Bella Sera of Fredericksburg Texas — Restaurant in Fredericksburg

After a long day of winery hopping and tastings, my bestfriend and I were getting really hungry. We decided we were going to get italian for dinner and it didnt matter whether we drove back to San Antonio or just dined in Fredericksburg. After deciding on how much easier it would be to stay in town since it would probably be a wait at some other restaurant plus an hour drive to even eat.

We googled italian restaurants and this place seemed to be the only italian restaurant that served chicken alfredo since thats what bestfriend wanted.

Heads were hurting cause all we had was wine and water (our fault) so we were happy to find a place so quickly. Upon our arrival, the place looked rundown. I couldnt tell if that was supposed to be part of the charm of authenticity but it looked like it used to be some kind of diner and then turned into an italian restaurant. I didnt feel very inclined to try it out when we parked but my bestfriend wanted to give the place a chance because she really wanted her chicken alfredo.

We go inside and to our surprise, its empty. Beside one family. The ten cars outside were very misleading and it definitely made me question if they were even worth trying. We are sat down immediately and we both order chicken alfredo and calamari as appetizer and round of waters to drink.

The water was brought in plastic colored cups and the water was funny tasting. I tried not to complain about anything yet. But just these first few minutes, I was waiting for something to change my mind.

Next, the bread and salads were brought out. Again, nothing was meeting my expectations and I was beginning to think this was just a low quality italian place. Then the calamari arrived and it tasted so plasticky according to my bestfriend. I thought it was very plasticky as well. We didnt eat anymore of it.

Then the pasta dishes came out shortly after and I thought that was way too fast, but I guess since we were the only ones there, it was reasonable. I took a bite and the pasta sauce was so bland and watery. I was so upset. I was thinking maybe its cause I still had like wine in my mouth. i drank some water and took another bite with the chicken and it was just as worst as the first bite. I couldnt finish the pasta. The chicken was so dry that I couldnt bring myself to eat something so disgusting especially if i am paying for it. I asked the waiter to take it back cause I didnt like it. He said whats wrong with it with a bit of a tone. I said i just didnt like it. He said well can you tell me whats wrong? I have to tell them why Im bringing it back I said okay, the sauce is bland and watery and the chicken is dry. He took my plate and walked off. I just sat there talking to my bestfriend how we should just leave. She just wanted to get something in her belly to get rid of her headache, so we stayed until she was ready.

The waiter came back and asked if I wanted something else, I said no thank you. Then he said i gave you a military discount.

I wish I would have more energy to fight that I was not going to pay for my food cause i didnt eat anything. I cant beleive they were not gonna comp my meal. I left frustrated and determined to leave this place a review to share my unfortunate experience in hopes to warn others not to bother trying this place like bestfriend and I did. It was a total and complete waste of time and money. The fact that they did not comp my meal after not even touching anything left me with such a distasteful feeling and I am still angry that I did not have the energy to speak my...

I suppose they're too busy, and I can only speak to my own experience here today, but I have to say, today, Bella Sera chose, chose, to be terrible. It's probably the most disappointing experience I've had at a restaurant. I've been to places where the food was bad or the service was bad. Here, I had maybe the best Alfredo sauce I've ever had, and then they proceeded to disappoint. It pains me, because they are fully capable of being excellent. Not just Fredericksburg excellent, but truly very good. So, they were very busy, and I get it, so the waitress forgetting our appetizer or bringing out dipping sauce (upcharge) 20 minutes after the bread, meh, ok I'm actually ok with that. I get it. However, when they brought out the Alfredo sauce for dipping, I have to say, it was a revelation, very, very good. I'm not ashamed to say that, having no more bread left, I ate it off the spoon until it was basically gone. Needless to say, I was very much looking forward to the chicken alfredo, and so was my girlfriend. I mean, good lord, the waiting and ish service was an afterthought if the food was going to be that delectable! Here come the plates! Omg, I'm so ready for it! I can compare it to finding out Santa is really your parents, that's the base level disappointment I felt. It was as if someone took a water hose sprayer and doused it nice and long on my pasta alfredo. When I say watery, I mean, I'm talking tears of angels, Florentine fountains, Venetian canals, had nothing on this pasta. Frankly, I was awestruck. I'm still a little dumbfounded. Perhaps I'm uncultured and throwing a ladle of pasta water on the alfredo is a tradition of which I am unaware. But I doubt it. Probably, in their haste, to serve so many customers, who rightly so, flock to such marvelous flavors, they unintentionally flopped my pasta with a light dousing of sauce. Now, dear reader, you may think I'm being a tad dramatic, or making too big a deal out of this experience. But I'm very tolerant and when I say disappointment, I really mean it. How? How can a restaurant make such an amazingly delicious product and then trash it? I can only think they were overwhelmed. My girlfriend walked up front to ask for some cups of sauce, but I knew, we'd be waiting 20 to 30 more minutes before it came. So, I kindly asked for the check, told the waitress the pasta was so very watery, and just left after paying and tipping well, because this was not her fault. Bella Sera, you are better than this! Or, at least, you can be. Your sauce is amazing, so please pour it on the pasta and please don't water it down before serving. I don't really write reviews, but I can tell you that this place inspired me, because the potential, the beautiful potential, that I'm certain has been realized on many a night, simply failed today. I normally wouldn't bother to write about a place where the food was mediocre or I had a bad experience, it happens. But this place, the sauce is great, they are great! But out of carelessness or for being in a hurry, or whatever... Bella Sera really let me down. It was going to be so good, so good! And then it wasn't, it was maybe the worst restaurant experience I've had. Not because they were bad, but because they are soooo good and chose to be significantly less than, on this night. It's like when your parents say they're not mad at you, they're just disappointed. Bella Sera, I'm not mad, your alfredo is delicious, I just wish you would have put some...

I usually don’t write reviews, but my experience Bella sera Fredericksburg tx was so shockingly bad I feel obligated to warn others.

First off, the food was unacceptable. The salami on my parents salad was brown and visibly discolored—clearly not fresh and possibly unsafe. My mom also noted the salad did not taste correctly.

So I decided to take it back to the store. Took it to the very nice young man in the front and he went to his boss and his boss loudly asked “whats up man”. The young man shows the food to his boss and the Boss automatically looks at me and begins to complain that my family and I keep coming back (mind you we did not get the correct order the FIRST time). He then comes from the back kitchen….

Even worse than the food was the treatment I received. The owner continuously and adamantly referred to me as “girl” in a condescending tone, which felt racially charged and deeply disrespectful. When I said “Excuse me, what did you call me?” And he looked me into my eyes and said “GIRL” and I, at that point let him know my full first name. At one point, he literally threw my salad onto the front table and yelled at me from the kitchen. After continuously letting me know “He cut it today girl”. The meat was 2 different colors of brown and grey. It was demeaning and completely uncalled for.

After my aunt called the manager and asked what happened he proceeded to lie and say I caused a scene and that he called me “ma’am”. Then admitted he called me “Girl”. She then educated him on what the phrase “Girl” means according to African Americans in America.

The atmosphere was chaotic and hostile—nothing like the welcoming, family-style service you expect in Fredericksburg. I left feeling angry and disturbed.

Bella Sera is not worth your time, money, or dignity. I will never return, and I strongly encourage others to avoid this...