Vito’s Kitchen is a unique culinary experience located in Downtown, Springfield. On a recent Girlfriends Getaway trip, we had the opportunity to have a private dining experience at Vito’s. I found Vito’s in an online article from 417 Magazine, and I loved that it was indeed a culinary experience.
The comfortably sized restaurant includes a living garden window display, a cooking school, and bar. The decor included photos of Vito’s family and upbringing, along with cherished framed family recipes as well. During the tour of the venue, Vito made sure to share stories that related to each photo and recipe.
Vito’s Kitchen menu changes daily, so you will always experience something new. Vito explained he picks out the fresh produce every week at the local farmers market and his personal garden as well as a community beehive he shares with local chefs. One weeknight at Vito has Pizza night, but he doesn’t prepare just any pizza. His culinary mind creates crazy delicious combinations.
Now I’m sure you are wondering if Vito’s Kitchen is an Italian Restaurant by the name, right? Well, Vito does have strong Italian roots. But as he explained, his time as a chef spent in South Carolina, Texas, the East Coast and living in good ol’Nawlins has developed him into a well seasoned and multifaceted chef. Which brings me to our menu…
Starters: We begin with a traditional Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, salt, pepper and Venta del Baron Olive Oil (which happens to be the Bentley of oils). This dish was refreshing, simple, and very inviting with each bite. The gourmet salt flakes will give your tabletop Morton’s Sea Salt to shame, all while the quality of the Olive gave this dish its factor.
Entree: Shrimp and Grits – Stoned ground grits, succulent shrimp, and colorful bell peppers topped with a savory roux. As a girl who loves shrimp as much as she loves thrifting (and you know I love a good thrift store) this dish was bursting off the flavor charts. The grits were creamy which melted in your mouth, the cooked peppers presented texture, but the star of the show was the delightful roux. Sweet Potato Greens accompanied this dish; I was interested in giving them a try.Vito explained he kept the greens simple with salt, pepper, garlic, and honey to cut the bitterness. I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor which led to a dead end hunt for Potato Greens in Kansas City. I’ll find you Potato Greens!! (Notice my friend was halfway finished eating, LOL)
Dessert: Whipped cream complimented with lemon curd, freshly picked blueberries topped with fresh lavender. This classic dish was perhaps gorgeous in appearance which flavors to match its beauty.
As previously stated Vito’s more than just a kitchen and culinary school, it’s a place to that you come in hungry, leave full and leaving feeling like family.
This place looks amazing. I always love discovering new spots that actually have amazing food! Kinda makes me wonder how my life ever existed before I discovered their food. LOL!
I’m sure with different menu items every night that makes this place so much more interesting to dine at.
This looks like a place l would enjoy eating at. I have to admit l have never tried grits, but it looks like a harmonious blend with the shrimp 🙂 . The salad looks to die for. Being married to an Italian, l have come to appreciate different forms of Caprese salad 🙂 . Yummy!
I’m always down for a great food post. I LOVE your pics of the spread on the table. Can never go wrong with Shrimp and Grits either. I fell in love with Shrimp and Grits when I lived in Raleigh, NC. Seemed like the restaurants all made it differently. Some with a tomato based sauce, some with a orange looking spicy sauce, but all delicious.
This place looks amazing. I always love discovering new spots that actually have amazing food! Kinda makes me wonder how my life ever existed before I discovered their food. LOL!
I’m sure with different menu items every night that makes this place so much more interesting to dine at.
This looks like a place l would enjoy eating at. I have to admit l have never tried grits, but it looks like a harmonious blend with the shrimp 🙂 . The salad looks to die for. Being married to an Italian, l have come to appreciate different forms of Caprese salad 🙂 . Yummy!
Oh I love new culinary experiences. And nothing is better than a private one. I know you ladies had a ball. Thanks for sharing.
I love trying out new restaurants. Girl, the food here looked delicious. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
You had some great meals. I love grits so I would of definitely tried that.
I love restaurants where you leave feeling like family! The caprese salad looking delicious too.
This looks and sounds amazing. These are the type of spots I like to check out.
You really can’t go wrong with a Caprese salad and shrimp and grits! That food looks amazing!
Yum, everything looks really yummy. I love that menu changes everyday, that gives you endless possibilities and even more reason to keep going back.
I’m always down for a great food post. I LOVE your pics of the spread on the table. Can never go wrong with Shrimp and Grits either. I fell in love with Shrimp and Grits when I lived in Raleigh, NC. Seemed like the restaurants all made it differently. Some with a tomato based sauce, some with a orange looking spicy sauce, but all delicious.
This restaurant looks very warm and inviting! Thank you for sharing.
I love intimate dinner events like these. This was a great recap and its always great when you can get to know the person behind the meal.
Girls get away sounds fun. The food looks great. Very cool that the menu changes so you can always look forward to something new.
This looks like a cute spot to eat at, love the decor. The food looks delicious as well.