Bella Cucina — Restaurant in North Carolina

My wife and I experienced the same out of place feeling as a few other customers have commented in their reviews. Our first visit issue was our seating the waitress was nice it was just the look of the owner, which we found out who he was after the 3rd go round. It wasn't just us an older couple sat on the bar side for about 20 min and maybe they felt out of place and could not take it... the looks or whatever it made no sense that they got up unless something was wrong... they got up and went to the other part of the restuarant where you walk up and order. We thought how awful. He never looked at us directly just an indirectly snooty down his nose look unbelievable, which of course we discussed and to top it off once more guests arrived we were made to feel like they needed our seats and by that time my wife made up her mind she was ordering an after meal desert and the looks were more impressed. We discussed never going back. We did a 2nd time and we asked ourselves when arriving in SP what was it that we liked about the food?? Well we wanted the salad and it was not as good as the first time, truthfully. Which now leads to this review. Our 3rd visit which now is our 3rd Strike Your Out!!! The salad was a lot better but the lasagna seemed to be a too small of a portion for the price....the thing that killed it for us was the look on the owners face. Before leaving I asked the young lady at the register was he the owner she seemed caught off guard somehow timid in answering " yes". I suggested to her to tell him to smile because he did not look or seem like a friendly person. We were eager to spew away our first experience and our thoughts of him but he had the same look and disposition. He may hold #1 Pizza and #1 Italian Restaurant in SP we don't truly know if their is any others even so our suggestion for the area is for someone to open another Authenic Italian Restuarant. Sir, Tom you really need to be more friendly and inviting to "All Your Guests". We were always taught be mindful of how you treat people because you never know you just might be entertaining an Angel. What are the years you were voted for all the "AWARDS" you quote in others comments? I did not see them posted truthfully, if you have them take some pics and post...

I’ll start by saying every restaurant has a “one off” bad moment. My wife and I ordered take out dinner (a Greek Salad and a Calzone w/ham). We were to pick the order up at 7:45pm but we arrived early at 7:13pm thinking we’d have to wait. The young lady behind the counter told my wife that this order had already been picked up. My wife responded that we just arrived and did not receive our food. My wife said that possibly the order was closed out prematurely or someone mistakenly received the wrong order? Nevertheless, my wife was told that they would need to reorder through their system. So she waited and received the order. We drove home (6 miles) and much to my surprise the Calzone was not cooked. The dough was actually raw on the bottom. My wife said her Greek Salad was very good. I decided to drive back to the restaurant. I told the young lady the issue and handed her the container with the uncooked Calzone. She took a look at it and said “that’s no good and quickly brought it to the kitchen (thankfully I took a photo of it when I opened the container at home). She returned and I said it’s close to closing time so just refund the price of the Calzone and I’ll be on my way. Shockingly the young lady could not refund my money because the order was “compted” because of the original mixup. The Manager/owner was called over and he said he would take my name and phone number and last four digits of my wife’s card number and refund the money on the card. I said that is incredibly bad customer service having driven 12 miles round trip twice already. I said, so to be clear you want me to leave having paid for a meal that was uncooked and returned without a refund? He said, don’t worry I’ll do it and call you in a little while to confirm. Needless to say, no phone call and no refund as of the next day at lunchtime. Very very bad for the manager/owner not to have handled this immediately but even worse to lie. Take a look at that photo. The manager/owner sees that uncooked mess and doesn’t take ownership for the mistake and refund the...

December 2nd, 2023 Got a table in the back room. Very nice place with music playing. Love the table clothed and decorations. Ordered light fare but thoroughly enjoyed the food and atmosphere. =≈=============================== August 26th Unfortunately, couldn't go here to sit down for dinner. Ordered Veal Marsala and Chicken Tuscan with two side salads and New York Style Cheese Cake. The order was prepared and packed by the time I arrived. Food portions for the money are excellent and priced well for Southport. Hope to sit down in the back room next time.

This is one of two favorite Italian restaurants in the Southport area, the other is Joseph's. Latest visit was June 9th, Friday night about 5:45 PM. It was a perfect time to come into the back room. Got served quickly. Ordered the crab dip, bread with oil and herbs plate. Had a small portion of Shrimp Alfredo(perfect size for one portion meal) and Tuscan Shrimp with a side salad. All the food was served quickly and tasted great. Within 30 minutes of us sitting down the back room was almost full. Went here on Saturday at 5 PM February 11th. We were the first ones seated in the formal dining room. What a rush! The place looks great with mirrors on the walls which make the room bigger. The music selection was unique with songs from the 1940's? to 1960's. The table cloths and paper lined table tops are a very nice touch. Ordered bread with oil (yes there was a charge, but everything costs more!), Manhattan Clam Chowder, two salids(a few dollar charge for each with a main course), tilefish special and Shrimp Scampi. Ordered non alcoholic drinks. For dessert there was the cheesecake with chocolate and caramel. The price was about $40 a person and we stayed an incredible two hours! Best dining experience ever...