ilovesalmon

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  4     

We were keen for a "Chopping Block" experience and were eager to see how improved a place could be after such great exposure on television, but when we went to Bella Vita, it was completely empty and deadly quiet. (My first thought was: they could at least turn the radio on.)

We were served by the lady - no smiles, no attempts to make the place seem friendly. We ordered bruschetta, veal saltimbocca and the lamb shank special. The bruschetta was very ordinary and looked pre-prepared and mixed as all the bits of basil had turned black. The meals were served with vegetables which reminded me of the mass produced slop they serve in hospital or school cafeterias, although the lamb itself was quite tasty. The meals don't look at all special or appealing - definitely not appropriate for being in the Gold Fine Dining section of the entertainment book.

After our meals which came out extremely quickly, we sat for 55 minutes (luckily we did byo wine) before having to ask for desserts. We were not offered a menu and as the desserts actually on offer differed from what was in the menu, we decided to go elsewhere.

What's the point of trying to save your failing business if you don't take the advice offered to you?

Apr 13, 2008

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  4     

We were keen for a "Chopping Block" experience and were eager to see how improved a place could be after such great exposure on television, but when we went to Bella Vita, it was completely empty and deadly quiet. (My first thought was: they could at least turn the radio on.)

We were served by the lady - no smiles, no attempts to make the place seem friendly. We ordered bruschetta, veal saltimbocca and the lamb shank special. The bruschetta was very ordinary and looked pre-prepared and mixed as all the bits of basil had turned black. The meals were served with vegetables which reminded me of the mass produced slop they serve in hospital or school cafeterias, although the lamb itself was quite tasty. The meals don't look at all special or appealing - definitely not appropriate for being in the Gold Fine Dining section of the entertainment book.

After our meals which came out extremely quickly, we sat for 55 minutes (luckily we did byo wine) before having to ask for desserts. We were not offered a menu and as the desserts actually on offer differed from what was in the menu, we decided to go elsewhere.

What's the point of trying to save your failing business if you don't take the advice offered to you?

Apr 13, 2008