Bellissimo Restaurant — Restaurant in Montvale

I was convinced by a good friend of mine, got my colleagues and I to have our high school reunion with our plus 1s at Bellissimo. All along I have been informed that Bellissimo was an amazing establishment.

We were holding our reunion from a renowned, recognized, established semi-private high school that is deemed prestigious and excellent within academia. In total approximately between 20 and 30 prospective patrons.

We are all in our mid-50s with established careers inclusive of attorneys, surgeons, engineers, law enforcement, social services and finance, just to detail the caliber of gentlemen that were present.

Throughout the week, my colleague had been in contact with the restaurant inquiring to obtain the private room. Unfortunately, the answer was no. Despite the denial, we agreed to proceed with Bellissimo. My colleague had been fully mesmerized with his prior experience and felt confident that Bellissimo would be the right place and the great environment.

Unfortunately, management did not think this through and accommodated us at the entrance of the dining room in an L-shape format. Our party congregated in that section of our table area and interacted with one another. The rest of the restaurant was bustling and vibrant.

Our assigned server, Orlando, was not amiable at all. Rather he was abrasive, semi-condescending, and subtly rude. He was actually agitated stating he felt he couldn’t do his job because we were not ready to order. In addition, he wanted to do “his job” stating that the BYOB wine was for him to open and serve. We completely appreciate his apparent work ethic, but it’s impossible to keep up with wine bottles being opened every 5 minutes. We told him not to worry about that but it appeared he was merely not fond of the issue at hand.

The most insane part of our Bellissimo experience was that the apparent Maitre D, literally sat and stood at various spots throughout the establishment and simple stared at us in a disapproving manner. It was actually comical, but truthfully it was uncomfortable and disrespectful. If he felt so strong of our form of interaction which was not loud nor distracting, nor disrespectful or obtrusive, his managerial skills were non-existent since his ability to communicate was in oblivion. Pathetic to say the very least.

In the end, after 3pm is hours and a $1200 bill which included a 30% gratuity of $300 to in-deserved Orlando, the Maitre D nor Mr. Orlando ever came to show their appreciation or thank us for our business. It was appalling.

I cannot help to play the race card, if we were 20 something White patrons, would it have been an issue? If Bellissimo decided to be prejudicial or sterotype, my colleagues and I did not provide any reasons to grant them that opportunity. I.e., our attire was professional, our manner of speaking was up to par and respectful, our demeanor was friendly and inviting, but overall our behavior was up to par. I may have expected that from the White Maitre D, but not from Orlando (our Latino brethren). I guess by reading between the lines, we were of Latino, African -American, and West Indian backgrounds.

It’s shameful that our experience was tarnished in the manner Bellissimo treated us. What I have learned that regardless of our education, social status or economic stance, in the eyes of others we are still views upon as “we do not belong in this America”. I hope Bellissimo may change that outlook. I hope Bellissimo realizes that in the end non of this matters, but what matters is how you treat people especially those that help to feed your family.

Sad to say I will not be returning but I hope that they are more mindful of their actions because the reality is there’s a beautiful world outside of Bellissimo and...

UPDATE - Aug 9, 2025 ———————— The story of Italian cuisine in the US begins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a significant wave of Italian immigration.

In cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago, Italian neighborhoods flourished, and with them, so did Italian restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores. These establishments became not just places to eat but centers of community life where traditions could be preserved and celebrated.

Opened since 2008 and located off of Kinderkamack Road in Montvale, we have decided on dinner at Bellissimo because it combines a casual vibe with magnificent Italian cooking. They have a large following, where reservation is highly recommended and was easily made via their website.

Upon arrival at a packed BYOB establishment, my partner, our friends, and I were greeted by the host, Bella, and got a table right away inside the larger dining room.

The menu remains extensive, as well as the daily specials that are usually creative and unique enough to cover everyone’s desire.

As appetizers, we decided on Mozzarella En Carrozza and Calamari Fritti. For our meal, we opted for Veal Piccata, Stuffed Rigatoni, Eggplant Parmigiana, and one of tonight’s specials consisting of shrimp, sausages, and pasta.

All meals usually came with a house salad with balsamic vinegar, but our server, Gustavo, friendly and accommodating, hooked us up with a special salad to share. Complimentary bread started our meal.

Each meal was expertly prepared using the fresh ingredients into a very generous portion and reasonably priced. The food remained consistently delicious.

The ever-present owner, Arti, oversees the experience by ensuring a personal visit to each table where we made small talk. The staff is quick to refill your water or get anything anyone needs.

Best Italian restaurant in the area, which we can continue...

Enter at your own risk!!! Be aware and observance of the employees such as the waiters and the hostess (blonde hair). They can be unfriendly and condescending. The environment can be unwelcoming and dull as well. I was a new customer and began coming here recently, July of 2022. I came here about a week ago or so to try a dinner entrée for a change, instead of a Caesar salad. I clearly ordered Shrimp Scampi with vegetables instead of pasta which are optional. The waiter served me Shrimp Scampi with pasta instead. I told the waiter I ordered vegetables and not pasta. He came back with entrée with hardly any scampi sauce on the shrimp so I as for extra scampi sauce on the side which came thereafter. I began to eat and taste the food. The vegetables appeared and tasted exactly like frozen vegetables sautéed. This is evidenced by the appearance, taste and textures of the vegetables. The shrimp tasted and smelled too fishy. I could no longer proceed with the Full entrée and offered to pay half to support the business. The manager said no and told me to leave and just go. I complied with expressions of shock and awe. This was clearly NOT my fault! So I decided to come here today and just order The Caesar Salad and I was declined by the hostess. I should not be penalized and declined of services for the errors of the waiters and chief employed by Bellissimo Restorante located at 12 S. Kinderkamack Road, Montvale, NJ 07645. They should be held accountable for their mistakes, NOT ME! I did absolutely nothing wrong to be treated in this manner. This exceeds beyond discrimination and unprofessional customer service. I have eaten at many Fine Restaurant over the years and rarely experience such unprofessional customer services, overall. Move on to better establishments that appreciate you business, obliviously...