Ciao Bella

I was sold the idea of coming to this restaurant by a local regular but I'm having trouble saying I liked it - because I didn't.

The best part of the visit was the food, which wasn't too impressive. The ham was clearly from a supermarket packet and the cheeseboard was more board than cheese. It filled me up, though, so in one regard I can't complain.

Service was brusque, though brisk. Throughout the meal I felt as though I was being rushed through. But I also felt I wouldn't be kept waiting. I'm trying to allow for the fact that I was unfortunately seated in a high-traffic area, but I still felt a few cool heads among the staff would have been of benefit.

The atmosphere was my biggest bugbear. We were seated downstairs where the acoustics were so terrible, I was having to lipread my company. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there were moments the ambient noise reached nightclub levels. Too much for me.

I felt the bill was a little steep for what we had. Probably fine for a corporate event. But I wouldn't bring a date here.
Comment on this reader review

Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Food is reasonable (not spectacular) but the service is execrable. Along with shooing my friends and me away from an unoccupied table, the staff treated us with contempt.
Comment on this reader review

3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Love this place. Some of the waiters can be a little snippy but it somehow does not matter as the food is wonderful (don't know what it is called but the seafood spaghetti baked in a huge greaseproof bag is amazing) Brave outside, with the exterior heaters for a lovely, winter dining treat.
Comment on this reader review

Leeejack - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Thursday, December 17, 2009

4 of us booked for lunch on Saturday 21st November as we had walked past on the Friday night and it was very busy and the gorgeous smells just wafted up the street. We all had different pasta dishes which were absolutely delicious and ridiculously cheap, we were treated like a member of the 'family' and were pampered to the point of staying there for 3 hours! What a warm place with loads of atmosphere and friendly excellent service, 3 of us have booked to go again next week with other friends.
Comment on this reader review

10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A few years ago this place excellent so I was excited to be in the area and make an impromptu visit for dinner.

Whilst it is still buziing with a good atmosphere, that past excellence has now been replaced by rude service (No smile, please or thankyous even after paying the bill), and appalling food.

A cream based pasta dish was not fresh - arrived in 5mins and was off like some dairy ingredient had not been refrigerated properly.

The meat balls do not have taste or texture of meat.

This is certainly not the 'Ciao Bella' of a few years back - Avoid.
Comment on this reader review

5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Thursday, August 27, 2009

Egregiously rude waiter spoilt lunch for me and my party
Comment on this reader review

Oliver Cottingham
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, July 26, 2009

Went here for the first time recently and really enjoyed it - a classic Italian. It was busy but they fairly cram the tables in so we were still able to get a seat on a Saturday night. Nice food - good, broad menu; good location and nice to sit outside on a warm summer night.
Comment on this reader review

Mrs B
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Excellant italian. friendly, good value, good food
Comment on this reader review

Pete
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 14, 2009