VUE + VIVIENNE-- The Woo! Has a Winner
Let me start with this: I wish I were being paid to write this review. I'm not.
We started upstairs at VUE, the rooftop lounge, and within about 30 seconds I was thinking, Worcester, where have you been hiding this place?
The décor is some of the best I've seen in a lounge in a long time. I was literally telling a friend last week that we need more actual lounges--low seating, couches, living-room comfort, great cocktails, good service, and an atmosphere where you can sit back and stay awhile.
VUE completely delivers.
You have an almost 360-degree view of Central Massachusetts, a great wine list, excellent cocktails, and this wonderfully cool 1960s/70s vibe without feeling remotely dated. It's contemporary, sophisticated and sexy.
You almost want to light a cigarette, order a martini and pretend you're James Bond or Cary Grant.
Please don't actually light the cigarette. I'm pretty sure Worcester has rules about that.
Now, my one complaint upstairs: the music.
It was loud. Really loud. And bizarre.
It sounded like someone asked AI to recreate classic hits after feeding it your grandmother's buffet playlist and a box of Chinese gongs. It wasn't background music--it was participating in our conversation without being invited.
Fortunately, our server Cai was fantastic.
Meticulous, smart, funny and completely knowledgeable about the menu. She didn't make a single bad recommendation. My girlfriend's cocktail was perfect, and Cai even went to management and asked if they could turn the music down or perhaps find another musical direction.
Request denied.
That is literally my only strike against VUE. And because Cai was so attentive and genuinely kind, I'll absolutely go back. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
Cai also recommended several things from the menu downstairs at VIVIENNE , so eventually we surrendered to the music and headed down.
We were seated immediately at the bar, and I have to say: I cannot remember the last time I took pictures of the inside of a restaurant in Worcester.
The Woo! needed this place.
Vivienne is easily on par with--and in some ways better than--many restaurants I've been to in Boston or Providence. I genuinely believe that within a year, people are going to be traveling into Worcester specifically to experience this place.
The hanger steak was phenomenal. Hanger steak can be hit or miss, and this was an absolute hit.
The Greek salad? Off the charts.
The three-dip appetizer? Excellent.
But, we need to have a little family meeting about the crackers....Chill with the rice crackers. More pita!
The pita is fantastic. Give the people what they want.
And while we're discussing pita, please don't charge me $3 when I ask for a little extra. Chips and salsa are practically a gift from the Latino community to humanity. I firmly believe unlimited pita should be the mediterranean equivalent.
I'm willing to lead this movement.
Our bartender/server downstairs was Gabriella, and she was absolutely adorable--funny, patient, attentive and a total pro.
And when I say patient, I mean patient.
My girlfriend can take 30 minutes to order. She could be ordering calamari and somehow turn it into a congressional hearing.
Where is it from? How is it prepared? What do you think of it? What does the chef think of it? What are your thoughts on items 4 through 17? And before I decide, let's revisit the first appetizer.
Meanwhile, Gabriella had a full bar and a busy Thursday night around her and never missed a beat.
It's people like Cai and Gabriella who make you want to return to a restaurant.
I've always believed that people buy from people. We rarely remember every detail of a meal six months later, but we absolutely remember how somebody made us feel.
Based on the level of service--and, more importantly, the genuine kindness--we received from Cai and Gabriella, we'll be back. A lot.
Unfortunately, I ran out of time for the chocolate cake, which now gives me an excuse for round two.
Next visit, I'm ordering the whole baked chicken. I've always thought a simple roasted chicken is the blank canvas of a chef. There's nowhere to hide. If you can make a chicken memorable, you can cook.
Based on everything else we ate, my expectations are high.
And yes, I'm getting the chocolate cake.
Great food. Great drinks. Terrific service. Beautiful design. And easily one of the most eclectic and enjoyable restaurant experiences I've had anywhere around Worcester.
Fix the upstairs soundtrack, keep Cai and Gabriella happy, and keep doing what you're doing.
The Woo! has a winner. read more