La Bella Italia — Restaurant in North Island

We have eaten at La Bella Italia twice. Each time the food we were served was of a reasonably high standard. I wish my review could end there but unfortunately that would not be being honest about our experience. I gave the restaurant owners (particularly the owner’s wife) the benefit of the doubt and decided to dine there for a second time after being overcharged the first time we visited. The first time we had things placed on our tab that we did not order and we would have unwittingly paid 15% more had we not thought that our account sounded too high. I thought it strange that the owner's wife did not offer us a receipt to look over when we went to pay. The second time (about three weeks later) things only got worse. The next time we were also not offered a receipt and we were overcharged again. This time they blamed it on their computer system adding up the costs wrong, they could not give us a reasonable explanation as to why they had overcharged us by just under 10%. We left dissatisfied. Added to this we were also charged for a large Euro hot chocolate when my partner was served a medium (he asked for a large, was charged for a large, but was served a medium). We let the hot chocolate slide because it was already an unpleasant experience having to bring up being overcharged. Apart from this there are another couple of things that I would like to mention to people considering dining there. Firstly, while the food is of a pretty reasonable standard, Bella Italia Petone is very expensive when considering what you get for your money. The amount of homemade ravioli that I received in a ‘main’ pasta dish is not much more than a medium sized handful (if that, and including the sauce!) and costs roughly $25. In all honesty, the plate was not worth more than $15 maximum because we had to buy something else given the fact it was the size of a small starter. So, if you want to eat some reasonably good Italian food that is overpriced, a small amount, and that in all likelihood you will get overcharged for when standing at the counter to pay then Bella Italia in Petone is a great place to dine. We will not be returning, but if you decide to go, perhaps ask to receive the bill at you table so you have time to look over it before heading to the...

This restaurant is really cool, both a place to eat and also buy produce and products for italian food. However, the Manager, Luisa Cace was very aloof and unwelcoming, she made us feel like we needed to hurry up although most of the tables were empty and dinner service hadn’t even started as we arrived at 4pm. There was another server, she was possibly a more senior member of staff (darker skin/dark hair) she was also rude uninviting and cleared our plates while we were still eating which is a ‘a big no, no’ in hospitality, the reason being it is rude and also makes patrons feel rushed. We were then asked 3 times if we would like dessert and each time we said no it made us feel super invisible as guests. This all happening while the restaurant wasn’t even busy.

The manager (Luisa) rallied 3 other wait staff and huddled around a neighbouring table which was set up for a large group right next to us and started going through service for the table they were expecting. She spoke to her staff in a demanding and condescending way and it made us feel uncomfortable as they stood quietly and abided even though she was saying things to the effect of “do not do this”, “I don’t want to see this”, counting things out as if they were incompetent ….it totally killed our experience and was hard to watch. Frankly the other staff other than Luisa and the woman that served us looked scared and fearful. Once we finished our food we went to pay, while paying Luisa yelled at her staff across the restaurant “don’t go and ask them twice”. She looked angry and the staff member looked scared. This all while we were standing right in front of her paying. She NEVER said thank you to us or even greeted us goodbye, and just carried on yelling and ignored us. We spent close to $100 and she couldn’t have cared less, we got out of there, and were in a state of shock.

The food was good but the linguine I had wasn’t anything special. A restaurant that we thought was going to be awesome and that has such a cool vibe was truly awful, uncomfortable, and mean spirited. We will...

I had to give it one star in order to post but actually this place deserves 0 stars. The owner is arrogant (presuntuoso arrogante) and makes excuses for his kitchen staffs poor delivery or not paying attention to the needs of the customer. Went here with my wife on my 25th wedding anniversary and ordered what I normally order from this overrated and expensive Italian establishment. Not only did the chef not make what I asked for, but took the liberty to add his own embellishments to my food which made it into a horrible mess and not at all what I was expecting. My wife and I left without completing our meals as once the expectation of a good meal is spoiled then there is no point in hanging around for rushed second tries. We will not be going there again.

I have eaten Italian food around the world, including Rome and Naples and the Italian food at this establishment is not up to the standard they claim it to be. Yes, they have authentic Italian ingredients, some of the staple recommended brands in the industry, SAN Marzano tomatoes and various Italian cheeses, including Grana Padano, but ingredients are just one aspect of the dish. It's the artist, the chef that applies and brings out the greatness of these ingredients. Unfortunately the chef there insults the quality of these ingredients.

There are other really good Italian places around Wellington, where Pizza is made by some really good pizzaiolo's and where the pasta is amazing.

As for this establishment, Antonio needs to make sure that the quality and delivery of his food is what the customer expects and stop...