New businesses in Youngstown are always a good thing, and lately things have been a-poppin'. The closing of the Rosetta Stone was a setback to the downtown entertainment district. But I can personally attest that the failure of the Rosetta Stone was due to bad management as opposed to any problem with downtown. Seriously.
Long time Niles standby Vernon's Cafe is the latest to put an entry into the downtown dining sweepstakes. V2 (V Squared) is located in the newly renovated Federal Building at the corner of West Federal Street and N. Phelps Street. I can tell you upfront, this is a winner and I wish them a lot of luck.
V2 is not a full service restaurant, at least not yet. It is marketing itself as a wine bar/trattoria/bistro type of place. The menu is primarily sandwiches, appetizers (currently known as "small plates"), salads, and maybe two pasta regular entrees. From what I have read, plans are to expand the menu as the kinks are worked out.
This is great space, and you forget you are in downtown Youngstown from the second you walk in the door. It is done in warehouse chic. The ceilings are high. The decorations are modern. You walk into the bar area from the main entrance. To the right is regular seating. Straight and to the left is the large bar area with high top seating. Music is blaring. The crowd convivial and boisterous. This is not a place if you really want to have a serious conversation. I it call "Friday evening cool." The Youngstown area is long overdue for this type of place.
Owner Vernon Cesta knows that you have to closely supervise any restaurant/bar operation, and he has been downtown personally supervising the launch of V2, and it shows. We were there on a Friday night, and the place packed the entire time we were there. Service was great with very little wait time between the time we sat down to the time drink orders were taken. Food service was prompt. The wait staff was knowledgeable about the menu. You can tell when the boss knows what he/she is doing!!
The menu is not sit down dinner type of food. It has a wide variety of burgers and panini's, specialty pizzas, cheese and meat trays, and appetizers such as humus, polenta, spinach and artichoke dip (fabulous) and Arancini do Riso (friend rice balls with cheese...also fabulous...bet you just can't eat one). Everything we tried was well prepared and worth going for again.
This is a really nice addition to the downtown area and should do well. Almost makes me want to relocate my office downtown. Give it a try...use ear plugs...but give it a try.
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