Bella Vista
Montpelier Vale, Blackheath
I hadn't been to Bella Vista since the refurb, but, being a cheapskate, thought I'd go for the early evening cheapo deal. Once I got inside, of course, there were things on the a la carte I couldn't resist so I was back to spending cash again...
The refurb has worked well. I'm pleased to say that they've avoided anything so ultra modern that it's going to date within seconds of the place reopening, but, now it's done, I guess it was a little tired before, though I can't say I'd noticed.
Things are always going to be snug in a restaurant that size, so they haven't even tried to make it look spacious, instead emphasising the cosiness. I like the mirrors, the high cupboards with the nicknacks and the colour scheme, though the cushions, whilst looking sumptuous, get in the way.
The menu is part new, part old. Francesco said that if he tries to change anything his regulars moan, so he has to quietly slide things on and off the menu and hope no one notices. If you see BVC after anything on the menu, it means "Bella Vista Classic" and it's a dish he doesn't dare remove.
I had the Apulian ‘burrata’ cheese with smoked aubergine, partially because I can't resist aubergine and partly because I'd never had Apulian burrata cheese before. It was fab. My companion had the cold cuts. I was so busy chomping my smoked aubergine I forgot to note down what the cold cuts were actually like (I'll never make a proper restaurant critic...) but the plate was cleared so I'm guessing it was good.
There are some times when only lasagne will do, and for my sturdy companion, this was one of those times. It was perfectly acceptable, but not an exciting dish, only going half-way to satisfying the lasagne-urge. Probably not a recipe that will make it to BVC menu-stardom...
I resisted the urge to have aubergine in a second dish in the same meal and instead tried the cod in ‘guazzetto Livornese’ which is, according to the handy menu translator, a Tuscan fish and tomato sauce - tangy and pungent, and really rather tasty, even if it is a wise idea to brush your teeth immediately afterwards, if you're going to be within 10 feet of anyone else...
I can't remember what the hell the wine was - only that I enjoyed it and its label had a comedy picture involving a donkey on it, which we each guessed the story behind, then asked the waiter if he knew what it was about. He didn't but was happy to supply an alternative unlikely, shaggy-dog-alike yarn. He got his mate over who told a fourth, equally nonsense, tale behind the picture.
Actually, it might not have been our first bottle.
Bella Vista's been around for over 20 years now. Deservedly.
I hadn't been to Bella Vista since the refurb, but, being a cheapskate, thought I'd go for the early evening cheapo deal. Once I got inside, of course, there were things on the a la carte I couldn't resist so I was back to spending cash again...
The refurb has worked well. I'm pleased to say that they've avoided anything so ultra modern that it's going to date within seconds of the place reopening, but, now it's done, I guess it was a little tired before, though I can't say I'd noticed.
Things are always going to be snug in a restaurant that size, so they haven't even tried to make it look spacious, instead emphasising the cosiness. I like the mirrors, the high cupboards with the nicknacks and the colour scheme, though the cushions, whilst looking sumptuous, get in the way.
The menu is part new, part old. Francesco said that if he tries to change anything his regulars moan, so he has to quietly slide things on and off the menu and hope no one notices. If you see BVC after anything on the menu, it means "Bella Vista Classic" and it's a dish he doesn't dare remove.
I had the Apulian ‘burrata’ cheese with smoked aubergine, partially because I can't resist aubergine and partly because I'd never had Apulian burrata cheese before. It was fab. My companion had the cold cuts. I was so busy chomping my smoked aubergine I forgot to note down what the cold cuts were actually like (I'll never make a proper restaurant critic...) but the plate was cleared so I'm guessing it was good.
There are some times when only lasagne will do, and for my sturdy companion, this was one of those times. It was perfectly acceptable, but not an exciting dish, only going half-way to satisfying the lasagne-urge. Probably not a recipe that will make it to BVC menu-stardom...
I resisted the urge to have aubergine in a second dish in the same meal and instead tried the cod in ‘guazzetto Livornese’ which is, according to the handy menu translator, a Tuscan fish and tomato sauce - tangy and pungent, and really rather tasty, even if it is a wise idea to brush your teeth immediately afterwards, if you're going to be within 10 feet of anyone else...
I can't remember what the hell the wine was - only that I enjoyed it and its label had a comedy picture involving a donkey on it, which we each guessed the story behind, then asked the waiter if he knew what it was about. He didn't but was happy to supply an alternative unlikely, shaggy-dog-alike yarn. He got his mate over who told a fourth, equally nonsense, tale behind the picture.
Actually, it might not have been our first bottle.
Bella Vista's been around for over 20 years now. Deservedly.
Labels: Blackheath, Eating Out, Not-Quite-Greenwich
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:20
8 Comments:
So, a sort of ''pin the tale on the donkey'' then....
Sorry! I'll forfeit posting rights for 24 hours in penance for that.
The one time I went there (Pizza Express was full), I chose pizza. What arrived was a frozen pizza base with added topping that had been insufficiently warmed under the grill so the base was still stone cold. I sent it back and it had now been burned to a frazzle. I refused it eat it and walked out. I've never been back.
Yep, I used to go quite a lot until about 3 months ago when something bloody awful happened to the food. After two dishes in a row tasting remarkably like pasta-shaped firelighters, I decided not to return. I'll give it one more try on the strength of your post but with a huge dollop of trepidation.
went a couple of months ago for the first time in ages. Food was average but the wine was not cheap and terrible - we assumed it was off and sent it back. Now i have a very low threshold when it comes to wine but this was really disgusting -required spitting out and it was close to 20 quid. They brought us another bottle and it was just the same so the waiter just shrugged. For the first time in my life we left the wine practically untouched and none of the staff were interested. I can't remember what the wine was but it did not have a donkey on the bottle. For the money we could have had a really enjoyable meal at the guildford where the wine is lovely and indeed we have done several times since.
Used to love this place prior to the refurb. Popped in with my 2 year old for a quick bite recently. My pasta was as good as a dish I had eaten at Locatelli's the week before. They helped me keep the toddler entertained and were very happy to send out a child's portion at a reduced price. Awesome local Italian.
Bella Vista used to be a nice place to eat, but it has gone downhill since a new guy arrived from Naples to run the show.
It is a modest restaurant, and it has much to be modest about.
Had lunch there today. I have to say that the pasta I had and the risotto my partner had were both superb. The service was polite, but rather cool. One gripe (which I have of every single Italian restaurant I have ever been to) is the limited selection of Italian beers, which is disappointing given there's been a real burst of decent Italian artisanal beers in recent years. Somewhere we would both go back to.
Went there tonight. Grim, sorry. Starters took around 45 minutes to arrive. Plus it was all a bit haphazard. The waiters kept saying the food was on its way (it would have been faster to go back to my kitchen and bring it back!)
Apparently we'll be treated well next time we go . . . I'm not giving them the opportunity to do so.
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