Vita Bella Restaurant

4.3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  5     

Disappointed to say the least, the mussels in the mariana pasta were off, the crepes were cold and tough and the baked ricotta cheese cake was not baked or ricotta. For those who don't know much about Italian food this place is ok, however, for those of us who know better?

There were so many items not on the menu for the night, it was a wonder that they opened their doors. One place that I will never be back to.

Jun 12, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

This is the second time I have eaten at Vita Bella with friends in the last 6 months. The first time we were happy enough but this time around (last Saturday night) we noticed a few changes for good in the menu, the staff attitude was excellent and a good vibe about the place - can get a bit noisy but it is Italian. I had the baby octopus, the table shared a pesto and mozzarella bread and some bruschetta. Between our table of 6 we had pasta, risotto, lamb cutlets, barramundi and the chicken breast fillet. No complaints at all. All served in a timely manner and with a smile. We finished the night with the usual round of coffees and a dessert or two. We will certainly return and we recommend it to anyone.

May 25, 2011 

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  4     

April 2011: It makes me sad to have to update our review of Vita Bella, because we really like the people there. We have been 4 times now, and the past two times have been really disappointing. Each time, we had to wait 90 minutes or more for our mains to arrive. Having not ordered entrees, we had passed the starving stage, been through frustration, and entered exasperation and mild anger. This is no way to enjoy a meal, and we didn't. Frankly, we didn't think the food was worth the wait. On either occasion.

The kitchen is clearly under too much pressure since this restaurant became popular. If they don't get on top of this, then I don't know what will happen. Serving entrees to the whole restaurant, at a dribbling pace, followed by a scattering of easy pastas, and then all the mains (delivered under too much pressure) is no way to run a happy restaurant. There were other unhappy tables as well.

Oct 2010: My wife and I have eaten at Vita Bella twice now, last night with our mums and our son. We really like it! The barbecued seafood platter was great and all seemed very fresh. All the food (particularly the platter, john dory and antipasto) was lovely, and we thought it was very good value too. The wait staff are very friendly and we had a great time. I could be picky over a few things, but that is not what a good meal is all about!

Apr 23, 2011 

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Party of 4 on a busy Saturday night. We were all very impressed with the quality of the food and friendly, not over the top, service. Our dishes were a veal parmigiana, 2 Scilian Prawns and 1 Bellagio prawns all of which were delicious. All up cost of $83. which included 3 sweets. A bit noisy as you would expect form a full Italian restaurant. We will most certainly return and recommend. There were no "specials" on offer.

Mar 20, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  4      Value  5     

Saturday Night, 7pm, table for 4. This place is quite busy and not designed for a romantic dinner, more of a nice casual catch-up with friends/family. Certainly the slowness of the service gives you plenty of time to catch up.

Avoid the Bruschetta, the tomatoes made the bread soggy and tasted like "soggy tomato bread". The garlic bread was a better choice. We shared the main dishes: Spaghetti Marinara (seemed quite watery and bland); Linguine alla Liguriana (this is the one pasta dish we all liked); Tortellini Boscaiola (this was okay, wasn't overly creamy but still can't eat too much of this before getting bored of it); Risotto ai Funghi - only had a bite but reminds me of soggy rice, then again - not a risotto fan. It seems that the Salt and Pepper shaker got a workout that night. Almost everything seemed to need a bit of a Salt kick for more flavour. For dessert, the Gelato was nice, and so was the Mango Pannacotta - however not exceptional.

Winners of the night were Linguine alla Liguriana and the desserts, but not enough to entice me on another visit.

Mar 01, 2011 

4.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  5     

Visited Vita Bella on a saturday night and the place was packed. Used an entertainment book voucher and enjoyed our dinner. Very pricey for Italian food, service was slow as it was a busy saturday night. Prob would only visit again if I had another voucher.

Feb 15, 2011 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  2     

I don't know, reading some of the other reviews I wouldn't say its a highly recommended restaurant in the Epping area. The food is very bland and the service needs a lot of attention. We were not happy at all. There are plenty restaurants worth trying. Not coming back.

Nov 26, 2009 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

Excellent italian food, very happy with all dishes ordered, mushroom risotto was probably the pick, slightly pricy but good quality. Portions were good sized. Service was good. As with all Epping restaurants, ambience is a little lacking with Beecroft road right outside the door.

Oct 26, 2009 

5.5 Average

Food  4      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  4     

18 June 09: Not a bad restaurant. Service was a bit slow, not enough menu's but we didn't mind as the staff were very friendly and attended to any request we had fairly promptly. The food was good, but the only downside was that 3 of the four adults meals had far too much salt on them (two veal dishes and a pasta). Portions aren't as generous as other reviews have made out, but I guess just adequate. Not being licensed is a big saving, thus the higher value rating. If/when they do become licenses this will of course change.

Went back again a few weeks ago and am afraid this time I was really disappointed. I had the veal with bacon and mushroom sauce and it was awful. The veal tasted like it was perhaps a bit old and didn't have a nice taste about it at all. I must admit though, that my wife had exactly the same dish and she said hers was fine. I've changed the overall rating from a 7 for all points which I gave it before.

Sep 08, 2009 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

Grab a mate and grab a seafood platter, mmmm seafood.

Aug 19, 2009