If you haven't been...go. The students in this program work hard and are so attentive. This is a full dining experience. You get all the forks all the knives, all the glasses and palette For fun, if listed on menu, get the table side nitrogen ice cream added...it was worth it for the fun of it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops
EdwardG
Absolutely the best dining experience available anywhere near Newark, DE. The food and the dining experience are exceptional. The restaurant is staffed by students within the UD Hospitality Business Management program. The restaurant provides a superb gourmet dining experience with students as staff (lab course) supervised by faculty, including the restaurant's chef.
VicM
We will most certainly be back . The food was excellent, the staff attentive and sincerely interested in your comfort and experience. My only hesitation is out using even more superlatives is that more people will find out and it will take forever to get another reservation..
Thesi
Our visit to Vita Nova was for lunch, and it was great overall. The servers were outstanding, the food was very good and overall atmosphere was very inviting and classy. Thank you, students and their mentors, for reopening and working in the restaurant. We will be back!
H H.
Nice people and great food. The staff are professional and helpful. The place is beautiful and relaxing. Good ambient.
Harry V
Lunch is a very good selection from the buffet! Service and atomsphere is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
P Ch
Great dinner - food was perfect, service nice, warm, efficient. Wine selection was delightful. Strong recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vita Nova Salad, Palate Cleanser Sorbet, Creme Brulee, Appetizer Trio
Lalapor
The service was impeccable and the servers were delightful. The wine list was extensive and I found my favorite Banfi Brunello which was a nice surprise. The appetizer trio was the right amount of food and a nice selection of different flavors. My favorite was my second course, the arugula and pear salad. Unfortunately, my main course, the crab cake was not as delicious. The crab cake was a little mushy, salty and little oily. It was on top of four little slices of very oily/buttery potatoes with a cold tomato salad. It needed a warm vegetable in my opinion. I did not read anything past the crab cake, obviously. My dining partners had the filet and the Raviolo and felt they said they were good. Desserts were delicious and the ice cream made at the table was the highlight of the evening!! All in all it was as delightful as ever and I can't wait to come back next year.
LisaC
Unique, high-end dishes in an elegant atmosphere that should not be rushed. Dinner consists of a four-course menu, including dessert. The least expensive (vegetarian) options run about $50 per person (including gratuity) which is a good deal considering the quality, variety, and amount of food. Plus it's nice to chat with the Hospitality students and observe their training.
JeffreyB
Service poor this time. Food not up to the standard of previous visits. Buffet almost empty as we went through the line. Chicken dry and not hot. Server did not come back to ask if we needed anything. Finally was able to request a cup of tea after my dessert was almost finished.
Every aspect of our experience was superb. The service was a notch above what one would find at the finest restaurants. Each and every interaction was pleasant as well as informative. Although it is located in the student union, it is nestled in a stylish, second floor space that is surprisingly quiet and well appointed. The menu offerings will please the most discerning diners. Well done, Vita Nova.
Sach
This was our first experience at Vita Nova. It's difficult to get a reservation but I got lucky this year and scored a reservation for 4 at the lunch buffet. The food and service was impressive! The attention to detail (both food and service) made it feel like a very special meal, even though it was a buffet. I'll definitely try to get reservations again in the spring.
Wonderful dining experience. Food was tasty. Service was attentively and everyone was very nice. Very thoughtful for the maitre d' to offer a birthday plate with dessert for the guest of honor.
PriscillaG
My husband believes Vita Nova is the best restaurant in DE, and it's always his first choice for a special occasion, such as his own birthday (which the staff noted). The students do a marvelous job of everything. Prepare for great food in a welcoming environment!
Larry
appetizer and dessert were excellent but I had mixed feelings about the entree and side dishes. The appetizer was a trio that was very good. Also traffic and parking were challenging. We won't be going to Vita Nova again.
If you haven't been...go. The students in this program work hard and are so attentive. This is a full dining experience. You get all the forks all the knives, all the glasses and palette For fun, if listed on menu, get the table side nitrogen ice cream added...it was worth it for the fun of it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pan Seared Sea Scallops
Absolutely the best dining experience available anywhere near Newark, DE. The food and the dining experience are exceptional. The restaurant is staffed by students within the UD Hospitality Business Management program. The restaurant provides a superb gourmet dining experience with students as staff (lab course) supervised by faculty, including the restaurant's chef.
We will most certainly be back . The food was excellent, the staff attentive and sincerely interested in your comfort and experience. My only hesitation is out using even more superlatives is that more people will find out and it will take forever to get another reservation..
Our visit to Vita Nova was for lunch, and it was great overall. The servers were outstanding, the food was very good and overall atmosphere was very inviting and classy. Thank you, students and their mentors, for reopening and working in the restaurant. We will be back!
Nice people and great food. The staff are professional and helpful. The place is beautiful and relaxing. Good ambient.
Lunch is a very good selection from the buffet! Service and atomsphere is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great dinner - food was perfect, service nice, warm, efficient. Wine selection was delightful. Strong recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vita Nova Salad, Palate Cleanser Sorbet, Creme Brulee, Appetizer Trio
The service was impeccable and the servers were delightful. The wine list was extensive and I found my favorite Banfi Brunello which was a nice surprise. The appetizer trio was the right amount of food and a nice selection of different flavors. My favorite was my second course, the arugula and pear salad. Unfortunately, my main course, the crab cake was not as delicious. The crab cake was a little mushy, salty and little oily. It was on top of four little slices of very oily/buttery potatoes with a cold tomato salad. It needed a warm vegetable in my opinion. I did not read anything past the crab cake, obviously. My dining partners had the filet and the Raviolo and felt they said they were good. Desserts were delicious and the ice cream made at the table was the highlight of the evening!! All in all it was as delightful as ever and I can't wait to come back next year.
Unique, high-end dishes in an elegant atmosphere that should not be rushed. Dinner consists of a four-course menu, including dessert. The least expensive (vegetarian) options run about $50 per person (including gratuity) which is a good deal considering the quality, variety, and amount of food. Plus it's nice to chat with the Hospitality students and observe their training.
Service poor this time. Food not up to the standard of previous visits. Buffet almost empty as we went through the line. Chicken dry and not hot. Server did not come back to ask if we needed anything. Finally was able to request a cup of tea after my dessert was almost finished.
Restaurantji Recommends
Every aspect of our experience was superb. The service was a notch above what one would find at the finest restaurants. Each and every interaction was pleasant as well as informative. Although it is located in the student union, it is nestled in a stylish, second floor space that is surprisingly quiet and well appointed. The menu offerings will please the most discerning diners. Well done, Vita Nova.
This was our first experience at Vita Nova. It's difficult to get a reservation but I got lucky this year and scored a reservation for 4 at the lunch buffet. The food and service was impressive! The attention to detail (both food and service) made it feel like a very special meal, even though it was a buffet. I'll definitely try to get reservations again in the spring.
Wonderful dining experience. Food was tasty. Service was attentively and everyone was very nice. Very thoughtful for the maitre d' to offer a birthday plate with dessert for the guest of honor.
My husband believes Vita Nova is the best restaurant in DE, and it's always his first choice for a special occasion, such as his own birthday (which the staff noted). The students do a marvelous job of everything. Prepare for great food in a welcoming environment!
appetizer and dessert were excellent but I had mixed feelings about the entree and side dishes. The appetizer was a trio that was very good. Also traffic and parking were challenging. We won't be going to Vita Nova again.