Vessel

Vessel is a restaurant in my semi-regular rotation. It is in a converted church so it’s quite unique. Also it’s one of the few places in mid-city that has a parking lot which is a big plus when you don’t feel like parallel parking or if someone in your party has mobility concerns. You enter through the front doors of the church which was something that I was unsure about the first time I came. The bar area is pretty and I recommend it for a relaxed and not overcrowded happy hour. The restaurant is generally not overrun with people though I’m sure there are days that it gets busy. I met a friend for an 11 am brunch. I made reservations through Open Table though there were many available tables when I arrived so that was probably unnecessary. The main room has high ceilings as is expected in a converted church which does result in a little echo for the noise. The dining space is very open so if you’re prone to feeling exposed in large spaces this may not be for you. I sat against the wall which was helpful. I think I would have struggled at one of the high tops in the middle. I was not feeling adventurous so I ordered the waffles which were yummy. Their brunch offerings are pretty standard and the cocktail (Tipping Point) was quite tasty. Toward the end of the meal I started to get a little overstimulated but it wasn’t too bad for me (I’d give it a 3 on a scale of 1-10 [1 - no response to the noise level and 10 - I ran screaming from the building]. The lighting is not bright but wasn’t so dim that I struggled to see. Overall it was a good experience that didn’t feel effortless but also wasn’t stimulating to the point that I won’t return.

Blueberry Waffles

Lemon curd, blueberries, blackberry jam, pistachios

Tipping Point cocktail

Vodka, elderflower, orange liquor, lemon, sparkling rose