went to la vista not too long ago. there was the Christmas menu on or there normal menu. The restaurant looked very dull and quiet downstairs but we thought we would give it a try. we were told that we couldn't have turkey. which if you ask me is really stupid because it was on the menu but we were told we weren't allowed it because it was a Saturday night. we started our night with me having the bolongnese and my other half had the antipasto which was very nice but the brezola tasted like vinegar which has us questioning how old it was and if vinegar had been used to preserve it a bit longer. the bolongnese tasted off like it had been sitting around for ages and this authentic Italian restaurant didn't make their own pasta. so it wasn't a great start to the evening. we had ordered boconchini and swordfish for main courses. this was about at 20 minuted wait, which we would have no problem with but all we could hear was the head chef shouting and swearing, and even more off putting the microwave constantly dinging. when our main courses made it to our table the dishes looked really good. a bit small but looked okay. if only we could say the same for the food. the chef had put way to much salt on the potatoes. the vegetables had clearly been microwaved. the swordfish was bland , dry and looked small on the plate. the boconchini at the ridiculous price of £22.50 was no were near worth the price, the sauce was bland, if there was brandy in the sauce you couldn't taste it. we decided to stay and have desserts after the manager had apologized for the food. but we wish we hadn't. i had the lemon tart which was a tiny portion and my other half had the zambonyoni mouse which was more like whipped cream in a bowl with a hint of zambonyoni. she didnt fish it because the cream tasted bitter and off. we didnt bother to complain anymore, so we paid and left .

I do not recommend going to La Visa. unless you want to ruin your view on Italian restaurants. clearly this place isnt being run properly.

A wonderful evening if you enjoy outstanding quality of food, a fine traditionally Italian atmosphere with attentive service. The A la Carte menu is to die for and the 3-2-1 offer is outstanding value. On top of this, provided you are prepared to leave personal details on a survey card, you get invited to a free meal to celebrate your birthday.It is not the cheapest restaurant in town but well worth the money if you like good food.

Two week's before Christmas the bar and the restaurant at La Vista in Great Baddow was totally empty. What should have that told us? People of Great Baddow do not go here. Starter was actualy very good but the main course of Lobster rissotto, which we had both ordered was sadly lacking in lobster! Three orange pieces and no white meat. A very poor show for a chef trained in London and when this was brought to his attention he (Antonio Viscariello) was on the attack from the outset and not at all professional! We asked for cheese and biscuits in place of a dessert, but wasn't able to have this as it wasn't on the set menu.... After much argument, we were offered a paltry £7.53 off of a total food bill of £43.00!!! And only on further discussion was this amended to a discount of £13.76, because one of us had eaten all of the risotto, as we were hungry. Both of us are local people and will never recommend anybody waste their hard earned cash on this establishment! No atmostphere, no value for money and poor customer service thrown in! You'd have a better dining experience at one of the multi-national chains.

Not you're normal pasta house but a good take on Italian food. The service was excellent, the food was was very good and portion size value for money. The wine which included bubbles was nice and tasted as was ordered. We even had a fat mother with three kids who was obviously related to the ownwers eating pizza in the restaurant, how authentic. Enjoy the food, look past the fat mama

stylish decor, good menu & good food & good service, plus nice bar for drink before & after meal.

Been there numerous times & never had a bad meal.

(Also pizzeria downstairs is nice for an informal meal or if you have children)