Reviews & Ratings for Bella Blu Restaurant

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.

07/12/11

anniversary

by AArez

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

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

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!

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

09/01/07

Avoid Always

by kmcnyc

Been here before and food was okay. Only prompted to write this review after stopping in 10 min before turning over to Dinner service today. 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. Dressed in Jeans and a t (which is not uncommon for this establishment) We were told that "we do not open until 5 (again only ten minutes prior) to which the bus boy getting off duty and the person telling us (both dressed in jeans and t's) had a conversation in Spanish "who do these tourists think they are to eat here". I then said to the bus boy "we'll never eat here again" and to bad for them being I work in the restaurant industry and all of my friends live around in the neighborhood. Tragic that they are so judgmental of locals who frequent the place. It's only going to hurt their business...will be happy to see them close.

• Pros: none
• Cons: judgemental of locals when it's not their station to even pass judgement

07/02/07

Fine Italian Food, Way Overpriced

by charlesmstam

Let me start of by saying that the food at Bella Blu is typical of a solid neighborhood restaurant. The pizza is delicious and most of the food is a pleasure to consume. I even like the decor, which for many is a sore point. The aptmosphere is cool and it is overall a fun place. But it is way overpriced. For another twenty bucks you could go to L'Impero and Babbo. If you aren't careful you will run up a huge tab. The food is worth paying for, but I have issues with paying $40 for a main course served in a loud room with screaming children. Plus, the service is horrendous. I stopped going to this restaurant after they gave away our reservations. I had been eating there a few times a month, but they treated me horribly and refused to give me a table, even though I was right ontime. I came back when I was invited to a large party gathering here, and they were as rude as always. They misplaced my friend's dish and it came out twenty minutes after we had all finished. Meanwhile, at the next table, a patron got into a fight with the waiter. He told the manager that he eats at the restaurant every week and that he would never return after being treated the way he was. I don't like people who throw tantrums in restaurants, but I wouldn't be suprised if this guy had a point. The service is always rushed and utterly chaotic. Come here for the food, but be prepared for a serious attitude and a huge bill.

• Pros: Excellent Pizza, Good Food
• Cons: Clueless Service, Overpriced Food

09/18/06

Cheats customers

by lsprings

Repeatedly cheats customers in various ways. Stay away. Poor customer service. Lies to customers. Should be shut down.

05/11/06

the best food in the town

by itcol

the food is very creative,interesting,taste,delicious,the chef is really good who gives the best taste from the northern of Italy.the service and the ambient is ultra modern and very friendly.

02/13/06

Too expenisive for average food.

by thenewyorker

The pro's: Good ambience,service

The Con's: For the 4 to 5 star price (200 dollars for 2 people which included 2 drinks each, an appetizer, main course, and a hsared dessert), the food and presentation was just average. If the price was 100 dollars for 2, I would receommend the place. Too many great places that are cheaper and better then this place, I would avoid.

• Pros: Ambience, Service
• Cons: Food, Price, Presentation of food