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    Bella Regina

    3.6 (171 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM

    Bella Regina Photos

    Business Info

    BELLA REGINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bella Regina

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    Chicken alfredo
    Emily V.

    I finally went to Bella Regina tonight and think it was a great choice! We split some greens, which were good. I got the chicken alfredo and they do NOT skimp out on the sauce! It was flavorful and the portions are huge; I'll have enough leftovers for at least 3 lunches. My friend got the riggies, which I also sampled and liked. Service was very quick and the place has a lot of cool photos and decor on the walls. They played a lot of old school music like Buddy Holly which I loved. Next time, I want to save room for dessert; the dessert menu was vast and sounded delicious!

    Mini cannoli
    Heather L.

    Bella Regina is quite the interesting place to say the least. I am not sure how we had never been here but heard they had a great lunch special of all you can eat Riggies, Greens, salad bar, and seafood chowder for $10. We arrived and liked the looks of the cute patio out front, but it was a little chilly so we opted to eat inside. Well, inside is quite the site to see. The decor is entertainment in itself. Very unique from Elvis, to Frank, to Marilyn. It is tastefully done and makes you feel like you have traveled somewhere other than Utica to eat.... until you smell the riggies. Chicken Riggies are apparently a Utica only thing... which is rigatoni, chicken, hot red peppers, and tomato cream sauce depending on what version you get. Accompany this by the "Utica Greens" which are escarole, prosciutto, romano, hot red peppers and bread crumbs (again depending on where you get them). We were greeted by our server, drinks served, then headed over to the buffet. It was set out as catering style dishes alongside a small salad bar. Bella's version of the iconic riggies has won awards and was quite good. It was for sure spicy, but not too much so. The greens were also spicy, but again just right. My complaint about both was that they were very very salty to me, and believe me I like salt. Funny enough the true star of the entire meal was the seafood chowder. I just couldnt get enough of it. We ended our meal with mini cannoli, which was just ok, but one of the party had this peanut butter chocolate pie which was phenomenal. Definitely save room for desert (not included in buffet)! All in all we had a good experience and the lunch buffet is a great deal, the food is good, but would not win my award of the city for best riggies and greens. Maybe best seafood chowder though?!

    Chicken riggies and risotto balls
    Jaclyn O.

    These are personally my favorite chicken riggies and risotto balls in all of Utica. Their portions are very large which justify the price points. The atmosphere is very friendly and I love the fun decor throughout the place. Currently they are planning on relocating so they are only doing take out orders. The only thing I'd say is if you are in a rush this is NOT a place I'd recommend, every time I've gone it's taken almost 2hrs. There is also limited parking, however, that may change at their new location. For those wondering they do not offer GF/Vegan pasta options. However, they do have an extensive menu.

    Tracy W.

    Italian done right. Bella is amazing. The Utica area is known for great Italian food and Chicken Riggies. So that's what I was after. I walked in with a colleague traveling on business. He's never been to this area before so I had to take him for a local meal. First time here and was very impressed. Just inside the door was a life size poster of Dean Martin and just past that a life size Elvis. The music was also from that era. The service was awesome. The food spectacular. I had the trio Riggie's which is choice of 3 meats with rigatoni. The sauce was phenomenal. The meal came with salad bar too. If you finish the bowl of riggies, you get a shirt. As soon as the waitress brought the food I knew there was no way that was happening. I will definitely come back here when in town.

    FraDiavlo

    This is a restaurant I try to get to every time I am visiting Utica. The food is outstanding, especially the riggies and the fra diavlo. The food takes a bit to prepare so it's a good place to sit down and have a conversation. The service is also great.

    Cavatelli and greens!

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Food is beyond bland. Slow and unfriendly service. I would give zero stars if I could

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    8 years ago

    Don't have to say much here, best riggies there is. Sometimes it takes a while but good things come to those who wait.

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Love it here! Food is amazing. Their riggies are the best I've ever had. Cute little romantic place. Good staff. Quick service usually.

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    Page 2 of 5

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    Joe's Restaurant - Feast

    Joe's Restaurant

    4.8(28 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    I have not been to this restaurant in over 20 years. The atmosphere was just as I remembered. Same…read morebar, decor, same menus on wall. I literally felt like I stepped back in time in the best possible way. They are only open Tuesdays & Saturdays. I went with a coworker for lunch and the place was packed. Not a spot at the bar and only a couple tables open lucky for us. Everyone was the NICEST! Service could t have been better. We ordered the spaghetti & meatball which comes with a whole loaf of breads with 2 cokes for $24. Sauce was outstanding and we ate most of the bread. Can't wait to go back to try the vodka riggies & eggplant parm!!

    This restaurant and bar has been a Utica staple for many years and is also fondly known as…read morePellettieri Joe's, thanks to its location at the corner of Jay Street and Pellettieri Street. Dating back to 1910, calling this place an icon is truly an understatement. I've been coming here for years, although I have to admit it had been a couple of years since my last visit. With my upcoming move out west, this was at the very top of my Utica bucket list. There are just some places that hold too much history and too many memories to leave town without visiting one more time. A little heads-up: While the bar is now open multiple days a week, the kitchen is currently open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Nothing fancy here, but you'll find good Italian food steeped in history, tradition, and a genuine love of food. I do have to admit, though, that I miss the family who used to run this restaurant. The granddaughter was the server, another family member ran the bar, and two elderly gentlemen handled all of the cooking. It was truly a family affair. Back in the day, they even sold meats by the pound from the basement. Those days are sadly bygone, and unfortunately, the restaurant has changed hands several times over the years. While they have kept many of the traditions and familiar touches intact, I do feel the Italian gravy/sauce has changed. Personally, I'm not a fan of the new sauce and definitely miss the old recipe. They still bring a partial bag of fresh-baked Italian bread to the table ... no butter, and don't bother asking for it! Cash is still king here, so come prepared. It may have changed over the years, but if you want to experience a little piece of Utica and enjoy a meal steeped in Italian history and tradition, this is still a place worth visiting. Some restaurants are more than just a meal, they're a piece of the community's story.

    Photos
    Joe's Restaurant - Bar

    Bar

    Joe's Restaurant - Antipasto

    Antipasto

    Joe's Restaurant - Peppers

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    Peppers

    Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse

    Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse

    3.8(360 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Well... it had been a very, very long time since I last visited Delmonico's. And sometimes going…read moreback to a restaurant from your past can be a little like looking at an old photograph....you remember it one way, only to realize that your perspective has changed. Back in the day, Delmonico's was the place to go when you wanted to dress up, celebrate something special, and enjoy a higher-end meal without having to travel far. At a time when there weren't nearly as many upscale dining options around, this definitely felt like an occasion. And let's talk about the atmosphere because there is absolutely no mistaking the theme here. Think Italian mobster meets supper club. Mob-related actors and photographs adorn the walls, Frank Sinatra is playing, and the dining tables are tucked into little private nooks. They really lean into the whole experience -- and honestly, you either love the theme or you're going to find it a little... cheesy. Coming back with fresh eyes, I found myself realizing that what I once considered an upscale dining experience now feels more like an expensive, heavily themed steakhouse chain. This particular location was once an Applebee's, and while they have certainly given the place a complete makeover, I couldn't help but feel that a tiny bit of the Applebee's DNA was still hanging around. The restaurant has also had its share of challenges and negative publicity over the years, particularly surrounding staffing and cleanliness. That said, our experience was actually very good. Our server and the staff were terrific, the food came out exactly as ordered, and everyone was attentive to our needs. I ordered the Classic Delmonico, their signature steak, and it was cooked perfectly. I requested no pepper seasoning and they got that right ...always a win when a simple request actually makes it to the kitchen! The steak was enormous, and I had enough left over to make another meal out of it. Meals come with pasta as a side, but I opted to upgrade to a vegetable. Enter the asparagus... which apparently had gotten into a serious relationship with the pepper shaker. It was covered in pepper. Luckily, nothing a little napkin intervention couldn't fix! So after all these years, where does that leave me? The service was excellent, the steak was good, the portions were generous, and the atmosphere is certainly memorable. But when I look at the overall experience versus the price, I think my dining dollars would go elsewhere. For a special occasion, I would personally choose a smaller, more intimate steakhouse or upscale restaurant where the food and atmosphere feel a little more elevated and less like a chain experience. But I'm still glad I went. Sometimes you revisit an old favorite and discover it isn't quite what you remembered. And sometimes that's okay. The restaurant may have changed or maybe my definition of a special dining experience has simply evolved. Either way, it was worth the trip down memory lane. Would I go back? Probably not for a special occasion. But I'm glad I finally went back after all these years, if only to see whether Delmonico's could still live up to the version I remembered.

    Not just a good meal but a real fun experience for our group of nine people. We came here for our…read morefinal night in Utica after taking the wonderful Adirondack Train Tour. The restaurant has plenty of parking in their lot and was close to the train station and also our hotel. (right in the middle. This is a very hometown feel restaurant loaded with regulars and visitors to the area alike. Our goup came in to wonderful hellos and we were brought to the "Tony Bennett Room." What a great setting... Plenty of the America Songbook being played at the restaurant which included Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin singing many tunes. Our room also had plenty of photos of Tony at all stages of his career. Our wonderful server came over to our table moments after we sat down, introduced herself and immediately took drinks orders and followed up with menus and water. She was great throughout the entire eating experience and deserves a whole lot of Kudos! What did we all eat? Without going through each item, here is a list of appetizers and main meals. Appetizers: - Mozzarella Fritta - Fried Mozzarella hand breaded to order with fresh Marinara Sauce. - Calamari - Golden, crisp, fried Calamari served with Marinara & Honey Dijon, enough to. share. - Zuppa Di Stracciatella - Chicken, Escarole, Meatballs & Ditalini in a homemade Chicken Broth. - Roma Tomato & Mozzarella Salad - Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Red Onions, Basil & Balsamic Vinaigrette. Entreès - Sliced Sirloin Steak 14oz of Choice or Better Sirloin with Cabernet Mushroom Sauce & garlic Mashed Potatoes. - Chicken Parmigiana Thin breasts of chicken with Italian Breadcrumbs, topped with marinara Sauce & Provolone Cheese over Angel Hair Pasta. - Fettuccine Delmonico Fettuccine Alfredo Tossed with Grilled Chicken, Mushrooms, Broccoli & finished with A Touch of Marinara. Everything was perfect. Calamari, crisp coating tender fish - Chicken Cutlets were thin crunchy with tender meat and delicious marinara sauce - slight steak was tender, cooked well and a delicious sauce. Everyone was extremely happy with their choices... Service was excellent and they monitored us throughout the night. It was a pleasure to be here and I look forward to my next visit KUDOs to the team at Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse

    Photos
    Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse - Inside

    Inside

    Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse - Fried mozzarella- delicious !

    Fried mozzarella- delicious !

    Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse

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    O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria - OSP Special Pizza

    O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria

    3.9(197 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $

    This pizzeria is a quintessential pizza parlor and is the second oldest pizzeria in the country…read more This is not your typical pizza and they are the originator of the upside down pizza. I have been coming to this establishment for far too many years to admit to and it never disappoints. Not much has changed here over the years other than the prices. They have been around for over a 110 years. The restaurant is nothing fancy and most of their business is take out but to me nothing beats one of their fresh out of the oven pies with their gooey cheese on the bottom and crispy crust. On a warm summer night you can find me sitting outside at their picnic table enjoying a fresh hot pie.

    On my way into Syracuse International Airport while picking up my rental car, a very friendly…read moreEnterprise manager recommended a pizzeria called O'scugnizzo. He mentioned it is the second oldest pizzeria in America, so I had to check it out. I'm so glad I did. This is a really cute, community-oriented spot with a warm and welcoming feel. I ordered a small pizza, but "small" definitely does not feel small here. It was actually a great size. More importantly, the pizza was super fresh and extremely delicious. What stood out just as much as the food was how kind everyone was. As someone visiting from out of town, I really appreciated how warm and friendly the people were. It also felt like the kind of place that would be great for hosting a casual party or gathering. Highly recommend. If you're in Utica, this is definitely a place you need to try.

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    O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria
    O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria - Large pepperoni

    Large pepperoni

    O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria

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    Ambassador Restaurant - Chicken riggies

    Ambassador Restaurant

    4.7(46 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Fidal, owner greeted us, like we were there yesterday…read more Been awhile and glad we made it back. Anthony was an amazing server. Friendly and very attentive. 10 stars on his service. Their Utica Greens are good, but different than your typical Utica Greens. Chicken breast in spicy brandy sauce was very good. Get it over pasta same sauce next time. Vodka Riggies with Filet was great. Chicken soup was fantastic. Large bowl full of chicken. Parking is their private lot. Place is large but dated. Part of the charm. Would recommend and will return. Menu is large.

    Ambassador's exterior and parking area are rather unassuming, blending quietly into the…read moreneighborhood. However, upon entering, you'll find a classy and classic Italian decor with a well-thought-out layout that creates smaller, more intimate spaces. It's definitely a place where you could bring parents, coworkers, or that special someone for a nice meal. The service was excellent (I believe the young lady's name was Alma). My veal parmigiana was tender, perfectly cooked, nicely sauced, and covered with just the right amount of cheese. The side salad was average in terms of content and presentation, but the balsamic dressing was quite good. The garlic bread had a nice flavor and texture as well. While I didn't have a chance to try any drinks, there is a full bar on-site. Overall, I'd be happy to eat there again, but stop on in and see what you think.

    Photos
    Ambassador Restaurant - Old school. But don't worry about having  to dress up .

    Old school. But don't worry about having to dress up .

    Ambassador Restaurant - Chicken dish

    Chicken dish

    Ambassador Restaurant - Part of the bar side

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    Part of the bar side

    Bella Regina - italian - Updated September 2026

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