Bella Monica
Bella Monica
Vegetarian. Thyme and spicy croutons.
Domestic crab meat, pesto, artichokes, kalamata olives, red peppers, mozzarella, Dijon aioli.
Sopressata, caciocavallo, olives, herbed mushrooms, roasted peppers and tapenade and pesto crostini.
Vegetarian. Roma tomatoes, basil, EVOO domestic grande or imported bufala.
Vegetarian. Anson mills baked polenta, roasted red peppers, balsamic syrup.
Baked wild domestic shrimp, Asiago sherry breadcrumbs.
Marinated chicken breast, Mission fig compote, laurel chenel goat cheese, balsamic syrup.
Vegetarian.
Vegetarian. Shiitakes, oyster, cremini, organic egg, garlic-herb butter, pecorino romano.
Sicilian tuna salad: artichokes, red peppers, kalamata olives and basil in sweet and spicy peppers.
Basil-seared calamari, arugula, cannellini beans, carrots, onions.
Fresh chicken stock, meatballs, spinach, egg drops, orzo.
Local beef, parmesan reggiano, California EVOO, arugula, lemon, fresh cracked pepper.
Pancetta, balsamic brown butter.
Cannellini beans, carrots, celery, onions, fresh chicken stock, tomatoes, pancetta, parmesan reggiano crostini.
Veal, caramelized onion, fontina cheese.
Italian omelette. Roasted potatoes, chive, fresco crema.
Roasted peppers, onions, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes.
Poached eggs, Italian herb ham, arugula, polenta cake, truffle hollandaise, roasted potatoes.
Vegetarian. Baked polenta, mixed berry maple syrup.
Vegetarian. Italian omelette. Roasted potatoes, chive, fresco crema.
Vegetarian. Roasted asparagus, parmesan, sunnyside up eggs, roasted potatoes.
Vegetarian. Eggs baked in Nana's gravy, basil, roasted peppers, caramelized onions, roasted potatoes.
Vegetarian. Roasted Portobello, feta, sun-dried tomato, raspberry.
Vegetarian. Chopped greens, tomato, mushrooms, onions, carrots, cannellini beans, parmesan, balsamic vinaigrette.
Vegetarian. Mixed greens, tomato, red onion, balsamic vinaigrette.
White anchovies upon request.
Mushrooms, cranberries, red onion, pancetta, hazelnut vinaigrette.
Vegetarian. Peppery arugula, sun-dried tomato, red onion, pine nuts, parmesan reggiano, lemon-basil vinaigrette.
Vegetarian. Mixed greens, Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, pear-thyme dressing.
Vegetarian. Roasted beets, arugula, carrots, goat cheese, pistachio vinaigrette.
Vegetarian. Mixed greens, goat cheese, walnuts, pear-thyme dressing.
Vegetarian.
Vegetarian. Cannellini beans, rosemary, red onion, roasted garlic, parmesan reggiano, toasted country bread.
Vegetarian. Toasted country bread with fresh tomato, basil, garlic, EVOO.
Vegetarian.
Chicken breast, basil pesto, red onion, black olives, feta and mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Roma tomato, basil, garlic, EVOO and mozzarella.
Anchovies, capers, red peppers, calamata olives, red onion, garlic, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Spinach, mushrooms, artichokes, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Spinach, pancetta, pine nuts, red onion, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Artichoke hearts, broccoli, tomato, pesto, mozzarella and feta cheese.
Sausage, red peppers, green peppers, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Pepperoni, sausage, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, garlic and EVOO.
Vegetarian. Roasted red peppers, mushrooms, calamata olives, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Spinach, tomato, garlic, EVOO, mozzarella and feta cheese.
Sliced steak, caramelized onions, tomato sauce, mozzarella and Gorgonzola cheese.
Vegetarian. Roasted eggplant, red peppers, pine nuts, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Basil pesto, mozzarella and calamata olives.
Clams, pancetta, oregano, garlic, EVOO and mozzarella.
Broccoli rabe, sausage, caciocavallo, garlic, EVOO, mozzarella and chili.
Shrimp, arugula, garlic, EVOO, mozzarella, onion and red peppers.
Chicken, eggplant, meatball or sausage.
Artichokes, red pepper, kalamata olives, basil aioli.
La quercia prosciutto, red peppers, arugula, balsamic vinaigrette.
Caramelized onions, Asiago, mozzarella.
Romaine, tomato, red onion, red pepper aioli.
Pistachio mortadella, fontina, arugula, tomato, olive-artichoke spread.
Romaine, tomato, red onion, basil aioli.
Vegetarian. Tomato, red onion, roasted red peppers, balsamic vinaigrette.
Caramelized onions, green peppers.
Vegetarian. Pesto, tomato, fresh mozzarella, red peppers.
Braised in chianti and tomatoes, parmesan reggiano.
Vegetarian.
Vegetarian.
Pizza dough folded and filled with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and your choice of 2 pizza toppings.
Pizza dough filled with mozzarella cheese and your choice of 3 pizza toppings.
Local pork, fennel au gratin, wilted greens, cherry pancetta sauce.
8 layers of pasta, local beef, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella.
Vegetarian. Spinach and egg pasta, fresh mozzarella, white wine crema.
Pasta tubes, ricotta, local beef, mozzarella, gravy.
Vegetarian. Pasta tubes, ricotta, mozzarella, gravy.
Vegetarian. Ricotta, mozzarella, gravy.
Chicken breast, spinach, roasted tomatoes, honey balsamic sauce.
Vegetarian. Pasta shells, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, gravy.
Chicken, arugula, portobellos, roasted tomatoes, garlic, EVOO, parmesan reggiano, pine nuts.
Vegetarian. Tomato sauce, mozzarella and feta, fresh baby leaf spinach.
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, all-natural pepperoni.
Local pork, fennel au gratin, wilted greens, cherry pancetta sauce.
Vegetarian. Gluten-free pasta shells, ricotta, mozzarella, Nana's gravy.
Vegetarian. Gluten-free ravioli, ricotta, Nana's gravy.
Wild domestic shrimp, tomato, garlic, EVOO, spaghetti.
Spaghetti, Nana's gravy, chilis.
Roasted cherry tomatoes, artichoke, spinach orzo, caper burro.
Oven roasted mussels, mushroom leek crema.
Wild domestic shrimp, polenta, pancetta, caramelized onions.
Vegetarian.
Vegetarian.
Vegetarian.
Vegetarian.
Honey vanilla gelato, espresso, cocoa, cinnamon crema.
Ladyfingers soaked in espresso, layered between mascarpone cheese and dusted with cocoa.
A dense, flourless "cake" with a hint of raspberry.
A delicious creamy custard cake made with ricotta cheese.
Not so italiano but so delizioso.
Crispy pastry shell filled with sweet ricotta cheese flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate chips.
Gluten-free chocolate cookie crust with creamy kahlua mousse and almonds.
lobster ravioli
Brushetta
Wine glass
Decor
Baked Ziti
Inside
Meat Lasagne
Baked Ziti
a pizza and a glass of wine
Lasagna
Baked Ziti
Calamari - sautéed
Cavatelli with chicken and vodka sauce. Very good
Large sausage, spinach & onion. Highly recommend.
Freshly baked bread
Wine glass
Bruschetta
Meat Lasagne
outside dining
Baked Ziti
outside
Bread for the table.
outside
Roasted Mushrooms
Patty A.
Sep 24, 2024
Omg. Everything is great here. Bread, Wedding soup , salad, desert don't miss out
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Laura G.
Aug 13, 2024
We were seated at a table by the door and the bathrooms were around the corner. Everyone who went to restrooms passed by our table and some bumped into our chairs because we were sitting parallel to the wall and the chairs stuck out. That was uncomfortable. Also it took a very long time to get our food and when we did get it, it was not super hot and it tasted mediocre. I had the eggplant rollotini and it was ok. My friend had the spaghetti scampi and it was a small portion with the tails left on the shrimp. Not a fan. This restaurant used to be a lot better.
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Annamarie A.
Jul 21, 2024
My oldest daughter & I stopped here for lunch last week before heading to an appt. It was super hot outside, but she wanted to eat outside, so we did. Luckily, they do have covered outdoor seating on the front & side of the restaurants, & also some overhead fans that helped with the heat. I got the special that day: heirloom tomatoes, with arugula, feta & pancetta. It was very good & refreshing. Their complimentary bread was something that I've never seen before, it looked like a mix between cornbread & cake. It was a little different, but it was good & served with olive oil & diced red onions on top. My daughter got the spaghetti with meat sauce & I got the baked ziti. My daughter liked her spaghetti, but she did mention that the noodles were short, so maybe they broke them in half before boiling? My baked ziti was delicious & the portion size was huge. I was only able to eat a little less than a third of it because I was already a little full from the salad. But, I brought the ziti home & not only ate it for dinner, I had the remaining bit for lunch the next day. I would definitely go back the next time we're in town.
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Chip R.
Feb 10, 2024
Bottom line: Great lunch meal at Bella Monica, the Whole Wheat Penne selection was delicious as well as light as it does not have a heavy sauce component. Service and atmosphere were good. If I could give half stars, I'd say 4.5 stars here. The Deets:Now that I think about it, I cannot believe I have not reviewed Bella Monica until now as these guys have been here in Raleigh for quite a few years. I was working near the area and got the chance to catch lunch there recently. We were greeted at the door promptly and given our choice of table or booth, so we went with a booth midway into the long narrow restaurant area. The server was pleasant and helpful, and started us off with some bread for the table. The bread looked like a square slice of sponge cake to me drizzled in olive oil, but tasting reveals that it is a light airy type of bread that I enjoyed (I am not a fan of hard crusty type breads so I loved this version, see pics). For my lunch meal, I went with the Whole Wheat Penne menu selection that includes chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan-Reggiano, and pine nuts. Reading the ingredients, it sounded delicious and light and when it arrived, the impression from the description proved correct (see pics). I really enjoyed this dish, wonderful flavors blending together without being heavy. I would definitely get this one again, it was great as it ticked most all the boxes of a nice Italian flavor profile without a heavy sauce. I would say 4.5 stars for this lunch visit to Bella Monica, and would love to visit again in the future.
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Leigh-Kathryn B.
Jun 22, 2024
Best pizza in Raleigh. Best pizza in the Triangle if you ask me. Bella Monica is my husband and my favorite neighborhood spot to eat at or to get pizza to take home from. The service is great the food is amazing (the lasagna is *chefs kiss*), and they've got a great wine list. Perfect for a date night or family dinner.
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Sikoya A.
Mar 5, 2024
Stopped by for a celebration and enjoyed my time here. The food was flavorful. The servers and staff were attentive. I'm looking forward to returning and trying the lasagna (the one that passed by me on it's way to another table looked amazing.)
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Victoria S.
Feb 3, 2024
Absolutely wonderful experience, came here for dinner with a friend and ended up having such a great time between the wine, food, and service. All of the food is great so you can't really go wrong with that you order. I personally recommend the spinach stuffed shells and pear & gorgonzola salad. It's quite a casual ambiance so you can go in jeans or leggings.
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Richardt T.
Sep 21, 2024
I would give this place a 4 star, except for one important thing. The center that this restaurant is in went to a lot of trouble to put lovely murals in different areas. Right after the completion of the mural in the hallway adjacent to Bella Monica, the kitchen must have had some sort of accident in the kitchen that they just swept out into the hallway and never followed through on cleaning it up. There has been grease and grime on the ground for months now. I have seen how busy this restaurant is and know they can afford to have this power washed as any decent restaurant would do to keep the area nice for shoppers and patrons. This hallway is not your garage can so stop treating it like it is and do what is right and clean up your mess. Once I see the area clean, I will change the 2 star to the 4 star that would reflect the same elegance on the inside of your restaurant to the outside.
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Anne G.
Nov 13, 2023
When I'm in Raleigh this is a number one go-to.The food is always incredible and the service equally so. We love sitting at the cozy bar. We split the stuffed shells and still have food to take home. The pumpkin ravioli I passed on this visit because it's sooo deliciously rich. Maybe tomorrow night!
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Barbara M.
Mar 5, 2023
The restaurant motto is viva, ama, mangia or live, love, eat. You can feel that the Monica family is very involved in the restaurant. The interior decor is more eclectic than traditional Italian restaurants, with fun colors and chandeliers. A private room in the back is perfect for parties of about 15. Everyone in my party loved their food from flatbread appetizers to rich desserts. The "flatbreads" are really circular pizzas with thin crust. A kids menu and special menu is available in addition to the regular menu. The menu has sandwiches, entrees, appetizers, and more. One of their specialty drinks is multiple types of spritz. Of course, they have a great wine list like any Italian restaurant. The dessert where they pour espresso over the ice cream has such a fun presentation that caught everyone's attention. The staff was friendly and professional, and parking is free in the strip mall lot. Outside seating is available including heaters and clear plastic walls for chillier days.
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