Will definitely return.
Fabulous ambiance, top notch service, and the food is worth every penny.
3 finger Knob Creek pour for only 7 bucks. Best house salad I have had in sometime. Hefty salmon entree topped with a quality Bearnaise and chunks of very fresh crab. Fresh noodles cooked perfectly in the stroganoff, tender beef and mushrooms. Sauce a little heavy but complex and very yummy. Veges and greens were very fresh.
Yelpsop's Fables
"The casual chameleon"
One winter's evening in December, a chameleon entered a bar. More than a bar, actually. A steakhouse and restaurant with red velvet wallpaper and leather booths and an elegant display of liquor bottles adorning one side.
It was cowboy sushi night, and the chameleon was one of a handful of patrons who had come in from the cold to sample the menu offerings. The chameleon, who was of not from Pendleton but simply passing through, started with bacon-wrapped dates and a glass of Sierra Nevada pale ale. He then moved on to a seaweed salad and a cowboy sushi roll with medium rare slices of beef tenderloin. Yum!
It was so quiet, warm, and inviting inside that the chameleon decided to stay a little longer. He ordered a second beer, then a black coffee, and a glass of Pendleton whiskey. He was happy. A little drunk, perhaps, but happy. He sauntered outside and walked back to his B&B bedroom, slept well and deeply, and drove the next day to Bend, where his adventure continued.
(Time passes).
The following summer, in mid-August, the chameleon returned to Pendleton, and to Cimmiyotti's. It was a Friday night, the Main St farmers market had just ended, and the bar and tables inside were packed! The chameleon was surprised by the crowd, but he remained casual, and he blended in.
Because blending in is what chameleons do best.
He waited a few minutes for a place to open up at the bar, which was hopping. Drinks of all sorts materialized with incredible speed as a beautiful blond bartender and her team filled order after order while making small talk with the men and women sitting on the barstools. It was quite the performance, and the chameleon entertained himself by observing all the action.
This time, it was not cowboy sushi night, so the chameleon selected a house salad and 12 oz. steak, requesting extra vegetables (summer squash and baby bok choy) instead of a starchy side. On this occasion, the beer on draft was Anchor Steam, which was fine by him. He enjoyed the greens, the beer, and the medium rare steak, which did indeed live up to Pendleton's high standards. The meal was excellent.
Meanwhile, the crowd continued to gather, inside and out. It was Friday night, after all. It was exciting, but also a striking contrast from his previous visit. Older, and perhaps a little wiser, the chameleon opted not to order a second beer or a whiskey this time. Instead, he went back to the B&B, got a good night's rest, and woke up the next morning at 6 am to go jogging along the 3 mile Pendleton River Parkway. Then, after breakfast, he hit the road, en route to Missoula (it was a long day).
He'd been treated well at Cimmiyotti's twice now. Â And he was already thinking about the next time.
Moral: Don't expect lighting to strike twice. It won't. If you enjoy a place the first time, be cool when you return for Round 2. Blend in, feel the vibe, change your mind, and tip well. Just like the casual chameleon.
Okay, this place is worth another star... their dinner salad is very good and their other steaks beside the filet are very decent. I really liked the scallop dish they had as well however the portion size is very small, so don't order it if you weigh more then 150 lbs or you'll be starving afterwards. other then that, this place has some of the best eats in Pendleton.
Review Source:OK, why oh why did I not find this place sooner? This is by far some of the best food in Eastern Oregon! The warm and friendly staff certainly help and the setting is great, but honestly the food here is fantastic. Â
Great old West decor, intimate and friendly. Â A time gone by sense of service makes this place stand out through out meal. Â From being greeted and seated to leaving you feel welcomed. Â
The food is really amazing. Â Great salads and you can add crab for next to nothing. Â Steaks are, as they should be in this part of the state, perfection. Â But these were treated with such care and the sauces were balanced and still weeks later on my mind.
The wine list is great and has some great local options. Â All of this comes with a price that is about 25-40% less than the other steakhouse intown that we will not be going to anymore after discovering Virgils.
I think the only reason more people havent found Virgils is that it is listed as a Lounge here not a restaurant. Â
We can not wait for our next trip to Pendleton and to Virgils.
I am thoroughly impressed by how Jennifer (the owner) has revived this once dormant Pendleton institution. Â While maintaining the spirit of the old restaurant (many of the pictures that adorn the walls were there when the original owner retired), she has subtly updated many elements. Â The menu, for example, features the standard steak, seafood, and Italian dishes, while throwing in a few contemporary items. Â The decor as well feels very stylish with the old flocked wallpaper giving it an old-school feel. Â Jennifer's hands-on approach to customer service also feels like a throwback to a different era in the restaurant business when service meant treating your patrons more like guests than customers. Â So, if you're looking for a classy date-night spot in Pendleton, Cimmiyotti's should be at the top of your list.
Review Source:Love it! Excellent Customer service, Excellent food. Never would have expected to find such a gem in the middle of the country. The kids were spoiled by our server Colin.... I believe that was his name. Will be coming back every time we are in town to see family! Worth the money worth the drive! Will def recommend this to all of my friends and family! Thank you Colin and everyone working that made this one of our new favorite restaurants!
Review Source:Now called Virgil's at Cimmiyotti's. Â Same decor, except for the outside entrance right down to the red velvet wallpaper. Â The menu hasn't changed much from what it always had been. Â I made reservations for a large group over the phone and left a message. Â No problem everything was ready when we arrived. Â The service and food were excellent. Â Cimmiyotti's is back on my list of places to eat.
Review Source:Great food and an even better environment. Â We had Prime Rib and a Linguini dish that both tasted delicious! Service was top notch and the price seemed great for the amount of food; we each had leftovers.
I would recommend to anyone looking for a great meal and an even better experience!
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