La Scala — Restaurant in Mahé

Having had this restaurant recommended to us we went for a last night meal and were very disappointed. The service was less than friendly from the start. "Had we booked?" "No" Long look at the few written reservations not to mention more than half of the tables empty before pointing at another staff member saying "He'll deal with you". Drinks and food menu brought. Asked if we'd like water, yes, long wait for it to arrive. Amuse bouche was a tiny amount of fresh coconut and a very nice garlic butter with a tiny amount of bread. Both ordered fish soup for starters. Menu had chateaubriand (for 2) with bearnaise sauce, tenderloin with mustard or peppercorn sauces. I asked if it was possible to order tenderloin with bearnaise sauce, was initially told "yes" only for them to change their mind a minute later saying "No, we can't make bearnaise for one! The steaks were offered rare or medium. My husband got a "look" and rolled eyes when he asked, very politely, if he could have his medium well. Apparently, no he couldn't it came medium. Long wait for the soup which was okay but we'd had a far nicer one in our hotel and then an even longer wait for the mains. Having my steak plans thwarted I'd opted for an anonymous fish fillet with a caper and anchovy sauce, being very fond of anchovies. The three small fillets of fish had very little taste and the caper sauce was apparently renamed caper and anchovy by the simple act of draping a single small anchovy fillet across one of the pieces of fish. The accompanying vegetables came without choice. The dessert menu features some nice looking desserts for two, but not one, unfortunate for a couple with a diabetic. Tiramasu and icecream were offered but everything else seemed to come with chocolate sauce...profiteroles with chocolate sauce, Danish ice cream with hot chocolate, banana split with chocolate sauce...a caramel option would have been nice. I opted for no dessert. The restaurant itself is open to the elements (so no air con) which I didn't mind. Unfortunately they'd opted for Christmas music but it was the naff carols with a disco beat and hearing the same song for the third time highlighted how slow the service was. Keen to leave we couldn't as we had to ask for the bill three times before it was brought. We were asked "Was the food okay" as opposed to "How was the food" but that just meant we answered "yes" instead of "ok". One last thing is they have fruit bat stew on the menu. That may attract some people, others may want to avoid it on that basis. We're left wishing we'd eaten...

Located at the western end of Bel Hombre, with a great view (had it not been that it doesn't open after the sun sets and it's pitch black outside). The interior is very mediterranean with white walls. Food is reason to come here, as it is truly a feast for the palette. However, the staff could learn from a course in how to make guest feeling welcome and appreciated. The waitress serving did not once muster a smile and when working in a service business, it should come with the job. Furthermore, when asked for the check, the waiter forgot about it (I assume) and had to ask for it again, 10 minutes later. Due to these two last comments, I would probably not frequent this establishment in the future,...

The restaurant opened 15 minutes early than the 7:15 pm announced time, we were accommodated although we didn’t have reservation, big thanks for that, although we received strange looks at the start!!! Despite the simplicity of the furniture and old fashion, the sophistication in service is well noted. Since it’s an open restaurant, the weather was quiet warm, but the standby fans did help. Mrs. Torsi, the owner was very hospitable and recommended few dishes that were very delicious. The food was prepared with passion and it was very delicious, although the presentation can be improved, but did not affect the taste. Ample parking in front of the restaurant. Very well...