I read about Bella Blu on The Infatuation and it said they have an amazing Caesar salad and great pizzas--they were right! I don't know what it was about the Caesar salad, but it was delicious. We ordered one to split between two of us and they split it between two plates which is always nice. We also ordered a prosciutto and arugula pizza and a sausage and pepper pizza. Both were so good, and they were HUGE--we will have leftovers for days. The service and ambiance was also great...I felt like I was actually in Italy! read more

I was looking for another restaurant (Sette Mezzo) so I went in and asked and they said it was them and that they changed the name.. first off thats not ok. very dishonest which is not good for a business. The food was ok but nothing exciting. The waiters were rude after I asked for sprite and not coke which usually isn't a problem for other restaurants. The owner's are very inappropriate. wouldn't recommend... at all. read more

Great Place, wines are excellent but overpriced, the food it's very good, artichokes are delicious, Tiramisu is incredible, and even the Espresso is a real one. I had the honor to have Marcello as a waiter and it made my night, what a sweet man. He is on top of the table all the time, I had 4 guests and they all fell in love with this man from Sardinia. read more

Always consistently delicious food and service. Top quality. Great salad appetizers and thin crust pizza. Nice wines by the glass. A little pricey but worth it! read more

I made the mistake of ordering pizza delivery from Bella Blu. If they can't do it right then why offer it? The pizza I ordered was a simple one with add ins of black olives, arugula and mushrooms. The pizza arrived quickly but was soggy, not hot and there were no black olives to be found. Again, if you can't deliver properly then don't deliver at all! read more

I have to say the food was really delicious and authentic Italian. The reason I'm giving Bella Blu a two star rating is because my family ordered a pizza and a piece of the TILE from the oven was in the pizza!! My boyfriend nearly choked on it so we of course showed it to our waiter who brought it up to the manager. The WORST part the manager came over and was defensive instead of apologetic! On top of that the freaking pizza was still on the bill. It is such a shame they handled this situation so poorly or my family would have gone back every week. Disgraceful. read more

I'm not going to waste your time with a long review, one word defines this place , HORRIBLE . Don't waste your time or money. Service is awful beggining with the Barbi at the door and ending with the chubby manager. Disappointing. read more

My husband and I ordered here during the quarantine. We like supporting local restaurants, and this has been a restaurant we've always wanted to try. We are more into going out for dinner and usually only get the standard delivery items, sushi, diner, or sandwiches (what we call standard delivery). My husband is very much about presentation and if a meal is not presented nicely, he will be skewed. Anyway, we decided to give this place a try although it is Italian. We ordered tuna tartare, a tropical salad with grilled shrimp, and the spinach ricotta ravioli in truffle sauce. Everything was really delicious. My husband is a critic of pasta and said it was one of the best he has ever had- it was also small (or I guess restaurant standard of only 5 pieces) but he said it was very filling! My one "thing" is that I added grilled shrimp to my salad and it was $12 extra. There were about 10 or so mini shrimp, but the salad plus shrimp came to 30 dollars which is pretty steep. The tropical salad did come with avocado and hearts of palm though so it was filling, but as I said, steep price. They delivered quicker than they gave us estimate of on the phone, as well. Will definitely consider this place again, but maybe not get the salad! Thanks, Bella blu for keeping us sane, getting us our tuna tartare, and staying open during this pandemic. read more

This is the best Italian restaurant I've been to in the city. The food is authentic and fantastic. The service is impeccable. Love this place. read more

Ordered sea bass which was very good. My friend ordered penne with pesto and it was very very dry. Loud, noisy very busy.

Went saturday night with wife and another couple. Both women ate Chicken Paillard, both became extremely sick. Our friend who we were with ironically enough, sister ate at the restaurant that very same night with a group of friends. All of them got sick. My wife's cousin ate there Thursday for lunch with a friend, and they both got sick. THIS PLACE IS TO BE AVOIDED. SOMETHING IS GOING ON. read more

If I could rate zero stars I would ! Horrible experience for my girlfirend and her daughter. They arrived and were seated. The first question they were asked is where are they from. When she replies with her ethnicity the waiter explains they serve celebrities etc.. She chose to order a plate of pasta for her daughter, she places this order at 2:18pm, she asked for an update on the food they ordered 2 times before leaving at 3:40pm. Both times she was lied to ie. health inspection, error with the preparation. They never received their food. To call themselves an "Italian restaurant" and not be able to produce a pasta dish in 1:22 elapsed time is an embarrassment! I would like to chalk it up to the fact that there was an issue in the kitchen, but the fact that they were basically ignored for the entire time they were there and my girlfriend had to get up and stop different waiters to get updates on the food. I never allege discrimination but they are hard pressed to state otherwise! STAY AWAY SHOW RESTAURANTS THAT USE PRACTICES LIKE THIS THAT IT IS UNAPPRECIATED. read more

Very rude service. We had dinner there tonight with another local couple. Our waiter could not be bothered with us. We were 4 people who spent $400 for dinner and were treated so poorly as if we were putting our waiting out. Never did he come by and check on us. We had to keep asking for things over and over. I asked to taste two wines so I could decide on the two (both good wines so was spending money) and was told house rules are one tasting not two wines. It was such an uncomfortable and unpleasant evening. Again, $400 later and treated so poorly. The manager needs to get involved and jump in or contact people after these experiences. It's a neighborhood spot and and one we frequented often. We definitely won't be back unless we hear from someone.. read more

I think my experience here was unique, in that I was unimpressed by both the service and the food. Our waiter was pretty clearly disinterested in our party of two, did not bother to bring a wine list and then made a fuss when I asked for one. My pregnant friend asked in the cheese in one of the pizzas was pasteurized, and he said he was pretty sure it was, which prompted her to ask him if he could check with the chef. He said the chef would have no idea and seemed very put out when she said she wanted to know because she was pregnant. He was actually kind of rude to her. The food was fine, but I don't think good enough for how much they are charging. read more

Pizza was good, everything else a little below average. Waiter was ok. Owner kicked us out right after dessert to seat another group. Spent almost $400 and he didn't let the ink dry from the check before tossing us. Have never been asked to get up from a restaurant in my life. Extremely extremely rude, embarrassing and classless. Never going back read more

Was very disappointed in my last visit last night. It was so hot, instead of closing the doors and losing the two outside tables they left it open and we were sweating all night. On top of that since they knew it was hot there was no pizza which is why I went mainly. Next time turn on the AC, close the windows/doors and make pizza. On top of that our service was terrible. So slow. Unlike Bella blue which I usually am very happy at. read more

We walked in, were sat and handed menus. 10 minutes later we left. The wait staff was standing at the bar and never even acknowledged us.

You will find several comments about food poisoning but the truth is that the board of health was called in and 4 of us tested positive for Norovirus. When we contacted the restaurant they would not tell us anything. STAY AWAY. This is an awful restaurant. read more

I went here once and the waiter kept hitting on my date. Haha. Food was good. But because of that they get 1 star.

Poor, Poor Service - A Disappointment I've been to this restaurant several times and based on my last dinner there (very recent), I will never return to Bella Blu on the disappointingly poor service (which has deteriorated). Given the poor economy and high prices on the menu, I am surprised that this restaurant does not make more of an effort with customers. I really don't mind paying for good food and service. Unlike the waitstaff at other Italian restaurants that make you feel at home, the totally Eurotrash staff here are in desperate need of charm school. Specific issues with Bella Blu: (1) The host made it seem like it was a huge favor to give customers a table. I had a reservation and I still felt that way. (2) The inflexible menu (see below) was annoying. (3) The waiter ignored simple requests (red pepper, cheese - please) - the last straw, really. I have had better experiences at Chick-Fil-A (fast food, yes, but service with a smile and a thank you!), Jean Georges, Patroon, Joanna's (always gracious and attentive), and Smith & Wollensky (they always make you feel welcome, even if steak isn't your thing). As decent as the food is - good pasta and wonderful tomato/olive oil dip for the bread (but ignore the very mediocre Caesar salad - just some leaves and dressing - no cheese), the absurdly poor service is just not worth the price they charge for anything (more than $13 for the Caesar and ~$23 for pasta). I asked for a little cheese on the side for the salad; the waiter took my request and basically ignored it. Another time I asked for a side of red pepper (not unreasonable in an Italian restaurant) and again, the waiter basically ignored my request. For light eaters - beware (!) - Bella Blu has an obnoxious policy where they offer a half portion of pasta (it's offered on the menu!) ... but only if you order another entrée. I can understand how restaurants need to have some minimum charges for customers, but our total bill came to $100 so I did not feel that my polite request for a small portion was unreasonable. All in all, they got their $100 for my dinner but they have lost me as a customer forever. read more

At night there is no out door seating, but during the day there is. My plate was good$38 ( a decent size steak, some potatoes and spinach ) This place is kind of pricey. Service was bad. I had to get up and ask for bread and drinks. I would recommend making reservations. I did, plus waiting area is super small!! With a party of 5, 4 of us were outside! Desert was very good!! I wouldn't come here again, but glad I can't check it off the list! read more

Wow what a great place. Very authentic Italian. The pizzas are really excellent. Had the fried calamari with shrimp and zucchini. So perfectly done absolutely light no grease excellent. We will go back for sure read more

My girlfriend and I had lunch in Bella Blu today. The food was fine as was the cianti. But for one thing I am not going back. My girlfriend order her desert. I do not eat desert.I usually join her with a glass of port. My glass of port came along. Its cost was good at 12$, if it was a glass of port. But there was less than two teaspoonfuls of port in the glass. I am used to a hearty glass of port with a 120$ lunch, or at least a normal one. I will not come back. They were clearly cutting corners or else the waiter was skimming off somehow. read more

Showed up at our reservation time but had to wait about 15 minutes. There is no comfortable place to wait as it was single digit cold outside. Felt uncomfortably in the way with my party of three. The place was packed and it for sure is because of the food and service. We each had an app and an entree. I had a salad and the Robiolina pizza. It had truffle oil and I added some of the spicy oil they brought us. It was amazing. The other people in my party got meat items, one was enough for two full meals, complete with fries and delicious grilled vegetables on the side. Like a portion of grilled vegetables that would be big enough for a meal. My pizza made three meals. Service was great too. read more

Food is beyond mediocre and the staff is rude and obnoxious. With so many great alternatives in the area including on the same block I don't understand why anyone would ever bother eating here for crappy pizzas and pasta that tastes like it has been sitting out in a buffet. read more

We live around the corner from this restaurant and eat here a few times a month. We had a group of 14 in two Monday's ago and it was one of best dining experiences in the city in years. Service super as was management in setting up the dinner. Reasonably priced Barolo and Brunello and super pizza pasta and grilled meats. Fun cozy place with as nice of staff anywhere in nyc. read more

My father is a unassuming 70 year old man in a business suit. I have never seen him treated with such disrespect.

I've been to Bella Blu three times now, and I can't say it was great once. I can say it was OK once, bad once, and terrible once. I can't say why I went back after it was bad. I can say I won't be going back again. Let's start with the food: it's mediocre. Bella Blue prepares standard Italian dishes in a very standard way; there is simply nothing to set them apart from any other Italian restaurant. In a city crammed with Italian restaurants (and on a block with two other Italian restaurants), mediocre is simply not enough. The atmosphere is not great. The restaurant's acoustics are very bright, so the restaurant becomes noisy very quickly. Tables are small and very tightly-packed, even by NYC standards. Tables not along the walls are constantly subject to being bumped and nudged by passing waiters. What truly sets Bella Blu apart is its service, which is unusually poor. What separates a bad experience from a bad restaurant, in terms of service, is a restaurant's willingness to own up to its failings, to apologize for them, to attempt to make amends. Forgetting a reservation is one thing; providing a truly terrible table is another; inattentive and begrudging service is another; not a single apology, not a single inquiry as to what might be wrong, is absolutely inexcusable. Not every experience at Bella Blu will be terrible, but it shouldn't take many visits to discover that even the Sbarro's at Times Square offers better value and service. read more

place needs renovation for sure out dated décor food is good except over priced..Hottess was nasty have had similar complaints from other people too... read more

I went here with my family and we had a DELICIOUS meal. The food was great, the service was awesome, and we loved it. I loved the ambiance of this place, the local, hole in the wall feel...it was great!! Highly recommend!! read more

Food is consistently good and moderate for Ues but Mauricio the waiter ruined the last dinner for me. Non stop jokes, hovering and in general overly familiar with diners then surly attitude when we stopped paying attention to him so we can enjoy our dinner conversation. The owner manager is great, greets you like a movie star and very accomodsting. Their chicken paillard is a favorite. read more

Solid, neighborhood gem. I have gone here more times than I could possibly count. It has my favorite salad in NYC: sauteed baby artichokes with pistachio, mache, and baby greens. Their bread is delicious with just the right center to crust ratio, and their sundried tomato dip incredible. Their brick oven pizza is thin, and crusty, and blackened, and cheesy in all the right ways. Bella Blu isn't a pathbreaker. There is nothing new or innovative about its cuisine, but it is a superb neighborhood Italian where they take the time to know the regulars and keep us coming back for more! read more

Went there in May, visiting friends who live in NYC. The food was delish and it didn't hurt that Chris Noth (Mr Big from Sex and the City) was at the table next to me. I had the gnocchi and couldn't even finish it, it was good but the serving was generous. For whatever reason we got a desert on the house. Would definitely go back! read more

Bella Blu fits its location perfectly. It has good, though uninspired Italian fare, outdoor seating, and a perfect set-up for scanning the room for familiar faces. Once you get down to the meal, though, it's actually fairly quality food. The bread before the meal is quailty and, as is the mark of any good Italian restaurant, I have to ask the waiter/waitress to remove the basket before my gluttony triumphed. I've had the pizza here on occasion and I can certainly testify to its pizza-ness. Thin, homemade crust (as it should be), and good toppings. Easily shareable. The pasta is generally also fresh -- not sure if it's homemade -- and never over doused in sauce or oil. Ravioli is quite good. As a spot that tends to get packed rather quickly, I recommend a bit more continental dining hour or 9-930. By this time it's generally easy to squeeze two in, often in prime window seating. Probably not great for groups without prior reservations. A great neighborhood spot though probably not worth the trip from farther than walking distance. read more

Haven't been here in 2 years...tonight I remember WHY. Sat at the bar asked the bartender Neil if they can make me shrimp scampi after all this is an Italian restaurant the answer was NO. I asked the bartender about the Hawian Jumbo Shrimp that was on the menu he wasn't aware it was on their menu. I told him that probably no one at the bar orders it thats why he didn't know it was on the menu. he suggested I order grilled shrimp..no problem...they brought out 8 baby shrimp on a plate not the jumbo shrimp that every restaurant gives you when you order this. after a few words with the high strung clueless bartender...I decided not to order desert. Have a nice day Neil...see you in 2 years if you are still there. The bartender has since been fired for having multiple confrontations with other customers and pouring wine like it's water if he likes you and considers you a regular. read more

Please don't pay attention to the negative reviews. This place is always busy because of the great food. Amazing food, great staff. Thanks to the amazing chef, staff and the owner. read more

I absolutely love this place. Great service, great atmosphere and their entrees are to die for! My favorite is the Orecchiette con Salsiccia. Yummy in my tummy ! read more

Today we went to lunch at Bella Blu. I have been coming to this restaurant since it opened in the late 1990's approximately. Ordered the - Hawaiian Tiger Prawns with Mango, cherry tomato & arugula salad. The shrimp that appeared on my plate were not Tiger Prawns --they were med. to large at best and they smelled badly. Very disappointed to say the least -- It might be a good idea to at least serve the dish as described on the menu. No need to scrimp on the meals that you serve. read more

Nice Italian restaurant with terrific service. Menu has a nice mix traditional dishes all well prepared. Met a friend for lunch on Saturday and was warmly greeted by the staff. Nice wine list that compliments the cuisine. Has a nice neighborhood vibe. read more

"Bella Blu", the hopping Upper East Side Italian gathering spot was my answer when a close friend asked me out. Though narrow, I found Bella Blu's interior surprisingly airy, but as it was a beautiful day, we sat in the outdoor section. We arrived around 12 noon and were promptly seated. Our fellow diners were primarily Upper East Side couples, many of whom appeared to be regulars. I was expecting to find prix fixe, but my disappointed faded away when I tasted the delicious sundried tomato pesto & Italian bread, compliant of the house. One of the chef's specialty, Omelet of lobster, porcini mushrooms & herbs is a "must have". The eggs were seasoned perfectly & there was substantial amount of lobster meat. For dessert, I opted for Bellini & iced coffee. This was the best Bellini I ever tasted. I could taste the freshness of peach puree which was exactly proportional to the Prosecco. The staff was courteous & very friendly. The service was excellent. A great place to eat. read more