08/23/09

Too many other great places to go out there

by shert

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.

06/25/09

Always a source for great food

by Dirman

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.

• Pros: Fresh and authentic food, cozy atmosphere
• Cons: Be prepared to pay for the quality

05/19/09

Good food, atmosphere ruined evening

by twarnerrx

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.

• Pros: Excellent food
• Cons: Limited menu, loud obnoxious guests, staff did nothing

03/20/09

Insulting Visit

by JWorth2202

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.

• Pros: Waitress
• Cons: Hostess, Drinks, Food

03/11/09

Highly Recommend

by goondigity

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.

02/17/09

Simply original and delicious!

by napolitana

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.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Malfati

01/24/09

neighborhood hangout meets tripoli

by lemonbug

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!

• Pros: service, food
• Cons: greenwich village

10/29/08

great!!!!

by Bennerific

Absolutely amazing!

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

• Pros: service
• Cons: hard to find

09/24/08

Go to Italy without ever leaving Manhattan

by drebay

I've been going to BellaVitae regularly for years now and this restaurant is without a doubt one of my favorites in the city. It's a restaurant based on an authentic Italian wine bar theme and reminds me of places I know in Venice and Rome. As a confirmed "foodie" my friends and I have been accussed of being picky but BellaVitae always comes through. Great cozy atmosphere with wide planed wood floors, sconces imported from Venice and the wood-burning pizza oven in the back lends a warm atmosphere when its lit during the fall and winter.

The menu changes daily depending on what's fresh and which shipments have (and sometimes haven't) arrived from Italy that day. Some of my favorite "constants" which are usually available are the little fried meatballs (tiny salty bites perfect with cocktails or wine), figs wrapped in prosciutto (fall/winter only) and the crostini with chicken liver mousse (sweetened with caramelized shallots). The mozzarella is some of the best that I've ever tasted, but given that the owner flies it in from Rome - isn't always available depending on when you go. Some of the larger plates worth a try are the Gnocco Fritto (deepfried bread dough in which you stuff prosciutto - the heat of the bread almost melts the ham) and Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (simple pasta with cheese and pepper - eat it while its hot). I'm not a fan of cauliflower at all and this is the only place I will order it with pine nuts and currants.

I disagree with previous reviews about service. I've never had poor service at BellaVitae. The staff tends to be young and clearly very enthusiastic and interested in the cuisine and the wines. I've been steered by the waiters to a number of wines that I never heard of and now love (although many are hard to get outside of BellaVitae). Some on here have called it pricey (but in NY you get what you pay for) and at times its crowded, but I and my friends always know where we can go for authentic and delicious northern italian.

• Pros: Authentic and delicious italian with a northern focus
• Cons: Can get crowded on certain nights

02/12/08

Great food, service and atmosphere

by e61st

We really enjoyed this restaurant. It is very cozy , the food is great, and our waiter was as nice as anyone could be. The hostess that made the reservation was very nice, took our coats at the door and made us feel very welcome. The mozzarella was just like my grandfather used to make!! The crostini with gorgonzola and the olives were delicious. I would definitely go back and recommend Bellavite to anyone who wants a nice Italian dinner in a warm atmosphere.

• Pros: Atmosphere, service, food
• Cons: None