Viola's does have a dinner menu, and a delicious one at that! Along with the food, we were impressed with the seemingly effortless Victorian ambiance and friendly staff. Every bite was a treat and we will definitely come back for breakfast. read more

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I am writing to share feedback regarding my recent lunch visit to your restaurant. I was really looking forward to dining with you, but unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. While I appreciated the charming historic decor and the cordial service, the food fell short of expectations. The menu had limited options, particularly for non-egg protein choices. I ordered the bacon salad, but the portion was very small in a small oval plate that was hard to eat from. The dish lacked overall flavor and seasoning. The braised pork neck was overly salty, and the rest of the plate consisted simply of plain butter leaf lettuce and cherry tomatoes. Given the current hype, I was expecting a much higher quality meal. I hope this feedback is helpful as you continue to refine your menu and offerings. read more

Absolutely love everything about this place. The concept, the history, the architecture, the details, and the staff are extremely pleasant. I definitely recommend making a reservation as they do get busy. We had fun trying different breakfast items and coffee flavors. Check out the photos for those details. Ambience is cute. Also loved hearing some of the history and ghost stories! I would entertain staying a night even thought I live down the street. This is going to be my new favorite spot to bring out of town guest and celebrate special occasions. I can't wait to go back! read more

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This place is another gem, just opened a couple of months ago. I'm always up to new places and glad I found this vintage place. Very historic and with great delicious great flavored coffee and breakfast. I highly recommend this place. Service is always great and if you're up for a classic old place this will be it. read more

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Reservations are definitely needed during this grand opening period and the place doesn't have a ton. Because it was hot, we had our reservation inside the dining room. Unsure if they have AC because they had a fan running but it was a fair temperature inside. Service was fine but on the slower end. The staff actually took another table's order before ours, even though we were seated first, so it felt like the experience of waiting for everything took longer than we would've liked. The meal definitely is not one to be rushed, as it took well over an hour from being seated to getting all our food. For the food, the chicken liver mousse was interesting with a sweetness to it although we later realized they did forget the cornichons/pickles that the menu said it would come with. My avocado tartine was quite delicious with the good call to add the salmon add-on on top. Good quality salmon. The butter lettuce was well made, tender, and savory with dressing. read more

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I really liked the charming decor, was hoping for a mini tour but none was offered. The food was great, nice portions, beautiful presentation. Was a bit dissapointed in the menu selections, and several listed entrees they didn't even have. The service could use improvement. The head server kept scolding the waitstaff in front of the customers. She was very bossy and I wasn't impressed with the way she explained the menu selection and rushed us into ordering. Not sure if I'll be returning. Parking is very limited. read more

Loved our brunch here! The period decor is impressive, down to the plates and silverware. Servers are very attentive although they seemed to still be learning which table was supposed to get which dishes. The food and drinks were excellent--we thought it was like fine dining experience at very reasonable prices. I had the Tuna Tartine and Peach Blossom and my husband had the Croque Madame Viola and a Mimosa. We sat in the dining room, which was nice, but there was a lot of traffic from people coming in and servers going in and out of the kitchen. Next time I'm going to reserve our table in the parlor, it's a much quieter, lower traffic spot. The outside areas would be nice on a day with good weather. We will definitely be back--such a great addition to Monrovia! read more

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We visited Viola's on a Sunday for brunch with a 9am reservation for two on the front porch. Definitely make a reservation -- we saw three different groups turned away during our visit. Even though not every seat was filled, it seemed they were intentionally pacing walk-ins to avoid overwhelming the kitchen and service staff, which I appreciated. The ambiance is wonderful. We were seated on the front porch of the original Arthur House -- the yellow one on the left. The property is actually made up of three historic houses that also function as an inn, which gives the whole place a really charming feel. For food, we ordered the avocado tartine, the crème brûlée pain perdu, and the croque madame -- all excellent. I'd especially recommend adding the bacon to the tartine, or just ordering it as a side. They use Nueske's bacon, which I'd never tried before. It has an incredible texture and rich flavor, almost more like pork belly than traditional bacon. Overall, a fantastic meal with great service. Shoutout to Jordan the innkeeper and Jameson for keeping the energy up and making sure we had a memorable experience. Already looking forward to coming back for dinner! read more

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Today I finally had the chance to try this restaurant and it was excellent. We were sitted at the front patio since I have my dog with me. We had the deviled eggs with caviars, olives, butter lettuce with smoked salmon, corn soups and the cornbread to share. The food was delicious and the service was exceptional. The hostess was very knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly. We also tried the cappuccino, and lavender white chocolate latte which are all delicious as well. Since we were there early on the morning, sitting at the patio was perfect with a nice breeze ! However, make sure you have bug spray on because during the meal, the mosquitoes were feasting on me too! read more

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Cornbread. French Onion Pastry. Estate Salad. Pot Roast. Shrimp and Grits. Apple Tart with Fresh Whipped Cream. Everything from top to bottom was exceptional. We also had the specialty cocktail, Flower Power, and the espresso martini, Last Call at the Blair. Service was fantastic and the timing of each course was on point. We are excited to try brunch. read more

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they comped the meal but still ruined a birthday. We sat in a dreary dining room, that led to the kitchen. Staff stomped back and forth like Clydesdale horses. Offered pear tea, which they were already out of when offered at 10am. Brought my friend her eggs but not my dish. Did not say a word, as to what happened to my meal. After flagging down the waitress, she said there was "trouble" in the kitchen, but mine would be out. Because no one likes cold eggs I asked my friend to start without me. Still nothing - told waitress to cancel my order, but she later brought it out, "because they want me to return". Lox and eggs were good, spinach, not so much - weird flavoring. Lastly a very dry kind of cake with a candle on it. Kudos to garden - beautiful. read more

I had been curious about Viola's Bar & Bistro, especially because of the setting. It's part of the Arthur Blair Historic Inn, a collection of beautiful Victorian-style buildings with quite a bit of Monrovia history behind them. You can dine in the dining room, parlor, garden, or poolside. I ate in the dining room, and it's a really pretty and unique place for a meal. I started with the tinned fish, my first experience with tinned fish. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying it. It actually gave me a new appreciation for tinned fish and made me want to buy it myself. I was a little confused by the menu description, which listed confit albacore, butter, bread, lemon, and house pickles. I didn't see any butter unless it was incorporated into the fish, and the "house pickles" seemed to be chopped pickled onions rather than what I expected. But the bread was fantastic--crunchy outside while still soft inside. With the tuna and a squeeze of lemon, it was delicious. I also had the sweet corn soup. My server explained that it wasn't a chowder but more of a pure sweet corn soup. It was wonderfully velvety, and I finished the entire bowl. My only criticism is that it needed something savory to cut the sweetness. I'd seen it served elsewhere with crispy sage, which I think would have been perfect. Then there was the cast iron cornbread. Oh my God. Easily one of the highlights and honestly one of the best cornbreads I've had. The cast iron gave it wonderful crispy edges while keeping the inside soft, and I let the pat of butter melt right into it. I would absolutely order this again. One issue was the pacing. The tables are small, and the tinned fish, cornbread, and soup arrived fairly close together. Suddenly my table was crowded with food. I was told that because they were all starters, they came out as they were ready. I understand, but as a solo diner, it felt overwhelming and a little rushed. I would have preferred them coursed out. For my main, I had the fish en papillote. Full disclosure: I don't like fennel, and I probably should have asked for it without it. But after the sweet corn soup and cornbread, for some reason I was also picking up sweet notes from the fish when I really wanted something savory. Combined with the anise flavor of the fennel, it wasn't working for me. The potatoes were also cold, which was disappointing. I ate about half and brought the rest home. Interestingly, without the fennel, I enjoyed the fish much more. So some of this was definitely personal preference, although the cold potatoes didn't help. For dessert, I had the pot de crème. The dark chocolate was rich and delicious--dark chocolate is always the way to go as far as I'm concerned! But I was disappointed by the presentation. I'd seen it served in a little pot with Chantilly cream and orange zest on top. Mine came in a flatter container with a dollop of cream and no noticeable orange zest. It tasted good, but I would have preferred being able to spoon the chocolate, cream, and orange together in each bite. I also had a refreshing grape soju cocktail with three grapes on a pick. Unfortunately, I accidentally knocked it over when I was only halfway through it. My server kindly offered to replace it, but the replacement never came. I forgot about it myself until later, but since it had been offered, it would have been nice to receive it. Another frustration was that I couldn't find a current menu on Viola's website. I had to rely on Yelp photos, which clearly weren't current--the grape soju cocktail wasn't on any of the menus I found. I really wish they'd post their current food, brunch, and cocktail menus online. Overall, though, service was very good. I arrived before dinner service began at 5:00, and they let me sit and brought me water while I waited, which I appreciated in the heat. Right at 5:00, they brought me a menu. And one suggestion: please consider an occasional afternoon tea! This gorgeous Victorian setting, especially the parlor and dining room, practically begs for tea, little sandwiches, pastries, and desserts. I would absolutely come. Would I return? Yes. I already have my eye on the slow-braised beef pot roast and several cocktails. There were a few misses, but also some real standouts--especially the cornbread, sweet corn soup, and my surprisingly successful introduction to tinned fish. The beautiful historic setting makes Viola's feel different from your typical restaurant, and I'd happily come back. read more

Such a charming addition to the neighborhood! Inside and out the aesthetics appear to be well thought out & even the backyard area for the Inn was very chic. Every member of the staff was fantastic. We came in for brunch and were not disappointed! We ordered: The Library Park which was absolutely refreshing & flavorful without being too sweet. My bf really enjoyed his iced Banana Bread latte. We shared the deviled eggs with caviar which was good but didn't wow me. I loved the French Bistro omelette! It was velvety, delicate & rich. The dressing on my salad was also fabulous! I really enjoyed my meal & would come back again to order the same thing. My bf raved about the Tuna Tartine! It is quite small inside so be prepared. The staff had to coordinate their moves as new guests were being seated in the front room, allowing space for everyone. We're locals and will return for dinner, I've heard glowing reviews about the pot roast and cornbread. read more

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Very quaint restored Victorian home, actually three! Upon arrival we walked up to hostess and said we had reservations. We were ushered into the backyard. A couple were coming out of the small pool (yellow home is also an Inn). Looked over drink menu it had a variety of soju cocktails. Violas also offers beerand wine, but we ordered neither, tried a berry lemonade. Our table was ready inside in the dining room there were four two tops. Immediately i noticed the loud screeching kitchen door. Maybe its haunted as the server said they try to grease it but it won't stop (?) sit in the parlor it's not as noisy. If you want outdoor front seating it's available to reserve but beware there's hungry mosquitos! Now onto the food....ordered deviled eggs. And hot skillet buttered cornbread. For entrees we got the pot roast and the fish. Both were delicious. My fish was very thick and tender, however there were two bites that were extremely salty Thin long green beans were perfectly cooked. We didn't order dessert and honestly nothing caught my interest. The bill came in an old book i'll share image so you can see current prices. Server firgit to give us back our credit card had to ask for it. Place is still sort of new and if felt like employees were still figuring things out. The dining room felt a bit dark, we heard someone had blew a fuse. So hopefully they can fix that and the noisy creepy door....Bonus the bartender offered to give us access to the Inn so we could briefly look around tge first floor. It was furnished in Victorian decor. A private party was eating in one of the rooms. We plan to come back another time to try their brunch. read more

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My friend and I made a reservation at 5pm for the Blair Living Room, which is the room when you first enter the home. It was fairly empty, we were basically the only ones there until later on. The employees are very kind and hospitable, the aesthetic of the inside was very nice, and the food was pretty good. The appetizers are pretty small but are a little pricey. We got the deviled eggs (no caviar), french onion soup gourgéres, soup du jour (It was corn soup that day), and two Library Parks. Most of the pictures in the reviews here are in The Parlor, I had a pretty hard time figuring out which room was which when reserving and looking on the website pictures. The parking was just street parking, you might have to park a little far if it's busy. My only complaint is that there were an obscene amount of mosquitos outside. My friend and I went to take pictures, and the employees said that we could explore the exterior of the house, including going into the backyard. Upon going into the backyard, I was immediately attacked by a swarm of mosquitos, and I got 25 mosquito bites in just ten minutes. I genuinely was immediately scratching my legs like crazy within the first two minutes we were back there. If they had known about the amount of mosquitos, I wish they would have warned us about it because I'm left with extremely swollen, itchy red legs due to the amount of mosquitos back there. I would highly recommend sitting inside, unless you aren't prone to mosquito bites or if you are wearing long sleeves/pants. Please take my warning seriously read more

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Viola's is truly a treasure! I took my mom there as a surprise for our girls' day out, and we both absolutely loved it! We sat in the parlor room, which felt like stepping back in time. We arrived early, so we spent some time relaxing in the cabana in the back by the pool, sipping our Cabernet Sauvignon. It was absolutely amazing--we could have sat there all day! The food and service were fantastic, and the prices were very reasonable. The ambiance was beautiful and truly made the whole experience feel so special. We had such a wonderful time, and I would definitely recommend Viola's I can't wait to go back! read more

Cute setting. Sat inside for brunch and felt like we'd gone back in time. The cornbread was so delicious it was gone before I could get a photo! Service was very attentive. Everyone seemed proud and happy to be working there read more

My husband and I stopped by Viola's for a little lunch date, and it was such a beautiful experience! The decor is absolutely amazing-- elegant and thoughtfully designed. It's one of those places where you immediately want to take pictures. I ordered the Peach Blossom cocktail, and it was the perfect refreshing drink for a hot day. We also tried the French toast, deviled eggs, and avocado tartine, and everything was delicious. The French toast was definitely a favorite! The deviled eggs were flavorful, and the avocado tartine was fresh and delicious. Between the gorgeous decor, excellent service, delicious food, and historic charming atmosphere, Viola's made for the perfect lunch date. Such a beautiful spot in Monrovia--I'd definitely come back! read more

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The ambience was beautiful, with stunning interior design that created such a warm, elegant, and inviting atmosphere. The staff were absolutely amazing--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming throughout our visit. And, of course, the food was fantastic! Everything was beautifully presented and full of flavor. My absolute favorite was the slow braised beef pot roast. And ANY of their specialty drinks. From the atmosphere to the service and the food, everything was magnificent. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for great food, exceptional service, and a beautiful setting. We can't wait to come back! read more

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Wow. This historical landmark is Monrovia's new pride and joy! Absolutely beautiful grounds--perfect for any occasion. The food is just lovely and the ambience is so classic with lots of antiques and restored pieces and memorabilia from the original owners of the house. The ambition of its designers and architects deserves much accolade! What a gem! It is also an inn, a classic B&B. Read up on its history! read more

Viola’s Bar & Bistro - French Near Me - Monrovia, California

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Do yourself a favor and book a reservation! I've heard amazing things about the brunch, but I was able to make it for dinner, and I'm so glad I did! We started with the deviled eggs with caviar, then enjoyed the pot roast and fish en papillote. Everything was absolutely DELISH, including the drinks! So refreshing and perfectly done. Everyone I encountered was friendly, welcoming, and attentive. And the restaurant itself? Beautiful and filled with so much history and character. You can truly feel the charm the moment you walk in. I absolutely loved it here and can't wait to come back! read more

Viola’s Bar & Bistro - Deviled eggs with Caviar - French Near Me - Monrovia, California

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I've been here twice. Ordered the beef stew. So yummy and the meat was so tender. The wedge salad was delicious. I've ordered the cornbread twice. It's my favorite. The servers and staff are wonderful. I love Jameson and Paulette. You feel like you're in another small quaint town. read more

Viola's is the definition of brunch and fine dining. The service was top notch with servers like Paulette and Jameson coming by to check on us every few minutes to make sure our experience was flawless. Highly recommend the Creme Brûlée Pain Perdu, and the Braised Bacon. Also their Banana Bread Latte and Orange Dreamsicle Latte were definitely highlights. Recommend to get a reservation so you can get a spot inside and really take in the ambiance and magic of the interior design. Coming back to try the dinner menu as well. read more

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Called to reserve for a party of ten, no return call. I emailed them, no reply, so I walked over at my lunch hour, and the hostess said I needed to talk to the owner. Asked when she would be in, and she stated she was there now, and she would go get her. The hostess came back out a few minutes later and said she was busy, and I could call her later. Still have not heard anything. You don't want my business, then I will NEVER be back. read more

Viola's in Monrovia is an Inn and Restaurant in 3 adjacent houses on Ivy St. The homes are Victorian and have been refurbished recently. It has plenty of charm, from the garden boxes to quaint indoor and outdoor seating. Attention was given to the family that once resided in the homes, which is honorable. I have been for both dinner and breakfast. Everything from the drinks, service, atmosphere and food has been given a great amount of detail, even the restrooms are lovely. Delicious plates with good portions. The only dish that I would raise a flag about is the thick cut bacon on a bed of lettuce. Our bacon was mostly fat and inedible, unfortunately. The salad underneath was quite nice. If you have time, ask your server about the family history. Highly recommend. read more

Had the best BRUNCH experience here at Viola's today. We sat at the parlor and enjoyed everything from appetizers, main course, drinks and food. Chloe was so welcoming as the host out front. Stephanie and Jamison had wonderful suggestions to make our first time in experience here worth every bite. Can't wait to come back for their happy hour and dinner! Plus also thank you for the tour of the house. Maybe next time we can see some of the rooms. Don't wait....book your next meal here or even small event. Thank you for such an amazing meal! read more

Just left Viola's after an amazing brunch! I called and made a reservation and for a party of four they told us we would be outside. I requested shade. I have issues sitting in the sun and skin cancer in the past. I was met by a lovely hostess named Chloe, who went out of her way to put us inside to protect me. We then met Jamison, who was a phenomenal busser and made some wonderful suggestions. Stephanie was our server and the food, atmosphere and drinks were absolutely wonderful. Fantastic experience hold on! I would give it more stars if that was an option read more

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Visited for the first time and the food was delicious. The ambience was very quaint and the service from Paulette was excellent. My mother and I will definitely be back. read more

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Living in Monrovia, we'd been watching Viola's construction and progress since it was announced, so we were excited to finally try it. We made reservations two weeks out and were really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The good: The special cinnamon roll of the day was excellent, and everyone enjoyed the Lavender White Chocolate and Banana Bread lattes. The butter lettuce salad that came with each entrée had a great dressing, and the French toast and avocado toast were decent. The bad: First, we were seated in the "dining room" which is essentially a passageway from the kitchen to the other rooms. There was a server coming out of the door every few moments squeezing past our table and each other on their way to other rooms. We felt like we were in their way. Additionally, the door to the bathroom was also right behind us so not only were guests coming in and out, but also when one server emptied the trash, they brought the open trash can directly past our table. Not a tied trash bag- the actual open trash can. Not sure if that is against health codes, but even if it's legal, it's inappropriate. The website photo of the dining room conveniently doesn't show the kitchen and bathroom doors immediately beside the table. Next, there were six in our party and we were excited to try the signature deviled eggs. We asked and were told 6 eggs came in an order. Perfect, we ordered one to share so we would all get one. Except, one order is only 5. The little dish it comes in literally has 6 little spots for eggs, but still only 5 eggs. So, one person missed out. The eggs were ok, but NOT worth $20 for five halves of deviled eggs. They don't have a full liquor license yet so their $15 "cocktails" were all just soju. We ordered the drinks and eggs first, waited a solid 20 minutes for the drinks and never actually got the eggs until the meal had already been served. The server told us they don't time their dishes, which was odd since the eggs are listed in the section of the menu called "While you Sip" which leads one to believe they are appetizers served first with the drinks. After ages, they served four of our meals, but the other two had to continue waiting. One person asked for salt and was given a cute little jar of "salt" with a spoon in it. She sprinkled it all over her omelette and I sprinkled some on my avocado toast only to find out it was SUGAR. It made the omelette inedible which meant that person had to wait while they replaced her meal. Afterwards two employees had the discussion right behind us about the difference between sugar and salt. We weren't in a rush, but it was still over 2 hours from being seated in uncomfortable antique chairs until we were able to pay. The concept at Viola's is cute, and the servers were all very nice, but the execution is currently lacking. Hopefully, with more organization and training, the experience will improve. read more

This hidden gem is an absolute must! The building itself is absolutely beautiful and a true piece of history. The food was incredible. Best deviled eggs I've ever had. Best pot roast I've ever had, packed with flavor and fork tender. The salad has carefully sourced and safe lettuce with the most delicious light vinaigrette. The mussels were tender and the broth was so good. My mom had the cod and it was butter soft and served with fresh dill. Peach cobbler and chocolate pot for dessert and lattes. We were in heaven and will definitely be back and soon! read more

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Food was divine and the staffs were beyond kind and welcoming. The interior was absolutely gorgeous as well. Visit before it gets too popular! read more

Viola’s Bar & Bistro - Interior - French Near Me - Monrovia, California

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We had brunch inside and the food was yummy but the house itself was beautiful! The wait staff seemed a bit perplexed seems a manager, who was very nice, needed to jump in and help . Overall good food great ambiance. read more

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Everything was delicious! Service was impeccable! Cheryl and Jameson were friendly and attentive. The restaurant is in an historical home. We ate in the dining room. Coming back for brunch! read more

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August 1 grand opening!!! What an amazing time and the atmosphere, both historic and genuine in its captured timelines of prohibition and artistry! The service was impeccable, hospitality was welcoming, the drinks were outstandingly amazing in both taste and presentation! Then the food, unique in their flavors, presentation and vibrance! The cast iron cornbread, the crème brûlée, French toast, the French omelette, the avocado tartine, the tuna tartine, all of it was superb in taste and presentation! It was quite a wonderful experience and looking forward to coming back! Plus the jazz music with the big swing prohibition era in the background was a delight! read more

Viola’s Bar & Bistro - The crème brûlée French toast was quite superb and delicious! - French Near Me - Monrovia, California

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BEWARE!!! YOU MUST HAVE RESERVATIONS!!! The hostess is rather snippy if you show up without reservations, they will offer you seating outside in 100 degree heat, and admonish you for not making reservations as it "says to do so on the website." Dinner is limited to only 3 entrees. read more

Lovely spot beautiful venue, incredible food, friendly staff, and the chef sings as she cooks. Such a beautiful voice enchanting place!!!! read more

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We just had a lovely dinner in the parlor. The interiors are stunning and are filled with period antiques, many of which are original to the homes. It's all very beautiful, and also incredibly comfortable. Service from Paulette was impeccable, and the food was absolutely delicious. Viola's is a treasure! I can't wait to go back. read more

We had dinner at Viola's last night and it was such a fantastic experience. We ordered their deviled eggs, corn soup, pot roast, black cod, cornbread, and a couple of their soju based cocktails. Everything was fresh and delicious. The cocktails were so refreshing and smooth. Our server, Cheryl, coursed out the meal perfectly so our table never felt over crowded and we didn't feel rushed. Her recommendations on drinks, the Seance and the Lavender Sour were excellent. We really enjoyed both. This restaurant just feels special. Everything from the restoration, to the wallpaper, to the specially curated food and drink menu is just really impressive. We will be back soon! read more

This new French bistro is absolutely worth visiting. The ambiance is beautiful, and the historic building and pool make the grounds feel so charming. The outdoor seating is perfect for a relaxed brunch or lunch. The avocado toast, tomato bisque, chocolate mousse, and mocktails were all great. I also appreciated that there were several great choices for toddlers, making it easy to enjoy a relaxing meal as a family. It would be a beautiful wedding venue, with the inn on the property making it convenient for guests. Friendly staff and a wonderful experience. read more

Had a lovely birthday breakfast here this morning with my lady. FOH: from the host to the service team was authentically helpful, attentive, accommodating and warm hearted. Breakfast fair was quality, the culinary passion of the BOH was well felt in each bite. Receive this extension of gratitude from a satisfied guest who will be returning soon and often. Thanks so very much guys. read more