http://www.essexrestaurants.com/ 328-1188 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html I recommended La Toscana to a group of colleuges for a business dinner. Upon entering the resturant the head waiter looked down his nose at us like we were something he had stepped in. When asked if they could seat 10 he stated that he would have to ask the kitchen if they could manage a party of ten! Bearing in mind there where 6/8 people in the restuarant at the time I found this very strange considering the level of professionality this resturant proports to have.... He then came back and stated in a rather unhelpful tone that he would have to make a table up and that the kitchen could cope as if he was doing us a favour! He then proceeded to squash us against the wall to such a degree we had to move the table away ourselves in order to gain access to and from the table. Throughout the course of the meal he was less than welcoming and accomodating. Considering the table was large and we were going to spend a good amount of money, and the restuarant was empty this attitude was totally unacceptable! The waitress on the other hand did a marvelous job of making up for his vile behaviour. The food was reasonable the quality has dropped. The decor is tired including the 5cm gash out of the wall above my colleuges head... The ambiance if any was completely ruined by the head waiter who clearly has ideas above his station, the attitude given off was akin to a Parisian although I suspect that French would be beyond his command unlike one of our number who can speak three languages. The restaurant is not Michelin starred, it is not excluesive If you want a good meal go to the Magic Mushroom better quality with less attitude and a high degree of customer care. Would I go back never! I am actually embarresed that I recommended the restuarant. However if like us you can't get into one of the many busy restuarants it is somewhere to eat.... ]]> Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:59:41 +0100 328-870 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html We used to go to La Toscana for special occasions as it's one of the nicest, pricey, restaurants in Billericay. My husband and I went there recently for our anniversary and didn't really enjoy it. It seriously lacks atmosphere and needs modernising (although I've always felt this about the place). The food isn't as good as it used to be, sloppy presentation, the waiting staff didn't seem as 'polished' as they used to. Lacking a little attention to detail. I would expect more from somewhere that charges as much. I will go elsewhere for the next special occasion I'm afraid. ]]> Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:20:02 +0100 328-520 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html I have been here many at least half a dozen times on business and with family & friends. Each time the food is second to none, staff friendly and helpful. Although top end in terms of cost very worthwhile. A relaxed place to eat and look forward to my next visit. ]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:23:59 +0100 328-403 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html Took my family here for a birthday celebration, food was excellent and staff were helpful with the planning. Would definately visit again ]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:21:07 +0000 328-398 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html We have been here on two occasions and both times we have been made to feel very welcome by the manager. The food has been excellent on both occasions and so has the service. We like to have a break between courses and the staff allowed us to do this without forgetting about us.
I recommend this restaurant to anyone. ]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:08:26 +0000 328-389 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html Great food, great venue but shame about the atitude of the manager both at lunchlimes and evening. ]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:55:58 +0000 328-320 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html DO NOT GO HERE unless you want to be seriously disappointed !
went there on our wedding aniversary after a few good recommendations. went a la carte and not the mid week set menu becuase it was a special occasion.
had sardines and calmari for starters which were ok but overpriced. i orderd Fillets of red mullet topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, chilli, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, walnuts, lemon juice, rosemary and parsley, baked in the oven.
when it arrived in was three peieces of mullet in breadcrumbs, no sign or taste of the above apart from a few flakes of red, this was served with a small pile of rocket. the accompaniment was a non descript mash, i think, butternut squash and some small roasted new potatoes.
i asked the manager if i had understood the fish properly and she said she would check with the chef. she returned to confirm that the breadrumbs included all these ingredients. she could see i looked disappointed and i apologised that it was really not what i felt had been described and she offered to bring me another meal and said she would give me a really good free dessert, which i gratefully accepted. the fish was cooked well but tasted of breaded fish, which is not what i had ordered at the end of the day.

she took my meal and brought me a menu. she returned 3-4 minutes later to take my order. i asked her what she could recommend. it was then she told me that she did not know what was wrong with the food and i would have to pay for both meals anyway. i actually had to get her to clarify that she was saying i would have to pay for the meal she had offered to replace only minutes before. i very politely said that i would have my otehr meal back as i was not prepared to pay for another meal. she basically said if it had been cooked poorly i would have got it free but as it was just not to my liking i had to pay. i personally don't feel i have a dead palate and i would have liked to have tasted some evidence of the listed ingredients but this was obviosuly not a justifiable complaint. it took over five minutes to bring my meal back. when it was returned half was cold and half had been recooked. at this point i asked my husband to get the bill.
of course during this time my poor husband's chicken pasta dish was getting cold. he felt this was a bit mediocre and overpriced but it was a described at the end of the day.
we ended up getting our wine free - but i am now more disgusted with my self that i paid them a penny.
the meal would have been seriously average for the money but the service could have been 100% better.
the decor is dated but that could have easily been excused if the food lived up to the standard they say they offer.
very disappointed of billericay! ]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:23:56 +0100 328-177 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html Great restaurant with fabulous food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Have had both lunch and dinner and to food never ceases to please. ]]> Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:07:07 +0100