Bella Italia - Basildon — Restaurant in Basildon

Overall, food was excellent as always, although disappointed by the level of service. Also, my 10year old definitely now needs to eat off the adult menu and not the kids menu. We spent probably best part of an hour waiting for service across our meal, with other tables arriving after us and leaving before us. The whole story of you care to read:: So we arrived at 5.30pm with 3 staff sitting outside but as we started walking in they followed. When we entered there was only a couple of tables in use so we joked about the fact that we didn't actually need to book. We had booked to make a note that it was our son's 10th birthday and it was his choice to attend. We were greeted very nicely and asked if we had any allergies and then shown to our table. It then took about 10-15minutes before our waitress attended to us to take a drinks order. These then came out and we placed our order. (3 mains and one kids meal with a starter). The kids starter then came out reasonably quickly but was fresh and tasty. Again this was then followed by all the mains after another 15minutes or so. Again this all arrived, hot, fresh looking very appetising and taste did not let us down. We then had to wait again for another 10 or 15 minutes for our waitress to come and clean the table and then take our dessert order. My 10yr old who was wearing his badge decided to create his own gelato and his elder brother wanted the sticky toffee pudding. My 10yr old went and got his dessert and this was finished within a couple of spoonfuls..then again we still had to wait another 10-15 minutes for the other dessert to arrive. Inbetween this the table next to us had a little cake arrive with a candle for someone's birthday, disappointing my 10yr old. Once both desserts had been finished the waitress arrived to clean down and asked if everything was ok, where my son explained no as it was his birthday as well, and she asked how old he was but that was the end of it. We then waited another 10minutes before realising that our request for a dessert and candle has obviously gone over their heads so asked for the bill which magically appeared pretty much as we asked for it. As a final insult the kids pack has a crossword on it and the words match the pictures. The picture of an orange only has space for 3 letters then a space then one more letter meaning you either can't spell orange correctly or is supposed to be something different but the picture is definitely an orange. Sorry we don't...

I walked through the door with a friend, and asked for a table for two at 6:20pm, the girl at the front desk told us that it would be a 15 minute wait, and we said that we were fine waiting. She then walked away from the desk without asking if we would like to go to the bar, or take a seat in the bar area. We took ourselves over after feeling a bit lost and unwelcomed and ordered a drink, we then sat down at a bar table and waited to be shown to our table, 30 minutes had passed and my friend looked and smiled at the girl from the desk, and tried to get her attention, the girl made eye contact and swiftly turned her head and walked past, clearly ignoring us, I had also attemped this multiple times, clearly we were invisable. Three other parties, including a large group that requested a table after us, were all seated, we then had decided after 55 minutes that we were not waiting any longer, there wasn't an apology or explaination from the girl from the desk, she continued to pretend that we didn't exist. So we went to the bar to pay for our drinks. The bar man asked if we were leaving, and offered to get us a table straight away if we would like to stay and took our drinks off our bill. We accepted and he lead us to a table in a row of five that had been empty the entire hour we had been there, not to mention the other side of the restaurant was also empty. We were sat down and given menus, and thanked the bar man for his help. 10 minutes later a waitress came to our table and asked if we would like any drinks, we gave our order straight away - bearing in mind this was a can of drink and a coffee, this then took another 15 minutes to come to our table, we were right next to the bar. We were not asked if we were ready to order and the waitress had walked off, then several minutes later another waitress came to our table and asked if we were ready to order, at this point we had decided that we were not staying to eat and were already disgusted with the customer service, she picked up our menu's and walked away. We then walked to the bar to pay for our coffee and can of drink, when another waitress who hadn't spoken to either of us during our visit looked us up and down and gave a very dirty look. All staff around the area stared and not one apologised for the bad experience, we then left and I will not be returning at any point...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bella Italia Basildon, and I must say that my experience exceeded all expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that set the stage for a memorable evening.

Let's start with the food. The dishes I ordered were simply outstanding. Each plate was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail and the quality of the ingredients were evident in every bite. Whether it was the savory pasta dishes, the delectable pizzas, or the mouthwatering desserts, every dish surpassed my expectations. The chefs at Bella Italia Basildon truly know how to create a culinary masterpiece.

However, what truly set this dining experience apart was the exceptional service provided by the staff. The waitstaff were not only attentive but also genuinely friendly and accommodating. From the moment I was seated, they made me feel like a valued guest. They took the time to explain the menu, offered recommendations, and catered to my specific dietary preferences with ease. Their professionalism and knowledge of the menu were remarkable.

Throughout the evening, the staff went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. They anticipated my needs, refilling my glass promptly, and ensuring that I had everything I needed to thoroughly enjoy my meal. Their genuine passion for providing top-notch service was evident in every interaction, creating an atmosphere that was both relaxed and indulgent.

Moreover, the attention to cleanliness and safety measures taken by Bella Italia Basildon was highly commendable. The restaurant was spotless, and the staff adhered to all health and safety protocols diligently. This attention to detail provided an extra layer of comfort, allowing me to relax and enjoy my meal without any concerns.

In conclusion, Bella Italia Basildon truly exceeded my expectations in every aspect. The food was exceptional, the atmosphere was inviting, and the service was unparalleled. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire staff for their outstanding dedication and professionalism. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience in Basildon, Bella Italia is the place to be. I cannot wait to return and indulge in their culinary...