Bella Vista — Restaurant in Montecito

Updated review: I was contacted by the Bella Vista Manager after posting my review. He was apologetic and offered us a partial refund for the evening and a complementary Sunday buffet when we’re back in the area. Even though this doesn’t change the experience I appreciate that they’re aware that the evening could’ve been improved and how to do it. Seems they’re headed in the right direction. I would just call beforehand and check on their menu and position of your table, outside is the nicest or next to a fireplace inside. Original post: I went to the Bella Vista restaurant for Christmas dinner with my family. We were 6 people in total. Bottom line, for the $ we paid the food, service, and ambiance were not what we expected. ~$850 for the 6 of us. The first plate was ricotta cheese with a cracker, the rest just as disappointing. Service took a really long time. You couldn't hear anything, acoustics were terrible. We should've left mid-dinner when we realized it was not what...

A cozy afternoon was slowly unfolding as the white BMW 650i glided into valet at the Four Seasons Biltmore Resort. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture (circa 1927) casually enticed us into the spectacular lobby by architect Reginald Johnson. Valets were elegantly attired in plaid shirts and navy slacks/shorts.

Dinner arrived with the golden warmth of sunset and colored Fossati's contemporary Italian cuisine marvelous. We dined on charred grain spaghetti with pancetta, and local halibut. Both dishes are/were epicurean in taste, presentation and temperature.

Service by Harold were “temps chéri” with vistas of Butterfly Beach, and sensual dining---appealing to four of five senses. Bella Vista is a true gem in Mr. Warner’s portfolio. Ty Warner was (reported) on property. "Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare." So grateful for this dining adventure at twilight and our...

Worst dining experience of my life. So disappointed! We are visiting my daughter from Maine with several family members and we were all looking forward to a special dinner for Valentines Day but instead spent 3+ hours literally feeling like we were invisible. The dinner was prefixed $125 per person- within the 3 hour span I received an expresso sized cup of soup and a scallop. Not an exaggeration- at hour 3 we finally started getting really frustrated asked several times what was going on with our food as we watched tables seated after us onto their dessert courses and finally gave up and asked for the bill- waited 20 more mins for that and then they tried to serve us cold entrees that looked haphazardly thrown on the plates. In the end we were only charged for the first two course but everyone’s evening was ruined. Thanks...