The food is prepared by students and it is very delouse. The service is exceptional the servers make you feel like you are important. The Resturent is very organized clean and intimate read more

It is a total oversight on my part to not have written earlier about this fine dining establishment. It is wonderful to say the least! Elegant while maintaining a true learning environment for the students. The ambiance is unmatched in the Newark area. I absolutely love the lunch buffet and it is a special place for dinner or lunch. Truly outstanding! read more

What an amazing experience. The staff, from hostess to waiter was extremely professional. The lunch buffet was remarkable: salmon, chicken, flatbread, turkey, numerous salads, an array of desserts. We felt as if we were at a 5 star restaurant. Definitely will go again read more

Vita Nova is University of Delaware's culinary academy. Staffed entirely by students, this was a phenomenal experience in Michelin-level dining. Lunch is an elegant single-priced buffet with a wide range of choices. Dinner is a multi-course meal with a traditional menu of offerings and prices for each. Though the dinner was more food than I typically eat, (WHY did I have that second popover?), it was all fabulous. Once we were seated and a napkin draped over our laps, we were asked if we'd like a sommelier to visit our table. This facility has an impressive wine list and the sommelier experience is not to be missed. Various wines were explained to us by region and attributes and we were offered a sampling of each of two featured wines. If you're going to either lunch or dinner, be sure to make a reservation, dress the part, and arrive hungry! read more

See all

This restaurant is always a treat. The cuisine is unique and always well prepared and service is excellent. This is run by the students in the hospitality school at University of Delaware and they do a fantastic job. The menu has definitely grown through the years and offers something for many diets, including vegetarian and pescatarian. This is definitely a pricey evening, but worth it if you are looking for a treat. The wine list is extensive as well. One of the students will walk around with a basket containing some boat and bottles of wine that you can try before you buy which is nice. The best part is for dessert, you can get nitro ice cream. Watching the students act as mad scientists creating this delicious dish is so humorous and the different sides that come with it like granola and fruit is just an amazing dessert. We've only ever seen this treat in one other place in our travels so we always look forward to this. My complaint is they need to bring the culture of this restaurant to the 21st century. University of Delaware has always been very old school and that includes Vita Nova. When the servers are walking the floor they make them put their hands behind their backs as if they are servers in the first class dining room of the Titanic. I remember eating at the Green room at the Hotel Dupont 15 years ago and didn't even see this and that was at that time considered one of the swankiest restaurants in the area. I've seen that practice at upscale restaurants in the past but not so much anymore so that behavior needs to change. Another thing is the chef uniforms are very old school. We've been at a lot of upscale restaurants throughout the world and haven't seen chefs wear those tall puffy hats years. They usually wear bandanas, beanies, or baseball caps. But at good old UD they still wear the big, puffy chef hat. Oh, wait at a hibachi restaurant, the hibachi chef wears that tall hat but only so that he can throw pieces of shrimp and chicken into the middle of it for entertainment. I also noticed that some of the women had these bandages on their noses and I realize OMG they are covering up nose rings. Yes, I think nose rings are gross but I think the bandage is covering them is even grosser so that needs to change as well. There isn't anything else I would change about this restaurant. The faculty does an amazing job teaching students how to run an upscale restaurant and the cuisine is definitely more elevated than many places around here so come here on a special occasion. We did give some of this feedback to the students when they asked but not sure if this will ever get back to management to make some changes. read more

Visited Vita Nova for a weeknight celebratory dinner with some friends this past week and had a really enjoyable experience! The restaurant is within the Trabant Student Center at the University of Delaware, which is a bit confusing at first. You can street park or park in the nearby Trabant Parking Garage where I would recommend planning for about 3 hours ($8) if you are there for dinner. When walking from the garage, you can enter through the side of the building and proceed back (past the first elevator and staircase) through a set of doors to a second lobby area with a staircase and clear signage pointing you up to Vita Nova. As many have already mentioned, the restaurant serves as experiential learning for the UD students studying hospitality, and the automatically added service charge is put back into their educational costs (they can't accept tips!). Since the students are being graded, everyone is on their best behavior. Since they are learning, you may notice a few awkward hiccups here and there but I was overall pretty impressed. Our coats were taken upon arrival and we were quickly shown to our table in their small dining room that only has maybe a 15 tables max. The tasting menu includes an appetizer trio (for us, hummus with goat cheese and pomegranate, short rib with apple slaw, and roasted cauliflower soup --- you can get double of an appetizer you like instead of one you don't for those who are picky or vegetarian!) and a choice of Caesar or their signature salad (with mandarin oranges, toasted coconut, and almond). I really enjoyed the short rib and the soup, though the hummus was a bit dry and only comes with one small pita chip so you wind up eating the rest with a fork (or in my case, not eating it). The signature salad was delightful. For dinner, you get your choice of 10-12 entrees ranging around $35-45 in price, which covers your 4 course meal. I opted for the scallops, which came with butternut squash puree and asparagus and were delicious. Two others got the gnocchi and enjoyed it, though felt it was a bit dry. One friend ordered the chicken and also liked his meal, especially because it comes with burrata (yum!). And finally, for dessert, we all chose their dessert duo (a strawberry pastry and mini tiramisu) though there are a few other options. We liked both desserts, though neither particularly stood out to me. As for drinks, they offer several beers, wines, and cocktails (with extra cost). We were offered a taste of the featured red and white wines of the evening and wound up getting a bottle, which cost a reasonable $30 or so. If you decide to try Vita Nova, you DEFINITELY need a reservation. They are only open during school semesters, and only certain days of the week. They don't really turn over the tables, so there's a limited number of reservations per night. We made our reservation a solid 2 months before we went.... plan ahead! read more

See all

Nice people and great food. The staff are professional and helpful. The place is beautiful and relaxing. Good ambient.

Wonderful experience with young students taking care of us. The Hospitality Management program should be commended.

Way back in the day, twenty years ago when I was a tour guide for the University of Delaware my tour spiel included calling out the university's highly rated hotel restaurant management major and the student run restaurant, Vita Nova. I never actually ate there but people shared how amazing it was, and I must agree, having dined there recently it is awesome! The food, ambiance, service, is all killer at a ridiculously low priced Prix menu cost too! I highly recommend this place whether dining with a date or group! The student servers are so engaging and dedicated and it's really fun to see they work in the kitchen as well with the culinary head chef. All the food was fantastic from our appetizer trio of mushroom risotto, roasted pork and lentil soup to our main entrees of Arctic char and braised short rib. They do fine dining and the food was superb. Also highly recommend capping your dinner with the ice cream that's made tableside with nitrous oxide. It's such a fun dining experience, I'd come here more often if it wasn't so hard to get reservations! read more

See all

You will have a special night (or lunch) at the student run restaurant at the University of Delaware. The menus changes every semester and I've had many wonderful meals here. Know that their lunch buffet is a great value. At dinner, a very reasonably priced pre-fixed, four course menu is served. You will start your meal with a trio of selected appetizers. Make sure you ask for their light, airy popovers. These all are the harbingers of the delicious meal to come. You'll have a choice of two salads in and either of them are quite enjoyable. Caesar dressing is outstanding. The Mains: Their scallops are perfectly cooked and seasoned. Short ribs are tender and flavorful. Crab cakes are full of crab meat. Sea bass is one of their fantastic fish dishes. Steak is a good choice for the non-adventurous. The Wine List: One word; incredible. There are so many wonderful choices at very fair prices. Dessert: I'm a sucker for their great creme brûlée. Try the nitro ice cream. The service: The student servers, sommelier, hosts, etc are knowledgeable and care about your dining experience. Vita Nova is a training ground and your'e part of their learning process. I've been very impressed with them all. Reservations are a must. read more

Absolutely wonderful. The selection of meals covered nearly all palates. I was very impressed with the students. They were very conscious of their roles in front of the house and back of the house. I'm looking forward to returning in the spring semester and maybe a lunch buffet or two as well. Don't be put off by the price of the dinners and the subsequent service charge. Tips are not allowed so take the service charge into consideration. read more

WOW! Probably on the same level of service and quality food as the old Green Room and Crazy Cats for half the price! Every bite was delicious. Portion size was perfect. It was so nice to see a properly set table again. The service was outstanding. If you are lucky enough to get a reservation then you are very fortunate. Wine selection was ok - but the food and the service are definitely the star of the evening. read more

I had dinner here with my friend Wednesday night. I have been here many times for buffet lunch, where has always been very tasty with a variety of choices. It was my first time here for dinner. The dinner had standard three courses. We ordered short rib beef and filet mignon. The first three sample appetizer were very tasty and well displayed. I really enjoyed the pea soup. In between the main course and salads, the student waiter gave us sorbet to clear the palate. The main courses were also amazing. The short rib was my favorite. It was very tender and rich flavored, satisfying for the palate. The filet mignon was a big portion and we had to box it up. Also, they serve three kinds of bread (puff-up, bread stick, and olive), where was also good. read more

See all

Hmmmm... First one to go less that five stars here, but then for that matter, at least to date, I haven't given ANY Newark eatery five stars yet! The food, is indeed, consistently excellent, and it is without question one of the classiest dining establishments in northern Delaware. I eat there about twice a year: sometimes dinner, but usually the lunch buffet. Food is always well prepared and beautifully presented. During my most recent visit, the fish (trout, I think?) was light and moist and wonderful. But... there are a couple hiccups. One, it IS part of the UD restaurant management program, and as they should be at this stage, the wait-staff is sometimes a little rough around the edges. Charming? Usually! But sometimes a little awkward or even amusing, as well. It's the point of the establishment in the first place, to create a 'lab' where students learn the decorum of working in a top-flight restaurant, but it has made for a few interesting meals. Closely related is the fact that the place is ridiculously busy ALL the time. Usually you need reservations well in advance; sometimes MONTHS in a advance. And, of course, when the semester ends, that's it for the next few months. So knowing all that, it's still a very nice place for a really fine meal. A real treasure here in the UD community! read more

5 STAR DINING EXPERIENCE ON CAMPUS? Perfection is the name of this game on the University of Delaware's Newark Campus. These people are being trained in "Attention to Detail," and "Excellence in Dining". I went for lunch and "LOVED IT!", can't wait to go back for dinner! Had the BEST lobster salad ever. Their lunch buffet is not to be missed. The staff, and manager are "SPOT ON!". If you ever wanted to experience a true gourmet meal experience, and could not afford to, here's your chance. These are students in Culinary Arts, Hotel & Restaurant Management, and boy do they execute what they're their studying well. You park in the parking garage, cross the street, enter a building where students are lounging and studying. Go up the stairs to enter a "Marvelous Dining Experience!". Their Wine List is Extensive, and offers great wines, at great prices. Tips are not allowed. You MUST make reservations for dinner, and they also use "OPEN TABLE" for reservations. Their hours and dates are limited, so go to their website and check for availability. I am really glad I went, and look forward to many return visits! ENJOY!! Chef Gary Curry read more

See all

We had lunch at Vita Nova on Tuesday, December 3. Wow! What a wonderful experience. The food was great and the service was perfect. What a bargain for a buffet lunch. Don't forget the flatbreads that are on the counter above the entrees. Delicious is not sufficient to describe the flatbreads. All the food was very good and very nicely prepared and presented. The student servers are so great! Can't wait for the spring term to begin in February so we can go back! read more

i LOVE Vita Nova! I've been there with my wife and with friends on several occasions. This is a restaurant school, and it's wonderful being pampered by very polite students as they learn the trade of not only preparing excellent dishes but first-class serving as well. I will keep frequenting Vita Nova at least once per semester. read more

Vita Nova - Students of University of Delaware Restaurant School - New American Near Me - Newark, Delaware

Incredibly friendly staff. You can really tell the students are trying their best. They add on gratuity automatically. I'm assuming this is because it's a student ran outfit? It's a shame as I would tip more. They really go out of there way to create a fine dining experience complete with a coat check, wine pairings. I thought the cooks were full time culinary students, but I found out that after one or two culinary classes, they are only cooks at the restaurant for half a semester! Terrific food quality for such in experienced cooks. They do a really good job of taking the heat off the kitchen by only having one seating and doing salads table side. Overall the food is very good. While it is fine dining, it's not pretentious but classic gourmet dishes like pan seared duck and sea bass. Quality meats served with a purée and vegetable. The palate cleaning sorbet before the main course and the nitrogen post dessert strawberries had us smiling. Unfortunately there were a few minor blips in our service where they left butter on the table, we ran out of water, they left our plates on the table until they brought the next course. Etc. In their defense they mentioned they were completely booked at 44 so it was a major service for them. We will definitely go back and I would highly recommend. I look forward to updating this review with 5 stars soon. read more

We had dinner at Vita Nova during Family Weekend and it was a wonderful experience. Impeccable service with attention to detail and delish food cooked to perfection! We will definitely return! read more

This is not really a wonderful restaurant or a terrific buy, but people love it because 1) it is fancy in a way that intimidates criticism, 2) the student servers are always interesting to talk with. The restaurant is run by the University of Delaware hotel school. read more

Outstanding! The students of the U of Delaware hospitality school have done a magnificent job. We were lucky enough to be there for the lunchtime buffet, which gave me a chance to try everything. The salad with pears and poached salmon were as good as any I have ever had. The small popovers were perfect -- just crusty enough, tender inside, and with divine little pats of cinnamon butter. Chicken with craisins was excellent. And the desserts! A lady in front of me in line bypassed the small dessert plates to bring a dinner plate over so she could take some of everything on the table and I envied her ingenuity. Service was not exactly polished, but attentive and well-mannered. And the price was so low at first I thought it was per person. The best meal for the price I can remember. My only criticism was the tea. It is always a disappointment when an exquisite meal is followed by a pedestrian tea, and Lipton is as pedestrian as it gets. Please, Vita Nova, try Numi, Mighty Leaf, or, ideally, something more upscale like Silk Roads or Seven Cups. Then your tea will be the match of your superb food. read more

Back for a second time on 10/22/10. This time, as a solo diner, I ate at the Darden Bistro (the restaurant's wine bar -- and no reservations needed). I enjoyed fabulous, friendly service (thanks, Danielle!), delicious food (Caesar salad followed by lamb tortelloni), and a couple of nice glasses of wine. For anyone passing through Newark on the nights that Vita Nova is open, I recommend taking the time to sample this special experience. read more

We had driven past U of D many times, but didn't know that this wonderful restaurant was there until recently when friends of ours were given a gift certificate for it. They came away with rave reviews, so we headed back there with our friends on Friday. Food and drinks were excellent, and service even better! The students servers and chefs did a great job, and we all had a wonderful evening. This would be a great spot for a special occasion, but it was a good value for the money, and we'll be back. read more

My wife and I went here on our 1st anniversary. The food is fantastic and the service is impeccable. The people that are teaching these students must know the best technics for the food industry. We were very satisfied. read more

The food is so good and the service is incredible! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Amazing! Food, wine and service! Delicious and I highly recommend!! The students are well trained and eager to please. I consider myself a foodie and this was tops! The restaurant was spotless as well!! read more

Blew off Bill Cosby during Parent's weekend at UD to dine here. Great choice! After a flight of stairs you leave the downstairs fast-food Trabant food court and step into a beautiful room and upscale dining experience. The students greet, cook, and serve under the watchful eye of Bernd Mayer. The restaurant is so good you actually forget this is part of the UD curriculum. Delicious food, beautifully presented, and very reasonable. Good wine selection too. If you're a UD parent you simply must try Vita Nova before your progeny graduates. read more