Vella Cafe: User Reviews

breakfast at vella
By Lucy Honeychurch from Logan Square, November 2, 2007

Overall rating:

One of my favorite things is enjoying breakfast during the week at Vella. It is generally quiet and cosy and it makes me happy. I love the tofu scramble and thus far haven't been let down. My friend always gets the amaranth pancakes, which are tasty, and have a very pretty presentation. The coffee is good, and you can't beat a bottomless cup. On the weekends we've taken our own home-infused vodka to add to the bloody mary mix or orange juice. Just beware, the bloody mary comes garnished with animal products, and the first time we went we weren't warned, fortunately no vegetarians were involved.
The price is good, the staff is friendly, and it's just so cosy to sit in the lovely well-lighted space while the el rumbles overhead. It makes me want to skip work and write postcards all day.

Because of my schedule I've only gone to lunch once, and I ordered the Chopped Salad, which is my favorite salad in the city. It's delicious and filling and highly recommended if you're someone who wants to make salad into the main course.

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Excellent food and kid friendly!...
By Mother G from Chicago, IL, September 9, 2007

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Excellent food and kid friendly! I highly recommend the Tofu Scramble and the coffee. The staff's friendliness coupled with the laid back atmosphere creates an excellent place for friends and family to gather and chow down. My family has eaten there several times and my 15 month old child always gets a warm greeting from the owners and staff. JJ's comment seem a little exaggerated. If my child does get a bit too excited and loud, my husband or I have the common sense to take him out of the restaurant to calm him down. Having a child does not excuse us from courtesy and manners. Don't believe just one bad review. Look at the whole picture.

After having my most-recent delicious...
By Emme from Chicago, IL, September 5, 2007

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After having my most-recent delicious meal at Vella, I thought I would finally visit here and give my thumbs-up. Everything is yummy, the staff is super friendly, and the room is bright and inviting. I'm pretty shocked at JJ's review. My kids and my friends' kids have always been welcomed, and I've never seen any group warned about their volume. Perhaps telling is JJ's comment that there were only ~4 other tables occupied when JJ was told to leave (and was the group told to leave or was the loud child and parent told to go outside until the child stopped being loud?). It does not matter how many people are being annoyed. The point is, you are in a public place and you should be respectful of others, no matter your age or how many people are affected.

Ok, yes, Vella is noisy...
By Searah from Chicago, August 18, 2007

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Ok, yes, Vella is noisy and maybe a little confusing the first time, but the food is super yummy and every time I have been there the service has been friendly and food has come out quick and hot. I adore the tofu scramble- just the right amount of spice- and their special latte is really the bestest thing ever!!

I stopped in around noon...
By StJames from Logan Square, IL, July 25, 2007

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I stopped in around noon on a Sunday and was pleasantly surprised to find no lines, a friendly buzz, a varied and creative menu and fast efficient service. cool artsy but low-key clors and decor. the french toast was very good and i'm an 'expert.' the chicken sausage was very tasty - i didn't have java so i cannot comment on the prior complaints. my server brought me water and tableware when he noticed i hadn't gotten it for myself. a lot of space for bikes to lock up or congregate outside. i will certainly return.

Wow, the food was terrific!...
By r & d from Chicago, IL, July 3, 2007

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Wow, the food was terrific! We went the other day during a weekday and at first we were disappointed that we were too late to order breakfast (or "blunch", as Vella calls it), but the owner overheard us and offered to fix 3 of the items off the morning menu for us. The plum stuffed french toast was very good, but the vegetarian breakfast panini was the show stopper. The "smashers" potato side was out of this world and not to be missed and the coffee was just delicious (don't miss the cafe de olla - yummy!). The atmosphere was bright and sunny and the owner was just downright sunny and friendly too, making sure we were well taken care of. This is our new favorite cafe and we will return often!

Go for the Tofu Scramble!...
By Hal Linden from Chicago, il, June 18, 2007

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Go for the Tofu Scramble!

Chik Saus. crepe was good too.

Overhead EL noise not bad, unfortunately cuz crowd'z 2 loud! Desperately need some comfy seat cushions to absorb the cacophony.

Sincerely,

Will Getbetter

My sandwich was great, the...
By Dan from Chicago, Il, June 14, 2007

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My sandwich was great, the service was very friendly and the space is bright and welcoming. To top it all off, I had teeny, tiny carrot cake cupcake for dessert and it was only 75¢.

I was happy to see...
By XavierG from W.Bucktown, IL, June 11, 2007

Overall rating:

I was happy to see a local place open in W.Bucktown; but I was disappointed with my experience. Two people in my party ordered the french toast special (coconut/mango something) and two ordered the special egg crepes. Every dish was cold!!! I requested to substitute egg whites in the special egg crepes, but the staff was unable to substitute. Also, when I tried to order the original egg crepes off of the menu on the wall, the staff said that it was unavailable and they were only serving the special--hello: cross out the stuff you don't serve, or put up a sign (like they did for the unavailable lunch menu). The coffee refill & water situation is confusing--they need some better signage. I sincerely hope my experience was the exception as opposed to the rule, and I will visit again in the hopes of warm food and some better signs.