Viva Fernando

Doesn't Recommend

l337jacqui

Joined 2 years ago

Mold.. I'll just say why I gave this place two stars right away: there was mold on my dessert. I ordered the almond torte, and they served it to me with a nickel sized green mold chunk on the side of it. It was OBVIOUS in the dimly-lit dining room, so I have no idea how both the kitchen and our waitress missed this. It was HUGE and GREEN. I showed our waitress immediately and politely, and she whisked it away and brought out the dessert menu for me to re-pick, but I was so turned-off by that point, I didn't order anything else. She never apologized, and no one else who worked there did either, so I can only assume she told absolutely NO ONE about this incident. The owner of the restaurant came out to us at the beginning of the meal to chat (we had a group of 9 for a birthday party), so I would imagine he would have come out to apologize if he had known because he seemed like a nice guy.

Our waitress was also new, and sort of quick and rude with her responses when we asked specific questions about the meals. She clearly had no idea about the dishes, and made no effort to find out answers to our questions. She would just use "y'know..." a lot in her answers. For example, "Y'know...it's like a white fish" was specifically used. No, we don't know. That's why we're asking. This place is NOT cheap, and we were shocked about the mold at the end of our meal (especially because I'm pregnant and there is the possibility it could have killed my baby had I ingested it). Made me re-think everything I ate. Obviously, we will never be coming back.

Recommends

cheriebel

Joined 3 years ago

One of our favorites.... With an amazing array of choices on the menu this place is truly a great dining experience. Although I can agree with some previous reviews of some food being overcooked the simple solution is to simply clarify with your waiter how you like your food. They are incredibly accommodating, professional and friendly. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, a beautiful dining room and the bar area is always upbeat and interesting.

The absolute best however is the outdoor patio. Cannot be beat! Hidden away in a courtyard type setting this oasis should not be overlooked. Happy hour at its best!

My personal favorite...the seafood linguini 'portugese style' keeps me going back for more. Enjoy!

Doesn't Recommend

ItsFashionDahlingCards

Joined 4 years ago

DEFINITLEY NOT the same quality food as Viva Barcelona. We visited last night for my birthday with a group of 6 for dinner.

The last time we were at Viva Fernando was last August '09 and our experience was better and the food was a higher qualtiy. This place has definitely gone DOWN hill from that point in time. We used to LOVE eating at Viva Barcelona, at there on our wedding night and were sad to see it go. Along with the name went the recipes and quality. Portions are very small now. The size of the filet was laughable. The previously well-known stuffed mushroom caps are so small now and they are stuffed with a crabmeat "sludge" that is absolutely disgusting. Its a fishy tasting breadcrumb paste that resembles caulk. They apparently use this sludge on everything from the mushrooms to crabcakes to entrees. No crabmeat could be found... Menu is misleading. Two of us made the mistake of ordering crabmeat stuffed shrimp - shrimp - rubbery and instead of using actual crabmeat, they used this pasty sludge again. It is used for everything there! Could not get the taste out of my mouth for the entire night and was sick from it. Maybe it had passed over? or a Lake Erie dead carp was ground up in mine. VERY EXPENSIVE restaurant and quality of food has gone downhill tremendously. We MISS Viva Barcelona and the sister restaurant, Mallorca. NOT worth the money. NOT worth the upset stomach.

Doesn't Recommend

sals123

Joined 5 years ago

everything was over done.. Can not compare to it's Sister restuarant Mallorca. It doesn't have the spanish wait staff or the great service as it once did. the Food is way over priced and not as tasty as back a couple of years ago. Must be different cooks. I woul not recomend this restuarant. It has really gone down.

Recommends

baythoben

Joined 9 years ago

why is this place hyped?. Okay to be honest the service was excellent and the ambiance is nice. The wait staff was prompt, attentive and polite. But, the food was a major disappointment. I had the grilled shrimp. They were overcooked to the point of being dry and were also under spiced. My companion had the Paella ... that was a major disappointment --- the seafoods in the paella were all overcooked. I think the reason people like this place is that they serve very large proportions of red meat ..the prime rib looked really good .. but, I didnt go there for that.

Recommends

shuffer

Joined 11 years ago

Great choice!. As a frequent traveller I look for ways to expand my dining experience. This was an EXCELLENT choice the food was cooked perfectly. A great find! The seafood was a great choice.

Recommends

dejmlj

Joined 9 years ago

Viva is the BEST!. Viva Barcelona is wonderful. The service is fantastic and the food presentation is stupendous.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Unsurpassed white-glove treatment and Spanish courtesy by an attentive, informed wait staff.. A Romantic Refuge
Although Viva Barcelona fills the space left vacant by New York Spaghetti House, it appeals to a dissimilar clientele. Viva's dreamy ambiance attracts child-weary suburbanites, young lovers and silver-tongued Casanovas ordering wine by the bottle. Unlike its Warehouse District kissing cousin, Mallorca , here you'll find neither hordes of businessmen negotiating over cocktails nor stylish egotists hoping to get noticed while waiting at the bar.

The Menu
Point your palate in the right direction with a glass of velvety, affordable red wine, such as the Chilean los vacos sangiovese. For starters, try the meaty portabella mushroom cap in a subtle ajillo (that's garlic) sauce or the calamares fritos a la Espanola, fried squid harmonized with a peppered marinara; they're both good previews for the main event. Viva's seafood is exceptional, particularly the suprema de salmon rellena; the rich, buttery sauce intensifies the mouth-watering salmon without overwhelming it. Tender pork chop cutlets bathed in a zesty garlic sauce are a satisfying choice for the less daring. For the finale, skip the flan and dive into the decadently sinful chocolate-espresso mousse cheesecake crowned with real whipped cream.

Recommends

Josh_0077

Joined 11 years ago

Great service, food, and atmosphere. Wonderful restaurant. I just went there for my first time, and everything was exquisite. It has a treat for everyone's taste. I would recommend it to anyone.

Recommends

lindafrank13

Joined 11 years ago

Cruise ship treatment without the boat. Viva Barcelona is a restaurant you cannot pass up. The food is wonderful, the prices are great, and you could not ask for a better staff. Everyone there is so friendly and helpful that you feel like you are in an elegant restaurant on a first class cruise ship. The new outdoor patio is absolutely wonderful!