About
Ciao Bella is a popular Italian restaurant in Bloomington. The waitstaff are attentive and passionate about their food, and the setting is vibrant and art-filled. The menu offers a variety of traditional Italian dishes, as well as vegan and gluten-free options. Lunchtime specials include sandwiches and pizzas, while dinner options include pasta, meat dishes, and desserts. There's also a brunch menu available on weekends.Reviews
Ciao Bella offers a mix of experiences according to reviewers. While some found the service exceptional, with attentive and charismatic staff who provided quality over quantity in terms of food, others felt that the portion sizes were lacking and the pricing inflated. The menu was noted to be a blend of American and Italian dishes, with highlights including excellent scallops, classic lasagna, salmon risotto, and tender calamari. The ambiance was described as lively but noisy rather than intimate. Guests appreciated the extensive wine selection and delicious desserts like tiramisu and cherry cobbler.
Very friendly hostesses and service staff. Relaxing and Comfortable seating area, great selections from the menu with extensive wine /drinks .The most tender and juicy scallops I had for appetizer. Other appetizers were great, too. Salmon was cooked perfectly with flavorful risotto. Desserts were great. My friends and I enjoyed our meals. Decent portions with reasonable price. Patio was closed for the winter . Highly recommended .
In town for work. Stopped by for lunch.
Service was pretty great. I was seated quickly & the waitress came right over; she knew the specials & I never had to wait on her.
Scenery was nice, and the menu and wine selection was extensive. I had a vegetable linguini with lamb, and a glass of wine - both tasted fine.
Overall, I was just not blown away. The portion size of the meal, the minimal house bread that was provided, even the 6 oz wine seemed less than usual, and the inflated pricing for everything just left me missing Italy. The food was great, but I couldn't feel the restaurant's authenticity.
(P. S. Italian food is my favorite so I judge it pretty harshly)
5/5Angela Buffington-Johnson
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Enjoyed a very nice business lunch here today! Service was prompt. The water glasses were always full. Extra butter was quickly procured. I had my favorite Heirloom Grain salad and this time tried it with Parmesan crusted shrimp. Very good! I enjoyed a cup of their soup of the day, sausage soup. Also very good but I wasn’t expecting it to be creamy. My associates and business partners also enjoyed their salads and soup. I will for sure be back!
This is a very large restaurant so don't expect a Mom and Pop Italian joint. The menu was as much American as it was Italian but the Scallops I had to start were excellent, the Classic Lasagne I had afterwards was very good but not the best ever hence why I didn't rate this 5 Star. Service was good, ambience was noisy rather than intimate.
Visiting Ciao Bella for a business lunch and it didn't dissapoint. Good portions and all the plates looked great. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I live 45 minutes away and still make time to head that way for dinner. If weather allows dine out on the patio.