass of wine ran us in the 80 dollar range....attire is in between casual and dressy...I mean you don't have to be wearing a dress and tie, but don't go in there with old jeans(dress jeans, ok and a nicer top) and a wings tshirt... I will for sure go back, but probably wouldn't have it on a MUST HAVE NOW list...check it out, and enjoy the patio before winter is back....
(4)
Kathryn L.
This place is amazing!! Food is delicious! I always get a salad of some kind and everything tastes fresh and gourmet. The service is excellent. Ambiance is nice as well; we usually sit outdoors and there is a fireplace and a patio area out there; very chic. If you go, make sure to get the bread basket. Their breads and oils are the best!!
- The Spago of Downtown Birmingham ripped from a page in a Bret Easton Ellis novel? ... The atmosphere and crowd here are definitely snobby "Housewives of Oakland County" (to agree with one reviewer).... the food, however, isn't on that Wolfgang Puck leve
(3)
Heather L.
I have been wanting to try Cafe Via forever and finally got the opportunity during Birmingham Restaurant Week. First off, I love restaurant week, a 3 course lunch for $15 is such a fabulous way to try a new restaurant. I had the Tomato Bisque-very good and I loved the little grilled cheese thin that came it. This is terrible but I absolutely cannot remember which salad I had-I have sat here staring at the menu but it just does not jog my memory. I chose the pot roast sandwich, not a usual pick for me, but I was STARVING when I got there. The meal and the service were good and I really loved the different little rooms-a great place for a special or more intimate lunch or dinner. I can't wait to eat out in the beautiful courtyard this summer.
(4)
Em H.
This was my first time eating at Cafe Via and it will be my last. The waitress was apathetic and not friendly. The $20 caprese salad consisted of some quartered tomatoes that were not fresh and had dirt on them, placed next to a hunk of cheese. My boyfriend said his Sea Bass was the worst he has ever had. I would go to Mitchell's or to Sweet Lorraine's if you are looking for quality food and service. Yes, the patio is beautiful, but that does not make up for all the other shortcomings. I have eaten at Roast, London Chophouse, Forest Grill and all the other fine eateries in the Detroit area. This restaurant needs to shape up! The only reason I am giving two stars rather than one is because the waitress took the salad off the bill.
This restaurant is lovely. The wood and cozy atmosphere can be rated a 5 for sure. A great place to go on a first date because it was quiet and intimite restaurant. The little patio would be a great place to eat on a nice day. I gave Cafe Via three stars though, mainly because of the food. It was very good, but very pricey. I had the Osso Bucco that was about $34. It was wrapped in fatty bacon, which I had to unroll and was kind of unappealing. The taste of the Osso Bucco was good, however. My husband had the prime rib special, which he was very please with and it was pretty pricey as well. Our friends had the trout and the salmon and seemed satishfied with their meals. Everying is ala carte, so bring your wallet! The service was good, our server was very nice and polite and came back to check on us offen. I would certainly return if they had a Groupon or some other discount. The best was the desserts! If you are already paying about $60pp for dinner, might as well make it $70pp and bring a friend!
(3)
Jennifer R.
What an experience. I'd been dying to try this place to see what all the buzz was about, and it made an unmistakable impression, both good and bad (mostly good). With its beautiful courtyard seating, Cafe Via's capacity must double in the summertime, which makes it a draw, and also a potentially long wait. My first attempt at eating here on a weekend resulted in a quoted 2-hour wait at 8 p.m., so that didn't fly. When two girlfriends & I wanted to give it another go on a pleasant Friday evening, I was smart and put our name in in person at 6:30, hoping to be seated at 7/7:30. The very pleasant hostess called my cell phone before 7:00 and gave us a great table on the patio, right near the fireplace. Stopping by in person made a huge difference, as it was a mob scene around 8:00 and it looked like it was taking forever to get a table at that point. And what a scene it was! I saw no less than four different couples I knew and everyone was in the mood to mix & mingle. I loved the atmosphere and the yummy cucumber/absolut/lime/ginger ale cocktails I was drinking. While the service was knowledgeable and friendly enough, it was SOOO SLOW, and not in a slow-food kind of way, but in a "did the server forget us?" kind of way. Note to Cafe Via--if you ever want to turn tables, you might do yourselves a favor and try taking an order before the guests have to hunt you down to place it themselves!! That said, we were actually fine with the long wait, since we came to catch up and linger anyway. The wait we were less OK with was the wait for the single bathroom...what were they thinking? When my girlfriend went later in the night, the women had overtaken both the men's and the women's rooms to speed things along. On to the food, I LOVED my entree...pan roasted halibut with a light buttery, herbal sauce served with gnocchi, spring peas & fava beans. I would order it again in a heartbeat. My friends were less effusive about their entrees (salmon & whitefish), so I don't know if the food is across-the-board amazing, but my experience was awesome. My recommendation? Go in person to reserve a good table early, order the cucumber cocktails & the halibut, and sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace and the well-heeled crowd. It's an experience to savor.
(4)
Laura B.
My husband and I enjoyed this resturant one day as we were walking around the city. The food was very, very good and the service was very attentive. The menu constantly changes which is lovely, and everything really is quite tasty and well prepared. The atmosphere is what I love most about this place. It is very cozy and comfortable.
Great feel to this place. Sat outside--was surprisingly comfortable given the warm temperature. Every staff person was welcoming and kind. Waitress had good knowledge of menu and was helpful in making recommendations. Food hit the spot--just what we expected. Only thing I wasn't wild about: a television in the outside dining area--didn't expect that given the overall vibe of the place. Would like to check this out for lunch--I've heard good things about the lunch menu.
(4)
Wessam H.
Where do I begin? The ambiance was great. The service was awesome. The food was beyond words. Being a frequent visitor of fine restaurants in the metro-detroit area, I know my food. After deciding to order a dish that I normally don't eat my entree arrived and never will I be the same again. This was one of the best meals I have ever ate. Forget the fact that I wasn't hungry and had eaten two hours before my arrival. Forget the fact that I am not a big Lamb chop fan. Had I not been in public I would have literally licked the plate clean. This was the only time I have ever asked to speak to the chef personally. I had to thank him for bestowing such an amazing dish (scratch that) such an incredible work of culinary art. We were the last to leave and everyone waited for us with smiles on their faces. My only regret is I do not make enough money to dine there every night for the rest of my life. My compliments to the staff, the manager, the owner and last, but certainly not the least, the chef
(5)
Tinker B.
Everything is always done with perfection and the staff is wonderful. The atmosphere is great. Quite overpriced but comfortable.
(5)
paul c.
I revisited Cafe Via last Saturday evening. Dinner was superb-again.. It had been 6 months since my last dining experience here and I can easily say this is my favorite place to dine in metro Detroit now. The staff genuinely cares about making your dining experience the best it can be-there is no pomposity or arrogance as found at other places . The crab cake appetizer was the best ever- the beet salad, lamb chops,and filet with melted bleu cheese were also thoroughly enjoyed by our group. The ambiance and total experience is one any restaurant serious about overall excellence should try to emulate.
(5)
Clara H.
Beautiful night on the patio by the fireplace tonight
(3)
Missy O.
The Brussels sprouts were to DIE for!! Good wine list and friendly diners. Not to be missed!!
(4)
Harleen K.
Would get a 5 rating if not for the service. Started out with homemade sausage, brussel spouts and crab cakes. All were pretty good, but crab cakes were exceptional. I had the ravioli, which I liked although it came with a creamy sauce that I thought was a little unusual. Others in the party enjoyed the salmon and trout. Beef tenderloin was very tender with good flavor. One person had the halibut and felt it was flavorless and a little dry. Sat on the patio where there was a fireplace. Indoors the decor is warm and inviting- great ambiance Our waitress was nice, however, very slow.
(4)
Michelle D.
The food is ok and so is the atmosphere. Good service but the menu was a little disappointing. We decided to all share appetizers between the five of us. The stand outs were the crab cakes, the brussels sprouts, and the Bolognaise. The truffle fries were pretty good but the sliders, calamari, and the house made sausage were ok. The desserts were sweet and delicious. The Death by Chocolate was very chocolatey and the ice cream was a good addition to lighten it up. I really enjoyed the Mango Coconut dessert. It had bits of cake and chocolate crumbs with raspberries and half discs of mango. Overall for the prices, I expected more from the food. The food that was good was memorable enough but the other items were not even close to the standards I had going in. Maybe the entrees would have been a better choice.
(3)
NaTasha R.
Ok so ATMOSPHERE wonderful, customer service equally fantastic.. They asked us to move due to their mis calculation of seating with a larger party but they more than made up for it with offering free alcoholic beverages & every appetizer on the menu for our party of 6! So I hate to give them three stars but thats the only reason why I'm giving the 3 because the food was quite bland.. So like i said we had every appetizer & the ones I was able to try (dietary restrictions) i was not impressed... my seafood entree was bland & a bit overcooked, the pureed veggie which I referred to as baby poo poo all night taste like Gerbers... But hey the drinks were good.. If in the neighborhood i would stop by to seat outside or at the bar for a drink & a BASIC no frill appetizer..
(3)
Cassie N.
Cafe Via should read their yelp reviews and work on their clear weaknesses. I agree with others that service is sporadic and fluctuates btw negligent and good. Salad was wilted and over-dressed it Bolognese is excellent as is their tomato soup! This place should work on their consistency and it could be excellent.
(3)
Melinda Y.
Grew up in the area, but haven't been back in 10 years. Met friends and wasn't impressed. Liked the atmosphere. Service good. Food average. Had a house salad and the Halibut. The fish was overcooked. My friend sent her dish back because it was overcooked. It was also VERY salty. Might go back, but wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)
Ellen N.
My husband and I were in Birmingham and decided to try this place for brunch. Everything was fantastic! He had the pumpkin waffle and side order of grits. I had the pomegranate French toast. After one bite of the grits and was in heaven! The service was attentive and hospitable. The decor met my expectations and then some. I would definitely take family and friends there for a meal. Make sure to go on an empty stomach as the portions are very generous. Excellent quality food and well worth the price.
(5)
Robin S.
Went for a few glasses of wine and appetizers on the patio with a friend after work. The service was so bad! Slow returning to the table to take order. I had to ask busboy passing by the table to get our server. When she returned we ordered another glass of wine and appetizers but what we should have done is asked for the check!! Poor service! Bad food! No return!!
(1)
Red Arrow D.
They nay be dig friendly but our waiter wasn't. Our service was less then desired for the atmosphere and price point. My meal would've been more enjoyable had the staff taken an interest in taking care of us.
(2)
Naomi W.
Fabulous meal! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (its beautiful), food and service. The photos they have on yelp don't do it justice...very elegant and romantic. Everyone working there from John the bartender, our server Noah and the hostesses were personable and attentive. My filet was wonderful and the butterscotch pudding was delicious. Loved it!
(5)
John F.
This is a great spot. Very comfortable for lunch and the service is great. Solid menu. We hade the burger and it was excellent. Overall a very nice experience and we will certainly be coming back.
(4)
AndrewSumi G.
Today we decided to go there for lunch. We had heard good things so decided to give it a try. We were happy to sit outside on the patio and thought the setting was very cute. However, it took forever for the waiter to come to us. Finally the hostess that had sat us decided to bring us water and apologized for the waitress. When our waitress finally came to us she seemed unsure about the menu and specials when we asked questions. We got the beet salad with crab cake and the lamb soup special for appetizers. The beet salad was pretty good, it had good flavor and was light on dressing. However, the soup was quite salty. Then for entrees we got the mac and cheese with chicken and the Chicken Paillard. The Mac and cheese was kind of dry with not enough cheese and really not enough flavor at all. The chicken Paillard was also extremely unflavorful. In fact, after we took one bite of the entrees we asked for the check. We later took the meals home and cooked them again with some more flavoring to better fit our palates. For the price of the meal we were definitely expecting better! Will definitely not be going back.
(2)
Kellie H.
Where should I start, cafe via is one of my favorite down town spots. Their burger is second to none, with the pickled onions, grilled tomato, and garlic alioli mayo makes this burger my absolute favorite. Their fries match the burger: exceptional. The only thing better than their burger is John the bar tender he's always there with a friendly smile and a strong drink. I'd recommend cafe via to everyone!
(5)
Steve C.
The atmosphere was nice The food was great although I thought the portions were a bit small, and it took a long time to receive our food. If I was on a lunch hour I don't think I would of had time to eat we were there for lunch on the patio. Our server I think her name was Nicky asked if we were ready to order she did not offer any specials we had to ask if there were any- there was. I only gave it 2 stars For the mediocre service which I expect better in a place for the price and the long wait for food But the food was wonderfully so I will give this place another shot, next time for dinner
(2)
Claire D.
The service was good, the food was good and the atmosphere was charming. There was an hour and a half wait for an outside table so we sat inside and there was plenty of room at our four person table with big comfy leather chairs. (They take lunch reservations, but not dinner.) The restaurant had been talked up a lot before I got there so I think we all had high expectations - but the food was good. it wasn't earth-shattering or anything but it was good. If anything, the atmosphere is what would bring me back.
(3)
Darin L.
Can I give a negative star? After looking forward to going there and hearing good things, it was not merely a let down but a disaster. Although dinner started with a very nice bottle of wine, it went down hill fast. Along with the wine came fruit flies. Even though we were sitting inside, we were bombarded by fruit flies all night long. They were in the glasses and all around the table. The Zingerman's burratta of course was good, but that was from Zingerman's. They could not get my main course correct. I ordered my steak medium. When the steak arrived, it was rare, so rare my plate was filled with blood. The waitress tried to tell me medium is pink. I showed her my steak and the blood were red. She took it back. Since no side was listed on the menu, I ordered a goat cheese side, which never came (someone obviously forgot to make it). By the time the server came back to see how things were going, I just canceled the side and asked that they reheat my steak. When they brought back my steak, it appeared to be a new piece, so I was pleased they did not dry out my old one. The problem, however, it was medium rare and still not medium. I ate the edges. When the bill came, I looked to see if I was charged for the goat cheese, thankfully I was not, but I was charged $20 more for the wine than was listed in the menu. Wanting to make sure I did not misread the menu, I went to the hostess and confirmed the $20 over charge, so even the nice bottle of wine I mentioned earlier was messed up in the end. We will never go back. It was a terrible experience all around.
(1)
Chelsea A.
Another of my fav salad spots, the Frisee salad here is magnificent. A lemony vin dressing over fresh frisee, topped with an egg over easy. I add rare tederloin but the salmon is also nice. Last week I ordered the herb omlette with spinach, gaot cheese and tomato compote, and added salmon. It was GRAET. I adore the patio here, its very cozy, complete with a fireplace. I really enjoy how its heated and enclosed on cooler days. The interior of Cafe Via is beautiful, very much my style. Ecclectic and comfortable. A regular lunch spot. If you like bubbly, the Cafe Via brut is very nice.
(4)
Angela R.
Wow. What a disappointment. Very, very, very slow service. Had a coffee but never got a refill. Wanted a condiment but the server didn't come back to check on the table until we were 90% finished with the meal. Someone at our table had to go to the bar to get a refill on her soda! Food was ok. Nothing worth typing about. Decor is great but that is about it. Still hungry and spent $80 with tip on two entrees (one being a salad) and one drink.
(2)
Assaf Z.
We didnt enjoy it all. small portions , the food was served cold, and we didnt felt anything special with the food. Not worth the price.
(2)
Daniel S.
Thought I would give it a second try. Had been here before and the food was awesome but the service was so so. Have to say that they really stepped up their game. The service was 5 star, and the food did not disappoint. Went for lunch, loved, loved the patio. We'll be back!
(4)
Johnny B.
We have never been disappointed here- the food is always on point and the bartender Jerry is clever and attentive. You simply must try it out!
(5)
Lizzy N.
My husband and I recently dined at the restaurant for lunch and we both thought the menu was lackluster. Nothing was really standout and neither was the service. Since it was lunch during the week it was slow and our waiter was not attentive. We ordered the mussels app and beverages.. the waiter had no clue what beers they had, none on tap. He had to check and get back to us. He took our app order and asked if we would like bread. He never came back with the bread. We ordered our meals which arrived in a timely manner. I ordered the pot pie and my husband the chicken paillard. The crust for the pot pie was premade I believe because it was not attached to the pot pie. So it was a crust that I could remove on top then the pot pie filling on the inside of the bowl. My husbands chicken was just blah, nothing over the moon. We had to ask for a water refill. For dessert we ordered the hazelnut cheesecake which took about 15 minutes to cut and present.... I mean come on, for a slow lunch during the week? Underwhelming overall.
(2)
Martin H.
Good atmosphere, good service, good food. Our party tried a number of menu items and all were well prepared.
(4)
Priscilla G.
The food was good but not espetacular. My tenderloin was very good but my husband's seafood pasta was just ok. Atmosphere was nice. We sat in a nice four top under the covered patio. We arrived at 9 and by 11 there was nobody else at the restaurant but us. We were surprised since it was a beautiful Saturday night. We would have stayed longer and ordered more drinks. I guess it was time to go home.
(3)
Amanda A.
I need to talk about how awesome this place is for a moment. 1. Cool space. I love the outdoors and the fireplace, the inside was great as well. Super comfy chairs at our table inside. Made me not want to move. 2. The food is great. Our table ordered a bit of everything. For apps we ordered the calamari and shrimp, black angus tartar and crab cakes. The tartar came with a delicious kalmata olive spread, minced red onions, egg yolk and horseradish. So good. For entrees we ordered lamb chops, miso marinated cod, ruby trout, and filets. Everything was timed and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops may have been one of the best prepared rare chops I've ever had. Dessert we ordered the marscapone cheesecake, "oreo" ice cream cookie, and salted butterscotch pudding. Delicious. 3. Service- impeccable. 4. So why only 4 stars instead of 5. Reason being the bar. The drinks fell short. Our table ordered vodka martinis with bleu cheese olives- the olives tasted as if they have been prepared days before. The negroni was made with cranberry juice. I asked for my Hendricks gimlet to be served with a cucumber and instead after the drink was in front of me did I get a plate of cucumbers. You really need the cucumber to be present in the drink from the get go with Hendricks to bring out the aromatics. My advice- order wine and you'll be happy. Switched to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was delicious. I will absolutely come back here.
(4)
Andreea R.
Oh, where do I start. Food is mediocre at best. DO NOT get the beignets. Clumps of uncooked dough drenched in powder sugar. Drinks are decent. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(3)
Alex J.
The chicken paillard is light and delicious, perfect lunch plate. Love the Via (breezeway) especially on Thursdays!
(5)
Frank T.
What a find! A beautiful little Italian restaurant in Birmingham. Soft woods and elegant warm and private. The seafood pasta was one of he best ever. Be sure to park behind the restaurant
(5)
Olivia D.
The herb frites are to die for and the tomato provencale is filling yet refreshing. The prices are out of my student budget but I wouldn't mind coming once in a while. My only complaint was that the service was slow for a Wednesday afternoon, not terribly slow but enough to notice since there weren't many people eating there at the time.
(4)
Priscilla G.
The food was good but not espetacular. My tenderloin was very good but my husband's seafood pasta was just ok. Atmosphere was nice. We sat in a nice four top under the covered patio. We arrived at 9 and by 11 there was nobody else at the restaurant but us. We were surprised since it was a beautiful Saturday night. We would have stayed longer and ordered more drinks. I guess it was time to go home.
(3)
Amanda A.
I need to talk about how awesome this place is for a moment. 1. Cool space. I love the outdoors and the fireplace, the inside was great as well. Super comfy chairs at our table inside. Made me not want to move. 2. The food is great. Our table ordered a bit of everything. For apps we ordered the calamari and shrimp, black angus tartar and crab cakes. The tartar came with a delicious kalmata olive spread, minced red onions, egg yolk and horseradish. So good. For entrees we ordered lamb chops, miso marinated cod, ruby trout, and filets. Everything was timed and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops may have been one of the best prepared rare chops I've ever had. Dessert we ordered the marscapone cheesecake, "oreo" ice cream cookie, and salted butterscotch pudding. Delicious. 3. Service- impeccable. 4. So why only 4 stars instead of 5. Reason being the bar. The drinks fell short. Our table ordered vodka martinis with bleu cheese olives- the olives tasted as if they have been prepared days before. The negroni was made with cranberry juice. I asked for my Hendricks gimlet to be served with a cucumber and instead after the drink was in front of me did I get a plate of cucumbers. You really need the cucumber to be present in the drink from the get go with Hendricks to bring out the aromatics. My advice- order wine and you'll be happy. Switched to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was delicious. I will absolutely come back here.
(4)
Andreea R.
Oh, where do I start. Food is mediocre at best. DO NOT get the beignets. Clumps of uncooked dough drenched in powder sugar. Drinks are decent. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(3)
Alex J.
The chicken paillard is light and delicious, perfect lunch plate. Love the Via (breezeway) especially on Thursdays!
(5)
Cranky C.
Pretty nice setting. Little patio carved out of the back alleys of birmingham. We sat outside on a nice day. Waitress was kinda clueless and slow. Food was super average. I split a burger with someone and we were both kinda bummed. Everyone else ordered salads. They were giant! Giant bowls of lettuce. Maybe its me but large portions are more like applebees than im comfortable with.... If it werent for the awesome company, i woulda been pissed.
(2)
Lindsey B.
Ever since my mom moved to Birmingham (from Rochester Hills) in August 2010 she has been raving about this place. I think shes probably been there 10 times! So we finally went last week. So we went for dinner and sat on the patio. September in Michigan = chilly nights. The patio is kinda closed in with clear plastic & heaters. Very nice and comfortable! Our waiter was very nice. My mom and I both ordered a cocktail and we both ordered the Mussel, Shrimp & Sausage Pasta. I'm not one to order pasta at restaurants, but it was delicious. I omitted my sausage, thinking they might bulk up on mussels and shrimp, but no. The shrimp were huge, while the mussels were on the small side, but were still very tasty. They have bread that they bring out before your entree. Wow. I could have eaten soooo much more of that bread. They have oil on the table which is a nice touch. Overall, I would definitely dine there again. In regards to the reviews on the people there- yes, the Real Housewives of Oakland County hang out there. To go even further, there was a woman with her two purse dogs eating in the restaurant. I was a little suprised that they let her in the restaurant with her two dogs. She had them in her purse, and sat them on a chair in the restaurant. They were obviously not "service" dogs. But, I guess when you have bucko bucks, they will let you do anything.
(4)
Henry B.
This place has an amazing lobster roll. Worth the $20 at least once to try. The burger here is so good that ketchup and mustard ruin the taste. It needs no condiments. It's good as-is. I really like the vibe of the outdoor area. It's outdoor yet shaded. The kind of people during lunchtime on a weekday would be the Real Housewives of Oakland County. So there's us in t-shirts talking about Yelp and Twitter and them in Chanel talking about charity auctions and dudes named Brad.
(4)
Claire D.
The service was good, the food was good and the atmosphere was charming. There was an hour and a half wait for an outside table so we sat inside and there was plenty of room at our four person table with big comfy leather chairs. (They take lunch reservations, but not dinner.) The restaurant had been talked up a lot before I got there so I think we all had high expectations - but the food was good. it wasn't earth-shattering or anything but it was good. If anything, the atmosphere is what would bring me back.
(3)
Lara B.
I have only ordered the Frisee Salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato) with a crab cake on it. I have been here probably ten times- the salad just hits the spot! I have heard that they have a great burger. However, I go to Red Coat if I am craving a burger. I have nibbled on my husband's lamb chops and those were tasty too. I have only eaten outside (great area, fireplace rarely on though, maybe I come too early) but think the inside is VERY well done. The floor plan is a little odd, but great decor.
(4)
Steve C.
The atmosphere was nice The food was great although I thought the portions were a bit small, and it took a long time to receive our food. If I was on a lunch hour I don't think I would of had time to eat we were there for lunch on the patio. Our server I think her name was Nicky asked if we were ready to order she did not offer any specials we had to ask if there were any- there was. I only gave it 2 stars For the mediocre service which I expect better in a place for the price and the long wait for food But the food was wonderfully so I will give this place another shot, next time for dinner
(2)
S N.
Stopped in for dessert and coffee. Overrated. After reading so many good reviews we were excited to check it out. Ordered the chocolate cake and cappuccino. Cap arrived fairly quick, spoons for the cake arrived a minute later. Unfortunately the cake arrives about 15-20 minutes later. I thought they were baking it from scratch! When it did come it was cold and looked to have just been pulled from the cooler. Very disappointing. The cake was dressed up nice w a teeny scoop of choc ice cream and some dripping of choc syrup across the plate. Problem for $9 I would have expected something other than a tiny little pepperidge farms grocery store bought slice (no joke). We chuckled when we saw it. The restaurant should be embarrassed for serving something like that and charging so much for it. Another guest was pretty upset that one of the servers was walking by tables and had an uncontrollable cough. The server would just cough straight ahead and barely cover her mouth. Wasn't sure if we would need hazmat suits to eat there! :) The other diner basically let it be known to the manager that she was very upset with the coughing near guests tables like that. (We couldn't help but over hear her and she certainly expressed everything we were thinking as well). The manager seemed to handle the situation well with the guest, but would have been nicer if the server wasn't on the floor or near food with such a bad cough. The outdoor fireplace is pretty nice and the outdoor seating is pretty nice. The only other issue is that the restaurant staff seems to have a little hang out area just to the left of the fireplace area and in the parking structure that they use for their nicotine breaks (again could not help but notice that as well, ugh!) If they want to present this upscale atmosphere and high end menu/prices- at least keep it classy and get this behavior out of sight of the guests. In the end a not so great experience, unfortunately because I had been looking forward to this place and this first stop was just going to be a quick test run before a full scale dinner outing.
(1)
Elizabeth C.
My husband and I dined her for dinner on a Saturday night recently. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was really nice and was a great atmosphere. However, the service was average or slightly below average. Before ordering the Chicken Paillard I asked the waitress what kind of sauce was in the dish- was it a white wine sauce or was it cream based...she had no idea what was in the sauce. She said she would check for me and let me know but did not come back for so long to tell me that I'm sure our order was almost already made by that point. The Chicken Paillard had no flavor at all. We also had the calamari appetizer which was average at best, very deep fried, not much flavor. My husband did enjoy his steak but the mashed potatoes on the side also had little flavor. I might go back to have a drink on the patio because the atmosphere was nice but we both agreed we would not go back for dinner.
(2)
Gina S.
Ok, so I've had lunch here once, so take my review for what it's worth. . . Saw the good yelp reviews, so we checked it out. Really good food, probably 4.5 or 5 stars for the food. 1.5 stars for price. My lunch was a salad with beets, goat cheese, and some cheap cut of steak (although tasty, just sayin' not a filet or anything)...$20. And it was pretty small. I ate the whole thing and could have easily had more. And I usually doggy-bag food at restaurants. 1.5-2 stars for ambience/atmosphere attitude. Classic ladies who lunch and their daughters who are way to big for their britches at 23 years old. Pretty uncomfortable, actually. I grew up in a snobby town similar to Bham but this was over the top even for what I am used to. I think the icing on the snobby cake was the service. Basically, the server was a i-atch. No smiles whatsoever. I'm sure she thought she should have been the one lunching with her 2-pound dog on her lap while I served her. (Blond, 40s-ish gal, don't remember her name, but hello owner if you are reading this! You know who she is.) Also EXTREMELY slow service. It is weekday lunch. My salad (with steak or not) should not take 30 minutes. The decor is way over the top, way too trying-to-be-fancy-and-rich looking for my taste. (think grape vine tapestries and lots of different upholstery patterns,dark wood, weird marbled mirror) I doubt I will be back.
- The Spago of Downtown Birmingham ripped from a page in a Bret Easton Ellis novel? ... The atmosphere and crowd here are definitely snobby "Housewives of Oakland County" (to agree with one reviewer).... the food, however, isn't on that Wolfgang Puck leve
(3)
Harleen K.
Would get a 5 rating if not for the service. Started out with homemade sausage, brussel spouts and crab cakes. All were pretty good, but crab cakes were exceptional. I had the ravioli, which I liked although it came with a creamy sauce that I thought was a little unusual. Others in the party enjoyed the salmon and trout. Beef tenderloin was very tender with good flavor. One person had the halibut and felt it was flavorless and a little dry. Sat on the patio where there was a fireplace. Indoors the decor is warm and inviting- great ambiance Our waitress was nice, however, very slow.
(4)
Michelle D.
The food is ok and so is the atmosphere. Good service but the menu was a little disappointing. We decided to all share appetizers between the five of us. The stand outs were the crab cakes, the brussels sprouts, and the Bolognaise. The truffle fries were pretty good but the sliders, calamari, and the house made sausage were ok. The desserts were sweet and delicious. The Death by Chocolate was very chocolatey and the ice cream was a good addition to lighten it up. I really enjoyed the Mango Coconut dessert. It had bits of cake and chocolate crumbs with raspberries and half discs of mango. Overall for the prices, I expected more from the food. The food that was good was memorable enough but the other items were not even close to the standards I had going in. Maybe the entrees would have been a better choice.
(3)
Frank T.
What a find! A beautiful little Italian restaurant in Birmingham. Soft woods and elegant warm and private. The seafood pasta was one of he best ever. Be sure to park behind the restaurant
(5)
NaTasha R.
Ok so ATMOSPHERE wonderful, customer service equally fantastic.. They asked us to move due to their mis calculation of seating with a larger party but they more than made up for it with offering free alcoholic beverages & every appetizer on the menu for our party of 6! So I hate to give them three stars but thats the only reason why I'm giving the 3 because the food was quite bland.. So like i said we had every appetizer & the ones I was able to try (dietary restrictions) i was not impressed... my seafood entree was bland & a bit overcooked, the pureed veggie which I referred to as baby poo poo all night taste like Gerbers... But hey the drinks were good.. If in the neighborhood i would stop by to seat outside or at the bar for a drink & a BASIC no frill appetizer..
(3)
Cassie N.
Cafe Via should read their yelp reviews and work on their clear weaknesses. I agree with others that service is sporadic and fluctuates btw negligent and good. Salad was wilted and over-dressed it Bolognese is excellent as is their tomato soup! This place should work on their consistency and it could be excellent.
(3)
Martin H.
Good atmosphere, good service, good food. Our party tried a number of menu items and all were well prepared.
(4)
Beth T.
We had a party of 7, and the food was delicious. The service, however, was appalling. We dined here on several occasions and usually the service is extremely professional but tonight the waitress was clearly somewhere else. Very disappointing as it was my mom's 86th birthday celebration.
(3)
Olivia D.
The herb frites are to die for and the tomato provencale is filling yet refreshing. The prices are out of my student budget but I wouldn't mind coming once in a while. My only complaint was that the service was slow for a Wednesday afternoon, not terribly slow but enough to notice since there weren't many people eating there at the time.
(4)
Lizzy N.
My husband and I recently dined at the restaurant for lunch and we both thought the menu was lackluster. Nothing was really standout and neither was the service. Since it was lunch during the week it was slow and our waiter was not attentive. We ordered the mussels app and beverages.. the waiter had no clue what beers they had, none on tap. He had to check and get back to us. He took our app order and asked if we would like bread. He never came back with the bread. We ordered our meals which arrived in a timely manner. I ordered the pot pie and my husband the chicken paillard. The crust for the pot pie was premade I believe because it was not attached to the pot pie. So it was a crust that I could remove on top then the pot pie filling on the inside of the bowl. My husbands chicken was just blah, nothing over the moon. We had to ask for a water refill. For dessert we ordered the hazelnut cheesecake which took about 15 minutes to cut and present.... I mean come on, for a slow lunch during the week? Underwhelming overall.
(2)
Melinda Y.
Grew up in the area, but haven't been back in 10 years. Met friends and wasn't impressed. Liked the atmosphere. Service good. Food average. Had a house salad and the Halibut. The fish was overcooked. My friend sent her dish back because it was overcooked. It was also VERY salty. Might go back, but wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)
Naomi W.
Fabulous meal! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (its beautiful), food and service. The photos they have on yelp don't do it justice...very elegant and romantic. Everyone working there from John the bartender, our server Noah and the hostesses were personable and attentive. My filet was wonderful and the butterscotch pudding was delicious. Loved it!
(5)
John F.
This is a great spot. Very comfortable for lunch and the service is great. Solid menu. We hade the burger and it was excellent. Overall a very nice experience and we will certainly be coming back.
(4)
AndrewSumi G.
Today we decided to go there for lunch. We had heard good things so decided to give it a try. We were happy to sit outside on the patio and thought the setting was very cute. However, it took forever for the waiter to come to us. Finally the hostess that had sat us decided to bring us water and apologized for the waitress. When our waitress finally came to us she seemed unsure about the menu and specials when we asked questions. We got the beet salad with crab cake and the lamb soup special for appetizers. The beet salad was pretty good, it had good flavor and was light on dressing. However, the soup was quite salty. Then for entrees we got the mac and cheese with chicken and the Chicken Paillard. The Mac and cheese was kind of dry with not enough cheese and really not enough flavor at all. The chicken Paillard was also extremely unflavorful. In fact, after we took one bite of the entrees we asked for the check. We later took the meals home and cooked them again with some more flavoring to better fit our palates. For the price of the meal we were definitely expecting better! Will definitely not be going back.
(2)
Clara H.
Beautiful night on the patio by the fireplace tonight
(3)
Angela R.
Wow. What a disappointment. Very, very, very slow service. Had a coffee but never got a refill. Wanted a condiment but the server didn't come back to check on the table until we were 90% finished with the meal. Someone at our table had to go to the bar to get a refill on her soda! Food was ok. Nothing worth typing about. Decor is great but that is about it. Still hungry and spent $80 with tip on two entrees (one being a salad) and one drink.
(2)
Assaf Z.
We didnt enjoy it all. small portions , the food was served cold, and we didnt felt anything special with the food. Not worth the price.
(2)
Daniel S.
Thought I would give it a second try. Had been here before and the food was awesome but the service was so so. Have to say that they really stepped up their game. The service was 5 star, and the food did not disappoint. Went for lunch, loved, loved the patio. We'll be back!
(4)
Johnny B.
We have never been disappointed here- the food is always on point and the bartender Jerry is clever and attentive. You simply must try it out!
(5)
Robin S.
Went for a few glasses of wine and appetizers on the patio with a friend after work. The service was so bad! Slow returning to the table to take order. I had to ask busboy passing by the table to get our server. When she returned we ordered another glass of wine and appetizers but what we should have done is asked for the check!! Poor service! Bad food! No return!!
(1)
Missy O.
The Brussels sprouts were to DIE for!! Good wine list and friendly diners. Not to be missed!!
(4)
Kellie H.
Where should I start, cafe via is one of my favorite down town spots. Their burger is second to none, with the pickled onions, grilled tomato, and garlic alioli mayo makes this burger my absolute favorite. Their fries match the burger: exceptional. The only thing better than their burger is John the bar tender he's always there with a friendly smile and a strong drink. I'd recommend cafe via to everyone!
(5)
Darin L.
Can I give a negative star? After looking forward to going there and hearing good things, it was not merely a let down but a disaster. Although dinner started with a very nice bottle of wine, it went down hill fast. Along with the wine came fruit flies. Even though we were sitting inside, we were bombarded by fruit flies all night long. They were in the glasses and all around the table. The Zingerman's burratta of course was good, but that was from Zingerman's. They could not get my main course correct. I ordered my steak medium. When the steak arrived, it was rare, so rare my plate was filled with blood. The waitress tried to tell me medium is pink. I showed her my steak and the blood were red. She took it back. Since no side was listed on the menu, I ordered a goat cheese side, which never came (someone obviously forgot to make it). By the time the server came back to see how things were going, I just canceled the side and asked that they reheat my steak. When they brought back my steak, it appeared to be a new piece, so I was pleased they did not dry out my old one. The problem, however, it was medium rare and still not medium. I ate the edges. When the bill came, I looked to see if I was charged for the goat cheese, thankfully I was not, but I was charged $20 more for the wine than was listed in the menu. Wanting to make sure I did not misread the menu, I went to the hostess and confirmed the $20 over charge, so even the nice bottle of wine I mentioned earlier was messed up in the end. We will never go back. It was a terrible experience all around.
(1)
Chelsea A.
Another of my fav salad spots, the Frisee salad here is magnificent. A lemony vin dressing over fresh frisee, topped with an egg over easy. I add rare tederloin but the salmon is also nice. Last week I ordered the herb omlette with spinach, gaot cheese and tomato compote, and added salmon. It was GRAET. I adore the patio here, its very cozy, complete with a fireplace. I really enjoy how its heated and enclosed on cooler days. The interior of Cafe Via is beautiful, very much my style. Ecclectic and comfortable. A regular lunch spot. If you like bubbly, the Cafe Via brut is very nice.
(4)
Barb H.
I really liked dining here 5 yrs. ago but yesterday was a real disappointment. We waited over an hour for our food and were given every excuse in the book...computer down, ran out of hash, etc. The only accommodation was taking off the soup, which was late too. We won't be returning.
(2)
Sheila A.
Ambiance was very nice except that one of the four tables seated in our room was exceptionally boisterous which made it difficult for us to have a conversation. Our dinners were well prepared and presented. Our server was not on top of things and made no effort to make us feel welcome. Most disappointing of all, unbeknownst to us, our 3 children who live in 3 different states had made the dinner reservation and given a credit card to cover whatever we ordered that evening. When we asked for our check, our waitress read, "Happy Anniversary, (the three children's names)....and walked away. Normally, restaurants send some semblance of a celebratory dessert for special occasions...and this was a very special occasion for us!! No acknowledgment of our anniversary was a major misstep in our opinion--not that we were not served a dessert, but that the restaurant neglected to recognize a special celebration. Our guest said she would never go back as a result of this. She was especially disappointed as she had recommended this restaurant to our children for our special anniversary celebration...which they could not travel to help celebrate. That major oversight leads me to give Cafe Via this low rating.
(2)
Raquel S.
Very posh place. Excellent decor. My coworker and I went straight after work so we were dressed a like bit business casual and when we got there we felt under dresses but they didn't give us a hard time at all and we didn't have a reservation. Good food. A little on the pricey side but hey you're in Birmingham..soo.
(4)
M S.
We found Cafe Via when we got a bit lost which is a bit laughable but a happy accident. My friends and I really enjoyed our early dinner here. The ambiance is elegant but not stuck up and the covered heated patio is just a beautiful thing for (impending) spring. The crab cake appetizer was excellent - I felt I would happily have ordered a few of them as an entree. We had variations of salad with salmon vs steak, and all were polished off. My husband had the rather sizeable burger, which he liked. Our serves were helpful. The menu may benefit from a few more options, but a great place overall for a romantic or special meal with family or friends. Recommended.
(4)
Gabi M.
Straight off the plane, my dad dropped us off to meet our friends Sean and Christina at Cafe Via tonight around 8:15. We met them at the bar and enjoyed a couple of much needed libations. We enjoyed the bartender's heavy pour while we caught up with our friends... The restaurant was packed - nice to see on a Thursday night in Birmingham! Great service all around... we waited to get a table outside - it was worth it as the weather was pleasant outside (unlike the 106 degrees it is currently in AZ!) I continued with white wine and the others shared a bottle of red. We started with a caprese appetizer as well as crab cake and mussels. The mussels were on the small side but all were extremely tasty. I went with the halibut entree as did Sean. It was good - not amazing. Perhaps a bit on the bland side. I did enjoy the gnocchi that came on the side. Jared and Christina loved their goat cheese ravioli entrees. I had a bite and could tell right away why - go with that when you go for sure! Overall, we had a pleasant experience at Cafe Via... I am a fan although I'll probably visit some other dining destination in Michigan before returning for more.
(4)
Ellen N.
My husband and I were in Birmingham and decided to try this place for brunch. Everything was fantastic! He had the pumpkin waffle and side order of grits. I had the pomegranate French toast. After one bite of the grits and was in heaven! The service was attentive and hospitable. The decor met my expectations and then some. I would definitely take family and friends there for a meal. Make sure to go on an empty stomach as the portions are very generous. Excellent quality food and well worth the price.
(5)
Red Arrow D.
They nay be dig friendly but our waiter wasn't. Our service was less then desired for the atmosphere and price point. My meal would've been more enjoyable had the staff taken an interest in taking care of us.
(2)
Stephanie C.
I agree with Henry B. The crowd matches its swanky downtown Birmingham ladies who lunch address but I didn't feel out of place. The patio tables are completely worth the wait in good weather for lunch or dinner. I'd recommend the Lobster Roll or the Beet Salad for lighter fare. During a recent visit with a friend we wandered in with cups of tea from a nearby coffee shop and earned questionable looks from our server. It was a snap decision to grab a few appetizers. Beyond that, though, the waitstaff was friendly, attentive and helpful. And the food was delicious. Cafe Via's unusual architecture offers some interesting private dining options inside as well, which might be suitable for a special event or occasion. I've been back a few times and am happy to have this tasty, upscale option in downtown Birmingham -close to work, shopping and home.
(4)
Daniel G.
This is a perfect example of upper class and pseudo upper class trying to see and be seen. The food is really not very good at all. The burgers are pretty decent but thats about it. Beer selection is just horrible, wine is very average. Service has always been great at he bar with bar tender Mitch (try his mango mojito) but my only other experience sitting in dining room the server was confused and had no problem sharing his personal issues with the table. Over priced and pretentious with little food quality to back it up.
(2)
Renee Y.
Charming restaurant in Birmingham-- combo of bistro and fine dining. I love the patio area most (unfortunately used less than half the year due to Michigan's long winters--boo!). I've ate here several times and always happy with both the food and service. Love the tomato bisque (comes with a yummy little grilled cheese thin), the crab cake appetizer, the frisee salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato), the lobster roll, and really love the burger (in my opinion rivals Red Coat)!
(5)
Jon T.
I'm a recovering Birminghamite...I moved from metro Detroit a little over a year ago and hadn't had the chance to check this place out until recently. Cafe Via has a nice vibe, somewhere between old school, upscale restaurant and 'Cheers' where everyone knows your name kind of place. And their patio is really nice. Just be prepared to wait because it is definitely frequented by a ton of regulars and the even if you include the patio, it's still on the small side. The food was good, as was the service. I wanted to give this place 4 stars but it seemed like something was lacking. Kinda one of those things you can't always identify but you can feel. Menu-wise, I would have liked to have seen another couple entrees...maybe another steak choice besides tenderloin. If I had to sum it up, it feels like Cafe Via settled. They aren't trying to be much different from the other places in town, rather it's easier to be one of the gang and just ride their coattails. I guess this is why it's just 'A-OK'. I'd definitely go back...next time though, I'd skip the food and just chill in the bar with a cocktail. This way, you still get to people watch and catch up with the Bham goings-on without having to settle on the food.
(3)
Lizzy B.
Nice, small menu; good atmosphere inside and outdoors. Recommended! I just had my third good meal at Cafe Via, so I think I'm qualified to write a review! I had been hearing about this place for a while, since one of our favorite hosts from 220 mentioned that she was going to be working at a new place, Cafe Via. The food is pretty good, but first let's talk about parking and finding the place. Cafe Via is tucked into the south side of Maple (15 Mile) between Woodward and Old Woodward. There's metered street parking, and two parking garages immediately behind the restaurant (access on Peabody St, the south bypass route). The closer structure indicates that it's for Cafe Via parking, but it's cheaper if you go to the structure 20 ft further down Peabody (the structure you'd park in for the Birmingham 8 Theater), since the first 2 hours are free. The entrance to the restaurant is tucked in a walkway that runs south off Maple, then turns east, heading out to Peabody St. If you're on Peabody St., in front of The Great Frame up, you're basically looking at the path you take. Of course, you can walk around to Maple, but I know you want to sneak in the back way. The inside of the restaurant is divided into smaller rooms; it feels like being in someone's [very nice] library. The room in front is actually one table in a flower shop that closes at night. While it's nice to have a room to yourseslf, it sort of feels like you're in a display window on Maple - because you are. It's a little drafty. There's also a large outdoor seating area along that back walkway; there aren't any nice views, but at least it's quiet, and you're not sitting on Maple. There's an outdoor fireplace, and heat lamps for chilly evenings. I've eaten dinner here twice - once for restaurant week and once on the regular menu - and lunch once. During restaurant week, the roast chicken was good enough that I ordered it again later, off the regular menu. The second time, it was a little too salty, but still delicious. Crispy skin, moist chicken, served on a hill of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, with a few stalks of asparagus alongside. Mmm! My friend had sea bass on a potato cake with a "melted tomato". That was also excellent, and not as salty as mine. But it was served as one of those stacked towers of food; that throws me a little, since I usually make such a mess of it. If you're coming for lunch or dinner, I suggest a reservation. We showed up for dinner, 2 people at 9:15pm on a Tuesday, and had to wait about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a wait after 9pm on a Tuesday?? For lunch, 3 people at 12:15 on a Wednesday, we were seated immediately, outdoors. There were plenty of tables indoors, but it looked like we snagged one of the last tables outside. During lunch, the crowd is local business people, and some ladies who lunch. Late dinner included a lot of Europeans, including some rather loud Italian ladies at the next table. Like most places in Birmingham, this is what I'd call sharp casual - anything from neat jeans to suits is the order of business.
(4)
Rose P.
Great service, good food, though the menu is a little small. My friend who went there with me is a vegetarian and she was pretty limited in what she could order.
(4)
Shane B.
Cafe Via is a great spot to enjoy a night when hanging in Birmingham. A great wine list and some really killer food. The burger rivals Red Coat, and is one of the best I have ever had. Great atmosphere, in a cool setting. The bar, though small, is always lively and good people watching is at hand. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a faux fireplace and it is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Cafe Via is pretty good. I would come here again, especially when it's warm out--there's outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Anyway, my boss--who loves to eat (that's why we're kindred spirits!)--wanted to try this place out today and who am I to turn down free lunch? Right. So we go here at lunchtime and there's a 1/2 hour wait! I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, especially for a new restaurant. I can deal with waiting for a bit because I enjoy the ambiance of a busy restaurant and kind of hate dining in an empty restaurant. Empty restaurants give me the creeps! We decided to eat at the bar in lieu of waiting for a non-bar table to open up. Before sitting down at the bar, we took a look around at the restaurant and you know what? I really like the way they (whoever "they" are) decorated the place--particularly the floor to ceiling book shelves filled with...wait for it...books (aside: I'm not sure if the books were real--they kind had a fake look to them). Bonus points for high ceilings and good lighting, too! p.s. don't you just hate harsh, offensive lighting?! I know I do. As for the food--not the best I've had but pretty good! I had the grilled flatbread sandwich with brie, tomato and arugula and a glass of cab. It was good, but didn't knock my socks off. For dessert I had chocolate creme brulee and it was pretty awesome (but I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't like). The bartender was cool--he was attentive without being overly-attentive, know what I mean? Struck up a little bit of conversation (as a good bartender should) but knew when to leave us alone. Overall, good place. I would come here again.
(4)
Sarah M. B.
Ok, first tip...if it's nice out and you want to eat on the patio-get there at 6pm(when they start taking names) and get your name on the list...we got there at 6:05 and weren't seated until 7:40, which is ok-we were expecting that. Our table was ok...of course my view of one of Birmingham's many fine parking structures, wasn't exactly what I wanted to look at, but whatever... We had apps. elsewhere due to the wait, which led us to ordering entrees right off that bat. Now, the menu is small and limited-literally, like a cafe...you aren't going to find a laundry list of options on apps, salads, soups, etc. Entrees cover the basics, beef, chicken and fish... I had the pan roasted haibut and really enjoyed it...served with a light butter sauce and gnocchi and fava beans(which I love) ...I am glad I enjoyed it because for 24 or so bucks, I would have been pissed. Texture was good and it was a high quality fish. My hubby had the uber delicious short ribs...tender and flavorful with a sauce that complemented the meat perfectly without overpowering it. Nice wine list and heavy pours....since we ate some of the complimentary bread, we were too full for dessert, althou what I saw come out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Now, with booze and such, you aren't going to get out of here for under 30 a person unless you order very carefully....2 entrees and I think we each had a glass of wine ran us in the 80 dollar range....attire is in between casual and dressy...I mean you don't have to be wearing a dress and tie, but don't go in there with old jeans(dress jeans, ok and a nicer top) and a wings tshirt... I will for sure go back, but probably wouldn't have it on a MUST HAVE NOW list...check it out, and enjoy the patio before winter is back....
(4)
Kathryn L.
This place is amazing!! Food is delicious! I always get a salad of some kind and everything tastes fresh and gourmet. The service is excellent. Ambiance is nice as well; we usually sit outdoors and there is a fireplace and a patio area out there; very chic. If you go, make sure to get the bread basket. Their breads and oils are the best!!
(5)
Em H.
This was my first time eating at Cafe Via and it will be my last. The waitress was apathetic and not friendly. The $20 caprese salad consisted of some quartered tomatoes that were not fresh and had dirt on them, placed next to a hunk of cheese. My boyfriend said his Sea Bass was the worst he has ever had. I would go to Mitchell's or to Sweet Lorraine's if you are looking for quality food and service. Yes, the patio is beautiful, but that does not make up for all the other shortcomings. I have eaten at Roast, London Chophouse, Forest Grill and all the other fine eateries in the Detroit area. This restaurant needs to shape up! The only reason I am giving two stars rather than one is because the waitress took the salad off the bill.
(2)
Heather L.
I have been wanting to try Cafe Via forever and finally got the opportunity during Birmingham Restaurant Week. First off, I love restaurant week, a 3 course lunch for $15 is such a fabulous way to try a new restaurant. I had the Tomato Bisque-very good and I loved the little grilled cheese thin that came it. This is terrible but I absolutely cannot remember which salad I had-I have sat here staring at the menu but it just does not jog my memory. I chose the pot roast sandwich, not a usual pick for me, but I was STARVING when I got there. The meal and the service were good and I really loved the different little rooms-a great place for a special or more intimate lunch or dinner. I can't wait to eat out in the beautiful courtyard this summer.
This restaurant is lovely. The wood and cozy atmosphere can be rated a 5 for sure. A great place to go on a first date because it was quiet and intimite restaurant. The little patio would be a great place to eat on a nice day. I gave Cafe Via three stars though, mainly because of the food. It was very good, but very pricey. I had the Osso Bucco that was about $34. It was wrapped in fatty bacon, which I had to unroll and was kind of unappealing. The taste of the Osso Bucco was good, however. My husband had the prime rib special, which he was very please with and it was pretty pricey as well. Our friends had the trout and the salmon and seemed satishfied with their meals. Everying is ala carte, so bring your wallet! The service was good, our server was very nice and polite and came back to check on us offen. I would certainly return if they had a Groupon or some other discount. The best was the desserts! If you are already paying about $60pp for dinner, might as well make it $70pp and bring a friend!
(3)
Jennifer R.
What an experience. I'd been dying to try this place to see what all the buzz was about, and it made an unmistakable impression, both good and bad (mostly good). With its beautiful courtyard seating, Cafe Via's capacity must double in the summertime, which makes it a draw, and also a potentially long wait. My first attempt at eating here on a weekend resulted in a quoted 2-hour wait at 8 p.m., so that didn't fly. When two girlfriends & I wanted to give it another go on a pleasant Friday evening, I was smart and put our name in in person at 6:30, hoping to be seated at 7/7:30. The very pleasant hostess called my cell phone before 7:00 and gave us a great table on the patio, right near the fireplace. Stopping by in person made a huge difference, as it was a mob scene around 8:00 and it looked like it was taking forever to get a table at that point. And what a scene it was! I saw no less than four different couples I knew and everyone was in the mood to mix & mingle. I loved the atmosphere and the yummy cucumber/absolut/lime/ginger ale cocktails I was drinking. While the service was knowledgeable and friendly enough, it was SOOO SLOW, and not in a slow-food kind of way, but in a "did the server forget us?" kind of way. Note to Cafe Via--if you ever want to turn tables, you might do yourselves a favor and try taking an order before the guests have to hunt you down to place it themselves!! That said, we were actually fine with the long wait, since we came to catch up and linger anyway. The wait we were less OK with was the wait for the single bathroom...what were they thinking? When my girlfriend went later in the night, the women had overtaken both the men's and the women's rooms to speed things along. On to the food, I LOVED my entree...pan roasted halibut with a light buttery, herbal sauce served with gnocchi, spring peas & fava beans. I would order it again in a heartbeat. My friends were less effusive about their entrees (salmon & whitefish), so I don't know if the food is across-the-board amazing, but my experience was awesome. My recommendation? Go in person to reserve a good table early, order the cucumber cocktails & the halibut, and sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace and the well-heeled crowd. It's an experience to savor.
(4)
Laura B.
My husband and I enjoyed this resturant one day as we were walking around the city. The food was very, very good and the service was very attentive. The menu constantly changes which is lovely, and everything really is quite tasty and well prepared. The atmosphere is what I love most about this place. It is very cozy and comfortable.
Great feel to this place. Sat outside--was surprisingly comfortable given the warm temperature. Every staff person was welcoming and kind. Waitress had good knowledge of menu and was helpful in making recommendations. Food hit the spot--just what we expected. Only thing I wasn't wild about: a television in the outside dining area--didn't expect that given the overall vibe of the place. Would like to check this out for lunch--I've heard good things about the lunch menu.
(4)
Wessam H.
Where do I begin? The ambiance was great. The service was awesome. The food was beyond words. Being a frequent visitor of fine restaurants in the metro-detroit area, I know my food. After deciding to order a dish that I normally don't eat my entree arrived and never will I be the same again. This was one of the best meals I have ever ate. Forget the fact that I wasn't hungry and had eaten two hours before my arrival. Forget the fact that I am not a big Lamb chop fan. Had I not been in public I would have literally licked the plate clean. This was the only time I have ever asked to speak to the chef personally. I had to thank him for bestowing such an amazing dish (scratch that) such an incredible work of culinary art. We were the last to leave and everyone waited for us with smiles on their faces. My only regret is I do not make enough money to dine there every night for the rest of my life. My compliments to the staff, the manager, the owner and last, but certainly not the least, the chef
(5)
Tinker B.
Everything is always done with perfection and the staff is wonderful. The atmosphere is great. Quite overpriced but comfortable.
(5)
paul c.
I revisited Cafe Via last Saturday evening. Dinner was superb-again.. It had been 6 months since my last dining experience here and I can easily say this is my favorite place to dine in metro Detroit now. The staff genuinely cares about making your dining experience the best it can be-there is no pomposity or arrogance as found at other places . The crab cake appetizer was the best ever- the beet salad, lamb chops,and filet with melted bleu cheese were also thoroughly enjoyed by our group. The ambiance and total experience is one any restaurant serious about overall excellence should try to emulate.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kathryn L.
This place is amazing!! Food is delicious! I always get a salad of some kind and everything tastes fresh and gourmet. The service is excellent. Ambiance is nice as well; we usually sit outdoors and there is a fireplace and a patio area out there; very chic. If you go, make sure to get the bread basket. Their breads and oils are the best!!
(5)Gabriel W.
Overpriced, awful clientèle, unpleasant employees...
(1)paul c.
I revisited Cafe Via last Saturday evening. Dinner was superb-again.. It had been 6 months since my last dining experience here and I can easily say this is my favorite place to dine in metro Detroit now. The staff genuinely cares about making your dining experience the best it can be-there is no pomposity or arrogance as found at other places . The crab cake appetizer was the best ever- the beet salad, lamb chops,and filet with melted bleu cheese were also thoroughly enjoyed by our group. The ambiance and total experience is one any restaurant serious about overall excellence should try to emulate.
(5)Heather L.
I have been wanting to try Cafe Via forever and finally got the opportunity during Birmingham Restaurant Week. First off, I love restaurant week, a 3 course lunch for $15 is such a fabulous way to try a new restaurant. I had the Tomato Bisque-very good and I loved the little grilled cheese thin that came it. This is terrible but I absolutely cannot remember which salad I had-I have sat here staring at the menu but it just does not jog my memory. I chose the pot roast sandwich, not a usual pick for me, but I was STARVING when I got there. The meal and the service were good and I really loved the different little rooms-a great place for a special or more intimate lunch or dinner. I can't wait to eat out in the beautiful courtyard this summer.
(4)Em H.
This was my first time eating at Cafe Via and it will be my last. The waitress was apathetic and not friendly. The $20 caprese salad consisted of some quartered tomatoes that were not fresh and had dirt on them, placed next to a hunk of cheese. My boyfriend said his Sea Bass was the worst he has ever had. I would go to Mitchell's or to Sweet Lorraine's if you are looking for quality food and service. Yes, the patio is beautiful, but that does not make up for all the other shortcomings. I have eaten at Roast, London Chophouse, Forest Grill and all the other fine eateries in the Detroit area. This restaurant needs to shape up! The only reason I am giving two stars rather than one is because the waitress took the salad off the bill.
(2)Lori D.
This restaurant is lovely. The wood and cozy atmosphere can be rated a 5 for sure. A great place to go on a first date because it was quiet and intimite restaurant. The little patio would be a great place to eat on a nice day. I gave Cafe Via three stars though, mainly because of the food. It was very good, but very pricey. I had the Osso Bucco that was about $34. It was wrapped in fatty bacon, which I had to unroll and was kind of unappealing. The taste of the Osso Bucco was good, however. My husband had the prime rib special, which he was very please with and it was pretty pricey as well. Our friends had the trout and the salmon and seemed satishfied with their meals. Everying is ala carte, so bring your wallet! The service was good, our server was very nice and polite and came back to check on us offen. I would certainly return if they had a Groupon or some other discount. The best was the desserts! If you are already paying about $60pp for dinner, might as well make it $70pp and bring a friend!
(3)Jennifer R.
What an experience. I'd been dying to try this place to see what all the buzz was about, and it made an unmistakable impression, both good and bad (mostly good). With its beautiful courtyard seating, Cafe Via's capacity must double in the summertime, which makes it a draw, and also a potentially long wait. My first attempt at eating here on a weekend resulted in a quoted 2-hour wait at 8 p.m., so that didn't fly. When two girlfriends & I wanted to give it another go on a pleasant Friday evening, I was smart and put our name in in person at 6:30, hoping to be seated at 7/7:30. The very pleasant hostess called my cell phone before 7:00 and gave us a great table on the patio, right near the fireplace. Stopping by in person made a huge difference, as it was a mob scene around 8:00 and it looked like it was taking forever to get a table at that point. And what a scene it was! I saw no less than four different couples I knew and everyone was in the mood to mix & mingle. I loved the atmosphere and the yummy cucumber/absolut/lime/ginger ale cocktails I was drinking. While the service was knowledgeable and friendly enough, it was SOOO SLOW, and not in a slow-food kind of way, but in a "did the server forget us?" kind of way. Note to Cafe Via--if you ever want to turn tables, you might do yourselves a favor and try taking an order before the guests have to hunt you down to place it themselves!! That said, we were actually fine with the long wait, since we came to catch up and linger anyway. The wait we were less OK with was the wait for the single bathroom...what were they thinking? When my girlfriend went later in the night, the women had overtaken both the men's and the women's rooms to speed things along. On to the food, I LOVED my entree...pan roasted halibut with a light buttery, herbal sauce served with gnocchi, spring peas & fava beans. I would order it again in a heartbeat. My friends were less effusive about their entrees (salmon & whitefish), so I don't know if the food is across-the-board amazing, but my experience was awesome. My recommendation? Go in person to reserve a good table early, order the cucumber cocktails & the halibut, and sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace and the well-heeled crowd. It's an experience to savor.
(4)Laura B.
My husband and I enjoyed this resturant one day as we were walking around the city. The food was very, very good and the service was very attentive. The menu constantly changes which is lovely, and everything really is quite tasty and well prepared. The atmosphere is what I love most about this place. It is very cozy and comfortable.
(5)Harleen K.
Would get a 5 rating if not for the service. Started out with homemade sausage, brussel spouts and crab cakes. All were pretty good, but crab cakes were exceptional. I had the ravioli, which I liked although it came with a creamy sauce that I thought was a little unusual. Others in the party enjoyed the salmon and trout. Beef tenderloin was very tender with good flavor. One person had the halibut and felt it was flavorless and a little dry. Sat on the patio where there was a fireplace. Indoors the decor is warm and inviting- great ambiance Our waitress was nice, however, very slow.
(4)Michelle D.
The food is ok and so is the atmosphere. Good service but the menu was a little disappointing. We decided to all share appetizers between the five of us. The stand outs were the crab cakes, the brussels sprouts, and the Bolognaise. The truffle fries were pretty good but the sliders, calamari, and the house made sausage were ok. The desserts were sweet and delicious. The Death by Chocolate was very chocolatey and the ice cream was a good addition to lighten it up. I really enjoyed the Mango Coconut dessert. It had bits of cake and chocolate crumbs with raspberries and half discs of mango. Overall for the prices, I expected more from the food. The food that was good was memorable enough but the other items were not even close to the standards I had going in. Maybe the entrees would have been a better choice.
(3)Frank T.
What a find! A beautiful little Italian restaurant in Birmingham. Soft woods and elegant warm and private. The seafood pasta was one of he best ever. Be sure to park behind the restaurant
(5)Clara H.
Beautiful night on the patio by the fireplace tonight
(3)Missy O.
The Brussels sprouts were to DIE for!! Good wine list and friendly diners. Not to be missed!!
(4)NaTasha R.
Ok so ATMOSPHERE wonderful, customer service equally fantastic.. They asked us to move due to their mis calculation of seating with a larger party but they more than made up for it with offering free alcoholic beverages & every appetizer on the menu for our party of 6! So I hate to give them three stars but thats the only reason why I'm giving the 3 because the food was quite bland.. So like i said we had every appetizer & the ones I was able to try (dietary restrictions) i was not impressed... my seafood entree was bland & a bit overcooked, the pureed veggie which I referred to as baby poo poo all night taste like Gerbers... But hey the drinks were good.. If in the neighborhood i would stop by to seat outside or at the bar for a drink & a BASIC no frill appetizer..
(3)Cassie N.
Cafe Via should read their yelp reviews and work on their clear weaknesses. I agree with others that service is sporadic and fluctuates btw negligent and good. Salad was wilted and over-dressed it Bolognese is excellent as is their tomato soup! This place should work on their consistency and it could be excellent.
(3)Martin H.
Good atmosphere, good service, good food. Our party tried a number of menu items and all were well prepared.
(4)Priscilla G.
The food was good but not espetacular. My tenderloin was very good but my husband's seafood pasta was just ok. Atmosphere was nice. We sat in a nice four top under the covered patio. We arrived at 9 and by 11 there was nobody else at the restaurant but us. We were surprised since it was a beautiful Saturday night. We would have stayed longer and ordered more drinks. I guess it was time to go home.
(3)Amanda A.
I need to talk about how awesome this place is for a moment. 1. Cool space. I love the outdoors and the fireplace, the inside was great as well. Super comfy chairs at our table inside. Made me not want to move. 2. The food is great. Our table ordered a bit of everything. For apps we ordered the calamari and shrimp, black angus tartar and crab cakes. The tartar came with a delicious kalmata olive spread, minced red onions, egg yolk and horseradish. So good. For entrees we ordered lamb chops, miso marinated cod, ruby trout, and filets. Everything was timed and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops may have been one of the best prepared rare chops I've ever had. Dessert we ordered the marscapone cheesecake, "oreo" ice cream cookie, and salted butterscotch pudding. Delicious. 3. Service- impeccable. 4. So why only 4 stars instead of 5. Reason being the bar. The drinks fell short. Our table ordered vodka martinis with bleu cheese olives- the olives tasted as if they have been prepared days before. The negroni was made with cranberry juice. I asked for my Hendricks gimlet to be served with a cucumber and instead after the drink was in front of me did I get a plate of cucumbers. You really need the cucumber to be present in the drink from the get go with Hendricks to bring out the aromatics. My advice- order wine and you'll be happy. Switched to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was delicious. I will absolutely come back here.
(4)Andreea R.
Oh, where do I start. Food is mediocre at best. DO NOT get the beignets. Clumps of uncooked dough drenched in powder sugar. Drinks are decent. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(3)Alex J.
The chicken paillard is light and delicious, perfect lunch plate. Love the Via (breezeway) especially on Thursdays!
(5)Beth T.
We had a party of 7, and the food was delicious. The service, however, was appalling. We dined here on several occasions and usually the service is extremely professional but tonight the waitress was clearly somewhere else. Very disappointing as it was my mom's 86th birthday celebration.
(3)Olivia D.
The herb frites are to die for and the tomato provencale is filling yet refreshing. The prices are out of my student budget but I wouldn't mind coming once in a while. My only complaint was that the service was slow for a Wednesday afternoon, not terribly slow but enough to notice since there weren't many people eating there at the time.
(4)Angela R.
Wow. What a disappointment. Very, very, very slow service. Had a coffee but never got a refill. Wanted a condiment but the server didn't come back to check on the table until we were 90% finished with the meal. Someone at our table had to go to the bar to get a refill on her soda! Food was ok. Nothing worth typing about. Decor is great but that is about it. Still hungry and spent $80 with tip on two entrees (one being a salad) and one drink.
(2)Assaf Z.
We didnt enjoy it all. small portions , the food was served cold, and we didnt felt anything special with the food. Not worth the price.
(2)Daniel S.
Thought I would give it a second try. Had been here before and the food was awesome but the service was so so. Have to say that they really stepped up their game. The service was 5 star, and the food did not disappoint. Went for lunch, loved, loved the patio. We'll be back!
(4)Johnny B.
We have never been disappointed here- the food is always on point and the bartender Jerry is clever and attentive. You simply must try it out!
(5)Lizzy N.
My husband and I recently dined at the restaurant for lunch and we both thought the menu was lackluster. Nothing was really standout and neither was the service. Since it was lunch during the week it was slow and our waiter was not attentive. We ordered the mussels app and beverages.. the waiter had no clue what beers they had, none on tap. He had to check and get back to us. He took our app order and asked if we would like bread. He never came back with the bread. We ordered our meals which arrived in a timely manner. I ordered the pot pie and my husband the chicken paillard. The crust for the pot pie was premade I believe because it was not attached to the pot pie. So it was a crust that I could remove on top then the pot pie filling on the inside of the bowl. My husbands chicken was just blah, nothing over the moon. We had to ask for a water refill. For dessert we ordered the hazelnut cheesecake which took about 15 minutes to cut and present.... I mean come on, for a slow lunch during the week? Underwhelming overall.
(2)Melinda Y.
Grew up in the area, but haven't been back in 10 years. Met friends and wasn't impressed. Liked the atmosphere. Service good. Food average. Had a house salad and the Halibut. The fish was overcooked. My friend sent her dish back because it was overcooked. It was also VERY salty. Might go back, but wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Ellen N.
My husband and I were in Birmingham and decided to try this place for brunch. Everything was fantastic! He had the pumpkin waffle and side order of grits. I had the pomegranate French toast. After one bite of the grits and was in heaven! The service was attentive and hospitable. The decor met my expectations and then some. I would definitely take family and friends there for a meal. Make sure to go on an empty stomach as the portions are very generous. Excellent quality food and well worth the price.
(5)Red Arrow D.
They nay be dig friendly but our waiter wasn't. Our service was less then desired for the atmosphere and price point. My meal would've been more enjoyable had the staff taken an interest in taking care of us.
(2)Robin S.
Went for a few glasses of wine and appetizers on the patio with a friend after work. The service was so bad! Slow returning to the table to take order. I had to ask busboy passing by the table to get our server. When she returned we ordered another glass of wine and appetizers but what we should have done is asked for the check!! Poor service! Bad food! No return!!
(1)Naomi W.
Fabulous meal! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (its beautiful), food and service. The photos they have on yelp don't do it justice...very elegant and romantic. Everyone working there from John the bartender, our server Noah and the hostesses were personable and attentive. My filet was wonderful and the butterscotch pudding was delicious. Loved it!
(5)John F.
This is a great spot. Very comfortable for lunch and the service is great. Solid menu. We hade the burger and it was excellent. Overall a very nice experience and we will certainly be coming back.
(4)AndrewSumi G.
Today we decided to go there for lunch. We had heard good things so decided to give it a try. We were happy to sit outside on the patio and thought the setting was very cute. However, it took forever for the waiter to come to us. Finally the hostess that had sat us decided to bring us water and apologized for the waitress. When our waitress finally came to us she seemed unsure about the menu and specials when we asked questions. We got the beet salad with crab cake and the lamb soup special for appetizers. The beet salad was pretty good, it had good flavor and was light on dressing. However, the soup was quite salty. Then for entrees we got the mac and cheese with chicken and the Chicken Paillard. The Mac and cheese was kind of dry with not enough cheese and really not enough flavor at all. The chicken Paillard was also extremely unflavorful. In fact, after we took one bite of the entrees we asked for the check. We later took the meals home and cooked them again with some more flavoring to better fit our palates. For the price of the meal we were definitely expecting better! Will definitely not be going back.
(2)Kellie H.
Where should I start, cafe via is one of my favorite down town spots. Their burger is second to none, with the pickled onions, grilled tomato, and garlic alioli mayo makes this burger my absolute favorite. Their fries match the burger: exceptional. The only thing better than their burger is John the bar tender he's always there with a friendly smile and a strong drink. I'd recommend cafe via to everyone!
(5)Darin L.
Can I give a negative star? After looking forward to going there and hearing good things, it was not merely a let down but a disaster. Although dinner started with a very nice bottle of wine, it went down hill fast. Along with the wine came fruit flies. Even though we were sitting inside, we were bombarded by fruit flies all night long. They were in the glasses and all around the table. The Zingerman's burratta of course was good, but that was from Zingerman's. They could not get my main course correct. I ordered my steak medium. When the steak arrived, it was rare, so rare my plate was filled with blood. The waitress tried to tell me medium is pink. I showed her my steak and the blood were red. She took it back. Since no side was listed on the menu, I ordered a goat cheese side, which never came (someone obviously forgot to make it). By the time the server came back to see how things were going, I just canceled the side and asked that they reheat my steak. When they brought back my steak, it appeared to be a new piece, so I was pleased they did not dry out my old one. The problem, however, it was medium rare and still not medium. I ate the edges. When the bill came, I looked to see if I was charged for the goat cheese, thankfully I was not, but I was charged $20 more for the wine than was listed in the menu. Wanting to make sure I did not misread the menu, I went to the hostess and confirmed the $20 over charge, so even the nice bottle of wine I mentioned earlier was messed up in the end. We will never go back. It was a terrible experience all around.
(1)Chelsea A.
Another of my fav salad spots, the Frisee salad here is magnificent. A lemony vin dressing over fresh frisee, topped with an egg over easy. I add rare tederloin but the salmon is also nice. Last week I ordered the herb omlette with spinach, gaot cheese and tomato compote, and added salmon. It was GRAET. I adore the patio here, its very cozy, complete with a fireplace. I really enjoy how its heated and enclosed on cooler days. The interior of Cafe Via is beautiful, very much my style. Ecclectic and comfortable. A regular lunch spot. If you like bubbly, the Cafe Via brut is very nice.
(4)Barb H.
I really liked dining here 5 yrs. ago but yesterday was a real disappointment. We waited over an hour for our food and were given every excuse in the book...computer down, ran out of hash, etc. The only accommodation was taking off the soup, which was late too. We won't be returning.
(2)Steve C.
The atmosphere was nice The food was great although I thought the portions were a bit small, and it took a long time to receive our food. If I was on a lunch hour I don't think I would of had time to eat we were there for lunch on the patio. Our server I think her name was Nicky asked if we were ready to order she did not offer any specials we had to ask if there were any- there was. I only gave it 2 stars For the mediocre service which I expect better in a place for the price and the long wait for food But the food was wonderfully so I will give this place another shot, next time for dinner
(2)Sheila A.
Ambiance was very nice except that one of the four tables seated in our room was exceptionally boisterous which made it difficult for us to have a conversation. Our dinners were well prepared and presented. Our server was not on top of things and made no effort to make us feel welcome. Most disappointing of all, unbeknownst to us, our 3 children who live in 3 different states had made the dinner reservation and given a credit card to cover whatever we ordered that evening. When we asked for our check, our waitress read, "Happy Anniversary, (the three children's names)....and walked away. Normally, restaurants send some semblance of a celebratory dessert for special occasions...and this was a very special occasion for us!! No acknowledgment of our anniversary was a major misstep in our opinion--not that we were not served a dessert, but that the restaurant neglected to recognize a special celebration. Our guest said she would never go back as a result of this. She was especially disappointed as she had recommended this restaurant to our children for our special anniversary celebration...which they could not travel to help celebrate. That major oversight leads me to give Cafe Via this low rating.
(2)Raquel S.
Very posh place. Excellent decor. My coworker and I went straight after work so we were dressed a like bit business casual and when we got there we felt under dresses but they didn't give us a hard time at all and we didn't have a reservation. Good food. A little on the pricey side but hey you're in Birmingham..soo.
(4)M S.
We found Cafe Via when we got a bit lost which is a bit laughable but a happy accident. My friends and I really enjoyed our early dinner here. The ambiance is elegant but not stuck up and the covered heated patio is just a beautiful thing for (impending) spring. The crab cake appetizer was excellent - I felt I would happily have ordered a few of them as an entree. We had variations of salad with salmon vs steak, and all were polished off. My husband had the rather sizeable burger, which he liked. Our serves were helpful. The menu may benefit from a few more options, but a great place overall for a romantic or special meal with family or friends. Recommended.
(4)Gabi M.
Straight off the plane, my dad dropped us off to meet our friends Sean and Christina at Cafe Via tonight around 8:15. We met them at the bar and enjoyed a couple of much needed libations. We enjoyed the bartender's heavy pour while we caught up with our friends... The restaurant was packed - nice to see on a Thursday night in Birmingham! Great service all around... we waited to get a table outside - it was worth it as the weather was pleasant outside (unlike the 106 degrees it is currently in AZ!) I continued with white wine and the others shared a bottle of red. We started with a caprese appetizer as well as crab cake and mussels. The mussels were on the small side but all were extremely tasty. I went with the halibut entree as did Sean. It was good - not amazing. Perhaps a bit on the bland side. I did enjoy the gnocchi that came on the side. Jared and Christina loved their goat cheese ravioli entrees. I had a bite and could tell right away why - go with that when you go for sure! Overall, we had a pleasant experience at Cafe Via... I am a fan although I'll probably visit some other dining destination in Michigan before returning for more.
(4)S N.
Stopped in for dessert and coffee. Overrated. After reading so many good reviews we were excited to check it out. Ordered the chocolate cake and cappuccino. Cap arrived fairly quick, spoons for the cake arrived a minute later. Unfortunately the cake arrives about 15-20 minutes later. I thought they were baking it from scratch! When it did come it was cold and looked to have just been pulled from the cooler. Very disappointing. The cake was dressed up nice w a teeny scoop of choc ice cream and some dripping of choc syrup across the plate. Problem for $9 I would have expected something other than a tiny little pepperidge farms grocery store bought slice (no joke). We chuckled when we saw it. The restaurant should be embarrassed for serving something like that and charging so much for it. Another guest was pretty upset that one of the servers was walking by tables and had an uncontrollable cough. The server would just cough straight ahead and barely cover her mouth. Wasn't sure if we would need hazmat suits to eat there! :) The other diner basically let it be known to the manager that she was very upset with the coughing near guests tables like that. (We couldn't help but over hear her and she certainly expressed everything we were thinking as well). The manager seemed to handle the situation well with the guest, but would have been nicer if the server wasn't on the floor or near food with such a bad cough. The outdoor fireplace is pretty nice and the outdoor seating is pretty nice. The only other issue is that the restaurant staff seems to have a little hang out area just to the left of the fireplace area and in the parking structure that they use for their nicotine breaks (again could not help but notice that as well, ugh!) If they want to present this upscale atmosphere and high end menu/prices- at least keep it classy and get this behavior out of sight of the guests. In the end a not so great experience, unfortunately because I had been looking forward to this place and this first stop was just going to be a quick test run before a full scale dinner outing.
(1)Elizabeth C.
My husband and I dined her for dinner on a Saturday night recently. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was really nice and was a great atmosphere. However, the service was average or slightly below average. Before ordering the Chicken Paillard I asked the waitress what kind of sauce was in the dish- was it a white wine sauce or was it cream based...she had no idea what was in the sauce. She said she would check for me and let me know but did not come back for so long to tell me that I'm sure our order was almost already made by that point. The Chicken Paillard had no flavor at all. We also had the calamari appetizer which was average at best, very deep fried, not much flavor. My husband did enjoy his steak but the mashed potatoes on the side also had little flavor. I might go back to have a drink on the patio because the atmosphere was nice but we both agreed we would not go back for dinner.
(2)Cranky C.
Pretty nice setting. Little patio carved out of the back alleys of birmingham. We sat outside on a nice day. Waitress was kinda clueless and slow. Food was super average. I split a burger with someone and we were both kinda bummed. Everyone else ordered salads. They were giant! Giant bowls of lettuce. Maybe its me but large portions are more like applebees than im comfortable with.... If it werent for the awesome company, i woulda been pissed.
(2)Lindsey B.
Ever since my mom moved to Birmingham (from Rochester Hills) in August 2010 she has been raving about this place. I think shes probably been there 10 times! So we finally went last week. So we went for dinner and sat on the patio. September in Michigan = chilly nights. The patio is kinda closed in with clear plastic & heaters. Very nice and comfortable! Our waiter was very nice. My mom and I both ordered a cocktail and we both ordered the Mussel, Shrimp & Sausage Pasta. I'm not one to order pasta at restaurants, but it was delicious. I omitted my sausage, thinking they might bulk up on mussels and shrimp, but no. The shrimp were huge, while the mussels were on the small side, but were still very tasty. They have bread that they bring out before your entree. Wow. I could have eaten soooo much more of that bread. They have oil on the table which is a nice touch. Overall, I would definitely dine there again. In regards to the reviews on the people there- yes, the Real Housewives of Oakland County hang out there. To go even further, there was a woman with her two purse dogs eating in the restaurant. I was a little suprised that they let her in the restaurant with her two dogs. She had them in her purse, and sat them on a chair in the restaurant. They were obviously not "service" dogs. But, I guess when you have bucko bucks, they will let you do anything.
(4)Henry B.
This place has an amazing lobster roll. Worth the $20 at least once to try. The burger here is so good that ketchup and mustard ruin the taste. It needs no condiments. It's good as-is. I really like the vibe of the outdoor area. It's outdoor yet shaded. The kind of people during lunchtime on a weekday would be the Real Housewives of Oakland County. So there's us in t-shirts talking about Yelp and Twitter and them in Chanel talking about charity auctions and dudes named Brad.
(4)Claire D.
The service was good, the food was good and the atmosphere was charming. There was an hour and a half wait for an outside table so we sat inside and there was plenty of room at our four person table with big comfy leather chairs. (They take lunch reservations, but not dinner.) The restaurant had been talked up a lot before I got there so I think we all had high expectations - but the food was good. it wasn't earth-shattering or anything but it was good. If anything, the atmosphere is what would bring me back.
(3)Lara B.
I have only ordered the Frisee Salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato) with a crab cake on it. I have been here probably ten times- the salad just hits the spot! I have heard that they have a great burger. However, I go to Red Coat if I am craving a burger. I have nibbled on my husband's lamb chops and those were tasty too. I have only eaten outside (great area, fireplace rarely on though, maybe I come too early) but think the inside is VERY well done. The floor plan is a little odd, but great decor.
(4)Gina S.
Ok, so I've had lunch here once, so take my review for what it's worth. . . Saw the good yelp reviews, so we checked it out. Really good food, probably 4.5 or 5 stars for the food. 1.5 stars for price. My lunch was a salad with beets, goat cheese, and some cheap cut of steak (although tasty, just sayin' not a filet or anything)...$20. And it was pretty small. I ate the whole thing and could have easily had more. And I usually doggy-bag food at restaurants. 1.5-2 stars for ambience/atmosphere attitude. Classic ladies who lunch and their daughters who are way to big for their britches at 23 years old. Pretty uncomfortable, actually. I grew up in a snobby town similar to Bham but this was over the top even for what I am used to. I think the icing on the snobby cake was the service. Basically, the server was a i-atch. No smiles whatsoever. I'm sure she thought she should have been the one lunching with her 2-pound dog on her lap while I served her. (Blond, 40s-ish gal, don't remember her name, but hello owner if you are reading this! You know who she is.) Also EXTREMELY slow service. It is weekday lunch. My salad (with steak or not) should not take 30 minutes. The decor is way over the top, way too trying-to-be-fancy-and-rich looking for my taste. (think grape vine tapestries and lots of different upholstery patterns,dark wood, weird marbled mirror) I doubt I will be back.
(2)Jess T.
Coming from Southern California I am very sad to not have as many patio choices here in Michigan. I understand that the patio doesn't get used for about half the year making it unpractical to devote the space for it. Well thank goodness there are places like Cafe Via to give me my outdoor warm sun fix. We were seated in the patio that is covered enough so that you don't have to be in direct sunlight. There were multiple servers covering the area as well as a runner to bring out food and clear tables. The crab cake appetizer with a corn salad was ridiculously good. I always think of overly breaded crab cakes with barely any crab when I think about crab cake. I don't know why - just from reading about others bad experiences I guess. Well every time I have good crab cakes, I'm always amazed at how good it is! Usually appetizers come with a side that is supposed to compliment but almost always falls flat - this was not the case with the fresh corn salad. It was light and crispy and had a hint of tangy from vinegar that made it a perfect contrast to the crab cake. The chocolate creme brûlée was the special dessert of the night, once I heard that I knew I needed to save room for dessert! It did not disappoint either. I have always been a chocolate cake fan - but I think I have been converted to team cream brûlée. The prices are a little on the higher side - but well worth it! The perfect place to have dinner or lunch before going to the movies.
(4)Thomas M.
- The Spago of Downtown Birmingham ripped from a page in a Bret Easton Ellis novel? ... The atmosphere and crowd here are definitely snobby "Housewives of Oakland County" (to agree with one reviewer).... the food, however, isn't on that Wolfgang Puck leve
(3)Stephanie C.
I agree with Henry B. The crowd matches its swanky downtown Birmingham ladies who lunch address but I didn't feel out of place. The patio tables are completely worth the wait in good weather for lunch or dinner. I'd recommend the Lobster Roll or the Beet Salad for lighter fare. During a recent visit with a friend we wandered in with cups of tea from a nearby coffee shop and earned questionable looks from our server. It was a snap decision to grab a few appetizers. Beyond that, though, the waitstaff was friendly, attentive and helpful. And the food was delicious. Cafe Via's unusual architecture offers some interesting private dining options inside as well, which might be suitable for a special event or occasion. I've been back a few times and am happy to have this tasty, upscale option in downtown Birmingham -close to work, shopping and home.
(4)Daniel G.
This is a perfect example of upper class and pseudo upper class trying to see and be seen. The food is really not very good at all. The burgers are pretty decent but thats about it. Beer selection is just horrible, wine is very average. Service has always been great at he bar with bar tender Mitch (try his mango mojito) but my only other experience sitting in dining room the server was confused and had no problem sharing his personal issues with the table. Over priced and pretentious with little food quality to back it up.
(2)Renee Y.
Charming restaurant in Birmingham-- combo of bistro and fine dining. I love the patio area most (unfortunately used less than half the year due to Michigan's long winters--boo!). I've ate here several times and always happy with both the food and service. Love the tomato bisque (comes with a yummy little grilled cheese thin), the crab cake appetizer, the frisee salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato), the lobster roll, and really love the burger (in my opinion rivals Red Coat)!
(5)Jon T.
I'm a recovering Birminghamite...I moved from metro Detroit a little over a year ago and hadn't had the chance to check this place out until recently. Cafe Via has a nice vibe, somewhere between old school, upscale restaurant and 'Cheers' where everyone knows your name kind of place. And their patio is really nice. Just be prepared to wait because it is definitely frequented by a ton of regulars and the even if you include the patio, it's still on the small side. The food was good, as was the service. I wanted to give this place 4 stars but it seemed like something was lacking. Kinda one of those things you can't always identify but you can feel. Menu-wise, I would have liked to have seen another couple entrees...maybe another steak choice besides tenderloin. If I had to sum it up, it feels like Cafe Via settled. They aren't trying to be much different from the other places in town, rather it's easier to be one of the gang and just ride their coattails. I guess this is why it's just 'A-OK'. I'd definitely go back...next time though, I'd skip the food and just chill in the bar with a cocktail. This way, you still get to people watch and catch up with the Bham goings-on without having to settle on the food.
(3)Lizzy B.
Nice, small menu; good atmosphere inside and outdoors. Recommended! I just had my third good meal at Cafe Via, so I think I'm qualified to write a review! I had been hearing about this place for a while, since one of our favorite hosts from 220 mentioned that she was going to be working at a new place, Cafe Via. The food is pretty good, but first let's talk about parking and finding the place. Cafe Via is tucked into the south side of Maple (15 Mile) between Woodward and Old Woodward. There's metered street parking, and two parking garages immediately behind the restaurant (access on Peabody St, the south bypass route). The closer structure indicates that it's for Cafe Via parking, but it's cheaper if you go to the structure 20 ft further down Peabody (the structure you'd park in for the Birmingham 8 Theater), since the first 2 hours are free. The entrance to the restaurant is tucked in a walkway that runs south off Maple, then turns east, heading out to Peabody St. If you're on Peabody St., in front of The Great Frame up, you're basically looking at the path you take. Of course, you can walk around to Maple, but I know you want to sneak in the back way. The inside of the restaurant is divided into smaller rooms; it feels like being in someone's [very nice] library. The room in front is actually one table in a flower shop that closes at night. While it's nice to have a room to yourseslf, it sort of feels like you're in a display window on Maple - because you are. It's a little drafty. There's also a large outdoor seating area along that back walkway; there aren't any nice views, but at least it's quiet, and you're not sitting on Maple. There's an outdoor fireplace, and heat lamps for chilly evenings. I've eaten dinner here twice - once for restaurant week and once on the regular menu - and lunch once. During restaurant week, the roast chicken was good enough that I ordered it again later, off the regular menu. The second time, it was a little too salty, but still delicious. Crispy skin, moist chicken, served on a hill of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, with a few stalks of asparagus alongside. Mmm! My friend had sea bass on a potato cake with a "melted tomato". That was also excellent, and not as salty as mine. But it was served as one of those stacked towers of food; that throws me a little, since I usually make such a mess of it. If you're coming for lunch or dinner, I suggest a reservation. We showed up for dinner, 2 people at 9:15pm on a Tuesday, and had to wait about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a wait after 9pm on a Tuesday?? For lunch, 3 people at 12:15 on a Wednesday, we were seated immediately, outdoors. There were plenty of tables indoors, but it looked like we snagged one of the last tables outside. During lunch, the crowd is local business people, and some ladies who lunch. Late dinner included a lot of Europeans, including some rather loud Italian ladies at the next table. Like most places in Birmingham, this is what I'd call sharp casual - anything from neat jeans to suits is the order of business.
(4)Rose P.
Great service, good food, though the menu is a little small. My friend who went there with me is a vegetarian and she was pretty limited in what she could order.
(4)Shane B.
Cafe Via is a great spot to enjoy a night when hanging in Birmingham. A great wine list and some really killer food. The burger rivals Red Coat, and is one of the best I have ever had. Great atmosphere, in a cool setting. The bar, though small, is always lively and good people watching is at hand. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a faux fireplace and it is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Cafe Via is pretty good. I would come here again, especially when it's warm out--there's outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Anyway, my boss--who loves to eat (that's why we're kindred spirits!)--wanted to try this place out today and who am I to turn down free lunch? Right. So we go here at lunchtime and there's a 1/2 hour wait! I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, especially for a new restaurant. I can deal with waiting for a bit because I enjoy the ambiance of a busy restaurant and kind of hate dining in an empty restaurant. Empty restaurants give me the creeps! We decided to eat at the bar in lieu of waiting for a non-bar table to open up. Before sitting down at the bar, we took a look around at the restaurant and you know what? I really like the way they (whoever "they" are) decorated the place--particularly the floor to ceiling book shelves filled with...wait for it...books (aside: I'm not sure if the books were real--they kind had a fake look to them). Bonus points for high ceilings and good lighting, too! p.s. don't you just hate harsh, offensive lighting?! I know I do. As for the food--not the best I've had but pretty good! I had the grilled flatbread sandwich with brie, tomato and arugula and a glass of cab. It was good, but didn't knock my socks off. For dessert I had chocolate creme brulee and it was pretty awesome (but I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't like). The bartender was cool--he was attentive without being overly-attentive, know what I mean? Struck up a little bit of conversation (as a good bartender should) but knew when to leave us alone. Overall, good place. I would come here again.
(4)Sarah M. B.
Ok, first tip...if it's nice out and you want to eat on the patio-get there at 6pm(when they start taking names) and get your name on the list...we got there at 6:05 and weren't seated until 7:40, which is ok-we were expecting that. Our table was ok...of course my view of one of Birmingham's many fine parking structures, wasn't exactly what I wanted to look at, but whatever... We had apps. elsewhere due to the wait, which led us to ordering entrees right off that bat. Now, the menu is small and limited-literally, like a cafe...you aren't going to find a laundry list of options on apps, salads, soups, etc. Entrees cover the basics, beef, chicken and fish... I had the pan roasted haibut and really enjoyed it...served with a light butter sauce and gnocchi and fava beans(which I love) ...I am glad I enjoyed it because for 24 or so bucks, I would have been pissed. Texture was good and it was a high quality fish. My hubby had the uber delicious short ribs...tender and flavorful with a sauce that complemented the meat perfectly without overpowering it. Nice wine list and heavy pours....since we ate some of the complimentary bread, we were too full for dessert, althou what I saw come out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Now, with booze and such, you aren't going to get out of here for under 30 a person unless you order very carefully....2 entrees and I think we each had a glass of wine ran us in the 80 dollar range....attire is in between casual and dressy...I mean you don't have to be wearing a dress and tie, but don't go in there with old jeans(dress jeans, ok and a nicer top) and a wings tshirt... I will for sure go back, but probably wouldn't have it on a MUST HAVE NOW list...check it out, and enjoy the patio before winter is back....
(4)Steven L.
This is an ideal café that I have to stop at any time I am in Birmingham. It allows me to show another city that I am important. If one sees me on the street in this little city, they might not know how important I am, but when they see me eating here, they fully understand my importance. Places like this have to exist so the elite (like myself) can be free to be ourselves. The poor of the world would never eat here, so it is perfect, not like some upscale restaurants where the poor eat to feel important. For this, Café Via, I proudly thank you.
(5)Matt C.
Great feel to this place. Sat outside--was surprisingly comfortable given the warm temperature. Every staff person was welcoming and kind. Waitress had good knowledge of menu and was helpful in making recommendations. Food hit the spot--just what we expected. Only thing I wasn't wild about: a television in the outside dining area--didn't expect that given the overall vibe of the place. Would like to check this out for lunch--I've heard good things about the lunch menu.
(4)Wessam H.
Where do I begin? The ambiance was great. The service was awesome. The food was beyond words. Being a frequent visitor of fine restaurants in the metro-detroit area, I know my food. After deciding to order a dish that I normally don't eat my entree arrived and never will I be the same again. This was one of the best meals I have ever ate. Forget the fact that I wasn't hungry and had eaten two hours before my arrival. Forget the fact that I am not a big Lamb chop fan. Had I not been in public I would have literally licked the plate clean. This was the only time I have ever asked to speak to the chef personally. I had to thank him for bestowing such an amazing dish (scratch that) such an incredible work of culinary art. We were the last to leave and everyone waited for us with smiles on their faces. My only regret is I do not make enough money to dine there every night for the rest of my life. My compliments to the staff, the manager, the owner and last, but certainly not the least, the chef
(5)Tinker B.
Everything is always done with perfection and the staff is wonderful. The atmosphere is great. Quite overpriced but comfortable.
(5)Barb H.
I really liked dining here 5 yrs. ago but yesterday was a real disappointment. We waited over an hour for our food and were given every excuse in the book...computer down, ran out of hash, etc. The only accommodation was taking off the soup, which was late too. We won't be returning.
(2)Lara B.
I have only ordered the Frisee Salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato) with a crab cake on it. I have been here probably ten times- the salad just hits the spot! I have heard that they have a great burger. However, I go to Red Coat if I am craving a burger. I have nibbled on my husband's lamb chops and those were tasty too. I have only eaten outside (great area, fireplace rarely on though, maybe I come too early) but think the inside is VERY well done. The floor plan is a little odd, but great decor.
(4)Sheila A.
Ambiance was very nice except that one of the four tables seated in our room was exceptionally boisterous which made it difficult for us to have a conversation. Our dinners were well prepared and presented. Our server was not on top of things and made no effort to make us feel welcome. Most disappointing of all, unbeknownst to us, our 3 children who live in 3 different states had made the dinner reservation and given a credit card to cover whatever we ordered that evening. When we asked for our check, our waitress read, "Happy Anniversary, (the three children's names)....and walked away. Normally, restaurants send some semblance of a celebratory dessert for special occasions...and this was a very special occasion for us!! No acknowledgment of our anniversary was a major misstep in our opinion--not that we were not served a dessert, but that the restaurant neglected to recognize a special celebration. Our guest said she would never go back as a result of this. She was especially disappointed as she had recommended this restaurant to our children for our special anniversary celebration...which they could not travel to help celebrate. That major oversight leads me to give Cafe Via this low rating.
(2)Raquel S.
Very posh place. Excellent decor. My coworker and I went straight after work so we were dressed a like bit business casual and when we got there we felt under dresses but they didn't give us a hard time at all and we didn't have a reservation. Good food. A little on the pricey side but hey you're in Birmingham..soo.
(4)M S.
We found Cafe Via when we got a bit lost which is a bit laughable but a happy accident. My friends and I really enjoyed our early dinner here. The ambiance is elegant but not stuck up and the covered heated patio is just a beautiful thing for (impending) spring. The crab cake appetizer was excellent - I felt I would happily have ordered a few of them as an entree. We had variations of salad with salmon vs steak, and all were polished off. My husband had the rather sizeable burger, which he liked. Our serves were helpful. The menu may benefit from a few more options, but a great place overall for a romantic or special meal with family or friends. Recommended.
(4)Gabi M.
Straight off the plane, my dad dropped us off to meet our friends Sean and Christina at Cafe Via tonight around 8:15. We met them at the bar and enjoyed a couple of much needed libations. We enjoyed the bartender's heavy pour while we caught up with our friends... The restaurant was packed - nice to see on a Thursday night in Birmingham! Great service all around... we waited to get a table outside - it was worth it as the weather was pleasant outside (unlike the 106 degrees it is currently in AZ!) I continued with white wine and the others shared a bottle of red. We started with a caprese appetizer as well as crab cake and mussels. The mussels were on the small side but all were extremely tasty. I went with the halibut entree as did Sean. It was good - not amazing. Perhaps a bit on the bland side. I did enjoy the gnocchi that came on the side. Jared and Christina loved their goat cheese ravioli entrees. I had a bite and could tell right away why - go with that when you go for sure! Overall, we had a pleasant experience at Cafe Via... I am a fan although I'll probably visit some other dining destination in Michigan before returning for more.
(4)Lindsey B.
Ever since my mom moved to Birmingham (from Rochester Hills) in August 2010 she has been raving about this place. I think shes probably been there 10 times! So we finally went last week. So we went for dinner and sat on the patio. September in Michigan = chilly nights. The patio is kinda closed in with clear plastic & heaters. Very nice and comfortable! Our waiter was very nice. My mom and I both ordered a cocktail and we both ordered the Mussel, Shrimp & Sausage Pasta. I'm not one to order pasta at restaurants, but it was delicious. I omitted my sausage, thinking they might bulk up on mussels and shrimp, but no. The shrimp were huge, while the mussels were on the small side, but were still very tasty. They have bread that they bring out before your entree. Wow. I could have eaten soooo much more of that bread. They have oil on the table which is a nice touch. Overall, I would definitely dine there again. In regards to the reviews on the people there- yes, the Real Housewives of Oakland County hang out there. To go even further, there was a woman with her two purse dogs eating in the restaurant. I was a little suprised that they let her in the restaurant with her two dogs. She had them in her purse, and sat them on a chair in the restaurant. They were obviously not "service" dogs. But, I guess when you have bucko bucks, they will let you do anything.
(4)Cranky C.
Pretty nice setting. Little patio carved out of the back alleys of birmingham. We sat outside on a nice day. Waitress was kinda clueless and slow. Food was super average. I split a burger with someone and we were both kinda bummed. Everyone else ordered salads. They were giant! Giant bowls of lettuce. Maybe its me but large portions are more like applebees than im comfortable with.... If it werent for the awesome company, i woulda been pissed.
(2)Henry B.
This place has an amazing lobster roll. Worth the $20 at least once to try. The burger here is so good that ketchup and mustard ruin the taste. It needs no condiments. It's good as-is. I really like the vibe of the outdoor area. It's outdoor yet shaded. The kind of people during lunchtime on a weekday would be the Real Housewives of Oakland County. So there's us in t-shirts talking about Yelp and Twitter and them in Chanel talking about charity auctions and dudes named Brad.
(4)Gina S.
Ok, so I've had lunch here once, so take my review for what it's worth. . . Saw the good yelp reviews, so we checked it out. Really good food, probably 4.5 or 5 stars for the food. 1.5 stars for price. My lunch was a salad with beets, goat cheese, and some cheap cut of steak (although tasty, just sayin' not a filet or anything)...$20. And it was pretty small. I ate the whole thing and could have easily had more. And I usually doggy-bag food at restaurants. 1.5-2 stars for ambience/atmosphere attitude. Classic ladies who lunch and their daughters who are way to big for their britches at 23 years old. Pretty uncomfortable, actually. I grew up in a snobby town similar to Bham but this was over the top even for what I am used to. I think the icing on the snobby cake was the service. Basically, the server was a i-atch. No smiles whatsoever. I'm sure she thought she should have been the one lunching with her 2-pound dog on her lap while I served her. (Blond, 40s-ish gal, don't remember her name, but hello owner if you are reading this! You know who she is.) Also EXTREMELY slow service. It is weekday lunch. My salad (with steak or not) should not take 30 minutes. The decor is way over the top, way too trying-to-be-fancy-and-rich looking for my taste. (think grape vine tapestries and lots of different upholstery patterns,dark wood, weird marbled mirror) I doubt I will be back.
(2)S N.
Stopped in for dessert and coffee. Overrated. After reading so many good reviews we were excited to check it out. Ordered the chocolate cake and cappuccino. Cap arrived fairly quick, spoons for the cake arrived a minute later. Unfortunately the cake arrives about 15-20 minutes later. I thought they were baking it from scratch! When it did come it was cold and looked to have just been pulled from the cooler. Very disappointing. The cake was dressed up nice w a teeny scoop of choc ice cream and some dripping of choc syrup across the plate. Problem for $9 I would have expected something other than a tiny little pepperidge farms grocery store bought slice (no joke). We chuckled when we saw it. The restaurant should be embarrassed for serving something like that and charging so much for it. Another guest was pretty upset that one of the servers was walking by tables and had an uncontrollable cough. The server would just cough straight ahead and barely cover her mouth. Wasn't sure if we would need hazmat suits to eat there! :) The other diner basically let it be known to the manager that she was very upset with the coughing near guests tables like that. (We couldn't help but over hear her and she certainly expressed everything we were thinking as well). The manager seemed to handle the situation well with the guest, but would have been nicer if the server wasn't on the floor or near food with such a bad cough. The outdoor fireplace is pretty nice and the outdoor seating is pretty nice. The only other issue is that the restaurant staff seems to have a little hang out area just to the left of the fireplace area and in the parking structure that they use for their nicotine breaks (again could not help but notice that as well, ugh!) If they want to present this upscale atmosphere and high end menu/prices- at least keep it classy and get this behavior out of sight of the guests. In the end a not so great experience, unfortunately because I had been looking forward to this place and this first stop was just going to be a quick test run before a full scale dinner outing.
(1)Elizabeth C.
My husband and I dined her for dinner on a Saturday night recently. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was really nice and was a great atmosphere. However, the service was average or slightly below average. Before ordering the Chicken Paillard I asked the waitress what kind of sauce was in the dish- was it a white wine sauce or was it cream based...she had no idea what was in the sauce. She said she would check for me and let me know but did not come back for so long to tell me that I'm sure our order was almost already made by that point. The Chicken Paillard had no flavor at all. We also had the calamari appetizer which was average at best, very deep fried, not much flavor. My husband did enjoy his steak but the mashed potatoes on the side also had little flavor. I might go back to have a drink on the patio because the atmosphere was nice but we both agreed we would not go back for dinner.
(2)Stephanie C.
I agree with Henry B. The crowd matches its swanky downtown Birmingham ladies who lunch address but I didn't feel out of place. The patio tables are completely worth the wait in good weather for lunch or dinner. I'd recommend the Lobster Roll or the Beet Salad for lighter fare. During a recent visit with a friend we wandered in with cups of tea from a nearby coffee shop and earned questionable looks from our server. It was a snap decision to grab a few appetizers. Beyond that, though, the waitstaff was friendly, attentive and helpful. And the food was delicious. Cafe Via's unusual architecture offers some interesting private dining options inside as well, which might be suitable for a special event or occasion. I've been back a few times and am happy to have this tasty, upscale option in downtown Birmingham -close to work, shopping and home.
(4)Daniel G.
This is a perfect example of upper class and pseudo upper class trying to see and be seen. The food is really not very good at all. The burgers are pretty decent but thats about it. Beer selection is just horrible, wine is very average. Service has always been great at he bar with bar tender Mitch (try his mango mojito) but my only other experience sitting in dining room the server was confused and had no problem sharing his personal issues with the table. Over priced and pretentious with little food quality to back it up.
(2)Jon T.
I'm a recovering Birminghamite...I moved from metro Detroit a little over a year ago and hadn't had the chance to check this place out until recently. Cafe Via has a nice vibe, somewhere between old school, upscale restaurant and 'Cheers' where everyone knows your name kind of place. And their patio is really nice. Just be prepared to wait because it is definitely frequented by a ton of regulars and the even if you include the patio, it's still on the small side. The food was good, as was the service. I wanted to give this place 4 stars but it seemed like something was lacking. Kinda one of those things you can't always identify but you can feel. Menu-wise, I would have liked to have seen another couple entrees...maybe another steak choice besides tenderloin. If I had to sum it up, it feels like Cafe Via settled. They aren't trying to be much different from the other places in town, rather it's easier to be one of the gang and just ride their coattails. I guess this is why it's just 'A-OK'. I'd definitely go back...next time though, I'd skip the food and just chill in the bar with a cocktail. This way, you still get to people watch and catch up with the Bham goings-on without having to settle on the food.
(3)Renee Y.
Charming restaurant in Birmingham-- combo of bistro and fine dining. I love the patio area most (unfortunately used less than half the year due to Michigan's long winters--boo!). I've ate here several times and always happy with both the food and service. Love the tomato bisque (comes with a yummy little grilled cheese thin), the crab cake appetizer, the frisee salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato), the lobster roll, and really love the burger (in my opinion rivals Red Coat)!
(5)Lizzy B.
Nice, small menu; good atmosphere inside and outdoors. Recommended! I just had my third good meal at Cafe Via, so I think I'm qualified to write a review! I had been hearing about this place for a while, since one of our favorite hosts from 220 mentioned that she was going to be working at a new place, Cafe Via. The food is pretty good, but first let's talk about parking and finding the place. Cafe Via is tucked into the south side of Maple (15 Mile) between Woodward and Old Woodward. There's metered street parking, and two parking garages immediately behind the restaurant (access on Peabody St, the south bypass route). The closer structure indicates that it's for Cafe Via parking, but it's cheaper if you go to the structure 20 ft further down Peabody (the structure you'd park in for the Birmingham 8 Theater), since the first 2 hours are free. The entrance to the restaurant is tucked in a walkway that runs south off Maple, then turns east, heading out to Peabody St. If you're on Peabody St., in front of The Great Frame up, you're basically looking at the path you take. Of course, you can walk around to Maple, but I know you want to sneak in the back way. The inside of the restaurant is divided into smaller rooms; it feels like being in someone's [very nice] library. The room in front is actually one table in a flower shop that closes at night. While it's nice to have a room to yourseslf, it sort of feels like you're in a display window on Maple - because you are. It's a little drafty. There's also a large outdoor seating area along that back walkway; there aren't any nice views, but at least it's quiet, and you're not sitting on Maple. There's an outdoor fireplace, and heat lamps for chilly evenings. I've eaten dinner here twice - once for restaurant week and once on the regular menu - and lunch once. During restaurant week, the roast chicken was good enough that I ordered it again later, off the regular menu. The second time, it was a little too salty, but still delicious. Crispy skin, moist chicken, served on a hill of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, with a few stalks of asparagus alongside. Mmm! My friend had sea bass on a potato cake with a "melted tomato". That was also excellent, and not as salty as mine. But it was served as one of those stacked towers of food; that throws me a little, since I usually make such a mess of it. If you're coming for lunch or dinner, I suggest a reservation. We showed up for dinner, 2 people at 9:15pm on a Tuesday, and had to wait about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a wait after 9pm on a Tuesday?? For lunch, 3 people at 12:15 on a Wednesday, we were seated immediately, outdoors. There were plenty of tables indoors, but it looked like we snagged one of the last tables outside. During lunch, the crowd is local business people, and some ladies who lunch. Late dinner included a lot of Europeans, including some rather loud Italian ladies at the next table. Like most places in Birmingham, this is what I'd call sharp casual - anything from neat jeans to suits is the order of business.
(4)Rose P.
Great service, good food, though the menu is a little small. My friend who went there with me is a vegetarian and she was pretty limited in what she could order.
(4)Shane B.
Cafe Via is a great spot to enjoy a night when hanging in Birmingham. A great wine list and some really killer food. The burger rivals Red Coat, and is one of the best I have ever had. Great atmosphere, in a cool setting. The bar, though small, is always lively and good people watching is at hand. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a faux fireplace and it is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Cafe Via is pretty good. I would come here again, especially when it's warm out--there's outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Anyway, my boss--who loves to eat (that's why we're kindred spirits!)--wanted to try this place out today and who am I to turn down free lunch? Right. So we go here at lunchtime and there's a 1/2 hour wait! I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, especially for a new restaurant. I can deal with waiting for a bit because I enjoy the ambiance of a busy restaurant and kind of hate dining in an empty restaurant. Empty restaurants give me the creeps! We decided to eat at the bar in lieu of waiting for a non-bar table to open up. Before sitting down at the bar, we took a look around at the restaurant and you know what? I really like the way they (whoever "they" are) decorated the place--particularly the floor to ceiling book shelves filled with...wait for it...books (aside: I'm not sure if the books were real--they kind had a fake look to them). Bonus points for high ceilings and good lighting, too! p.s. don't you just hate harsh, offensive lighting?! I know I do. As for the food--not the best I've had but pretty good! I had the grilled flatbread sandwich with brie, tomato and arugula and a glass of cab. It was good, but didn't knock my socks off. For dessert I had chocolate creme brulee and it was pretty awesome (but I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't like). The bartender was cool--he was attentive without being overly-attentive, know what I mean? Struck up a little bit of conversation (as a good bartender should) but knew when to leave us alone. Overall, good place. I would come here again.
(4)Sarah M. B.
Ok, first tip...if it's nice out and you want to eat on the patio-get there at 6pm(when they start taking names) and get your name on the list...we got there at 6:05 and weren't seated until 7:40, which is ok-we were expecting that. Our table was ok...of course my view of one of Birmingham's many fine parking structures, wasn't exactly what I wanted to look at, but whatever... We had apps. elsewhere due to the wait, which led us to ordering entrees right off that bat. Now, the menu is small and limited-literally, like a cafe...you aren't going to find a laundry list of options on apps, salads, soups, etc. Entrees cover the basics, beef, chicken and fish... I had the pan roasted haibut and really enjoyed it...served with a light butter sauce and gnocchi and fava beans(which I love) ...I am glad I enjoyed it because for 24 or so bucks, I would have been pissed. Texture was good and it was a high quality fish. My hubby had the uber delicious short ribs...tender and flavorful with a sauce that complemented the meat perfectly without overpowering it. Nice wine list and heavy pours....since we ate some of the complimentary bread, we were too full for dessert, althou what I saw come out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Now, with booze and such, you aren't going to get out of here for under 30 a person unless you order very carefully....2 entrees and I think we each had a glass of wine ran us in the 80 dollar range....attire is in between casual and dressy...I mean you don't have to be wearing a dress and tie, but don't go in there with old jeans(dress jeans, ok and a nicer top) and a wings tshirt... I will for sure go back, but probably wouldn't have it on a MUST HAVE NOW list...check it out, and enjoy the patio before winter is back....
(4)Kathryn L.
This place is amazing!! Food is delicious! I always get a salad of some kind and everything tastes fresh and gourmet. The service is excellent. Ambiance is nice as well; we usually sit outdoors and there is a fireplace and a patio area out there; very chic. If you go, make sure to get the bread basket. Their breads and oils are the best!!
(5)Jess T.
Coming from Southern California I am very sad to not have as many patio choices here in Michigan. I understand that the patio doesn't get used for about half the year making it unpractical to devote the space for it. Well thank goodness there are places like Cafe Via to give me my outdoor warm sun fix. We were seated in the patio that is covered enough so that you don't have to be in direct sunlight. There were multiple servers covering the area as well as a runner to bring out food and clear tables. The crab cake appetizer with a corn salad was ridiculously good. I always think of overly breaded crab cakes with barely any crab when I think about crab cake. I don't know why - just from reading about others bad experiences I guess. Well every time I have good crab cakes, I'm always amazed at how good it is! Usually appetizers come with a side that is supposed to compliment but almost always falls flat - this was not the case with the fresh corn salad. It was light and crispy and had a hint of tangy from vinegar that made it a perfect contrast to the crab cake. The chocolate creme brûlée was the special dessert of the night, once I heard that I knew I needed to save room for dessert! It did not disappoint either. I have always been a chocolate cake fan - but I think I have been converted to team cream brûlée. The prices are a little on the higher side - but well worth it! The perfect place to have dinner or lunch before going to the movies.
(4)Thomas M.
- The Spago of Downtown Birmingham ripped from a page in a Bret Easton Ellis novel? ... The atmosphere and crowd here are definitely snobby "Housewives of Oakland County" (to agree with one reviewer).... the food, however, isn't on that Wolfgang Puck leve
(3)Heather L.
I have been wanting to try Cafe Via forever and finally got the opportunity during Birmingham Restaurant Week. First off, I love restaurant week, a 3 course lunch for $15 is such a fabulous way to try a new restaurant. I had the Tomato Bisque-very good and I loved the little grilled cheese thin that came it. This is terrible but I absolutely cannot remember which salad I had-I have sat here staring at the menu but it just does not jog my memory. I chose the pot roast sandwich, not a usual pick for me, but I was STARVING when I got there. The meal and the service were good and I really loved the different little rooms-a great place for a special or more intimate lunch or dinner. I can't wait to eat out in the beautiful courtyard this summer.
(4)Em H.
This was my first time eating at Cafe Via and it will be my last. The waitress was apathetic and not friendly. The $20 caprese salad consisted of some quartered tomatoes that were not fresh and had dirt on them, placed next to a hunk of cheese. My boyfriend said his Sea Bass was the worst he has ever had. I would go to Mitchell's or to Sweet Lorraine's if you are looking for quality food and service. Yes, the patio is beautiful, but that does not make up for all the other shortcomings. I have eaten at Roast, London Chophouse, Forest Grill and all the other fine eateries in the Detroit area. This restaurant needs to shape up! The only reason I am giving two stars rather than one is because the waitress took the salad off the bill.
(2)Steven L.
This is an ideal café that I have to stop at any time I am in Birmingham. It allows me to show another city that I am important. If one sees me on the street in this little city, they might not know how important I am, but when they see me eating here, they fully understand my importance. Places like this have to exist so the elite (like myself) can be free to be ourselves. The poor of the world would never eat here, so it is perfect, not like some upscale restaurants where the poor eat to feel important. For this, Café Via, I proudly thank you.
(5)Lori D.
This restaurant is lovely. The wood and cozy atmosphere can be rated a 5 for sure. A great place to go on a first date because it was quiet and intimite restaurant. The little patio would be a great place to eat on a nice day. I gave Cafe Via three stars though, mainly because of the food. It was very good, but very pricey. I had the Osso Bucco that was about $34. It was wrapped in fatty bacon, which I had to unroll and was kind of unappealing. The taste of the Osso Bucco was good, however. My husband had the prime rib special, which he was very please with and it was pretty pricey as well. Our friends had the trout and the salmon and seemed satishfied with their meals. Everying is ala carte, so bring your wallet! The service was good, our server was very nice and polite and came back to check on us offen. I would certainly return if they had a Groupon or some other discount. The best was the desserts! If you are already paying about $60pp for dinner, might as well make it $70pp and bring a friend!
(3)Jennifer R.
What an experience. I'd been dying to try this place to see what all the buzz was about, and it made an unmistakable impression, both good and bad (mostly good). With its beautiful courtyard seating, Cafe Via's capacity must double in the summertime, which makes it a draw, and also a potentially long wait. My first attempt at eating here on a weekend resulted in a quoted 2-hour wait at 8 p.m., so that didn't fly. When two girlfriends & I wanted to give it another go on a pleasant Friday evening, I was smart and put our name in in person at 6:30, hoping to be seated at 7/7:30. The very pleasant hostess called my cell phone before 7:00 and gave us a great table on the patio, right near the fireplace. Stopping by in person made a huge difference, as it was a mob scene around 8:00 and it looked like it was taking forever to get a table at that point. And what a scene it was! I saw no less than four different couples I knew and everyone was in the mood to mix & mingle. I loved the atmosphere and the yummy cucumber/absolut/lime/ginger ale cocktails I was drinking. While the service was knowledgeable and friendly enough, it was SOOO SLOW, and not in a slow-food kind of way, but in a "did the server forget us?" kind of way. Note to Cafe Via--if you ever want to turn tables, you might do yourselves a favor and try taking an order before the guests have to hunt you down to place it themselves!! That said, we were actually fine with the long wait, since we came to catch up and linger anyway. The wait we were less OK with was the wait for the single bathroom...what were they thinking? When my girlfriend went later in the night, the women had overtaken both the men's and the women's rooms to speed things along. On to the food, I LOVED my entree...pan roasted halibut with a light buttery, herbal sauce served with gnocchi, spring peas & fava beans. I would order it again in a heartbeat. My friends were less effusive about their entrees (salmon & whitefish), so I don't know if the food is across-the-board amazing, but my experience was awesome. My recommendation? Go in person to reserve a good table early, order the cucumber cocktails & the halibut, and sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace and the well-heeled crowd. It's an experience to savor.
(4)Laura B.
My husband and I enjoyed this resturant one day as we were walking around the city. The food was very, very good and the service was very attentive. The menu constantly changes which is lovely, and everything really is quite tasty and well prepared. The atmosphere is what I love most about this place. It is very cozy and comfortable.
(5)Gabriel W.
Overpriced, awful clientèle, unpleasant employees...
(1)Matt C.
Great feel to this place. Sat outside--was surprisingly comfortable given the warm temperature. Every staff person was welcoming and kind. Waitress had good knowledge of menu and was helpful in making recommendations. Food hit the spot--just what we expected. Only thing I wasn't wild about: a television in the outside dining area--didn't expect that given the overall vibe of the place. Would like to check this out for lunch--I've heard good things about the lunch menu.
(4)Wessam H.
Where do I begin? The ambiance was great. The service was awesome. The food was beyond words. Being a frequent visitor of fine restaurants in the metro-detroit area, I know my food. After deciding to order a dish that I normally don't eat my entree arrived and never will I be the same again. This was one of the best meals I have ever ate. Forget the fact that I wasn't hungry and had eaten two hours before my arrival. Forget the fact that I am not a big Lamb chop fan. Had I not been in public I would have literally licked the plate clean. This was the only time I have ever asked to speak to the chef personally. I had to thank him for bestowing such an amazing dish (scratch that) such an incredible work of culinary art. We were the last to leave and everyone waited for us with smiles on their faces. My only regret is I do not make enough money to dine there every night for the rest of my life. My compliments to the staff, the manager, the owner and last, but certainly not the least, the chef
(5)Tinker B.
Everything is always done with perfection and the staff is wonderful. The atmosphere is great. Quite overpriced but comfortable.
(5)paul c.
I revisited Cafe Via last Saturday evening. Dinner was superb-again.. It had been 6 months since my last dining experience here and I can easily say this is my favorite place to dine in metro Detroit now. The staff genuinely cares about making your dining experience the best it can be-there is no pomposity or arrogance as found at other places . The crab cake appetizer was the best ever- the beet salad, lamb chops,and filet with melted bleu cheese were also thoroughly enjoyed by our group. The ambiance and total experience is one any restaurant serious about overall excellence should try to emulate.
(5)Clara H.
Beautiful night on the patio by the fireplace tonight
(3)Missy O.
The Brussels sprouts were to DIE for!! Good wine list and friendly diners. Not to be missed!!
(4)Harleen K.
Would get a 5 rating if not for the service. Started out with homemade sausage, brussel spouts and crab cakes. All were pretty good, but crab cakes were exceptional. I had the ravioli, which I liked although it came with a creamy sauce that I thought was a little unusual. Others in the party enjoyed the salmon and trout. Beef tenderloin was very tender with good flavor. One person had the halibut and felt it was flavorless and a little dry. Sat on the patio where there was a fireplace. Indoors the decor is warm and inviting- great ambiance Our waitress was nice, however, very slow.
(4)Michelle D.
The food is ok and so is the atmosphere. Good service but the menu was a little disappointing. We decided to all share appetizers between the five of us. The stand outs were the crab cakes, the brussels sprouts, and the Bolognaise. The truffle fries were pretty good but the sliders, calamari, and the house made sausage were ok. The desserts were sweet and delicious. The Death by Chocolate was very chocolatey and the ice cream was a good addition to lighten it up. I really enjoyed the Mango Coconut dessert. It had bits of cake and chocolate crumbs with raspberries and half discs of mango. Overall for the prices, I expected more from the food. The food that was good was memorable enough but the other items were not even close to the standards I had going in. Maybe the entrees would have been a better choice.
(3)NaTasha R.
Ok so ATMOSPHERE wonderful, customer service equally fantastic.. They asked us to move due to their mis calculation of seating with a larger party but they more than made up for it with offering free alcoholic beverages & every appetizer on the menu for our party of 6! So I hate to give them three stars but thats the only reason why I'm giving the 3 because the food was quite bland.. So like i said we had every appetizer & the ones I was able to try (dietary restrictions) i was not impressed... my seafood entree was bland & a bit overcooked, the pureed veggie which I referred to as baby poo poo all night taste like Gerbers... But hey the drinks were good.. If in the neighborhood i would stop by to seat outside or at the bar for a drink & a BASIC no frill appetizer..
(3)Cassie N.
Cafe Via should read their yelp reviews and work on their clear weaknesses. I agree with others that service is sporadic and fluctuates btw negligent and good. Salad was wilted and over-dressed it Bolognese is excellent as is their tomato soup! This place should work on their consistency and it could be excellent.
(3)Melinda Y.
Grew up in the area, but haven't been back in 10 years. Met friends and wasn't impressed. Liked the atmosphere. Service good. Food average. Had a house salad and the Halibut. The fish was overcooked. My friend sent her dish back because it was overcooked. It was also VERY salty. Might go back, but wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Ellen N.
My husband and I were in Birmingham and decided to try this place for brunch. Everything was fantastic! He had the pumpkin waffle and side order of grits. I had the pomegranate French toast. After one bite of the grits and was in heaven! The service was attentive and hospitable. The decor met my expectations and then some. I would definitely take family and friends there for a meal. Make sure to go on an empty stomach as the portions are very generous. Excellent quality food and well worth the price.
(5)Robin S.
Went for a few glasses of wine and appetizers on the patio with a friend after work. The service was so bad! Slow returning to the table to take order. I had to ask busboy passing by the table to get our server. When she returned we ordered another glass of wine and appetizers but what we should have done is asked for the check!! Poor service! Bad food! No return!!
(1)Red Arrow D.
They nay be dig friendly but our waiter wasn't. Our service was less then desired for the atmosphere and price point. My meal would've been more enjoyable had the staff taken an interest in taking care of us.
(2)Naomi W.
Fabulous meal! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (its beautiful), food and service. The photos they have on yelp don't do it justice...very elegant and romantic. Everyone working there from John the bartender, our server Noah and the hostesses were personable and attentive. My filet was wonderful and the butterscotch pudding was delicious. Loved it!
(5)John F.
This is a great spot. Very comfortable for lunch and the service is great. Solid menu. We hade the burger and it was excellent. Overall a very nice experience and we will certainly be coming back.
(4)AndrewSumi G.
Today we decided to go there for lunch. We had heard good things so decided to give it a try. We were happy to sit outside on the patio and thought the setting was very cute. However, it took forever for the waiter to come to us. Finally the hostess that had sat us decided to bring us water and apologized for the waitress. When our waitress finally came to us she seemed unsure about the menu and specials when we asked questions. We got the beet salad with crab cake and the lamb soup special for appetizers. The beet salad was pretty good, it had good flavor and was light on dressing. However, the soup was quite salty. Then for entrees we got the mac and cheese with chicken and the Chicken Paillard. The Mac and cheese was kind of dry with not enough cheese and really not enough flavor at all. The chicken Paillard was also extremely unflavorful. In fact, after we took one bite of the entrees we asked for the check. We later took the meals home and cooked them again with some more flavoring to better fit our palates. For the price of the meal we were definitely expecting better! Will definitely not be going back.
(2)Kellie H.
Where should I start, cafe via is one of my favorite down town spots. Their burger is second to none, with the pickled onions, grilled tomato, and garlic alioli mayo makes this burger my absolute favorite. Their fries match the burger: exceptional. The only thing better than their burger is John the bar tender he's always there with a friendly smile and a strong drink. I'd recommend cafe via to everyone!
(5)Steve C.
The atmosphere was nice The food was great although I thought the portions were a bit small, and it took a long time to receive our food. If I was on a lunch hour I don't think I would of had time to eat we were there for lunch on the patio. Our server I think her name was Nicky asked if we were ready to order she did not offer any specials we had to ask if there were any- there was. I only gave it 2 stars For the mediocre service which I expect better in a place for the price and the long wait for food But the food was wonderfully so I will give this place another shot, next time for dinner
(2)Claire D.
The service was good, the food was good and the atmosphere was charming. There was an hour and a half wait for an outside table so we sat inside and there was plenty of room at our four person table with big comfy leather chairs. (They take lunch reservations, but not dinner.) The restaurant had been talked up a lot before I got there so I think we all had high expectations - but the food was good. it wasn't earth-shattering or anything but it was good. If anything, the atmosphere is what would bring me back.
(3)Darin L.
Can I give a negative star? After looking forward to going there and hearing good things, it was not merely a let down but a disaster. Although dinner started with a very nice bottle of wine, it went down hill fast. Along with the wine came fruit flies. Even though we were sitting inside, we were bombarded by fruit flies all night long. They were in the glasses and all around the table. The Zingerman's burratta of course was good, but that was from Zingerman's. They could not get my main course correct. I ordered my steak medium. When the steak arrived, it was rare, so rare my plate was filled with blood. The waitress tried to tell me medium is pink. I showed her my steak and the blood were red. She took it back. Since no side was listed on the menu, I ordered a goat cheese side, which never came (someone obviously forgot to make it). By the time the server came back to see how things were going, I just canceled the side and asked that they reheat my steak. When they brought back my steak, it appeared to be a new piece, so I was pleased they did not dry out my old one. The problem, however, it was medium rare and still not medium. I ate the edges. When the bill came, I looked to see if I was charged for the goat cheese, thankfully I was not, but I was charged $20 more for the wine than was listed in the menu. Wanting to make sure I did not misread the menu, I went to the hostess and confirmed the $20 over charge, so even the nice bottle of wine I mentioned earlier was messed up in the end. We will never go back. It was a terrible experience all around.
(1)Chelsea A.
Another of my fav salad spots, the Frisee salad here is magnificent. A lemony vin dressing over fresh frisee, topped with an egg over easy. I add rare tederloin but the salmon is also nice. Last week I ordered the herb omlette with spinach, gaot cheese and tomato compote, and added salmon. It was GRAET. I adore the patio here, its very cozy, complete with a fireplace. I really enjoy how its heated and enclosed on cooler days. The interior of Cafe Via is beautiful, very much my style. Ecclectic and comfortable. A regular lunch spot. If you like bubbly, the Cafe Via brut is very nice.
(4)Angela R.
Wow. What a disappointment. Very, very, very slow service. Had a coffee but never got a refill. Wanted a condiment but the server didn't come back to check on the table until we were 90% finished with the meal. Someone at our table had to go to the bar to get a refill on her soda! Food was ok. Nothing worth typing about. Decor is great but that is about it. Still hungry and spent $80 with tip on two entrees (one being a salad) and one drink.
(2)Assaf Z.
We didnt enjoy it all. small portions , the food was served cold, and we didnt felt anything special with the food. Not worth the price.
(2)Daniel S.
Thought I would give it a second try. Had been here before and the food was awesome but the service was so so. Have to say that they really stepped up their game. The service was 5 star, and the food did not disappoint. Went for lunch, loved, loved the patio. We'll be back!
(4)Johnny B.
We have never been disappointed here- the food is always on point and the bartender Jerry is clever and attentive. You simply must try it out!
(5)Lizzy N.
My husband and I recently dined at the restaurant for lunch and we both thought the menu was lackluster. Nothing was really standout and neither was the service. Since it was lunch during the week it was slow and our waiter was not attentive. We ordered the mussels app and beverages.. the waiter had no clue what beers they had, none on tap. He had to check and get back to us. He took our app order and asked if we would like bread. He never came back with the bread. We ordered our meals which arrived in a timely manner. I ordered the pot pie and my husband the chicken paillard. The crust for the pot pie was premade I believe because it was not attached to the pot pie. So it was a crust that I could remove on top then the pot pie filling on the inside of the bowl. My husbands chicken was just blah, nothing over the moon. We had to ask for a water refill. For dessert we ordered the hazelnut cheesecake which took about 15 minutes to cut and present.... I mean come on, for a slow lunch during the week? Underwhelming overall.
(2)Martin H.
Good atmosphere, good service, good food. Our party tried a number of menu items and all were well prepared.
(4)Priscilla G.
The food was good but not espetacular. My tenderloin was very good but my husband's seafood pasta was just ok. Atmosphere was nice. We sat in a nice four top under the covered patio. We arrived at 9 and by 11 there was nobody else at the restaurant but us. We were surprised since it was a beautiful Saturday night. We would have stayed longer and ordered more drinks. I guess it was time to go home.
(3)Amanda A.
I need to talk about how awesome this place is for a moment. 1. Cool space. I love the outdoors and the fireplace, the inside was great as well. Super comfy chairs at our table inside. Made me not want to move. 2. The food is great. Our table ordered a bit of everything. For apps we ordered the calamari and shrimp, black angus tartar and crab cakes. The tartar came with a delicious kalmata olive spread, minced red onions, egg yolk and horseradish. So good. For entrees we ordered lamb chops, miso marinated cod, ruby trout, and filets. Everything was timed and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops may have been one of the best prepared rare chops I've ever had. Dessert we ordered the marscapone cheesecake, "oreo" ice cream cookie, and salted butterscotch pudding. Delicious. 3. Service- impeccable. 4. So why only 4 stars instead of 5. Reason being the bar. The drinks fell short. Our table ordered vodka martinis with bleu cheese olives- the olives tasted as if they have been prepared days before. The negroni was made with cranberry juice. I asked for my Hendricks gimlet to be served with a cucumber and instead after the drink was in front of me did I get a plate of cucumbers. You really need the cucumber to be present in the drink from the get go with Hendricks to bring out the aromatics. My advice- order wine and you'll be happy. Switched to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was delicious. I will absolutely come back here.
(4)Andreea R.
Oh, where do I start. Food is mediocre at best. DO NOT get the beignets. Clumps of uncooked dough drenched in powder sugar. Drinks are decent. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(3)Alex J.
The chicken paillard is light and delicious, perfect lunch plate. Love the Via (breezeway) especially on Thursdays!
(5)Frank T.
What a find! A beautiful little Italian restaurant in Birmingham. Soft woods and elegant warm and private. The seafood pasta was one of he best ever. Be sure to park behind the restaurant
(5)Olivia D.
The herb frites are to die for and the tomato provencale is filling yet refreshing. The prices are out of my student budget but I wouldn't mind coming once in a while. My only complaint was that the service was slow for a Wednesday afternoon, not terribly slow but enough to notice since there weren't many people eating there at the time.
(4)Priscilla G.
The food was good but not espetacular. My tenderloin was very good but my husband's seafood pasta was just ok. Atmosphere was nice. We sat in a nice four top under the covered patio. We arrived at 9 and by 11 there was nobody else at the restaurant but us. We were surprised since it was a beautiful Saturday night. We would have stayed longer and ordered more drinks. I guess it was time to go home.
(3)Amanda A.
I need to talk about how awesome this place is for a moment. 1. Cool space. I love the outdoors and the fireplace, the inside was great as well. Super comfy chairs at our table inside. Made me not want to move. 2. The food is great. Our table ordered a bit of everything. For apps we ordered the calamari and shrimp, black angus tartar and crab cakes. The tartar came with a delicious kalmata olive spread, minced red onions, egg yolk and horseradish. So good. For entrees we ordered lamb chops, miso marinated cod, ruby trout, and filets. Everything was timed and cooked perfectly. The lamb chops may have been one of the best prepared rare chops I've ever had. Dessert we ordered the marscapone cheesecake, "oreo" ice cream cookie, and salted butterscotch pudding. Delicious. 3. Service- impeccable. 4. So why only 4 stars instead of 5. Reason being the bar. The drinks fell short. Our table ordered vodka martinis with bleu cheese olives- the olives tasted as if they have been prepared days before. The negroni was made with cranberry juice. I asked for my Hendricks gimlet to be served with a cucumber and instead after the drink was in front of me did I get a plate of cucumbers. You really need the cucumber to be present in the drink from the get go with Hendricks to bring out the aromatics. My advice- order wine and you'll be happy. Switched to a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was delicious. I will absolutely come back here.
(4)Andreea R.
Oh, where do I start. Food is mediocre at best. DO NOT get the beignets. Clumps of uncooked dough drenched in powder sugar. Drinks are decent. Save your money and go somewhere else.
(3)Alex J.
The chicken paillard is light and delicious, perfect lunch plate. Love the Via (breezeway) especially on Thursdays!
(5)Cranky C.
Pretty nice setting. Little patio carved out of the back alleys of birmingham. We sat outside on a nice day. Waitress was kinda clueless and slow. Food was super average. I split a burger with someone and we were both kinda bummed. Everyone else ordered salads. They were giant! Giant bowls of lettuce. Maybe its me but large portions are more like applebees than im comfortable with.... If it werent for the awesome company, i woulda been pissed.
(2)Lindsey B.
Ever since my mom moved to Birmingham (from Rochester Hills) in August 2010 she has been raving about this place. I think shes probably been there 10 times! So we finally went last week. So we went for dinner and sat on the patio. September in Michigan = chilly nights. The patio is kinda closed in with clear plastic & heaters. Very nice and comfortable! Our waiter was very nice. My mom and I both ordered a cocktail and we both ordered the Mussel, Shrimp & Sausage Pasta. I'm not one to order pasta at restaurants, but it was delicious. I omitted my sausage, thinking they might bulk up on mussels and shrimp, but no. The shrimp were huge, while the mussels were on the small side, but were still very tasty. They have bread that they bring out before your entree. Wow. I could have eaten soooo much more of that bread. They have oil on the table which is a nice touch. Overall, I would definitely dine there again. In regards to the reviews on the people there- yes, the Real Housewives of Oakland County hang out there. To go even further, there was a woman with her two purse dogs eating in the restaurant. I was a little suprised that they let her in the restaurant with her two dogs. She had them in her purse, and sat them on a chair in the restaurant. They were obviously not "service" dogs. But, I guess when you have bucko bucks, they will let you do anything.
(4)Henry B.
This place has an amazing lobster roll. Worth the $20 at least once to try. The burger here is so good that ketchup and mustard ruin the taste. It needs no condiments. It's good as-is. I really like the vibe of the outdoor area. It's outdoor yet shaded. The kind of people during lunchtime on a weekday would be the Real Housewives of Oakland County. So there's us in t-shirts talking about Yelp and Twitter and them in Chanel talking about charity auctions and dudes named Brad.
(4)Claire D.
The service was good, the food was good and the atmosphere was charming. There was an hour and a half wait for an outside table so we sat inside and there was plenty of room at our four person table with big comfy leather chairs. (They take lunch reservations, but not dinner.) The restaurant had been talked up a lot before I got there so I think we all had high expectations - but the food was good. it wasn't earth-shattering or anything but it was good. If anything, the atmosphere is what would bring me back.
(3)Lara B.
I have only ordered the Frisee Salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato) with a crab cake on it. I have been here probably ten times- the salad just hits the spot! I have heard that they have a great burger. However, I go to Red Coat if I am craving a burger. I have nibbled on my husband's lamb chops and those were tasty too. I have only eaten outside (great area, fireplace rarely on though, maybe I come too early) but think the inside is VERY well done. The floor plan is a little odd, but great decor.
(4)Steve C.
The atmosphere was nice The food was great although I thought the portions were a bit small, and it took a long time to receive our food. If I was on a lunch hour I don't think I would of had time to eat we were there for lunch on the patio. Our server I think her name was Nicky asked if we were ready to order she did not offer any specials we had to ask if there were any- there was. I only gave it 2 stars For the mediocre service which I expect better in a place for the price and the long wait for food But the food was wonderfully so I will give this place another shot, next time for dinner
(2)S N.
Stopped in for dessert and coffee. Overrated. After reading so many good reviews we were excited to check it out. Ordered the chocolate cake and cappuccino. Cap arrived fairly quick, spoons for the cake arrived a minute later. Unfortunately the cake arrives about 15-20 minutes later. I thought they were baking it from scratch! When it did come it was cold and looked to have just been pulled from the cooler. Very disappointing. The cake was dressed up nice w a teeny scoop of choc ice cream and some dripping of choc syrup across the plate. Problem for $9 I would have expected something other than a tiny little pepperidge farms grocery store bought slice (no joke). We chuckled when we saw it. The restaurant should be embarrassed for serving something like that and charging so much for it. Another guest was pretty upset that one of the servers was walking by tables and had an uncontrollable cough. The server would just cough straight ahead and barely cover her mouth. Wasn't sure if we would need hazmat suits to eat there! :) The other diner basically let it be known to the manager that she was very upset with the coughing near guests tables like that. (We couldn't help but over hear her and she certainly expressed everything we were thinking as well). The manager seemed to handle the situation well with the guest, but would have been nicer if the server wasn't on the floor or near food with such a bad cough. The outdoor fireplace is pretty nice and the outdoor seating is pretty nice. The only other issue is that the restaurant staff seems to have a little hang out area just to the left of the fireplace area and in the parking structure that they use for their nicotine breaks (again could not help but notice that as well, ugh!) If they want to present this upscale atmosphere and high end menu/prices- at least keep it classy and get this behavior out of sight of the guests. In the end a not so great experience, unfortunately because I had been looking forward to this place and this first stop was just going to be a quick test run before a full scale dinner outing.
(1)Elizabeth C.
My husband and I dined her for dinner on a Saturday night recently. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was really nice and was a great atmosphere. However, the service was average or slightly below average. Before ordering the Chicken Paillard I asked the waitress what kind of sauce was in the dish- was it a white wine sauce or was it cream based...she had no idea what was in the sauce. She said she would check for me and let me know but did not come back for so long to tell me that I'm sure our order was almost already made by that point. The Chicken Paillard had no flavor at all. We also had the calamari appetizer which was average at best, very deep fried, not much flavor. My husband did enjoy his steak but the mashed potatoes on the side also had little flavor. I might go back to have a drink on the patio because the atmosphere was nice but we both agreed we would not go back for dinner.
(2)Gina S.
Ok, so I've had lunch here once, so take my review for what it's worth. . . Saw the good yelp reviews, so we checked it out. Really good food, probably 4.5 or 5 stars for the food. 1.5 stars for price. My lunch was a salad with beets, goat cheese, and some cheap cut of steak (although tasty, just sayin' not a filet or anything)...$20. And it was pretty small. I ate the whole thing and could have easily had more. And I usually doggy-bag food at restaurants. 1.5-2 stars for ambience/atmosphere attitude. Classic ladies who lunch and their daughters who are way to big for their britches at 23 years old. Pretty uncomfortable, actually. I grew up in a snobby town similar to Bham but this was over the top even for what I am used to. I think the icing on the snobby cake was the service. Basically, the server was a i-atch. No smiles whatsoever. I'm sure she thought she should have been the one lunching with her 2-pound dog on her lap while I served her. (Blond, 40s-ish gal, don't remember her name, but hello owner if you are reading this! You know who she is.) Also EXTREMELY slow service. It is weekday lunch. My salad (with steak or not) should not take 30 minutes. The decor is way over the top, way too trying-to-be-fancy-and-rich looking for my taste. (think grape vine tapestries and lots of different upholstery patterns,dark wood, weird marbled mirror) I doubt I will be back.
(2)Jess T.
Coming from Southern California I am very sad to not have as many patio choices here in Michigan. I understand that the patio doesn't get used for about half the year making it unpractical to devote the space for it. Well thank goodness there are places like Cafe Via to give me my outdoor warm sun fix. We were seated in the patio that is covered enough so that you don't have to be in direct sunlight. There were multiple servers covering the area as well as a runner to bring out food and clear tables. The crab cake appetizer with a corn salad was ridiculously good. I always think of overly breaded crab cakes with barely any crab when I think about crab cake. I don't know why - just from reading about others bad experiences I guess. Well every time I have good crab cakes, I'm always amazed at how good it is! Usually appetizers come with a side that is supposed to compliment but almost always falls flat - this was not the case with the fresh corn salad. It was light and crispy and had a hint of tangy from vinegar that made it a perfect contrast to the crab cake. The chocolate creme brûlée was the special dessert of the night, once I heard that I knew I needed to save room for dessert! It did not disappoint either. I have always been a chocolate cake fan - but I think I have been converted to team cream brûlée. The prices are a little on the higher side - but well worth it! The perfect place to have dinner or lunch before going to the movies.
(4)Thomas M.
- The Spago of Downtown Birmingham ripped from a page in a Bret Easton Ellis novel? ... The atmosphere and crowd here are definitely snobby "Housewives of Oakland County" (to agree with one reviewer).... the food, however, isn't on that Wolfgang Puck leve
(3)Harleen K.
Would get a 5 rating if not for the service. Started out with homemade sausage, brussel spouts and crab cakes. All were pretty good, but crab cakes were exceptional. I had the ravioli, which I liked although it came with a creamy sauce that I thought was a little unusual. Others in the party enjoyed the salmon and trout. Beef tenderloin was very tender with good flavor. One person had the halibut and felt it was flavorless and a little dry. Sat on the patio where there was a fireplace. Indoors the decor is warm and inviting- great ambiance Our waitress was nice, however, very slow.
(4)Michelle D.
The food is ok and so is the atmosphere. Good service but the menu was a little disappointing. We decided to all share appetizers between the five of us. The stand outs were the crab cakes, the brussels sprouts, and the Bolognaise. The truffle fries were pretty good but the sliders, calamari, and the house made sausage were ok. The desserts were sweet and delicious. The Death by Chocolate was very chocolatey and the ice cream was a good addition to lighten it up. I really enjoyed the Mango Coconut dessert. It had bits of cake and chocolate crumbs with raspberries and half discs of mango. Overall for the prices, I expected more from the food. The food that was good was memorable enough but the other items were not even close to the standards I had going in. Maybe the entrees would have been a better choice.
(3)Frank T.
What a find! A beautiful little Italian restaurant in Birmingham. Soft woods and elegant warm and private. The seafood pasta was one of he best ever. Be sure to park behind the restaurant
(5)NaTasha R.
Ok so ATMOSPHERE wonderful, customer service equally fantastic.. They asked us to move due to their mis calculation of seating with a larger party but they more than made up for it with offering free alcoholic beverages & every appetizer on the menu for our party of 6! So I hate to give them three stars but thats the only reason why I'm giving the 3 because the food was quite bland.. So like i said we had every appetizer & the ones I was able to try (dietary restrictions) i was not impressed... my seafood entree was bland & a bit overcooked, the pureed veggie which I referred to as baby poo poo all night taste like Gerbers... But hey the drinks were good.. If in the neighborhood i would stop by to seat outside or at the bar for a drink & a BASIC no frill appetizer..
(3)Cassie N.
Cafe Via should read their yelp reviews and work on their clear weaknesses. I agree with others that service is sporadic and fluctuates btw negligent and good. Salad was wilted and over-dressed it Bolognese is excellent as is their tomato soup! This place should work on their consistency and it could be excellent.
(3)Martin H.
Good atmosphere, good service, good food. Our party tried a number of menu items and all were well prepared.
(4)Beth T.
We had a party of 7, and the food was delicious. The service, however, was appalling. We dined here on several occasions and usually the service is extremely professional but tonight the waitress was clearly somewhere else. Very disappointing as it was my mom's 86th birthday celebration.
(3)Olivia D.
The herb frites are to die for and the tomato provencale is filling yet refreshing. The prices are out of my student budget but I wouldn't mind coming once in a while. My only complaint was that the service was slow for a Wednesday afternoon, not terribly slow but enough to notice since there weren't many people eating there at the time.
(4)Lizzy N.
My husband and I recently dined at the restaurant for lunch and we both thought the menu was lackluster. Nothing was really standout and neither was the service. Since it was lunch during the week it was slow and our waiter was not attentive. We ordered the mussels app and beverages.. the waiter had no clue what beers they had, none on tap. He had to check and get back to us. He took our app order and asked if we would like bread. He never came back with the bread. We ordered our meals which arrived in a timely manner. I ordered the pot pie and my husband the chicken paillard. The crust for the pot pie was premade I believe because it was not attached to the pot pie. So it was a crust that I could remove on top then the pot pie filling on the inside of the bowl. My husbands chicken was just blah, nothing over the moon. We had to ask for a water refill. For dessert we ordered the hazelnut cheesecake which took about 15 minutes to cut and present.... I mean come on, for a slow lunch during the week? Underwhelming overall.
(2)Melinda Y.
Grew up in the area, but haven't been back in 10 years. Met friends and wasn't impressed. Liked the atmosphere. Service good. Food average. Had a house salad and the Halibut. The fish was overcooked. My friend sent her dish back because it was overcooked. It was also VERY salty. Might go back, but wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Naomi W.
Fabulous meal! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere (its beautiful), food and service. The photos they have on yelp don't do it justice...very elegant and romantic. Everyone working there from John the bartender, our server Noah and the hostesses were personable and attentive. My filet was wonderful and the butterscotch pudding was delicious. Loved it!
(5)John F.
This is a great spot. Very comfortable for lunch and the service is great. Solid menu. We hade the burger and it was excellent. Overall a very nice experience and we will certainly be coming back.
(4)AndrewSumi G.
Today we decided to go there for lunch. We had heard good things so decided to give it a try. We were happy to sit outside on the patio and thought the setting was very cute. However, it took forever for the waiter to come to us. Finally the hostess that had sat us decided to bring us water and apologized for the waitress. When our waitress finally came to us she seemed unsure about the menu and specials when we asked questions. We got the beet salad with crab cake and the lamb soup special for appetizers. The beet salad was pretty good, it had good flavor and was light on dressing. However, the soup was quite salty. Then for entrees we got the mac and cheese with chicken and the Chicken Paillard. The Mac and cheese was kind of dry with not enough cheese and really not enough flavor at all. The chicken Paillard was also extremely unflavorful. In fact, after we took one bite of the entrees we asked for the check. We later took the meals home and cooked them again with some more flavoring to better fit our palates. For the price of the meal we were definitely expecting better! Will definitely not be going back.
(2)Clara H.
Beautiful night on the patio by the fireplace tonight
(3)Angela R.
Wow. What a disappointment. Very, very, very slow service. Had a coffee but never got a refill. Wanted a condiment but the server didn't come back to check on the table until we were 90% finished with the meal. Someone at our table had to go to the bar to get a refill on her soda! Food was ok. Nothing worth typing about. Decor is great but that is about it. Still hungry and spent $80 with tip on two entrees (one being a salad) and one drink.
(2)Assaf Z.
We didnt enjoy it all. small portions , the food was served cold, and we didnt felt anything special with the food. Not worth the price.
(2)Daniel S.
Thought I would give it a second try. Had been here before and the food was awesome but the service was so so. Have to say that they really stepped up their game. The service was 5 star, and the food did not disappoint. Went for lunch, loved, loved the patio. We'll be back!
(4)Johnny B.
We have never been disappointed here- the food is always on point and the bartender Jerry is clever and attentive. You simply must try it out!
(5)Robin S.
Went for a few glasses of wine and appetizers on the patio with a friend after work. The service was so bad! Slow returning to the table to take order. I had to ask busboy passing by the table to get our server. When she returned we ordered another glass of wine and appetizers but what we should have done is asked for the check!! Poor service! Bad food! No return!!
(1)Missy O.
The Brussels sprouts were to DIE for!! Good wine list and friendly diners. Not to be missed!!
(4)Kellie H.
Where should I start, cafe via is one of my favorite down town spots. Their burger is second to none, with the pickled onions, grilled tomato, and garlic alioli mayo makes this burger my absolute favorite. Their fries match the burger: exceptional. The only thing better than their burger is John the bar tender he's always there with a friendly smile and a strong drink. I'd recommend cafe via to everyone!
(5)Darin L.
Can I give a negative star? After looking forward to going there and hearing good things, it was not merely a let down but a disaster. Although dinner started with a very nice bottle of wine, it went down hill fast. Along with the wine came fruit flies. Even though we were sitting inside, we were bombarded by fruit flies all night long. They were in the glasses and all around the table. The Zingerman's burratta of course was good, but that was from Zingerman's. They could not get my main course correct. I ordered my steak medium. When the steak arrived, it was rare, so rare my plate was filled with blood. The waitress tried to tell me medium is pink. I showed her my steak and the blood were red. She took it back. Since no side was listed on the menu, I ordered a goat cheese side, which never came (someone obviously forgot to make it). By the time the server came back to see how things were going, I just canceled the side and asked that they reheat my steak. When they brought back my steak, it appeared to be a new piece, so I was pleased they did not dry out my old one. The problem, however, it was medium rare and still not medium. I ate the edges. When the bill came, I looked to see if I was charged for the goat cheese, thankfully I was not, but I was charged $20 more for the wine than was listed in the menu. Wanting to make sure I did not misread the menu, I went to the hostess and confirmed the $20 over charge, so even the nice bottle of wine I mentioned earlier was messed up in the end. We will never go back. It was a terrible experience all around.
(1)Chelsea A.
Another of my fav salad spots, the Frisee salad here is magnificent. A lemony vin dressing over fresh frisee, topped with an egg over easy. I add rare tederloin but the salmon is also nice. Last week I ordered the herb omlette with spinach, gaot cheese and tomato compote, and added salmon. It was GRAET. I adore the patio here, its very cozy, complete with a fireplace. I really enjoy how its heated and enclosed on cooler days. The interior of Cafe Via is beautiful, very much my style. Ecclectic and comfortable. A regular lunch spot. If you like bubbly, the Cafe Via brut is very nice.
(4)Barb H.
I really liked dining here 5 yrs. ago but yesterday was a real disappointment. We waited over an hour for our food and were given every excuse in the book...computer down, ran out of hash, etc. The only accommodation was taking off the soup, which was late too. We won't be returning.
(2)Sheila A.
Ambiance was very nice except that one of the four tables seated in our room was exceptionally boisterous which made it difficult for us to have a conversation. Our dinners were well prepared and presented. Our server was not on top of things and made no effort to make us feel welcome. Most disappointing of all, unbeknownst to us, our 3 children who live in 3 different states had made the dinner reservation and given a credit card to cover whatever we ordered that evening. When we asked for our check, our waitress read, "Happy Anniversary, (the three children's names)....and walked away. Normally, restaurants send some semblance of a celebratory dessert for special occasions...and this was a very special occasion for us!! No acknowledgment of our anniversary was a major misstep in our opinion--not that we were not served a dessert, but that the restaurant neglected to recognize a special celebration. Our guest said she would never go back as a result of this. She was especially disappointed as she had recommended this restaurant to our children for our special anniversary celebration...which they could not travel to help celebrate. That major oversight leads me to give Cafe Via this low rating.
(2)Raquel S.
Very posh place. Excellent decor. My coworker and I went straight after work so we were dressed a like bit business casual and when we got there we felt under dresses but they didn't give us a hard time at all and we didn't have a reservation. Good food. A little on the pricey side but hey you're in Birmingham..soo.
(4)M S.
We found Cafe Via when we got a bit lost which is a bit laughable but a happy accident. My friends and I really enjoyed our early dinner here. The ambiance is elegant but not stuck up and the covered heated patio is just a beautiful thing for (impending) spring. The crab cake appetizer was excellent - I felt I would happily have ordered a few of them as an entree. We had variations of salad with salmon vs steak, and all were polished off. My husband had the rather sizeable burger, which he liked. Our serves were helpful. The menu may benefit from a few more options, but a great place overall for a romantic or special meal with family or friends. Recommended.
(4)Gabi M.
Straight off the plane, my dad dropped us off to meet our friends Sean and Christina at Cafe Via tonight around 8:15. We met them at the bar and enjoyed a couple of much needed libations. We enjoyed the bartender's heavy pour while we caught up with our friends... The restaurant was packed - nice to see on a Thursday night in Birmingham! Great service all around... we waited to get a table outside - it was worth it as the weather was pleasant outside (unlike the 106 degrees it is currently in AZ!) I continued with white wine and the others shared a bottle of red. We started with a caprese appetizer as well as crab cake and mussels. The mussels were on the small side but all were extremely tasty. I went with the halibut entree as did Sean. It was good - not amazing. Perhaps a bit on the bland side. I did enjoy the gnocchi that came on the side. Jared and Christina loved their goat cheese ravioli entrees. I had a bite and could tell right away why - go with that when you go for sure! Overall, we had a pleasant experience at Cafe Via... I am a fan although I'll probably visit some other dining destination in Michigan before returning for more.
(4)Ellen N.
My husband and I were in Birmingham and decided to try this place for brunch. Everything was fantastic! He had the pumpkin waffle and side order of grits. I had the pomegranate French toast. After one bite of the grits and was in heaven! The service was attentive and hospitable. The decor met my expectations and then some. I would definitely take family and friends there for a meal. Make sure to go on an empty stomach as the portions are very generous. Excellent quality food and well worth the price.
(5)Red Arrow D.
They nay be dig friendly but our waiter wasn't. Our service was less then desired for the atmosphere and price point. My meal would've been more enjoyable had the staff taken an interest in taking care of us.
(2)Stephanie C.
I agree with Henry B. The crowd matches its swanky downtown Birmingham ladies who lunch address but I didn't feel out of place. The patio tables are completely worth the wait in good weather for lunch or dinner. I'd recommend the Lobster Roll or the Beet Salad for lighter fare. During a recent visit with a friend we wandered in with cups of tea from a nearby coffee shop and earned questionable looks from our server. It was a snap decision to grab a few appetizers. Beyond that, though, the waitstaff was friendly, attentive and helpful. And the food was delicious. Cafe Via's unusual architecture offers some interesting private dining options inside as well, which might be suitable for a special event or occasion. I've been back a few times and am happy to have this tasty, upscale option in downtown Birmingham -close to work, shopping and home.
(4)Daniel G.
This is a perfect example of upper class and pseudo upper class trying to see and be seen. The food is really not very good at all. The burgers are pretty decent but thats about it. Beer selection is just horrible, wine is very average. Service has always been great at he bar with bar tender Mitch (try his mango mojito) but my only other experience sitting in dining room the server was confused and had no problem sharing his personal issues with the table. Over priced and pretentious with little food quality to back it up.
(2)Renee Y.
Charming restaurant in Birmingham-- combo of bistro and fine dining. I love the patio area most (unfortunately used less than half the year due to Michigan's long winters--boo!). I've ate here several times and always happy with both the food and service. Love the tomato bisque (comes with a yummy little grilled cheese thin), the crab cake appetizer, the frisee salad (fried egg, bacon, tomato), the lobster roll, and really love the burger (in my opinion rivals Red Coat)!
(5)Jon T.
I'm a recovering Birminghamite...I moved from metro Detroit a little over a year ago and hadn't had the chance to check this place out until recently. Cafe Via has a nice vibe, somewhere between old school, upscale restaurant and 'Cheers' where everyone knows your name kind of place. And their patio is really nice. Just be prepared to wait because it is definitely frequented by a ton of regulars and the even if you include the patio, it's still on the small side. The food was good, as was the service. I wanted to give this place 4 stars but it seemed like something was lacking. Kinda one of those things you can't always identify but you can feel. Menu-wise, I would have liked to have seen another couple entrees...maybe another steak choice besides tenderloin. If I had to sum it up, it feels like Cafe Via settled. They aren't trying to be much different from the other places in town, rather it's easier to be one of the gang and just ride their coattails. I guess this is why it's just 'A-OK'. I'd definitely go back...next time though, I'd skip the food and just chill in the bar with a cocktail. This way, you still get to people watch and catch up with the Bham goings-on without having to settle on the food.
(3)Lizzy B.
Nice, small menu; good atmosphere inside and outdoors. Recommended! I just had my third good meal at Cafe Via, so I think I'm qualified to write a review! I had been hearing about this place for a while, since one of our favorite hosts from 220 mentioned that she was going to be working at a new place, Cafe Via. The food is pretty good, but first let's talk about parking and finding the place. Cafe Via is tucked into the south side of Maple (15 Mile) between Woodward and Old Woodward. There's metered street parking, and two parking garages immediately behind the restaurant (access on Peabody St, the south bypass route). The closer structure indicates that it's for Cafe Via parking, but it's cheaper if you go to the structure 20 ft further down Peabody (the structure you'd park in for the Birmingham 8 Theater), since the first 2 hours are free. The entrance to the restaurant is tucked in a walkway that runs south off Maple, then turns east, heading out to Peabody St. If you're on Peabody St., in front of The Great Frame up, you're basically looking at the path you take. Of course, you can walk around to Maple, but I know you want to sneak in the back way. The inside of the restaurant is divided into smaller rooms; it feels like being in someone's [very nice] library. The room in front is actually one table in a flower shop that closes at night. While it's nice to have a room to yourseslf, it sort of feels like you're in a display window on Maple - because you are. It's a little drafty. There's also a large outdoor seating area along that back walkway; there aren't any nice views, but at least it's quiet, and you're not sitting on Maple. There's an outdoor fireplace, and heat lamps for chilly evenings. I've eaten dinner here twice - once for restaurant week and once on the regular menu - and lunch once. During restaurant week, the roast chicken was good enough that I ordered it again later, off the regular menu. The second time, it was a little too salty, but still delicious. Crispy skin, moist chicken, served on a hill of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, with a few stalks of asparagus alongside. Mmm! My friend had sea bass on a potato cake with a "melted tomato". That was also excellent, and not as salty as mine. But it was served as one of those stacked towers of food; that throws me a little, since I usually make such a mess of it. If you're coming for lunch or dinner, I suggest a reservation. We showed up for dinner, 2 people at 9:15pm on a Tuesday, and had to wait about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a wait after 9pm on a Tuesday?? For lunch, 3 people at 12:15 on a Wednesday, we were seated immediately, outdoors. There were plenty of tables indoors, but it looked like we snagged one of the last tables outside. During lunch, the crowd is local business people, and some ladies who lunch. Late dinner included a lot of Europeans, including some rather loud Italian ladies at the next table. Like most places in Birmingham, this is what I'd call sharp casual - anything from neat jeans to suits is the order of business.
(4)Rose P.
Great service, good food, though the menu is a little small. My friend who went there with me is a vegetarian and she was pretty limited in what she could order.
(4)Shane B.
Cafe Via is a great spot to enjoy a night when hanging in Birmingham. A great wine list and some really killer food. The burger rivals Red Coat, and is one of the best I have ever had. Great atmosphere, in a cool setting. The bar, though small, is always lively and good people watching is at hand. They have a nice outdoor seating area with a faux fireplace and it is a great place to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Cafe Via is pretty good. I would come here again, especially when it's warm out--there's outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Anyway, my boss--who loves to eat (that's why we're kindred spirits!)--wanted to try this place out today and who am I to turn down free lunch? Right. So we go here at lunchtime and there's a 1/2 hour wait! I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, especially for a new restaurant. I can deal with waiting for a bit because I enjoy the ambiance of a busy restaurant and kind of hate dining in an empty restaurant. Empty restaurants give me the creeps! We decided to eat at the bar in lieu of waiting for a non-bar table to open up. Before sitting down at the bar, we took a look around at the restaurant and you know what? I really like the way they (whoever "they" are) decorated the place--particularly the floor to ceiling book shelves filled with...wait for it...books (aside: I'm not sure if the books were real--they kind had a fake look to them). Bonus points for high ceilings and good lighting, too! p.s. don't you just hate harsh, offensive lighting?! I know I do. As for the food--not the best I've had but pretty good! I had the grilled flatbread sandwich with brie, tomato and arugula and a glass of cab. It was good, but didn't knock my socks off. For dessert I had chocolate creme brulee and it was pretty awesome (but I've never met a creme brulee that I didn't like). The bartender was cool--he was attentive without being overly-attentive, know what I mean? Struck up a little bit of conversation (as a good bartender should) but knew when to leave us alone. Overall, good place. I would come here again.
(4)Sarah M. B.
Ok, first tip...if it's nice out and you want to eat on the patio-get there at 6pm(when they start taking names) and get your name on the list...we got there at 6:05 and weren't seated until 7:40, which is ok-we were expecting that. Our table was ok...of course my view of one of Birmingham's many fine parking structures, wasn't exactly what I wanted to look at, but whatever... We had apps. elsewhere due to the wait, which led us to ordering entrees right off that bat. Now, the menu is small and limited-literally, like a cafe...you aren't going to find a laundry list of options on apps, salads, soups, etc. Entrees cover the basics, beef, chicken and fish... I had the pan roasted haibut and really enjoyed it...served with a light butter sauce and gnocchi and fava beans(which I love) ...I am glad I enjoyed it because for 24 or so bucks, I would have been pissed. Texture was good and it was a high quality fish. My hubby had the uber delicious short ribs...tender and flavorful with a sauce that complemented the meat perfectly without overpowering it. Nice wine list and heavy pours....since we ate some of the complimentary bread, we were too full for dessert, althou what I saw come out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Now, with booze and such, you aren't going to get out of here for under 30 a person unless you order very carefully....2 entrees and I think we each had a glass of wine ran us in the 80 dollar range....attire is in between casual and dressy...I mean you don't have to be wearing a dress and tie, but don't go in there with old jeans(dress jeans, ok and a nicer top) and a wings tshirt... I will for sure go back, but probably wouldn't have it on a MUST HAVE NOW list...check it out, and enjoy the patio before winter is back....
(4)Kathryn L.
This place is amazing!! Food is delicious! I always get a salad of some kind and everything tastes fresh and gourmet. The service is excellent. Ambiance is nice as well; we usually sit outdoors and there is a fireplace and a patio area out there; very chic. If you go, make sure to get the bread basket. Their breads and oils are the best!!
(5)Em H.
This was my first time eating at Cafe Via and it will be my last. The waitress was apathetic and not friendly. The $20 caprese salad consisted of some quartered tomatoes that were not fresh and had dirt on them, placed next to a hunk of cheese. My boyfriend said his Sea Bass was the worst he has ever had. I would go to Mitchell's or to Sweet Lorraine's if you are looking for quality food and service. Yes, the patio is beautiful, but that does not make up for all the other shortcomings. I have eaten at Roast, London Chophouse, Forest Grill and all the other fine eateries in the Detroit area. This restaurant needs to shape up! The only reason I am giving two stars rather than one is because the waitress took the salad off the bill.
(2)Heather L.
I have been wanting to try Cafe Via forever and finally got the opportunity during Birmingham Restaurant Week. First off, I love restaurant week, a 3 course lunch for $15 is such a fabulous way to try a new restaurant. I had the Tomato Bisque-very good and I loved the little grilled cheese thin that came it. This is terrible but I absolutely cannot remember which salad I had-I have sat here staring at the menu but it just does not jog my memory. I chose the pot roast sandwich, not a usual pick for me, but I was STARVING when I got there. The meal and the service were good and I really loved the different little rooms-a great place for a special or more intimate lunch or dinner. I can't wait to eat out in the beautiful courtyard this summer.
(4)Steven L.
This is an ideal café that I have to stop at any time I am in Birmingham. It allows me to show another city that I am important. If one sees me on the street in this little city, they might not know how important I am, but when they see me eating here, they fully understand my importance. Places like this have to exist so the elite (like myself) can be free to be ourselves. The poor of the world would never eat here, so it is perfect, not like some upscale restaurants where the poor eat to feel important. For this, Café Via, I proudly thank you.
(5)Lori D.
This restaurant is lovely. The wood and cozy atmosphere can be rated a 5 for sure. A great place to go on a first date because it was quiet and intimite restaurant. The little patio would be a great place to eat on a nice day. I gave Cafe Via three stars though, mainly because of the food. It was very good, but very pricey. I had the Osso Bucco that was about $34. It was wrapped in fatty bacon, which I had to unroll and was kind of unappealing. The taste of the Osso Bucco was good, however. My husband had the prime rib special, which he was very please with and it was pretty pricey as well. Our friends had the trout and the salmon and seemed satishfied with their meals. Everying is ala carte, so bring your wallet! The service was good, our server was very nice and polite and came back to check on us offen. I would certainly return if they had a Groupon or some other discount. The best was the desserts! If you are already paying about $60pp for dinner, might as well make it $70pp and bring a friend!
(3)Jennifer R.
What an experience. I'd been dying to try this place to see what all the buzz was about, and it made an unmistakable impression, both good and bad (mostly good). With its beautiful courtyard seating, Cafe Via's capacity must double in the summertime, which makes it a draw, and also a potentially long wait. My first attempt at eating here on a weekend resulted in a quoted 2-hour wait at 8 p.m., so that didn't fly. When two girlfriends & I wanted to give it another go on a pleasant Friday evening, I was smart and put our name in in person at 6:30, hoping to be seated at 7/7:30. The very pleasant hostess called my cell phone before 7:00 and gave us a great table on the patio, right near the fireplace. Stopping by in person made a huge difference, as it was a mob scene around 8:00 and it looked like it was taking forever to get a table at that point. And what a scene it was! I saw no less than four different couples I knew and everyone was in the mood to mix & mingle. I loved the atmosphere and the yummy cucumber/absolut/lime/ginger ale cocktails I was drinking. While the service was knowledgeable and friendly enough, it was SOOO SLOW, and not in a slow-food kind of way, but in a "did the server forget us?" kind of way. Note to Cafe Via--if you ever want to turn tables, you might do yourselves a favor and try taking an order before the guests have to hunt you down to place it themselves!! That said, we were actually fine with the long wait, since we came to catch up and linger anyway. The wait we were less OK with was the wait for the single bathroom...what were they thinking? When my girlfriend went later in the night, the women had overtaken both the men's and the women's rooms to speed things along. On to the food, I LOVED my entree...pan roasted halibut with a light buttery, herbal sauce served with gnocchi, spring peas & fava beans. I would order it again in a heartbeat. My friends were less effusive about their entrees (salmon & whitefish), so I don't know if the food is across-the-board amazing, but my experience was awesome. My recommendation? Go in person to reserve a good table early, order the cucumber cocktails & the halibut, and sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace and the well-heeled crowd. It's an experience to savor.
(4)Laura B.
My husband and I enjoyed this resturant one day as we were walking around the city. The food was very, very good and the service was very attentive. The menu constantly changes which is lovely, and everything really is quite tasty and well prepared. The atmosphere is what I love most about this place. It is very cozy and comfortable.
(5)Gabriel W.
Overpriced, awful clientèle, unpleasant employees...
(1)Matt C.
Great feel to this place. Sat outside--was surprisingly comfortable given the warm temperature. Every staff person was welcoming and kind. Waitress had good knowledge of menu and was helpful in making recommendations. Food hit the spot--just what we expected. Only thing I wasn't wild about: a television in the outside dining area--didn't expect that given the overall vibe of the place. Would like to check this out for lunch--I've heard good things about the lunch menu.
(4)Wessam H.
Where do I begin? The ambiance was great. The service was awesome. The food was beyond words. Being a frequent visitor of fine restaurants in the metro-detroit area, I know my food. After deciding to order a dish that I normally don't eat my entree arrived and never will I be the same again. This was one of the best meals I have ever ate. Forget the fact that I wasn't hungry and had eaten two hours before my arrival. Forget the fact that I am not a big Lamb chop fan. Had I not been in public I would have literally licked the plate clean. This was the only time I have ever asked to speak to the chef personally. I had to thank him for bestowing such an amazing dish (scratch that) such an incredible work of culinary art. We were the last to leave and everyone waited for us with smiles on their faces. My only regret is I do not make enough money to dine there every night for the rest of my life. My compliments to the staff, the manager, the owner and last, but certainly not the least, the chef
(5)Tinker B.
Everything is always done with perfection and the staff is wonderful. The atmosphere is great. Quite overpriced but comfortable.
(5)paul c.
I revisited Cafe Via last Saturday evening. Dinner was superb-again.. It had been 6 months since my last dining experience here and I can easily say this is my favorite place to dine in metro Detroit now. The staff genuinely cares about making your dining experience the best it can be-there is no pomposity or arrogance as found at other places . The crab cake appetizer was the best ever- the beet salad, lamb chops,and filet with melted bleu cheese were also thoroughly enjoyed by our group. The ambiance and total experience is one any restaurant serious about overall excellence should try to emulate.
(5)