Diner reviews of Devotay
A diner from Iowa City
May 19, 2009
I arranged for my local mom's group to attend the wine tasting last night at Devotay and I was beyond disappointed. One of the women could not drink and called earlier to ask if she could just order off the menu. The staff member told her she could, but made her feel so uncomfortable about it she decided not to come. As for the wine tasting itself, we were given 4- 1/2 glasses, none of the wines were explained or discussed and 1 small salad for $23. The price was not discounted to $20 as advertised on the website or local papers to help with "this trying economy". I have been to Devotay many times for dinner and have thoroughly enjoyed it, but the 3 women I went with had never been there. Avoid the wine tastings...not worth the price! I have attended wine tastings at grocery stores that were more informative, more food and a better experience! Also, there is NO place to leave a comment on any of Kurt Friese's websites!
A diner from Cedar Rapids, IA
Feb 23, 2008
After hearing about this place for a few years, I finally tried it. I went with my wife and another couple and we all came away with the same impression...wayyyyy over-rated. Food was marginal at best and the service was bad (they weren't busy, so that can't be an excuse). I would never give it another chance.
A diner from Iowa City IA
Jan 23, 2006
Great place for dessert - $5 per person. Tiny restaurant, intimately packed but not overcrowded. Good international mix of customers, romantic ambience. Friendly staff, homey feel. Plants, bookshelves, windows make up 2 of the walls. Very cozy, good date place.
A diner from Naperville, IL
Apr 1, 2005
I don't know what the excitement about this place is all about. Maybe all the chefs went out of town the Wednesday night I was there. Maybe they were resting on their laurels so much they forgot about the fundamentals!
The rice in the $19 paella was COLD. It was both over and undercooked, mushy but with hard grains in different bites. Buy a rice cooker or ask for help from Uncle Ben! There was supposed to be saffron but I certainly could not smell, taste or see the color. They forgot to put dressing on our salad. The waitstaff forgot my beer and when reminded brought me the wrong brand. The restaurant was only half full but we still had to ask for water refills repeatedly.
It was the most unsatisfying $80 I ever spent on a meal in 25+ years of dining in Iowa City. I certainly got much better food and service next door at Linn Street Cafe the day before and much much better value down the street at the Hamburg Inn. I am not some big-city food snob, just an Iowa City-raised guy who works hard for his money and appreciates decent value.
A diner from Portsmouth, NH
Mar 14, 2005
Awesome. Best in town
A diner from Iowa City, IA
Jul 13, 2004
Great, real food. Eclectic atmosphere
No star rating
A diner from Iowa City, IA
Jul 13, 2004
What a wonderful, eclectic place. They are very active in the community, buying all they can from local farmers and using it to make unque, delicious food. Not pretentious, not snobby, just interesting cuisine prepared and served well.
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