One of my favorite Italian places, I'm surprised it doesn't have more reviews than 5 as of this writing (January 4th, 2020). I've been here MANY times. It's a cute, cozy and charming Italian place with a front and back entrance with seating in both areas and a connecting hallway passing the kitchen in between. Very large wine selection, specialty cocktails, and craft beers. There's also another location in Clarkston and I believe Sterling Heights - although I haven't been to the Sterling Heights one. My favorite appetizers are the Calamari, Caprese Mozzarella, and Filet Tips. For Entrees/Pasta the Gnocchi Palomino, Alfredo, and Casalinga. The Margareita pizza is the only pizza I've had from here before and its very good but its usually a to-go for me. I'm not a fan of the soups usually offered but the Italian wedding soup they always have here then I believe every week or few days they change the other soup - everyone I'm with loves the Italian wedding so I'm the minority in the soup game. Overall its a go-to place for me and one of my favorites in downtown Rochester. They change the desserts often but currently they have a red velvet cake with Michigan pot hole ice cream, two of my favorite offerings in one dessert, YUM! In the summer I believe it's the limoncello cake which is amazing as well. They also have peppermint bark ice cream during the winter seasons. Overall I'd recommend anybody to check this place out. read more

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I love Italian food do I found this place today in my visit to Rochester Hills on business and is quite great, love the food, the setup and the people that work in this place, there not much more you could ask of a restaurant I would say. read more

This is probably my favorite Italian spot in Michigan. Amazing food. Only down side is it's super heavy, but absolutely delicious.

Closed for private event when we got there. Hostess did not tell us about it when we called ahead. Disappointed!!! Hope to have a better experience the next time around. read more

Nice cozy restaurant. We love this small place. The staff are very polite, nice and pay attention to the customers. The entrance to the kitchen is open, but there is no food's smell at all. The food is good and tastefully. Menu doesn't have a lot of choices, but it's enough to eat beef, chicken or seafood. Order was prepared just on time, not too fast not too slow. If you wood like to have your dinner in a quiet friendly place with nice food, this is your restaurant. read more

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Once again Outstanding meal. And a rare opportunity to meetcall three generation of owners at once. The capacino with baleys is perfect with tge weather out side I ordered the gluenton free pasta with vodka sauce and a side of meat balls. A hidden italian jewel in down town rochester Beuno Cia read more

Bologna - My custom dish i dont even look at a menue - New American Near Me - Rochester, Michigan

The first time I ever visited my food was AMAZING! My waitress was amazing, I cant remember her name but she had short hair and did and excellent job! We asked for a pizza and when we got it it had nothing it did on the online menu. The manager told us they dont make it anymore but they would be happy to make it for us anytime we just have to remeber what is on it. It was by far the best pizza I've ever had! The only complaint I had was about their rude manager or owner (older bald guy) everything he says comes off so rude! My complaint isnt about the first time I came it's about the second, and third time. The second time they got our pizza order completely wrong but our calamari was delicious. The third time we started off by giving the host our name and she told us it would be a 10 to 20 min wait. We waited for 50 MINUTES. Finally we were seated. We asked for a lemoncello as we do everytime we come here and every time we come we get the same answer "we have none it sells too fast and I cant make it fast enough" well maybe you should take it off the menu and put it as a special when you actually have it. We place our appetizer order in for calamari and for a flat bread called fig n pig and asked if we could order our pizza now too and after we did she said that the kitchen cant make a custom order right now. So I told her about all the other times we came and she went to ask her manager the manager came and apologized and said that it's just so busy so there would be a wait to make it which we were totally fine with. And he said he would let our waitress know to get order for the custom pizza. Our waitress comes back with our bread and tells us shes sorry but the manager told her we cant order a custom pizza (I almost lost it) so we said forget the pizza well just do apps. We asked for salt and pepper for the oil for the bread. Awhile later we get our calamari and ask for more bread and salt which we never got she keeps apologizing about forgetting. No biggy it happens. The calamari was nothing like the other times we ordered it....it was so spicy we could hardly eat it the calamari was covered in jalapenos instead of banana peppers. Finally we get our fig n pig and it looks nothing like what we always order. First off no caramelized onions, hardly any goat cheese and it had prosciutto rounds instead of pieces of crispy bacon. WE HATE the texture of prosciutto. I complained to the waitress and she went in the back to ask what happened and she told us she didn't get the memo that they were out of bacon. And she kept apologizing. We wouldn't have ordered it if it wasnt possible to get it the right way. After we finish eating the manager comes up to us and blames his waitress for not letting us know and says he will take off 20% of our bill for her mistake. I've been a restuarant manager for 6 years, instead of him taking the blame he made her look terrible. Finally we get our bill and 20% is taken off thankfully but we both came to the conclusion we will never be back. As we start getting ready to leave it was 8:04 when a couple walk in and the manager goes up to them and says they cant seat them cause something happened to their cook. But it's funny cause the table next to us was able to order their food only a few minutes prior to that, so who was cooking their food? The inconsistency of this place and the rudeness of the manager or owner will eventually get this place shut down. So unfortunate. read more

Great small quaint spot in downtown Rochester. I recommend just about anything on the menu. This place never has disappointed me. Great customer service too. read more

Because I really loved the food, I'm giving a 4....but service was horrible. It took forever to get our appetizers and food and there was no explanation, sorry or anything. Besides that...excellent calamari appetizer, pretty good fig/cheese pizza appetizer (although I prefer less fig) and the Caesar salad were delicious. I decided I wanted the Caesar salad because I love those salads and I'm glad I got it...it was tasty! Our servers were slow, almost unresponsive and aloof...they may have had a rough night. read more

My wife and I live right near downtown - this is one of our absolute favorite places to walk to. The food and drinks are outstanding- you can't go wrong with any dish but our personal favorites are the Arrabiata Cristina and the Traverse City Chicken. The atmosphere is special as the interior has a comfy, warm feeling that is welcoming. The desserts are outrageously delicious too. There is no better way to spend any night of the week by coming downtown to visit here. read more

Kinda disappointing. We were really excited to go here as we always have loved Joe Bologna's over the years. We used to the Sterling Height location and the Lake Orion location all the time before we moved away. Recently we moved back and wanted to find a favorite Italian place to go. The meat sauce and the cream sauce for the two pasta dishes we had were both somewhat bland. We didn't want spicy, but there wasn't a lot of flavor. The wedding soup was good. The service was good, but I don't know if we will go back. For the higher end price that they now charge compared to the other places we've gone, I was looking for a better experience. read more

This is the smallest restaurant I have been to in while. They know nothing about wine. I ordered a red and they served me a white. The food was good but the service was bad. We probably won't be back. We recommend Valentino's for Italian. read more

BJ's pizza thin crust! Bolognaise sauce is a winner as well! That's all you will need to order! Brilliant service, and awesome food. read more

Bologna - New American Near Me - Rochester, Michigan

I literally have just walked out of the restaurant after waiting to be served for TWENTY MINUTES at the bar. A 6 top came in after me and got served right next to me by the bartender and then my decision to leave was based on a couple coming in and sitting at the bar and being served before me. The hostess treated me to bread and a water right away but that's all I received. I had been wanting to try this place for a while with my husband and while I had a night away, I made the poor decision to try it tonight. Won't be back :/. read more

So glad to see this little Italian spot open again! The bread, wine and pasta are to die for and everything on the menu is carefully crafted. The owner is always making rounds to make sure very guest is happy and FULL. A downtown Rochester staple! read more

Who would ever order Brussels sprouts on a pizza. ?????! We had it delivered on ours. Then bar tender said that's how we ordered it! Like serious??? Btw. The pizza was a step above Little Caesars 5 dollar hot and ready. We sat down and waited 45 mins for our Little Caesar's pizza and a couple next to us just sat down. Their food arrives in 10 mins. Apparently pays to know the owner Danny.... Guess I will check this one off the list as a Non- return patron. Thankful for many other great restaurants in the area!!!!!! read more

Do you know how good you have to be to be the best visit I've ever had in this family restaurant scene, when I literally grew up inside one? That's the impression this place left on me a few weeks ago. I grew up in west Sterling Heights, a stone's throw away from Joe Bologna Trattoria at 17/Dequindre. I would say at least once a week my family and I visited Joe and the crew over there, and we were never disappointed with the quality and hospitality. Fast forward many years, now living in Genesee County, my wife and I decided to visit Via Cucina as a part of our visit to Meadowbrook. We ordered a salmon dish and my favorite, gnocchi palomino, and of course opted for the minestrone side dish. The food was sublime- I could've bathed in the soup, it was that good. The gnocchi- just like I remembered it growing up in the Heights. But the standout was our server, Rosie. I've gone to thousands of restaurants in thousands of cities, and her attentiveness, diligence and charisma were second to none. Just the way she was able to personify our experience- check up on us at the right times, ask the right questions, and make us feel so valued- deserves immense recognition. And if her colleagues perform at the level that she displayed... nobody will ever have a bad experience here. Danny has something good going, with his product and it's salespeople. We definitely will be back! read more

Bartender was very nice and accommodating. We arrived at 9, I asked what time the kitchen closed (in case it was too late) they said 10, so I asked if a table was available and was sat. Overheard a server saying she was cut and didn't want to take us so we were moved to another table. Unprofessional. Then we never were greeted by any server. The bartender politely came by and set the table and a busser came by with waters and told us about the specials, he was terrific. Sadly, I overheard a server tell the busser he was not supposed to tell guests about the specials, we continued to wait assuming a server would be by shortly to greet us. Nothing. Another ten minutes pass and we decided to leave. Will not be back, very disappointing service for downtown Rochester, although, the bartender and busser were great, we felt unwelcome. Went to the Chop House instead and were greeted and treated exceptionally. read more

First, I have to say the staff was nice. I hope management reads this as an offer to make the dining experience better. I'm not sure if we simply ordered the wrong thing, but our food was NOT good at all. I ordered the Lake Perch Piccata with broccoli and the fish was over cooked and dry. The broccoli was totally burned. Never in my life had I been served something like this (I thought it was a joke) I couldn't eat it. The other party order salmon and it was hard as a brick, with couscous that was dry and cold. Decided to eat my broccoli soup that I didn't have a chance to eat when I got home, as I was eating, it had a big glob of something that didn't belong, gross (now that's really bad). The restaurant was not crowded, given the size, but we decided to go there because all of our other choices were an hour wait on a Tuesday. This should have been a sign...I'm not sure if we should've just ordered pasta, but I'm not big on pasta at all. Will I visit again...no. Wish I had gone to Olive Garden instead. Note to staff - Please investigate the cooking methods. Order a dish yourself and taste it (don't let them know it for you). This is what your paying customers are eating. read more

We ordered carry out the other night and I was impressed at the amount of food! I can't wait to eat in here because the inside has an nice ambiance - perfect for a date night! Only complaint is my penne noodles in the create your own pasta seemed slightly undercooked. The gnocchi was amazing though. read more

Bologna - Gnocchi w/meat sauce & create your own penne, meat sauce, mushrooms. With a side of bread, Cesar salad, & Italian wedding soup. - New American Near Me - Rochester, Michigan

A hidden gem. Seriously, this place was beyond my expectations and everything I didn't know I needed. From the ambiance, to the service and don't get me started on the food. It was incredible. I had the Casablanca and it was more than enough food for dinner & to take home for a second meal. If you're thinking about stopping by - go, you won't be disappointed. read more

This is more like 3.5 stars. The focaccia bread was EXCELLENT. it was soft, perfectly seasoned with a crust of cheese on top. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. She brought me some DONATI Merlot, which was sublime. We ordered the calamari appetizer, it arrived rather small in portion and the calamari was a bit tough. It had a lemon buttery sauce with it which was quite tasty. Nonetheless, it tasted pretty good so we ate it. I also had the filet mignon tips n blue cheese appetizer. It had a few overcooked pieces of fillet mignon served in a small cast-iron skillet. The filet mignon pieces were in quite a bit of oil with a few sprinkles of blue cheese here and there. It was good, but they should've put less oil, more meat and more cheese in it. My wife got a mostaccioli type pasta dish. It was decent. The tomato sauce tasted like it may have come from a jar, but I'm not certain. I'd like to give this place another try. read more

Bologna - Focaccia bread - New American Near Me - Rochester, Michigan

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Fun and really good food in a intimate storefront along Main Street. Do go in and sit awhile either in the front near the bar or in the quaint dining area in the back (the kitchen is in the middle of the place). There is street parking or a lot in the back - entrances at both front and back, too. Parking is free on Sunday. Hubby and I (and two relatives) went early on a Sunday night after a Meadowbrook play. Good draft beer selection and since I ordered a hot tea, there were some fun selections to choose from. We enjoyed an appetizer of sausage stuffed mushrooms. There were four so one per person was a perfect nibbler before our meal. Hubby ordered the special of Veal Osso Bucco stuffed ravioli and I ordered off the Create-Your-Own Pasta list (Pappardelle with Palomino sauce with spinach and mushrooms added). Both entrees were delicious and I had enough to take home and enjoy for lunch that week. Our dining partners had entrees, too. One had the Osso Bucco ravioli and the other had the Chicken Picatta. No complaints from them on their selections. Total bill (w/out the drinks) for 4 was $83 before tax and tip. read more

Don't really know where to start.. Ok the bread... It was good with the same Olive oil balsamic, rosemary dipping sauce.. Ordered calamari it was ok a bit greasy... Also ordered the artichoke app I asked the waitress if they were fresh, and they were not ok but they weren't very good... I ordered the carbonara which was ok but I asked if there pasta was fresh... Ahh no ok I get it I'm a bit picky but our bill was 150 dollars for 3 including tip.. It wouldn't bother me if the food was great... But it was lunch for goodness sake.. Probably won't go back read more

In the first few minutes of sitting at the restaurant, I thought I would be writing a great review. The warm bread paired with the olive oil and balsamic dip was delicious. Unfortunately, my family and I ate two whole loaves of bread before our waitress even took our order. I promise we were not ravenous--the service was just that slow. When the soups were placed on the table, I thought that my review could still be salvaged. The gazpacho was yummy, and I thought, "The waitress is flighty, but great food will make up for it." The yummy food ended with the gazpacho. My older sister ordered fried gnocchi and ended up eating off of other plates. My younger sister said her pasta was underwhelming. My mom, who loves fettuccine alfredo and always cleans off her plate, had leftovers and didn't bother to request a box. We ordered dessert in hopes that a classic, creme brûlée, would help us end the meal on a happy note. The creme brûlée was just as sad as my family. It was severely undercooked and had more of a soupy texture. My family and I chose this place for a family dinner because of all the great reviews and we were sorely disappointed. My sister said the next day, "Let's go to a reliable Italian place today because I need to make up for yesterday's meal." read more

Favorite spot for Italian in Rochester. Great, fresh food, intimate cozy atmosphere with good staff, personable, hands on owner. Winning combination right there. Routinely exceeds expectations. Creative and fun specials with an awesome regular menu to back it up! Highly highly recommend. read more

I would not recommend this restaurant for the food. Here are their positives: polite, friendly & attentive staff, great location, cozy inside, large menu + good options for wine by the glass. The portions for the entrees were also very large. I thought the food was comparable to Olive Garden. I would not recommend anyone orders the calamari. We went with friends and they both enjoyed their food. They liked the fried artichokes and the chicken Parmesan. We had a good time and it's not a bad option for spending time with friends in Rochester. read more

We have eaten here twice now and both times have been great. They have a great menu and the servers are great. Everything is always freaky and tasty. Another great place in downtown Rochester read more

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Just went here with my family, very friendly staff and attentive. The place was clean, the food was great. Will definitely be back

When I crave a hearty Italian meal paired with a delicious glass of Chianti that's comparable to Florence or Rome, Italy - I venture to Bologna, every time. First off, the staff are always very knowledgeable of the dishes, wine pairings, and desserts. But most importantly, they're always courteous and super friendly which adds to an awesome experience already. The food is out of this world! To start with, you'll always be offered a loaf of bread and great olive oil vinegar to dip with. But, I'm serious, a loaf of fresh bread. For a great app, the calamari in their white wine sauce paired w/ banana peppers seems to be a crowd pleaser since whenever I'm there it's on someone's table! For an entree, I usually can't steer from the bucatini with their creamy palomino sauce or the Traverse City chicken that's coated with an almond crust. Both mouthwateringly delicious and worth every penny. The Tiramisu is just as fantastic for a sweet treat after. Overall, Bologna is a great Italian spot that everyone who visits Rochester should check out! read more

Our family decided to try their Family dinner for 4 curbside option. The process was easy and fast. But the best part was the food. It was delicious just amazing! My goal during this cover-19 shut down is to support our local restaurants but at the same time not break the bank. This restaurant fit the bill. It was less than $10.00 per person because there was so much food we have more for tomorrow. Highly recommend the curbside dinner for $. read more

Pitiful. A table was available for my party of 4 but 2 people from my group were searching for parking. The hostess wouldn't seat us until all were present. WTF? She acted like we were trying to pull a fast one. The food was good, our waitress was good but layout of tables is a challenge, at best. It was a better restaurant as the Blackbird Bistro. These folks are amateurs. read more

This is one of our favorite local restaurants - date night or drinks with girls it is a must! The food is authentic and the specials are mind blowing. I love the Salmon - always cooked perfectly. read more

I had the sea bass .... the entire dish was amazing. I am gluten and dairy allergy and Kim made sure I was good. Kids had pizza and not their favorite but ??? They are more about hungry Howies so not the best comparison for adults . A little slow on delivery of food that with teenagers was long but with the right company was fine... So I would definitely recommend this restaurant !! read more

Derek. Yes Derek period. The ultimate bar tender. Tell him what you like and let him go, you'll not be disappointed. It's about time that Rochester have a real cocktail bar. Coupled with good Italian food at very reasonable prices and you have five stars. It's not just the food, the atmosphere, or the prices. It's the combination and then add Derek. They have white anchovies for their Caesar salad, the only place in Rochester that I know has white anchovies. We have tried all the appetizers and love them. Pizza also is very good. They usually have three specials that vary daily. We have tried them several times and never been disappoint. Bravo Bologna! read more

Our first visit is long overdue. This is a very good experience. The facility wand very welcoming and pleasant. Appropriate lighting, warm atmosphere and great sound level where you can converse with your dining partner. The food was outstanding. The flavors that are present in each dish were layered so well that I have to say this has been my favorite Italian experience... read more

Our favorite Italian place! Love the carbonara and gnocchi! Just wished they had more seating!

High quality Italian food. They provide large amounts for the price. Everything is fresh. Highly recommend. Great multi course options as well. Medium to small size helps keep noise down and feels more personal. read more

Really enjoyed their food! The details: - carbonara pasta was pretty good. It was not close to the best I've had, bit it was good. - calamari was very good! Very fresh and unique way to cook and present it. Delicious sauce - wedding soup was very good - traverse city chicken salad was excellent! Service was very friendly and attentive. Give them a shot! read more

This was my first time eating at Bologna and it was fabulous! My husbands salmon was moist and delicious. The Casalinga was a tremendous portion of pasta, meatballs and grilled Italian sausage. All dinners came with salad or Italian Wedding soup and it was one of the best Italian Wedding soups I've had. The front dining room is small with a bar and the back dining room was just the right size for a quiet relaxing dinner. The waitress was very nice and accommodating. I highly recommend Bologna for a nice Italian delicious dinner. read more