ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Restaurant Review: Vic's Italian Restaurant

by Samantha Brannen

Vic’s Italian Restaurant can be found on Main St. in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. The restaurant has been in business for over 70 years. Vittorio Giunco opened his doors in 1933, and the establishment has remained beloved by the public ever since. Their distinctive thin-crust pizza has become a favorite among customers. A quick search online will show raving reviews, so logically, when my dad suggested we go out to eat, I picked Vic’s. 

Atmosphere: From the outside, Vic’s Italian Restaurant was quite dull; aside from a few neon signs that caught my eye, there was not much going on. However, walking through the door and entering the dining room was another story. From the decor to the lighting, it's as if you've stepped back in time. I appreciated how nothing seemed to have changed over the years. It may feel dated to some, but the look of the restaurant's interior adds to the charm. The host showed my dad and me to our table; I looked around and saw it was reasonably busy. It is a place where people come to grab a quick bite and catch up with loved ones. The atmosphere was warm and cozy; laughter and conversation were plentiful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Food: Great ambiance can't distract me from average food, and Vic’s was not the exception. Our server placed complimentary bread before us a few minutes after being seated. Though the bread was mediocre, I could not complain, as free food is always a bonus. When it came time for appetizers, I ordered the chopped antipasto salad. Our server could not have recommended it enough, so I was confident in my decision. The salad was generously sized, and the dressing that coated it was delicious. My dad and I agreed that the salad was delightful. Sadly, that was the beginning of the end regarding great food. After scanning the menu for an entree, I went with a simple pasta dish. In my mind, it was a safe choice, as messing up pasta is very hard. I appeared to have spoken too soon because, when the ravioli arrived, it could have been mistaken for dumplings. The ravioli was very thin and flimsy, while little sauce was provided. The final dish to come out was pasta with meat sauce, and after the first bite, I concluded that I could have made the same thing at home for free. The sauce lacked flavor and the shells were insipid. The appetizers we ordered had redeeming qualities, but our entrees were disappointing and left us wanting more. ⭐⭐⭐/5

Service: Good service is vital as it can make or break a customer's restaurant experience, and the mood of your server can really set the tone of the meal. After being seated, our server took only a short time to approach us. She was very attentive and gave what she thought were helpful suggestions regarding what to order. The food came out swiftly, and she checked in regularly to ensure everything went smoothly. Overall the service was excellent, and we could not have asked for a better waitress. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Final Thoughts: Vic’s is a restaurant that relies on nostalgia alone. They understand who their customers are and know their loyalty to the establishment is everlasting. In their mind, it is justifiable that the food is average at best because, at the end of the day, people will still show up. While it was not a horrible experience overall, I don't think we will be returning anytime soon.