Vetta Osteria - Ottawa

I expected good Italian food, but the food was really bad using cheap ingredients and had nothing to do with how those items should look like; too bad - it is a nice looking place in a good location

This place used to be twice as large. But now half the spot has been turned over to a coffee and sandwich place. I get it; it was only full on Friday at lunch time. But what remains of Vetta still calls itself an osteria and bar. And what remains of the bar, which used to have pride of place in the old space, is now just nominally placed at the back of the room under the loud air conditioner. And I sat at the bar feeling like I was sitting half way into the bathroom. So sitting at the bar now is less than welcoming. which should be the whole point of a osteria and bar. Okay so what about the food? Well I'll have to give credit to the calamari. Actually one of the better marinaras I've had for a long time. So food good. Atmosphere lacking.

Went for a paintnite on a saturday night, wanted to go for supper first : few choices on the menu (couldn't order two of the 5 appetizers) so we went somewhere elsewent back for the activity. waitress stayed behind the counter, asked for a pitcher of sangria for the four of us and was charged 8$ per glass instead of 24$ for the pitcher, waitress was confused and unable to refund my friends (didn't know how to void the previous charges,.) no toilet paper.

Met up with a couple of girlfriends for lunch today and tried out this spot for the very first time. It was a beautiful sunny day and the window facing Bank St. was open to the sidewalk, fun Friday vibe going on!I ordered a Caesar and the Fish tacos, Cod with a mango cilantro and pineapple salsa topped with Garlic ranch dressing. The salsa was lovely and fresh and not too sweet. I'd totally order the Tacos again, they were very good, nice soft fresh tacos, hot, crunchy fish.The Caesar may have actually been the best Caesar I've ever had in a restaurant. It was spicy and flavourful with a Montreal steak spice rimmer and complete with a spicy bean and olives. Very good!My friends ordered the Pan Fried Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich and the Italian Cheese steak sandwich and both declared them yummy.Our server was a really nice young woman, very efficient, friendly and attentive. The menu was fun and varied. Saw another table get a lovely appy plate of Arancini that they polished off in short order.We'd totally go back.

Serving staff knew absolutely nothing about serving spirits from the restaurant's bar. Indeed, they did not know the general categories or types or whether they stocked any of them or even how to prepare them if-ordered. We came for lunch but ended up waiting a very long time to be served and for food to come. Several menu items weren't actually available and some very basic items (ie cheddar cheese) were not available. Drinks were overpriced. What food was available to order was so-so. Staff seemingly served every other table in the lunch sitting and then when the place cleared out and we were served, staff very loudly banged-about right around our table moving tables and slamming about chairs to re-arrange for dinner. The result made it difficult to have a conversation.