Belini Cucina Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Portsmouth

FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE VERY BAD!!! Greeted and seated Drink order taken Bathroom run Returned to my seat and sipped on drink Placed $20+ dinner order for Mediterranean seafood dish Two minutes later, a cop, appeared behind me, addressed me, and told me that they received a report that I appeared intoxicated and was causing trouble They asked me to produce my ID and then said I needed to leave I said, "What?" I was completely confused I'd been nothing but polite and completely quiet I thought maybe they'd mistaken me for someone else bc I'd just walked from the farmers market on the esplanade where a drunk guy was arrested (come to find out he'd been at this restaurant) But why that might pertain to me, the officer said, could be that they were judging me for the way I was dressed I was wearing my son's work paint shirt, cargo shorts, carrying a small backpack, a ukulele, and a rabbit stuffed animal that I had bought my son 36 years ago My son just passed away one month ago I was also barefoot, but I am a full-time barefooter and frequent many local establishments without incident I asked questions as I exited, then talked with the officers on the sidewalk They said I did not appear intoxicated (because I wasn't) I told them, "I'm in deep grief." My only son died on June 12th He and I had talked about going to this restaurant but never did So, I wanted to go in as a good thought about him I had attended the Art Walk and had parked on the street nearly in front of the place .... I got in my car and left I parked at the Lofts and called the restaurant and asked for a manager They said one wasn't there I told them I was the guy who left with the police Immediatly HUNG UP ON WOW ....So I went to my mother's where I enjoyed a home-cooked meal, MINUS the humiliation, and saved $30 FIRST TIME VISIT IS MY LAST!!! (UNLESS THEY MAKE IT RIGHT IN A GRAND WAY) I'll give them a chance I'll...

FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE VERY BAD!!! Greeted and seated drink order taken Bathroom run. Returned to my seat and sipped on drink Placed $20+ dinner order for Mediterranean seafood dish Two minutes later, a cop, appeared behind me, addressed me and told me that they received a report that I appeared intoxicated and was causing trouble They asked me to produce my ID then said I needed to leave I said "What?" I was completely confused I'd been nothing but polite and completely quiet I thought maybe they'd mistaken me for someone else bc I'd just walked from the farmers market on the esplanade where a drunk guy was arrested (come to find out he'd been at this restaurant) But why that might pertain to me the officer said, could be, that they were judging me for the way I was dressed I was wearing my son's work paint shirt, cargo shorts, carrying a small backpack, a ukulele, and the first stuffed animal I'd ever bought my only son A 36yo rabbit He passed one month ago I was also barefoot but I am a full-time barefooter and frequent many local establishments without incident I asked questions as I exited then talked with the officers on the sidewalk They said I did not appear intoxicated (Because I wasnt) I told them "I'm in deep grief" My only son died on June 12th He and I had talked about going to this restaurant but never did So, I wanted to go in as a good thought about him I had attended the Art Walk and had parked on the street nearly in front of the place .... I got in my car and left I parked at the Lofts and called the restaurant and asked for a manager They said one wasn't there I told them I was the guy who left with the police Immediatly HUNG UP ON WOW ....So I went to my mother's where I enjoyed a home-cooked meal, MINUS the humiliation, and saved $30 FIRST TIME VISIT IS MY LAST!!! (UNLESS THEY MAKE IT RIGHT IN A GRAND WAY) I'll give them a chance I'll...

Your friendly server is quick to put drinks on the table and have the kitchen making your appetizer/salads. They have the intuition to check on you regularly without being rude and they try not to interrupt your conversation.

The food portions are satisfying for most people with a big appetite, so you need not worry about whether you need to order a lot of extra food. I'm not sure if they condone it, and whether it's really a big problem, but there are many dishes that can be split between two light eaters.

My last visit consisted of antipasto salad and a calzone. I've never had a more impressive calzone, as these things come out all fluffy and steaming.

Their house bread with marinara will often fill you up in a very sneaky way, so make sure to pace yourself and save some room!

Their desserts have, thus far, been tasty and worth considering if you have time. I got the strawberry cheesecake.

The service is friendly, fast, and for me, never problematic.

Their food is good in every way. Some dishes are great, and occasionally, some hover around mediocre. Portions are generous with most orders, and deserts are worth considering.

The atmosphere can occasionally feel a bit cramped but they do the best they can to seat customers in a way that keeps you from having to bump your chair into a diner behind you. The ambient sound of a dinner rush has never been anything to complain about, but if they're busy, don't expect much silence.

If you've a neurodivergent family member who's sensitive to crowds of people talking/sitting somewhat close to each other, consider trying to avoid their lunch and dinner rushes, or peak hours. Like I said, they make the most of the space they have, and try to stagger seating.

Overall this place is awesome, friendly, affordable, filling, but a little cramped at times. It's cramped for a good reason, and you'll see why...