As someone from the "real world" aka not northern Vermont, this place needs a reality check and to get down off that high horse- FAST!
Ironically, they recently were hiring, stating in the add at least 3 years fine dining experience, wine knowledge, professional appearance etc. Maybe they should begin using those guidelines for their current staff before hiring more.
Upon visiting St. Albans, we were informed this was the top notch place around and a place out of towners would enjoy. Wrong.
Our waiter was almost as bad as the food. I scolded my husband for leaving as much of a generous tip as he did. The waiter did not offer any suggestions of what food we may enjoy or what wine to pair with our meals. He never once came back to our table to see how we were doing and if our food was ok, and when he finally came to the table (to try and take my husbands half eaten entree away) he failed to even ask if something was wrong with my food, as the alfredo was horrific and I visibly had only taken half a bite. Terrible "fine dining" or
"Best of" service. Â It would have been considered even bad service at McDonald's.
Now, on to the food.
Bad. I ate a bite of my salad and less than a bite of my pasta. My husband will eat everything, and even he wouldn't touch that dish. If the place seemed worthy of returning, I may have complained but there was no reason to waste my breath. I will never return, let alone suggest this place.
My husbands meat balls were uncooked, and probably close to being able to cause food poisoning. The cheese upon his salad was of the lowest caliber; isn't Vermont suppose to be applauded for their cheese quality?
Basically, this was a waste of money/time/appetite.
Oh, and by our table at this "high class" restaurant, a couple went in to the restroom and were screaming at each other. A super added bonus!
Twiggs: the newish bar addition to chow bella was pretty satisfying when I partook  a few weeks ago. There is a nice selection of martinis and in intriguing bottle of sangria on the counter...although it reminds me a bit of something you'd find in a laboratory...its still pretty nifty. The bartender was quick and personable and the drinks were nifty indeed. Also, if they could branch away from the Italian theme and make some nachos with those cumin scented chips, I probably wouldn't leave their bar...ever.
I've been to chow bella for lunch and honestly, I wasn't impressed at all. The service lacked a little and the food wasn't terribly impressive. I'll give them another go for actual dinner sometime and see if this can't get a bump.
I went twice in the last 10 months on trips to St. Albans thinking that this was "the place" to go in town. The first time there was a large party in the back and the waitstaff and kitchen couldn't accomodate our party of three. In fact, the kitchen substituted plain pasta for pumpkin ravioli in my meal and surprised me with it... cold... and the waiter didn't offer to take it or anything else off the bill. He left us waiting for long periods of time (30 minutes!) despite not being involved with the large party.
The second time, we ordered appetizers only to go with drinks. We had fried cheese of some sort which came out cold. The antipasto plate was haphazardly put together and very overpriced. The rice ball (which was an appetizer special and not on the antipasto menu listing) was cold, very salty and virtually inedible, even for my three friends who would eat just about anything.
I would go back for just drinks at the small bar at this place. They have an ok selection of beer and wine and the decor is as if you're somewhere other than in a small town in Northern Vermont. But if you want good food and consistently good service, you're better off going somewhere else.
I had the WORST antipasti plate in my life here. Â Frozen risotto balls that had zero flavor, NO prosciutto, and hunks (not thin slices) of melon. Â What am I supposed to pair the melon with?
Otherwise, the menu isn't that great. Â We had a 'special' menu one night, and the food was very salty.
Perhaps a few years ago this was a great eatery, but now they are coasting on their local rep.
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