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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
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for Acqua Via
Review Highlights
"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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42 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa F.
Bellevue, WA
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my favorite type of food!! My parents are sticks in the mud sometimes and they go to the same restaurant every Friday. I've accompanied them 3 times and each time I've felt sick afterwards .. I believe there's a Yelp review for that place, too. I finally got them to try a new place, so we went to Acqua Via. It's so hard to get them to like other places, but they loved this place!
I ordered a dinner special with clams, and my folks ordered some pastas. Everyone loved their food. Whatever bread and whatever they spread ON the bread that came with the clams was heaven! It ended up being one of those meals where we all sampled each others' dishes and we couldn't figure out which one we'd want to order the next time we came.
Service was fantastic and courteous and timely. The only thing I didn't quite like was the creme brulee with the frozen grapes. It looked pretty enough, but I wasn't feeling the frozen grapes with the creme brulee. Separate, sure? I love frozen grapes. You can't have everything, can you?
I will try this place for lunch or another dinner and I'll consider upgrading a star based on my next experience. This is definitely my favorite place to eat in Olympia, I think! -
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Jason S.
6/4/2009 2 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Melissa J.
Honolulu, HI
3/14/2011
Very European feel. Quality food. Loved it.
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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 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 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 Sara W.
Lacey, WA
6/1/2011
I really like this place, but I always feel like they don't care for me. Their food is good. I always get their goat cheese fondue and it's my favorite. They make good coffee, have good wine, and the ambiance is nice and very Olympia. But the service ranges from barely friendly to why the hell are you in my restaurant? I don't like servers to be all over me, my name is Holly, etc., but I don't like to feel like you wish I didn't set foot in your restaurant. I still visit here, but never if I'm in a hurry and I'd think twice before taking out-of-town guests here at a busy time.
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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!
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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 Kate H.
Seattle, WA
5/23/2011
stopped by for lunch on a sunday. ambiance, decor, service and food were all great!
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Review from JOSHUA K.
Olympia, WA
8/22/2010
Delicious cuisine. Laid back service (some would call it slow) - But a great choice if you want a change of pace from busy locations...Food is for the most part, light and fresh, but can be expensive for the portion size.
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Review from Cory C.
Fort Drum, NY
3/26/2010
The fare is lighter than most places but you can definitely get your fill by selecting a variety of menu items, all delicious, and there is surely a wine to pair with any of it. Lenny Young does a fantastic job both here and at Water Street with the wine; I love his poignient and accurate descriptions. Will Taylor, the chef, is certainly a great young talent and brings awesome innovation to the table. If you are in the 5th Avenue area of Olympia, which is anywhere, definitely check this place out.
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Review from brenda t.
Olympia, WA
6/4/2011
I always enjoy my lunch at aqua via. I'm a huge fan of the panzanella salad and cream of artichoke soup. Often, the lunch service takes a little longer than it should. Only one server (she is super - but is only one person) cramps it for me if I don't have much more than 60 mins.
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Review from Matthew M.
Olympia, WA
4/21/2009
I've walked by many, many times...never really felt compelled to go in? But decided to give it a try...The food was good, well prepared...The staff was friendly...the overall experience was good...I'm not sure what it is though there's just something that does NOT draw me to Acqua Via??
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Review from Kai M.
Olympia, WA
8/3/2010
I love the pie!!!
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Review from Adrian S.
1/19/2010
This place is nothing to get excited about. The lunch service was very slow. Which shouldn't have been a surprise, since there was only one waiter working the whole restaurant. Also, I would bet that there was only one cook in the kitchen. Anyway, I had "The Cubano" -- a black forest ham, roasted pork, and swiss cheese panini. I couldn't really taste the pork. It just tasted like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich to me. My wife had the "The Italian," which is a panini with smoked mozzarella, artichoke hearts, roasted tomato, and roasted peppers with an italian vinaigrette. She said it was just okay. Also, I got the feeling that they were trying to save on the heating bill, since it was pretty cold inside. This place could be a lot better.
