La Bella Vista — Attraction in Waterbury

March 2023 - The annual game dinner held for two nights at the Ponte Club was a big success with guests from area members to first time patrons driving a good distance to attend La Bella Vista's six course meal. Attendees could purchase drinks at the bar in the lobby when the doors opened at six o'clock, and also had the option of participating in two raffles, either 50-50 for a cash prize win, or item tickets to put into bags for selected prizes varying from bottles of alcohol, a gift certificate to a local eatery, logs of provolone or mortadella and a big jar of olives.

Over five hundred people gathered on Friday and Saturday night. A great value at $60. per person for six courses with red and white wine included. The menu included Pasta Fagioli with rolls, Venison Sausage with broccoli rabe and long hot peppers, Wild Boar Bolognese on rigatoni and Hunters Chili, Roasted Rabbit and Pork Chunks, (the rabbit with a lemon rosemary sauce and the pork with hot and sweet peppers), Venison Stew, and Grilled Quail served with Romaine Salad.

A lot of food, which is why men traditionally attended this event more than women, but women are welcome and there were quite a few including this reviewer. The bartender made me a delicious French Martini though she said she hadn't had that request in some time and her fellow drink maker didn't even know what it was, I overheard. The wine. For sixty bucks for six courses, no one should expect anything special and for this reason it's probably why it's served in carafes. The white was better in my opinion, but everyone seemed to want the red.

Palates differ, so everyone probably had different favorites. Mine were the venison stew and grilled sausage. The quail also had a lot of flavor. The long hots served with the sausage and broccoli rabe were truly hot. Others at our table mentioned this in addition to the fact that the bolognese did not have much visible meat. Overall, everything was well prepared and flavorful and everyone definitely had a good time.

La Bella Vista is the catering company that does all of the food for events at the Pontelandolfo Club in Waterbury. A private club for members with their own tower, the banquet hall is open to the public for monthly dinners and for rent. (See my photos under my Pontelandolfo Community Club review where many photographs of their food items served at a variety of events in the member's private section and the upper public pavilion area used during the Feast are shown) It's all delicious and classic Italian cuisine - from simple mortadella or prosciutto sandwiches to grilled sausage and peppers to marinated insalata di mare (a seafood salad with a variety of raw fish) to authentic pasta fagioli in addition to chicken, beef, pork and pasta main dishes.

The gatherings I've attended for a few years now guests were seated at tables with large bowls or platters served family style to share. Portions are always generous and if your table runs out of one another will come with more. Coffee and desserts end the meal. Full bar. White table cloths, glassware and attentive service in this large space make it a popular place for people to go for the monthly meal or to book their special occasion. So popular, tickets to the monthly dinner open to non-members need to be...

My now husband and I looked at 15 venues before we decided to tour La Bella Vista. I said to my husband LBV is going to be the last venue we look at and that is it we are picking our venue. From the initial contact with Linnea (who is retired now) to set up our tour to after our wedding day, we have nothing but GREAT things to say about LBV and the staff. We walked into the venue and as soon as I saw the foyer, I already knew this was going to be our venue. I got that feeling brides get when they just know this is the one. I looked at my now husband and said I don't need to see anything else I know this is where we are getting married. We met with Linnea, toured the venue and that feeling still stayed with me. We saw the bridal suite, the ballrooms, the bathrooms, the grounds where pictures would be taken and everything was PERFECT. We left our meeting with a hold date, that evening I emailed Linnea with a confirmed we are booking for 6/24/22. Linnea retired but she put us in great hands with her son Andrew who was our go to guy. Andrew was exceptional!! Always made sure to answer any questions we had, went above and beyond to ensure we would have the best day (which we did and more). Day of wedding Andrew was very attentive to us, making sure everything was going smoothly/ if we were okay. Our Maître D was Tricia who was the BEST! Always made sure we had water, drinks, food, followed us around for pictures carrying my long train, made sure we ate, and so much more. All the staff at LBV were phenomenal and truly made our day much more special. Guests are still raving about our wedding 8 days later about the food, drinks, service, EVERYTHING! I wish I can relive the day for how amazing the staff treated us and made it the best day of our life. You will not be disappointed by booking your wedding at LBV. FOOD IS A 10/10 if I could rate 20/10 they deserve it. Thank you to Andrew, Tricia and all the staff that made our 6/24/22 wedding truly magical. Will be hosting all my future showers,...

I had the pleasure of dj-ing a wedding at La Bella Vista last night. All I can say is WOW! What an incredible venue! Upon arrival, I felt like I was entering a beautiful magical castle in Italy! From the moment I walked in I was captivated by the beautiful interior design. Beautiful marble pillars, exquisite flooring and ceilings that reached to the sky! I was also extremely impressed by the lighting design of the venue. Accent and up lighting through out which made all of the diamond chandlers sparkle in a way I have never seen before. Let's talk about my most favorite thing about this venue. The Food!!!! OMG I have played so many venues through out New England. La Bella Vista's food was some of the best I ever had. I kept asking the staff how could this be so good. It was explained that everything La Bella Vista makes is fresh. Including the mozzarella which was absolutely incredible in my salad. From the moment I walked in the staff was extremely friendly, personable and helpful. I didn't feel like I was in Connecticut last night. I was teleported to Italy and treated like a king while the bride and groom had the time of their life with their guests! I want to thank all the staff at La Bella Vista for the great experience we all had last night. Lisa, Tricia, Linda, Justin, Cam and Alina. You guys were all awesome! I loved the way they setup dessert stations behind privacy shades, then counted down to surprise the guests with sparklers and a beautiful ice sculpture. Included was a incredible display homemade ice cream with so many fresh fruit toppings. The bananas had brown sugar and brandy on them. It was like a party in my mouth that was exploding with flavor. I've never experienced anything this good in my entire life. So many dessert choices. It was a fat kids fantasy come to life. It was Absolutely Fantastic!! Don't even think about having your wedding somewhere else. I highly recommend this place, coming from a Dj who knows all the venues. This...