Ciao belli pasta and pizza — Restaurant in Albert-Eden

Booking for 10 people. We have been to this restaurant and the sister restaurant a number of times and based on this experience would not go back! I'm guessing new management who has no idea how to manage a restaurant. I'll start with the positives as there are only a few. Nick the manager & lady who served us were both really lovely and the food was outstanding! Nick also gave our daughter a free Ice Cream for her birthday and played a song and sung which was awesome and we really appreciated their efforts. It went down hill when we couldn't actually get around the table as the space was too small and we had to move the tables out to allow people to get in. The drinks (not the beer or wine) mocktails and cocktails were very average and no one liked them at all. Nick did check and he added extra alcohol, but it was still very weak. My daughter was asked multiple times for ID for her Mocktail (no alcohol)?! Trying to get someone to take our order took ages and no one checked in to see if we were ready. The orders were taken perfectly and we got exactly what we ordered. Starters were served (very yummy) but there were no plates so needed to ask for these. Mains arrived (they were amazing), but some had spaghetti and there were no spoons on the table. When asked for spoons we were given 1 teaspoon and had to ask for dessertspoons (multiple). My husband and father in law went up to pay - all sorted we thought. We got in the door at home and I received a call to say we had been charged for the wrong table and we still owed them money?! Their mistake, but I still paid. I then received a text message not less than 1/2hr later to say had I paid as they were closing....we were still celebrating our daughters birthday, but I took the time to pay the outstanding amount. Should have been done and dusted...but no, on the Tuesday after our Saturday booking I get a text to say the "boss has said you haven't paid and can you check you bank account"... I had paid and provided proof, only to get a text to say "oh sorry my boss got it wrong and ask me to apologise"??!! At this stage an apology doesn't cut the mustard and no offer of a discount or apology for the poor service that was provided. It is really sad as the food is outstanding, but I would NOT go back based on the horrendous experience and service we were given.

The new Ciao Belli team need to focus on customer service and remembering that if the restaurant makes a mistake it is not the customers mistake. You should also not make your customers feel like they have not paid their bills when in fact they have, but it was the managers fault that we were charged wrong. I'm not expecting an apology, but that would go along way I guess?! We won't be back and will not recommend...

I stumbled into Ciao Belli like a madman, my adrenaline still pumping from a high speed chase that could have given Steve McQueen a run for his money. But the moment I stepped into that Italian restaurant in Kingsland Auckland, I knew I had found my safe haven.

I ordered the arancini balls with pork and rice and let me tell you, those little spheres of heaven were like a gift from the gods themselves. The gnocchi with its insane cheese sauce was like a religious experience that made me want to confess all my sins.

But it was the signature pizza dish named after the restaurant that really blew my mind. The prosciutto and fresh mozzarella combo was like a symphony in my mouth, with every bite playing a different note.

And then, after that last slice of pizza, something happened. It was as if the ghost of Ray Liotta himself had materialized before me, his eyes staring deep into my soul and saying, "You made the right choice, Sammy. This pizza is worth any risk."

The red wine was the perfect accompaniment to this Italian feast, working its magic to take the edge off of my high-speed escapades.

So, if you're ever in Kingsland Auckland and find yourself in need of a little escape from the madness of the world, head on over to Ciao Belli. The arancini balls, gnocchi, and signature pizza dish are a ticket to paradise, and who knows, you might just get a glimpse of Ray Liotta's ghost while you're there. Thank you, Ciao Belli, for saving my sanity and...

First visited on what was supposed to be our last day in Auckland. Two of our group of six were just too tired to come with us, so we ended up both eating in and taking additional food as take out. Everything we ordered was amazing! The stand-outs came from their homemade pasta menu, with the ravioli and gnocchi options we ordered being absolutely delicious. As someone who uses a family marinara sauce recipe passed down through our Italian family, I can say their marinara sauce is incredibly well executed. Perhaps just a tad bit too much salt but otherwise just spot-on authentic Italian marinara.

Our experience was so good, our whole group ended up going back for dinner the next day as well after our initial flight home was cancelled. Their pizza is a Neapolitan-style and was very well made. The crust had great chew and the cooking style really complemented the ingredients they used. Delicious and re-heated well for leftovers as well.

Their gelato is very well executed, obviously using a high-fat cream mix resulting in a decadent product with great mouth-feel and incredible flavors. We ordered the sweet-and-salty option both nights and it we were not disappointed. Also finished both dine-in orders with the Tiramisu which was delicate and a perfect balance of flavors. Not too heavy on the coffee and the cream was light and fluffy. Would...