La Bella Vita - Samoset Resort

I'm a local and went here for the first time for a business dinner. I have been dreaming of going back ever since.

We began with a cocktail, the Blackberry Pineapple Smash. Sipping on and savoring one of these had us floating blissfully through the entire meal. Not overly sweet but not too bitter either, and served frosty cold, almost frozen, but not.

We had several amazing appetizers, including the octopus which was grilled and served with delicious sundried peppers and accoutrements. The texture of the octopus was divine, as was the grilled flavor (seasoning, I could swear, almost like streaks of blackening).

We also all had the haddock dish with sweet pea risotto but swapped haddock for salmon. Indulgent! The risotto was so delicious and plentiful I took it home for two more meals the next day. Our server was professional and prompt without being intrusive.

Our service and the ambience were superb (early November). I cannot wait to take friends and family back now that I know about this gem and several good items to order plus other tempting items to try throughout the menu. It speaks volumes that near a month later I remembered all these details with no photos or notes from that night.

Regarding the negative reviews, I'm sure they may have off nights, finding enough labor is difficult in midcoast Maine. But this place hits hard when it hits, and that's all I've experienced so far, a standout meal and an experience I won't forget. Highly recommend (and I'd be thrilled even if they had an occasional off night).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had an exceptionally fine meal with appetizers, desert, and wine. We began at 6.30 and needed to quickly finish our last bites at 10pm closing time. Loved this place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

For the price, the food was not good at all. Extremely over priced mush. Bland spaghetti and burnt pizza, over priced deserts are what wait for you if you visit the restaurant here. Cooks need retrained, or maybe trained, my 6 year old can make better tasting food. Waiter and spot was good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 4

My wife and I decided to celebrate our birthday there after treating ourselves to a massage at the spa. We share a birthday and I was turning 50 so we thought we would pamper ourselves and then get a nice meal. The spa experience was good but the restaurant way over priced and the food maybe a little better than you would get at Olive Garden but definitely nothing to write home about. My wife ordered the “wood fired” pizza. The edges of the pizza weren’t even thoroughly cooked! You expect that nice brown crust from the description. It didn’t make up for its appearance in taste either. My dish was ok but overall pretty flavorless and overpriced. The best part of the meal was the wine. It is the only restaurant on property so you have no other option unless you leave the property. I would definitely not make the mistake we did and drive over an hour to overpay for an ok meal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 3

We had an awesome experience dining at La Bella Vita each day we stayed at the resort. Neither of us had a meal we didn’t enjoy! We had food delivered to our room and also dined in the restaurant. The staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommend the bucatini alla pesto and the pizza! For dessert, the chocolate budino and crème brûlée were repeats for us!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So sorry but this was a terrible experience from a very lackadaisical server who forgot silverware, to fill drinks, and food was served lukewarm, etc. I could not recommend this restaurant as there was such a lack of customer service and no attention to detail at all!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

We have been coming to La Bella Vita for years not only in the summer, but year round since we live in the area. I was reluctant to write this review as we have always been satisfied by the consistency of the food and the warm service. However, the last three visits were extremely disappointing:
- the quality of the salad ingredients were not up to par: wilted salad, avocados hard as a rock, barely any dressing...
- the portions have gotten smaller, yet prices have increased

Now the service: APPALLING...It takes forever to even catch a server's attention in order to get a menu. On Wednesday evening, there were 5 servers for the outside sitting area and it took more than 20 min to get 3 glasses of water (and we were 4 people)...

I could go on an on...

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 1

There are alot of fine dining choices in the area and la bella vita is at the top of my list.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Beautiful views and service was attentive. Food for price was a massive disappointment. Brussel sprouts app was dry and not especially memorable and pizza was not very good at all. Well undercooked and not especially tasty. Enjoy the views they are exceptional and maybe order a drink but pass on the overpriced food

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

The manager Michael went above and beyond for our requests with absolute positivity and enthusiasm! (asking for only dipping sauces) He was a delight to be around and may have only served us for short time but made a long time impact in all of our hearts❤️

OMG great! Food was excellent! Service: impeccable! Atmosphere: stunning views!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food and drink were excellent, service was good it was a lot of ppl before dinner, so we are staying at the resorts the second time here, always hard to get

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We came in for a drink and the hostess offered us to sit at the area where they cook the pizza. We sat for a while before anyone came over. Another couple sat next to us and were given menus and asked for drinks before we were. That’s why I gave the low rating. No one ever wants to feel inferior when they go to a restaurant. I gave the extra star because the crème brûlée was amazing. They also have chefs making pizza for the brick oven which was cool to watch. It smelled like great food but only had dessert.

Noise, this night, was too loud (usually enjoyable)

First of all the service was great and the atmosphere is always nice, especially with it still being decorated for the holidays. That being said, the food just wasn’t good. We had a number of dishes that were just lackluster. The wedge salad had a sweet, gloopy dressing and minimal toppings (there may have been one stringy piece of bacon). The pieces of calamari were tiny tubes with no tentacles and over fried. The garlic knots were overcooked with no garlic or butter flavor. I got the chicken Pam pizza special and barely any color on the bottom of the crust showing that it was undercooked and toppings had a weird flavor. Another member got the normal chicken parm and the chicken was thin and overcooked bordering on burnt. The only good thing was my wife’s rigatoni bolognese. I love coming to the samoset especially for new years and will continue to, we just won’t eat here again. For the price they charge the food should taste better. No complaints about service. Staff was great.