THE owner of a new Italian restaurant has been blown away by the support of residents in the first week of business - with customers “staying for hours” to indulge in food and wine.
La Dolce Vita, on Billericay High Street, opened its doors on November 10 after a two-and-a-half-month refurbishment.
The business, which has taken over the former Amico Italian restaurant, is looking to bring “authentic” Italian food and high-quality wine to its patrons.
Remo Chiarito, director of the business with 25 years of experience in hospitality, added business has been “really good” since the opening and the venue already has regular customers.
He said: “It’s been very good, we are very happy the community is beautiful and people have responded to us very well. They love speaking with the staff and learning more about Italy, others love sharing their experiences of Italy with us.
“There is a really relaxed atmosphere, people come in here and they just stay for hours. They don’t want to leave. We just hope to carry on and ensure the customer comes back to us. We want to keep the standard we have set, to grow more and more. We strive to make it a complete and fantastic experience.
“The customers are our priority, we want to ensure the experience is good in each respect.
“Most of the people who come in here book another table for us for another day.”
Remo, who had previously headed up Faraglioni in Romford for four years, believes the customers keep coming back for more due to their food and their personable customer service.
He added the refurbishment saw “every cosmetic aspect” of the existing building change, with new flooring, a new bar, furniture, toilets, and the walls replastered.
The menu includes a range of traditional Italian dishes including pasta, with Remo singling out the Pescatora, a mixed seafood dish with a tomato which costs £18.95, as his favourite.
Fabiola Daci, 24, who is front of house staff and worked in hospitality for eight years, called this the best job she has ever had.
She said: “It’s been amazing, the customers are so lovely and hospitable. It’s about family here and that’s what they make you feel like.
“It’s the best job I have had so far, it’s more like a family.”
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