Ciao Bella

The food was lovely, and great value, but they pack way too many people into a small space. We were down stairs and they crammed us all in like sardines. As I say the food was fantastic, I had pasta, which was delicious, cooked to perfection, but please MORE SPACE !
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Friday, June 29, 2007

A fantastic gem hidden away in the heart of bloomsbury. I first discovered this restaurant when a friend and I were struggling to think of where we wanted to eat, she mentioned an 'authentic Italian place' and I was sold! I love this place, I'm a local to this area and often eat here, I always get excited when taking new poeple to share the experience! The food is fantastic, I've tried most things on the menu and never had a bad plate! The service is always great, nice friendly authentic staff! If there was a downfall, it's that it's sooo busy! And you can sometimes feel a little pressure to hurry up and make way for the next people clambering through the door! I can totaly understand why though! Go on try it - you won't be disappointed!
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Shaun Prime
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 13, 2007

I've been here a few times. The food is lovely, especially the pizzas. But the last time I was told I had to be out by 8, though I'd booked in advance. (Was told: 'You only booked this morning'.) Then we were put on a table that was squashed right up against the ones on either side (It was like one long table they were so near). In spite of insisting on this squash, the rest of the place remained only half full for the duration of our visit.

The waiters were very nice, but anxious to get our orders and get us out of there. Not sure I'll go back.
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Deirdre
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 09, 2007

Absolutely delightful: great, unpretentious Italian food and good wine in cosy surroundings, with good, friendly service, and reasonable prices. If I lived in the area, I would be a very regular guest.

Ciao Bella is the first Italian trattoria style restaurant I have been to in England that lives up to the "authentic" moniker.

For more sophisticated, Italian fine dining, try Montpeliano in Knightsbridge -excellent, but too expensive for most occasions.

For a good, solid Italian meal that does not break the bank, however, Ciao Bella is by far the best place I have tried in the UK. Very highly recommended.
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JRS - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 04, 2007

I have been here twice and I love it. Went with my Italian fiancee and her friend and we were all impressed. It was absolutely jam-packed and the atmosphere was great. The service was friendly and speedy, a real feat considering the amount of covers they were turning over. Pizzas authentic, fantastic Gewurtztraminer from Alto Adige, olives and grissini on the table as you arrive. We need more places like this. A fantastic neighbourhood trattoria!
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Robert Donelan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 01, 2007

This is my favourite Italian in London and that includes all the show pony restaurants like Locanda Locatelli and Cipriani. Food and atmosphere are very authentic - I nearly always have the Osso Bucco as it is just so damn good. The pastas are always sauced properly and come in large portions - The Veal Milanese is streets ahead of its £30+ equivalent at Cipriani. Their wine list is fantastic and extremely good value - how many local tratts have Sassicias, Tiganellos and Gajas just sitting on the shelf like house wine?!! We are always looked after really well at Ciao Bella, especially my children - we feel like part of the family. London needs more places like this. Simply brilliant.
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Nick Lambert
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 12, 2007

im in complete agreement with the majority of the reviews on this page. Ciao bella really is the genuine article. Its authentic, good quality, and correctly priced italian food, with a very comprehensive range (tho i suppose that the comment on vegetarian options could be warranted), with a nice home cooked feel.

Im curious as to what exactly one of the earlier reviewer's gripe with ciao bella was, since he/she admits that the food was "good, and cheap", though this was not what the aformentioned diner was expecting! What exactly was expected? a pretentiously pulchritudinous, and inordinately priced, inauthentic - £25 for a plate of risotto ai funghi, or linguine con vonghole, as available in many of the 'nouvelle cuisine' italian restaurants scattered around knightsbridge??

Speaking as an italian, im not sure what more could be expected from an "Italian" restaurant. I myself and the friends i went with (most of who were also italian) were all very suitably impressed.

grazie assai a ciao bella!

e proprio benissimo!
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Tommaso Semini
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 12, 2007

The food here is very very good although in my humble opinion italian cuisine is not the most difficult to prepare. The Atmosphere is great you almost feel as you are in rome, very nice touches around the place even if the several pictures of elvis seem a little out of place! I would recommend this for a group of friends but so much for a romantic meal
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David Miller
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 05, 2007

I have been going to this restaurant for a few years now. I think it is absolutely fantastic & have recommended & would recommend it for anybody who is looking for a good night out. The food is amazing - have not tasted better Italian in London - the service is great! Everybody is really friendly & so accommodating! Please try it, it is fantastic!
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Sheridan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, February 03, 2007

I've recently moved to the area and have only been once, but the saltimbocca I had was very good and entirely authentic. I'd definitely go back.
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Jamesh
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 19, 2007