04/18/05

Late lunch value

by amydragon

We visited Von's April 17 after seeing a show at the Paramount.D iscovered a fun, funky place with a great menu. We didn't order any alcohol. We shared a plate of excellent pot stickers with a delicious sauce. My husband orderd a steak sandwich with french fries and I had a HUGE ginger pork salad. Prices were very good, overall quality great. The one poor overworked waiter did his best with a wry sense of humor, and the kitchen made a couple of goofs that he quickly corrected, and in compensation offered us a free dessert (we had the apple crisp, terrific indulgence!) Yes it's crowded, the staff needs help, but it was fun and we enjoyed chatting with our neighbors (people attending the big coffee conference at the convention center). Not a place for intimate dining (we ate in the bar, the restaurant being closed until later).

• Pros: Good food, large portions
• Cons: short on wait staff, crowded

11/02/09

Great food

by Ryliss

Ribs, the salads, the cheeseburger, the sandwiches, the stew, the low fat menu choices, they are all great. There is so much meat on the ribs you can cut it off with a knife and avoid the bib.

I have been going to Von's for the past 6 years about once a month. It has been a goal of mine to try everything on the menu but sometimes I just have to have something I ordered before because it was so good.

I enjoy eating outside watching the people walk by, it reminds me of Paris. Thank you for the heaters.

• Pros: Everything I order is FANTASTIC
• Cons: none

10/25/09

Could your bar be any bigger?

by tricharddec

I popped into Von's last Friday night when I was downtown on business. The first thing I saw, even through the windows was the liquor! The bartender told me they stock almost 1000 bottles! It was busy, the staff was efficient and I had great service (and a couple stiff drinks)....I will be back!

• Pros: Great cocktails!

10/25/09

Great new Happy Hour!

by 3beanbeans

I like to find places for happy hour. I have been to Vons several times in the past (HUGE Bar!) but they never offered a true happy hour until recently. They offer it in the entire restaurant everyday from 5-6 pm. This is great because I can take my 12 year old in, sit in the dining room and order a HUGE cheeseburger with fries for $6 and then a wheel special drink for $4! Thanks Vons!

• Pros: Awesome food value

10/23/09

Don't go for prime rib

by JillyM

My husband and I went to Von's for the prime rib - advertised as the best in Seattle and roasted for 10 hours! My husband, being a prime rib enthusiast, was looking forward to the prime rib. We were seated and since the server was busy, the hostess took our drink order. After 15 minutes of waiting, the server brought us our drinks and left to take an order from the table beside ours. We overheard him telling the people there that was no rare or medium rare prime rib - only medium temp or higher. When he came to our table, I asked him about what we heard and he confirmed that there was only medium or higher temperature available. When I asked him how that happened, he said, "the cut we got in today was medium". This indicates to me that Von's 10-hour roasted prime rib must not be roasted on-site at all - must be just a block of pre-cooked meat. Since my husband wants his prime rib medium-rare, we paid for our drinks and left - went to Morton's where we paid more for the prime rib but got the service, ambience, and medium-rare prime rib that far exceeded the difference in price. My advice - skip Von's unless you're hungry for something other than the prime rib.

• Cons: slow service and pre-cooked prime rib

08/23/09

fun, easy place to dine downtown

by restaurants

I went to Von's last night and had a fabulous meal and a great martini which was only $3.50! There is a new dinner menu which features small plates and I literally walked out of there completely full and satisfied for under $15! I love the music and atmosphere. I always feel at home and and at ease when I dine there. Thanks Von's for making my evening last night.

• Pros: new menu!
• Cons: nothing

08/09/09

Terrible

by ChipMarlowe

Great location and space with potential serves poor food not so cheap. A little more effort could turn this around. Much better choises in Seattle if what you want is good, even decent, food.

Ordered entree which included french fries. The fries were soggy and tasted like they had been sitting a long time. Returned for new fries and received an even worse order.

• Pros: Good downtown location with outdoor seating
• Cons: Poor quality food

12/08/08

AWFUL Restaurant

by erikalc

I went to this restaurant for dinner/drinks last night and it was absolutely awful. We sat in the bar area and the place was so loud we had to yell at eachother across the table to be heard - and it wasn't simply loud customers, it was also plates dropping behind the bar, noise coming from the kitchen, etc. The wait staff was clearly stretched too thin and not responsive - we didn't even get the menu of appetizers because for some unknown reason it was on a separate menu which we weren't given. The food was awful - I had the vegetarian plate (terrible flavor combinations and a tomato that was stuffed with nasty cheese mesh - it's sad when the white rice is the only edible thing on the plate) and my date the cheeseburger (NOT the great burger it was advertised as and the house bbq chips were way too sweet and the cinammon way too overpowering). To boot the drinks were very small and overpriced. We left with a $60 tab for 2 of the most inexpensive entrees on the menu (some went as high as $30-$40!), 2 beers for him, and 2 mixed drinks for me.

Overall a ridiculously overpriced dive bar with no redeeming qualities. Will NEVER return.

• Pros: Hmm - it was a convinient location maybe?
• Cons: Overpriced, loud, bad food

11/17/08

This place has an awesome vibe

by Jisaan

Food was great...you get a whole lot of food for the price, make sure your hungry! The Patio area is really cool. Nice chairs and tables (wrought iron i think), and not plastic lawn furntiure. I havent seen too many patios that are active in winter, but this place is. Inside the decor is all kinds of random things on the ceiling and walls and more types of alcohol then ive seen at any restaurant. The servers were fun and engaging. I encourafe people to check it out! A seattle classic!

• Pros: Liquor selection and food timing are amazing! Great Location.
• Cons: Vegetarian menu is lacking.

11/08/08

so many bottles, so little time

by ChristyMay

I have never, I mean never, in all my 47 booze guzzling years seen a bar like this!!! I kept plunging the depths of my alcoholic knowledge for obscure alcohols, and Jason just kept on saying, "yep, we've got it." I've never been much of a tequila drinker, but he turned me on to a few good ones and they have just about every vodka ever made.

• Pros: large selection
• Cons: $$$

07/07/08

Fantastic Ambience, Excellent Service, Great Decor and Delicious Food

by klein538

We are frequent visitors to Seattle for business and pleasure. We have been attempting to eat at all the great restaurants in Seattle. While shopping downtown we decided to try Von's Grand City Cafe, which is across the street from Nordstrom's. We loved the decor and collections of beer and ale related items.

The server was prompt and courteous. The roasted turkey was perfectly prepared and had great flavor.

My wife had the prime rib and said it was delicious. They have a special roasting technique that holds in the flavors and makes the meat very tender. There are four dining areas and I found the noise level to be low, as each area is separated from the others by hallways and glass partitions. Thus we could dine and speak at normal voice levels. The new wine list is worth exploring. We returned the day before we departed Seattle so we could have a drink outside and share the delicious nachos they prepare. Don't visit Seattle without dining at Von's. If you live in the Seattle area, you are lucky to have such a great restaurant so well located in center city.