V&M Bistro

Had heard good things and was disappointed. Server was good. Kitchen was slow despite a nearly empty dining room at lunch. Food was ok/​good but not great. Non alcohol drinks were served in small classes and had to be refilled several times. One diner had difficulty cutting through tough greens.

I don’t get the draw of this place at all. We went for Valentine’s Day with high expectations based on the reviews. We were jammed in a corner of a room with people inches from us. We basically dined with 2 other couples. The server was wonderful so sweet. The drinks were good but pricey. The food was awful. We are not super picky people but it was just not good. We got the seafood and linguini. 50% of the clams and mussels were not opened on the plate. We mentioned it to an older lady who came by to ask how everything was. She asked «did they give you a small fork?» They did not however if they are not opened it would not have matter. She then promptly walked away to the next table talked for 5 minutes or so then came back and said where are the clams I will take them back and cook them some more. We said not to bother at that point. We also got the meat ravioli. Bland tasteless and undercooked. The pasta was raw and the sauce was obviously under a heat lamp for an extended time. We each took one bite. $ 140 later we both left hungry and unimpressed. When you have two customer with completely full plates leave it should say something to you.

Four of us went out last Thursday night for a friends birthday we were very impressed with the interior because from the outside it’s hard to tell where to park from the front but there’s plenty of parking in the back once we were inside it felt like an upscale big city restaurant we were there for a total of about three hours we were not rushed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves the waitstaff was very attentive and The food was great and we would recommend this restaurant to anyone…

Went in for lunch today with my boyfriend. The spinach and ricotta calzone was amazing and FRESH bread a was very refreshing surprise. Décor was very nice and Alex was a wonderful server. Definitely a good date night spot or great for a quick lunch.

Went here on a Thursday night with my wife and 1 year old daughter. First, I was reluctant due to the fancy look despite its location (next to a gun store and fly by night tax preparation shop). Well, my wife, daughter and I frequent the Barclay Prime in Rittenhouse Square where we have never been turned away with our daughter (1yr. Old) even on a Saturday night. Well, let me tell you that this joint had us wait 20 minutes before its arrogant wait staff informed us that thy were waiting For a seat to open up where there wouldn’t be a lot of diners near us because we had a kid with us!!! Are you for real? I will resist listing the super high end establishments we have spent our money at, all who were more than willing to serve us despite our 1yr. Old. V&M, you will fail, you are not in NYC, or even Philly, rather a strip mall in crummy Wilmington, DE. suggestion, take money from anyone that is willing to give it to you… Maybe the gun store can expand soon when you go out of business. Never again will we attempt to have dinner at your snotty establishment.

The food was very good. Happy hour is great! Atmosphere is nice but a little bright for that type of restaurant if they dimmed the lights it would have a better feel! With the lights bright it feels like a diner

Went here for lunch one day and decided to check it out since it’s rated «2015 Best of Delaware».
It wasn’t that busy when we went for lunch. Similar to what other reviewers have mentioned, the portions are big. I ordered the chicken parm calzone and it was good. Nothing too great about it.
Also asked others about their meal and they said it was good, not great.
The service was pretty slow and it took about 30 minutes before we were served out meals (no one ordered any apps). Might be good for DE, but okay from what I’ve had.

Great food, great ambience, very good service.
The ravioli’s sauce was very creamy and very generous portions.

I’m not gonna lie. Nobody’s Italian cooking beats my mom’s… well… except V&M’s. I’m sorry, Ma!
We were given a gift certificate to V&M for my beau’s birthday. We called for a reservation and the friendly chap took our info down and a table was waiting when we arrived. The food and service were absolutely magnificent. The freshly-​made spaghetti knocked my socks off, and I’ve had dreams about it ever since. I got the chicken rollantini, my beau got the gnocchi and WOW. The desserts were also just divine. (Highly recommend the chocolate mousse cake and the vanilla ice cream /​black cherry parfait.
We went back a second time within 10 days because it was just that good, and received the same terrific service. I admit I got the same chicken rollantini dish (it was *that* good) and my beau got the pasta in vodka sauce; just fabulous.
Hard to believe such a gem exists in a funky strip mall in North Wilmington. I’d take off a half-​star for the annoying parking, but it still rounds up to 5 stars. Great food, great service, lovely décor… just can’t complain.
Oh, and leave the kids at home… it’s a no-​kid-​zone. They are unapologetic about not offering a kids menu or high chairs. When entrees averaging about $ 25, I very much appreciate the no-​toddlers policy.

Overpriced and underseasoned. The options on the menu sound delicious and unique, until you try the items. I had the timballo, and it was extremely over sauced and bland at that. My sister had the veal dish with the brandy cream sauce, which she also described as highly underseasoned. The seafood salad with the vinaigrette was also lacking in salt and highly overpriced for the small portion that was served with it. For the price it was charged it could have at least came on a bed or arugula or a micro green salad. My experience with them was very underwhelming and I can’t say I would visit them again.

The food, the service, and the atmosphere are amazing. I don’t know what else to say except that it is exceptional.

Editors pick in Delaware Today? V&M must have purchased a full page color ad!
Another ‘Americanized’ Italian restaurant. HUGE portions with a HUGE side of spaghetti. Had the mozzarella, tomato & basil: hot house tomatoes made it bland. The portion is HUGE so you can easily split it with someone. Had the chicken parmesan as an entrée. Breading was very thick & their sauce was too sweet. Service was good, not great. Nice wine selection but cocktails are overpriced. Won’t be rushing back. Was there during the week and I could see where it would be very noisy when full. Only seats about 60.

I will cut them a little slack because they are relativity new, but my experience was not good. The host was very pleasant and the place is shiny any new inside. The waitress admitted being under 21 so she couldn’t make a suggestion about wine and didn’t appear to know much about the menu either. You are not allowed to substitute sauces. That in itself is stupid and not very customer friendly. The menu selection for regular pasta was small. I’m not impressed. Have no desire to return.

Quite expensive for average fares. Beware the lunch menu is priced as high as the dinner menu. Portions might be the same size, but don’t justify salad bar quality «insalates» and so-​so pasta.

Great food and service! Great place for dinner or happy hour. Really pretty. Unusual and fancy drinks. Very nice addition to North Wilmington!

Finally.
After almost four months of being denied access to this place, I ate dinner there on Friday night (⁰³⁄₂₇) with my sister, boyfriend, and brother-​in-​law. I was surprised and impressed with the décor; it was definitely different from your standard Italian bistro «look». The tables and chairs were simple but elegant, and the walls had interchanging panels of bluish-​gray, tan, and mirrored stripes. The lighting was low, but not low to the point where you couldn’t read your menu or strain to see the food on your plate. The overall effect was tasteful and relaxed.
Our waiter, Mark, was a laugh riot: witty, charming, quick on his feet, and extremely helpful. He became my newest best friend when he carded me after I ordered a Strawberry Patron martini, and he then carded my boyfriend and my sister as well «just because». What a sweetheart!
For an appetizer, we split the Affettato, which was a sampler of Italian meats, cheeses, and roasted vegetables laid out on a small wooden platter. Since this was a Lenten Friday and I was trying to be a good Catholic, I did not try any of the meat, but the cheese and roasted veggies were delicious. The freshly-​baked bread Mark brought out to us was also good to the point where I had to restrain myself from putting my face in the basket.
For our main entrees, I ordered Linguini Frutti di Mare, which was homemade linguini topped with mussels, clams, and shrimp in either a red or white sauce (I chose red). The meal was huge and I ate maybe two-​thirds of it, but it was a perfect blend of spicy and savory flavors. The mussels and clams were excellent; there was no grit in any of the shells, and the shrimp was soft and almost buttery in its consistency. Nothing was gummy or chewy. The sauce itself was light but had a distinct bite to it, which I loved.
My sister had the Pollo Rollantino (chicken served with prosciutto, peppers, arugula and fontina cheese in a white wine reduction sauce), and she really enjoyed it, although she couldn’t finish the whole thing. My boyfriend ordered the Agnelotti al Tartufo, which was ravioli stuffed with meat pâté and topped with peas, sundried tomatoes, and a light cream truffle sauce. This dish was huge (hmm, sensing a pattern here), and my boyfriend couldn’t finish it, although he was very pleased with it. My brother-​in-​law ordered the Timballo, which looked like stuffed lasagna topped with bechamel (sic?) sauce. The lasagna was filled to the bursting point with meat, and (you guessed it) my brother-​in-​law couldn’t clear the plate. But rest assured, he loved his meal.
My sister and my boyfriend had the soup of the day, which looked like fried egg served in a light chicken broth; it was actually veal broth. I didn’t offer to try it, since I’m not usually a fan of eggy soups, but my sister and boyfriend really enjoyed it. My brother-​in-​law ordered a Caesar salad and was suitably pleased.
We didn’t think we had room for dessert, but when Mark said the words, «Belgian chocolate cake», I was sold. I had a slice of Belgian chocolate mousse cake with whipped cream on the side, and that had to be the best mousse I’ve had in a very long time. It was neither heavy nor light, but had a rich, robust flavor, and the whipped cream was heavenly. My sister ordered the Peach Sorbetto, which was peach sorbet served in a frozen peach. The dessert almost looked too beautiful to eat. My boyfriend had one of the two house-​made desserts: it was soft vanilla ice cream with a dark cherry sauce and bits of cherry embedded throughout. He was able to finish that. ;-p
We left V & M Bistro as satisfied, full, and happy customers. I’m sure we’ll be back to try more of their authentic cuisine.

Visited here on a crisp fall night. Great new spot with a modern atmosphere. Started with some of their fresh baked bread and a Limoncello Martini. Both were fantastic, the martini featured a large scoop of fresh lemon water ice in the center of the glass which not only kept it cold but enhanced the flavor.
Onto the entrée, classic Chicken Parmesan dish served with homemade gnocchi as a side. This is one of the best I’ve had anywhere, and I am always on the search for the best Chicken Parm. V&M’s is definitely top class. Finally, service was impeccable by the talented bar staff. Will be back!

Dined here with three friends. We had a reservation on a Friday and had to wait a bit for our table. No problem, as the waiting area was inviting. We all had «martinis” — the limoncello one was the best. Shared the antipasti to start and it was delicious. A bit bummed about the bread. The bread itself was great, but if you go to the effort to make your own bread and display it so wonderfully when you walk in, don’t throw some individually wrapped butter packets in the bread basket. Put some butter in a small dish. Sprinkle some salt on it. Or, serve with olive oil. This is NOT a diner.
Pastas were all homemade. I chose the agnellotti al tartufo, which is described as «In-​house half-​moon shaped ravioli, filled with seasoned, meat pâté, topped with peas, sundried tomato & truffle cream, finished with Parmigiano Reggiano.» It was absolutely delicious. Sounds pretty labor intensive, right? Three of the four of us had pastas. I thought that some of the less complicated pastas were priced a bit high, especially with an a la carte salad.
Desserts were good but nothing to write home about.
It was an older crowd– not too many diners in their thirties or forties. Our waitress was very good.
Overall– fix the butter situation. Pastas priced a bit high. Kudos on the antipasti.

As with any restaurant, usually there are high points and low points. There will forever be room for improvements, especially in the restaurant business.
Always remember that reviews I post are that of my own personal experience.
My husband and I dined there with our 18 yr old niece on Thursday, October 29^th at 5:30pm. We called to see if there were any open reservations and were told that at this point in the evening, they had a few open tables but were not taking reservations. Hmmm… website says «reservations strongly suggested»…
We took a chance and went to see if they would have a table when we got there. and they did.
The restaurant space itself has lovely décor, makes good use of the space and immerses you in browns and gold, creating a very warm and inviting feel.
They have a back entrance as well as a front. We parked in the back and of course, used the back entrance. A bit confusing when you walk in and have the bar and the bathrooms to greet you. No hostess stand, no sign telling you to head to the front of the restaurant to see the hostess. Truly feels like you came in through a back door and not a 2^nd entrance.
We were seated and handed paper tri-​folded menus. OK, I will give you a pass on that since you just opened up. But not having nicer menus but having your logo on the cocktail napkins… just sayin’.
We were greeted by our server and he took our drink orders. The table in front of us was seated after we gave our drink order. And the table in front of us received their drink order below us (yes, it included two things from the bar, a martini and a beer, same as our order). Seemed off, but I let it go.
A different server delivered our drinks and I asked for bread, since other tables had it but we did not. Got bread. No butter or oil. Had to ask twice for both. The bread, which the website says is baked in house was not only not hot (not even lukewarm, just standard room temperature) was slightly under baked. If you are touting that you bake your own bread in house, serve it warm at least!
Limóncello Martini was solid — even had a scoop of lemon water ice in the center of the glass and they have you pour the martini over it. Nice touch!
Waiter finally came back and took our order. After he had taken 2 full tables orders that were seated well after us.
Appetizer:
Affettato ~ think antipasto serves on a wood plank. The selection was nice, three meats, two cheese, grilled eggplant and olives. Prosciutto was cut very thick, would have preferred it cut much thinner.
My Entrée:
Linguini Frutti de Mare — linguini was cooked well and to my liking. Shrimp was WAY OVERCOOKED. Red sauce was solid, although the menu read as «spicy» and I thought it could have used more heat.
Husband’s Entrée:
Linguini con Vongole (Clams & Linguini (white) — said it was good and the sauce was clam juice and brine and not overpowered by butter and/​or oil. Said it could have used bits of clams in the sauce as the only clam meat was from the 9 – 10 small clams that were serves in their shell.
Niece’s Entrée:
Vitello Principessa — (Veal Medallions with brandy cream sauce and asparagus). It was serves over pasta that was coated with sauce. The veal was tough and she struggled to cut it. The piece that I tried was tough and dry and what seemed to be extremely overcooked. Was drowning in the sauce as well. (again, I did not say anything, knowing that it is tough to get everything perfect, especially in the first few months of opening a restaurant). This is not something she would seek out to order again.
Dessert was tiramisu to share between my husband and I and my niece ordered the chocolate mousse cake. Tiramisu was a miss for me, tastes like strong alcohol to me, husband thought it was OK and nothing to write home about. Niece loved her chocolate mousse cake and ate 90% of it, which is a compliment in and of itself since she doesn’t eat sweets often.
We ordered a pizza margherita to take home for lunch the next day. It came to us just out of the oven and hot! Smelled delicious! Tried a nibble when we got home and was disappointed with the crust being a bit too «doughy» for my personal taste.

Wow!
Dining of such a superb quality is watershed event for Italian dining in Wilmington.
Driving past last night, the lights were on, and we walked in. It turned out they were not open for business — a soft opening. The family that owns the restaurant was very gracious and invited us in for a meal.
The décor is gorgeous. Everything is a rich texture and finish. It will be easy to sit at the bar and enjoy a glass of wine.
For an app, we had insalata caprese and arancini. The mozzarella is made in-​house and was light and fresh. The basil must have been freshly cut, the sweet flavor was very bright. The arancini was ethereal, they were so light on the fork. Too, the tomato sauce was served on the side, which was greatly appreciated.
Entrees were cod en papillote and gnocchi Bolognese. The cod was the best piece of fish I have had in a very long time. In the last week, we have dined at two other Wilmington fish restaurants and they were not even close. The gnocchi were like little pillows, with a rich meat sauce appropriately clinging to the sides, but not drowning the pasta.
Wow wow wow. The VM Bistro is not overly large — maybe 25 tables. I hesitate to write a review, for I will now be fighting everyone for a table.