VIVO Cocina Mexicana
Austin, TX 78722
Phone: (512) 482-0300
- Price:
- $
- Hours:
- Mon 11am-10pm, Tue-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm, Sun 5pm-10pm
Editorial Review for VIVO Cocina Mexicana – by Susan Kirr
In Short
Bright colors make this space warm and inviting: orange against purple, red against green, punctuated with large-scale paintings. A bar area has stools and cozy leather couches for enjoying prickly pear margaritas. Tables and chairs cluster on the split-level patio that features a burbling fountain. The puffy taco is the signature dish, stuffed with spicy tofu, tomatoes and cheese. Enchiladas verdes come with moist shredded chicken, topped with tangy green tomatillo sauce.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
ParkingThere are plenty of spots in the lot.
When to GoThe first Sunday of the month is gay and lesbian night.
User Reviews for VIVO Cocina Mexicana
04/09/2008 Posted by bigglesbshnee
When I saw Tofu as an alternative to Beef in the Burrito section of the menu, I should have walked out of the restaurant. Vivo was recommended to me by a co-worker as, "the best Mexican food in Austin." After refusing to take another taste of the bitter salsa, and biting into an enchilada that featured salt as its main "spice" I was reminded that people in Austin have no idea what their talking about when it comes to Mexican food. I have had Taco Bell meals that were more authentic than the food I ate at Vivo, and it didn't cost me $10+/plate. The atmosphere at Vivo is great, and the patio is nice when the weather is good, but the tall, pretty hostess at Vivo is way too proud of it. There is a palpable arrogance when you walk in the door. She may as well greet you by saying, "welcome to Vivo ... how lucky are you to be eating here?" Our server was great, but the food came out a little slow. The place was not that busy, and it's Mexican food we're talking about here! Chicken or beef in some sort of tortilla surrounded by beans and rice ... kitchens should be cranking this stuff out pretty quickly. Vivo was not the worst dining experience I've ever had by any means, but if I go out of my way to go to "hip" Austin joint, fight for parking, wait 20 minutes to be seated and pay close to $15 for lunch, It better be worth it. Vivo was not.
Pros: Ambience, Roses for the ladies, dim lighting inside, bright patio outside
Cons: It's not Mexican food and it's too expensive.
03/03/2008 Posted by mm72
Service was very slow, Food is overpriced and served luke warm at best. Music was so loud people at our table could not hear each other. I was in a party of 8. Restaurant does not take reservations. When one member of our party was running late, hostess threatened to give our table way to another group as they would not seat us with only 7. Fortunately, our last member arrived before this happened. I had a bar tab open while waiting to be sat. Server refused to transfer my bar tab my table bill. We asked for separate checks which server also refused to do. Half way through the meal everyone became frustrated at the loud music coming from the bar area. Asked the server to turn down the music which was never done. Gratuity of 20% was automatically added which the server did not deserve for the poor non-attentive service that was provided. Our table ended up having to pass the multiple checks around and try to figure out what they owed. This is certainly NOT what I would call having a nice night out on the town. A restaurant server is named such as they are supposed to "server" the guests. If guests ask for separate checks there is, only one acceptable answer, YES. I will never dine at Vivo Cocina again.
Pros: None
Cons: Just about everything
Users Like You Also Viewed
Mars Restaurant & Bar
1400 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
