Vapiano, a "fresh-casual" chain from Germany, opened its first Texas outpost in Mockingbird Station. The eatery, which has approximately 30 locations worldwide (including four in the United States), serves house-made pasta, fire-roasted pizzas and gourmet salads, each prepared in its own specialty station. One high-tech innovation: Diners are given a card embedded with a smart chip that they use to track orders at each station and total the bill before leaving. The Dallas franchise is owned by former Rockwall city councilman Tim McCallum, who plans to open nine other locations through Dallas-Fort Worth in the next decade.
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Vapiano Dallas
Unfortunately I can't say enough bad things about the service at this place. When I went to order a beer at the bar the bartender didn't say a word to me. Not hello, thank you, buzz off...anything. My friend ordered a beer as well and all the bartender said to him was - "card!". So rude and dismissive. Gave this feedback to the manager and she said she would comp the beers, but when we tabbed out, they were still on the bill. Just paid and left as all I wanted to do was get out of this place.
As an Italian with an obsession with true Italian pizza, I have to say that this is the best I've ever had in Dallas. Using fresh ingredients is the key and the potted fresh herbs growing at your table show that Vapiano knows what they're doing. Prosciutto, wild mushrooms, home made pasta, fresh arugula, you just can't find that anywhere else in Dallas (not for this price at least).
I give this place an A++ and I really hope it survives today's economy.
It is a little confusing if you have never been there before on how to order and get a cocktail, but the pizza is nice and thin crust and cocktails were better than some other restaurants. Plus the complaint about the sun shining in has been taken care of... the tables don't leave you much room but different enough to peak your interest for at least a few meals.
Here's what I like about Vapiano: It's unlike anything else in Dallas. We have a lot of great options in Dallas, but this euro-chic environment and concept is just downright cool. It helps that the food is very good for this price-level -- very fresh, great flavors, etc. Some grumpy people (ahem) will gripe about not having a waiter, and that will probably affect their opinion of everything else, but I hope this restaurant makes it. Dallas is the birthplace of the casual chain restaurant, so it's refreshing to have something different. But you can't go in with a typical snooty Dallas attitude ...
I didn't like the dining card idea. You get a card, stand in line at various stations (one for drinks, one for pizzas, one for pasta) and then swipe the card to have the food added to your bill.
Some of my dining companions thought it was fun for something different, but I really just wanted to be waited on after a long day at work. I probably won't make another trip unless my friends are just dying to go there.
The food wasn't bad -- the ham and mushroom pizza was pretty good, the pesto pasta just OK. I liked all the fresh herbs growing around the restaurant. Smelled good.
Also, the outside lounge area needs some comfier cushions -- hard as a rock.
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The concept at Vapiano – upscale Italian fast food – is intriguing, but the reality disappoints. This German-owned chain has spread all over its native land and has outposts from Estonia to Dubai. It began its American expansion with several locations in the Washington, D.C., area and opened in Mockingbird Station about seven weeks ago. (Full review)