Veni Vidi Vici: A Wish Fulfilled

A little more than 15 years ago I worked in a Midtown office located within walking distance from Veni Vidi Vici, an Italian restaurant which was a favorite destination of some of my coworkers. It seemed so elegant. I wanted so badly to dine there as well but, at the time, it was little outside of my financial reach so I added it to my “foodie” bucket list. We all have those right?

Fast forward to present day. The opportunity to finally tick that wish off my bucket list arrived in the form of an invitation extended to 15 members of the Atlanta Food Bloggers Alliance. Veni Vidi Vici would host a special Chef’s Dinner featuring dishes from their new menu and we would be fortunate enough to enjoy it in a family style setting.

As members from our group arrived, we gathered at the bar where we exchanged greetings with familiar faces and met new ones. From there we were escorted into the warm embrace of the VVV dining room where our experience began.

We started with the Antipasti which included six dishes. We shared VVV Meatballs (duck, turkey, rabbit, beef, sweet onions, shitake mushrooms), VVV Board (cacciatorini and sopressata salami, prosciutto, marinated olives, robiola and asiago cheeses, dried fig puree), Mussels & Clams, a Cheese sampler and Fritto Misto. This Calamari & Clam strip combination was paired with crispy fried zucchini and capers which added a welcome level of flavor and texture to a dish I already love. We also shared a plate of Grilled Octupus sliced into bite sized medallions and served atop mounds of arugula with pickled red onions and tomato vinaigrette, a first for me. The subtle smoky flavor makes this dish. I would definitely try it again.

Next there was a round of Pasta including Spaghetti Carbonara, Agnolotti (roasted chicken, duck and fontina ravioli, brown butter, sage, pecans) and a spicy Orecchiette pasta tossed with sausage, spicy broccoli and cacio di roma. The pasta dish that had everyone talking was the Tortelli filled with butternut squash and prepared with brown butter, sage and almonds. It had that perfect little sweet savory thing going for it.

The next course was Pesci Regionali which included four lovely fish entrees. We enjoyed Red Snapper “Ligure” (pan roasted branzino, summer tomatoes, mixed mushrooms, marjoram), Baccala “Toscano” (house salt cod, oven roasted tomatoes, olives, capers), and Trout “Piemontese” which was grilled and so very comforting. It was my favorite. I also liked the Sable Fish “Veneziano”. It was seasoned nicely with saffron, sweet onions, golden raisins and prosecco vinegar.

The fourth course was Carni. There were platters of Rabbit, Chicken alla Romana served with roasted peppers and tomatoes and Pork Ribs presented with a mound of arugula & crispy onions which, I must say, was perfection in all its simplicity. I would eat a big bowl of those greens right now if were in front of me.

For the veggie lovers out there, let me tell you about the VVV Contorni. I’ve tried good broccoli before but on this night I tried the kind that make you crave it. It was seasoned to perfection then roasted and served with shaved pecorino. Amazing! Also, I had not eaten Brussels sprouts since I was a kid because I had yet to meet a sprout I liked. VVV oven roasts theirs with a balsamic vinaigrette and honey making them easy for me to adore. There were other vegetables served as well but these two really stood out.

Finally, after such an indulgent night, our blissful selves were treated to Dolci. The four confections were Pizza di Fragole (Puff Pastry, Organic Strawberry Spread, Fontina, Mascarpone and Stracchino Cheese, Fresh Strawberries), Tartufo (Chocolate Almond Semi-Freddo Rolled in Grated Chocolate, Crispy Meringue, Warm Chocolate Sauce) and Crème Brulee which is like dessert comfort food to me. Another unique treat was the Bomboloni which are round Ricotta Cheese Beignets drizzled with Honey and served with Whipped Cream. As I write, I’m craving these with a cup of tea.

There was so much to take in that night. Conversations drifted happily above tables across the restaurant and the knowledgeable staff spoiled us beyond repair. They tended to our every desire, educating us on their wine offerings, keeping our glasses full of said wine and answering questions about dishes introduced to us throughout each course.

Veni Vidi Vici is the elegant restaurant I thought it was but it’s also warm and friendly with a menu diverse enough to satisfy any diner’s palate. I’m looking forward to returning again but this time, I won’t wait so long. Thank you to Chef Jamie Adams and Leonardo Moura, General Manager for hosting this beautiful event and thank you Val Bridges, organizer of The Atlanta Food Bloggers Alliance for bringing us all together.

Do you have a “foodie” bucket list? Which restaurants are on your wish list?

Disclosure: While my meal at Veni Vidi Vici was complimentary, I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. You can view my full Disclosure Policy here.