A diner from Winston Salem, NC
Mar 13, 2007
I like the atmosphere of the outdoor cafe. My husband ordered a steak and it was not done right but they kindly made him a new one and made sure he was satisfied. My hamburger was delish. I will definately come back.
A diner from chapel hill, NC
Dec 11, 2001
having received a tip from a UNC-Chapel Hill student last winter (who calls Greensboro home), i decided to try it for myself. virtually every saturday since then, i find myself making the 50-mile journey from Chapel Hill to dine there.
with the above listed ratings as a guide, let me now offer some comments to offer some additional insights and justifications for them. since virtually all my visits have occurred during dinner hours, i shall confine my remarks to those experiences only.
FOOD
GVG features european regional cuisine. the menu is composed of a fixed core of dishes along with others which are part of that month's featured cuisine. the result is fascinating in its diversity, as the patron is provided a broad array of items from which to choose. some of these items are rather simple, while most reflect complexity in concept, technique and execution.
it seems to me the menu was designed to cater to the full continuum of tastes from simple to sophisticated. the lower-priced range of the menu features items which will appeal more to those who prefer more straightforward, conventional dishes. however, be forewarned that these items (particularly the chicken dishes) are quite bland and can be underseasoned. however, as prices increase, so does the overall success of the dish. flavors are more intense, primarily due to the seamless fusion of the ingredients.
another slight demerit is found in the lack of variety of the side dishes offered with the entrees. designing a menu of this size to accommodate 19 entrees with 19 different pairs of side dishes is a task for Tantalus. still, with GVG's demonstrated facility with such a wide spectrum of offerings, adding to a paltry 4 pairs of main course complements seems in order. doing so would certainly lend itself to an increased level of appreciation for the kitchen's talents.
SERVICE
As a rule, GVG patrons should expect personable, professional service WITHOUT ATTITUDE from an attractive bunch of folks, most of which are my age (28) or younger. having noted the youth issue, DO NOT unconditionally demand absolute perfection. as some of the servers are still learning their craft, please endeavor to be patient and forgiving. for my own part, i have experienced the following: two courses arriving at the same time, drinks spilled in my lap, miscommunications on orders. apropos of these irregularities, i should note that they are minor isolated incidents and not widespread problems.
also pay attention to the demeanor of your server. some of them are endearingly charismatic, while others merely intone the formula in a nondescript fashion.
AMBIENCE
GVG is perhaps best described as "eclectically gorgeous". upon entering you will notice the follwing: etched glass, dark wood, brick arch ways, beamed ceilings, track lighting, and an open kitchen which is vaguely reminiscent of a stage from a baroque theater. a separate dining room features walls made of copper (!) which are then covered by tapestries. after dark, the lights are dimmed and the candles are brought out, enhancing the beauty of everyone (including yours truly) sounds starchy and formal, right? WRONG! while the place exudes elegance and class, there is no dress code as such. while i wouldn't suggest you roll out of bed and head down to brunch in your robe and slippers, you need not wear your sunday best either. my suggestion: casual but smart.
CLEANLINESS
it is obvious that the staff and management takes this VERY seriously, and they always strive to put their best face on things. the place is spotless through and through, and since there are few people under 30 who dine here, don't expect children and college students besmirching the premises.
VALUE
entrees at dinner run $10-$27 (rounded to the nearest dollar). dinner salads (or soup if you ask nicely) are included in the price, as is wonderful bread. portions are GENEROUS from start to finish-an appetizer alone could fill you up. prices at lunch/brunch are roughly half those of dinner, with smaller portions and are a la carte only (salads and etcetera are extra). given the many wonderful virtues of this place, you aren't likely to find a better overall experience for the money ANYWHERE.
THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE
GVG is the definitive dining experience, which might explain its mass appeal. they give you the total package-quality and quanity of food/service, atmosphere to die for, and a relaxed, down-to-earth attitude that anyone could appreciate. simply essential
A diner from chatham county, NC
Dec 1, 2001
as a chapel hill resident, i often find it difficult to find dining establishments which offer quanity and quality at a reasonable price. for this reason, on most saturdays, i find myself travelling some 50 miles to greensboro to dine here.
GVG'S menu changes frequently, most generally every 4-6 weeks. each time a different european region's cuisine is featured, along with a rather large core of regular menu items which affords the patron quite a variety of choices. with that brief overview in mind, i shall now proceed to a discussion of the particulars of my ratings.
FOOD: 3+
more often than not, the food is stellar. however, on occasion and without warning, i have found it wanting for one reason or another. lately, the problem has been a few main courses which are bland-inappropriately andor insufficiently seasoned. too, another drawback is the kitchen's overreliance on a small number of side dishes to pair with the entrees. while many of the pairings are appropriate, it would certainly be nice to see the kitchen be a trifle more imaginative and creative in this aspect of meal preparation. the staff has clearly demonstrated the ability to prepare a number of different main dishes with a sustained degree of facility; now they should take the initiative to apply this faculty to developing new accompaniments for those main dishes.
SERVICE: 3
expect cordially sweet, efficient service WITHOUT ATTITUDE most of the time. the staff is, by and large, young (30 or under) and some waitpersons are clearly more adept and skilled at discharging their duties than others. therefore, expect some glitches now and then. one problem i have experienced more than once has been two courses arriving at the same time, rather than being permitted to finish one before receiving the other. to be sure, this is a minor flaw, but it can be annoying. in any case, remind yourself that, in spite of the often complex nature of the food, this is still casual dining. accordingly, do not expect seamlessness or technical polish. another caveat: as with most restaraunts, here you tend to get better service early in the shifts. when the pace picks up, service tends to slow down just a bit.
AMBIENCE: 4
in a word, this place is GORGEOUS. high-beamed ceilings, track lighting, lots of beautiful dark woods, an open and ornate kitchen, wonderful music piped in via satellite, and a separate dining room which has walls made entirely of copper (!), all await you. after dark, candles appear on the tables, and the lights are dimmed. this has the effect of making EVERYONE look beautiful.
CLEANLINESS: 4
the staff makes a concerted effort each time to put their best feet forward. this is evident in the spotlessness found throughout.
VALUE: 4
main courses at dinner start at $9.95 and include a salad (or a soup if you don't do salads). given that this place prides itself on providing the total package to the patron, you'll be hard pressed to find a better overall experience for less. brunchlunch feature lower prices, but smaller portions and main courses are offered on an a la carte basis only. consequently, for maximum utility of your dining dollar, go for dinner if possible.
KIDS FRIENDLY: NR.
i don't have children, so there's no point in me determining a score (or a criterion) for this category.
OVERALL: 4
fine food, generally solid service, large portions , and an atmosphere to satisfy the most exacting demands of aesethetic taste. this place has truly been a blessing for me, and a meal here provides a welcome respite from the past week's stresses and pressures. i highly recommend you visit soon!
