Bellavitae

Recommends

sabell1977

Joined 3 years ago

Bellavitae - Outstanding. Perfect dinner. The mozzarella flown from Italy the day before was the best we've ever had. Service was great and food was amazing. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great Italian restaurant experience.

Doesn't Recommend

JamesK2009

Joined 4 years ago

Terrible Terrible Experience!. I want to make my point clear. I went to eat there with my friends one night. The food was decent and we were enjoying a bottle of wine.

However, the wait staff didn't do anything. They just stood around to chat.

Worst of all was the owner.

We had a complaint and I asked for the manager. What I get is the owner of Bellavitae in his chef's jacket screaming at me, ready to fight.

I was truly offended by his irrational act.

I figure, this happened randomly to me. However, I'm one of many paying customers who pays for his tiny restaurant to stay open.

This place is unacceptable.

Recommends

shert

Joined 6 years ago

Too many other great places to go out there. With so many great Italian places out there, we are throwing this one out. It was ok...just ok. It has a cute hole in the wall feel, but that's all it had. The food was mediocre, the service was slow, and the location was so close to the West Village spectrum of great restaurants it didn't really make sense to us to come back. We had the papparedelle and I can't even remember what else.

Recommends

Dirman

Joined 4 years ago

Always a source for great food. We've always found Bellavitae to be a reliable choice when in the mood for simple, authentic Italian dishes made with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Fried Meatballs and crostoni with gorgonzola and honey are favorites. Figs are a must have when they are in season. Lots of small plates make up a wonderful meal and they have a pretty amazing wine list (again with small artisinal providers from Italy). We've always been guided to some new choices in wine whenever we go.

Looks like service is specifically designed to be casual and it seems that whoever is closest when the food is ready is the one to deliver it. Has been on our list of go to places for a while and recent visits have certainly not disappointed.

Doesn't Recommend

twarnerrx

Joined 4 years ago

Good food, atmosphere ruined evening. My wife and I ate at Bella Vitae on the recommendations of our hotel concierge. The evening started out great. It is a small, intimate restaurant on a quiet street, we were greeted by staff and led to our table. After enjoying a glass of wine, we could not help but notice a group of 7 men two tables over that were enjoying themselves. Mind you, my wife and I are not opposed to noise, and enjoy restaurants that are "bustling". This table was downright obnoxious. Yelling at each other, telling each other to f*** off, using f*** every other work and yelling it like they were at a ballpark. It got so bad, the room we were in completely cleared out. It wasnt hard to overhear their conversation about the casinos, the limo outside, etc.

No joke, it reminded me of watching the Sopranos. The staff did absolutely nothing EXCEPT wait on them hand and foot, bringing them grappa, anisette, more wine. We were absolutely offended at the language and the manner in which they conducted themselves. The staff said nothing to us. No apologies, no "let me buy you a drink", nothing. A different waiter brough us our dinner (so ours could help take care of the Sopranos) and still another came over to clear and ask about dessert. Noone asked how the dinnner was, checked on us, etc. FINALLY after our check was being brought to us, we were asked how things were. I replied, well the FOOD was good, and nothing, just walked away.

$200 for two people down the tubes, and I feel like I wasted the opportunity to eat at other restaurants that could have been so much more enjoyable.

Doesn't Recommend

JWorth2202

Joined 4 years ago

Insulting Visit. We used to be regulars at this restaurant, Bellavitae, and up until last night we would have continued to be. My partner was already there, and when I arrived she had already ordered our food. It was really hot in the back of the restaurant by their second bar, so we tried to move up to the front bar. We were told in an incredibly rude way by the power-hungry hostess that we were not allowed to eat at the main bar even though there was no one else in the restaurant. We tried asking someone else that might have the authority to allow us to eat our food, (a seemingly innocent request..this is after all a RESTAURANT) but was again told that we were not allowed to eat food at the bar. Thinking liquor would help make this situation a little more bearable, I tried to order a simple bourbon, and was told that they were out of it. The octopus that we had as an appetizer was edible at best. It was plain and lackluster. The eggplant was nice but nothing worth going in for. I've seen this place decline both in food and in attitude over the last few years. I am very insulted by the way that we were treated....In these times, Bellavitae cannot afford to lose even more business than they already are. I felt bad not leaving a decent tip for the poor waitress who kept apologizing for the inconvenience.

Recommends

goondigity

Joined 10 years ago

Highly Recommend. Loved this restaurant. The food was great. Recommend the Sformatino di Melanzane (eggplant, mozarrella, in tomato sauce cooked in a brick oven) for appetizer which is savory and delicious and perfect to dip bread in for a few extra bites. And recommend the Pappardelle con Sugo di Agnello (Pappardelle with Lamb Ragu). Great ambience, lively environment, yet warm and cozy. Great for a date or group.

Recommends

napolitana

Joined 4 years ago

Simply original and delicious!. By far one of the best dinners for me and my friends. It was just simple, great wine, service was great and a beautiful atmosphere. Other restaurants may want to copy Bellavitae's menu (really embarassing for the cook), but just keep doing what you're being doing so well for a while, Bellavitae we love your restaurant, Bravo.

Recommends

lemonbug

Joined 4 years ago

neighborhood hangout meets tripoli. It's difficult to find a truly outstanding italian restaurant in the sea of mid-level restaurants that pervades the city. Bellavitae has it all - delicious, authentic food, impeccable service, and the ambience (and price) of a favorite neighborhood hangout. Standouts: the mozzarella (imported from Rome weekly), and the spaghetti with pecorino and black pepper - simply perfection. I plan on returning soon!

Recommends

Bennerific

Joined 5 years ago

great!!!!. Absolutely amazing!

great service...authentic feel and some of the best italian wines the city can offer