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Acqua Via
Category: Restaurants Mediterranean Mediterranean [Edit]
500 Capitol Way SOlympia, WA 98501
(360) 357-6677
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Acqua Via
Review Highlights
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"The coconut cream pie is truly heavenly." In 5 reviews -
"...of Plaiser Des Lys and sliced bread drizzled with olive oil." In 5 reviews -
"The menu is seasonal and the wine list is fairly large and..." In 5 reviews
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Daniel M.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2012
I've eaten here twice and had excellent food and service both times.
The small dishes/appetizers vary from being small to large, so if you aren't sure which is which, ask. All were good, as were the entrees. I haven't had a bad dish yet at Acqua Via, and service was friendly and attentive.
Two quibbles:
- The wine list could be more expansive. Really, I'd spend more on wine if you'd let me.
- On weeknights, the restaurant closes at 8:00 p.m. Really? I realize Olympia isn't necessarily Manhattan, but it's not like everyone in this town is up at the crack of dawn to feed the livestock. If you're serving dinner (especially a dinner as good as one at Acqua Via) you should keep the doors open until 9:00. Even on weekdays. -
Review from Melissa F.
Bellevue, WA
Updated - 3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Alright, I came back here for a Sunday dinner and I've reduced one star.
The reason I said this was my favorite type of food before is because I felt the food tasted like the food it was meant to. The clams I ordered the last time tasted like clams rather than like butter and herbs. Great cooking should bring out the wonderful natural flavor of things, rather than mask them. (Nothing bugs me more than seeing mahi mahi on a menu covered in tomato sauce. Blech!)
There were 4 of us this time. We had a slice of Manchengo cheese, Bruschetta Catalan, Roasted Chicken Salad, Penne with Lamb Ragu, and Tiger Prawns.
First off, the Manchengo was from Costco. Really? I'm paying $3 for this tiny wedge of Costco cheese. Very disappointed!!
The bruschetta catalan was totally delicious. Little wedges of toasted bread with melted cheese very artfully arranged, topped with bits of bacon, and I think basil and some kind of pesto sauce. Everyone loved this.
Roasted Chicken Salad got a very positive vote. The medley of flavors went together very nicely, as did the Tiger Prawns. They really were prawns and not little shrimps that people try to pass off as prawns. They tasted very fresh and were served in a cream sauce over a crostini with some salad greens. Everything just tasted fresh and the flavors were new to me but all blended nicely.
The lamb ragu was lacking. You could barely taste the lamb and the sauce itself was very mild and bland.
Clearly this is a hit or miss, and some dishes are better than others. Normal with every place, certainly. The Costco cheese really bugged me. For a place that claims to serve a lot of local and organic and yadda yadda best quality foods (which I love!), what is up with the cheese? If it's not obvious by now, I'm a bit of a cheese snob. Take a hint from Swing's cheese plates, please. They have amazing cheeses!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/10/2011
This is my favorite type of food!! My parents are sticks in the mud sometimes and they go to the… Read more »
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Review from Nicole Z.
Olympia, WA
5/21/2012
Stopped in for appetizers with a couple girlfriends. Took a while for us to get acknowledged when we walked in, this put us off a bit but once seated the service was better. We split the fingerling potatoes, goat cheese thyme fondue, and the creme brûlée. Everything was super tasty, but the fondue was absolute heaven. The sugar coating on the brûlée was the thickest I've had, so it was a bit to bite through. They also seemed to have a very good wine selection both in variety and price with many glasses starting as low as six dollars which is very reasonable for a swanky place. Overall a good Oly find.
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Review from Travis D.
Yelm, WA
I have only been here for lunch. I like the location and its a nice place to grab a seat by the window and have a bite. I had a chicken bacon salad and bread and I have no complaints. Their lunch menu really doesn't have a whole lot on there. So my choices seemed very limited. I like this place though.
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Review from Mary S.
Olympia, WA
1/23/2012
I don't know how helpful my review will be, since I didn't actually eat there. But here's why: we walked in, got seated after a little bit of a delay, and got beautiful glasses of water brought to our table. I mean, this water was a work of art, with some kind of greenery inside (an herb or something I imagine, I'm not a botanist at all obviously). Sadly, the waitress (or anybody for that matter) never came back to our table. After like 10 minutes or more of waiting, we finally lost hope of ever eating anything besides the green stuff in the water glasses and we left. I don't know if they are seriously overstaffed or too busy artistically decorating their beverages or what, but the service here falls flat.
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Review from Sara W.
Lacey, WA
Updated - 4/14/2012
This place has totally redeemed itself for me. I brought my daughter in once more and the service was great. I haven't seen the crabbier waitress in awhile and the others here are top notch. The food delivers each and every time I'm here. The goat cheese fondue is a staple for us and their small plates are fun to try. Recently had the pig belly and it was delicious. So glad they've decided to go with friendlier waitstaff. This is my go-to place for date night.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/1/2011
I really like this place, but I always feel like they don't care for me. Their food is good. I… Read more »
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Review from JOSHUA K.
Olympia, WA
3/6/2012
Love this place. My wife and I love eating here for lunches and dinner and the wine list is great (good italian wines). The linguini is so delicious (a favorite) and any of the cheese/meet platters will please.
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Review from Lisa W.
Seattle, WA
10/1/2011
A great addition to Oly!
We randomly stopped in for a quick bite before a performance at the Washington Center.We were quickly seated in a quaint booth for two by the window in the back.
After quickly deciding on some appetizers and drinks, our waitress was back with some bread drizzled with olive oil and and took our order, graciously acknowledging that we were going to be quickly in and out due to our time constraint.
When she came back with the wine she mentioned that she let the kitchen know we were in a rush and assured us we'd have plenty of time.
And that we did. Our dishes arrived wonderfully plated and tasted equally as good. The green salad was lightly dressed and had delicious fresh grated cheese. The lamb chop was perfectly petite and accompanied with a nice pistachio/olive tapenade. The highlight of our small plates was the grilled artichoke heart. Presented with a fried egg it was the perfect blend of rich creamy yolk and angular bite of the artichoke.
Acqua Via is a great find that we happened upon because we parked outside of it. But, we can't wait to go back to more fully and intentionally experience it! -
Review from J.D. M.
Tumwater, WA
2/17/2012
We had the "small plates" or appetizers for dinner tonight. We had lox with watercress and local caviar, lambs tongue on toast, 3 pesto, and the goat cheese fondue. The coffee was very good too. The lamb's tongue was somewhat disappointing because the sauce on the toast overpowered the subtle flavor of the lamb. Over all we were happy with the selections. I had the Praline Gelato for dessert, it was creamy and delicious. The service was excellent.
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Review from Ha T.
Olympia, WA
8/4/2011
Dinner was relatively bland. Scallops were flavorless and the fondue bread did not taste fresh like the menu claims. Not good at all, even by Olympia fine dining standards.
I don't buy into fancy presentations and upscale all-white décor . If you want to make that special someone feel special, take them to another place where the servers actually care. -
Review from Samra S.
Olympia, WA
5/7/2011
I decided to wait until I had been twice before reviewing Acqua Via. I was a little hesitant after all the mediocre reviews but I was very pleased with both my experiences. First time I went was with two friends, 7pm on a Tuesday evening. And just last night, Saturday 6pm, with my mom and step-dad.
The food was excellent both times. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the menu had, in fact, changed substantially from my first visit to the next. While that is not an uncommon occurrence in larger cities, you don't find that a whole lot in Oly. It shows thoughtfulness for seasonal foods and a basic appreciation of keeping things fresh and interesting. On my first visit I ordered a creamy pasta dish with beans. Most recently I had the grilled steak salad. While I enjoyed my pasta dish, I REALLY enjoyed my salad. They let the flavors of the individual ingredients do the heavy lifting instead of trying to make the dressing do all the work. In my book, that's a quality salad. The lemon olive oil dressing served only to act as supporting cast to the perfectly cooked steak and mushrooms atop a delectable plate of butter lettuce.
Both times I've gone I have ordered a starter (or two...or three) which have all been scrumptious: the pesto trio, the fondue, the bruschetta. In fact, I would recommend stopping in with a small group and just ordering 3 or 4 of their small plates and some wine. The serving size is surprisingly ample and the quality was certainly above par.
I WILL say that this doesn't strike me as the type of place that necessarily lends it self to a casual, quick lunch stop for a sandwich. But it is a great place to go for a dining experience - a full sit down, spend an hour or two, order a full course meal, sit and enjoy your company.
Lastly, I found the service both times to be more than adequate. The waitstaff was attentive without being overbearing. And on several occasions made genuine and thoughtful recommendations based on our parties' stated preferences.
Overall, I would highly recommend Acqua Via. As long as you know what to expect upon walking in you shouldn't be disappointed. -
Review from Jen C.
Olympia, WA
9/25/2011
This is, by far, our favorite restaurant in Olympia, particularly when we don't want to spend a ton.
The pros:
-Great vibe, great wine, great food, AMAZING coconut rice pudding dessert!
-Stick with the regular menu, as the specials have yet to outshine
One con:
-There are multiple chefs, each who execute the meals slightly differently. SO, if you fall in love with a dish, it might be a bit different the next time you go. No dish has ever been bad, but sometimes the tweaks don't make the dishes better than the other time(s) we've had them. -
Review from JP M.
Olympia, WA
3/20/2011
Tough call between a 3 and 4 for Aqua Via.
First up, we ordered the goat cheese fondue and a bottle of Saladia Tempernillo. Great price on the wine...but they were out. really?? The Mcrea wine shop is right across the street!!
Subbed in a Rioja which wasn't nearly as good.
The fondue was very good. Compared to the fondue at The Swing, this one wins hands down.
First entree was the Gorgonzola Penne. Very nice with plenty of gorgonzola flavor and nicely cooked pasta.
Second entree was the Spanish rice. Interesting crispy rice, scallops, shrimp and sausage. I found this to be average. The scallops didn't add much and the rice was a bit dry.
Service started out well enough but then slowed down as the tables filled in. We had a long wait between the bill arriving and then being picked up.
The location here is great. Superb people watching location and nearly all of the tables are on the windows.
Overall, this seems like a better wine-app or coffee-desert and people watching spot then a full fledged dinner option. -
Review from James C.
Olympia, WA
5/24/2011
I went for my second visit and enjoyed the food immensely. Lots of small plates to choose from and some interesting entree choices. A little more Euro than Olympia is used to and not the usual Olive Garden mega portion. Service was a little slow to start but once were in the mix, life was pretty sweet. Now that I've adjusted the expectations bar, here comes the review.
We started with the grilled potatoes and stuffed grape leaf special to wash down our wine. They have a nice selection of reasonably priced bottles. Domestic, foreign, WA. Your choice. The last time I was there, we went with the cheese fondue appetizer and it was hard to not eat it again.
For my entree, I went with the seafood stew and it was amazing! There was crumbled sausage in the broth and it was very different from the usual cioppino style. My GF had salad with lots of interesting bits and flavors. The capper was the cake that I thought was tiramisu but was lovingly called ghetto cake by our server. Chocolate, peanut butter, layers of cake. It washed down my espresso very nicely.
Definitely an interesting oasis in downtown Olympia. -
Review from Thomas J.
11/28/2010
Had the roast beef and mushroom sandwich for lunch. These sandwiches are on the subtle side of things - which is a nice way of saying that the portion sizes are continental. That is to say, like you might find in a European cafe, not the size of Africa or Antarctica. It was nice - reserved, almost. But you have to be in the mood for this, in a city filled with good sandwich shops - here it's more about the total package, as opposed to the grab-your-sandwich-eat-it-and-go variety.
I'd probably go back if I was in the mood to sit on that corner and people watch, and linger - it's that kind of place. But you need to be in the right mood. -
Review from A R.
Seattle, WA
2/23/2012
Perfect place for a gray afternoon!!!
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Review from Jason S.
6/4/2009 3 photos
I would love to start and finish this review by just saying one word and I quote "meh" but that wouldn't be fair. My Girlfriend and I are big fans of things in sandwich form and had been craving Panini's. We had been waiting to try Acqua Via due to their prime people watching location. They offer five different varieties. The two we went with were:
The Cubano:
Black forest ham, roasted pork, cornichons, Dijon, sauce mojo and Swiss cheese.
The Vermont:
Black forest ham, caramelized onion, Washington apple butter and white cheddar
The Cubano wasn't bad I was just bored halfway thru and The Vermont tasted like a dump trunk full of apple butter. Neither of these choices was anything to write home about (maybe I should blame myself for my bad decisions but I am a blame shifter) and the service was...meh. -
Review from Marla D.
Seattle, WA
12/8/2010
This used to be one of my favorite spots, and I'm saddened to say that it's now a restaurant on the decline.
I've been here at least a dozen times. It has a wonderful ambiance, perhaps the best in Olympia. I actually like restaurants that you can go to and sit for an hour or two over a bottle of wine and a few courses instead of rushing in and out, and this is a good place for that.
The real issues are the inconsistencies in the food and the service. The goat cheese and thyme fondue, offered during dinner service, is wonderful! This is consistently the best thing on the menu, even though it's a starter. I've tried many of their main plates, but you can't count on the quality. I once overheard the kitchen staff saying they couldn't make a dish for a customer because the meat needed to be thawed.
While Aqua Via isn't the most expensive restaurant in Olympia, it's too expensive to serve food that's been frozen.
The server with the long white hair is wonderful and sets a good tone for the rest of the staff when she's working. However, there are a few young women who've been working lately who lack the courtesy, professionalism and maturity to run the front on their own.
If you go, I'd say go with the fondue, a bottle of wine and salads that don't feature any cuts of thawed meat. -
Review from Juli M.
Olympia, WA
1/28/2009
Casual but classy, and especially the food which has an air of sophistication that is missing at the more rustic and less relaxed Portofino. Excellent cured meats from Seattle's Salumi and a great selection of cheeses. Well worth going in and just ordering a number of meats and cheeses and enjoying them with the frankly fantastic bread. I'd been put off before worrying I'd feel too out of place or underdressed, but with a dull roar on a packed night and a TV behind the bar, it's obviously not fine dining and perfectly comfortable once you're in the door.
The desserts made on site are good but a little simplistic though with excellent craftsmanship in the details, like a hint of honey in a chocolate accent. There's pretense but the food is really crafted well enough to back it up. It's mediterranean with a heavily-seasonal menu and through a distinct New American filter. Head and shoulders above snooty Mercato across town and for a light but exquisite meal it's no more expensive than a heavy and sloppy meal at the nearby Darby's Cafe. -
Review from Tenaya A.
Olympia, WA
9/17/2008
I come here somewhat frequently since Olympia is severely lacking in reasonably decent restaurants and this is slightly above par for this town. Both the food and service can be hit or miss, but unfortunately it is still one of the better restaurants in this culinarily barren town.
I have had some good pasta dishes, including a truffled mac n' cheese that the obnoxious manager told us we shouldn't order because we would never like it (it was heavy but delicious). I usually get the Vermont panini (black forrest ham, apple chutney, caramelized onions and melted swiss if I am correct) which is totally awesome. Sometimes I will get the duck prosciutto salad with almonds, orange coulis and blue cheese dressing which I enjoy but none of my friends who have tried it share the same feelings. Some of the charcuterie items are good but if I recall correctly most of them come from Armandino Batali's Salumi in Seattle. One thing I will say is they make a kick ass coconut cream pie.
Unfortunately I have also many mediocre to just plain bad dishes including a truly disgusting lasagna (so dry I couldn't taste the filling, it looked like it was just layers of overcooked pasta). I was once charged $4.50 for an olive oil marinated octopus salad that literally came in one of those plastic take out condiment containers. And not the bigger size either! The ones that hold about two tablespoons! I have had VERY slow service on several occasions despite the place being nearly empty.
Overall I think that they are trying to be an upscale place in a town that doesn't really do that kind of thing. Olympia seems to like it overall but I think Aqua Via would flounder and close within the year in any real city where people have better palates. -
Review from mister k.
Olympia, WA
3/25/2009
One night on a very specific quest for a good dessert date, the wife and I settled on trying Acqua Via. We were celebrating, so we decided to go all out and do drinks and appetizers, too. Luckily for me, not really a wine drinker in a wine joint, they have a couple beers on tap. Some beer and their goat cheese-thyme fondue seemed like a perfect start, and it was. The fondue was incredible, and our server noticed right away that we would need more bread to sop up every last bit of cheesy goodness.
Thank god we didn't only get dessert, because the fondue saved the night. We ordered two different desserts to share, and both were so stale they should have been tossed at least 2 nights before. Disappointing, but at least the night wasn't a total loss. -
Review from Maureen M.
Bellevue, WA
10/27/2011
In trying to avoid a noodle hut I ate at the last time I was in Olympia, which was a two-minute walk away from the Governor Hotel, Olympia, I wandered.
I found an interesting restaurant called Acqua Via (http://www.acquavia.co...).
Granted I got the food to go, and they were super accommodating about that. The food server was very knowledgeable and I appreciated the time she spent answering my questions.
I ordered the:
* Crispy smoked paprika fingerling potatoes w/an aioli sauce.
* The Capitale Salad (butter leaf lettuce/pancetta/toasted almonds/hardboiled egg/sweet mustard vinaigrette)
* And, a dish I can't find on their current online menu as I write this review. It was a beef tenderloin scaloppini with a red pepper, parsley, acid fresh relish atop cooked kale.
* This array of food cost $30. That's a steal when you think about Bellevue/Seattle menus that offer for the most part pedestrian or big chain food.
Granted I took this back to my hotel room, so much is lost in translation when you eat food from boxes, however, I was impressed.
Pros:
* The food was fresh tasting, with regionally sourced produce and protein.
* The potatoes could have been seasoned a bit more (salt), but were delicious with the aioli
* The winner was the salad, although the dressing was a bit too acidic.
* The tenderloin suffered because I walked it back to the hotel and was so hungry I didn't even bother to nuke it as I wanted to taste the fresh vegetable relish atop it. Nonetheless ate most of it because of the flavor combinations.
Cons: None.
If I had to do it over again I would have eaten the food at the restaurant and then eaten there the next evening instead of eating some wretched pizza up the street. Aqua Via: talk about a foodies dream place. In fact, with the antique shops, old book shops, and pretty hip clothing stores, besides Portland, OR, I think I have found my next weekend getaway. And, this time I'm planting my ass in a booth and will gorge on this really fabulous, fresh food, with hip staff and real care in creating a really good selection of food that satisfies and delights on site. A real winner here. -
Review from Peter A.
4/18/2010
This is a great restaurant for a casual, yet fine dining experience. The food is fantastic. The menu is seasonal and the wine list is fairly large and diverse. The staff is very attentive but provide you with enough space to have intimate conversations.
I had the braised ground lamb, tomato créme, cinnamon créme fraiche, blend of four cheeses, and chiffonade of basil. It came with a fresh seasonal salad. It was perfectly cooked.
When in Olympia, give Acqua Via a chance. -
Review from nicky f.
Redding, CA
9/23/2009 5 photos
THE COCONUT CREAM PIE IS TO DIE FOR! Oh wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.
What a beautiful restaurant in downtown Olympia. Clean and simple decor with what looked like reclaimed wood tabletops and cool lighting. Very minimal in decoration.
Our meals were spectacular! Acqua Via features an everchanging cheese menu that we went bonkers over. What a complexity of flavors that we sooo enjoyed with our bottle of Plaiser Des Lys and sliced bread drizzled with olive oil. Our entrees were roasted chicken with au gratin potatoes (5 stars for the potatoes BTW...absolutely delicious!) and penne pasta in a creamy gorgonzola sauce with spinach and walnuts, which was amazing!
Now to the dessert. The coconut cream pie is probably the best I've ever had.
A couple suggestions. More staff; there was only one server working the floor. And glam the restrooms up a bit. Other than that we had a wonderful dining experience. -
Review from Kristina B.
Costa Mesa, CA
8/31/2011
A great place to try some wine and have a panini or salad for a late afternoon lunch. They get docked for the fruit fly situation, which they really need to get a handle on.
The staff is very knowledgeable and they can make a mean cheese plate to pair with your wine selection.
We split a panini and salad, which was very filling. That being said, I would put this place in the lunch category and probably not go here for dinner. I can see how it would get expensive and I think they do better with quick service food rather than fancy dinners. -
Review from Alysia A.
9/23/2007
So everyone in town has been hawking this place during its build-out. I've actually seen the nosier of our Olympian friends walk right on in to see how the progress is going. Life in a town like Mayberry, I mean Olympia means, everybody is up in your bidness.
Somehow, I was able to hold myself back and must only admit to a few daring side long glances as I walked by on my way to work. Last week, however, I didn't even try to stop myself from gaping like the true Texan hick that I am as people ate their food and drank their wine. It's a lovely place, worth gawking at.
(Insert Minnie Pearl joke here.)
A friend and I dared to dine this Friday night, I say dared because there are, what, 4 restaurants in all of Olympia, and were immediately in love with the place. It has really smart seating and with the amount of space the building has, it has a very airy and well lit quality about it. They left their ceilings with open aspect, and the lighting is dim enough to feel romantic, but well lit enough so you're not a mole, digging a hole blindly to your food.
Acqua Via is a "seat yourself" kind of place which on one hand, feels comfortable and familiar, but on the other hand, can make you feel like a couple of lemon sharks, looking for your next bloody meal. You find yourself staring people down, willing them to finish their god damn dessert, or by golly, you'll finish it for them! It's worth it though, because after that comes the food. Oh the food.
My date and I got the small green salad, delicious with an Italian dressing with a hint of sweetness. We decided it must be a sweet onion that gave it such a warm sweet flavor. We also got a cheese sampler platter that hosted a creamy walnut flavor, a delicious sheep cheese with lovely blue veins running through it, and two other soft cow cheeses that we're of equal deliciousness. The best part of the meal, however, was the meat sampler that was comprised of Duck, Salami, and Prosciutto. For dessert we had an eclair and the coconut cream pie, both so delicious that we reenacted the when Harry met Sally moment, but much louder, and for much, much, much longer.
Our bottle of champagne was superb, crisp like apples in the fall, and dry enough to cut out any extra sweetness I personally don't enjoy in a good champagne.
The service is impeccable, friendly and familiar without any putting on of airs. With its fair pricing, city style atmosphere, and impeccable food, this is place is going to have no issue staying busy. -
Review from Aaron F.
3/30/2009
We were driving through Olympia for the first time, seeking out some dinner on the way to the Washington coast, when we noticed a particularly nice looking - yet down to earth - restaurant with a "cafe" sign on it. Sometimes the best meals are the complete surprises; on a road trip I'm happy to eat almost anything, but little did I know I was about to have one of the best meals of my life.
I ordered the yellowtail tuna, an extremely fresh piece of fish served with grilled cauliflower (yum), carrots and a particularly good sauce. On the side was a simple house salad covered with particularly tasty grated Parmesan. I was one happy camper.
What else can I say? It was so good we stopped again for lunch on the way back. The prosciutto panini is out of this world.
Enjoy! -
Review from Jennifer K.
Olympia, WA
3/13/2010
If you're in the mood for a slow dinner with a glass and wine and friends, this is a great place to go. Not recommended for those in a hurry since there's usually only one waiter to serve all tables, but not a problem if your intention was to linger and chat. Entrees, cheeses, and wines by the glass rotate out on a generally bi-annual schedule, and the cooking is solidly good, whether you're there for lunch or dinner.
Most desserts are made in-house, and they serve Olympic Mountain ice cream. Except when they're out.Listed in: Olympic Mountain ice cream
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Review from John E.
Olympia, WA
Updated - 5/12/2010
*sigh*
Food: still great.
Ambience: comfortable, classy, and unrushed
Service: overworked.
I know nothing about how to run a restaurant, and I suspect they have to run things a bit lean to pay for their primo location, but...as much as I love it, it is officially too slow in this place.
I can also see them saying, "What's the problem? The place is packed every night!" Indeed: Packed with people waiting: waiting to order, waiting for dessert, waiting for boxes, waiting for the bill. Again, I know nothing about such things, but I suspect increased staffing will eventually be paid for by increased table turnover and return visits from happier customers.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/10/2009
Many meals later, I feel that Acqua Via is pretty solid. Their entrees are reliably interesting. … Read more »
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Review from Nora M.
Missoula, MT
11/24/2009
I dine out frequently. The food I ate at Acqua Vi in August 2009 is the best food I have ever eaten in a restaurant. Never before, have I wanted to make loud eating pleasure noises in public, but I wanted to do the whole hand gesturing and exclamation thing, like they show in movies set in Italy.
For a second opinion, I took some takeout home to my adult daughter and her husband. Since they were at home, they didn't have any problems exclaiming loudly over the PRAWNS WITH CROSTINI hazelnut, blue cheese sauce, toasted organic bread, shredded fennel, black olive, spring mix.
I would like to give a complete description of the olives, cheese and wine, but I will just say that it was so incredible, I went back the next day. Next time, I'm in the Olympia area, I will go with computer in hand and write a fuller review! -
Review from Kyle N.
Seattle, WA
8/14/2008
After opening Waterstreet Café & Bar, Jeff and Connie Taylor's ability to revamp the downtown Olympia dining scene is once again reflected in the fresh and inspiring creations at their newest dining establishment, Acqua Via. After enjoying many meals at Acqua Via's sister restaurant, Waterstreet Café and Bar, I was looking forward to dining at the latest Taylor establishment.
On a sunny and humid Saturday afternoon, Acqua Via's space on the south-east corner of 5th Avenue and Capitol Way in downtown Olympia glistened in the afternoon sun. The open atmosphere, enhanced by the stained concrete floor and unique lighting, sets the tone for a "different" Olympia dining experience and reinforces Acqua Via's motto of "Elevating The Art Of Simple Rustic Food."
Executive Chef Jeff Taylor and Chef William Taylor are the masterminds behind Acqua Via's dedication "to the presentation of hand made products." This notion is reflected in their lunch and dinner menus consisting of such items as house cured duck prosciutto, a pesto trio, goat cheese-thyme fondue, roasted beet Carpaccio, yellow fin tuna loin and a plethora of pastas graced with accompaniments such as truffle oil, anchovies, clams and the duck prosciutto.
Acqua Via's diverse, international wine list compliments the menus well, including the specialty cheese and charcuterie menu. This particular menu consists of a nice selection of cow, goat and sheep cheeses from France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the Basque region of Europe. Charcuterie items consist of Strawberry Mountain beef tenderloin Bresoala, house-cured Moulard duck breast, and various salamis; three of which come from Seattle's Armandino Batali.
The seafood sampler was a delicious selection of roasted day boat scallops, salt cod, sashimi tuna with avocado and olive oil marinated octopus salad. The duck prosciutto and chicken entrée salads were equally delicious and unique. As a cool accompaniment to my delicious plates and the warm afternoon, I opted for glasses of the 2007 Domaine Brice Beaumont Taval Rosé, which tied together my delectable selections.
Upon realizing that Acqua Via's desserts are all made in-house (with the exception of the gelato made my Olympic Mountain), one is naturally inspired to indulge. The chocolate éclair, coconut cream pie, flourless chocolate mint torte and the lemon ginger layer crème brûlée were all fantastic and provided a delightful conclusion to my experience. Although the menus entice one to sample various selections, leave room for desert! You will be whisked away by the delectable items available.
If you are in the Olympia area and are seeking cuisine that will awaken your palate, Acqua Via should be at the top of your list. You will find the selections to be fresh, delectable and creative. If for some reason you are unable to obtain a seat, head south-west a few blocks to Waterstreet Café and Bar (610 Water Street) and you will be equally pleased.
Mise en Place Seattle
http://culinarykyle.bl... -
Review from Josafena C.
Burien, WA
12/13/2008
Tasteful, casual atmosphere and well prepared food. The pastas and salads are particularly delectable. My favorite is the linguini caprese. And sandwiches are great too - excellent selection on the lunch menu. Honestly, I haven't had a meal here that I didn't love. The coconut cream pie is truly heavenly. While the wine list includes an interesting global variety, it would be nice to see a few local offerings.
Service is generally top notch. Tho there's one guy who can be a little nonchalant. I wouldn't recommend dining here if you're in a hurry. But then no one should dine in a hurry ever. Sitting at a window table, you feel you are participating in the bustling downtown scene on a Saturday afternoon. Well, as bustling as things get in Olympia anyhow.Listed in: Fine Dining in Oly
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Review from Megan M.
Olympia, WA
2/1/2008
We really enjoyed eating at Acqua Via. All of the entrees came with salads which made the bill a little easier to stomach after filling up on delicious beef stew, lasagna, and an appetizer.
The wine was great. The service was great. We had no complaints! -
Review from Melissa J.
Honolulu, HI
3/14/2011
Very European feel. Quality food. Loved it.
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Review from Ronnie Z.
Olympia, WA
Updated - 4/10/2011
Another chance to get to know this place- and I'm in love! Great lunch spot.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/22/2010
This place is great! Came in for lunch during a weekday: wasn't too busy. As Ive always been… Read more »
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Review from Autumn M.
Lacey, WA
4/27/2011
Great place for lunch! The fondue was delicious. I will definitely be back, especially for the artichoke soup.
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Review from Zap R.
Lacey, WA
12/13/2010
I honestly can't review the food at Acqua Via, unfortunately. We opted to go elsewhere to spend our money after waiting 30 minutes to be seated for our reservation - after being told they had our table it was being setup. Which was a blatant lie as the table they offered us was right next to the door and the people were still eating when we arrived. I would recommend walking across the street and dining at Basilico instead - we did and we loved it!
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Review from Aaron H.
Lynnwood, WA
1/13/2011 1 photo
The decor is clean and nice. Waitress is friendly. I like the menus, they 're clear and concise. Very classy. I just had the carrot cake but it was very tasty. The prices seemed high.
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Review from Mel E.
Olympia, WA
5/2/2010
The food here is overpriced in my opinion. Just cuz you put something on a nice white plate & surround a room w/ mirrors & white linen, doesn't mean you can charge a premium rate. The creativity & quality of food has to reflect the prices more than any other aspect. It's not to say the food isn't good & the wine list isn't creatively selected. I just think it's overpriced. Especially the lunch menu.
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Review from Essex E.
Olympia, WA
1/31/2011
This place is a perfect gem! Great ambiance, service, and the food is delicious. A great find in downtown Oly!
