Our first visit here, and it was excellent. House made pastas and sauces, Reasonably price wine selection. House made desserts. The calamari appetizer was lightly breaded and excellent. My husband had the shrimp risotto and pronounced it cooked to perfection. My snapper & lobster in sherry cream sauce was equally well done. Dessert selection is enticing. One of my favourite desserts, common in Italy, harder to find here, is biscotti and vin santo. La Bella Vita's presentation is beautiful. A glass of vin santo, surrounded by house made almond biscotti and dollops of whipped cream tipped with raspberry sauce. It is a puzzlement to us why lovely, local restaurants like this are not full every night. None of the chain restaurants have food or service to compare.
(4)
Bob K.
I had the baked manicotti for lunch today and it was awesome. The service was fast and friendly.
(5)
Bill V.
First of all, my wife and I have been to La Bella Vita 4 or 5 times previously. When we walked in, we asked ourselves "why did it take us 7 months to come back?" For that, I have no answer other than stupidity. Secondly, the service is always attentive and friendly. This is a family owned restaurant which is not always a positive. It is for La Bella Vita. My wife had the Eggplant Parmigiana and I had the Spaghetti Carbonara. Not many places know how to make Carbonara-it often is lumpy or is basically an Alfredo sauce. This place knows Carbonara. Finally, while you may pay a little more than going to say, a chain place like Carrabbas, La Bella Vita is worth it.
(5)
Gazuntit B.
The food was fairly good compared to what you would generally find in Colorado Springs. Thought it was overpriced for what we got. The atmosphere was pleasant. The waitress was pleasant but wasn't very knowledgeable and didn't offer us the normal things a waitress would be expected to....for example: drinks, a starter, wine etc. and she seemed to be in a rush to take off the plates while we were eating. I would not go out of my way to recommend this place and I'm not sure that I would eat there again. Oh, and don't ask for pizza, like my 4 year old did....because apparently the chef suggested that we go to Domino's Pizza. I thought that was kind of rude....even though the waitress thought it was funny. I think even though the Manager attended each table for feedback, the place suffers from inflated ego and will not take criticism.
(2)
Janina G.
Tonight we checked out this charming restaurant for the very first time. The food was excellent! We started out with Burata alla Bella Vita and Calamari Fritti. Delicious! The spicy marinara sauce was outstanding! For dinner I had Gnocchi al Pomodoro e Basilico and the folks I was with had chicken parmesan. This was also delicious and they enjoyed the zucchini and potato included with the meal. This was so yummy and we were excited to end the dinner with the cheesecake. The cheesecake was out of this world creamy! The citrus flavor was superb and just the right level of sweetness. Amazing! The service was outstanding and our delightful waitress kept our drinks topped off. She was very personable an led informative, and even showed us how they told their napkins (as we were trying to duplicate them). Excellent night-I can't wait to come back!
I took my family to this restaurant last night and was very disappointed. Right from the moment we walked in our waiter was rude and condesending to me and my family. The food was expensive for the quality. I asked our waiter for an italian margrita and he asked me to explain what i meant. I will never take my family to this place again.
(1)
Jacque A.
Delicious delicious delicious. Try the sword fish. The most amazing tiramisu I've ever had... They add little baby chunks of white chocolate... Vanilla fresh homemade whipped cream. And wow the cannoli I can't even handle myself right now.
(5)
Mia M.
I have been to many restaraunts in Las Vegas, Nevada, where we used to live for 5 years. This tops them all. Our waiter Steve was so awesome and the food was the absolute best that I have ever had in my 30 plus years!
(5)
Heather L.
I'm in love with the fettuccine alla vodka. We miss Italian food after spending 6 years living there. This is pretty authentic, just a bit Americanized.
(4)
Mary D.
It was so amazing! Definitely the best restaurant I've been to in Colorado so far. It was such a nice relaxing atmosphere and the staff was great! It was the perfect place for my birthday dinner. I will definitely be returning soon!
(5)
Timothy B.
What a great place. Great food. Great staff. Great dishes. No complaints. A must place to eat if you love Italian food. If ever we are coming back to this area we will be going back. Try it. You will like it.
(5)
Karen T.
Our overall experience was excellent, however a few things could have been better. Our pasta was delicious albeit a tad overcooked. The same was true of the chicken. The service was top notch and dessert outstanding. We would definitely go back.
(4)
Denise M.
I have driven past this restaurant many times but never tried it. I'm glad I did. I wanted to find a good Italian restaurant (not Olive Garden) and yelp suggested this one. The food was great. The staff was even better. They were all super friendly and welcoming. I got my food to go and they offered me something to drink while I waited. I appreciated that they also talked to me while I was waiting which was relaxing and comforting.
(5)
Brandi E.
This little restaurant is fabulous! My husband had the chicken Parmesan, I had rigatoni with artichokes, sundries tomato, chicken and pesto cream sauce (awesome). Our daughter had the tortellini with tomato sauce but she tried all of the dishes and loved them all. I wish they had one where we live! To top it all off the waiter and manager were so friendly and fun to talk with. Loved it!
(5)
Angel B.
The experience, the atmosphere and the service is great! I had lasagna and my wife had chicken Parmesan both dishes where off the charts!! Great tasting food very clean establishment.
(5)
Barbara D.
Today was our 1st time here everything was beyond our expectations, from the atmosphere, food, the service, our waiter, everything. We were impressed and cant wait to go back.
(5)
Lennie L.
What a treat it was to find this place. My husband and I had the Antipasto Misto which was a mix of cured meats and cheeses. They brought us more warm, fresh bread as we still had some meat and cheese left. We also ordered the calamari which was fantastic. Fresh and tender. The sauce was delicious and had a little kick to it, but was fantastic! Lastly, we shared a creme brulee. Last night was a chocolate creme brulee. The chocolate was on the bottom so the carmalized topping and custard was on top which were perfect. Nice creamy custard and the sugar topping was crisp and delicious. I'm pretty picky about my creme brulee and this one did not disappoint us :-) Eric, the general manager, as well as the rest of the staff there were so personable and attentive. Fun to talk to and just a really great time getting to chat with each of them as they came and rang other customers' orders up (we were sitting at the counter / bar). Will definitely come back for their happy hour and dinner for two.
(5)
Terry W.
We just ate there again the other night and it was wonderful once again. I have to say I am not much of a mushroom soup guy but we shared a bowl there and we all loved it. On top of that my daughter took the bowl from us and ate all of it herself. She devoured it. I really don't see why so many of their reviews are in the "not recommended" tab below when they are great reviews. I don't understand why Yelp does this at all; there software needs to be modified to stuff doing this it seems. Check this place out you won't be sorry!
I have been here twice so far and everything that I have tried is absolutely amazing! I have not been to an Italian restaurant where the flavors are spot on. The best Cannoli's I will say. We saw the chef come out and talk to some guests at a table near us. It's definitely a true Italian cooking for you!
(5)
Mike D.
What an unbelievable dinner. My co-workers and I had an amazing dining experience. The clam linguine, bruschetta, and chicken Marsala were all excellently prepared. Our server, Mary Beth, was very attentive to our needs and engaged in delightful conversation. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone!!!!
(5)
Jo L.
I love this place. Nice environment - quiet and romantic. Easy location. Clean. Great staff. Amazing food.
(5)
Aaron T.
Great food, great staff, nice quiet bar well stocked with a good selection. Very well priced as well. I highly recommend.
(5)
Michael R.
This place is great. I went here last night in a group of 10. When we arrived our table was already setup which was nice however it was missing 1 chair. No big deal. The service was good overall. Our waiter was good as well. The food does take a while to come out however when you consider everything is made from scratch it's understandable. The food was worth the wait. Due to a few minor issues I only gave 4 stars but the food is 5 stars. I will come back anytime I'm in the Springs.
(4)
E T.
Fresh bruschetta with well seasoned tomatoes, delicious home made garlic bread that was addictive, An Amazing entree of chicken rolled with ham and cheese (I forgot the Italian name!) It was some of the best Italian food I have had in Colorado Springs. Outstanding. Their wine selection is also thorough and expansive.
(5)
Carlos M.
Fantastic food, great service, you will not leave hungry. If you're tired of fast food Italian food this is the place to go. The appetizers alone are enough reason(try the bruschetta). We've been here twice and both times we've left full and happy.
(5)
Jessica C.
This was one of the best meals I've ever had. They very obviously make great efforts in the meal preparation and execution. The balance of flavors in every part of the meal was nothing short of extraordinary. I will most definitely being going back with a big appetite!
(5)
Nick D.
I am from Philadelphia and I must say I have been less then impressed with the Italian food in Colorado Springs until I visited this restaurant. What a find....the service is great the food is great the price is very right. Can't wait to come back next time in the Springs.
(4)
Mercedez F.
Great intimate Italian restaurant! We were staying at the La Quint Inn across the street and wanted to grab dinner close by as we were just in the car for 13 hours. Service was great and they even gave us free champagne as they were celebrating their 2 year anniversary. Carpaccio was delicious and so was the garlic bread. There wasn't a kid's menu but the kitchen was willing to make a simple pasta with pesto dish for us and even split it for our 2 kids. Will visit again when in town and wanting authentic Italian food!
(4)
Michael L.
Having been to La Bella Vita a couple of times now, my wife and I have gone ahead and promised ourselves that we'll always just come here if we can't decide on a place to go. Everything about it is delightful. It's fairly small and intimate, never roaring with noise (that we've experienced) and the food, wine and service are always just fantastic. Prices are more than reasonable, too. Just last night we had two entrees and three glasses of wine between us and the total came to only around $40. We also love that it's local, independent and run by a native Italian with a fantastic culinary pedigree. The place has won several local dining awards in the three years since it opened, and we can totally see why.
(5)
Matt D.
You know those days where you simply want to go out for a good meal and enjoy something new? Last week, my husband and I had just one of those days. We decided that we'd like to have Italian in a restaurant we'd never tried before. Prompted by all the wonderful reviews of La Bella Vita, we made the decision to visit them for lunch. Now, I've read about their amazing food and service from a great many reviewers and honestly, this all might be true. I'll never know for certain because we were never seated. In fact, we never got in the front door. Perhaps it's just my own particularity, but I think one of the most unprofessional things any restaurant can possibly do is to fail to be open during their own business hours. Sure, they may be a very good restaurant, but are they so arrogantly amazing that they have the luxury of opening whenever they feel like it, in spite of their own posted business hours? Needless to say, when we arrived, the doors were locked and the place appeared empty. And this wasn't just a few minutes past their opening time, it was a whole hour. The service and food may have been excellent or atrocious, but all we can say is that we never had the chance to experience it either way. And in my book, that is a hands-down failure for a restaurant. I doubt we will be going back for another try, as planning a day involving an outing is rather difficult if you can never predict whether or not the establishment you plan to go to will actually be open.
(1)
Debby S.
Absolutely delicious! We have discovered our newest favorite Italian restaurant in Colorado Springs! Ok so they've been around for almost 3 years. We just never tried them thinking that it might be the same owners from Antonios that used to be at the same address and they were trying again under a new name. Boy were we wrong! This is a classy place with reasonable prices. The food is exceptional and the service is great. Can't wait to tell everyone I know! We will be going back of course! Over and over again!
(5)
Vanna G.
Went here last night and it was, hands down, the best Italian food I've eaten this far. I had the lasagna and it was perfect. The bread was fresh and hot. Service was phenomenal. I recommend anyone visiting Colorado Springs to go here and enjoy the food and environment. Easiest 5 starts given.
(5)
Brigitte C.
So I'm not sure if people in the Springs just don't know Italian food but after moving from Chicago 2 years ago I have searched high and low for good italian and this is the best by far. I am giving 4 stars because we have only done carry out so can't comment on the service. The burrata appetizer is delicious and I have had the lasagna many times. I love a lasagna that has many layers and this one fits the bill. Fresh and delicious. We have had the Orecchiette with sausage and that was wonderful as well. My best friend usually has me pick her up an order of the gnocchi Gorgonzola - which she loves. We plan to dine in sometime soon but will be regulars with carry out!
(4)
Sarah N.
I waited until my second visit to rate LBV. Averaging both of my experiences I'd give this place 3.5 stars, but I decided to rate only this most recent visit. We parked in the front the first time, but on our second we parked around the building on the east side. There is an entrance back here, so there was no need to walk around the parking lot. Our server was the same both times. He was very knowledgeable, personable, and pronounced the menu items correctly. We did not receive as much attentiveness from him as much as the first visit, but that was ok - it had been a bit overkill back then. The room is very dated. It was evident the owner had tried to re-work this space that had formerly hosted many other restaurants, but if he wants to impart a vibe that is not as "tired" as it currently feels, it will require more investment. What probably would help is to get rid of the old wine bottles lining the windows and give everything a good dusting. Maybe even drop their neighbor Caspian Cafe to see how an old Denny's was converted into something dark and romantic. Food was decent overall, but I liked it better last time. The Burrata appetizer was excellent. We could have eaten that all night! However the entrees did not live up to the appetizer: the saffron overpowered my risotto, and the rice still had a slight crunch to the texture. I also ordered a side of meatballs to accompany the risotto, and though they weren't bad, I've had better. It was as if they had added a pinch more filler to the meat than necessary, so the texture was a bit on the heavy side. On a good note, LBV's tiramisu is still one of our favorites out of all the Italian eateries we've been to. I guess overall I'm disappointed in the consistency. I'd love to see them succeed, and I hope they do, but there are some tweaks that can be made to make it great.
(3)
A. G.
The food was good. Pastas were a bit cooked past al dente but the flavors were good. Our waiter was interesting...a bit aggressive though his intentions were good and he was nice enough; he tried to be a bit more a part of the meal than would be preference but that's my opinion, some I'm sure would like this. He does not know wine as well as he contends...again, well intentioned, tries to be helpful when ordering wine by bringing two glasses for one to sample but here is our experience. I asked for a ~$70 bottle of chianti classico, and he suggests a $30 house Merlot (Italian grapes, but still a Merlot) or a $40 house Syrah blend. Different grapes, different flavor profile altogether and the first time in my dining experience a waiter has pushed a bottle half the price of the one I tried to order. Another dinner guest was similarly frustrated by his suggestions at trying to replicate a California chardonnay (they just have Italian whites, which is fine, but he went sweet and acidic instead of oaky chardonnay). One question I have is, as we dined with 3 kids, we were told the kitchen would do 1/2 portions of the pastas for the "bambinos" when seated, but our waiter was adamant this wasn't the case. Leftovers are fine, but this is a mixed message. Also, when the menu suggests "Primi" with the pastas, I expect the typical progression of Antipasti, Salad, Primi, and Secondi, and then +/- dessert. The waiter seemed very surprised when I tried to order a pasta and then some veal, and in fact this ends up being two large entrees. I would favor a half-order option on the "Primi" or take away this term-it is misleading, and instead they should lump all the pastas under the entree header if this is their intent.
(3)
Renee R.
Italian food is my favorite and this little gem of a restaurant came through with flying colors. my husband and I have seen several places come and go at this location . I think location is only negative I can see . It has a quaint , relaxing atmosphere of old European hospitality. My hubby and I shared the Pollo Forestiera - a delicious chicken dish with mushrooms in a creamy wine sauce. It was served with spinach and a small portion of potatoes . It was very filling and reasonably priced . It was incredibly tasty . I also had a salad made with diced pears, tomatoes , basil and cucumbers - it was called panzanilla ( I think ) and was served with a champagne viniagrette . We will definitely return.
(4)
Tyler H.
By far the best dining experience I've ever had if you have the chance sit with NickI and I promise you will not regret it. Best food, best service.
(5)
SHARON H.
Went to dinner 36 of us. One hour to bring microscopic salad. Main course lukewarm. Waited 40 minutes for main course Dessert awful. Costco cream puff with fake whip cream. Cost us over s60.00. Huge rip-off. Don't waste your money at this place. We had the "party menu". We were reqired to leave a tip. PARTY Menus ARE LIMITED Menus AND Always include the tip.
(1)
Susan P.
Delicious rich sauces and homemade pastas. We loved this restaurant and will go back!
(5)
Tony S.
We ate here on a recent Friday night. The service was excellent and very friendly. The manager stopped by to see if all was well. It was. We had Lasagna and baked manicotti. Both very good and piping hot. We also had salads as appetizers. Also very good. The decor we simple, understated, but clean. I don't understand the few bad reviews. We had wine, appetizers, and main dishes and walked away for about $50.00. Great value and overall very good experience.
(4)
JacknAlex E.
Food was great and service was great also I wasn't feeling to good after being up in such high elevations in pikes peak so didn't get to eat all my food but our server Ryan was so kind to box everything up and bag it for us with plastic wear and everything, he along with his team of servers did very good with keeping up with us and taking care of us we will definitely be back if ever in the area again
(5)
Trisha C.
I have to say I'm also confused as to why Yelp has blocked so many reviews for this place. We had a lovely experience. The food was delicious - probably the best Italian food I've had here in the Springs. (It's really hard to find decent Italian here!!) We started with the Burratta (YUM!!), a Caprese salad, and some fried calamari. I had the fettuccine with vodka sauce and shrimp, and my husband had a lovely risotto with shrimp. The others in our party also immensely enjoyed their meals. We finished with the profiteroles, which were lovely, though I found the filling to be a bit strange and non-traditional, and a tiramisu, which was excellent. I was really impressed with the quality of the entrees and how they came out piping hot! My brother's lasagne was so hot he had to wait a few minutes to let it cool off before he could dig in. As for the ambiance, I know others have said it looked "dated," and it probably could use a little face-lift. Though honestly it reminded me of Italian restaurants in NYC that I've dined at. Overall, I found it to be a great place. The staff we friendly and knowledgeable and the food was fantastic. We'll definitely be back for more!
(4)
Steve C.
I'm going to leave an initial review on this place because it appears that they need it. I've never known Yelp to omit good reviews before so that is news to me. I've only been here once so, I will definitely want to go again before I write a full review. However, my first experience was very favorable! La Bella Vita was recommended to us by several friends who I consider to be authorities on real Italian food. I ignore most people's recommendations in Colorado Springs because this town is in love with chain restaurants for some reason. Local restaurants like this one tend to be ignored or highly under-appreciated. The outside of the restaurant is not impressive and it's even a little difficult to find. The inside is only a little better so don't go here for great atmosphere. However, the food is really good! I do not consider Italian food to be at the top of my list of favorite cuisine. However, the food here could definitely shift that perspective. I ordered the Veal Marsala and my wife had a spinach ravioli stuffed with different cheeses. Both dishes were excellent as was their fresh focaccia bread. I was less impressed with the bruschetta! however and the salads were just ok as well. Regardless, this is an Italian restaurant that I will visit again and, for me, that says a lot!
(4)
Sibby S.
Arrived at 7pm on recent weekday evening, only one other table of diners -- already a bad sign! Service was very matter-of-fact, no personality from our server or her server-in-training, that followed her around like a puppy dog. Food was awful all around. Everyone in our party was disappointed. I ordered their special, a Chilean sea bass, that was completely covered in a canned-tasting marinara sauce, that completely over-powered this delicate fish. Poor wine selection. This place is still only months old, and I lay bets it will not survive to see it's first anniversary. Very expensive too by the way -- for good mom and pop Italian stick with Roman Villa or Luigi's.
(1)
Chris S.
We work close by and have had several coworkers tell us that the lunch was delicious, so we decided to try it for dinner. I should preface this review with the fact that right after we sat down, the table next to us walked out of the restaurant because they were both extremely dissatisfied with what they had been served. They pointed out that the sauce on the fettuccine Alfredo was more of a soup than a sauce - I can confirm this as the guy held up a spoon full of the sauce and it poured off like water. The lady went as far as to call it 'horrible' prior to leaving. As we had never seen anything like this before, we tried to keep an open mind when it came to our order. The waitress was switched out after taking our order - this normally wouldn't have been a big deal, but no one told us that this was happening. One minute she took our order and then we never saw her again. The replacement was nice and polite but didn't seem to know that we hadn't been told. We started with the calamari and to quote the lady from the other table, 'It was absolutely horrible'. I've never had calamari that I didn't finish before. This calamari wasn't fried and was in some sort of runny oil type sauce. The worst part about it was that it was extremely rubbery. I've always heard about rubbery calamari but have never had the misfortune of being served it - until that night. I've actually never called anything horrible before, but this was so bad that I can honestly say that you couldn't pay me to eat it again. The house salad was drenched in some sort of garlic parmesan dressing and the salad itself was lukewarm versus distinctly chilled. Maybe it was premade but it was definitely not good. I ordered the lasagna for my main course and while it was the best thing that I was served that night, I was still very disappointed. It was overly salty and the portion was very small and served in a very shallow bowl. It was about an inch thick and I'm used to lasagna which is at least 2 inches or greater in thickness. It left me hungry and very dissatisfied with my choice. It was definitely overpriced as I left there and had to find something else to eat. I'm very disappointed that this place was as bad as it was as we desperately need better Italian restaurants in this town.
(1)
Paul E.
Have had a number of luncheons here with a group. The food is very good. I had a Calzone there today that kind of blew my mind. The location is very convenient right off the interstate, and the service is excellent. Mind you, I'm enjoying this after 3 weeks in Italy several months ago!
(4)
Jesse U.
I can honestly say as someone who has traveled to Italy that the food here is quite authentic. The portions were quite substantial, the service was excellent and I most definitely will be returning.
(4)
Susi H.
So here I am, I said that I would update my review once I tried their pizza. I did so last Saturday. Their ingredients were fresh, good and high quality. The crust was thin just like I like it and the ingredients were not too heavily placed. Perfect amount. Unfortunately the lack of a wood burning oven was very obvious. A pizza has a totally different flavor and consistency when cooked in a wood oven. There is just no if. ands nor buts about it. But overall an enjoyable pizza.
(4)
Sue G.
We have eaten at some great Italian Restaurants and this one is right up there at the top! Food waa excellent & service was first class. Highly recommend.
(5)
Rick M.
We tried La Bella out while we were in town for Christmas. Easy to get reservations & the staff was very good, excellent service. I have to say, though, that there is nothing real special about the food. Just average, really and nothing to rave about. The deserts were real good as a bit of a contrast to dinner. Again, the wait help were very good!
(3)
Evelyn G.
Wonderful little spot! Our server was Nicki and he obviously has a passion for the food, wine, and the pleasure of dining out. He offered to let us sample two different white wines before we selected our bottle, was open to any modifications we wanted to make, and was ready to suggest his favorite dishes. Truly incredible customer service! The ambiance is simple and quite homey, I look forward to coming back!
(4)
Charles M.
I've read some reviews and I am left scratching my head. Food and service was great , food was at an appropriate portion. For chunky monkeys out there don't come here unless you partake in all the free bread... Which is good by the way. Keep up the great work and as long as it isn't busy during lunch I'll be there. I challenge anyone to consider this REAL italian restaurant and not enjoy their food.
This place was the worst Italian food I've ever had. The service was mediocre and the food was awful. I had the lasagna and it tasted like they just poured out a can of chef-boy-r-dee and microwaved it. It tasted like something I had vomited and was re-eating. I have no idea how they are best of in the Gazette. Don't fall for it, this place sucks bad!! Real bad!
(1)
Patti H.
We just tried this restaurant for the first time .... WOW! We loved it! We were there for the "early bird special" and both had authentic Italian chicken dishes! So delicious, hot & fresh!! The salad with candies pecans & Gorgonzola was perfect! The chef apparently went to culinary school in Italy. The presentation was beautiful; the ambiance was very nice! What can I say but that we truly enjoyed the whole experience!!! You've got to try this new restaurant!
(5)
Julie M.
Love this restaurant! Food is fantastic and service is wonderful! Authentic Italian at its best!! We go to a lot of Italian restaurants everywhere we travel and this is the place to go in Colorado Springs for Italian!!
(5)
Kelly M.
Seriously I do not understand why Yelp would filter so many of the 4 and 5 star reviews from this place. Well I am here to state that La Bella Vita is very good italian food. If you want over americanized italian then I suggest you check out the olive garden, this is not that. The food my party and I ordered was excellent. I had the tagliatelle pasta with wild boar and a red wine tomato sauce. It was SO GOOD! Both my father and my husband were trying to steal my pasta! My dad had the chicken marsala and really enjoyed it and my husband had a tortalini in an white sauce which I tried and thought was very good although it could have used a little more seasoning. The service was outstanding. Not only did we never have to ask for more water or refills but our server was friendly and very good at what she does. Apart from dinner we also sampled the dessert. My dad and I both got the creme brule as it is our favorite and it was OUTSTANDING. Seriously people there are very few excellent REAL italian places to eat in Colorado Springs and this is one of them. Please ignore the poor reviews, check out the filtered reviews and try this place out for ourself. It is worth it! Oh and as a side note there is plenty of parking on the back side of the restaurant AND there is an entrance back there contrary to what other people have said.
(5)
Kelley O.
Definitely my favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs. My family and I go at least once a week, Tiziano is the nicest guy and always very friendly! I lived in Italy for six months and this is the most authentic food I've experienced in the Springs. It's nice to see more family owned restaurants popping up!
(5)
Julie B.
I just had the pumpkin ravioli and it was beautiful! The sauce was creamy and just perfectly seasoned with white wine and garlic. I have never been disappointed with my selections.
(5)
Richard H.
Overall a very unimpressive experience. The atmosphere was louder than we anticipated, which made a quiet conversation difficult. The coffee wasn't hot or good, so that was sent back. The appetizers were good; my wife had the mushroom soup which she thought was acceptable and I had the Panzanella Salad which was quite good. Unfortunately the main courses were both disappointing. I had the worst veal I've ever been served in the Scallopine di Vitello all olio Tartufato. The veal was grisly without flavor and the sides of potato and zucchini were under seasoned and the roasted potatoes were very dry. My wife had the Risotto al Chianti which actually made her laugh and comment that it looked like a prison meal since it was an unappetizing grey color. To me it looked like old porridge with peas mixed in. But she said it tasted good. The real surprise came when one of the owners checked on our meal and I politely informed him it was just OK. He clearly understood we weren't impressed and asked what could be better. After mentioning the veal, he explained that all of their veal was bad and he wished they would have realized that before serving mine. In fact, he even stated that it was no longer being served that evening. He didn't offer to take it back or make something else. I didn't finish the dish and expected that our bill would be adjusted accordingly. I was surprised and disappointed that there was no adjustment on the bill for the inedible veal. But I didn't make a fuss and simply realized this was not the type of restaurant that understands customer satisfaction. The waitress took our payment and after processing it said her boss wanted to buy us dessert. This was offensive to me. Serve a $21 entree that was inedible and by their own admission should not have been served and then offer to make up for it with dessert? That's clearly wrong and poor business. Needless to say we won't be going back to La Bella Vita.
(2)
Carin B.
Quiet place. Awesome food. Wait staff was right there and on the ball. Eric was extra good. He found my wallet and stayed late for me to get it. The yelp auto reservation is kool, too.
(4)
Rory A.
Our server was excellent and the food was amazing. I'll be stopping by here again next time I'm in Colorado Springs!
(5)
Kyle G.
Tried to order a meal at 9:20 for pickup and the kitchen was closed even though the hours are till 10:00
(1)
Gabe M.
Wonderful little Italian place for some ambiance & fresh Italian fair. I cant speak for the wine list I cant speak for.
We read a decent review of this place in the CS Indy and decided to give it a try. We weren't disappointed. The one problem you're going to have is deciding what to order. While the menu isn't very large, everything sounds delicious. One major plus is they don't have the typical Italian fare that you see on every other menu. We had the lobster ravioli which was on special that night and a salmon in a basil cream sauce. Salads were fresh, meals were cooked to perfection and the flavors were out of this world rich. Two entrees, salads, drinks and a shared dessert set us back $60 - well worth it I'd say. In an area filled with mediocre chains this place was a refreshing find. I hope the word spreads. We'll be back.
(4)
Terry J.
We'd been to La Bella Vita twice before and loved it. We thought it would make Christmas Eve dinner special. Very disappointed. When we made our reservations there was no mention of a special limited menu for Christmas Eve. Menu was very limited and contained dishes with white wine, truffle oil and cream sauces. Not a single menu item with a tomato based sauce. They even managed to destroy traditional desserts like tiramisu by putting white chocolate in it. Not sure we'll ever go back, but definitely will not be our choice for a special occasion or holiday.
(2)
Jerry H.
Fresh Italian with home-made pastas and sauces, fresh veggies and seafood...mmmm, can there be anything better? Unfortunately, La Bella Vita is not that place. Parking is sparse, about 12 spaces in front shared by three businesses. That seems strange, given that the place looks to seat about 100 people. There may be parking behind the building somewhere, but there wasn't a rear entrance. The layout was very funky. Enter the front and turn right, and there is a large disconnected room with a lot of large tables. It looks nice, but it seems like the food would be tepid by the time it arrived over there. Turn left, and you step down into a room that's clean and almost sterile. The booths are OK, the tables in the middle of the room are OK, but there's just nothing that wows you. They are very proud of their sound system, because it was very loud playing mostly oldies. That was good, because their clientele seemed to be in the mostly senior range. They had a selection of 4-5 specials that night, which was encouraging, but we felt they were about 30% overpriced. They also have a respectable selection of wines at fair prices. The menu offers about 8 "specialties" that include soup or salad. Also offered are about a dozen entrees, and they all seemed overpriced. One of us ordered the orecchiette pasta with sausage, and one ordered the linguine pescatore, both from the specialties side of the menu. We also ordered a bottle of Bolla Valpolicella. The wife loved her orecchiette, which was tossed with olive oil, broccoli rhab and a few coins of sweet italian sausage. (too few in my opinion) My linguine was a well-imagined dish, with mussels, clams, shrimp and calamari. The problem was that all of the seafood was over-cooked, and therefore fishy. The clams and mussels were the smallest I've ever seen. It was a generously portioned dish though. Both pastas tasted like they originated in a box. Both meals were served with garlic bread that was...meh. The valpolicella was delightful, and our waitress happily corked what we didn't finish. Overall I'd give the service a four out of five. She knew her menu, but she was just a bit too busy with us. Honestly, there wasn't anything about La Bella Vita that would keep me away from Olive Garden or Rocco's.
(2)
Geoff A.
Overpriced and disappointing. Ambience: Weird location but nice enough inside. None of the (somewhat older) clientele were impressed with the over-the-top schtick of the maitre d' who repeated the same basic Italian phrases over and over and even less so with his habit of kissing the hands of the women. Service: Okay, but very much looking to up-sell you. I came alone and was told I should order a full bottle of wine (for $25). They are attentive but having every different waiter (and the maitre d') interrupt to ask if everything was okay got a little bit much. I had 4 people ask if I wanted parmesan cheese. Food: I had the veal marsala which was decent and a side-salad which was okay but a little over-loaded with raw onions. On that note, after ordering the veal entree I was asked "And will you be having soup or salad with that?". The question (and the delivery) suggested that it was included. It wasn't. I got charged $8 for a small salad that I didn't really want and felt ripped off. I also ordered a glass of chianti which was okay but by far the smallest pour I have ever had in any restaurant ever. Price: Not good. There are plenty of restaurants with much better value for money and some only a few blocks from here so I won't be going back. Fool me once, shame on me. But you won't get a chance to fool me again.
(1)
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Address :4475 Northpark Dr
Colorado Springs, CO, 80907
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Kathy P.
Our first visit here, and it was excellent. House made pastas and sauces, Reasonably price wine selection. House made desserts. The calamari appetizer was lightly breaded and excellent. My husband had the shrimp risotto and pronounced it cooked to perfection. My snapper & lobster in sherry cream sauce was equally well done. Dessert selection is enticing. One of my favourite desserts, common in Italy, harder to find here, is biscotti and vin santo. La Bella Vita's presentation is beautiful. A glass of vin santo, surrounded by house made almond biscotti and dollops of whipped cream tipped with raspberry sauce. It is a puzzlement to us why lovely, local restaurants like this are not full every night. None of the chain restaurants have food or service to compare.
(4)Bob K.
I had the baked manicotti for lunch today and it was awesome. The service was fast and friendly.
(5)Bill V.
First of all, my wife and I have been to La Bella Vita 4 or 5 times previously. When we walked in, we asked ourselves "why did it take us 7 months to come back?" For that, I have no answer other than stupidity. Secondly, the service is always attentive and friendly. This is a family owned restaurant which is not always a positive. It is for La Bella Vita. My wife had the Eggplant Parmigiana and I had the Spaghetti Carbonara. Not many places know how to make Carbonara-it often is lumpy or is basically an Alfredo sauce. This place knows Carbonara. Finally, while you may pay a little more than going to say, a chain place like Carrabbas, La Bella Vita is worth it.
(5)Gazuntit B.
The food was fairly good compared to what you would generally find in Colorado Springs. Thought it was overpriced for what we got. The atmosphere was pleasant. The waitress was pleasant but wasn't very knowledgeable and didn't offer us the normal things a waitress would be expected to....for example: drinks, a starter, wine etc. and she seemed to be in a rush to take off the plates while we were eating. I would not go out of my way to recommend this place and I'm not sure that I would eat there again. Oh, and don't ask for pizza, like my 4 year old did....because apparently the chef suggested that we go to Domino's Pizza. I thought that was kind of rude....even though the waitress thought it was funny. I think even though the Manager attended each table for feedback, the place suffers from inflated ego and will not take criticism.
(2)Janina G.
Tonight we checked out this charming restaurant for the very first time. The food was excellent! We started out with Burata alla Bella Vita and Calamari Fritti. Delicious! The spicy marinara sauce was outstanding! For dinner I had Gnocchi al Pomodoro e Basilico and the folks I was with had chicken parmesan. This was also delicious and they enjoyed the zucchini and potato included with the meal. This was so yummy and we were excited to end the dinner with the cheesecake. The cheesecake was out of this world creamy! The citrus flavor was superb and just the right level of sweetness. Amazing! The service was outstanding and our delightful waitress kept our drinks topped off. She was very personable an led informative, and even showed us how they told their napkins (as we were trying to duplicate them). Excellent night-I can't wait to come back!
(5)Kristin G.
My friend and I were in Colorado Springs for a couple of days and in the mood for Italian. We found La Bella Vita Italian Restaurant on yelp and saw all the great reviews so we decided to give it a try. It was easy to make a reservation and the restaurant smelled wonderful upon arrival. Our waiter Brian did a great job of recommending dishes and paid special attention to our table. Yelp had a check in coupon for a free Bruschetta with any entrée. We started with that and then had the Chicken Marsala and Rollatine di Pollo. Both were delicious. We paired it with the house Chianti and finished it with the Tiramisu. Would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Billy Angela E.
I took my family to this restaurant last night and was very disappointed. Right from the moment we walked in our waiter was rude and condesending to me and my family. The food was expensive for the quality. I asked our waiter for an italian margrita and he asked me to explain what i meant. I will never take my family to this place again.
(1)Jacque A.
Delicious delicious delicious. Try the sword fish. The most amazing tiramisu I've ever had... They add little baby chunks of white chocolate... Vanilla fresh homemade whipped cream. And wow the cannoli I can't even handle myself right now.
(5)Mia M.
I have been to many restaraunts in Las Vegas, Nevada, where we used to live for 5 years. This tops them all. Our waiter Steve was so awesome and the food was the absolute best that I have ever had in my 30 plus years!
(5)Heather L.
I'm in love with the fettuccine alla vodka. We miss Italian food after spending 6 years living there. This is pretty authentic, just a bit Americanized.
(4)Mary D.
It was so amazing! Definitely the best restaurant I've been to in Colorado so far. It was such a nice relaxing atmosphere and the staff was great! It was the perfect place for my birthday dinner. I will definitely be returning soon!
(5)Timothy B.
What a great place. Great food. Great staff. Great dishes. No complaints. A must place to eat if you love Italian food. If ever we are coming back to this area we will be going back. Try it. You will like it.
(5)Karen T.
Our overall experience was excellent, however a few things could have been better. Our pasta was delicious albeit a tad overcooked. The same was true of the chicken. The service was top notch and dessert outstanding. We would definitely go back.
(4)Denise M.
I have driven past this restaurant many times but never tried it. I'm glad I did. I wanted to find a good Italian restaurant (not Olive Garden) and yelp suggested this one. The food was great. The staff was even better. They were all super friendly and welcoming. I got my food to go and they offered me something to drink while I waited. I appreciated that they also talked to me while I was waiting which was relaxing and comforting.
(5)Brandi E.
This little restaurant is fabulous! My husband had the chicken Parmesan, I had rigatoni with artichokes, sundries tomato, chicken and pesto cream sauce (awesome). Our daughter had the tortellini with tomato sauce but she tried all of the dishes and loved them all. I wish they had one where we live! To top it all off the waiter and manager were so friendly and fun to talk with. Loved it!
(5)Angel B.
The experience, the atmosphere and the service is great! I had lasagna and my wife had chicken Parmesan both dishes where off the charts!! Great tasting food very clean establishment.
(5)Barbara D.
Today was our 1st time here everything was beyond our expectations, from the atmosphere, food, the service, our waiter, everything. We were impressed and cant wait to go back.
(5)Lennie L.
What a treat it was to find this place. My husband and I had the Antipasto Misto which was a mix of cured meats and cheeses. They brought us more warm, fresh bread as we still had some meat and cheese left. We also ordered the calamari which was fantastic. Fresh and tender. The sauce was delicious and had a little kick to it, but was fantastic! Lastly, we shared a creme brulee. Last night was a chocolate creme brulee. The chocolate was on the bottom so the carmalized topping and custard was on top which were perfect. Nice creamy custard and the sugar topping was crisp and delicious. I'm pretty picky about my creme brulee and this one did not disappoint us :-) Eric, the general manager, as well as the rest of the staff there were so personable and attentive. Fun to talk to and just a really great time getting to chat with each of them as they came and rang other customers' orders up (we were sitting at the counter / bar). Will definitely come back for their happy hour and dinner for two.
(5)Terry W.
We just ate there again the other night and it was wonderful once again. I have to say I am not much of a mushroom soup guy but we shared a bowl there and we all loved it. On top of that my daughter took the bowl from us and ate all of it herself. She devoured it. I really don't see why so many of their reviews are in the "not recommended" tab below when they are great reviews. I don't understand why Yelp does this at all; there software needs to be modified to stuff doing this it seems. Check this place out you won't be sorry!
(4)Tony P.
After years of seeing the ads we finally decided to try La Bella Vita on a rare date night. We didn't have a reservation, so we got one of the last tables by the door. I'm happy to say that the place was booked on a Saturday night. We were pleasantly pleased with the wine list and ordered an Orvieto which was perfect for our meal. We started with an appetizer from the regular menu: burrata with flash fried prosciutto, tomato slices and fresh mozzarella. With the bread it was served on, the flavors were a bit out if balance, but we thoroughly enjoyed all the flavors deconstructed. For entrées we each choose a special. We had a wild mushroom ravioli in a sage butter sauce. It was really good, but for us.. The pasta could have been a bit more tender. The flavors however were really good and this was the better of the two entrées we had. The other was a pork chop in with a wild mushroom gravy of sorts. (This was a few weeks ago so I don't remember exactly.) The flavors were really good but the pork chop was a little dry. The decor was nice, but becoming a bit dated. If you want Italian food in Colorado Springs... This place is a really good experience. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. And the food is good quality. Just ask to sit away from the door... We'll be back.
(4)Carolyn R.
I have been here twice so far and everything that I have tried is absolutely amazing! I have not been to an Italian restaurant where the flavors are spot on. The best Cannoli's I will say. We saw the chef come out and talk to some guests at a table near us. It's definitely a true Italian cooking for you!
(5)Mike D.
What an unbelievable dinner. My co-workers and I had an amazing dining experience. The clam linguine, bruschetta, and chicken Marsala were all excellently prepared. Our server, Mary Beth, was very attentive to our needs and engaged in delightful conversation. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone!!!!
(5)Jo L.
I love this place. Nice environment - quiet and romantic. Easy location. Clean. Great staff. Amazing food.
(5)Aaron T.
Great food, great staff, nice quiet bar well stocked with a good selection. Very well priced as well. I highly recommend.
(5)Michael R.
This place is great. I went here last night in a group of 10. When we arrived our table was already setup which was nice however it was missing 1 chair. No big deal. The service was good overall. Our waiter was good as well. The food does take a while to come out however when you consider everything is made from scratch it's understandable. The food was worth the wait. Due to a few minor issues I only gave 4 stars but the food is 5 stars. I will come back anytime I'm in the Springs.
(4)E T.
Fresh bruschetta with well seasoned tomatoes, delicious home made garlic bread that was addictive, An Amazing entree of chicken rolled with ham and cheese (I forgot the Italian name!) It was some of the best Italian food I have had in Colorado Springs. Outstanding. Their wine selection is also thorough and expansive.
(5)Carlos M.
Fantastic food, great service, you will not leave hungry. If you're tired of fast food Italian food this is the place to go. The appetizers alone are enough reason(try the bruschetta). We've been here twice and both times we've left full and happy.
(5)Jessica C.
This was one of the best meals I've ever had. They very obviously make great efforts in the meal preparation and execution. The balance of flavors in every part of the meal was nothing short of extraordinary. I will most definitely being going back with a big appetite!
(5)Nick D.
I am from Philadelphia and I must say I have been less then impressed with the Italian food in Colorado Springs until I visited this restaurant. What a find....the service is great the food is great the price is very right. Can't wait to come back next time in the Springs.
(4)Mercedez F.
Great intimate Italian restaurant! We were staying at the La Quint Inn across the street and wanted to grab dinner close by as we were just in the car for 13 hours. Service was great and they even gave us free champagne as they were celebrating their 2 year anniversary. Carpaccio was delicious and so was the garlic bread. There wasn't a kid's menu but the kitchen was willing to make a simple pasta with pesto dish for us and even split it for our 2 kids. Will visit again when in town and wanting authentic Italian food!
(4)Michael L.
Having been to La Bella Vita a couple of times now, my wife and I have gone ahead and promised ourselves that we'll always just come here if we can't decide on a place to go. Everything about it is delightful. It's fairly small and intimate, never roaring with noise (that we've experienced) and the food, wine and service are always just fantastic. Prices are more than reasonable, too. Just last night we had two entrees and three glasses of wine between us and the total came to only around $40. We also love that it's local, independent and run by a native Italian with a fantastic culinary pedigree. The place has won several local dining awards in the three years since it opened, and we can totally see why.
(5)Matt D.
You know those days where you simply want to go out for a good meal and enjoy something new? Last week, my husband and I had just one of those days. We decided that we'd like to have Italian in a restaurant we'd never tried before. Prompted by all the wonderful reviews of La Bella Vita, we made the decision to visit them for lunch. Now, I've read about their amazing food and service from a great many reviewers and honestly, this all might be true. I'll never know for certain because we were never seated. In fact, we never got in the front door. Perhaps it's just my own particularity, but I think one of the most unprofessional things any restaurant can possibly do is to fail to be open during their own business hours. Sure, they may be a very good restaurant, but are they so arrogantly amazing that they have the luxury of opening whenever they feel like it, in spite of their own posted business hours? Needless to say, when we arrived, the doors were locked and the place appeared empty. And this wasn't just a few minutes past their opening time, it was a whole hour. The service and food may have been excellent or atrocious, but all we can say is that we never had the chance to experience it either way. And in my book, that is a hands-down failure for a restaurant. I doubt we will be going back for another try, as planning a day involving an outing is rather difficult if you can never predict whether or not the establishment you plan to go to will actually be open.
(1)Debby S.
Absolutely delicious! We have discovered our newest favorite Italian restaurant in Colorado Springs! Ok so they've been around for almost 3 years. We just never tried them thinking that it might be the same owners from Antonios that used to be at the same address and they were trying again under a new name. Boy were we wrong! This is a classy place with reasonable prices. The food is exceptional and the service is great. Can't wait to tell everyone I know! We will be going back of course! Over and over again!
(5)Vanna G.
Went here last night and it was, hands down, the best Italian food I've eaten this far. I had the lasagna and it was perfect. The bread was fresh and hot. Service was phenomenal. I recommend anyone visiting Colorado Springs to go here and enjoy the food and environment. Easiest 5 starts given.
(5)Brigitte C.
So I'm not sure if people in the Springs just don't know Italian food but after moving from Chicago 2 years ago I have searched high and low for good italian and this is the best by far. I am giving 4 stars because we have only done carry out so can't comment on the service. The burrata appetizer is delicious and I have had the lasagna many times. I love a lasagna that has many layers and this one fits the bill. Fresh and delicious. We have had the Orecchiette with sausage and that was wonderful as well. My best friend usually has me pick her up an order of the gnocchi Gorgonzola - which she loves. We plan to dine in sometime soon but will be regulars with carry out!
(4)Sarah N.
I waited until my second visit to rate LBV. Averaging both of my experiences I'd give this place 3.5 stars, but I decided to rate only this most recent visit. We parked in the front the first time, but on our second we parked around the building on the east side. There is an entrance back here, so there was no need to walk around the parking lot. Our server was the same both times. He was very knowledgeable, personable, and pronounced the menu items correctly. We did not receive as much attentiveness from him as much as the first visit, but that was ok - it had been a bit overkill back then. The room is very dated. It was evident the owner had tried to re-work this space that had formerly hosted many other restaurants, but if he wants to impart a vibe that is not as "tired" as it currently feels, it will require more investment. What probably would help is to get rid of the old wine bottles lining the windows and give everything a good dusting. Maybe even drop their neighbor Caspian Cafe to see how an old Denny's was converted into something dark and romantic. Food was decent overall, but I liked it better last time. The Burrata appetizer was excellent. We could have eaten that all night! However the entrees did not live up to the appetizer: the saffron overpowered my risotto, and the rice still had a slight crunch to the texture. I also ordered a side of meatballs to accompany the risotto, and though they weren't bad, I've had better. It was as if they had added a pinch more filler to the meat than necessary, so the texture was a bit on the heavy side. On a good note, LBV's tiramisu is still one of our favorites out of all the Italian eateries we've been to. I guess overall I'm disappointed in the consistency. I'd love to see them succeed, and I hope they do, but there are some tweaks that can be made to make it great.
(3)A. G.
The food was good. Pastas were a bit cooked past al dente but the flavors were good. Our waiter was interesting...a bit aggressive though his intentions were good and he was nice enough; he tried to be a bit more a part of the meal than would be preference but that's my opinion, some I'm sure would like this. He does not know wine as well as he contends...again, well intentioned, tries to be helpful when ordering wine by bringing two glasses for one to sample but here is our experience. I asked for a ~$70 bottle of chianti classico, and he suggests a $30 house Merlot (Italian grapes, but still a Merlot) or a $40 house Syrah blend. Different grapes, different flavor profile altogether and the first time in my dining experience a waiter has pushed a bottle half the price of the one I tried to order. Another dinner guest was similarly frustrated by his suggestions at trying to replicate a California chardonnay (they just have Italian whites, which is fine, but he went sweet and acidic instead of oaky chardonnay). One question I have is, as we dined with 3 kids, we were told the kitchen would do 1/2 portions of the pastas for the "bambinos" when seated, but our waiter was adamant this wasn't the case. Leftovers are fine, but this is a mixed message. Also, when the menu suggests "Primi" with the pastas, I expect the typical progression of Antipasti, Salad, Primi, and Secondi, and then +/- dessert. The waiter seemed very surprised when I tried to order a pasta and then some veal, and in fact this ends up being two large entrees. I would favor a half-order option on the "Primi" or take away this term-it is misleading, and instead they should lump all the pastas under the entree header if this is their intent.
(3)Renee R.
Italian food is my favorite and this little gem of a restaurant came through with flying colors. my husband and I have seen several places come and go at this location . I think location is only negative I can see . It has a quaint , relaxing atmosphere of old European hospitality. My hubby and I shared the Pollo Forestiera - a delicious chicken dish with mushrooms in a creamy wine sauce. It was served with spinach and a small portion of potatoes . It was very filling and reasonably priced . It was incredibly tasty . I also had a salad made with diced pears, tomatoes , basil and cucumbers - it was called panzanilla ( I think ) and was served with a champagne viniagrette . We will definitely return.
(4)Tyler H.
By far the best dining experience I've ever had if you have the chance sit with NickI and I promise you will not regret it. Best food, best service.
(5)SHARON H.
Went to dinner 36 of us. One hour to bring microscopic salad. Main course lukewarm. Waited 40 minutes for main course Dessert awful. Costco cream puff with fake whip cream. Cost us over s60.00. Huge rip-off. Don't waste your money at this place. We had the "party menu". We were reqired to leave a tip. PARTY Menus ARE LIMITED Menus AND Always include the tip.
(1)Susan P.
Delicious rich sauces and homemade pastas. We loved this restaurant and will go back!
(5)Tony S.
We ate here on a recent Friday night. The service was excellent and very friendly. The manager stopped by to see if all was well. It was. We had Lasagna and baked manicotti. Both very good and piping hot. We also had salads as appetizers. Also very good. The decor we simple, understated, but clean. I don't understand the few bad reviews. We had wine, appetizers, and main dishes and walked away for about $50.00. Great value and overall very good experience.
(4)JacknAlex E.
Food was great and service was great also I wasn't feeling to good after being up in such high elevations in pikes peak so didn't get to eat all my food but our server Ryan was so kind to box everything up and bag it for us with plastic wear and everything, he along with his team of servers did very good with keeping up with us and taking care of us we will definitely be back if ever in the area again
(5)Trisha C.
I have to say I'm also confused as to why Yelp has blocked so many reviews for this place. We had a lovely experience. The food was delicious - probably the best Italian food I've had here in the Springs. (It's really hard to find decent Italian here!!) We started with the Burratta (YUM!!), a Caprese salad, and some fried calamari. I had the fettuccine with vodka sauce and shrimp, and my husband had a lovely risotto with shrimp. The others in our party also immensely enjoyed their meals. We finished with the profiteroles, which were lovely, though I found the filling to be a bit strange and non-traditional, and a tiramisu, which was excellent. I was really impressed with the quality of the entrees and how they came out piping hot! My brother's lasagne was so hot he had to wait a few minutes to let it cool off before he could dig in. As for the ambiance, I know others have said it looked "dated," and it probably could use a little face-lift. Though honestly it reminded me of Italian restaurants in NYC that I've dined at. Overall, I found it to be a great place. The staff we friendly and knowledgeable and the food was fantastic. We'll definitely be back for more!
(4)Steve C.
I'm going to leave an initial review on this place because it appears that they need it. I've never known Yelp to omit good reviews before so that is news to me. I've only been here once so, I will definitely want to go again before I write a full review. However, my first experience was very favorable! La Bella Vita was recommended to us by several friends who I consider to be authorities on real Italian food. I ignore most people's recommendations in Colorado Springs because this town is in love with chain restaurants for some reason. Local restaurants like this one tend to be ignored or highly under-appreciated. The outside of the restaurant is not impressive and it's even a little difficult to find. The inside is only a little better so don't go here for great atmosphere. However, the food is really good! I do not consider Italian food to be at the top of my list of favorite cuisine. However, the food here could definitely shift that perspective. I ordered the Veal Marsala and my wife had a spinach ravioli stuffed with different cheeses. Both dishes were excellent as was their fresh focaccia bread. I was less impressed with the bruschetta! however and the salads were just ok as well. Regardless, this is an Italian restaurant that I will visit again and, for me, that says a lot!
(4)Sibby S.
Arrived at 7pm on recent weekday evening, only one other table of diners -- already a bad sign! Service was very matter-of-fact, no personality from our server or her server-in-training, that followed her around like a puppy dog. Food was awful all around. Everyone in our party was disappointed. I ordered their special, a Chilean sea bass, that was completely covered in a canned-tasting marinara sauce, that completely over-powered this delicate fish. Poor wine selection. This place is still only months old, and I lay bets it will not survive to see it's first anniversary. Very expensive too by the way -- for good mom and pop Italian stick with Roman Villa or Luigi's.
(1)Chris S.
We work close by and have had several coworkers tell us that the lunch was delicious, so we decided to try it for dinner. I should preface this review with the fact that right after we sat down, the table next to us walked out of the restaurant because they were both extremely dissatisfied with what they had been served. They pointed out that the sauce on the fettuccine Alfredo was more of a soup than a sauce - I can confirm this as the guy held up a spoon full of the sauce and it poured off like water. The lady went as far as to call it 'horrible' prior to leaving. As we had never seen anything like this before, we tried to keep an open mind when it came to our order. The waitress was switched out after taking our order - this normally wouldn't have been a big deal, but no one told us that this was happening. One minute she took our order and then we never saw her again. The replacement was nice and polite but didn't seem to know that we hadn't been told. We started with the calamari and to quote the lady from the other table, 'It was absolutely horrible'. I've never had calamari that I didn't finish before. This calamari wasn't fried and was in some sort of runny oil type sauce. The worst part about it was that it was extremely rubbery. I've always heard about rubbery calamari but have never had the misfortune of being served it - until that night. I've actually never called anything horrible before, but this was so bad that I can honestly say that you couldn't pay me to eat it again. The house salad was drenched in some sort of garlic parmesan dressing and the salad itself was lukewarm versus distinctly chilled. Maybe it was premade but it was definitely not good. I ordered the lasagna for my main course and while it was the best thing that I was served that night, I was still very disappointed. It was overly salty and the portion was very small and served in a very shallow bowl. It was about an inch thick and I'm used to lasagna which is at least 2 inches or greater in thickness. It left me hungry and very dissatisfied with my choice. It was definitely overpriced as I left there and had to find something else to eat. I'm very disappointed that this place was as bad as it was as we desperately need better Italian restaurants in this town.
(1)Paul E.
Have had a number of luncheons here with a group. The food is very good. I had a Calzone there today that kind of blew my mind. The location is very convenient right off the interstate, and the service is excellent. Mind you, I'm enjoying this after 3 weeks in Italy several months ago!
(4)Jesse U.
I can honestly say as someone who has traveled to Italy that the food here is quite authentic. The portions were quite substantial, the service was excellent and I most definitely will be returning.
(4)Susi H.
So here I am, I said that I would update my review once I tried their pizza. I did so last Saturday. Their ingredients were fresh, good and high quality. The crust was thin just like I like it and the ingredients were not too heavily placed. Perfect amount. Unfortunately the lack of a wood burning oven was very obvious. A pizza has a totally different flavor and consistency when cooked in a wood oven. There is just no if. ands nor buts about it. But overall an enjoyable pizza.
(4)Sue G.
We have eaten at some great Italian Restaurants and this one is right up there at the top! Food waa excellent & service was first class. Highly recommend.
(5)Rick M.
We tried La Bella out while we were in town for Christmas. Easy to get reservations & the staff was very good, excellent service. I have to say, though, that there is nothing real special about the food. Just average, really and nothing to rave about. The deserts were real good as a bit of a contrast to dinner. Again, the wait help were very good!
(3)Evelyn G.
Wonderful little spot! Our server was Nicki and he obviously has a passion for the food, wine, and the pleasure of dining out. He offered to let us sample two different white wines before we selected our bottle, was open to any modifications we wanted to make, and was ready to suggest his favorite dishes. Truly incredible customer service! The ambiance is simple and quite homey, I look forward to coming back!
(4)Charles M.
I've read some reviews and I am left scratching my head. Food and service was great , food was at an appropriate portion. For chunky monkeys out there don't come here unless you partake in all the free bread... Which is good by the way. Keep up the great work and as long as it isn't busy during lunch I'll be there. I challenge anyone to consider this REAL italian restaurant and not enjoy their food.
(5)Alex S.
Excellent!
(5)Larry K.
As good an Italian restaurant as you'll find in Colorado Springs. And the chef is terrific. You can tell this isn't fast food. The wife and I arrived at 5:30 PM and were promptly seated. Try the garlic bread for starters or the mozzarella Caprese salad, they're great. I ordered the Risotto Al Chianti which is an Italian Arborio rice simmered with Shallots, pieces of Beef Tenderloin, sweet peas, chianti, and Parmigiano. Never had anything like it. What a terrific flavor. The wife had the Salmone Al Basilico which was a pan-sautéed Alaskan Salmon with fresh basil, sherry wine light cream sauce which was cooked perfectly. So good. Great service. Give it a try.
(5)Triple E.
This place was the worst Italian food I've ever had. The service was mediocre and the food was awful. I had the lasagna and it tasted like they just poured out a can of chef-boy-r-dee and microwaved it. It tasted like something I had vomited and was re-eating. I have no idea how they are best of in the Gazette. Don't fall for it, this place sucks bad!! Real bad!
(1)Patti H.
We just tried this restaurant for the first time .... WOW! We loved it! We were there for the "early bird special" and both had authentic Italian chicken dishes! So delicious, hot & fresh!! The salad with candies pecans & Gorgonzola was perfect! The chef apparently went to culinary school in Italy. The presentation was beautiful; the ambiance was very nice! What can I say but that we truly enjoyed the whole experience!!! You've got to try this new restaurant!
(5)Julie M.
Love this restaurant! Food is fantastic and service is wonderful! Authentic Italian at its best!! We go to a lot of Italian restaurants everywhere we travel and this is the place to go in Colorado Springs for Italian!!
(5)Kelly M.
Seriously I do not understand why Yelp would filter so many of the 4 and 5 star reviews from this place. Well I am here to state that La Bella Vita is very good italian food. If you want over americanized italian then I suggest you check out the olive garden, this is not that. The food my party and I ordered was excellent. I had the tagliatelle pasta with wild boar and a red wine tomato sauce. It was SO GOOD! Both my father and my husband were trying to steal my pasta! My dad had the chicken marsala and really enjoyed it and my husband had a tortalini in an white sauce which I tried and thought was very good although it could have used a little more seasoning. The service was outstanding. Not only did we never have to ask for more water or refills but our server was friendly and very good at what she does. Apart from dinner we also sampled the dessert. My dad and I both got the creme brule as it is our favorite and it was OUTSTANDING. Seriously people there are very few excellent REAL italian places to eat in Colorado Springs and this is one of them. Please ignore the poor reviews, check out the filtered reviews and try this place out for ourself. It is worth it! Oh and as a side note there is plenty of parking on the back side of the restaurant AND there is an entrance back there contrary to what other people have said.
(5)Kelley O.
Definitely my favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs. My family and I go at least once a week, Tiziano is the nicest guy and always very friendly! I lived in Italy for six months and this is the most authentic food I've experienced in the Springs. It's nice to see more family owned restaurants popping up!
(5)Julie B.
I just had the pumpkin ravioli and it was beautiful! The sauce was creamy and just perfectly seasoned with white wine and garlic. I have never been disappointed with my selections.
(5)Richard H.
Overall a very unimpressive experience. The atmosphere was louder than we anticipated, which made a quiet conversation difficult. The coffee wasn't hot or good, so that was sent back. The appetizers were good; my wife had the mushroom soup which she thought was acceptable and I had the Panzanella Salad which was quite good. Unfortunately the main courses were both disappointing. I had the worst veal I've ever been served in the Scallopine di Vitello all olio Tartufato. The veal was grisly without flavor and the sides of potato and zucchini were under seasoned and the roasted potatoes were very dry. My wife had the Risotto al Chianti which actually made her laugh and comment that it looked like a prison meal since it was an unappetizing grey color. To me it looked like old porridge with peas mixed in. But she said it tasted good. The real surprise came when one of the owners checked on our meal and I politely informed him it was just OK. He clearly understood we weren't impressed and asked what could be better. After mentioning the veal, he explained that all of their veal was bad and he wished they would have realized that before serving mine. In fact, he even stated that it was no longer being served that evening. He didn't offer to take it back or make something else. I didn't finish the dish and expected that our bill would be adjusted accordingly. I was surprised and disappointed that there was no adjustment on the bill for the inedible veal. But I didn't make a fuss and simply realized this was not the type of restaurant that understands customer satisfaction. The waitress took our payment and after processing it said her boss wanted to buy us dessert. This was offensive to me. Serve a $21 entree that was inedible and by their own admission should not have been served and then offer to make up for it with dessert? That's clearly wrong and poor business. Needless to say we won't be going back to La Bella Vita.
(2)Carin B.
Quiet place. Awesome food. Wait staff was right there and on the ball. Eric was extra good. He found my wallet and stayed late for me to get it. The yelp auto reservation is kool, too.
(4)Rory A.
Our server was excellent and the food was amazing. I'll be stopping by here again next time I'm in Colorado Springs!
(5)Kyle G.
Tried to order a meal at 9:20 for pickup and the kitchen was closed even though the hours are till 10:00
(1)Gabe M.
Wonderful little Italian place for some ambiance & fresh Italian fair. I cant speak for the wine list I cant speak for.
(4)Adam G.
Ate there for the first time on a Thursday evening. I made reservations for 630PM but they were useless as there were about 5 people in restaurant when I arrived. The service was ok. My only complaint was that since there were so few people our waitress was almost a nuisance in the amount of times she stopped by the table. As far as the food, it was way overpriced for what you're getting. I started with a Cesar salad which tasted like no other Caesar salad I've ever had. It tasted almost pickled or a strong vinegar taste. My entrée was the veal parmesan and I wasn't impressed. It didn't taste very fresh and was beat so thin that the breading overpowered the meat. The 3 side potato slices were bland and the broccoli was mediocre. Overall, I didn't enjoy paying almost $25 a plate for what I got. They should also change the menu item names as they are all in Italian. I get that it's an Italian restaurant but you alienate your clientele and seem pretentious when your customers are forced to embarrassingly struggle to pronounce what they want to eat. The wine list is also organized, or seemingly unorganized, as a straight list. It should be separated by types of wine for easier choosing based off personal taste. Overall, I do not recommend this restaurant.
(1)Genevieve B.
We read a decent review of this place in the CS Indy and decided to give it a try. We weren't disappointed. The one problem you're going to have is deciding what to order. While the menu isn't very large, everything sounds delicious. One major plus is they don't have the typical Italian fare that you see on every other menu. We had the lobster ravioli which was on special that night and a salmon in a basil cream sauce. Salads were fresh, meals were cooked to perfection and the flavors were out of this world rich. Two entrees, salads, drinks and a shared dessert set us back $60 - well worth it I'd say. In an area filled with mediocre chains this place was a refreshing find. I hope the word spreads. We'll be back.
(4)Terry J.
We'd been to La Bella Vita twice before and loved it. We thought it would make Christmas Eve dinner special. Very disappointed. When we made our reservations there was no mention of a special limited menu for Christmas Eve. Menu was very limited and contained dishes with white wine, truffle oil and cream sauces. Not a single menu item with a tomato based sauce. They even managed to destroy traditional desserts like tiramisu by putting white chocolate in it. Not sure we'll ever go back, but definitely will not be our choice for a special occasion or holiday.
(2)Jerry H.
Fresh Italian with home-made pastas and sauces, fresh veggies and seafood...mmmm, can there be anything better? Unfortunately, La Bella Vita is not that place. Parking is sparse, about 12 spaces in front shared by three businesses. That seems strange, given that the place looks to seat about 100 people. There may be parking behind the building somewhere, but there wasn't a rear entrance. The layout was very funky. Enter the front and turn right, and there is a large disconnected room with a lot of large tables. It looks nice, but it seems like the food would be tepid by the time it arrived over there. Turn left, and you step down into a room that's clean and almost sterile. The booths are OK, the tables in the middle of the room are OK, but there's just nothing that wows you. They are very proud of their sound system, because it was very loud playing mostly oldies. That was good, because their clientele seemed to be in the mostly senior range. They had a selection of 4-5 specials that night, which was encouraging, but we felt they were about 30% overpriced. They also have a respectable selection of wines at fair prices. The menu offers about 8 "specialties" that include soup or salad. Also offered are about a dozen entrees, and they all seemed overpriced. One of us ordered the orecchiette pasta with sausage, and one ordered the linguine pescatore, both from the specialties side of the menu. We also ordered a bottle of Bolla Valpolicella. The wife loved her orecchiette, which was tossed with olive oil, broccoli rhab and a few coins of sweet italian sausage. (too few in my opinion) My linguine was a well-imagined dish, with mussels, clams, shrimp and calamari. The problem was that all of the seafood was over-cooked, and therefore fishy. The clams and mussels were the smallest I've ever seen. It was a generously portioned dish though. Both pastas tasted like they originated in a box. Both meals were served with garlic bread that was...meh. The valpolicella was delightful, and our waitress happily corked what we didn't finish. Overall I'd give the service a four out of five. She knew her menu, but she was just a bit too busy with us. Honestly, there wasn't anything about La Bella Vita that would keep me away from Olive Garden or Rocco's.
(2)Geoff A.
Overpriced and disappointing. Ambience: Weird location but nice enough inside. None of the (somewhat older) clientele were impressed with the over-the-top schtick of the maitre d' who repeated the same basic Italian phrases over and over and even less so with his habit of kissing the hands of the women. Service: Okay, but very much looking to up-sell you. I came alone and was told I should order a full bottle of wine (for $25). They are attentive but having every different waiter (and the maitre d') interrupt to ask if everything was okay got a little bit much. I had 4 people ask if I wanted parmesan cheese. Food: I had the veal marsala which was decent and a side-salad which was okay but a little over-loaded with raw onions. On that note, after ordering the veal entree I was asked "And will you be having soup or salad with that?". The question (and the delivery) suggested that it was included. It wasn't. I got charged $8 for a small salad that I didn't really want and felt ripped off. I also ordered a glass of chianti which was okay but by far the smallest pour I have ever had in any restaurant ever. Price: Not good. There are plenty of restaurants with much better value for money and some only a few blocks from here so I won't be going back. Fool me once, shame on me. But you won't get a chance to fool me again.
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