Vespa

Went here with friends and enjoyed the food, but found out the next day that the waitress overcharged my debit card by $45. I had to call the owner/manager every day for the next two weeks to get him to finally call his bank and fix the error. He never even apologized for the error or the inconvenience. Apparently he doesn't think it's important to treat students as valuable customers in a college town?? more

for $10.99 i received a dish of pasta with tomato sauce that was very watered down, and lacked flavor. when... more

for $10.99 i received a dish of pasta with tomato sauce that was very watered down, and lacked flavor. when i remarked about this to the waitress she stated that that was her favorite part, the sauce was light so you could taste the pasta. the sauce wasn't light!!! it was runny and watered down, this usually happens when the cook doesn't drain the past properly before mixing in the sauce, thus excess water gets in the dish. of course as always to top things off when you have a bad experience it get's worse. the waitress didn't know how to operate the credit card system and posted 5, let me repeat 5 separate holds on my account. so if you venture here for dinner, avoid the pasta, and whatever you do, don't let them touch your credit card!!! after trying to run my card 5 times, her solution, write down my card number on a sheet of paper and try running it manually again????\r \r more

for $10.99 i received a dish of pasta with tomato sauce that was very watered down, and lacked flavor. when i remarked about this to the waitress ... more

I am a student at the University of North Carolina and I have visited Vespa Restaurant on multiple occassions, never having left wanting. The atmosphere is one of a kind, and the staff makes you feel truly welcome. In my most recent visit, my waitress was extremely polite and knowledgable of their wines and menu. Not only is the food fresh and beautifully presented, the courses themselves are innovative spins on traditional Italian dishes. The chefs mix Mediterrean and Middle Eastern entrees into their menu, making for an even more exciting and pleasant experience. On a previous visit, I was a member of a group of 25 adults and students that utilized Vespa's back room, and ordered off of a fixed menu of the chef's design. It was a perfect evening, with perfect service, and I fully recommend Vespa Restaurant to anyone seeking an impeccable dining experience. more

If you're a student looking for somewhere nice for your parents to take you, or just want some fine Italian cuisine, don't go here. The food is surprisingly disappointing. I don't understand how the place stays open, much less how some give it stellar review (maybe the quality has declined over the years?). I tried the gnocchi as well as the penne with salmon. The gnocchi was mushy and light, like raw bread dough boiled in water. The sauce was soupy and flavorless. As for the penne... there was hardly any salmon, the pasta was once again overcooked, and the sauce was more water than anything. To say there is room for improvement in the food quality is woefully understated. Please save your money, or go somewhere worth the price tag. more

We purchased a promotional certificate to dine here, and I've never tried it. The meal was average and the service was slow. We attempted to give the staff our promotional certificate after dinner (for $20 off food--which again, we purchased for $15), they were extremely rude and said they would make no money on us if they accepted it. They said to come back when we wanted to spend more money. He said we can't use the certificate during lunch, before 6 on evenings, or brunch because the menu is cheaper and he expects for his customers to spend more money when they are getting a discount. It did not matter to him that we were first-time customers, purchased the certificate and really were only getting a $5 discount, or did not wish to return. It also did not matter to him that the fine print on the certificate did not state any of this (I checked first to be sure). He was rude and I will not return. more

I used to frequent this restaurant when I first moved here in 2002, as the food was creative and delicious, and the ambiance was enjoyable. In 2005 I moved further east, so I haven't been back until recently. I was surprised to read the other reviews on here because we felt that our visit was just as enjoyable as it was years ago. The waitstaff was exceptionally enthusiastic and friendly (we left saying ""wow that guy loves his job!""), and the food was terrific. My favorite dish was the polenta funghi appetizer. The polenta was incredibly creamy and fluffy, the red wine sauce was almost plate-licking worthy, and the mushrooms and the sweet peppers complemented the dish well. I think the size of the dishes could be toned down a bit, although we had enough food for lunch the next day. The waiter told us how their current head chef is from Turkey, so he likes to shake up the traditional Italian with his Turkish influences, which is an interesting twist, even to someone like me who is of Italian heritage. My only negative comment is that their bathrooms are in dire need of a renovation; they had a funky mold-like smell. I would definitely visit this restaurant again if I'm ever in the area! more

I first tried Vespa in 2006. Perfect pasta, heavenly asparagus, lovely presentation, pleasant wait staff. By perfect pasta, I mean that the bite and flavor were perfect, the cream sauce delicate, the 4 or 5 stalks of asparagus perfectly cut and arrayed and shining with flavor, fresh peas. I was impressed and I loved it. I tried Vespa again in 2009. Pasta was smothered. The plate looked like a heap of garbage. It appeared that the cream sauce had just started to break. My fellow diner's ravioli stuck in the teeth. The desserts (tiramisu and chocolate semifreddo) were scooped out of pans and slapped onto the plates with lakes and globs of sauces that overpowered the desserts themselves. The ladyfingers in the tiramisu were over-soaked in a tasteless coffee syrup. The filling was not grainy but lacked flavor and richness. Between 2006 and 2009 I had stopped into Vespa with friends just for dessert. We had profiteroles - they were good but the pastry cream was still frozen inside. I had a cappuccino. I thought surely in an Italian restaurant.... Cappuccino should be 1/3 coffee, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 bubbly, frothy foam. This cappuccino was lukewarm, probably 2/3 milk and there was a film of spent foam on top. Even if what I was served was a poorly made latte, the size of the cup suggested that they meant to make a cappuccino. I feel that I can give an informed review as I have been to culinary school for baking and pastry and have worked in a top-notch coffee shop in a metropolitan city. I can't help but feel insulted by Vespa. I will not go there again. I will be going to Italy in a few weeks from now. I know that once I've been there, my 2009 experience at Vespa will appear to be all the more pathetic. Pros: Pasta itself is good, great atmosphere Cons: Presentation, cappuccino, desserts more

I've lived in Chapel Hill for over 20 years so I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable about the local restaurant scene. My recent experience at Vespa confirmed what I have always felt about the restaurant, and what I have heard others mention as well; that the staff seem somewhat pushy to get you in and then get you out, and that the food itself was not very good. . Let me preface by saying that my date and I were one of three groups of people seated in the restaurant at about 6:15. Our waiter was great, but when we were given the wine list another manager-type person came over and offered to help us out on our wine selection. He repeatedly told us that they were ""out"" of many of the items on the per-glass menu and I felt he was a little pushy trying to get us to purchase a bottle. They only had two types of wine from italy by the glass, in an italian restaurant? . The bread arrived and it was cold, dry, and not tasty whatsoever. Not a big deal, I suppose. . Then the food arrived; I got the Gnocchi and my date got the Fetuccini Primavera. Mine was almost cold, heavy, and almost tasteless. My date's meal was better (she said she liked it) but I personally thought she was being polite (I thought it was average at best). I didn't think it was worth the price we paid by any means. . I recommend Vespa for the atmosphere (romantic) but definitely NOT the service (pushy) or the food (below average). Pros: Atmosphere, parking Cons: Pushy and rude service, tasteless food more

This is the only reasonably-priced restaurant in the area where I can find the pasta cooked just right at \r al dente!! A friend of my recommended this restaurant as one of her Italian friends' favorites.\r However, their outdoor dining space is not the best as it's almost on the sidewalk or in the parking lot. Pros: Food, Price Cons: Outdoor dining area more

The absolute strongpoint, and reason that I go back to this restaurant again and again, is the ease with which you can make it your own. \r \r At Vespa you won?t find the large sterile environment of a mega service restaurant; it?s much more romantic. The ambience is beautifully Italian, with Mediterranean colors, classic movie posters, a brilliant copper bar and a gorgeous garden for outside dining. The lighting gives the place an intimate feel, which is great for sharing a bottle of wine. \r \r With respect to the staff, I consider it a pleasure to know them all by name (I admit I come here a lot). The manager is a great guy who is very quick to show his appreciation with a glass of moscato and a smile, and the small group of servers is always courteous. The owner Marlo is a true Italian who can be very charming and an interesting addition to the meal if you?re lucky enough to catch him. I also suggest eating at the bar, the bartender is a very magnetic guy. They really treat their regulars well.\r \r To top it off, the food is wonderful. While their menu doesn?t change, the specials always do, and they can include some excellent homemade pasta. The gnocchi, by the way, is second to none, as are the calamari and mussel appetizers.\r \r To conclude, I think this is a very special place. With respect to the rancorously bad reviews, I can only think that it reflects the quality of the customer rather than the quality of the restaurant. Pros: Ambience, dedicated parking, fresh food and family style service Cons: The menu doesn't change; don't let this stop you! (the wines do) more

Vespa tries to offer an ""authentic Italian amotmosphere"". They fail terribly.On their overpriced entrees they skimp out on the main ingredients (I had the sausage in marinara with virtually no sausage). After having a 4 course meal (appetizers, salads, entrees and dessert plus drinks for a party of 10 ) and paying the tab, which included tip, the lame excuse of a manager told us that he needed our table for another party and we were no longer welcome. On top of that, they cram all parties into a very small space where all other customers and servers bump into the back of your chair and it is impossible to move in the restaurant without hitting someone else. The service was incredibly slow because of the amount of customers they took on. All these jerks are concerned about is making money. After confronting the slimeball about this garbage he said ""we have twenty people waiting"". It was a Saturday night so of course people were waiting, however this does not justify kicking paying customers out of an establishment. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!!! Pros: Average food Cons: Terrible service, rude managers NOT CUSTOMER ORIENTED what else do you need to know? more

Short and sweet:\r This place is a joke! I don't know who could give this place a grade on a scale of 1 to 10 an 8 or 9. What are you thinking!? We were ignored, served drinks that made me nervous, and served food that my dog wouldn't eat. Considering this is the first and probably only time I'll ever be ill enough to write a review, I suggest you take it to hart before wasting your money at this place. Pros: good ambience Cons: everything else! more

What a great restaurant. My husband and I went for Valentine's Day and had a fantastic meal, from appetizer to dessert. The calamari is perfectly cooked. I had the gnocchi special and it was quite possibly the best I've ever had. My one complaint is that the seating can be kind of crammed depending on where you sit. But the food can't be beat, especially for the price. And there's a parking lot!! Pros: Great food, Great value, Free parking Cons: tight seating more

Whether you are on a date, going to a nice dinner with some friends, or taking your parents to dinner, Vespa is the best Italian restuarant to choose. I find myself constantly going back because of the amazing, imaginative, authentic, unique, and robust food, and the wine and Italian beer is good too. While the menu seems small, I have tried over 12 items on the menu and have loved them all! Hands down the best Italian in the area. They'll make believers out of you too. Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Desserts more

Had the occasion to dine on Wednesday and Saturday of the same week. The menu changed within those few days, but each offered more choices than my fellow diners and I could chose easily. The meals were definitely Italian, but not the usual meatballs and spaghetti. The food was excellent. The service, well don't be in a hurry, but isn't that Italian too? Pros: Excellent Food Cons: Slow Service more

Vespa is the best. It can be extremely expensive as it's northern italian so you're basically eating a 5 course meal. I can't say enough how amazing the food is though. It's worth every penny. more

The service at Vespa is outstanding, and well deserving of a 20% tip. I have had the veal chop every time I have gone, and it is the best veal I have ever had. People I have been with have had their pasta dishes, which look incredible. I highly suggest this restaurant over other italian restaurants in the area. The food here is not mass produced like other italian restaurants, rather it is personalized to perfection for the customer. more