Bella Monica

I have worked in restaurants and been to restaraunts all over the world and Bella Monica is one of the better places to eat at. The staff is overwhelmingly courteous and full of energy, if there is a reason why a table is not addressed properly it is because it is slammed, which last time i checked is a good thing and usually a good sign to new patrons. I introduced myself to the owner because i was impressed with what he has done with his location and I assure anyone reading this, he is a very successful GROWN man who knows exactly what he is doing. The food is delicious, and they have a knack for remembering who you are when you come back and treating you like your a local, if you don't check this out you should hang with carlasword at the olive garden. Pros: staff, chefs, managers, ambiance, wine, beer, everything! more

You feel welcomed as soon as you come in. Great place for family or business. Worth going to over and over again. if you are an Italian food lover you should check this place out. Pros: Great food, reasonably priced, great atmosphere Cons: Fills up fast, I guess its because its popular more

My husband and I went there without a reservation and we were greeted by a ""frazzled"" manager. She didn't seem to have any idea what was going on. Then a young, sloppy male manager came to help us and he spoke to us like we were kids. We are well into our 40's. Offensive. Cons: poor service more

Immature staff, cold food, a sloppily dressed female manager who has no sense of style. Unprofessional. Cons: bad service more

Only been here once but my girlfriend and I both enjoyed it. It is nice to see a restaurant in Raleigh with gluten free menu items. Pros: Extensive Gluten Free Menu Cons: None I can think of! more

Bella Monica is the ideal place to eat great Italian food. Great pizza, pasta and a great place to spend a romantic evening! Pros: Premier Authentic Italian Cuisine Cons: None! more

Dine here often with my girlfriend, always buzzing. Bella wins Best Italian in Raleigh almost every year and definately the best restaurant option in 27612. Call ahead for reservations and definately sit outside if you can Pros: Affordable, quality food, personable staff more

I have eaten here several times over the years and am surprised with the cult following it now has. I guess everyone wants a little place they think they only know about that is trendy and difficult to get into. The pizza is OK. I'd pick Lilly's, Lynnwood or Hot Point over it. The other food I have had there is overpriced and pretty awful. The lasagna tasted like the dish at the old Rams Head Ratskeller in Chapel Hill.. runny and no flavor. Also, if you end up sitting near the door expect people's rear ends on the back of your head all night as they wait for tables. The managers are very nice, though, and the waitstaff at least tries although they are usually too busy to properly attend to you. I'd still recommend going and see what you think. A lot of people on here certainly enjoyed it. We do have a lack of good Italian restaurants in the area. Pros: Managers, atmosphere Cons: Crowded, food more

I could see why this place is popular. Atmosphere was nice, part of town and the restaurant was well kept. They had an absolutely great wine selection but that did little to save the food. I wouldn't call it horrible, but as someone who has been a ""food buff"" for most of my life, I felt it should have been fresher, bigger portions, and with a better presentation. I understand that half the experience of eating out for most people is atmosphere, and for that I will commend the staff. However, if you want good pizza and fresh pasta with obviously carefully homemade sauces, other restaurants surpass. Try Stella Mare or Strombolis for example, lesser atmosphere, better food. Pros: Atmosphere, wine selection Cons: food... more

My family moved to Raleigh last fall and we have enjoyed Bella Monica from day one. A friend recommended the restaurant and was jealous that we had moved to a neighborhood within walking distance! From the first time we walked in their front door, we were hooked. The hosts are always friendly and accommodating. Our waitress ""Moment"" was so lovely to our family and always remembers my sons' drink orders! She's incredible! We've been back several times and have also ordered takeout and have never been disappointed. My husband is a bit of a wine snob and has been impressed with the selection offered. I usually don't write reviews but I was compelled to write one yesterday after having a poor experience at another restaurant, so I needed to balance it with a positive one for Bella Monica. I do recommend making reservations even for a small lunch party as the place fills up quickly. Pros: Great food and customer service Cons: Fills up fast more

Bella Monica is an amazing Italian restaurant. Everything we have ever ordered there has been very good. Our favorite Italian restaraunt in Raleigh! Nice atmosphere, reasonably priced and great Italian food. Pros: Very good Italian food, great atmosphere and well priced more

The Edward's Mill Rd area is not my usual stomping ground. But today I just happened to be in the area at lunch time and drove through the shopping center at the corner of Edward's MIll and Duraleigh. I noticed at one corner of the building an inconspicuous little sign...""Italian"". Hummm...now I could enjoy some good Italian fare...so a took a chance and went inside Bella Monica. Its a long narrow restaurant that probably seats ~60...maybe more. With a little smile I asked the hostess if this would be ""the best Italian food I've ever eaten""...and she came right back with ""absolutely"". I've eaten at Patsy's in Manhatten which was ole ""Blues Eyes"" fave (that's Frank Sinatra for the uninitiated)...so I do have some idea what a great Italian Restaurant should be. The restaurant was quite busy, but I was seated right away. My server was named ""Moment""...a bright, cheerful, ""bubbly"" young lady. My drink order was immediately taken, arriving back in only moments. I had been leaning towards ordering a calzone...but after hearing the description of one of the daily specials...a flatbread with creamy crab base, mozzarella, kalamata olives, and artichokes...I went with that since it really sounded quite different...I love new foods. Bread with a nice drizzle of EVO was served to kwell my appetite until the flatbread arrived. And arrive it did in only a few short minutes. The presentation included a really nice dipping sauce of mayo and diijon mustard with some other seasoning included. That first bite of crab flatbread!!!!! OMG...just incredible. You have to try it. The hostess and my server ""Moment"" came by often to make sure I had everything needed. Incredibly friendly and attentive service paired with perfect food that is so delizioso makes this ""best kept Raleigh restaurant secret"" a ""MUST"" on your next eating out excursion. Pros: Incredibly friendly and attentive service. Food is delicious. Mangia !!! Cons: Since seating is somewhat limited, there could be a wait...But worth the wait. more

I recently dined here (11-26-08) for the first time and it exceeded my expectations. I didn't have a reservation and my friend and I walked in and it was packed. We were approached by a manager named Chris and he greeted us with a smile and after learning that we didn't have a reservation, he proceeded to tell us it would be approximately 30 minutes and he was so friendly and supportive in sharing with us this news and he alone, made us decide to wait; despite the both of us starving at the time. He even ""promised"" to work hard to get us seated and even apologized once for the lack of availability.(I've never been treated that well by a host before; he made us feel like a regular and I'm sure this place has lots of them) Pros: very friendly staff Cons: kinda small more

I had brought my boyfriend there for his birthday, and I was let down. Pros: Easy to get to Cons: Cramped, busy, price not justifiable more

My husband brought me to Bella Monica this past Thursday night (10-30-08) for my birthday and we were completely astounded by the quality of food and service we were provided. We have been telling our friends and colleagues ever since about the exquisite meal we were served. The manager, bartender and waitress were extremely friendly and professional. We also loved that one of the chefs brought the food out hot! My husband ordered the pumpkin soup special for an appetizer and after his first bite he froze in place. He then slowly turned to me and said ""I think this is the best thing I have ever eaten"". I quickly asked the waitress for a spoon! When I tasted it, I had the same response. The flavor, texture and spice were perfection. We have eaten in restaurants from Tuscany to Thailand, and had never had that reaction before. We have eaten a lot of excellent food in our lives but that was superb. The rest of the meal was fantastic as well. I had the mussels with a wonderfully flavorful sauce that was soaked up with perfect, fresh and crispy bread. We were so full after the entrees that we thought we couldn't eat dessert, but when they brought us the complimentary Birthday Canoli with a candle in it, we tried it....and it was heaven! Fantastic coffee and espresso to go with it, too. They made my birthday meal one I will always remember! Pros: Lovely outdoor seating with heaters, Gorgeous Italian Bartender! more

Amazing food and service. Perfect for any type of meal - romantic, business or family. Highly recommended! Pros: Everything. Cons: Wait almost every night ... make a reservation. more

Went to Bella Monica for my first date, per my request, and was truly impressed! Being a server myself for the past 15 years, (the past 10 in fine dining) I am often dissapointed when dining out. Bella Monica is what every restaurant should be... the staff is friendly & knowledgable, the food is delicious, the service is superb and the owners are great people who really care about their guests happiness, as well as their employees. (I know several people who work there.) Did I mention the food?!? The BEST Italian food I've had in N.C. Being from N.Y., good Italian food is hard to find. Pros: Friendly, knowledgable staff and AWESOME food Cons: This place is ALWAYS busy...make a reservation more

The best restaurant ever! You have to go to Bella Monica! I love Italian and they have the absolute best lasagna I have ever had. They service is always great and they are so friendly. Call for reservations because it is hard to get in because it is so delicious! Pros: the best food! Cons: none! more

There's a reason why you need a reservation almost every night of the week. This is our favorite restaurant in Raleigh. We had them cater our wedding and they did a wonderful job. They were very organized and everyone raved about the food and how they loved it. Great Food and Wonderful Service. Thank you so much!!!! Pros: Great Food, Great Service!! more

A great place to take a date or family out to dinner. They have some of the best pizza, calzone and a Italian food around. Seating can be tight, so make a reservation! If they made the restaurant bigger they would pack in the crowds! This is definitely a place to try! more