Dolly Lappico
I've been coming here for years. I love how it is nestled into a strip mall. I think I was shopping at one of those hard core places like TJ Maxx where you have to scour through everything when I was so hungry I thought I was going to faint. I stopped in here for a quick bite and ordered the cucumber and onion salad. I was so shocked at how it was just like my mothers I've been going back ever since.
Today I had one of their specialties, the Gorgonzola Chicken per our servers suggestion. Not something I would usually order, but it was particularly good, rich and filling. The sauce was a great consistency, the Gorgonzola was not over powering. Just the right combination of flavors.
I was really hungry so I had a Mista salad, very refreshing and tangy. And not just that ladies and gentleman, but I also had the aioli y olio. The garlic was sliced thin and toasted just the way it should be. The angel hair was al dente.
The punk had the spaghetti, great big portion for kids! They put the sauce on the side which I thought was a great touch for kids. She loved it and frankly, so did I! Yes, I ate some of hers also.
Mom came with us for the gluten-free pasta. She really liked her dish of rolled eggplant with a side of meatballs. It came with pasta on the side, so she ordered the GF Penne. It came loaded with plenty of sauce, the way I like it. The meatballs are firmer than sauce dropped, but had a superior flavor. And, yes, I ate one of her meatballs.
Mr. Particular had the meatball sub with the cucumber and onion salad. He ate it all without complaint, which is rather astonishing. It seems he always has some way to improve. The bread looks as if it is made in house, crusty and perfectly toasted to a perfect brown.
Fast eater daughter, had the half order of the pesto pasta. What a ridiculous amount for a half order. A whole order might feed an average person for a week. You can order the preparation style on any pasta you choose. She chose the penne. I'd have to say it was coated well, but not swamped which is good with a pesto. It was not at all greasy like pesto can be. And yes, I managed to get a bite before it was gone.
The punk then ordered the chocolate cake, which if you look at the picture, it was half gone before I got the snapshot. That cake was amazing. I've never really had cake like that. It sort of melted in your mouth but left a great after taste. Not even sure how you can do that with chocolate cake. I'm not really a dessert fan, but I may have to go back just for that cake. So by now, you can see that I could barely get up and walk out since I ate everything!
Mom had the spumoni, which I learned something new, spumoni is only 4 flavors, cherry, pistachio, chocolate and vanilla. What a beautiful presentation. It comes in a wedge with an interesting design. Check out the picture. I actually didn't try that but it was gone and I think Mom was the only one who ate any. Suffice it to say, it must have been delicious.
Overall, this is a great place to stop in for a long lingering lunch in the afternoon. Have a cold glass of Italian Pinot Grigio which is a huge pour. No skimping there. Eat slowly and enjoy yourself, watch the shoppers stroll by. Try to go with others that know how to savor flavors and not rush you through this meal. I guess I'm saying, this place make you want to eat Italian style.
Michael Muldrow
Amazing food and great staff. The owner is so hospitable. I had the veal parmigiana and was so impressed. Their red sauce is to die for.
Anthony Bernardi
Love this place, excellent food with an old-school Italian deli feel. It’s like eating on the set of the Sopranos haha Food is A+
Crystal Aguilar
Anytime I am in the desert I want to visit Bella Cucina for it’s delicious Italian food. Small place but not small in flavor
bradley frago
We absolutely loved it!! We were a party of 5 including our 4 year old son. Tony and his wife Elena treated us like we were family coming to visit from out of town. They truly do put their hearts into their food and service. Every dish was absolute perfection from the pastas to the seafood to the amazing Canoli and homemade spumoni. It was truly a wonderful dining "experience".
Cheri Trozzi
I don't care for Italian food. I don't like pasta of any sort. I am always full after two bites. I also don't like bread (or rice). I married a Sicilian 30 years ago. I am just acquiring a taste for Italian food. My husband raves about their one dish. It is a meat that is very thin and tender. I'm letting you know that it's almost as good as his grandma
Harley Partelow
The eggplant parmigiana is outstanding and TONY’s homemade red sauce is wonderful. Must mention the Great warm fresh made bread! Can’t beat it! La Bella Cucina is a warm, friendly place to have a meal and be treated with care and respect by all staff! Service is excellent! Thanks Tony.
Jeff Davies
This is an authentic New York Italian restaurant with wonderful saucy dishes. We had low expectations with the strip mall location and fluorescent lights over the counter, but the menu, staff, and especially the food won us over. The prices are reasonable because you aren't paying for ambiance.
Vani Aggarwal
The customer service and food is amazing. The owner personally helped us choose our food. Personally, I am a SUPER picky eater, but he managed to work around that. For the first time, I finished a whole bowl of pasta in one sitting. Two thumbs up 👍👍
Cheri Trozzi
My best friend and her husband love this place. It a small cozy place. Only beer and wine. I love cloth table covers and cloth napkins. Real Italian restaurant. My husband is Sicilian. They make a dish that is hard to make and this place makes it to perfection. This dish is the only thing he orders and raves about. I don't remember the name but if you are Italian you might know what this dish is. It is a meat dish. The meat is sliced extremely thin, I think it is rolled up and cooked with marinara sauce. I don't know what kind of meat but most Italian restaurants
don't make it and if they do, it's not good. Unless you watched your "nano
Pete Hereld
Had a very enjoyable Anniversary dinner there last night. Its not a white table cloth kind of place but was comfortable and the food / service was great! The Mediterranean salad, traditional anti pasta, and Osso bucco were all top notch! We will be back next time we are in town. Thanks for a great evening!
Dawn Lucero
Outstanding, charming, food is over the top. We had the owner as our server. He was so genuine. We had chicken gonazola. Prepared perfect. Next time we are in palm dessert we will return.
Laura Fitzmaurice
Delightfully surprised. We had the Rigatoni and it was fabulous. Our meal also came with bread and olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Great service and hospitality. The also have half orders.
Kajira Bound
The best, most amazing HOMEMADE Italian food I've ever had. And they have amazing gluten free pasta and can custom make any of the sauces to be gluten free as well. This place is a gem.
Robert Hollenbeck
My favorite Italian restaurant in the desert. Been going for 23 years. Sadly because of pandemic they have closed for good.
Only doing catering now. They will be truly missed.
Bailey Ramirez
This place has amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambiance, amazing... everything! The food was delicious and flavorful, the staff attentive and friendly, the building itself was clean and well kept, I would love to come here again!!!
Joyce Lizama
Small menu. Moderately price items. Outside eating in front. CLEAN ladies restroom. Great staff. Nice, "burpy" club soda. CLEAN ladies restrooms. Oh and did I mention the CLEAN ladies restroom? 😊
Christiane Joubert
Always welcoming. Great service. Good food. Usually have same thing, Calimari Salad, which I love! Often take some to go.
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