Ciao Bella Ristorante

This is a classy setting nice ambiance inside place to eat. I am always on the hunt for the best of the best. I judge an Italian restaurant first and foremost on the bread you get with your meal. The bread was ok, not blow me away. Also the bread portions was skimpy, I understand you can ask for more and maybe they don't want to waste. The service was top notch, very friendly and accommodating. We didn't have reservations but they made room for us. I got the lobster ravioli to compare with my favorite lobster ravioli at another restaurant Bella Italia, to see which one was better. Bella Italia won that round with better taste and more portions. I felt that it was too expensive for the amount I got, that's just my opinion. Listen this is a nice restaurant and most people would have nothing but good things to say. I'm just more picky then most people haha. Also the tails were left on the shrimp that came with the lobster ravioli, I personally don't like that. I don't want to have to get messy to eat my shrimp in my pasta. That's just me, Mr. Picky haha

Was quoted a 20-25 minute wait and sat outside for an hour, when we finally walked back inside to ask we were quoted an additional 20-25 minutes. Did not stay to get seated. I understand it gets busy but you can't blame the wait on reservations actually showing up for their table. That should be factored in.

Buffetman Sez: This place was an amazing find for Italian food! Prices are reasonable and you get great value and taste. The stuffed calamari is my fave, but I tried the blackened halibut with butterflied jumbo prawns special and it blew me away! I couldn't stop ... it was so freakin' good. Will be back!

So, my wife and I were mulling over some place to eat yesterday (Saturday) and I found this place on Yelp. We decided to give it a try for the first time. I called them up and "Dolly" answered the phone. I inquired about dess attire, if shorts and T-shirt were acceptable and if reservations were required. Dolly said, "the dress was casual, shorts and a T were acceptable.' Although reservations were not required, they were advised." So, I made a reservation.Upon arrival we were greeted promptly. The hostess seated us on what we learned later was the booth (bar) side. A wall at bar back seperated two sides of the restaraunt. The other side being the "table side". No sooner than we sat down, some obnoxiously loud baffoon strolls in and on his way to sit at the bar, begins shouting in greeting to another patron at the end of the bar. I thought, oh brother is it going to be one of those kind of nights?I got up, approached the hostess and asked if there were any seats open on the table side and we were seated immedietly on the table side. If being subjected to potentially loud atmosophere doesn't bother you then sit on booth (bar) side. If you want a more quiet and relaxing dining experience, sit on the table side. Now to my review.All in all the ambiance was very nice. It was a bit dark, but still nice. Our wait person named Prescious, was extremely helpful with our questions about menu items and was very attentive without hovering. Dolly, with whom I spoke to on the phone and not our wait person, was also a pure delight, and extremely attentive. My wife commented that she was "absolutely beautiful."On to our meal. We ordered the Fried Calamari as an appetizer to start and I must say it was cooked to PERFECTION! The seasoning was perfect with just a hint of heat (a toddler could eat it). The crunch was no less perfect and the bite melted in my mouth. We ate half of it before I remembered to snap a pic. This dish was 5/5.My wife ordered the Stuffed Calamari which are calamari steaks stuffed with crab, shrimp and mozzarella cheese and topped with a Rosetta sauce. Her dish also came with mash potatoes and veggies. Now, this isn't the type of dish my wife would normally order, but she wanted to try it. Nope, she didn't like it. Not because of the flavor, it was loaded with flavor, but because it was a bit to heavy for her. This would be more my type of dish to order. I tried it and it WAS THE BOMB! Give that 5/5Finally, I ordered a House Special which is not on the menu, it should be, but it isn't. Blackened Halibut with Jumbo Prawns. It came with mashed potatoes and veggies like my wife's dish did. The mash and veggies could be a meal all in their own. Nothing but pure deliciousness. The jumbo prawns were butterflied, nearly lobster tail sized and came with a delicious butter sauce for dipping. The blackened Halibut melted in my mouth and was FULL of flavor. I give this dish a 6/5.All-in-all this restaraunt has Bay Area quality, freshness and taste. There is a Chef behind the scene that has mastered food consistency, not only in the quality and freshness, but also in the preparation. EVERYTHING was prepared and cooked to perfection. No inconsistencies like undercooked/overcooked to be found. The US and California in particular, is a melting pot of ethnicity. If you have mastered culinary skills in a particular food type, genre or culture, it doesn't matter your ethnic or, national background. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Pam. What a delight she was. Pam, you are doing it right. In closing all I can say is...WHOOOAAAAHHH NELLY THAT FOOD WAS THE BOMB DIGGITY BOMB! BACK IT UP AND BOMB AGAIN!

Upscale Italian in the Orangeburg shopping center, at Oakdale and Orangeburg.Always new specials, and amazing regular menu items. This location expanded recently and added a full bar.I highly recommend to make reservations, especially on holidays!I have enjoyed everything I have had here, the staff are very attentive and I always have a wonderful meal. The prices are high, but the portions are large.

food was amazing and the service was amazing, ambience it's perfect, but our friends did not like the seat they said the seats weren't comfy.

First time eating at this restaurant last night for a couples dinner with some dear friends. Great vibes. Such a classy place. I'd recommend for a date night to celebrate special occasions since it's a bit pricey. The food however was amazing. The portions are huge! The quality of our food is excellent. My hubby doesn't care too much for seafood but he got the Halibut & Scallops and ate it all up. He said it was cooked to perfection. He gave it a 8/10! I had the salmon plate and it was cooked perfectly. My friends got the stuffed crab/shrimp scallops and those were delicious too. Our server was fun & accommodating! We had such a great time... I will definitely be returning!

Food is always good. They make great manhattan's with bullet Rye Whiskey. Elieen is a good server. She is keeper.The place is nice for good meal out.

I'm allergic to potatoes and simply asked for my chicken piccata to be over pasta instead. The server was super sweet but the chef couldn't be bothered with my substitution. I then asked for a side of pasta and piccata sauce but was also told no because the chef is obviously on a power trip. To top it all off cocktails took a good 15 minutes to get to the table so buyer be warned. Again great service, egotistical chef.

Very nice ambiance. Staff is well trained and chef is good. Try it the lasagna is my favorite there.