Diablo Magazine

November 2005 - The Food Lovers Issue

July 2005 - Best of the East Bay

Diablo Magazine has honored us as one of their Seven Best East Bay Restaurants in their annual 2005 Diablo Food Awards edition, with our own Brendan Eliason honored as Best Wine Director.  And, Chef Kelly Degala's Lacquered Quail was selected as one of the 101 Most Delicious Things to Eat.  Highlighted on the magazine cover is a beautiful photograph of our Seared Alaskan Black Cod.  The voters for the 2005 Best of the East Bay edition selected Va de Vi as the Best Spot For Appetizers.

'After more than a year and a half in business, Va de Vi is still the hottest place around.  And while that title can often imply more style than substance, in this case, there’s quality to back it up.  The many small plates are lusciously fresh and interesting, the wines are picked for maximum aficionado amusement, and the setting is handsome.  No wonder there’s a mob at the door.'

'Va de Vi is Disneyland for adults.  The it’s-a-small-world menu goes from Italy to Japan to Peru, striking merry chords and offering delightful glimpses of other cultures in a varied but coordinated dance.  Try the hanger steak with creamed sweet corn, wild mushroom ragout, and fried shallots.  If that doesn’t make you glad you stood in a hugely long line to get into Va de Vi, the butter-poached Maine lobster with mascarpone-basil risotto will.  And don’t forget the equally fun-filled wine list.  Just relax and enjoy, and keep your hands inside the boat.'
 

Full Article Links:   2005 Food Awards,  Best Wine Director, 101 Most Delicious Things to Eat, and Best Spot For Appetizers

SF Chronicle Magazine

April 2005 - Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants

January 2005 - Top 10 New Restaurants

We are very pleased that Michael Bauer of the San Francisco Chronicle has selected Va de Vi as one of his Top 10 new restaurants of 2004, and as one of the 2005 Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants.

'There's one strong reason for diners in Contra Costa County to eat on the east side of the Bay Bridge, and it's called Va de Vi. The charming small- plates restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek, with its outdoor patio overlooking the street, a popular bar and a tiny open kitchen, successfully features a mix of cuisines orchestrated by chef Kelly Degala.'

Full article links:  2005 Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants  and

A Banner Year - The Bay Area's Top 10 new restaurants of 2004

Contra Costa Times - September 30, 2005

John Birdsall of the Times awards Va de Vi "five forks" in his wine oriented re-review of Va de Vi.

'Wine is as essential to the Walnut Creek small-plates bistro as chef Kelly Degala's wonderful food. Wine director Brendan Eliason takes a nonjudgmental approach to wine and food, inviting diners to craft their own experiences with his constantly changing wine-flights menu, without the stuffiness that settles over most restaurants like the smell of deep frying settling into the draperies. Order 3-ounce pours that intrigue you, pair them with the dishes you like and take notice of what you happen to love and don't. There's no right and wrong here.'

SF Chronicle 10/17/2004 -

Executive Chef Kelly Degala is interviewed by GraceAnn Walden of the San Francisco Chronicle.

'At Va De Vi, a highly rated restaurant in the heart of Walnut Creek, executive chef Degala, 43, has created a menu of small plates featuring the flavors of France, Spain, Italy and the Philippines.'

Full article at this link:  Cook's Night Out - Kelly Degala

Contra Costa Times 3/10/2004 -

'With its arched ceiling (reminiscent of a wine barrel) and walls of wine and windows, you can't help but feel spoiled. And after an herb-crusted lamb chop and a flight of, say, Pinot Envy, you'll wonder what took Va de Vi so long to get here.'

SF Chronicle Magazine 5/16/04 -

Overall: Three Stars  -  Excellent - 'A Winner in Walnut Creek'

'the misses are few and the dishes that hit the mark are sublime, especially when you consider the efficient service and the sophisticated ambience.'

'On every visit, I saw patrons who came in as strangers and left as friends.'

 ' San Francisco restaurants should be very nervous. Restaurants like Va de Vi not only keep customers on the east side of the bay, but when it's cool and foggy, what could be better than taking a 35 minute drive to to dine and shop in sunshine?'

Full review at this link: A winner in Walnut Creek / Va de Vi has all the right elements for success

Contra Costa Times 5/21/2004 -
 

Overall: Four Forks out of Five - 'Whoopee! Va de Vi Fulfills it's Promise'

'The staff is perky, the food gorgeous and the diners abuzz with energy'

'The space is beautiful' 'Lively, stylish, upscale but comfortable -  not intimidating'

'A wine bar should be a place where one can try good, interesting, fun wines - you get that here'

Full review at this link: Restaurant: Va de Vi

Diablo Magazine June 2004

'Va de Vi has as much soul as a tapas bar on a backstreet of Madrid.'

'Va de Vi transports you to a chic European neighborhood'

'The wine, food, and setting at Va de Vi are an exciting mix.'

Full review at this link: Diablo Dining - At the Table

AOL City Guide -

'The ambience is high-end chic: part Parisian bistro, part Napa valley tasting room.'

'Diners who don't even like bread pudding rave over Va Di Vi's: huckleberries combined with brioch, baked in custard, finished with cinnamon crème anglaise and berry compote.'

Sunset Magazine June 2004

One of 'Our Favorite Wine Bars Near You'

'more than 40 wines by the glass and fun, thoughtful flights'

'Don't miss the garlicky pommes frittes with parsley and olive oil.