The appetizers were filled with surprises--spiked grapes in the spears of endive, a beignet cooked in duck fat, with one sliver of duck to provide protein. The demi-glace on the steak is cooked for 48 hours and transforms the hangar steak into a dish for...a king. Best of all were the wines. The house is determined to provide the wine that you find to your liking and is generous with tastes. I thanked the dishwasher who polished all those generously proffered glasses.More
What a great experience, exceeded our expectations all around. This small restaurant has seating indoors, and in warmer weather on a patio adjacent to the water. We chose a third option, a 2 person 5 course chefs whim menu at a private chefs table, and...what a treat! The dining room is very attractive and the restaurant prides themselves on a curated wine selection. They do offer spirits, but not mixed cocktails. The owner greeted and welcomed us, as did the chefs. The chefs warned us that although the menu said 5 courses, they get carried away and likely it would be more like 7. As it turns out, we had 9 courses and spent more than 3 hours. Chef's Paul and Jon were thoroughly engaging and it was fun to see their talent create beautiful plates. Time flies by when you are eating great food in the hands of talented chefs. Service was excellent. I won't go into every course here, and I certainly don't want to ruin any surprises, but they do ask about any allergies, preferences, etc... They then customize a menu for you using some of the ingredients on the standard menu for the evening, but switched up and unique for us. Portions were properly sized so we did not leave over filled, but you will be very satisfied. Dishes were expertly prepared and truly eclectic. We started with a green garlic soup, and moved on to a sea trout crudo. The next dish was crispy octopus which was outstanding. While you do need a bit of an adventurous spirit for this, I have every confidence that they would work with even the pickiest of eaters to ensure a wonderful dinner. Of course, the regular menu is also available if not at the chefs table. Make a reservation and try this out, you won't be let down.More
Amazing, creative, delicious food! We all got different dishes and everything was incredible. The duck and the agnolotti were SO good but, honestly, everything was fantastic. And the staff was so friendly and helpful. It’s a must-do in Exeter.
We were visiting friends in Exeter, NH, and they suggested dinner at Vino e Vivo. That was a wonderful idea. Everything was amazing. Chef Paul is a culinary genius. Looking forward to another fantastic meal on our next visit.
We love this place and visit often. The chef is very talented and obviously take a lot of pride in his food. The staff is great at helping you choose the perfect wine for your meal. Very friendly and attentive staff, with great food and...wine - what more can you ask for? How about special events ("Flights and Bites") where a winery representative comes in to share their wines and tell you more about them, while the chef pairs a small plate with each wine? We love this place!More
We were walking by and they could accommodate us for a quick snack.Were we ever surprise the food was outstanding, we bought a bottle of wine to go and will be returning again.
We visited this delightful find for the first time Saturday night. It is small and intimate, warmly decorated and cozy. The wine selection was varied and interesting. The locally sourced food offerings were intriguing. We had Charcuterie and cheese, a middle eastern beet and carrot...salad, roasted Brussels, scallops with cabbage and sun choke, and homemade pasta with fennel. Everything was prepared perfectly and the variety of flavor was amazing! The capper was the chocolate custard with homemade smoked vanilla ice cream. Our server was attentive and helpful. Can’t wait to go back!!!More
Food was very good but limited menu but that's OK because it's a wine bar and the wine and atmosphere were excellent. The owner did a great job renovating the dining room / kitchen and more importantly having an extensive list of good wines to...choose from all in downtown Exeter!More
We love this intimate restaurant with a wonderful and interesting menu. The chef creates unique, flavorful dishes. We ordered a blue cheese and apple bruschetta to start which was exceptional! From three entree choices, all sounded great. We finished with a molten chocolate dessert. Top...all the food off with a very nice wine list to select from. Overall, a nice evening out!More
Loved the experience. Great location, wonderful atmosphere, and superb design. Wine and food were outstanding.
We had a very fun evening at the bar chatting with people and having our meal. Food was excellent, very good wine list , nice decor and friendly staff. We were really glad that we stopped on our way through Exeter.
I’ve been there a couple of times. Love it! Small plates and a wonderful selection of wine in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The menu is limited, but delicious. Great service!
A small, cozy, warm place with great ambiance, only topped by their great wine selection. The food is also excellent. A wonderful place to have a quiet drink or interact with friends. Tony, the owner, is a perfect host.
Second visit here for the wine and a small but very fresh menu created by a young and talented chef. The bar is a magnet for locals and the service is warm and friendly. Options for half glasses of wine mean you can try many...different types. A great addition to the seacoast foodie scene just steps from the Squamscott River in the heart of downtown Exeter.More
I am a big wine guy, Tony the owner was on working the bar where we ate dessert and had a couple of good wines followed by Port. Small place but with a good wine selection. Tony was engaging and knowledgeable on the wines he...carries. Convenient in downtown, a little hard to see off the street as it is down an alleyway. Dessert Chef rocked a great chocolate cake, with a coffee gelato, it was a light cake piped with a nice cream. Will definitely go back.More