The hostess at the newly opened Vapiano restaurant in Kyiv’s Arena City makes guests feel like celebrities with her warmth. She also hands out a fancy plastic card that’s still a novelty in Kyiv restaurants. The card can be used for ordering and payment.
Kyiv’s Vapiano is the first Ukrainian restaurant of the chain that started in 2002 in Hamburg, Germany. Now Vapiano is in 26 countries.
In Kyiv, the restaurant offers a sufficient variety of pastas and pizzas from Hr 49-99. Those who don’t like any of the pastas, pizzas or salads on the list can put together their own recipe with available ingredients.
The restaurant features an open kitchen so people can watch their food being prepared.
After ordering, I was asked to wait for five minutes. I picked a seat at one of the long wooden tables with the charming little pots with Italian greenery standing on it. It was easy to find a table – probably because the place has not been discovered by many Kyivans yet. The order took nine minutes to come.
I chose the Caesar salad and wasn’t disappointed.
The prices in Vapiano depend on the size of the portions. Caesar is Hr 59 for a big plate and Hr 39 for a small one, but the price doesn’t include chicken. It may be added at a price of Hr 12, or Hr 18 for a double portion.
As for desserts, Vapiano offers six options. The one called “Death by Chocolate” was eye-catching, but I opted for a safer tiramisu (Hr 49). It turned out to be just fine, but not different from the cheaper tiramisu desserts one can find in Kyiv cafes. The desserts are ready-made, waiting to be picked up by a customer.
The bar includes strong alcohol drinks and different variations of coffee and tea. Bottled water and juice start at Hr 19.
In general, Vapiano is a good place for a workday lunch. The interior is stylish and urban but may disappoint fans of cozy home-like places. Also, making visitors sit along the long wooden tables might be a bit intimidating for those who like privacy.
On their way out, visitors are offered gummy bears and this sweet gesture made me think I would like to visit Vapiano again.
Kyiv Post staff writer Bozhena Sheremeta can be reached at [email protected].
Vapiano
Arena Mall (1-3/2 Baseyna St.)
067-524-8595
www.vapiano.ua
Open 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
On Friday, Saturday bar is open till 12 a.m.
