Bella Italia — Restaurant in Lampasas

my bf and i went here a couple nights ago and to be honest we were very disappointed. he ordered the meat stromboli which was not bad, he actually loved it. but the tortellini michaelangelo was a mess. the sauce was cold, the tortellini was seriously undercooked (it was doughy and the cheese inside wasn’t melted or smooth instead it was mushy and grainy). the waitress must have been new or something because when we were ordering our food it seemed like she had no idea what we were talking about. keep in mind this is our first time here so we really didn’t know the menu or anything. when my boyfriend ordered the stromboli she said, “with what?” and it confused us because the menu didn’t say it came with anything. she then clarified that she was asking , “what else can i get you”. it made us feel really stupid. with my meal, the tortellini michaelangelo, i got a salad with it and she asked which dressing i wanted, but i didn’t know which ones they had so i asked her and she had no idea. she just said, “do you just want ranch?” and i went with it because it was late and we were in a hurry. THEN when our food arrived, i wasn’t done with my salad but as she set my meal plate down she took away my salad before i got a chance to finish it. the tortellini was very bland, just tasted like a baby bel cheese wheel. then when we asked for the bill, the waitress handed us a written ticket that had our order on there, but not everything was on there like our drinks and dessert that we had ordered, and there was no pricing on it so we had no idea how much the food would cost until we went up to the counter and paid. i was super excited to eat some Italian food because it’s been a while since i have and to go to a restaurant that seemed so promising only to get bad service and super bland, undercooked food really disappointed me. overall though id have to say it wasn’t a good experience at all and we will not be returning...

Food: Good, price unsure my husband grabbed the check Service: phenomenal even as she was learning she did everything to ensure we were taken care of without being over bearing and was a pleasant young lady Atmosphere: don't sit in the front near the bar is my recommendation. I did not enjoy being discussed. My husband and I decided to go to Lampasas because they have mini golf and we didn't feel like driving to Round Rock. Italian with gluten free options is always a must try. Our waitress was friendly; we could tell she was new which wasn't a problem for us. We've all done new things and had to learn there is no shame in that. What is a shame is her asking her colleagues whether or not if the Scampi was just a white wine reduction or if they used flour as a thickening agent and her colleagues taking that and running with it. I don't enjoy being stared down or being whispered about after the matter is settled. "Who does she think she is?" I think I'm someone who wants to enjoy the food without getting sick so I have to ask these questions. Sitting at the front table by the bar where they were standing and whispering I could hear everything in the borderline empty restaurant. The hostess and our waitress were the ones who were the most helpful to us today. Now, I get work place dynamic but, for someone to go from smiling to not in an instant it was certainly something. Caused enough concern I asked our waitress if she was okay and I explained what her colleagues were doing and if she wasn't okay to let me know. I will happily talk to someone about what I witnessed to ensure that isn't an enviornment she HAS to deal with. The scampi was everything I expected light, fresh, and the right balance of garlic and butter. My husband enjoy his Minestrone but did say the bread wasn't flavorful like he expected of garlic knots. He did enjoy the pasta combo as well even brought home...

Bella Italia: A Lesson in Missed Opportunities

In the mood for a cozy Italian evening, my husband and I set out with high hopes, our appetites leading the way. After weighing our options between Olive Garden and Bella Italia, I chose the latter, charmed by its quaint, inviting exterior that whispered promises of authentic comfort.

The welcome was warm enough — our waitress had a sweet demeanor — but she seemed unfamiliar with the menu, which hinted at a lack of polish. We began with a tomato caprese salad, a dish that should sing with freshness and balance. Instead, it arrived timid and lifeless, in desperate need of the balsamic kick we had to request.

The soups followed, one lukewarm, the other scalding, as if the kitchen had confused “temperature contrast” with “culinary creativity.” Then came the mains, where I anticipated redemption. I ordered the Bella Italia chicken dinner — the supposed crown jewel of the menu — but was met with a dry, overcooked bird drowning in a tsunami of lemon. Two bites in, I surrendered my fork. My husband’s chicken Parmesan fared no better: the meat was tough and unyielding, more work than pleasure.

What lingered more than the disappointing flavors was the silence — our server never inquired about our entrées, as if the absence of commentary might mask our dissatisfaction.

The final bill, $70, was made even more sour by a curious charge: we’d been told there’d be an “upcharge” for swapping soups, yet found ourselves billed for two full bowls at $6.99 apiece — a clever rebranding of the word upgrade.

We left Bella Italia not with the warmth of Italian hospitality, but with the lingering taste of missed opportunity. A change in care, both in the kitchen and in service, could turn this charming space into the haven it promises to be. Until then, consider yourself warned: not all that glitters in the glow of an Italian...