The new Victorian's Midnight Cafe: What do you think? « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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The new Victorian's Midnight Cafe: What do you think?

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Started 3 years ago by placebohigh
Latest reply from DavidF

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placebohigh
The Short North
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I recently stumbled into the new Victorian's Midnight Cafe, hearing about the new ownership and cleaner, more updated interior and all-day menu. However, there was nowhere to sit so I opted to try again later.

Granted I was only there for a few minutes but is it just me or does anyone else think the new interior minus the booths makes the place really crowded and strange? I love the new bar and drink specials and unique menu (just from looking at it online). But is the food any good? Any good drink specials? Any recommended menu items?

Posted 3 years ago #
Thory
Asheville, NC
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I miss the booths too, and the couch. I think without them it feels too open, though. I love the new floor. I have a thing for stained hardwood floors, so theirs is a step in the right direction.

The only food I've had there was one of the pizzas. It was ok, nothing special. Could have used more salt and fresh spinach instead of canned stuff. Spinach and mushrooms are two things that should always be fresh instead of canned or frozen.

They need some art on the walls too.

Posted 3 years ago #
Manatee
The eternal present
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Haven't been yet, but it sounds like the new floors are a marked improvement over the old ones I could put a foot through in some places!

Posted 3 years ago #
Nitsud Regnifloh
Valerio Heights
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WHAT!? the couch is gone? so, what is in the corner to the left when you walk in?? did they paint over the giant moon on the stage wall?

Posted 3 years ago #
Roland
Clintonville
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I really want this place to do well. I live close and really want to see that little section of 5th pick up a little.

The new Vic's looks much cleaner. There is new flooring, tables, and chairs. Much of the junk has been removed. I believe improvements could still be in the works. I've never seen a place waste ALL of their window space like this before. There is no seating by the windows. There is a stage to one side, and a high walled wrap around booth on the other side.

The biggest problem that Vic's has, still remains. The service is terrible. It was Saturday morning. There were 3 people working to serve 15 in the room and we sat at a table for 10 minutes before one of us got frustrated enough to walk over and grab a waiter. They were so absentminded, they thought we were finished eating and just sitting around. WTF? And this was just the beginning.

The food is good, always had been, but I just can't justify waiting 45 minutes for a basic eggs+toast breakfast. This was the biggest problem I had with the old Vic's. It wasn't the decor that needed replaced.

Worst service in Columbus.

Posted 3 years ago #
surber17

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Have to agree 100%. We always felt like they had the best breakfast in Columbus but dont go hungry. We've waited up to 1.5 hours for our food. Its breakfast, it takes 5 min. to make.

Oh, one example that sticks out in my mind. There use to be (havent seen her for a bit) this girl that worked there who was checking people out. This guy came up to pay who I guess she had a thing for. Instead of waiting to talk to him later she had a 20 min. conversation while other people were waiting to checkout.

I can never tell if people are working or just there to shoot the sh!t.

Posted 3 years ago #
mrsgeedeck
Castle of Lions
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von wrote >>
WHAT!? the couch is gone? so, what is in the corner to the left when you walk in?? did they paint over the giant moon on the stage wall?

The moon is still there, and instead of the couch there's a big velvet booth.

Posted 3 years ago #
placebohigh
The Short North
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Hit up Victorian's the other night with friends to finally give it a chance...and man, I was sorely disappointed. The place was quiet (no music) and the service was beyond reprehensible. After waiting about 20 minutes for someone to come to our table to take our drink order we went up to the bar and ordered. The worker tried to overcharge us by $2 per drink despite it being Happy Hour. And when we questioned him why it was more expensive than the signs on ALL THE TABLES he said "Prove it" and we went over and got the placard and showed it to him...What great customer service! When we showed him the sign clearly specified the drink prices he still overcharged us by 50 cents. Last time I checked there isn't tax on drink purchases. Awful experience. We were going to order food and stay awhile but after that we downed our drinks and promptly left. Has anyone else had an experience like this there??

Posted 3 years ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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It took me a long time to get service at the bar (the four people behind the bar were deep in conversation) and they had accidentally unhooked the beer I had wanted, leaving it warm and undrinkable. Thankfully, they offered me a comparable bottle beer for a decent price. That was opening night and I chalked it up to the staff still needing to organize a game plan. I'm sorry to hear that may not be the case.

Posted 3 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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Hate to dump more negativity here, but I was going to check out the new Vic's, but the parking signs were already occupied by bikes and despite the ÃƒÂ¼ber-liberal reputation, they still donÃ‚Â´t have a single bike rack even though the city wants businesses to ask them to install those. If they had one I would have been able to lock up due to one other space for my bike, so instead I took my money to Tip Top where they accommodate my kind.

Posted 3 years ago #
chillnincbus
Columbus
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Give the place a chance! From what I've heard it is under new ownership, but only since April 3rd. Transitions take time... I can tell they care and have improved a lot in this short time. Perhaps you just went on a bad night. Everyone and every place has bad nights. So, yeah, give the updated Vic's a chance. After all, how can you complain with a much bigger beer and liquor selection, plus new menu items. :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Columbusite wrote >>
Hate to dump more negativity here, but I was going to check out the new Vic's, but the parking signs were already occupied by bikes and despite the ÃƒÂ¼ber-liberal reputation, they still donÃ‚Â´t have a single bike rack even though the city wants businesses to ask them to install those. If they had one I would have been able to lock up due to one other space for my bike, so instead I took my money to Tip Top where they accommodate my kind.

Couldn't you have just walked instead? Don't you live pretty close?

Posted 3 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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I was already riding and I like to bar hop, so if I walked here I'd have to walk back and get the bike anyway. What makes me especially irate with Vic's is that they're supposed to be ultra-liberal. But why no bike rack? There's obviously demand.

Posted 3 years ago #
Thory
Asheville, NC
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I was there recently, and I'm losing hope that the new ownership can pull it together. I was ignored while I stood at the counter for a few minutes. The people working there were hanging out and talking, which I'm all for, but you can't ignore customers when you're at work.

Posted 3 years ago #
Nitsud Regnifloh
Valerio Heights
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Columbusite wrote >>
ultra-liberal.

and that equals bike-friendly? i though the correct term there would be environmental. they allow quasi-conservatives there too.

Posted 3 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Walker wrote >>

Columbusite wrote >>
Hate to dump more negativity here, but I was going to check out the new Vic's, but the parking signs were already occupied by bikes and despite the ÃƒÂ¼ber-liberal reputation, they still donÃ‚Â´t have a single bike rack even though the city wants businesses to ask them to install those. If they had one I would have been able to lock up due to one other space for my bike, so instead I took my money to Tip Top where they accommodate my kind.

Couldn't you have just walked instead? Don't you live pretty close?

But then what would he bitch about on the internet?
Silly Walker.

Posted 3 years ago #
Core_Models
Columbus
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no wheels=TRUE traffic calming.

Posted 3 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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von wrote >>

Columbusite wrote >>
ultra-liberal.

and that equals bike-friendly? i though the correct term there would be environmental. they allow quasi-conservatives there too.

Get the Flash Video

Posted 3 years ago #
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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osulew wrote >>

Walker wrote >>

Columbusite wrote >>
Hate to dump more negativity here, but I was going to check out the new Vic's, but the parking signs were already occupied by bikes and despite the ÃƒÂ¼ber-liberal reputation, they still donÃ‚Â´t have a single bike rack even though the city wants businesses to ask them to install those. If they had one I would have been able to lock up due to one other space for my bike, so instead I took my money to Tip Top where they accommodate my kind.

Couldn't you have just walked instead? Don't you live pretty close?

But then what would he bitch about on the internet?
Silly Walker.

hah! thanks for making me laugh while drinking hot coffee this morning.

Posted 3 years ago #
surber17

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Went for breakfast twice this past weekend because I'm sticking by they have one of the best breakfast's in town. That being said .... they def. have the most incompetent waiting staff in town. We didnt even get menus for 15 min. and when our food was ready, we decided to just walk up and get it ourselves because we could see that no one else was about to do it for us.

Posted 3 years ago #