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Most Reviewed Restaurants
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Bella BluReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
New York / Tri-State Area Restaurant Reviews >
Manhattan Restaurant Reviews >
Upper East Side Restaurant Reviews >
Italian Restaurant Reviews
Bella Blu Reviews List
Bella Blu
The memorable Northern Italian Cuisine makes this Upper East Side restaurant special. Executive Chef Paolo Floess has been with Bella Blu since the beginning and brings consistency to our kitchen and guests. His inventive touch makes the Spaghetti Lobster a classic signature dish of this Mediterranean treasure. The Wine Spectator awarded extensive and serious wine menu is carefully selected by owner Enrico Proietti. Very often a private wine tasting is happening at the corner table
making the wine list more notable every season. The one of a kind brick oven offers a variety of dishes, exceptional pizza and foccacina rabbiola that is hard to find in this city. For something sweeter-the deserts are impressive! The atmosphere is charming in this power playing neighborhood.
See more Bella Blu details
61 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 61 reviews
5 stars
(19)
4 stars
(28)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(3)
Food
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(37)
- fit for foodies(21)
- notable wine list(9)
- special occasion(9)
- vibrant bar scene(9)
- good for groups(8)
Bella Blu Reviews List
Review 1 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Outstanding as always!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Place never fails. Even when they are jammed they get you in.
Food is unmatched!"
Food is unmatched!"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good but....
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"As with most restaurants when the specials are described the price is not revealed. We did order off the special menu and when we received the bill we were speechless. The entrees were exorbinate! I learned that as I go forward, I will always ask the price of the special entree. What we paid for a casual dinner with friends is usually saved for those special occasions."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 3 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice Atmosphere but a salty a dish.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My wife's and friend's soft shell crab dish was too salty - gazpatcho with avocado was pretty good - fettucini with meat bolagnese sause was pretty good. A bit pricey (maybe becaause of the alchohol)."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Been going here for years.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Been going here for years. This time, I was an HOUR late with a group of 8 people on a busy saturday night, and they could not have been more accommodating. A+ restaurant!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 5 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tables are fit tightly together.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Tables are fit tightly together. Very noisey. Great food and service. Nice variety on the menu. Accomodating to dietary needs. Great find for the neighborhood. It's always busy with a vibrant bar scene. Make a reservation. We wil definately go back."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 6 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service was barely friendly,
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service was barely friendly, no wine list was brought when seated, and no server came for at least 15 minutes, food was not cooked properly (lobster ravioli was cold - perhaps uncooked) we were rushed to leave by the hostess"
Dined on 04/21/2013
2007
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Review 7 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Has consistently good food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Has consistently good food and service"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Love the decor. Vibrant atmosphere.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Love the decor. Vibrant atmosphere. Great service & food was delicious."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 9 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great place best truffle mashed
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Great place best truffle mashed and lamb chops I found in NYC. Can't wait to go back"
Dined on 04/01/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, kid-friendly, hot spot
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Review 10 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent Meals all around;
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Excellent Meals all around; Best linguine with clam sauce ever! Pizza spectacular."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 11 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food and nicely decorated.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good food and nicely decorated."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The food, especially the pastas
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food, especially the pastas and pizzas, is very good. And once you get in, the service is fine. What always bugs me though is that they never honor your reservation. They pack the tables in and clearly don't space out reservations at each table with enough time, meaning you are always waiting for your reservation in a cramped, busy space. This past reservation, we waited for 25 minutes. There are enough restaurants in NYC that respect the time and comfort of their customers to come back to Bella Blu."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
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Review 13 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Cheaper than Tickest to Italy
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is the most authentic Italian restaurant in the United States at which I have eaten. The salad with fennel and arugula was perfectly dressed. The butternut squash ravioli with sage/butter sauce combined the sensations of a remarkably savory dish with eating a dessert surrounded by homemade pasta - as good as any in Bologna. The paccheri with veal ragu were delicious and perfectly al dente. House made burrata was sensational. The crust on the pizza caprese was slightly charred and the cheese was real mozzarella di bufula. The wine list has offerings from all over Italy, not just Tuscany and the Piedmont. Service was very European - relaxed, yet attentive and professional. This is the real deal."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 14 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
we had an 8:30pm dinner reservation
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"we had an 8:30pm dinner reservation for six and 4 were there at 8:30 and were not seated because they said entire party needed to be there. Then at 8:40pm when all six arrived, they said table would be ready when the current table was done and they had just been served dessert! It also appeared that preferential treatment was going to regulars. There were many parties waiting so after 25 minutes we left."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
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Review 15 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Had a wonderful dinner --
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a wonderful dinner -- Thank you!!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We had never been to Bella
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had never been to Bella Blu on a Saturday evening before. It was very different than any previous week night visit. We had an 8:30 reservation, but experienced LONG wait for our table. The restaurant was packed and apparently no one wanted to leave! When we were finally seated, they had cranked the techno beat music so loud that we could barely hear each other speak. We are all music lovers, but this was too much.
On the other hand the food was delicious and the service was great!
We will go back again just not on a Saturday night!"
On the other hand the food was delicious and the service was great!
We will go back again just not on a Saturday night!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service and food excellent.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service and food excellent. Will definitely go back. A Tad expensive for us but worth the price"
Dined on 02/12/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 18 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
a very comfortable neighborhood
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"a very comfortable neighborhood restaurant with good food and a friendly wait staff made the dining experience very nice"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Been going there for years
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Been going there for years and years. It is wonderful."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2012
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Review 20 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food very good server
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Tables were to small and to closed to each other. Server was very friendly and attentive, food was well prepared but ok presentation. I will comeback to Try again. Just want a different table"
Dined on 01/27/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 21 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Second Time still a charm
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Wonderful atmosphere and superb bartender. Wild Boar Tagliatelli was a bit gamey but the wine and service were wonderful."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 22 for Bella Blu
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Very bad start to a birthday dinner
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The restaurant was very crowded and though I had confirmed the day of for our table for 5 people at 7:30 we were taken to a table for 4 people. The maitre d said that we could move to a table nearby for 5 when it was open but in the meantime we would have to navigate through the masses with my elderly mother back to the bar area to wait. At this point my father became understandably very irritated and I was concerned that the entire evening to celebrate my Mom's birthday would be a bust . This was their mistake entirely and we were going to be inconvenienced for it. Fortunately we stayed put and our fabulous waiter got us another table to add to ours . He was a pro and almost made up for the bad behavior of the maitre d."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2007
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Bella Blu
Based on the average of (39) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic