Bella Notte — Restaurant in Lexington

A MUST go to for Italian dining! I’m not a food picture taker, but I should have for this! I almost don’t want to share b/c it is a gem that I wouldn’t want to be exploited, but it is absolutely worth sharing as well! Atmosphere- authentically warm and inviting, the hostesses were amazing as first points of contact! The kitchen open viewing was encouraging! Clean, transparent, seemingly good team work and rhythm. Our server, Talyn, said she was newer, but you wouldn’t have known it. She was informed about every entree, shared specifics in detail, helpful in providing direction for each of our tastes and wonderfully attentive. She mentioned server food training I think, and if that is a practice for Belle Notte, I applaud it! For our dining pleasure we enjoyed (no judgement, it was my birthday and we were torn wanting to try everything- and we do enjoy leftovers) first, the tomato soup - OUTSTANDING! It’s no wonder they keep this recipe a secret! My husband and I also shared 3 entrees; two of the evening specials- the scallops and Ono fish entrees plus the baked ravioli. All EXCEPTIONAL! Each of them!!!! The pasta sauce (WOW!!!!!) you just have to try it! Not enough words to describe the tasty, flavorful, meat rich, layered flavors -with a slight hint of heat- perfection! The scallops were seared and cooked perfectly, then lemon butter sauce- mouth watering deliciousness, and the Ono (pleasant surprise for this Hawaiian) was prepared just perfectly -without too much fuss to distract from the fabulous fish, and accompanied by the delicious crispy, honey brussel sprouts! We devoured the seafoods, savored the pastas and can’t wait to enjoy the leftover pastas! (Pork chops are next on our list, since 4 entrees for 2 seemed excessive, lol!) I also have the Spring berry tart dessert offering that I will no doubt (indulgently) relish after we spoil ourselves with the leftover pasta. Additionally, the affordability for 2 of us was a bonus! Cocktails, apps, 3 entrees, and dessert with a healthy gratuity added was fine dining service/taste on a working class budget! Thank you to manager, Kyle, for making time to stop and welcome us as first timers. That made us feel special, warm and welcomed! Can’t wait to make Bella Notte a part of our (bourbon run when we) return...

On a Saturday afternoon, while shopping with my wife, the Fat Man thought some Italian food was what this day called for. So, we found ourselves at Bella Notte off Nicholasville Road in Lexington, Kentucky. Bella Notte offers rustic Italian trattoria known for its wood-fired meats, freshly baked bread, pasta, and wines.

We started with Meatballs al Forno. They were topped with arrabiata sauce, mozzarella & provolone cheese and served with homemade ciabatta bread. The meatballs were moist, flavorful, and tender; they melted in your mouth. The arrabiata marinara is chunky with great acid and pleasant heat, while the provolone is melted well and has an excellent stretch. The bread had a good char and butter level, and it paired well with the sauce.

We split a Caesar Salad. The salad dressing is creamy with a tang, and the amount of dressing is spot on. The croutons offer great crunch and texture to the salad, which comes with shaved Parmesan cheese. My only knock is I would have liked more cheese.

My wife ordered the Penne Gorgonzola with grilled chicken, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red chilies, and gorgonzola cream sauce. The noodles were cooked perfectly but still had a good chew. The bacon crunch and chew were excellent, as was the salt level. The chicken was tender and flavorful, while the sun-dried tomatoes offered a sweet note that cut through the heavy, delicious, creamy sauce that coats the dish magnificently.

I went with Chicken Parmesan, which comes with hand-breaded chicken, mozzarella and provolone cheese, basil, spaghetti, and marinara. The noodles were cooked al dente, and the marinara was chunky, adding a good salt level. The breading on the chicken was crunchy and flavorful. The chicken was tender and juicy; it had excellent flavor.

We also split the Crispy Brussels sprouts with cayenne pepper honey and parmesan. The Brussels were tender with a good chew, the honey was sweet, but there was little heat, and the Parmesan adds saltiness to the dish.

Bella Notte has a full bar and an extensive menu with all your Italian favorites. The waitress was phenomenal. The Fat Man says that Bella Notte is Fat Man Approved...

Food was fantastic, came out fast and pretty. Our server was perfect. Wife and i went out for our birthdays, had never been here before. My first time out after nearly losing my kidney, the last 2 weeks in va hospital circus. We were dressed loud for the occasion. Started out great until food arrived, and i looked up to see a fn phone camera 3 ft from my face filming me thru the glass; i tried to dodge and it followed me. I looked at the two zoomer troll staff behind the phone and they made eye contact and laughed. Imagine that, two entitled greeters who are supposed to be working are filming patrons while they fn eat. I went around the corner and asked if they though they were at the zoo or circus. I saw my image on her phone, still on in her hand. I asked for the manager, took about 10mins, he said he must believe staff when they say they werent doing it, but he will speak to them. I said so the guest that had staff laugh at him with their phone in his face just got the wrong fn impression? He said he cant check their phones..i said why were their fn phones out at work? I paid for the food and left, i was going to walk out on 90$ but wife wouldnt let me. I will never return nor reccomend a place with unprofessional ppl like this. Ruined wifes bday, she cried in the car. Unfnbelieveable. Wasnt offered any comp for the disruption either. Manager, fyi, at least learn lie to the unknown outraged customer, they will never know what happens after they leave, and you dont know what they are. Secret shopper, critic, celeb, nobody.. Thats customer service 101 man. U said they didnt take it, so, if i see that shot anywhere online i will fkn sue the restaurant. Promise. Im a retired vet of 27y and leo, and have nothing better to do with my money. Nothing. FTR, we wouldve proudly posed for a pic if they had asked us to, but paparazzi ambush by staff with my mouth full is never acceptable with todays www. They only were able to take that because they worked there. If a roadie or bodyguard did that behind stage theyd never work...