BellaBrava — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

This review is for the Land O Lakes location. Trendy restaurant in an upbeat location, decent food & atmosphere but HORRIBLE service from the moment we walked in. We were 5 mins early for our reservation. No one ever gets our last name correct, so I gave the hostess my first name & told her our res. time & the # in our party. She clearly couldn't find our res., even though I had confirmation, but instead of asking me to repeat my name, she just rolled her eyes, mumbled to her co-worker, grabbed some menus, led us to a table & walked away. I didn't know what the issue was until we left the restaurant & I looked at my phone to see an email from Open Table, saying the restaurant reported that we hadn't shown up for our reservation. I get that mistakes are sometimes made, but instead of trying to find our reservation, I think she assumed we were lying about having one & got irritated. Not sure if she passed that on to our server, or if he was also just having an off night, but he approached our table w/ a massive attitude from the start (& no, we did nothing that servers fuss about, like moving tables, being on our phones instead of looking at the menu-no kids or pets in our party, either). Da**ie (server) was the rudest server I've ever had in my life-don't even think I've experienced an attitude like his at a fast food place from a teenager. He told us his name & we asked how he was doing-he ignored the question. When he brought our drinks he asked if we were ready to order & we said we needed another minute...he gave no suggestions & w/ the snarkiest face/voice said, "Well then I'll be back in 20 more minutes b/c it IS a Friday night!" And true to is word, he did not come back to the table for 20 minutes for us to order an appetizer, then 20 more minutes to order food, then 20-30 more b/f we got food, then an HOUR more to bring the check. When ended up being at the restaurant for 2.5 hours b/c he was in a mood. Food was ok...one of us got the short rib ragu-not your typical short ribs...meat was more like a chewy sirloin, but the pasta & sauce were good. Meals were warm, not hot. Prices and atmosphere good but employees all gave "DEI hire" vibes. Might give the midtown location a try b/c service in South Tampa area has been better in our experience, but will not ever return to the LOL location. The low quality service definitely does not match the area & vibe. Pricecs are up & service is down & ppl are still willing to go out & spend $, but there are choices on every corner, so businesses have to do what makes them stand out-BellaBrava completely missed the mark with service & was an absolute disappointment. If mgmt con'ts to let grumpy servers treat customers like this, it will drive their business in...

BellaBrava offers an exceptional dining experience that blends traditional Italian flavors with modern culinary flair. Located in a lively area, this restaurant provides a perfect setting for a memorable meal, whether you’re out for a casual lunch, romantic dinner, or celebration.

Ambiance and Atmosphere The ambiance at BellaBrava strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. The stylish decor, warm lighting, and inviting outdoor seating create a relaxed yet upscale vibe. It’s a place where you can enjoy a fine meal without feeling overly formal.

Exceptional Cuisine The menu at BellaBrava is a culinary journey through Italy with a contemporary twist. The dishes are thoughtfully crafted, using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Standout items include the wood-fired pizzas, creamy risottos, and the signature Pollo Milanese, which is crispy on the outside and tender inside. The pasta dishes, especially the Lobster Ravioli, are rich in flavor and perfectly cooked.

Drinks and Desserts The drink menu is equally impressive, featuring an extensive wine list, creative cocktails, and refreshing mocktails. Don’t miss out on the decadent desserts—the Tiramisu and Limoncello Cheesecake are a must-try for a sweet ending to your meal.

Service and Hospitality The staff at BellaBrava are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They go above and beyond to ensure your dining experience is seamless, offering helpful recommendations and accommodating dietary preferences with ease.

Why You Should Visit BellaBrava is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. The combination of outstanding food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy modern Italian cuisine. Whether you're a local or visiting the area, BellaBrava is a place you'll want to return to time and time again.

Highly recommended for Italian food lovers and anyone seeking a memorable...

I have been coming here faithfully for the past 10 years and usually leave satisfied and excited to come back again. Unfortunately, that has changed over the past 6 months. I am not one that gives up easily and I always give my favorite restaurant several chances.....So this is the 4th time that I was greatly disappointed. And that is why I decided to leave a review. So, here it goes. After an unsatisfying cocktail that was served to the whole group, which was usually outstanding and an ok appetizers, I asked the waiter if they changed the menu/ recipe. He informed us proudly they have a new chef who made changes to the menu. A few dishes that we ordered; Strawberry Burrata, a sad display of a cup of Arugula Salad with a small amount of ingredients, followed by a bigger disappointment...the Pasta Brava. Most everyone ordered that dish! One of my absolut favorite dishes of all times. Not this time. It tasted and looked like a bunch of left overs. Very sad and embarrassed that I recommended this dish most everyone was unimpressed. Again, I pointed it out to the waiter that the food quality has been going down for months, yet the prices are going up. He was pretty nice about it and insisted, that guests enjoyed the new changes to the menu. Well, not us! The complimentary bread was very hard, maybe a left over from the day before as well? The bread used to be really good, fresh from the oven, warm, but not this hard. And yes, it's free, but not really right? One of my biz partners had Nona’s Chicken Cacciatore...bathing in a cup of oil. She ate about 1/3 of it, but couldn't finish it. The majority of my guests very not impressed. Unfortunately, this was the last time I can give Bella Brava a chance. I understand that inflation caused prices to go up, but to be fair, don't let the quality of food suffer. I hope you the review will help for...