What a lovely restaurant. Just for a tip if you find the apothecary it's down the stairs right after it. We did have a little bit of trouble finding it but that was kind of fun. Reservations recommended we were seated at a beautiful table for two right near the bar and started off with a Pinot noir and a cabernet. Both wines were delightful. For appetizers we had the braised lamb crepe and the octopus... Both dishes were delicious, presented well with sauces to die for. Followed by the pasta dish and the duck. These were the best dinners of the year for us. The blending of flavors were fantastic and it was augmented by the owner coming over and talking to us about how the food was prepared. I won't bore you with all the details but the octopus is slow boiled for 5 hours.. complete with wine. Corks it was tender and delicious with the Mediterranean flair. We go out to eat our fair share from high end to diners anywhere. The food is well prepared and delicious... This was the top for the year! From the service to the presentation to the wine to the ambiance, everything is top notch here. I will provide a warning. You will drop a pretty penny if you partake in all the courses, but we thought it was well worth it. Thank you to the staff and ownership. We enjoyed our evening.. a true date night. read more

So, we finally got to try the chef's table, or "Chef's Whim" as it's officially titled. Eight courses. In addition to the food, we added the suggested alcohol pairings. I say alcohol because it wasn't all wine but ... since it's a bit of a surprise in terms of what actually appears I'll just leave it at that. However, as to the food ... I'll give a taste, a flavor, a wisp of a whisper of the full culinary adventure. For complete details, see your local sous chef! Here's what we had. In the middle of my photo collage, a blood sausage slider with fennel/jalapeño sauce on toasted brioche bun. Then clockwise from top left - cornbread with maple glaze in a Barbie sized personal cast iron skillet; beet salad with goat cheese half spheres; a dessert tray of black apple cake with hay ice cream (yes, seriously), chamomile pot de creme and a duck fat beignet; an assortment of ice creams - fenugreek, fennel/maitake mushroom/burnt hazelnut (all tasted fabulous and in each you could taste the listed flavors); entree of duck and wild mushroom tart; white bean soup and finally a pasta dish of ravioli with two fillings. Just a note on what it would take to make it yourself. See that hexagonal white blob on the bottom row, middle pic? That's a potato foam. Forgive me for not recalling the full procedure but the prep is roughly 7 hours long. First, the cut potatoes are cooked in a sous vide for 2 hours so that no moisture is added to them. Then a succession of ricing, smoking, drying, undrying, mashing, placing in a foam machine that looked like a whipped cream dispenser and boom - a tiny dollop of potato. It tasted great. But man - that's a lot of effort for a mouthful of potato. I don't think I'll be trying it at home. Over two hours of eating and chatting. I brought a couple of my restaurant-based cartoons as my personal thanks for the meal and was shocked that Justin, their sommelier, had done a cartoon of his own ahead of time for me! Just stick to wine, Justin - I don't need any MORE competition with my magazine editors ... With Dylan ably providing the primary chef duties and Amaya and Justin handling the booze, the meal was a smashing success. The food pairings were masterfully chosen and timing of the dishes meant we were always primed for the next one. Although the succession of what I'd call dessert dishes made me start to feel like a Hobbit enjoying dessert, second dessert and then post seconds. As Anton Ego said in Ratatouille (and they have a cute Reme rat under glass on a shelf) "I shall be returning, hungry for more." read more

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Came here for our anniversary dinner. It's the second time we've been and had the Chef's whim and it was honestly the best dinner I've ever had. You sit at a small counter that looks into the kitchen and talk to the staff as they bring you various courses. Would highly recommend, everything was delightful. Wine pairing was thoughtful and really elevated the meal. They only do two of these a day and you have to book them ahead of time, but luckily the resy website lets you know what days are still available. It books out quickly, but if you're flexible you can find one. The regular menu also looked delightful. I can't recommend enough! read more

Dressed to impress! WOW WOW WOW...a day trip to Portsmouth, NH turned out to be amazing, but the real magic was in this beautiful, award-winning, and sophisticated restaurant in Exeter, NH (about a 20-minute drive). I must start by saying that a friend of mine, who is the Sommelier, works here, and I have been wanting to visit this restaurant for quite some time. I highly recommend reservations due to its popularity. The restaurant is quite small, but it also offers seating at the bar and on its patio, which is located on the water, a bit further from the main restaurant. Their menu is focused primarily on small plates, with a few main entrees, which I do enjoy because it is not overwhelming. And, it's perfect when you aren't all that hungry. Food/Wine: We first started with a few glasses of wine. They have won some awards for their wine list and selections, so we were excited to try a few. Our favorite was their Barbera d'Alba. Note: You can also purchase any of their bottles since they have a retail license, which was a bonus. We shared their Olives, Beet Salad, and Melon Stracciatella to start. When the dishes arrived, I had no idea what to expect. I think at one point I asked, "Is this a Michelin Restaurant?" Believe me, when you see the exquisite and creative dishes, you will think the same thing. Everything was amazing, and fresh down to the very last bite, craving more every time. Our favorites were the olives and beet salad. We were not all that hungry, so we skipped out on the main course. We did head upstairs to their NEW cocktail bar called Exeter Apothecary, which I highly recommend for after-dinner drinks/dessert. Overall, it was worth the drive to come here, and I know we will be back for sure. For the people who already live in the area, I highly recommend coming to both soon. Cheers~ read more

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So good- be sure to try chefs table- it's the best. Call ahead- hard to get reservations

I had a wonderful evening with a friend at Vino e Vivo. We started with Duck Fat Beignets with peach jam, Humboldt Fog, and tasso ham, followed by Braised Shallots with garlic confit, herbs, vincotto, and ciabatta. The main course was a perfectly seared salmon with pattypan squash, lobster panisse, cauliflower, peach, and curry honey cream, and we finished with a decadent chocolate torte featuring lychee cremeux, macadamia nuts, meringue, and anise hyssop ice cream. Every dish was a delight, and the service from our waitstaff, bartender, and chef was amazing. They explained all the ingredients and the presentation was top-notch; we truly felt like royalty. Vino e Vivo is a cozy, upscale small restaurant with big flavors. Vino e Vivo is a cozy, upscale intimate restaurant with bold flavors. The ambiance is relaxing and calm, and the beautifully decorated bar with stonework perfectly highlights their wine selection, making it an ideal place to unwind and enjoy a memorable meal. As their sign says, 'Wine, Food, Friends' and tonight was the perfect reminder of all three. read more

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Highly suggest you make the trip. Amazing food. Amazing service. Great ambiance. It is more on the fancy side, but worth every penny read more

Vino E Vivo - Halibut - Wine Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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We sat at the chef's table for my birthday and it was such a special experience. Not only was the food the best meal I have ever enjoyed, but the staff was personable and friendly, the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable, and it was just an incredible vibe. Worth every penny. read more

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Duck breast was cooked medium. Not medium rare, but medium. Diners beware!! If this was not a place with high aspirations and reviews I would not mention it. This happened a year ago and we didn't order it again, but unwisely did it again tonight. read more

I feel confident that Vino e Vivo is in the top 3 best restaurants in the entire Seacoast. The menu rotates, so there's no point in making a recommendation. The wine list is extensive, and the owner/bartender is as good as any sommelier that I've met. The kitchen is open, which means your clothes may absorb the smell. Ventilation could be improved. Otherwise, A++ read more

Snagged a spot for dinner after getting off the waitlist. The reminder on the table who has the reservation after you, was a first. Otherwise the place was cozy and I loved the way the tables felt like they had their own bubble despite how close they are together. I have allergies, the restaurant was impeccable about them. We got three dishes. The first was the Duck Beignets. Salty and sweet amazingness. The second was the aged tar tar, so buttery and melts in your mouth. The third was the current salmon main dish. We split everything, so while he was dividing the salmon, I snagged a carrot off the plate. That was the best carrot I've ever had. Seriously. We both wanted a whole plate of their hay smoked carrots. Now to buy a smoker. The whole dish was amazing but the carrots stole the show for us. We will be back. read more

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Have to start our first and say this is one of the best dining experiences in Exeter and maybe in New Hampshire. Chef Paul and Tony have made a truly creative space at vino e vivo and are cooking some amazing dishes. It's a cozy dining room with attentive service. Everyone there is extremely knowledgeable which makes for an all around great dining experience. We started off with the charcuterie board which has all house cured meats on the board. They provide a wide array of unique flavor profiles and pair very nicely with the cheeses on the plate. We then had the octopus which had a great sear and and flavor. The duck fat beignets and the beat salad both combined sweet and savory flavors super well. Other highlights from the meal were the ravioli, gnocchi, and the duck n' donuts. All super creative and had great range of flavors. All in all vino e vivo provides a great meal that is creative and delivers at a super high quality. Would definitely recommend dining here and also trying to get to the chefs table for a more intimate experience. read more

Vino E Vivo - Lamb ravioli - Wine Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

This was by far one of the best dinners I've ever had. Our waitress was amazing and made many great selections. The wine list had many unique and different wines that I have never seen before. The restaurant itself was small, but quaint. I really just cannot put into words what a fantastic experience this was. It is probably a good thing that there is a time limit on the tables or I would've stayed and eaten all night. read more

This has to be one of the most interesting and engaging date nights! To start things off, my husband and I arrived to see my name on a little board and a seating facing right into the kitchen just for us; the tasting menu is just for one couple at a time. The chef and staff were very engaging, we had such a great time talking and learning about the food, the place, the area, anything! And the food, well the food was incredible. The dishes were beautiful and imaginative, not to mention delicious. My favorite was the pate on top of a little waffle, which sounds strange, but was so flavorful! They also brought us pickled herring for a course, and it literally melted in my mouth. The cheese course was cheese inside of warm beignets! The wine pairings were, of course, on point, as one would expect. We had such a wonderful time that we ended up staying almost 3 hours, and the number of courses seemed to just be up to the whim of the chef, way more than I anticipated, but it was just the right amount of food. The service was perfect, I will certainly be back once the patio opens! read more

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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. read more

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One of the best dining experiences we've ever had! Such a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the food...Chefs kiss! One course was more flavorful than the next! Our evening was magical. Please go, you won't be disappointed! Can't wait to go back. read more

By far one of the best dining experiences in NH The staff the chef the owner all on point Amazing dining experience w food and unbelievable wine selection. The saki paired w the best most creative ice cream. This is a rare breed.....u will be hard pressed to find any weaknesses here ! I can't wait to go back. read more

Vino E Vivo - Amazing small plate.delicious - Wine Bars Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

We have had the pleasure of dining at the Chef's Table at Vino e Vivo several times and it is hands down the best dining experience of our lives! Tonight was no exception and Dylan, Justin, Brian and crew took very good care of us for the first part of our dinner. Then the next level surprise came when we were invited to finish our courses upstairs in their brand new (not yet really open to the general public) Exeter Apothecary! Thank you Chef Paul for the wonderful treat and gracious service you extended us with this magnificent ending to our evening! You have outdone yourselves - not only with the beautiful new space but making us feel special and so welcomed! Folks - you need to visit Vino e Vivo and now Exeter Apothecary !! Exceptional places. Special people! Thanks again and can't wait for our next visit!!! read more

This place deserves all the stars! From the ambiance, to the staff, the chefs and the overall atmosphere, Vino e Vivo hit all the marks. It's cozy inside, with open kitchen concept which I always love to see the chefs at work, exposed rock walls and wood beams, it's beautiful inside. We started with a glass of wine at the bar while we wanted for our reservation table to open up, then moved to our table. We started with the octopus, fluke crudo and the shallots. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection, I would never think to order shallots but omg they were delish! Our server also gave us a complimentary beet appetizer to say thank you for being patient for our table (this is was nice & yummy.) For entrees 2 got the scallops and were raving about them, I got the wagyu which exceeded my expectations. The sear on the wagyu made a perfect crust, and the inside was rare to my request! For dessert we sampled some ice cream! Such unique flavors, black garlic, mushroom and cornbread! Cornbread was my favorite but they were all fun to try and experience the flavors. All in all, this is the ideal dinner spot for date night, catching up with friends, seeing your parents, etc. Every dish we had hit the spot and was perfect, I honestly have zero compliments and would encourage everyone in the area to make a reservation and put this on your must go to list! read more

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Vino e Vivo is outstanding. We had the best time there and were treated like royalty by 2023 James Beard Semi-finalist, Chef Paul Callahan, and his stellar team. The food is exquisite and the service is excellent. Owner Tony Callendrello has put together a top notch team and it shows in everything they do. Thank you for an amazing experience! read more

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One of the best places we've ever eaten at. We loved it so much that went there 4 straight days. The food was absolutely amazing. The staff were all great and made you feel like we were family. The ambiance was lovely. Very cozy and comfortable. read more

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All of the food was spot on from start to finish. We had the beet salad, octopus and duck beignets & each was perfection in a bite. They all had so many components that each mouthful was like an explosion of flavor! We got a lot of help with the wine list which was really interesting so all four of us got different wines!. Although the entrée list listing is very short both entrees that we ordered were absolutely delicious. We did 2 each halibut and Wagyu beef. The smoked carrots were amazing as was the huitlacoche bread pudding. Sometimes when you order things that aren't familiar to you they are not necessarily to your liking but all these things were all put together both artfully and deliciously! I can't say enough good things about the food. Service was excellent as well as attentive without being in your face and the owner was gracious and super friendly l! We will be back. read more

Tony and staff make you feel as if you are in their home as they pair beautiful wines with elevated bites. The experience is curated, thoughtful and memorable. Each time I leave wondering when I will return. read more

The food is delicious and the wine selection is amazing. Tony has done a great Job bringing wines that match the delicious meals made my the chef. Can't wait to go back. read more

A hidden gem may best describe Vino e Vivo. Their wine selection is simply amazing and you cannot go wrong with asking them to suggest a pairing with whatever you've ordered. And, if you like a particular wine, they have a retail license and you can buy it to take home. The menu is small but diverse and extremely good. If you'd just like a simple, quiet evening the small plates are sufficient for a light meal. If you are looking for a bit more, the entrees are excellent without leaving you feeling over-full. And everything is prepared to perfection. The staff is kind, engaging, and very, very knowledgeable. Go to relax, enjoy, and experience great food and wine. read more

So happy for Chef Paul and his James Beard nomnation but sad that it will be harder to get in! Tony has done a spectacular job making this into a cozy European style bistro. Beautiful stone and warm wood. Such a knowledgeable sommelier! And he is so friendly and down to earth. We love that the menu and wine lists are so curated. We know that each of the dishes on the menu will be perfect. There is always an amazing vegetarian entree. It is hard to pick from the imaginative small dishes to start with! And he knows how to match wines with your food choice. The waitress is always pitch perfect and everyone is always happy to see you. read more

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Creative, delicious high quality food and wine right here on the Seacoast. Service was personable and great as well. Like nothing I have had the pleasure of having in NH. read more

Probably the best food in the area. The staff is welcoming and the service impeccable. The wine selection superb.

Creative and delicious, highly recommended! Nice atmosphere and wonderful wine selection.

Another exquisite meal from Chef Paul Callahan on the "patio" by the river in Exeter, where it is relatively cool and notably quiet. From start to finish, the experience could not have been more enjoyable. Justin, the new general manager, called us a couple of hours before our 6 pm reservation to suggest that, with rain likely in the offing, we could either move inside, choose another date and time to dine at the restaurant, or shift our reservation to an earlier time. We chose to arrive early. Everyone went out of their way to make us feel at home. Over the course of a very relaxed hour and a half, we had brief relaxed chats with Justin, owner Tony Callendrello, and Chef Paul Callahan. Miranda, our waiter, was attentive without being intrusive. Chef Paul Callahan's dishes were imaginative, delicious, and beautifully presented. Tony's Callendrello's wine suggestions were inspired. The one dessert on offer was delectable. As we left, the wind came up. We drove away just before it began to rain. It doesn't get better than this much of anywhere. Vino e Vivo puts Exeter, New Hampshire on the national culinary map. read more

This place is AMAZING. I want to eat everything, all day, infinitely. Staff is personable and friendly, kitchen staff is talented AF. Chef Paul, you're the man. read more

A table outside by the river. They adapted well to COVID by building an outdoor platform by the river. It held about 4-5 tables and was a wonderful addition to a cool atmosphere. We did go inside to use the facilities, and it looked like a great setting inside as well. We split several appetizers with some friends and were pleased with it all. The Beignets were our favorite, absolutely delicious. For dessert we had the chocolate torte. Oh my. Good local beers. read more

This place is second to none. Absolutely incredible. The steps down into the restaurant and the lighting along the stone walls makes you feel like you are entering a wine cellar. The service when walking in the door, through the wine pairings to the most amazing and flavorful food i have ever eaten, has made this the most incredible culinary experience i have ever had. Wish i took some pictures, but i was just so captivated by my taste buds that I didn't even think of it. read more

This was our first visit to Vino e Vivo. We were lucky enough to be at the chef's table. It was amazing. Everyone from the owner down works like an amazing team to create the perfect dinner. The food was amazing. I am not much of a fish eater, but when it is cooked to perfection, it's delicious. The service is amazing. We were so well taken care of by everyone. The ambiance made me feel like I was in Europe. Next time, I would love to eat on the patio that is outside. It is so beautiful and has a great view. read more

Fantastic Food, excellent staff, great service and wonderful atmosphere. Can't wait to come back.

A must if looking for an incredible dining experience. From the moment you start your walk down the tiny alley to the entrance of restaurant the smells from the kitchen float through the air and begin teasing you with what lies ahead. Started with a beautiful 2.5-ounce glass of Blue Spot Irish Whiskey to the many exceptionally creative small plates. Bottle of a delightful Barossa wine and to the final dish of Sunchoke Gnocchi. We were taken back and in awe that this place is a short drive from our home. Chef Paul and his talented staff are gifted with creativity and balance, our senses were touched with every dish that was presented so beautifully at our table. There is nothing like this place in our immediate area that could come close to the overall experience of dining here. And the Desert offerings out of this world. Exceptional all around. read more

Great food incredible presentation and well composed dishes-will definitely be back! Service was attentive, great wine selections. read more

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Outstanding selection, cooked to perfection. Will definitely return. No push to leave.

We arrived and were welcomed right away with a warm and friendly staff. We sat at a cozy table and were able to see chef Paul and the kitchen staff as they worked together like a well choreographed dance team. The flavors of the foods blended well together. The servers were very knowledgeable about the food and how it was made. It was artfully plated and graciously served. The environment was busy but had a calm and positive ambiance. Vino E Vito is comfortable fine dining at its finest. We will be back! read more

The food and wine were fine. The problem was that we (3 friends with a lot of catching up to do) arrived at 6:15 and we didn't know that there was a hard stop at 7:30pm. So we spent the next 1.25 hours making quick decisions and watching the clock. The slots are 1.5 hours - It's not enough time for a relaxing meal - lunch, maybe, but not dinner. The experience is too costly to feel rushed. If your goal is to relax, linger, catch up with friends, this is not the place. The people who had the table after us were hovering (because it's a small space). The waitress put the tab on the table at 7:20. She didn't (couldn't!) even offer us dessert because the clock ran out. Not exactly what we expected for $300. It was not my first time at V e V - previous experiences were excellent - before the time limit. Given their whole European vibe it seems lingering over food should be integral. read more