Vincente's Restaurant

Elite '08

22

116

Jill K.

Wilmington, DE

Can't say enough fabulous things about Vincente's.  

They used to be located in Wilmington, in Independence Mall, but he moved last year to his new spot on the corner of 202 and Route 1 in Glen Mills.  (If you're heading north on 202, hang a right onto Route 1.  It's in that shopping center on the right.)

The restaurant is owned by Vincente, who is this adorable old Italian guy who has been running this restaurant for almost 50 years, I bet.  He is AWESOME.  I go to this restaurant just to see him, he is simply that cool.  The dude is a freakin' institution.

Anyway, when you first walk in, you'll be asked if you want a paper menu or "the walking menu."  For the love of God and all that is holy, get the walking menu!  

The walking menu is simply this:  Vincente himself comes to your table and asks you what you're in the mood for.  Steak?  Pasta?  Seafood?  Chicken?  (I picked steak.)  Then he asks what kind of steak you like.  Prime rib?  Filet?  Something spicy?  (I picked something spicy.)  He asked me if I liked bleu cheese, and I said, "Amen, brother."  So he said, "One steak au poivre!" and the waitress next to him jotted it down.  

The guy has this schtick down to a science.  It is a script he's been reciting for 50 years.  Listen to this man, he is a pro.

He asks if you want some soup.  He tells you the soups.  We go for the minestrone, and we are very very happy.

Then he asks if you're in the mood for salad.  You are an idiot if you say no.  You must get the Caesar salad, even if you hate Caesar salad.  Trust me.  I normally don't care about a Caesar salad either way, but dude, you will lick the plate and beg for more.   What makes this Caesar salad special is the fact that he makes it tableside, in a wooden bowl he's been using for 50 years.  Yes, he uses raw eggs; just suck it up and live on the edge, fer cryin' out loud!   Then... he takes a little bowl of grated parmesan cheese and picks out a cheese wad that invariably forms... and then he flicks the cheese wad into the wooden bowl with a teeny spoon.  Yeah, OK, no big deal.  Then he takes 10 steps back and flings again.  He shoots!  He scores!   Then he walks *clear across the room* and this 75-year-old guy whips a cheese wad right into the bowl.  It is amazing.  And if he misses you don't even care, because he is just so awesome and warm and terrific.   And yes, the salad is absolutely, unspeakably delicious.  Fresh, crisp, amazing.  

The steak au poivre arrives and it is melt-in-your-mouth perfection.  That is all you need to know about that.  One friend gets gnocchi and is sent to heaven.  My boyfriend gets a chicken thing and he is doing the happy-food-dance.  

To finish off the night (because you haven't eaten quite enough yet), they'll present you with a dessert menu.  We opted against dessert (we were full); however, we chose the "Cafe Diavolo: Coffee of the Devil!"   Which is basically a ton of booze set on fire with a splash of coffee in it.  

Again, he makes this elaborate concoction table-side, and it is a delight to watch, as this schtick too is well-practiced over 50 years.  It tastes great, and it will get you snockered.  So be sure to linger a bit so you're OK to drive home.

I guarantee you'll be saying "Cafe Diavolo: Coffee of the Devil!" for a month after you leave this place.  

Please go there before Vincente is no longer there.  I'm telling you, you will not regret it.   It is .0001% cheesy, and it is .00002% campy.  Go with it.  Feel the love.  Bask in the history and greatness of this man.  He will flirt with the ladies in that grandpa way, and you will LOVE it.  If you've got any Italian in your lineage, you will be convinced you're related to him.  When you're there, you're family.  

Please be aware that it ain't cheap, but then again, you are spending a good chunk of time there (think 2.5 - 3 hours).  For two people, it was just over $115, I think.  But it is worth every penny.  

This is my mom talking:  Don't be a slob when you go there.  Look nice, be respectful, and remember your manners.

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