Lia's Bella Cucina — Restaurant in Chesterton

Establishment charges 3.5% for use of credit cards and there is no disclosure of this before you get the check. I would say if they are being charged 3.5% by their processor then they need to change processors especially for in person transactions. I know they want to offset the fee but there should be a sign before sitting down. Also this may cause conflict with a business’s T&E policy if the diner is travelling on business.

Place is like dining in someone’s house. Seats were not exactly comfortable. I found the TV playing music a bit annoying because flat screens without external speakers and amplification do not have the ability to create a full spectrum of frequencies.

The drinks are great made with high quality spirits and are a good pour. I would say 90% on the drinks. The espresso machine I saw is of consumer grade so I didn’t bother ordering an espresso at the end of my meal.

The food. The food was okay. Nothing super special. The lasagna was okay seemed to be a little light on ingredients and the sauce was a little on the sweet side for my liking. A common theme throughout was very light seasoning. I did enjoy the Arancini though but again could have done with a little more seasoning or some kind of departure from just the norm. I do believe they make their own base sauce as I did not recognise it as being a premade and I’m pretty familiar with the food service distributors sauce offerings but possibly one I have not tasted. I think they may have a fixed recipe for the sauce but really you need to add your sweetening to taste just to remove the acidity not make it a sweet sauce at least in my opinion.

I would say with another well known Italian restaurant in town and also some really good ones within a short drive I would make some changes:

Take the TV off the wall makes the place seem tacky.

Larger fireplace possibly gas.

Price menu items right and remove credit card fees.

Taste the sauce as sugar is added gradually so that it only the acidity is counteracted and the flavour of the tomatoes is not impaired.

The specials on the board should be limited time specials and not items on the menu. My opinion but specials should be limited availability offerings.

Get rid of the consumer grade espresso machine. Find a used commercial one that can make great coffee.

Maybe offer cushions to your guests to make the seats more comfortable I would probably slowly replace the chairs but I understand there may be financial...

Today I had a not very pleasant experience, I decided to go in to eat because my 6 year old daughter needed to use the bathroom (and I didn't want to just ask if we can use) after walking around downtown after a day of trick or treat, I passed in front of the restaurant that was close to where I parked my car and the owners or workers were very attentive outside promoting it and I asked if they had pizza, so that my daughter could have dinner too, however after ordering and having a long wait, sitting near the kitchen, there were strong smells like that were coming from the kitchen and my daughter started telling me that we should leave because it smelled really bad, indeed I told the waitress that and she told me that she knew, and if I wanted the pizza to go and I told her yes since I had already ordered, when I took the pizza and drove home I smelled the same smell and when I got home, it was indeed like rotten cheese, because of that I chose to throw away the pizza and I didn't dare to even try it and much less give it to myself daughter. From all this I can say that, in general terms, the restaurant looks very good, the staff is very attentive, but the mere fact of having food that gives off a smell that seems to be spoiled, made me give you this review and I would recommend that you pay attention to customer comments, as well as the...

We are at the farmers market. I broke away from this location. We decided to go for lunch and it was the first restaurant coming in Google maps and we decide sounds good. They have a patio we’re coming in. We sit down in the patio who was very nice fresh And very green around we ordered two appetizers bruschetta and Caprese very nice and fresh. The only thing I’m complaining about the Cress. It was only two leaves the basil leaves which they had more. It was more basil. I think the basil for the brisket and added to the Caprese no big deal. Perfect we ordered Italian see-through salad And a tuna sandwich the tuna was nice fresh not fish at all and very very berry delicious with coastal Gonzalez tomato and lettuce. Very fresh dish for the heat day like this. The salad was nice crunchy fresh lettuce, big portion and we enjoy everything was very great and my server name is Daniel. She helped us to pick it up the dishes. We need for a hot weather like this. There was very good. I’m enjoyed every...