Vito’s Italian Ristorante and Wine Bar

 

Vito’s Scallops Florentine

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to check out a newish Italian joint on Hayes Street. I say “newish” because it’s not exactly brand spankin’ new. Vito’s has been on my radar for quite some time, ever since my friend Kelly tweeted about her fantastic lunch discovery a few months back.

Since seeing her tweet, I’ve heard several other people rave about the very economical $7 lunch buffet of pizzas, pasta, soup, and salad. Yet, despite that, I admit that I still have yet to try the buffet.

Instead, in my two visits there, my food has been made to order off the dinner menu.

And it was terrific.

 

Vito’s Caesar Salad

The Scallops Florentine appetizer is luscious. Creamy. Rich. The first time I had this dish, it was as the appetizer it is meant to be. I enjoyed it so much that on my next visit, I ordered it as my entree with a small Caesar salad.

And this is not a normal Caesar salad. Vito’s serves up one of the best Caesars I’ve ever had. With the addition of goat cheese and sundried tomatoes, it has flair. Delicious flair.

Vito’s Beef Tenderloin with Marsala Demi Glace

Now, there is something you should know. I’m not a pasta lover. Sure, I enjoy a little bit every now and then, but I’m much happier to have a big piece of meat and a pile of fresh vegetables. That’s why this next plate of food was perfect for me. A beautifully cooked mid-rare tenderloin filet with demi glace, asparagus, carrots, and small portion of gnocchi.

Oh, the gnocchi. You don’t have to be a pasta lover to appreciate this gnocchi.

Vito’s Kevorkian Cake and Tiramisu

Talk about a happy ending. A bowl of amazing tiramisu and Vito’s take on “Death by Chocolate”, the Kevorkian cake, was probably enough to feed 3 or 4 people, but I almost polished off both of them all by myself. Layered chocolate cake with chocolate mousse topped with crushed pistachios, rumor has it that each of these cakes contains 2-3 pounds of Belgian chocolate!

If that’s how I need to die, then at least I know I’d die happy.

 UPDATE

~This business is now CLOSED~

Vito’s Ristorante and Wine Bar

1812 Hayes Street
Nashville, TN 37203

Hours
M-Th 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
(Lunch Buffet M – F 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Fri 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Note: my friend (and dining partner) Chris has a great write up over on the Scene Bites Blog, where he offers up far more details on the names, faces, and background of the restaurant, so be sure to check it out!