Nella Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in California

Proof that God blesses palates bold enough to wander beyond brisket.

So there I was, a Texas BBQ believer, wandering the rolling hills of Los Olivos with my sharp-witted bride and a mighty appetite, when we asked a local where to eat. Now, I’m a man of faith in smoke rings and char lines, but when that local uttered “Nella Kitchen & Bar,” I felt something shift in my brisket-loving soul.

We strolled up to this classy little gem tucked inside the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn just before lunchtime: no reservation, no plan, just a prayer and a pocketful of optimism. And wouldn’t you know it? We were seated immediately outside on their picture-perfect patio. Texans, you’ll understand the gravity of this: it was June, and we were happily sitting outside. In Texas, you’d be halfway to heat stroke by then.

Our server? A hospitality ninja. Friendly, fast, and more graceful than a longhorn ballerina. Wine country rules say you start with a glass, and who was I to challenge the law? I went with a red that tasted like it had been aged in oak barrels and angel wings. My wife, ever the class act, chose a crisp white that practically danced out of the glass.

Now, buckle up: the special of the day was fried artichoke hearts, and I mean fried to a golden crisp like they’d just come outta heaven’s air fryer. Creamy, crunchy, drizzled with something magical and shredded with enough cheese to make a cow blush. Hands down, our new favorite appetizer of all time. I didn’t even think I liked artichokes and now I would fight someone for the last bite of these.

And then came the bread and butter. Let me say this as clearly as I can: if you go to Nella and don’t order the bread, you need to rethink your life choices. The bread was warm, fluffy, and had a crust so perfectly chewy it made me emotional. That butter? So rich and golden I almost asked it to dance.

Now for the mains: my wife, adventurous as ever, ordered the Pulled Muscovy Duck Salad and folks, it looked like the cover of Fancy Lettuce Monthly. Frisée, apple, grapes, mushrooms, chile, walnuts, and a soy-lemon vinaigrette that made the whole thing sing like an Italian opera. She said it was amazing.

As for me? You already know. If there’s lamb on the menu, I’m ordering it before the waiter finishes saying it. The Lamb Chops Scottadito came perched over roasted potatoes, bell peppers, and earthy porcini mushrooms, all kissed with a bright, herby chimichurri. The chops were juicy, tender, and cooked so perfectly I might’ve teared up a little.

We didn’t make it to dessert. Not because we didn’t want to — but because we’d hit flavor capacity and needed a nap, a sunset, and a moment of quiet reflection.

TL;DR: If you find yourself in Los Olivos with the sun shining and your stomach rumbling, Nella Kitchen & Bar isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a calling. From the first bite of artichoke to the last sip of wine, it’s where upscale Italian meets patio-perfected relaxation. We’ll be back. Heck, I’d book a flight just for...

I am compelled to leave a review detailing my abysmal experience at Nella Kitchen and Bar, and quite frankly, it has left me utterly disappointed.

My party had a reservation for inside seating, but upon arrival, we were inexplicably directed to an outdoor table. Despite bringing this to the attention of the manager, Vanessa, the response was nothing short of appalling. Not only did she fail to acknowledge the mistake in a professional and respectful manner, but she also displayed an alarming level of condescension, rudeness, and, regrettably, a hint of racism.

The way Vanessa handled our simple inquiry was beyond belief. It is disheartening to encounter such blatant disrespect from a manager who should be the epitome of customer service. Racism has no place in any establishment, and it is deeply disappointing to witness such behavior.

In addition to the appalling customer service, the delay in seating and the subsequent lack of acknowledgment further contributed to an already unpleasant experience. It is disheartening to see an establishment prioritize their own shortcomings over the satisfaction and comfort of their patrons.

I implore anyone considering Nella Kitchen and Bar to think twice before subjecting themselves to such a deplorable experience. Customer service is paramount in the hospitality industry, and unfortunately, Nella Kitchen and Bar has failed miserably in...

We ended up at Nella's yesterday for the 4th of July. Service was slow for getting drinks, but when they arrived they were tasty. The meatballs were cold, but had good flavor and the baguette was enjoyable, not that anyone asked. Our waitress was hands off, didn't really engage with us, and didn't check in. I wanted another drink but I didn't have the opportunity to ask. Now is where things get hairy. I ordered the bolognese and it had great flavor. I enjoyed a few bites until I encountered a long black curly hair embedded around my noodles. Sometimes mistakes are made and we move past them with grace, perhaps an apology, maybe a manager popping over to check in. None of that happened here, at an establishment charging more than $50-$100 per person. The plate was whisked away, no apology, and then crickets from our waiter until the check came with the item removed. It was the lack of acknowledgement not the actual hair (although disgusting) that was the problem here. More should be done in these situations and if the waitresses are ill equipped to handle it, then a manager should have...