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Name: Cucina Bella
Address: 220 S Main St, Algonquin, IL, 60102
Telephone: (847) 458-2504
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.49

Cucina Bella

220 S Main St, Algonquin, IL, 60102

(847) 458-2504
Store is closed

Cucina Bella Menu

Appetizers

Antipasto Platter

Bruschetta

Caprese Platter

Fried Calamari

Grilled Calamari

Sausage 8 Peppers

Stuffed Mushrooms

Raw Clams

Baked Clams

Steamed Clams or Mussels

Goat Cheese Marinara Dip

Antipasto Platter

Bruschetta

Caprese Platter

Fried Calamari

Grilled Calamari

Sausage 8 Peppers

Stuffed Mushrooms

Raw Clams

Baked Clams

Steamed Clams or Mussels

Goat Cheese Marinara Dip
Soups & Salads

Zuppa del Giorno

Minestrone

Pasta Fagioli

Caesar Salad

Dinner Salad

Gorgonzola Salad

Bellas Chopped Salad

Zuppa del Giorno

Minestrone

Pasta Fagioli

Caesar Salad

Dinner Salad

Gorgonzola Salad

Bellas Chopped Salad
Chicken and Veal

Parmigiana

Marsala

Francese

Piccatta

Milanese

Saltimbocca

Vesuvio

Parmigiana

Marsala

Francese

Piccatta

Milanese

Saltimbocca

Vesuvio
Fish

Clams Possilippo

Linguine con Vongole

Linguine con Coue

Shrimp Portofino

Zuppa di Mare

Fish of the day

Clams Possilippo

Linguine con Vongole

Linguine con Coue

Shrimp Portofino

Zuppa di Mare

Fish of the day
Peusonalizza la tua Pasta

Marinara

Arrabiatta

Bolognese

Suprema

Vodka

Carbonara

Pomodoro

Alfredo

Aglio Olio

Diablo

Marinara

Arrabiatta

Bolognese

Suprema

Vodka

Carbonara

Pomodoro

Alfredo

Aglio Olio

Diablo
House Specials

Risotto of the Day

Tortellini Paglia Fino

8 Finger Cavatelli

Eggplant Parmigiana

Stuffed Eggplant

Bella Pasta

Ravioli Bella

Lasagna

Gnocchi

Veal Napoleon

Braciola

802. Filet

Medallions Gomonzola

Risotto of the Day

Tortellini Paglia Fino

8 Finger Cavatelli

Eggplant Parmigiana

Stuffed Eggplant

Bella Pasta

Ravioli Bella

Lasagna

Gnocchi

Veal Napoleon

Braciola

802. Filet

Medallions Gomonzola
Desserts

Carrot Cake

Italian Cannoli

Tiramisu

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Carrot Cake

Italian Cannoli

Tiramisu

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cucina Bella

Appetizers

Antipasto Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage 8 Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Clams or Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Marinara Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sausage 8 Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Clams or Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese Marinara Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups & Salads

Zuppa del Giorno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minestrone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Fagioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dinner Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gorgonzola Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bellas Chopped Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa del Giorno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Minestrone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Fagioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dinner Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gorgonzola Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bellas Chopped Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken and Veal

Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Piccatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltimbocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vesuvio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Francese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Piccatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saltimbocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vesuvio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fish

Clams Possilippo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine con Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine con Coue [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Portofino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish of the day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Clams Possilippo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine con Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine con Coue [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Portofino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zuppa di Mare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish of the day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Peusonalizza la tua Pasta

Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arrabiatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Suprema [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vodka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aglio Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diablo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arrabiatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Suprema [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vodka [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pomodoro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alfredo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aglio Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diablo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
House Specials

Risotto of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Paglia Fino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 Finger Cavatelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Eggplant [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bella Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Bella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Napoleon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braciola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

802. Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medallions Gomonzola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto of the Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Paglia Fino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 Finger Cavatelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Eggplant [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bella Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Bella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lasagna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Napoleon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Braciola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

802. Filet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Medallions Gomonzola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Mousse Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Mousse Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Algonquin for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( Wal-Mart #5060,1410 S Randall Rd )

Subway ( 1616 S Randall Rd )

Subway ( 1308 E W Algonquin Rd )

Subway ( 4061 Algonqun Rd )

Algonquin Sub Shop ( 105 Filip St )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 461 South Randall Road )

Visit below restaurant in Algonquin for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( Wal-Mart #5060,1410 S Randall Rd )

Subway ( 1616 S Randall Rd )

Subway ( 1308 E W Algonquin Rd )

Subway ( 4061 Algonqun Rd )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 461 South Randall Road )

Subway ( 4061 W Algonquin Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Katie M.

My husband and I and our three kids visited for our first time on a Thursday night. Everyone loved their food. Service was fast, atmosphere was lively (which was good because I was afraid it would be hard to keep the kids quiet.) I can't wait to come back again for date night. I had the tortellini with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms in a cream sauce. My husband had the Rigatoni Pomodoro and chose to add spinach and italian sausage (which is such a smart idea to have add-ins listed for people to build their own dish.) We will be back for sure!
(5)
LFoodie K.

Love this place! Delicious food their desserts are amazing too Very big wine selection Service can be a hit or miss It's nice to see the owner in the kitchen cooking the meals Hands down the best Italian food in the area!
(5)
Amelia W.

I highly recommend Cucina Bella! I got married up the street and our party of 20 walked to Cucina Bella afterwards for a private lunch -- they usually don't open until 4pm. The catering manager was great and worked with me in advance to plan my menu. Everyone loved the food and the service was excellent. My uncle is a chef and couldn't stop talking about the food or how well the server managed a large table. I don't even like lasagna, but I liked Cucina Bella's lasagna. My husband's favorite dish by far is the tortellini paglia fino. It looks packed most weekends, so make sure you call in advance for a reservation!
(5)
Lydia B.

A very cute little place downtown Algonquin! The pasta is pretty good, and huge portions. There is also bread served before the meal. My only big complaint was the ambience. It was hard to hear across the small table with the echoes and other noises from inside the restaurant...
(4)
Brian F.

Tuesday night is our date night. We chose this place because we had been here a long time ago and couldn't remember if we liked the food or not! We did remember that the service was slow and inattentive...but thankfully, not this time! Our service this time was actually engaging and personal, partly because we were one of four tables at 8pm on a Tuesday. The food was excellent, and I think one of the best grilled calamari I have ever eaten (in the US). The eggplant parmesan was lightly breaded and seasoned perfectly and the linguine con cozze was savory and huge! I also had to take advantage of the Tuesday $2 bottle of wine, which tasted like a $2 bottle of wine, but it was worth every last cent! The ambience is dark and romantic, but able to accommodate large groups as well. We'll be back soon, and I will be sure to order the linguine again, so I can try it with the red sauce!
(5)
Ray L.

First off... I am not a big "let's go out and easy at an Italian Restaurant" type of guy... But my wife... LOVES going out to a good Italian Restaurant... So here I am :) This place had a great bar (which makes a great mixed drink) ... Friendly staff... And great food! There so many favorite it is hard not to order the same thing over and over again!
(4)
Clifford Z.

Phenomenal food! Great flavors and service is outstanding. This place is so popular it can be hard to hear. ONLY go here for a great time and expect nothing less.
(4)
Peter H.

Super dinner on Friday night. Rigatoni arrabiata was top notch. Alexander Valley wine was the perfect match. The owner came over to the table to say hello, and make sure everything was great. We will be back.
(5)
Lynnette B.

We finally tried it. My sister had a groupon and gave it to us to use since she could not. I have to say we liked everything we got. We started with drinks - I got a mixed drink and some places cannot make it. They did such a great job, I got a 2nd. Then we ordered grilled calamari for an appetizer (huge portion - it was enough for 4) - it was excellent and we took 1/2 of it home. Then I ordered a special - a lobster pasta dinner - loved it! My husband ordered a make your own linguini and shrimp with olive oil algioli (sp?) and he loved it also. We cannot wait to go back and we can just walk there. I highly recommend it.
(4)
Jeffrey R.

I have only been here once but so far it is pretty good. Food tasted great, and they had a good wine selection. If I had one complaint was that it was so dark I couldn't barely read the menu. I sat in the bar area and there was one local who thought it was a good idea to scream at the top of his lungs at the TV which wasn't the restaurants fault, but I would have told him to put a sock in it or go home.
(4)
Ron L.

Cucina Bella has tasty food. The issue seems to be with the servers. Not all servers. Tonight we had a server who first delivered our soup, then our appetizer and forgot about our entree. Trying to keep the evening light and enjoyable we continued to catch up and have fun. We noticed that our ambitious server was way over her head not taking orders from tables around us, serving items out of order and so on. Too bad for customers because this restaurant deserves better than this server. Better luck next time??? don't know. It's like a Vegas craps game.
(3)
Julie B.

Richard the bartender totally made my night. Wednesday $5 martinis are so worth the stop. Easy parking and fantastic food. My mew.favorite night cap place.
(5)
Brian L.

Easily the best Italian restaurant in Algonquin. The entree portions are huge and the prices are reasonable. I had the muscles and clams with linguine (white sauce). Delicious! On Tuesdays, you can get a $2 bottle of wine with the purchase of 2 entrees. Great deal. Support this local restaurant!!
(4)
Chris W.

All I can say is WOW!!!!! I don't know if I can trust YELP anymore......I was hesitant to go here because of the negative reviews but they are so wrong. Sharon was our server and she was awesome!!!!!From her recommendations to her very professional attitude I would highly recommend you give this place a try. Groupon has a good deal which makes it that much better. Chicken marsala was the best and the bruschetta was great. Very friendly and nice......Cuddos to Cucina Bella for doing it right...Keep it up I am a new loyal customer and will try the carrot cake next time!!!!!!!
(5)
Jennifer S.

It's officially time for my Cucina Bella review. I couldn't write this review when I first went to dinner here because they were scheduled to cater my sister's bridal shower luncheon and she's a Yelper. She would have known that a meal with her soon-to-be-sister-in-law meant something in relationship to her shower, so this review was delayed. This also means that I am going to hit on both our dine-in experience and our catering experience. Let's start with the pluses of both: The food was delicious! Both times, we were very pleased with the food itself. While dining in, we found it to be served hot and seasoned really well. The homemade sauces and juicy chicken breasts were fabulous! At the shower, many of the ladies helped themselves to second helpings (I'm so glad because shower food is usually "meh", but this was really the opposite!) The catering coordinator was attentive and easy to reach. We stayed in touch and she did exactly what she said she was going to do. I had her cell phone number for easy access. The price is right. 'nuf said. The portions were plentiful. Both dining in and having our event catered. No one went hungry. Have I mentioned the homemade tiramisu yet? Shame on me. I will literally go back for that alone. It's made in-house and it's to die for!!! Kathy and I shared a piece. It was light, fluffy, creamy and downright awesome! On to my less than favorite parts: Our server on the night that we dined in was less than fabulous. He was nice enough, but didn't take care of the details well at all. We specifically asked for marinara sauce instead of cocktail sauce and he brought cocktail sauce. We had to wait waaaay too long for him to even look our way so we could flag him down to get the correct sauce for our now lukewarm calamari. Food hit the table before drinks did. Weird. He did eventually mention that he was waiting for clean glasses. In a restaurant that was maybe 60% full when we arrived and about 20% full when we left - this seemed weird. We probably waited 15 minutes for the check. I had said more than once that we had to leave to pick up my son and the check took forever. He was sweeping at one point instead of getting the check we had asked for. Details were overlooked and we felt like we were one of those overlooked details. Now, I can see how the reviews vary so much here. Likelihood to order catering again if needed in the area? 100% Likelihood to dine in again if in the immediate area? 50%. Focus on customer service and that could easily be 100%.
(4)
Jessica S.

I went there with family for a birthday last week. We got there 10 minutes after the other 2 people and we had to wait 10 to even be greeted by our server. Then she was extremely rude when we ask for water and drinks and plates for bread. It took her 10 more minutes to bring something to drink and we had to get plates from an open table next to us because she never brought them. We ordered appetizers and finally our meal and at that time ordered another glass of wine and beer and our food came out 25 minutes later BEFORE the drinks! The food was amazing and worth the cost but the service was so poor it's not worth dealing with again, especially because she only had 3 tables the entire time.
(2)
Kate C.

This is one of our favorite local resturants. Most of the time the food her is fabulous. The only reason there is not a 5 star review is because there has been a time or two where the food seemed to be a little bit of a "miss". However, overall this is a great place for excellent food and service. We will keep coming back.
(4)
Basil D.

This is my second visit. I researched a decent Italian restaurant in the area, and this is really the ONLY true option for Italian food. BUT, even this proved disappointing. The first visit, the service was average at best, but the food was above average to excellent. We had Veal Piccata which was prepared well. The drinks were weak, the noise level excessive for the price point, and the salad was average. This visit was outright disastrous! I had to tell our hostess we had yet to be approached by a waiter even though the tables next to us were visited at least once and this was after 8 minutes (yes, I was counting!). The fried calamari was outright burnt to a crisp and it looked it! One would think the waiter would have noticed first! Despite the excellent choices on the menu, we did a "build your own pasta". Why would a restaurant offer that? Don't they have confidence in their chef? The pasta was overcooked, the spinach was bleh! The scallops were of course tiny and we made a game of finding them! The Caesar salad didn't have true mayfair dressing, not enough anchovy came through...hey buddy, like it or not, mayfair dressing has anchovy in it...but in good measure. To their credit the croutons were home made and the dressing was the perfect amount. The bread served was average at best, it just didn't coincide with the menu...it was an afterthought. All in all, this place has amazing potential, and if you "Yelp!" Italian restaurants in the Algonquin area, there really is no alternative...this place is a diamond in the rough. It'd be nice if the owner were just a bit more thorough....he'd have people from the city coming to dine here.
(2)
Heidi N.

Cute little spot. Fun for a girls night or date night. I've been here a number of times and have always experienced excellent customer service. Just had one of their specials, butternut squash ravioli. I was expecting quite a bit more from an Italian restaurant. Very bland. I will go back based on previous meals, but this dish was nothing special.
(4)
Sami D.

If I could give this place no stars I would....worst dining experience ever!!! I am a server I know when things get busy it's hard to get around to your tables, but it was not that busy. Our server took over 5 min each time to get refills. Our food took an hour and was not good. The soupa del Mara my boyfriend got was horrible, the fish was bad and should not have been served. On top of that a table that arrived twenty minutes after us got our servers full attention, they always had refills on time, and our server would be grabbing something for us and stop to go over to this table. I don't know if employees have written these past reviews but by far this resturant did not meet any expectations.
(1)
Cristie F.

Eh. Average Italian fare. The bf and I joined a group of friends at Cucina Bella for New Years Eve. We went on the recommendation of friends who are regular diners. I'll be honest, I wasn't impressed. I've definitely had better. Service - Non buona. To start off, we waited 45 minutes past our reservation time for a table. Once we got our table, the service was decent at best. The waiter seemed to have a "I'm too busy for this" 'tude, and it took quite some time for our food to come out. I'm going to chalk it up to the fact it was NYE...but 45 minutes past the reservation time was somewhat unacceptable... Food - Average. We were given a shortened NYE menu which was a bummer since there were some items I was hoping to try. I settled on having a cup of Pasta Fagioli soup. No joke - it was the minestrone soup with ditalini pasta in it. Nothing like half-assin' it. For my entree, I had the Braciola - marinated flank steak stuffed with Italian herbs, pine nuts, bread crumb and raisins served over angel hair pasta. It was edible, but not the greatest. I found the meat overcooked and it was extremely salty. My bf had the gnocchi with vodka sauce. I had food envy over his dish the entire night. The gnocchi was actually fairly good. The rest of our group seemed to enjoy their dishes - well, the ones who didn't order the braciola. Atmosphere - That, I enjoyed. Romantic, dark, and had that old world Italian restaurant feel. The live music playing was great as well. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that the food was subpar and the service wasn't the best due to it being NYE. However, I'm not sure that's an excuse. It has somewhat deterred me from returning. Would I give it another try?? Sure. Maybe. But only if I happened to be in the area.
(3)
Rhiannon K.

I finally ventured to Cucina Bella the other night. I drive by this place at least 10x a week, and I can't believe it took me so long to try it out! My friend and I both did the build-your-own pasta option. I had rigatoni with vodka sauce, ricotta and spinach. It was outstanding. My friend enjoyed her meal as well. While the menu seemed a little pricey, the portions were very generous. We both had plenty of leftovers to take home. The restaurant is dim and kind of romantic inside. This would be a great place for a date night. The ambiance is fantastic. Our server was alright. She was friendly, but we didn't see her much throughout the meal. All in all, I had a great time at Cucina Bella. I am looking forward to returning sometime in the near future!
(4)
Christine F.

I liked this place. It isn't my favorite, and I think it's a bit pricey for the quality, but it's good. Just not great. What actually made me give four stars instead of three is the service. Funny because most people are bashing the service, but our waitress was fantastic. Attentive, friendly, knowledgeable and just what you are looking for in a server. Would recommend, but I still feel the prices are a bit much for what you actually get in terms of quality.
(4)
Laura A.

We've been to Cucina Bella many times over the years and usually have had nice meals. Last night was the exception and it was so bad we might not return for another try. It started out fine with a nice bottle of red wine and an order of grilled calamari but went down hill from there. Once we ordered our entrees it took close to an hour to get our salads. The salads were a disappointment. The iceberg lettuce was limp and the blue cheese crumbles were dry and tasteless. After another looonggggg wait our entrees came out. My husband ordered penne with arrabiatta with peas and onions. When it came out there was linguine with just a little sauce and about two peas. When told about the mistake the waitress said oh, well Iheard you say linguine and didn't offer to make it right. Mine was even worse. I ordered linguine with seafood for 25.00. I expected some nice shrimp and scallops with a few clams and mussels. What I got was one dried up shrimp, a few little bay scallops, some chewy calamari and a pile of calms and mussels. Needless to say not worth 25.00. My husband and are still talking this morning about how maddening it is to spend a lot of money on a bad meal.
(2)
Jerrod B.

My friend who loves eggplant, as much as I do, told me to go here and order the Neapolitan. I saw the reviews on yelp. Very low. So I tried all of my parties meals. They tasted great. The zippa di mare could of used a pinch more spice. Would of given 4 stars, but they are ranked too low.
(5)
Chi T.

Cucina Bella is the best Italian dinner restaurant in the area. The service is quick, though they are very busy some nights, so if you're not in the mood to wait, it's best to call ahead. I've had the calamari dishes as well as the pasta, ravioli appetizer, and chicken Parmesan. All have not disappointed! The only reason I'm giving the restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 is because their martinis aren't the best and their drink menu is a little limiting when it comes to mixed drinks. Also, their dessert menu is okay, but not spectacular. The food, however, is great!
(4)
Kat K.

Excellent food and great service. I have driven by so many times and finally went inside. It is the best Italian food in the area.
(4)
Elaine M.

Cucina Bella has awesome grilled calamari and the best chicken parmesan I have ever tasted! The chicken was moist and tender with breading that was still crispy under the smooth sauce. The fettucini alfredo, tiramisu and lemon gelato were very good as well. The service was wonderful and the bathrooms were clean. I will definitely come back.
(5)
Randy K.

We've tried this place about 7 times because we want to support local businesses. But tonight was the last straw. Over 4 empty tables and we had a 20 minute wait. Plus the food took forever. Over an hour. We're done.
(1)
Patrick S.

If you are looking to spend $20-$25 this would work for you. Lets start with parking, since this is in the downtown area there is a lot of street parking or on a back parking lot across the street behind other the downtown shops. The first impression of the restaurant when you walk is intimate. It's very dim lit and not to much decorations. The table had a those paper cover on the top, which to me is is a little tacky. Our party was sat next to the window, which provided us with more light so we can at least read the menu. Our waitress was a little awkward, she would stand behind us quietly for a few seconds with a bizarre smile and then speak. Just like most italian restaurants, there was bread, oil, and parmesan cheese on the table, which we devoured. The bread tasted homemade and fresh. I started off with the minestrone soup, which came in a small cup and the flavors were all there. For the main dish I ordered the Bella Pasta, which consisted of shrimp, garlic, onions & stewed tomatoes, served over linguine. This a general message to all restaurants, please take off the shells of the shrimp tails before you serve it in pasta. It's really annoying that costumer has to do it. Anyway, the shrimp tasted like it was frozen and the stewed tomatoes were probably canned. The linguine was perfectly cooked, but the sauce was very watery. They probably didn't drain out all of the pasta water. Maybe that is why the restaurant dimly lit so you wouldn't see the imperfections on the food. We all passed on getting dessert, that was a good this because I was full from my pasta. Over all it was an ok experience and I might try this place again in the future.
(3)
Larry B.

I've eaten at Cucina Bella every Saturday night for the past two years. My wife and I live in Algonquin and love the neighborhood atmosphere. She gets off work and we meet at the restaurant. Yes, the service is sometimes average. However most of the time it is great. We've seen lots servers come and go, but they've all been friendly and efficient. Tony, (owner) makes a point of saying hello and the food is always above average. I come from a family of excellent Italian cooks so don't take my advice lightly. The sauces are excellent. My favorite is the Arrabiatta. Larry
(5)
Brian S.

Cannot rave enough about Cucina Bella! Hands down our family favorite when it comes to Italian Food anywhere in the Algonquin, Dundee, Barrington Area. Took friends who have lived in Barrington Hills for five years for their first time last night and was not disappointed; as expected the food was amazing, service impeccable and it was packed again....Have never had an off dish, so just go and start trying what you like or experiment, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Rachel D.

My family is Italian and my grandpa is 100% Italian and we love this place including grandpa which should say something. :) The bread and olive oil they bring is authentic Italian. I love it. My favorite dish there is the pasta with suprema sauce. It is marinara and Alfredo mixed together which may sound odd but I swear is fantastic. It's like a creamy marinara. My mom and grandma enjoy the chicken Marsala which they like a lot. The bruschetta isa great appetizer choice Good wine selection too. The service I have received here has always been good.
(4)
Katie G.

Would have given 1 star, but service was excellent, and some of our food was decent. Cons- I opted for the build your own pasta option. I got angel hair with a garlic and olive oil sauce, and added shrimp. It was $4 to add the shrimp. My dish came out with 4 small shrimp on top of the mound of noodles. Hoping there were more shrimp, I stirred the dish. Nope, only 4. On top of that, my angel hair was so overlooked that it tasted like a pile of mush. Sauce was good, however. We received the bill and I noticed my entree was $2 more than the menu price (should have been 12 + 4, instead was 14+ 4). The table near us(elderly couple) had bill troubles too. The waiter explained that he accidentally closed their bill out and gave it to another couple (who already left). He handed them the other couples bill, scratched out the total, and explained that their total was only $68. The couple sat and tried to add everything up, and couldn't get to the $68. In the end, the issue was resolved and their bills was less. The place just seems sketchy... We had our leftovers wrapped up and when we heated them to eat today, my husband noticed the clams he had saved with his pasta, were not with his leftovers. What!? Someone actually took the clams out when they wrapped it up? Very strange. Overall, ok experience, but won't be returning and wouldn't recommend to friends...better options in the area for sure.
(2)
Marco D.

I've been into Cucina Bella several times to give it every chance to impress me and it's just not happening. It's a good looking place with a nice vibe and solid staff but, for me, the food is just blah. I've tried pasta, chicken and other items and the only things Ive enjoyed are the soups and bread. There's just a lack of flavor. I dont know if they dont salt the water for the pasta or if its just me...but its just bland and boring. I think people like the idea of doing something other than Olive Garden but Id roll dice somewhere else next time.
(2)
sat s.

The bread and olive oil were about the only things that were worth it. The salad was horrible I ordered the chicken Parmesan and the chicken was terribly dry and the sauce was pretty bland. If you're in this area try Galati's in Cary, Illinois. Atmosphere is very nice but the food just doesn't cut it. not to mention, they started off on the wrong foot in that many people came after us, asked how long they would need to wait to get a table, and we're seated before we were.
(2)
Melissa A.

Cucina Bella is bar none the best Italian food in this area. So intimate and cozy! Go during fall!!! The pumpkin ravioli is seasonal and is THE BEST!!! The wine selection is great and the anti pasta appetizer is our favorite! Some of our favorites are the lasagne ( huge portion, always has left overs), the chicken piccata, and the gnocchi!
(5)
Linda S.

The food is great and very authentic and I love the make your own pasta flexibility. The atmosphere is lively and friendly. The Decour is very rustic and looks like an old-fashioned Italian restaurants. My only complaint is that the service is very slow and they need better champ at your controller and are very hot day the temperature felt like 80 and waiters were slow to bring water.. I would imagine they just need to hire more waiters and it's not really the fault of the waitstaff so we will definitely continue to go here as long as service is decent. The food is incredible so it outweighs the negative
(4)
Mike S.

Still in search of a good Italian restaurant. So we went here on a referral, after looking for a quality Italian restaurant. I should have known as we walked in and there were 5 tables open and we were told by the hostess that there was a 20 min wait that this may not be it (we were there at 6pm on a Sunday) We ordered 2 appetizers, soups and one entree to share. The appetizers came out and were ok at best, the calamari was passable (cold and rubbery but passable) and the arancini was burned on the outside and mushy on the inside. We waited 20 or so minutes for the soup as the waitress was gabbing with the bartender. She finally brought the soup over apologizing for forgetting; however she did not bring the soup we ordered! She collected the wrong soups and brought out the right one. I told her I wanted to pass on mine because I was starting to get frustrated. Finally the entree came out. The meat was chewy and cold and the pasta was gooey and watery. I honestly have had BETTER frozen meals! This was a COMPLETE waste of money and will NEVER return, SAVE your money and go down the street to Mandiles
(1)
Meg R.

First time visit. Looked cute from the outside and looked forward to a great dinner with my husband. Called ahead and asked if we should book a reservation and told that there shouldn't be trouble getting us seated (around 8pm on a Sunday night). Got there, told there would be a 10-15 minute wait. Waited for about 20-25 (oddly enough it wasn't that busy?). Atmosphere in terms of the decor was good but we were seated near the kitchen- which is open to the restaurant- no separation from the dining area. It was so loud and jarring with the clanking of dishes. Our server, Colette, had an abrupt attitude and only did the bare minimum. Each of our courses took so long to get- we ended up being there for a very expensive and long dinner. Food was so-so (salad was bare bones, stuffed mushrooms room temp, minestrone room temp) and the main meal of a $25 steak was almost inedible because it was charred and doused with garlic. I had some of my husband's chicken dish which was ok. Just really disappointed since I had such high hopes for this place. Probably not worth the money if you're looking for a good Italian joint.
(2)
Mia B.

I've been coming here for years, it's the perfect date night or going out for a few drinks with the girls. I highly recommend the goat cheese appetizer and the ravioli with their Alfredo and Marinara mixed sauce. They put a lot of dressing on the salad, which I guess is better then none at all, always ask for it on the side. I love that you can see into the kitchen, but the few seats that are close by are not my favorite seating areas because of busyness going on around that area. They also have groupon deals! That's a bonus!
(4)
Christina M.

Let me first say that I love Italian food. This isn't the absolute best Italian food I have had, but the service and atmosphere keep us coming back for more. The owners and staff are very friendly and inviting.
(4)
Mrs. G.

What an unexpected surprise! We were looking for a place to eat on a Monday and found this gem. It's in downtown Algonquin, on an unobtrusive corner with street parking a challenge, even on a Monday. We were seated immediately, brought water and menus and discussed the specials with the "chipper" waitress. Our shared appetizer of baked clams in a light garlic butter was wonderful, especially soaking up the sauce with our rustic bread. He tried the squash soup and loved it; I had the minestrone soup and enjoyed it. I had the fabulous "do-it-yourself" pasta: fettuccine noodles, carbonara sauce, peas, mushrooms and prosciutto. This was better than the pasta we ate in Italy last month! My guest had the Diablo sauce and meatballs with penne. He was warned that it was spicy - and it WAS spicy. However, he said it was delicious.. Great meal in a lovely, quiet room (it WAS Monday). We will go back soon and this time I'll try the angel-hair pasta with vodka sauce, skip the bread, appetizer and soup and have dessert instead.
(5)
Peggy V.

Food great, staff great but just too loud. Had the stuffed mushrooms-- lots of garlic very good. Filet was tender and tasty as was the personalized pasta. Just too loud. Had to yell to my husband 1 foot away.
(3)
Liz W.

Terrible service. Terrible night. Go anywhere else. Port Edwards or Martinis on Main or Biaggis. General manager was rude and sarcastic. Made reservations a month ago and still had a bad table. Don't order a bottle of wine unless you know you can drink it all.
(1)
Teri B.

This place is a hidden gem. Atmosphere was great, service good & the portions huge. Fresh bread basket at the table was yummy & warm. Warm bread is always a plus. The lasagna was out of this world. The best I've had in a very longtime. You can share a plate because the portions are so generous. If you can't finish you'll go home with a super good doggy bag. Very yummy!
(5)
jan l.

We went last night for my son's birthday, which we have made a tradition. It was okay, nothing special, nothing horrid. We started with a way over the top server, she was almost oddly cheerful, but did a nice job. She asked if we had ever been there before. I said, yes, we were there for my son's birthday for the third year in a row. She then asked if we were celebrating any special occasion ;-) And we never heard another birthday word, I was secretly hoping to embarrass him with some singing I heard from other parts of the restaurant!! The food was fine, I had steamed clams and a salad. My son had the build your own pasta. He eats at Cafe Roma frequently, and said while it was fine, not as good as Roma. Overall, it was an average dinner. But no complaints.
(3)
Tony P.

One of the best places in town for Italian food. There staff is amazing and they always go above and beyond every time we are there. We had my sons baptism party here. They were so accommodating that they closed the restaurant just for us. Thank you so much! They even remember you when you come back. You don't see that anymore. Make your own pasta dish is fantastic as well as their Veal and Chicken Parmesan. Love this place!
(5)
Tegan W.

I've been here twice , and was pleased with the experience both times !! I give Cucina Bella 5 stars for the ambience , great tasting food , reasonable prices, and very friendly service . I absolutely loved the Bella Pasta with Shrimp , and would recommend that dish highly !! It was so so good , and I will be coming back for just that dish lol . I would recommend this place !
(5)
Roberto D.

What a nice little "whole in the wall" kind of place. I've read a couple of reviews saying the service is slow, but in our two experiences there, it has been quite well. The food is pretty good - I have to admit, the Lasagne, in my opinion, is begging for a layer of meat, but we've had a couple meals there, and to go as well, and have enjoyed them all. The to-go was quick, even with a virtually packed house, and the food was hot. The two times we have dined in, even with a lot of people there, it wasn't overbearingly loud - didn't need to raise voices to hear each other, and ultimately, it was a good time! We will be going back for sure.
(4)
Catherine P.

Let me start by saying: the food is the attraction. This was the food my family had catered for my bridal shower luncheon and the food was excellent!! It was what attracted me to go to the restaurant for a visit on my own. So, here goes..... Perfectly cooked chicken -moist and succulent! I wish I could cook chicken this perfectly at home. Sausage and peppers app-delicious in flavor. Portion-pathetic. Not even a full link of sausage. Sliced thinly. A ton of peppers. I like the abundance of peppers. My family did not. What's the point, really? Call it "peppers with sausage" on the menu. Bread- average. Nothing fancy, but decent. Pasta- under cooked. Not al dente....under cooked. That was a little disappointing. Potatoes- cooked perfectly. Again, I wish I could make a potato so perfectly cooked at home. Shrimp scampi- smelled delicious! Not as tasty as it smelled. Dessert- FAN-freakin'-tastic!!! Skip the apps and go for dessert. Do this, you will not be disappointed. The mousse and gelato were both above average. Make sure to leave room for dessert. I'm tellin' ya! Salad- dressing was excellent. The salad needed croutons for a little crunch. This would have made all the difference. Refills- a bitch to get one. Actually flagged down a bus boy to get us all refills more than once. Paying the check- I literally felt like I was being held hostage. This is where things got really bad for us. Our server was kind enough to wrap up all the food/leftovers and left the table. He literally leaned up against the service station against the back right wall with his arms crossed chatting with the hostess and other servers. Oh man, that was frusterating!!! He then WANDERED to the bar. Chatted with the female bartender for about 5 minutes. Then saw him with an iced tea. I thought he was bringing it to a table..nope! He was drinking the iced tea out on the service floor. He then wandered into the kitchen. Disappeared for about 10 minutes. We finally asked the hostess to get our server so we could pay the check. Took her a few minutes of walking around glancing here and there to find him eventually in the kitchen. Finally, we got to pay the check and we're able to leave. I would go back in a heartbeat for the food....personally, I would rather eat in the car outside than have service like we did. Very disappointed by the level of service. A place with food like this, needs service to match!
(3)
Nick B.

Hey I was pretty impressed with this place!. I really liked the converted factory ambiance with the brick. I didn't expect this look in Algonquin... more like a Chicago restaurant. The service at the bar was exceptional and attentive. The food was great and they had my favorite wine at a reasonable price. I'm not a risotto critic but I feel the green peppers in the pepper and sausage risotto were undercooked. Almost like the were chopped and put at the last moment. They were raw. Otherwise it was perfect. I'd go back for sure.
(4)
Fast Eddie F.

Nice room. Great bartender Chloe. Very friendly waitress and really big portions. But the food is 5 on a 10 scale. The seafood bisque was very thin. The veal parm was buried in sauce. It was basically sauce with stuff under it. The grilled calamari was overdone and chewy. We'll try it again, maybe this just wasn't their night.
(2)
Cindy K.

Should you really have to wait 40 minutes for a reservation you made . Then because you complain you are treated rudely then you are asked to leave. No aplogies for wait but are told this is what its like on a Saturdays night the food is good but not with this attitude and service.
(1)
Bob G.

We have had many friends recommend this restaurant and wanted to try it. The atmosphere is great although very loud. With the sounds bouncing off the brick walls, it seemed like people were competing to see who could be the loudest. We ordered the stuffed mushroom for an appetizer, which was good, not great but good. One of the main disappointments was the salad. Who uses iceberg lettuce in a nice salad? I ordered the special of stuffed manicotti. It was very good with great spice. My wife ordered a pasta where you chose your sauce and toppings. It came with peas instead of spinach so it had to go back. I sat there for 10 minutes waiting because I did not want to be done by the time her second plate arrived. It came and was good, but I would have expected so compensation (glass of wine or desert) for the mistake. All in all, it was good minus the salad and mistake.
(3)
maggie c.

Update: 3/20/15 another awesome meal! Baked clams, calamari, zuppa de pase, eggplant parm ...off the hook! Great service! Amazing food! Great value! Big portions . Solid! I just love it here. A great feeling through the whole experience. Give them a try! They are open on Monday too!
(5)
Joseph M.

Well my wife and I like this restaurant but tonight not so much, had a great server (Virgil), but had to pull the car over on the way home so my wife could get rid of her meal ( Clams & Mussels), one must have been bad she eats these all the time without a problem. Could not complain at the restaurant, did not there was a problem until about 15 mins after we left. Won't be back for awhile, will try their sister joint in Crystal Lake Da Bafones (Spl?).
(2)
Jill B.

I am so grateful to Cucina Bella for helping make my mother's 70th birthday party a wonderful success. They were so accommodating when our party increased in size, and the food ranged from good to excellent. We ordered a whole carrot cake ahead and it was outstanding. There was plenty for kids and vegetarians to eat. The staff was so patient and handled the large party very well. Lovely atmosphere, large wine selection. Very easy to find. We had a wonderful time.
(5)
Jason Z.

We're regular patrons and the food is delicious! Most recently, after a terrible experience at Martinis on Main with the rude owner, we ended up here on New Years and they took very very good care of us. Very impressed with their service and can't say enough good things about them.
(5)
Lucas C.

We went here for a family style italian meal after a first communion. food- We had for an appetizer the italian sausage; it was ok but nothing special. For lunch we had pasta with supreme sauce, which was fresh and delicious, Meatballs, which were dry and flavorless, chicken marsala, also dry and flavorless, and stuffed mushrooms, which I'm not going to comment on since I dislike mushrooms in general. service- Service was good. Nothing to comment on but they got all of our drinks and orders right. This place can do a reasonably priced lunch for large family parties and stuff like that, but i wouldn't return just for dinner.
(3)
Greg H.

Very good Italian food!! Veal Parm is delicious!!! Don't go often but the few times we've never had a bad meal...
(5)
Taylor M.

I was surprised that I am the Duchess and somehow I forgot the write a review. My bad. Cucina Bella is a cute little Italian restaurant in Downtown Algonquin. My boyfriend and I had been driving past it and commenting on how we wanted to check it out. Then I saw a Groupon which made that comment become a reality. Since then we have been back several times because of the yummy food and awesome service. I am a creature of habit, once I find something I like, I tend to stick with it. We always order the calamari appetizer. I also like the tortellini dish... with a cream sauce and peas... very healthy I know, but awesome. I also like the choice of martinis offered here. Be forewarned the Grape Martini is STRONG! Another reason that I choose to go back is the staff. Everyone is super friendly and the service is great. I have had the same female blonde server multiple times and she is fantastic. The first time I asked her if she was a part owner... she has been working at Cucina Bella for a while and really knows the menu. The actual owner, an older male is also super friendly and often checks in with the guests. That goes a long way in my book!
(4)
Cbalc B.

This was by far the worst service I have ever received. I went with my boyfriend and his parents and it took us about an 45 minutes to get our salads and an hour to get our meal. The waitress that we had was absolutely horrible. Her attitude was so rude. When she first waited us, she rolled her eyes at my boyfriends dad because he simply just couldn't decide what he wanted. She claimed that she was having a really busy night, but sorry, then this may not be the best occupation for you if you can't handle the stress. Also, the hostess that we had, that is another story. About fifteen minutes after he sat us down, he came back to our table and said that our food should be out in a couple minutes. Wellllll....we told him that we didn't even order out food yet!!!! And also, when i used the washroom, I went to pull the toilet paper and the whole holder for the paper fell on my lap.....yikessss!!! It was indeed the strangest night at Cucina Bella. Although, the food was above good. So I guess that 's a plus. My honest opinion is to not step foot in that place unless there is new management or something and they get a whole new entire staff. Except for the cooks.
(1)
Ann C.

We've eaten here twice. The first time, we went with friends who dine here often. The second time, we went by ourselves (just our family of 5) for my husbands birthday. Our visit was spectacular. The food was awesome and the service was stellar. The only bad point in our visit was close to the end of our night when a large group walked in for what looked like a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. We weren't thrown off by the large party but instead by the large blow-up doll one of the patrons was carrying, We tried our best to make the little kids at our table look away, but we were not quick enough and had to endure several awkward questions about blow-up dolls and why they exist. However, the food was worth the few awkward moments of conversation. Our second visit was less than stellar. It was a Wednesday night, around 6:00... there were not many people in the restaurant so we were seated quickly. That's where the good stuff ended. The only person at our entire table who had a good meal was our 5 year old daughter... she had the kids pasta alfredo. Our service was really, really slow, which was crazy since there were only 2 other tables full. Not sure if we will be back any time soon. too hit and miss for us when there are so many other wonderful restaurants around.
(3)
Jasmine G.

another great visit, I love this place, all the servers are so nice and helpful, the GM Brian is great and always accommodating! staff is the best! even when it is busy, you can tell everyone goes out of their way to help out; and the food is always consistently excellent.
(5)
Melissa W.

Overall a great place for Italian food in the area and I would definitely go back. Sharon was our server and she did an awesome job. Both the manager and hostess took the time to check with us about how everything was which was nice. The decor was great, love the exposed brick and red glass in the windows. I really want to give it five stars but I can't because of a few small things that add up. First we had to wait over 10 minutes for a table when we had a reservation (they were very apologetic about that), the tables along the booth wall were a little too close together so the server had to awkwardly squeeze it between tables to get to the people along the wall, the bus/server station was open to the restaurant which is a little weird when you're seated right next to it (could use a curtain or partition of some sort), and finally it took a little longer than it should have to get our entrees. Like I said, nothing was a huge deal in itself but added up. Quality of food and service make it a must try!
(4)
Thomas C.

We found this place to be romantic, charming and friendly. The exposed brick interior to the table settings, this place smoulders with old world charm. Our wait staff was incredibly nice, friendly and informative. Yes, the ambiance was awesome.. but the food?!? That is the true test.. Does the food taste great? Well, my vote is one emphatic YES! The special of the day, Chicken and Sausage Giambotta was truly tasty and divine. Everything we tasted was spot on and delicious. I think this is our new go to place for romantic dinners for two!
(4)
Catndog ..

First time we ever went to this restaurant as we had a Groupon. It was wonderful. The atmosphere is very, very nice, The wait staff was hustling and bustling. Service was great. On a Monday night, it was packed and when we left at 7:30, people were waiting to get in. The food is delicious and service was awesome!! Definitely will return.
(5)
James H.

Best Italian restaurant in the area. Well worth the drive, for the food. Have been occasionally and have never been disappointed. It a small quaint restaurant in Algonquin. We arrived at 8:00pm on a Saturday and it was packed. I suggest reservations, though we only waited 20 minutes for a table. Our waitress dropped by to let us know it would be a couple of minutes, turned out to be about 5. From that time on through our meal she was very attentive to our needs. Food is great. My daughter is vegan and was easily able to put together a pasta dish that tasted great. It is the only Italian restaurant that we visit.
(5)
Taylor M.

The best Italian food outside of Little Italy and definitely the best in McHenry County. Ive been here many times and always left satisfied. Great martinis and usually decent specials. Only down side to me is how you get packed in like sardines and how loud it is but that's just one of my pet peeves.
(5)
Crystal L.

Like so many others I enjoyed this place initially. But after 5 or 6 visits I began to realize their lack of service. Not only a a severe lack of service, but the accompanying ego that's says "Hey we are busy so we really don't care if you do not come back". Well Cucina Bella guess what? I will never return to your snobby service establishment again. I have choices. Da Baffone in Crystal Lake (Your previous location where you went OUT of business). I wonder why? I challenge those of you reading this review who enjoy Cucina Bella's. Try these customer perks I would expect from any decent establishment: 1. Try ordering a side of Ranch Dressing 2. Try ordering Pasta and asking them to either combine 2 sauces or offer 1 on the side. 3. Try mentioning kindly you think their Ceasar Salad tastes "off" after having it the previous 3 visits and realizing this time it tastes like it has mustard or spoiled fish in it. 4. Try standing at the bar for 22 minutes before being asked if we would like to have a drink. (No? I just like to stand up at the bar as part of my exercise regimen!) 5. Try eating appetizers a with no napkins and silverware. Cucina Bella's response "We are currently folding more". Waiter never brought any. We finally had to flag down a busboy. I expect good food and courteous service when I dine out. Sure one bad experience can be forgiven. But unfortunately my last 3 visits have been dismal. Ciao Bella!
(1)
Robyn C.

If my ratings were only based on food, this place would have 5 stars, BUT service is included, and well .... that's a whole different story. I will start with the good things then will talk about the HOT MESS of a waiter and the service we had. We had a few people arrive late, no biggie since some people were coming all the way from Chicago. The waiter took our drink orders and gave us some bread. The Riesling that I ordered (forgot the name, but it's the first Riesling listed on the wine menu) was fantastic. The bread was good, but it wasn't warm at all, which is kind of disappointing. Some people ordered appetizers, I tried some calamari and it was the fresh non-fried kind (which to me is the best kind of calamari) and that tasted fantastic. The stuffed mushrooms were raved about as well. A few people were sharing entrees since they are huge. What was great was the fact that they split the entrees into two plates for everyone. My Fiance and I ordered the Chicken Marsala, and their sauce is to die for. It was quite possibly the best chicken marsala that I have ever had. They also served it with a side of marinara pasta. No one said one bad thing about their food. Everyone was enjoying it immensely. So the BAD BAD part about this place. UUGGGHH the SERVICE was horrendous. Food took FOREVER to come out. Our waiter was un-attentive, we had to ask for more bread constantly because he wouldn't bring it. We were there for 3 hours. Practically everyone in the restaurant was there for 3 hours. The couple that goes here a lot said that service has never been this bad. It took 30 min for apps to come out, 20 mins for salad and soup to come out, 30 min for entrees to come out. When we asked for our checks, it took him 20 minutes for him to bring them out. Granted he did separate them for everyone, but it shouldn't have taken that long. If I were to come back here, it definitely would not be on a weekend. Service here was that bad, which is sad because the food is fantastic.
(3)
Joe S.

Over the years I've driven by this place hundreds of times. What got me to go there was a groupon that I purchased ($30 for $15). Two of us went and we both started off with wine. They had free bread with oil, which was a great touch. We got calamari. Just a warning, it was HUGE, which is a good thing. If you're going to get the calamari, make sure its more than just two of you because its huge (again a good problem). For dinner I had the ravioli. My friend got the lasagna. I ate all of mine and it was fantastic! My friend got the lasagna and it was so big he had to take the rest home. Yes the groupon gave us a reason to come in, but after the groupon and with the tip we spent $50! Will be back again.
(5)
Rich S.

Disappointing! Couldn't get in to restaurant down the street, but had been wanting to try Cucina Bella so...the good...the wine was fine. After that...baked clams...ugh gloppy over sauced and overall unappealing...the chopped salad...way over dressed and bland...and finally the chicken milanese...sitting in oil...soggy...DISAPPOINTMENT. Really wanted to like this place too.
(1)
Tank M.

I have eaten here 4 times in the past six months. Pro: - Have ALWAYS been happy with the food. Best Italian food in McHenry County. Eggplant, pasta, chicken, all very well done. - Table service has always been very good. Con: - Once, we had a reservation and were told it was a 30 minute wait. What was the reservation for, then?!?!? I complained loudly, and we were seated in 10 minutes. - A little too crowded, noisy, and chaotic on a Saturday night. Things seem a little out of control in there.
(5)
Katherine A.

I am impressed. I have been here a few times and the food is great!! The decor is pretty romantic. The food is ridiculously good. This is my new favorite local Italian restaurant.
(5)
Laura B.

Food is actually not bad for Algonquin, but the waitstaff is unbelievable. Last time I checked, you are slinging plates of cheese and grease in Algonquin, not $300 plates at Gordon Ramsey at the London. Rude, inattentive and hired for their ability to wonder around in aimless circles and NOT tend to tables. If you're not totally offended by the waitstaff, try your luck at the bar. Am I ordering a drink at a mediocre Algonquin restaurant or picking out a two carat pink diamond? PLEASE. I have had better service at Buffalo Wild Wings.
(2)
Chris D.

Finally a restaurant that has vegetarian lasagna (most have meat sauce), and it was superb. The gorgonzola salad with finely chopped romaine, endive, pears, blue cheese and candied pecans was huge and excellent. The carrot cake we shared at the end was enormous and wonderful as well. Service was friendly on a super busy Saturday night.
(5)
J C.

Very good pasta with mussels and clams In a red sauce. Our waitress was actually one of the best I have ever had, she was quick to top off water and sodas while friendly and very attentive to our table. From what I could see almost all tables where full at this time also. I have been there many times and will continue to go when I am on the mood for good Italian food. Also very nice brick wall decor.
(5)
Jennifer B.

Disappointing! My husband and I chose Cucina Bella for date night because a friend recommended it. Lets start with the positives: super cute restaurant, nice decor, felt like an Italian restaurant. My 2 espresso martinis were phenomenal! Kudos to the bar tender! Waitress was very nice and attentive, no issues there. The rest of the experience was not the best and it primarily revolves around the food which is where you want to excel as a restaurant. The table olive oil was the worst I had ever had. Extremely bland not even sure it was olive oil. The bruschetta appetizer was soggy and bland. Just a pile of drippy tomatoes on soft bread, not even a crispy toast. My Caesar salad had BOXED CROUTONS! Like the crappy kind you use in a stuffing recipe at Thanksgiving. The salad lacked dressing and what was on it was flavorless. I ordered the eggplant Parmesan which was fairly decent tasting but it was swimming in marinara which made the eggplant just a heaping pile of soggy mush. The texture was the only issue. My husband "picked his pasta creation" with the carbonara sauce which sucked. My husband is not picky but he did not eat his dinner and did not take leftovers (in the 11+years I've known him that has never happened). On top of all the disappointment with the food, it was EXTREMLY overpriced, especially for Algonquin! Do yourselves a favor and check out Francesca's in West Dundee!
(2)
Kathie C.

Stopped in after a day of walking around a tradeshow with my husband and 10 year old daughter craving the wicked carbonara I have heard my friends talk about from here. Today happens to be the Saturday before Valentine's Day and apparently the regular menu doesn't apply -- just an abbreviated menu with no descriptions for the page of "specials" and no carbonara available. So after asking the waitress what some of the items were, we finally picked something even though nothing "special" was really on the menu in our opinion and there was no kids menu today so my daughter had to order an adult portion or share with us. Ok, bummer on the menu so far but whatever. My husband's pasta fagioli tasted like watered down tomato soup with no flavor and he didn't even finish it. My daughter and I got salad instead of soup and the house vinaigrette (which is the only salad dressing option) had no flavor and in fact tasted like they just washed the lettuce, tossed it with some oil and served it. My lasagna had no flavor whatsoever besides the tomato flavor of the sauce, my daughter had alfredo with barely any flavor and my husband had some kind of a rolled steak thing that he described as weird and not that good. Bottom line: I have had waaay better meals at Olive Garden and I don't even really consider that true Italian. Very disappointed.
(1)
Tommy K.

I'm kicking myself for not having discovered this place sooner. My family and I came here for dinner last Thursday where we were treated to tried-and-true, classic Italian cuisine. As far as Italian eatery goes, I think they have mastered the formula. Our table was nicely laid with white table cloth complete with small candle and a bottle of olive oil to really set the mood. Table service was fine albeit a little slow. Our waitress could have checked in more often than she did, but other than that she was very friendly and accommodating. I like how the pasta part of the menu is so customizable...it makes the menu fun because it brings out your creative side! My meal consisted of their linguine pomodoro with meatballs, which was absolutely great! It just seems like such an overlooked place to me, and I don't think their location is helping their cause much either. Hopefully I'll be going back soon.
(4)
Tamara R.

I have nothing but great things to say about Cucina Bella. The food is delicious, the service is fabulous and the atmosphere is perfect. I have been to Cucina Bella for family celebrations, dinner with girlfriends and on date nights. Every time the staff had made me and my guests feel special. I feel lucky to have such an amazing independently owned restaurant so close to home.
(5)
Danielle B.

LOVE this place! The food is excellent every time we have gone to Cucina Bella. I always order the Eggplant Parm and my husband always gets the Lasagna. In my opinion, my Mom makes the best Eggplant Parm, and Cucina Bella's is a close second! The last few times we have been there the service was great! Last night, we had Brittany and she was very busy, but still very attentive. We have been there in the past were the service was so-so. I recommend making a reservation if you dine in on the weekend. We have also ordered food for pick up and brought it home to eat and its just as delicious! This is one of our favorite restaurants in Algonquin!
(5)
Garry K.

The wife and I have been here several times and have enjoyed it everytime. There has been only one dish we did not like too much and that was a soup. The baked clams or grilled calamari are very good starters. I loved the arriabatta sauce over linguini with shrimp added.
(4)
Rich C.

Never disappoints, excellent food and fantastic atmosphere, an Algonquin treasure : )
(5)
Marie B.

*** STAY AWAY GLUTEN FREE FRIENDS*** * Terrible Service * Total inflexibility with menu changes and allergy accommodation * Waitress explained that the kitchen could not use grilled (vs breaded) chicken for the chicken parm and suggested a more expensive "build your own pasta" option for my g-free husband. When we were upset about additional charge for leaving off breading, she got a "ONE TIME ONLY" exception from the general manager to swap in grilled chicken.. only to come back and explain that the kitchen would not make the gluten free pasta in the smaller portion that comes with chick parm so we were back to a NO on the g-free chicken parm. Though we were kind (mostly to save ourselves further embarrassment in front of our friends), the waitress became argumentative when we pointed out how difficult it was to get 2 simple swaps to make the meal g-free for my very allergic husband. When I asked to speak to a manager privately, she re-explained all of the reasons that these two swaps were a huge inconvenience to the kitchen and offered to take me back to the kitchen to show me how it works. NO THANKS! A simple, "I'm sorry for your embarrassment and our terrible customer service. I will fix it." would have been great. After some discussion, the manager agreed to get him something that resembled g-free chicken parm. When it came out to the table, it was the fully breaded, not g-free chicken parm. An hour and a half later, my husband had grilled chicken and pasta. Not to worry, we paid full price for the dish. * Friend asked to swap a (cheaper) sauce on her pasta and was informed it is a $2 up charge?. * Her boyfriend asked for mushrooms ($2 extra) and garlic ($1 extra) on his pasta. Pasta came without both. * I give Cucina Bella 1 * for the $5 martinis
(1)
Dave K.

Only livid in the area for 20 years to finally try this place. Had one of the best dinners anywhere. Gorgonzola salad and Veal Napoleon a fantastic combination. Huge portions. Reasonable prices. Nice wine list. Our waitress Angela was perfect. Will be going back soon!
(5)
Grace V.

3 of us went for dinner. We were told it was a 25 minute wait but waited 45 before we were seated. They were short staffed. We waited at bar and it took 15 minutes to get a drink. Once we sat down we were told we would get another place setting. I had to ask twice for a plate and napkin. We waited 20 plus minutes for our appetizer and another 20 minutes for our salad. The pasta with vodka sauce was delicious but it took so long that it was no longer enjoyable. What a disappointment. At the bar we ordered another olive for a martini and got charged for a martini! I get it. They were busy but all the incidents were ridiculous! Sadly, we wont be back.
(1)
Rich P.

Never Again. Last Saturday, Novemeber12th was my sixth visit to this dining establishment. I love the food and the atmosphere but the complete lack of service by the wait staff has now reached the point that going to dinner is like going to war! This has occurred on four of our six visits. Dinner coming out 25 minutes after our soup /salad is finished is unacceptable. I asked to see a manager and some young lady came to the table - doubtful she was a manager - and said they were slow because they were busy! Gee - it hought that hat is what a restaraunts goal was !The old Cucina Bella in Crystal Lake - which is now called da Baffone - is outstanding in every way and they will be getting my entertainment dollar until someone at Cucina Bella learns how to run a dining establishment.
(1)
Joel N.

My wife and I tried Cucina Bella for the first time last week on Valentine's Day. Easily the best Valentine's Day dinner we've had in the 7 years that we've been together. Our server recommended the grilled calamari for an appetizer, and I was amazed at how good it was. Dinner was perfectly timed. We felt like the different courses came at exactly the right time to where we did not feel rushed, nor did we feel like we were waiting an extended amount of time. Both of us thought that our entrees were some of the best that we've had in the area. Some advice: save room for the raspberry truffle cheesecake. I typically don't care for cheesecake, but this was easily the best I've had.
(5)
Isabel V.

Purchased a Groupon for this place and decided to try it out tonight for dinner after church with a friend. We were very pleasantly surprised! Great food, great staff and overall a great experience! We had special St Patrick's Day Martini's they were offering for $5 and enjoyed a wonderful appetizer of grilled calamari to start us off. Dinner was fabulous too.....my friend had the Braciola and I ordered the Bella Pasta. Generous portions so we both have leftovers for tomorrow :-) We will definitely be going back!
(5)
Jim T.

Not sure what happened since the last time I was here but the service has gone down hill. Not sure if we just had a bad server (claimed to have been there for 8yrs). It was difficult to get refills on my drink, or hold her attention as she was rushing off to another table as soon as the last word came out of her mouth. I only saw 1 busser, and 1 bartender and the place was packed. My thought is that they need more staff to attend to the clientele or the customer base will adjust to the staff size. Not a good business plan in my book. As far as the food, our server blamed the kitchen staff for not getting my order right. My thought is that the server is the final check on what is served which she did not even bring out. After 1/2 of my meal was consumed our server decided to check on us and we informed her of the deficit on the plate. She said she would have the ticket changed to reflect the error. No offer to remake the plate or bring the missing food item. Even when the bill came the charge was still on there and there was a double charge on one of our other food items. She blamed someone else. I see a common theme her don't you? The order lacked sauce. All together I had a bad experience, and will try again try another server.
(2)
Fernando M.

Their dishes are just awesome. Whatever you order is just fantastic. I love their grilled calamari, and their veal vesuvio.
(5)
Allie G.

Super Friendly Staff!! Make sure you ask for Maggie:) Get the Bella Pasta and ask if they have the Goat Cheese/Marinara Appetizer!! Martinis are awesome!! Try the Sangria Martini.. but be warned you won't know what happened to the first one.. they go down a little too quick!
(5)
B C.

Had a Groupon. Arrived right at 4 pm when they opened. Asked if we could sit by the window. After 3 minutes we were asked to move as they had a big party arriving. Hmmm when we left over an hour later - nobody still there. Sat down and before we even ordered 1st server asked if we had a Groupon. How did he know? I said you need it right now? Yep, he said. I pulled it up on my phone as he seemed to impatiently wait. Ordered eggplant and asked if it came with pasta. 2nd server said yes it comes on a bed of spaghetti. Received my order and it came with a small side of penne pasta. Server said she made a mistake and that's how it comes. Asked if I could sub the penne for spaghetti as ordered. Nope was the answer. Doesn't penne cost the same as spaghetti? That felt like strike #3. Asked for a straw. She came back and handed me an unwrapped straw. How about wrapping it in a napkin next time and handing it to me? Received bill and Groupon not removed. Told server #2 that #1 took the Groupon. She seemed very confused. We had to describe the guy who took it. Moved around, felt weird about the Groupon, order was not as placed and wasn't notified prior to presenting it to me or at least bring a few cents of spaghetti to make up for the error, service was so slow as only 2 tables in the restaurant, bread was not good, get a cover for your parmesean cheese (open container all night, hoped nobody sneezed over it). Server seemed nice, but maybe it was the kitchen's fault? Will never return. We understand that things can go wrong, but this was too many things at an established restaurant and the food was just not good.
(2)
Lisa S.

Just got back from Cucina Bella. Decided to take my daughters out for dinner and use a Groupon that was due to expire soon. It looks as though the menu has changed, not for the better. Our server arrived clearly looking disappointed that he was waiting on a mom and her two daughters. I ordered a bottle of San Pellegrino and a grilled calamari appetizer. Nick left. He didn't go over specials, didn't mention what the soup, risotto, or fish of the day were, just walked away. Nick had the personality of a lawyer and oddly enough, I overheard him boasting to a table that he was planning to go to law school. Probably a better fit for him than serving. Our appetizer arrived and of course, I still had no Pellegrino. When Nick finally returned with my drink, he asked to take our orders. I ordered a chopped salad with NO meat in it. My daughters each ordered an entree and I ordered a lasagna to go for my husband. My salad arrived. It was so dark in the restaurant and the salad was indeed "chopped" so I couldn't tell if he had served me a salad sans salami. C'mon you gotta know what's coming next. Sure enough, I eat a piece of salami. He walks by and I tell him there's salami in here. He takes the plate and walks away. He does not offer me a replacement. Later Nick tells me he took the salad off the bill. Oh thanks! That's mightly nice of you! The girl's entrees were average, nothing special. When he saw that we were done, he brought me the check. He never asked if we'd like dessert or coffee. Seriously, a disappointing enough experience that I will NOT be returning. I would much rather go to Biaggi's than this "authentic italian restaurant." Opps, I almost forgot, the Groupon! I handed him the Groupon and a credit card. The bill was $56 and the Groupon was $30. Yep, you guessed it, Nick comes back with the credit card receipt charged for $56 and yes, he kept the Groupon. I went up to the bar hoping to talk to a manager about the whole experience, but no manager around. Why am I not surprised? Got the bill figured out and left. Because I'm a former server myself, I still left BELOW AVERAGE NICK a 20% tip; although, at this point my whole meal should have been comped. i won't be going back, that I know for sure!
(1)
Sarah M.

My boyfriend and I come here all the time. We always have wonderful&friendly service. The food is always great. You do have to wait for the food, but it is well worth it.
(5)
Zach H.

Great food and a nice venue the only negative is it takes a long time for them to cook it and get it to you. Do not go here in a hurry but if you want some great Italian food and you can sip some wine and enjoy your company then this Is great.
(4)
Susanne C.

Part of the meal okay (should have been hot) and part good (eggplant appetizer), drinks average, service good and prices moderate. What will keep me from ever going there again is the noise level. The high ceiling and brick walls reverberate and deafen. In order to converse, we had to speak directly into the other's ears. And we were sitting next to each other. I have never, ever been in a restaurant this noisy.
(3)
Brian A.

great place good food plus on thursday nights this place turns into a club. the servers and bartenders were very professional and attentive. all in all i dont have any complaints about this place, the calamari and the baked clams were very good plus $2 miller lite bottles on thursday's, awesome if u ask me
(5)
Brandon L.

"Schizophrenia is not really what I am looking for in a restaurant." I love Italian food. I grew up eating really good Italian food. So therefore when it comes to restaurants and finding a decent Italian food I am not the easiest customer to impress with you the quality of the food. That being said here is the story of la Cucina Bella . . . We had driven by this location a countless number of times. Why because on the weekends you will hear terrible, at best late 70's styled karaoke blaring out of this building. ambiance is always n important factor to this fat man so I held out as long as possible - about 5 years before ever enternig the doors. Visit #1 The Saturday of Valentine's day this year I took my wife - a night without the kids and a good meal was what I dying for. (If that sounds bad to you that just means you don't have any children.) We had reservations and when we arrived we were seated after a short wait in the door. Why the door you ask? Well because the place was packed. No complaints - as long as the meal is worth it. When we were seated the waitress was very good. . . . attentive to our needs, drinks, bread, etc. Warm crusty bread was served with oil and a drink was in my hand . . . perfect We order the Oysters Rockefeller - one of my all time personal favorites. The waitress advised us that it would be 20 minutes on a normal night of prep and cooking but that she was glad to get that for us but wanted us to be aware of this. I smiled . . . good they know what they are doing - this bodes well The short version (oops too late) of this visit was that the service was stellar, the Oyster Rockefeller marvelously prepared, the soup minestrone, and the Veal Saltimboca I had was excellent. I would have given you a 4 star rating la Cucina Bella. Visit #2 I headed immediately out to la Cucina Bella just 2 days later. The bread, the oysters, and the veal all dancing in my head and luring me back in to the point that a gastro-pile friend had to come with. When we arrived it was dead, as if they might have been closed. Maybe they should have been - but we will get there . . . The Loaf of Warm Crusty Fresh Bread . . . . was no loaf at all. In fact it was a sliced off hunk of unflavored or seasoned white bread from Jewel Osco French Bread . . . dried out by the heat lamp it had to of sat under for hours before I arrival. We had hope though . . . the oysters and the veal! Guess what they didn't have in stock and had trrun out of over the weekend? Oysters Veal All Seafood (excluding fried pre-made frozen shrimp) And literally more than 1/2 of the menu . . . Our waitress informed us of all this apologetically and was good enough to advise that if we wanted to leave she understood. I respect her for that. She understood that she worked at a restaurant where the #1 thing you do is serve food. Apparently the management does not feel the same way . . . sure it was a weekday - how much business could they have missed out on really? Oh, did I forget to mention that their delivery trucks don't regularly arrive until Thursday and they ran out of food on Saturday night and the management advised his staff that he was not going to be getting any extra deliveries this week? I chalked it up to a bad occurrence - it happens - one of the busiest weekends of the year can wipe you out. Visit #3 I had recently visited my sister in Florida where we had some delicious food and she is another sucker for Italian. We went there - guess what - out of food again. You know if I was running a gas station and didn't have gas it wouldn't be much of a gas station . . . this is supposed to be a restaurant. . . . maybe you should have food? Then again maybe you don't think you are a restaurant?
(2)
Dorothy P.

This was actually our second attempt at eating here, because we tried to dine here on my birthday, but the kitchen had closed (it was 9:45 on a Friday & they didn't close close until 11...kinda ruined my birthday, but that's besides the point). They were kind of busy when we got there at the beginning of dinner rush & we were pleasantly surprised to find that it got increasingly busy as the time went by (good sign). I had the clam chowder to start, which was tasty...not too creamy or clamy, just right. Our waitress was very friendly and extremely busy, which was kind of annoying but totally understandable. The food was just ok, the portions were enough to fill us and have some leftovers with the exception of my husband's entree (saltimbocca), which was two small pieces of meat that were drown in sauce and a small cup of penne with marinara on the side. He downed his dinner & was still hungry (he ate "dinner #2" when we got home). The menu is a little on the small side, nothing that really stood out to me. We'll probably go there again to give it another shot, but my expectations aren't all that high.
(2)
Colleen F.

I have been here a few times and it is okay as far as Italian food goes and wasn't that impressive. Honestly Olive Garden has better food which I feel bad saying. Their sauces seem to be from a jar, runny, and lacking texture and flavor that you would get at a traditional Italian restaurant that painstakingly makes theirs from scratch. The drinks were great and they gave healthy pours in all of their mixed drinks but the service leaves a lot to be desired. They seemed to be distracted, unfriendly, and as if we were bothering them every time we ordered anything.
(2)
meg l.

I was really nervous about coming here since there were mediocre reviews on both yelp and yahoo in regards to service and quality of the food. I have to say both the food and service were excellent. We did go on a Tues night so the place was slow and they had plenty of time to give us great service, explain the menu and make sure we had everything we needed. I had the special which was a shrimp, mushroom and asparagus risotto. It was prepared perfectly and I would have licked the bowl clean if it wasn't so rich in flavor. I would definitely go back to this restaurant but might choose a week night to ensure the food and service were just as good as the first time.
(4)
Nan G.

We made reservations for 7pm on a Saturday night. When we walked in, there were at least 10 empty tables, but we were told our table was not ready. We were seated after 20 minutes. Our server suggested one of the veal specials. My husband ordered it. I've known my husband for 33 years and have never known him to send a meal back at a restaurant. He took one bite and said he couldn't eat it. I tried it. It tasted like veal with maple syrup and mushrooms. Yuck! The manger and server came to our table and offered to change his meal and not charge us for it. He then ordered the veal Marsala. His new meal was served within 5 minutes. Obviously the rinsed the maple syrup off the veal and threw on a Marsala sauce. Double yuck! You could still taste the maple syrup. My husband gave up after being told he was the only customer that has ever not loved the dish. And, you guessed it, we were charged for his meal.
(1)
Matt P.

We've been to this restaurant many times in the past but this time was far from acceptable. We didn't have a single moment without plates or empty drinks on our table even though the waitress and bus boys had walked by multiple times. Having to flag down a waitress to get another drink and then waiting for 15 minutes after is ridiculous. Finally when she came to apologize for how long the food is taking she said it was being plated. 20 minutes later the owner came by to apologize when the food finally came. I would have gone back because the food Is always great but service is more important than the food you serve. I'll stay home next time or go to a local Italian where the owner cares instead of sitting at the bar with his friends. Change your staff!!!
(1)
Kathy M.

Never again in my life will I return to this horriable place. We went on Friday night and waited over an hour and a half then gave up and left. We made resverations for Sunday night at 6. My husband and I with our little one (3) got there at 5:45 and the man seating people said it would aprox. 20-25 min. Well that was not the case. We waited til 7:15 when we finally left. People who did not even have resveration were seated BEFORE us and people who had gotten there after us were seated BEFORE us. I would totally understand if we did not have a resveration but we did!! I kept going up to the guy to chck onn our status and he coudlnt even give me a straight answer. then when he was taking people to be seated it was as if he was picking and choosing the people he wanted. I would never recd. this place to anyone. And if you want to make a rest. it really dosnt help since they obviously dont take them and you have to wait anyway. I would rather eat at Olive Garden!! Just horriable horriable horriable!!!
(1)
Regan G.

Haven't been in a couple of years due to reservation and service issues. Thought we would give it another try. Some things never change. They can take the reservation, but can't honor the reservation. Had reservations for 7p.m. On Saturday and when we arrived we were told that it would be at LEAST a 45 minute wait. We walked out. Won't ever be back again. Since we didn't even get to eat I would give it zero stars, but when i went to post it wouldn't except a zero rating.
(1)
Vicki W.

The best Filet Garganzola Medallions! To die for! Servings are plentiful. That's usually 2 meals for me every time we visit. Homemade sauces and their Suprema sauce ... yummy! A little noisy, if I could I would have given them 4.5 starts for that, but the food makes up for the noise! :)
(5)
rebecca f.

Grew up here... Live in L.A. now, but still love Chicago Italian! This place is good and I like having a switch up from all the good Dundee/St. Charles Italian joints. Brick walls are nice and old timey. It's roomy, al dente, fresh!
(4)
K M.

It's really too bad that a restaurant with pretty good food has to be overlooked because of the service being so bad!! Not only was the service bad but no one there seemed to care that we were very unsatisfied!! We waited forever for our server to take our order. She kept walking by without even asking us if we were ready. It was so frustrating because we kept seeing other tables with people that came in after us get their food before we even had our order taken. We asked our server why this was happening and we got the excuse that they are short handed. OK, I get that but still doesn't explain why all the tables around us had their orders taken and food delivered before we were even asked to take our order!! I asked to talk to someone about this. We saw her talking to the owner and looking over at us. Still, no one came to talk to us!! After a very long wait, our food arrives. By this time, I am steaming at the fact that we asked to talk to someone and we have been ignored!! Maybe this is why I didn't like my meal!! When we finally got our check, I mentioned to the server that I was still waiting to talk to someone. Again, she goes and talks to the owner. Finally he comes to our table. Same excuse was given about being short handed and that he didn't have time to come talk to us until now. Sorry, but when you have an upset customer, you find the time to talk!! He kept defending that the time our order was put in and served was the same time as all the other orders. We came at 7 and didn't get our food till after 9. Other tables were getting their food and leaving before we even began to eat. C'mon, something is not right! Obviously our server didn't put our order in when she got it. I just wanted him to acknowledge that our server gave us poor service!! So he offers to buy us an after dinner drink or dessert. Maybe if he would have come over earlier, that may have been a nice offer but we had already received our check and were about to leave. We didn't want anything free, just wanted to feel like we were valued as customers and that did not happen!!! It's really a shame because I like the food and the place but I don't know if I can go back there again after the way we were treated.
(2)
Chris W.

I've eaten here twice now, and both times, the food was inconsistent. I'm not saying it was inedible, but a far cry from the positive reviews here and in citysearch. My first visit I had a picata, and the chicken looked like it came from a frozen patty and the potatoes were nothing to write home about. This last visit, my wife had a shrimp and pasta dish that was again edible, yet bland. I had a risotto that was overwhelmed by a heavy pasta sauce and it frankly tasted (and looked) more like jambalaya than a risotto. A good chef should know better than to cover up a risotto like that. Bottom line, if all you want is spaghetti, this place is probably fine, but for the more expensive dishes, you will probably be sorely disappointed.
(2)
Shaun S.

I've only had good service here and good food too. I like the interior of exposed brick and wood. Haven't been in a while, but have been to their second location in C.L. When in a group they've been cool and split up the bills without trouble.
(4)

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Address : 220 S Main St
Algonquin, IL, 60102
Phone (847) 458-2504
Website https://www.cucinabellaalgonquin.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

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.

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Cucina Bella

220 S Main St, Algonquin, IL, 60102

Cucina Bella Menu

Appetizers

Soups & Salads

Chicken and Veal

Fish

Peusonalizza la tua Pasta

House Specials

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cucina Bella

Appetizers

Soups & Salads

Chicken and Veal

Fish

Peusonalizza la tua Pasta

House Specials

Desserts

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