Beagle says...
This is fresh Italian dining at its finest in Fresno. Don't expect heavy red sauces here or weighty dishes. This is Italian with a light flair. The pasta is homemade as are the sauces. Specials are posted nightly on an erasable board and usually sell-out fast. The food is tasty with just enough spices to tickle the tastebuds. The gnocchi is some of the finest in town. Service is friendly and non-intrusive. Recently taken over by new ownership, those that haven't been eating here for years can actually get some attention from the staff. Bella Pasta used to be an "in-crowd" type of place until the changeover. Wine is now served in glass as opposed to plastic and the friendly wait staff has been kept on while the "snobbery" apparently has moved on. Don't leave without trying the Pasta New Orleans (spectacular!) and the tiramisu.    [10 Sep 2000 23:36:45]

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Recommended Dishes: Pasta New Orleans, Gnocchi, Tiramisu.

     ­Beagle   

The best in town!
Bella Pasta is by far the best Italian food in town. None of that canned red thick sauce! The polenta is the best I've ever had...you've got to try it!    [07 Jan 2003 19:32:07]

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Recommended Dishes: Polenta

     ­TEA G   

WOW
What an amazaing restaurant! I was invited to go to Bella Pasta for a luncheon with a friend. We were served with politeness, and with such amazingling delectible food. Every detail from the server coming and placing the dish in front of us, to placing the napkin on our laps to refilling our glasses was done with class and care for the customer.

We were served a pasta dish where the noodles looked liked the edges of lasagna, with peas and mushrooms, with an unforgetable sauce. Their salad was made with the best lettuce, and the bread was lightly seasoned and buttered.

I will retun to the restaurant, if not with a crowd of friends, but by myself.    [28 Jun 2003 22:28:00]

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Recommended Dishes: Don't know the name of the dish, wished I did.

     ­DJ   Tazhappy at attbi dot com

Magnifico
A wonderful restaurant... but be sure you ask the waiter for the specials before you order.. otherwise, they're secreted away on a board over your head and you might miss out on such delights as pumpkin ravioli.. I mean, my gnocci was delicious.. but to think I coulda had the ravioli...    [27 Oct 2003 14:00:11]

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     ­ron shapley   rfshapley at cbs dot com

But the bread!
Excellent staff, food and service EXCEPT those rolls! How about some great ITALIAN SLICED bread!    [15 Dec 2003 10:29:42]

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     ­Anonymous   

Molto Bella
I love this place!! The food, the music, and the service. They serve you Focaccia bread as soon as you sit down (ask for olive oil and balsamic vinegar) mmmm! The bread is so rich and made with garlic and olive oil. The serving sizes are generous and if you go during the weekend when the wait it 30 or 40 mins. You may even get a glass of wine on the house. I love the Gnocchi Pesto and the Rib eye is to die for. You have to try this place. They do not take reservations. So make sure you get there early. At Bella Pasta everything is “BELLA” (beautiful)!)    [21 Jul 2004 18:30:19]

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Recommended Dishes: Gnocchi Pesto and the Prosciutto Wrap Filet

     ­Anonymous   

Not authentic in my book
Nothing my husband or I ordered seemed authentic. He ordered a cesaer salad and got a few pieces of lettuce and a tomato with a few dollops of dressing on top. I ordered some spinach ravioli that was practically tasteless. The sauce needed something. The tirimisu was okay, but still seemed to lack something.    [18 Jun 2005 22:19:26]

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     ­Julianne   

Lost its roots!
This place was great when it was owned by Piero Mano. It was the only place in town where you could get the real deal, authentic flavor. Ever since it changed ownership, the taste has gone down hill. Especially in the new location at Herndon and Cedar. Without Piero's magical touch, I just can't recommend the place like I used to. Last time I was there, I ordered Spinach raviolis with tomato and basil sauce. What I got was some over-cooked raviolis with what tasted like spicy mexican salsa on top. Someone please find Piero's original recipes. Surely, someone must have wrote them down at some point.    [13 Mar 2006 20:15:50]

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Recommended Dishes: spagetti with meat sauce...

     ­doboru   

Bella Pasta is more southern Italian. Why would some go into an Italian Restaurant an order Cesar salad. That isn't even Italian. THey have the best fish dishes. Frutta Di Mare, Cioppino. The service is great. They have two locations now. I like the one on the north end of town. But the older location is still a classic. They even do banquets. By far Bella Pasta is the best family owned Itlian restaurant in Fresno. You got to try it.    [17 Mar 2006 03:47:53]

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Recommended Dishes: Frutta Di Mare, Cioppino, Gnocchi

     ­Luv Pasta   

Just like Mama...
I went to Bella Pasta at their new north location. It was great. I go to Italy often and I felt like I was back in the old country while still in Fresno. All the dishes are authentic the sauce is fresh and the service was wonderful. The owner's wife is 100% Italian and she spoke to us in Italin. It was soo authentic. I also like that fact that we can take our whole family there. Please try it, I am sure you will love it.    [20 Mar 2006 18:29:21]

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Recommended Dishes: Prociutto wrapped filet, Chilian Seabass

     ­Anonymous