Good, standard fare (Bella Italia in General)

Member Name: nakmeister

Product:	Bella Italia in General
Date:	05/03/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice atmosphere, well cooked food

Disadvantages: Standard food, nothing exciting or unusual

For anyone who hasn't come across Bella Italia before, it is a chain of Italian restaurants that are in most cities and large towns across Britain. Until a few years ago it used to be called Bella Pasta.

- Setting -

I've been to several Bella Italia restaurants, and they are all quite similar inside with bright colours and a warm, friendly ambience. They cater well for large groups, but predominantly I have been just with my wife. Couples obviously make up a reasonably large proportion of their customers, as there are usually quite a few 2 person tables which is nice - it always feels a bit odd when just two of you are seated at a larger table, almost as if you are waiting for someone else to arrive.

Because there are often mostly couples in the restaurant, there's not a lot of noise disturbing your meal. The music playing in the background is subtle quite quiet, and depending on where you are sat you may hear sizzling of food cooking coming through the open hatch from the kitchen.

Overall, it's usually a nice, relaxing atmosphere.

- Food -

It is an Italian restaurant, so the main staple on the menu is pasta and pizza. They also do the usual olives, garlic ciabatta bread, garlic mushrooms and a few other starters, together with a selection of not pizza/pasta main courses. Starters are in around £4-£5 and main course pasta and pizza is £6-£9. There's not much to surprise on the menu, comprising as it does the fairly standard Italian dishes you'll get in most Italian restaurants. There is a specials board, which will often have a few different meals on. The puddings are usually great if you've saved room for them (which we rarely manage), including gelati (ice cream selection) and The Godfather, chocalatey, fudgey, ice cream heaven.

We always find the food to be nicely cooked, and have never had any problems with poorly cooked or undercooked food.

- Prices -

Prices are fairly reasonable, but a two course meal with a bottle of wine is likely to set you back about £35, more if you have 3 courses or side orders and extra dishes. There is a set menu that is often available which offers a limited range of dishes for a set price. There are also student discounts in some restaurants, as well as promotions and money off coupons available at different times of the year.

- Summary -

Bella Italia offers fairly standard Italian food for a reasonable price, and in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. I'd recommend it particularly for couples, but groups and families would have a good time here too.

Summary: Good simple food, well cooked, nice atmosphere, reasonable price