Isabella — Restaurant in Plains Township

I wanted to take the time to review this restaurant because they have provided me memories with my daughter that will never be forgotten. For 4 years now, I have taken my daughter here for a Thanksgiving dinner. I'm a single dad, it just makes sense to go out over cooking a full meal for 1 adult and 1 child. First the ambiance. Very elegant or as my daughter and I call "fancy". In her words it's "pretty" and I find it to be simple. Simply elegant! Padded clothe dropped tables and proper arm rest chairs. Very nice. Very comfy. I will say the noise level can get a little high if it is just 2 of you in a room of many. So I chose an earlier window this time which was nice. We are ok with that for the most part. It is a restaurant after all. Second the service. I have yet to have any ounce of distaste in service. So 100% I have been satisfied for 4 separate Very Special dinners with my daughter. They offer to take your coat. You are pleasantly greeted with a warm genuine smile. They are attentive and never once was a request of mine not fulfilled. Thank you all for making it a memorable moments yet again with my daughter. Great job to the leadership. I also have to note they do not have much turn over. The same people have been there now at least 3 years. So that tells you the employees love their job and management takes care of them. The way they make my young daughter feel is extremely appreciated from me as her daddy. Again thank you. Thank you so much. Third the food. Now I know I am judging an Italian restaurant restaurant on putting out a Thanksgiving dinner. So what is the proper way? You know what, I don't care because their food is absolutely fantastic. So delicious. Perfectly cooked. Nice perportions. I'm stuffed walking out of there with a to go box which is also nicely dressed and prepared. Top notch food here. The Thanksgiving dinner spread is wonderful and does not make me feel guilty taking my daughter out for dinner for a very special moment of our lives. I'll keep coming back. That's a guarantee. Thank you chefs for putting out stellar quality every year for the past 4 years. I appreciate all of you there, and I just wanted to post this because it is for all of you that I am able to spend a very special moment with my daughter and not be dissapointed. Thank you. Thank you so much. People reading this need to come here. Skip all the commercial joints in the area. Go here. You won't be...

The short answer; Incredible experience that I will be raving about. The long answer; Isabella was recommended to us by family who even went so far as to get us a gift card to encourage us to go. We were greeted immediately as we got through the door and did not have to wait for a table thanks to our Resy reservation. The atmosphere was cozy, yet refined. We felt very comfortable! Our waitress was ABOVE AND BEYOND AMAZING and I am so incredibly upset that I forgot her name as I'm writing this but I believe it started with an A and she had red hair! She recommended the Mozzarella en Carroza (spelling?) as it was a 'grilled cheese... but better', which absolutely sold me. She was also so awesome in making two mocktails for both my partner and me since we don't drink. The bread at the table was standard, nothing to rave about but I mean, we didn't go for the bread! We started with stuffed mushrooms and the Mozzarella Special, and we were flabbergasted when they came out. The portions were HUGE. There were six stuffed mushrooms with the typical cheese/breadcrumb filling and a lemon. Let me tell you, serving a lemon wrapped in cheesecloth is A++ service. I don't want any seeds, thank you. While they were nothing to write home about, the grilled cheese was a SHOWSTOPPER. Texas toast STUFFED with mozzarella and grilled to perfection then topped with the sweet and herby tomato sauce and salty savory parmesan... our jaws dropped. I was not expecting this at all and it completely blew us away. If we return, we may get two of those because /DANG/. For entrees, he had the King Salmon (which was cooked to perfection I might add) with mashed potatoes and butternut squash. Let me tell you about this butternut squash, it was made with LOVE. It was buttery and smooth and so sweet it was nearly a dessert in and of itself. I ordered the seared scallops with bacon and sundried tomato risotto. Holy. Lord. Above. The scallops were /perfect/ and I would genuinely go back for just the risotto. So cheesy and not mushy at all, with bacon that didn't overwhelm the herbs! I was shocked, normally bacon just cancels everything out but nope, delicious. (I also had butternut squash and you already know how I feel about it.

Isabella Restaurant and bar, located on Route 315 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania is a fine dining establishment specializing in Italian cuisine. Connected to a fitness center and neighboring a Dunkin’, it may be easy to miss, but once you dine there, you'll never forget it.

We arrived on time for our 6:30 p.m. reservation on a Saturday, and were mildly surprised that not many tables were occupied. The host warmly greeted us immediately, and guided us to our seat, lit by a lamp placed squarely in the middle of the table. After ordering our wine, our delightful server took our orders before returning with several rolls that came directly from the oven.

For starters, we ordered a meat and cheese charcuterie with smoked provolone, prosciutto-covered orange slices, soppressata-covered grapes, olives, pistachios, walnuts, and a savory jam. The board was pleasantly prepared, and was an outstanding start to the evening.

As soon as we finished, our entrees arrived. The Veal Milanese consisted of a breaded veal cutlet covered with lemon slices, with a side of crisp arugula, cherry tomatoes, red onion, shaved parmesan, all lightly flavored with a lemon vinaigrette. The dish was incredible. I combined every bite with the side, and enjoyed every citrus-infused morsel.

The eggplant parmesan was equally tasty. The tomato sauce was rich, the breaded eggplant flavorful, and the side of rigatoni was served al dente. The eggplant dish featured a cooked spaghetti garnish that looked…petrified? Baked? Fried? Nevertheless it was hard and leaned against the eggplant.

Although we probably shouldn’t have tested the elastic on our waistbands, we couldn’t pass on dessert, given how everything we ate thus far was thoroughly enjoyable. The pecan pie and the chocolate mousse pie was decadent, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a martini glass with strawberry pieces. The mousse sat atop a tart drizzle which was delicious.

Isabella’s has been around for 20 years, and is truly a gem. Everything about our meal was perfect. Every dish was extraordinarily presented, and the piano music in the background added to what turned out to be quite a romantic evening. Kudos to the staff for giving us such a wonderful night. Move this place to the top of your...