Bella Blu Restaurant

The Scene – Bella Blu is the sort of casual place where you can be comfortable reading the New York Observer or striking up a conversation with a nice-looking stranger. The crowd is made up mostly of Upper East Side locals, and the room is almost always boisterous. – – The Food – The Italian food is worth travelling for. Crisp, thin-crusted, wood-oven pizzas are a good place to start. From there, try warm lobster salad with potatoes and haricots verts. Chestnut pasta with wild boar smells and tastes comforting; and sweetbread ravioli (chopped up with veal) is divine.

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: The wine list is brief but there's a great bottle of wine for any pocketbook.

Write a Review

User Reviews (21)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“It has a fun atmosphere and interesting decor” “They always have great specials and a lively atmosphere.” “the atmosphere was great and my wife loved the sorbet.” “The aptmosphere is cool and it is overall a fun place.” “The pro's: Good ambience,service” “even like the decor, which for many is a sore point.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“Let me introduce the scene by saying a( we stayed in town because we had US open tickets and b) left a game viewing at a local bar looking to grab a good early dinner.” “You will be served the best pastas or appetizers in town, and the wine selection whoooo.”
food quality	90.74000358581543% positive	“Bella Blu has delicous Italain cuisine and excellent specials to complement the menu.” “Always a great time with excellent food and great service.” “Great pulse, excellent food and selection, and would like to know from others who frequent NYC restaurants if they could suggest others like Bella Blu.” “service and price may not be not so great, but food was great!” “After an excellent frisee and endive salad, we had the orichiette with brocoli rabe and sausage; great!” “the best food in the town” “We both had the ravioli with the butter and sage sauce and it was one of the most fascinating tastes i have ever put in my mouth.” “had the branzino it was delicious.” “ok i am one of the only people in the world that really doesnt like pizza - this place has the best frigin pizza i have ever had!” “the food is very creative,interesting,taste,delicious,the chef is really good who gives the best taste from the northern of Italy.” “went with others and we all shared food - everyones dish was different and amazing - prices are totally reasonable especially for what you get.” “was expecting good italian food and they met my expectations.” “The pizza is delicious and most of the food is a pleasure to consume.” “It's got a different, funky look and the food is terrific!” “personally think it was the best meal i have ever had in my life.” “All-in-all, it is a wonderful neighborhood restuarant with consistently good food.” “Come here for the food, but be prepared for a serious attitude and a huge bill.” “Bad food, poor service and secret additional costs add up to an experience that will leave a bad taste in your mouth and your wallet.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Great pulse, excellent food and selection, and would like to know from others who frequent NYC restaurants if they could suggest others like Bella Blu.” “Bella Blu has delicous Italain cuisine and excellent specials to complement the menu.” “You will be served the best pastas or appetizers in town, and the wine selection whoooo.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Too many great places that are cheaper and better then this place, I would avoid.” “All in all, a great place to take family, friends, or a group.” “Food was great at this restaurant!” “We went out for a walk to find something to eat and we came across this nice little italian place.”
service	59.26000118255615% positive	“service and price may not be not so great, but food was great!” “The service was great.” “Bad food, poor service and secret additional costs add up to an experience that will leave a bad taste in your mouth and your wallet.” “The pro's: Good ambience,service” “Our waiter was friendly and professional, too.” “Always a great time with excellent food and great service.” “don't like people who throw tantrums in restaurants, but I wouldn't be suprised if this guy had a point.” “ok i am one of the only people in the world that really doesnt like pizza - this place has the best frigin pizza i have ever had!” “but i understand that service could be not so good.”
value	83.33000183105469% positive	“If you aren't careful you will run up a huge tab.” “went with others and we all shared food - everyones dish was different and amazing - prices are totally reasonable especially for what you get.” “Come here for the food, but be prepared for a serious attitude and a huge bill.” “service and price may not be not so great, but food was great!”

03/10/12

Fading Star

by kathrynjordan

You know a restaurant is in decline when they throw out customers who complain about the lousy service, second rate overpriced food, psychotic bartenders, and clumsy busboys. "Shoot the messenger" is the owners motto.

Once known for it's original menu and quality ingredients, this fading star now rushes customers in & out so they can't see what they are eating. giovani is worst mgr in NYC.

Bring back Marco. He WAS Bella Blu.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

07/12/11

anniversary

by AArez

took my wife for our 5th anniversary. food was good, but it was too pricey!

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

01/26/10

Had an Amazing Dinner here last night!!!

by cindy35

I had the branzino it was delicious. I also like the sauce they give with the bread. It has a fun atmosphere and interesting decor

Pros: Excellent food and service
Cons: can be crowded

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

03/04/09

Good place for groups

by BushwickTao

I came here with my family (4) about a week ago and I almost didn't come because of the pretentiosness of the Italian restaurants on the upper east side. I was pleasantly surprised by the service, which was courteous and attentive. I was expecting good italian food and they met my expectations. i had the beef carpaccio and they certainly seem to take a little more time to prepare it than the other italian restaurants on th epper east side. All in all, a great place to take family, friends, or a group. The decor cetainly didn't hurt, either!

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

09/14/07

Dining Experience

by mircosmith

Everything about this genuine Italian hot spot is incredible.

You will be served the best pastas or appetizers in town, and the wine selection whoooo.

Our waiter was from tuscany and the young Manager was from Rome, and made us feel like being in Italy at our best friends house.

We really are glad there still are places like Bellablu.

Pros: Best Food ever
Cons: No reservations for two

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

Write a Review

See more Bella Blu Restaurant reviews

Bella Blu Restaurant

Years in business

Hours:

Price:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Restaurant Special Features:

Cuisine:

What People Are Saying About Bella Blu Restaurant

Contributor

Contributor

Editor's Tips

03/10/12

Fading Star

by kathrynjordan

07/12/11

anniversary

by AArez

01/26/10

Had an Amazing Dinner here last night!!!

by cindy35

03/04/09

Good place for groups

by BushwickTao

09/14/07

Dining Experience

by mircosmith

The Details on Bella Blu Restaurant

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby Bella Blu Restaurant

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: