Verve Cafe Bar

Posted by: Michael & Cat | 30 April 2010, 11.13am

Ok, here it is simple and easy. If you want a good meal anytime of day and want a good friendly greeting and service then go to Verve. Have eaten here many times and never been disappointed. Critics are just that critics....go and enjoy yourselves....I am and will again!

Food:			Visit: Fri 30 April 2010 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: sarah67 | 24 January 2010, 1.38pm

I've been to verve many times because the food is excellent and while the service isn't great ( it use to be better a few years ago) I understand that they are young and really don't care about their jobs. I am sure they all on their way to working somewhere else.

One of the great issues I have with verve is that they don't know what to do with patrons when they arrive. I walk in and they look at me like I'm an alien.

They really should be able to look at the time, see it's lunch and smile and ask if I would like some lunch. It's not hard. But they frown and look. They have to be promted to do anything at all.

Dinner is better.

Why do I go? The food is great. I just wish they would be a little faster at delivering it.

Having said all that, we took our dog at sat outside and they brough her a bowl of water and some scaps.

Food:			Visit: Sun 24 January 2010
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Posted by: jakpot | 29 November 2009, 1.10am

The food was fantastic, I know now were to go for a great duck confit, one of my favorite meals, Caleb and his staff where also very accomodating when I lost an extremly expensive ring down their wooden outdoor seating (ring was found and now firmly back on finger) they were actually going to pull apart the seating to reatreive it for me, thankfully that didnt have to happen. Another really good star for them was the fact they were still open for a meal after 9.30pm, they were a little busy and I did have to remind them of a drink I had ordered, but I think that might be due to the fact that most of the staff are young, and unfortunatly do the forgetting thing, which for me although extremly frustrating and annoying didnt detract from the fantastic food. Will definatly be going back and soon

Food:			Visit: Fri 27 November 2009 Mealtime: supper
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Posted by: foodlurver | 14 November 2009, 1.31pm

I went along with a large group to Verve because somebody else booked it and I was disappointed. The service was slow and rude at times. More often seeming keener to talk amongst themselves than tend to the tables.

I will be avoiding it in the future.

Food:			Visit: Sat 14 November 2009
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Posted by: doctorjess | 19 August 2009, 1.10pm

Travel to Canb regularly for work and always stop in for a meal - looove the cocktails.

Most recently have had the sirloin and it was absolutely superb. Cooked to perfection.

Only criticisms would be that it's slightly crowded and one of the waiters seemed very unfamiliar with the menu. But all in all an excellent place!

Food:			Visit: Wed 12 August 2009 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: S J | 27 May 2009, 4.34pm

Was hoping for a lovely breafast on an autumn morning. The service was very slow. The food was ordinary, although the Bloody MAry's were rated well by my friends! If you'e after a cup of coffee - allow 20 minuntes before you see it!

Food:			Visit: Sat 16 May 2009 Mealtime: breakfast
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Posted by: nettle | 19 November 2008, 7.24pm

For a restaurant/bar with such a prime corner location, this place does not deserve the real estate privilige. I have been here half a dozen times and each time I kick myself for going back. Convenience and al fresco dining will no longer be an excuse. I have been here for breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee and on every occasion the service is sloppy and forgetful, coffee comes out lukewarm (I send it back), and although the menu and ingredients sound good - they never get the combo right. It's like the chefs are trying but don't really know how to create a meal with synergy. Too much oil, over cooked fish, salt to excess. I want this place to rock - it has a great bar and eating outside in warm weather is great.

Food:			Visit: Wed 19 November 2008
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Posted by: Ilikegoodfood | 1 September 2008, 11.14am

I have eaten at Verve with my family once in the past, I was disappointed but I think everyone deserves a second chance so when a friend invited me along I agreed to give it another go. Wow, what a mistake... When we arrived we waited approx 5 minutes to even be greeted, just as we were about to leave we were asked to wait at the bar for a table (even though I could see 4 clean tables and 3 with dirty plates on them). When we were finally seated we were handed menus by the waitor as he passed us without even saying a word to us. When the waitor returned he asked us "so what do you want?", we placed our orders and some water was finally provided for us by another waitor. When our food arrived about 20 mins later, mine was cold and boring and my friend's beef was very over cooked (she asked for rare and it was cooked well-done). When we quieried the waitor he said "well you can take it as is or wait another half hour for a new one" -very rude.
The dessert was better, lucky it was suppost to be cold I guess.

Food:			Visit: Mon 1 September 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: aristocrat | 12 August 2008, 6.27pm

Choosing to eat at Verve for a special occasion seemed like a smart choice given the positive reviews it has recieved. The initial service was very good, and the food and beverages served with efficiency. Unfortunately that was where any positive comments cease. The garlic bread (supposedly fantastic) was served undercooked(heated). With the mains the fillet steak was great cooked as ordered, but the pad Thai seemed very heavy on the peanuts and noodles and short on other fillings. Nothing to write home about but also not enough to complain about either. As our mains were cleared we were asked if we would like to see the dessert menu. We answered in the affirmative, which was the last communication we had with the waiting staff for the next 20 minutes. I know everybody overstates time waiting but 20 minutes is being very kind to the staff. During this time the staff seemed to make a point of being too busy (talking to friends at the bar) to notice our eye contact. Had the restaurant been busy waits and small mistakes can be forgiven but this was 9.30 pm on a Saturday night and the restaurant was three quarters empty (I can now see why). At one point whilst waiting for dessert menus, my glass was cleared over my shoulder, with no request for any further drinks or our menus. We finally waved, seriously waved a waitress down to get the bill as we didn't really want to wait any longer. Funnily enough the bill was there in seconds.
A special night with reasonable food in a nice location and atmosphere unfortunately ruined by some of the poorest service I've encountered in Canberra.

Food:			Visit: Sat 9 August 2008 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Iluvfood | 24 April 2008, 4.52pm

I love Verve for b'fast/brunch/lunch, especially sitting outside. The food is always good and the menu is really extensive, they make nice drinks too. Don't go there if you're in a rush, as the service isn't particularly fast and sometimes they're very slow with the drinks. It's a great, relaxed cafe, nothing too mind-blowing but always satisfying.

Food:			Visit: Thu 24 April 2008
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Posted by: cassiej | 8 November 2007, 3.24pm

I have eaten at Verve on several occasions and am also a diagnosed Coeliac so need to follow a gluten-free diet. Verve make it easy by marking on their menus the meals that can be served as gluten-free. This makes it easy to order without having to draw attention to one's dietary needs or ask questions. The choice of gluten dishes are large and varied and so far the ones I have had have been just delicious. Keep up the good gluten-free work and thanks.

Food:			Visit: Wed 7 November 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: food.and.wine | 2 October 2007, 7.50pm

A modern and fantastic place to eat. We were welcomed immediately and sat at a lovely table by the window. The service can not be faulted, the staff were attentive and polite. The specials are even spoken to you!
The food was wonderfully cooked and presented although it took a little longer then we had expected to arrive, but worth the wait. Great prices and outstanding service.

Food:			Visit: Thu 20 September 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: food lover 2007 | 16 September 2007, 3.04pm

You can't go wrong with Verve. The food is consistent and the service is good. It is reasonably priced and it has a relaxing atmosphere.

Food:			Visit: Sun 16 September 2007
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Posted by: muchogusto | 29 July 2007, 5.27pm

Ate at Verve on a recent visit to Canberra. The service was very attentive, and the room was warm and busy on a winter night, feeling cozy but not crowded. A decent selection of wines, but I found the menu a bit eclectic. Not in the sense of "ooh, look at all the choices" so much as "hmm, my palate is completely confused." The pasta I ordered was a bit boring, and had a pasty consistency as if it had been combined with the sauce hours before and reheated. As the mains aren't cheap, I expected something a little more substantial, maybe a few vegetables to garnish or some bread on the side. Not awful, but could have been better.

Food:			Visit: Thu 19 July 2007
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Posted by: watchmen | 19 May 2007, 2.16pm

The linguini was uninspiring and overpriced. The chef took a niggardly approach to the amount of Gallus Domesticus in the dish. With only one mouthful of linguini remaining on my plate (and there wasn't that much to begin with) the waitress came and asked me if I would like some cracked papper and parmesan. The highlight of the experience was the company with whom I arrived.

Food:			Visit: Fri 18 May 2007 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: Geezie | 31 March 2007, 12.46pm

I had a very enjoyable evening at Verve with my partner. I had the fillet mignon, and it was absolutely superb! An absolute credit. I will definitely be going back for another. It was perfectly cooked, and served with an incredible jus. Atmosphere and service were both also very good, considering how busy it was. I would highly recommend.

Food:			Visit: Fri 30 March 2007 Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by: Epic Cure | 11 April 2006, 3.49pm

This was the first place I ate when I first moved to the nation's capital - and what a disappointment. The food was mediocre, the service was slow and unattentive, and the atmosphere was full of bustle - but not the good kind.

Food:			Visit: Tue 11 April 2006 Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by: Two Ladies | 20 January 2006, 9.48am

Service was prompt, courteous, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive - just right. Assorted breads with drinks were a little on the tepid side; we ordered soup du jour for entree, pumpkin with honey - delicious - want the recipe! Mains were also daily specials, pork backstrap and sirloin - both meals were excellent. Wine by the glass was selected by waitress - also perfect! A very good night out - thank you very much, particularly to the waitress and kitchen!

Two Ladies

Food:			Visit: Thu 19 January 2006 Mealtime: dinner
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