Great Authentic Italian
Every day, they made the pasta from fresh ingredients. No cans, no nothing. And you can taste the difference. The pasta tastes just like it did in that little Roman cafe. The seafood is fantastic. The chocolate cake is the best I've ever had. I am very picky with my Italian food because my mother's father was Italian and a great cook, but this place has never disappointed me.    [17 Oct 2002 11:25:53]

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Recommended Dishes: Lasagna, Seafood Diavolo, Chocolate cake.

     ­Ramona Bowling, Lexington, KY   

DISAPPOINTED............
We recently moved to Lexington, we have eaten at your restaurant many times and taken several visiting guests. Last night we stopped for dinner and (for whatever reason) were very disappointed. Not only was the food not up to what we usually experience but our waitress was less than "good". She never returned with fresh water, did not clear used dishes and when served our spaghetti and meatballs the large spoon in the spaghetti was covered with caked-on cheese from previous use. And one fork had twisted tines...just a series of (unpleasant) events. We never feel your restaurant is "ordinary" but last night we did....will have to think twice before returning for awhile, perhaps last night there was a problem?
Thank you.    [20 Mar 2003 08:46:46]

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     ­Anonymous   

Always a Winner
I have been dining at Bella Notte for some time now. I can't say that every single dinner I've had there has been sheer perfection, but more times than not, it's a great place to eat. This place is definitely a favorite of mine as well as family and friends. I'm so impressed that they started serving all wines by the glass...a rarity in Lexington, KY. Love Bella Notte!    [25 Jun 2003 15:54:49]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance: -   Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Salmon Salad, Aioli sauce, pizza

     ­Anonymous   

Used to be good
I have been dining at Bella Notte for years. I don't know if they've been through management change or what, but I have been sorely disappointed these past few months. Things have changed, and the excessively happy and accommodating staff have nearly all dried up. Is it that they seem more corporate and generic? I don't know--six months ago they were on a roll--great wine list, service excellence, and the management seemed to really care. I don't know what happened, but it's not the same.    [19 Aug 2003 02:23:21]

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Recommended Dishes:

     ­Anonymous   

Great food!
I always love eating at Bella's. In fact, I had my rehearsal dinner there. The ambiance is fantastic, the food is always delicious and the service is almost always top-notch. My only complaint is that it is too popular... Friday night always, always crowded.    [13 May 2004 09:21:17]

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Recommended Dishes: Penne w/ Arribiata sauce, Pork Chops, Belle Sundae

     ­Anonymous   

Consistently great good and service
My husband and I have been eating here since they first opened and it's a favorite of ours. The service is always excellent and friendly. The food is always fresh, hot and delicious -- and they use lots of fresh herbs. They have a big menu with a lot of choices, and they are always adding new things. They're always striving to be even better. The atmosphere is also very nice. You get a lot of food for your money; we are never able to eat it all. The hot fresh bread is great too! They just changed the menu and have added aged beef and some other nice grilled items. The sea bass is AWESOME! They know how to cook fish, unlike most places in Lexington. It's flown in fresh and is hot and juicy -- not dried out like fish often is in restaurants. Their Caesar salad is excellent. I just wish they hadn't changed the tiramisu! But we told them our thoughts on that, and they were most interested in our feedback. Highly recommend.    [22 Jul 2004 01:42:44]

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Recommended Dishes: Sea bass; grilled chicken Caesar salad; penne with vodka cream sauce; liguini and shrimp in white wine sauce

     ­Dede   

My All-Time Favorite Restaurant
I absolutely love everything about Bella Notte. As soon as you walk in, the aroma of all the fresh-cooked food fills your senses. The servers are (most of the time) excellent. I will not say perfect, because I've never known a restaurant to have perfect servers. But, the food and the decorations are great. Best place ever!    [03 Sep 2005 12:58:43]

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Recommended Dishes: Chicken Parmesan

     ­Anonymous   

Chicago NEEDS Bella Notte!
I went to grad school in Lexington (Go Cats!) and fell in love with Bella Notte. Their atmosphere was very different. The main dining room has the appearance of being outside. You can see the kitchen and the brick ovens from main dining area. I have never had bad service there, but I'm a very sociable person that ends up talking to EVERYONE! Food is fantastic. I have never had bread and herbs that have tasted as good in the Chicago area. Chicago could use a restaurant like this. We have tons of fantastic Italian restaurants in the City. The suburbs could use Bella Notte. Bella Notte will also 'custom make' some dishes. I have had them make Pesto with brocoli and chicken (very nice como). Not many restaurants have Pesto - not sure why because it's an easy, amazing dish! When I go to Kentucky for the Derby, Bella Notte is one of our stops. I always buy a bottle of their Olive Oil. Makes me remember all times I ate there with my grad student friends...However, it is busy - probably because it is SO GOOD!    [04 Dec 2005 19:50:16]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance: -   Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Pesto, Tiramisu

     ­Anonymous   dallajl at yahoo dot com

My Favorite Restaurant
I first went to Bella Notte's with a friend for lunch. After that, I was hooked. I live 60 +/- miles away, but that doesn't stop me from dining at the awesome Bella Notte. My husband and I have tried other Italian places in Lexington, but nothing has compared to the fantastic service or excellent food of Bella Notte. My husband and I have taken several friends and family members to dine at the restaurant and everyone has fell in love. My uncle actually took his now wife there to propose to her at the fireplace. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great Italian food.    [14 Feb 2006 09:02:27]

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Recommended Dishes: Chicken Fettucine Alfredo with Asiago Cheese

     ­Anonymous   

A Must-Have in Lexington Dining!
I have been going to Bella Note since 2001. The atmosphere makes for a great first date or anniversary dinner; the staff is always bright and attentive, and make great recommendations. I was just there on 5/19/06 with two of my friends, and we had a great dinner (3 1/2 Hours). Never did our waiter "push" us to go. The Penne Kalamatta is a must-have for those who don't care for red sauces. The Penna Cotta with Carmel & Chocolate is a great way to finish the night, as well.    [31 May 2006 15:27:32]

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Recommended Dishes: Penne Kalamatta

     ­Anonymous