Vida

We acquired a few Cunningham Group gift certificates for Christmas. We normally only go to Livery and Bru Burger for our entertainment dollar, but we decided to take advantage of the certificates to try something beyond our normal means. I made an early Saturday dinner reservation for my wife's birthday, which also happened to fall within the promotional Devour special.I was a little nervous about parking as I'm not overly familiar with the available options throughout Indy. From what I found in my research, they have about 8 spots behind their restaurant, which were all taken when we arrived at about 5:00pm. The spots along the sidewalk on the same side of the street as the restaurant are apparently available for free and we lucked into one of those, although there was a still a decent mess of ice and snow along the walk from a recent storm. They do offer valet, but I already referenced that our income resides more in the value range.We weren't certain which was the front door, and were redirected by a sign on the 1st door we tried indicating that we had passed it. As we approached, a gentleman opened the door and greeted us. In spite of being about 30 minutes earlier than our reservation, they very kindly and promptly seated us. The room we were in had a bar along 1 wall, a few tables for 2, a few for 4, and one that had 6 or so people at it along the wall of windows. Our menus actually had a birthday greeting for my wife across the top as well. The music being played was a fantastic mix of 70s and 80s that fit somewhere between soft rock and Sirius XM's Yacht Soul.Our server promptly arrived and was very friendly in guiding us through the menu options. We elected to do the Devour Vegetarian Four Course Menu ($75 each) with wine pairings ($65 each). The sommelier was also fantastic at explaining each beverage's background and why she chose for each specific food item we ordered. In spite of that, I'm not much of a wine guy, so I honestly don't recall what each wine was to pass along. Food wise I do recall as we each got something different so that we could share and try more. They actually first brought out a potato croquette I believe that was paired with a Champagne-type wine. This was not something we ordered, but simply offered as an extra. Our first course included Roasted Carrots and Caramelized Cauliflower. Both were excellent as I really like cooked carrots, which was accompanied by goat cheese, and my wife really liked the cauliflower, especially with the kale that was a part of it. Second, we Butternut Squash and the Baby Greens Salad. Again, both had amazing flavor combinations, with my liking the squash and its goat cheese again, my wife preferring the salad with its manchego. Prior to our third, they brought out a basket of a focaccia bread and a banana pineapple bread. I love bread, and the focaccia was one of the best ones I have ever had. Our main entrees "Cacio e Pepe" Tagliatelle and the Squash Tortelloni. While I really liked the tortelloni, we each agreed the Cacio e Pepe was one of the best things we each have ever had. For our 4th, we finished with the Ricotta Doughnuts and the Guayaquil Chocolate Cake. They were both good, but the previous round was a very tough act to follow.Overall, it was an outstanding birthday dinner experience because of their top-notch, friendly service, combined with a consistent selection of unique flavors that were made all the more enjoyable with the accompanying beverages. It is definitely beyond our ability to return any time soon, but if we were of means, we would.

We went for an early valentines dinner and oh my goodness it was so good and unique. The ambience was warm and inviting but centered around you and your needs- if that makes sense. We ended up going with the 4 course meal, and everything was exquisite and tasted wonderful. Unfortunately, I forgot our waitresses name, but she was super attentive, nice and very helpful. While the food was amazing. I can only give it four stars because of the portions in relation to price, but that won't stop me from coming back.

I can't believe I didn't write a review for Vida earlier. Hands down, one of the top restaurants in Indiana, which makes sense as Chef Thomas Melvin was James Beard nominated in 2024.I booked this restaurant as a surprise for my fiance's birthday dinner. The interior is beautiful - I especially love their vertical herb garden in their kitchen, viewable from the entryway. Reservations definitely recommended.There are two ways to enjoy your meal: (1) chef's tasting menu or (2) prix fixe four course meal. As a group of four, we opted for the four course meal as there were four choices per course so we would be able to try a little bit of everything. It's been some time since we dined in but I especially remember the foie gras - this is not something I typically eat for moral purposes but the waitress said that this was his specialty item - so we had to give it a try. Truly unbelievable - I think about it still. In any case, every single item was superb. The menu rotates with the season so I'm not sure the items we had will be on the menu, but rest assured, your taste buds are in good hands.I woudn't hesitate to come back here next time we're in Indy for a special occasion. What a treat!

My friend and I stopped by Vida at 7:30 PM on a Thursday night. We had a reservation made already so we were seated as soon as we entered the restaurant. The seats were large and comfortable and all of our servers were very friendly. For the meal you can either choose a six course tasting menu or choose an item from each choice from their Four Course Menu. My friend and I decided on the four courses and both chose different things so we could try out a couple of different items. For the first course we tried: -BEEF TARTARE: Tartare was flavored very well and was perfectly minced. The toasted baguette it came with was also a great accompaniment. Highly recommend. -KANPACHI: Quite tasty and a nice choice as well. For the second course we got: -CHICKEN BALLOTINE: Perfectly cooked and juicy chicken. The skin was also nice and crispy. A great option. -SEARED FOIE GRAS: This was definitely the star of the meal. The foie gras was perfectly flavored and fatty and went so well with the brioche. For the third course: -ACORN SQUASH TORTELLONI: Tortelloni was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce and filing were very tasty. The only thing I did not like was that even though the sauce and filling were hot, the edges of all of the tortellini were cold so the timing seems to have been off, would have been better if all parts of the tortellini including the edges were hot or at least warm. -PRIME BLACK ANGUS RIBEYE: Well cooked steak and great horseradish potatoes. Finally, for our fourth course we tried: -BANANA PANNA COTTA: The panna cotta was very tasty and I loved the peanut butter whip on the side. Great option for dessert! -CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE: A nice option but the Panna cotta was definitely better. The meal itself was a great experience the only thing I wish could have been changed would be that especially the wait before receiving the amuse bouche could have been shortened a little as well as the wait between each course. All in all, a nice and tasty dining experience in Indianapolis.

Vida is without a doubt the best restaurant in Indy. It is our go to for any special occasion. The service is top notch. I wanted one ofthe cocktails made into a mocktail and the bartender got a juicer out and made carrot ginger juice so that I could have a mocktail... superior service. Can't say enough good things. We went for Valentine's day and the atmosphere is so calm and inviting but not over the top.

We went here during devour, and it was the best dining experience we've ever had. Food was immaculate and perfectly curated. Service was top tier. Ambiance is cozy and romantic. I would recommend to everyone.

Truly an exceptional dining experience in Indianapolis. Having visited three times, my admiration for this establishment only grows with each visit. The chef's culinary prowess is truly that of an artist, and the food served is nothing short of delectable. Without a doubt, I highly recommend indulging in the exquisite bluefin tuna. It was so exquisite that I regretted not ordering a second serving, as those at my table who missed out on it were visibly envious.For the second course, I opted for the fried chicken, which was intriguing, but I must admit that my preference lies with their non-fried menu offerings. However, it was the ribeye that truly stole the show. Its succulent flavors were so heavenly that I could easily savor it every day for the rest of my life.When it comes to dessert, the donuts are an absolute must-try. Their sheer decadence is a perfect ending to a magnificent meal. Although I opted for the four-course menu, my friend chose the tasting menu, and I must admit, I am eager to try it on my next visit. While the portions may seem smaller compared to the four-course option, the diversity of flavors my friend experienced was truly impressive and catered to her discerning palate.This dining experience may come with a higher price point, but I assure you, it is worth every penny. If I had the opportunity, I would visit this establishment every week to relish in its exceptional offerings.

Tonight's dinner can only be described as "exquisitely DELICATE" and utterly delicious! I've never described a meal as "delicate"Starting with Amuse Bouche and followed by Beef Tartare, Seared Foie Gras and Lamb Chop.... Service was superb and food was amazing.

A friend of mine and I were finally able to align our calendars and grab a reservation at Vida. Seriously one of the best experiences I had in a while. We both decided to go with the chef's tasing menu (fair warning, the whole table has to do it as an option) but opted not to have the wine pairings and had cocktails instead. Our waiter was wonderful informing us of options and breaking down the cocktails when we had questions. We started off with 2 great amuse bouche that were fish based and was my 2nd favorite dish of the night. Then we had our 6 courses which consisted of hiramasa, scallop, chicken, a ragu, ribeye, and chocolate cake. Both my friend and I agreed the scallop was the favorite for us. I would also like to add the pacing the staff did for our dinner was great as well. We had plenty of time to catch up and the timing of the meal was excellent. We never felt rushed which was much appreciated. Can't wait to have another reason why to visit Vida!

WOW! My Fiancé and I travelled in town from the Chicagoland area and knew right away we had to visit Vida. Vida is the only 4 Diamond restaurant in the Indianapolis area. They offer a few dining styles: Four Course Tasting, Chef Tasting (6 Courses), or A La Carte from their Four Course Menu. We decided to do the Four Courses for $95 a person (very comparable to a 1 Michelin star pricing & format). The entire restaurant was beautifully designed showing elements of rustic wood ceilings, accents of patterned tiles, industrial lighting, and seating that was nicely spaced out for privacy. When checking in, they had menus tagged per reservation group. We later found out that they had personalized ours to congratulate my fiancé on completing the Indy Mini. They later gave us a copy to go as a thank you souvenir. COCKTAILSWe started off by ordering the Secret Garden & Raspberry Beret cocktails. We loved seeing that the menu listed ingredients and the overall vibe of the cocktails. This helps guests gage a good choice based on their dinner preference. I got the Secret Garden which was springy, earthy, bright, and light. This paired great with my mostly vegetarian dinner choices. My partner ordered the Raspberry Beret which was fruity, frothy, and spicy. We loved that they had garnishes with heavy smells to pull in one's scent every sip. DINNER-Our dinner started with the Amuse Bouche, a pea croquette. It was the perfect crunchy bite, garnished nicely, on top of a light sauce.-For the first course we got the Caramelized Cauliflower & Beef Tartare. The Cauliflower had a good char, loved the leafy greens and raisins under with the purée sauce. The Beef Tartare came with baguettes so one could almost build their own bite. There were many layers with the quail egg, caperberries, etc so each bite had a depth of flavor. -Bread Service was complimentary and offered (2) squares of their herbed focaccia and (2) squares of their "friendship" bread paired with freshly whipped butter. Our friendship bread had notes of apple in it but the chef loves to change the flavors daily. -For the second course we got the Baby Greens Salad and Seared Foie Gras. The salad was fresh and light with the notes of avocado, lemon breadcrumbs, and vinaigrette. The salad was also a larger portion than I expected! The Seared Foie Gras came with a Brioche square which paired well together. The brioche was dense and the foie gras was fatty and rich with flavor. -For the third course we got the Duck Breast and Tortellini. The tortellini came with about (6) tortellinis filled with cheese over a citrus cream sauce and pesto. I enjoyed the greens that came paired but some were a bit too charred for my liking. The Duck Breast came over a bed of carrot emulsion. The skin was crispy and almost candied and the duck was decadent, rich and full of flavor. -For the fourth course we got the Ricotta Doughnuts and Chocolate Torte. The Chocolate Torte was rich with dark chocolate, cherries, and a good crunch from the pistachio crumbs. The Ricotta Doughnuts are a MUST! The doughnuts were fluffy and warm paired with the creamy ice cream, rich brown butter crumbs, and bourbon maple glaze. If the description doesn't sold you... just trust me. -The last important aspect to our dining experience was our server Tim! He was absolutely wonderful with being personable, pacing our drinks and food, and describing the different options. He brought us new silverware with every course, checked in on how we liked each plate, and offered small tidbits on the menu and restaurant. Additionally, other servers were constantly refilling our waters.