Va Bene Restaurant

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS PLACE GETS SUCH GOOD REVIEWS. I WENT WHEN IT OPENED-DREADFULL, I GAVE IT ANOTHER SHOT SOME TIME LATER AND THEN AGAIN.(AT LEAST ONE YEAR BETWEEN VISITS) LAST NIGHT SUMS THE WHOLE PLACE UP. MY FRIEND PHONED AHEAD TO CHECK THEY COULD COPE WITH A SPECIAL DIET, NOTHING COMPLICATED, NO FAT OR CARBS. SO I WILL NOW LIST THEIR COMPLETE INABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH A SIMPLE REQUEST. POTATOES CAME WITH HER PLATE, ASPARAGAS WAS COOKED IN SOME SORT OF OIL, SHE ASKED IF SHE COULD BE BROUGHT SOME FRESH, THEY DID, AND AGAIN THEY WERE SOPPING IN OIL. SHE THEN ASKED AGAIN IF THEY COULD CHANGE THEM AND THEY HAD THE CHEEK TO BRING THE SAME PLATE BACK AND TELL US THERE WAS NO OIL ON THEM-----ARE YOU KIDDING! SHE THEN WRAPPED THEM IN A PAPER NAPKIN AND YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE FAT. OF-COURSE NOW THE REST OF HER MEAL WAS COLD. I ORDERED A CAPP. AND SHE ORDERED PLAIN COFFEE----WE GOT TWO CAPPS, SHE RE-ORDERED AND THEY GAVE HER A COFFEE THAT TASTED LIKE IT HAD BEEN ON THE BOIL FOR WEEKS. WE REALLY JUST WANTED A FUN NIGHT OUT, WHICH WE MANAGED TO DO IN-SPITE OF THE SNOOTIE WAITERS WHO WERE TOO BUSY BEING "" REAL ITALIAN WAITERS"" WHICH THEY CERTAINLY WERE NOT. SOME ONE NEEDS TO GIVE THEM A LONG LECTURE ON USING THEIR EARS . SEEMS SIMPLE ENOUGH. THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE EXCUSE IT WAS BUSY. I ALSO THINK OBVIOUSLY IT IS COMPLETELY OVER PRICED, AND I REALLY DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO WASTE THERE MONEY. THERE ARE FAR MORE PLACES TO CHOOSE FROM. BASICALLY ANY WHERE ELSE. ONE STAR WOULD BE GROSSLY TOO MANY. DON'T GIVE THEM YOUR HARD EARNED CASH!!!!!!! APPARENTLY I HAD TO GIVE THEM A STAR TO PUBLISH THIS. more

Pros: Excellent representation of Northern Italian cuisine. Unbelievable Gnochi (The best I've had outside of Italy). Nice romantic atmosphere. Excellent Service. Fresh ingredients. Prompt seating. Very reasonably priced for what you get Pros: Excellent representation of Northern Italian cuisine Cons: Wine list on the weak side more

I recently went to Va Bene for a casual sunday evening dinner with my girlfriend. The front facade is deceptive as the interior is tastefully decorated. The staff were helpful and the food was tasty and in an ample portion. I left the restaurant fulfilled and happy with the choice, I also found the price very reasonable taking into account the sunday drink and appetizer specials. I would recommend this place to anyone. Pros: Great food, good value, helpful staff Cons: Location more

I can easily say that Va Bene is my favorite hang out in Phoenix. It has class, excellent service, impeccable food, wonderful, professional & friendly staff, an awesome bar area, entertaining live band & very reasonable prices. You get what you pay for and I don't care what you order off the menu, you will not be disappointed. It is great for families, dates or just a night out with friends. The restaurant is on one side and the bar on the other, perfectly separated so that you can get the best experience of both. Definitely check this place out! more

This place was amazing the food an absolute joy to eat. Our server Mark was fabulous. The wine list had so many wines we had a very nice time ( maybe to nice) trying them all. The bar was fun great crowd live entertainment. I actually snet clients there 72 to be exact they said it was there best dinner meeting ever. You have to meet Mama in the kitchen she is true joy don't see it on the menu just ask Mama! Pros: Fabulous Food & Wine, Great Service, Nice Wine List more

Excellent food. Outstanding service. Great house wines complement the food without busting the bank, especially the Red Zin. Surprising find in the midst of the mecca of chain restaurants, Ahwatukee. The service is special. The staff goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. Pros: Service, Food, Wine Cons: Small lounge more

Outstanding Italian with some imagination used in the menu. Mama keeps tight control of the quality of the food. more