Bella Monica

Bella Monica is a great neighborhood restaurant offering their tasty take on Italian cuisine. The varied menu offers something for all tastes, but a must-order is the mussels dish which is simultaneously elegant and decadent. Be sure to order a bit of extra bread for soaking up the sauce! I was intrigued by and enjoyed the complimentary bread - cut into almost perfect squares - with an excellent mouth-feel texture and olive oil for additional flavor. Service was excellent - professional and friendly without being intrusive. The restaurant allows sharing of dishes which is always a useful option to taste more dishes without stuffing oneself. We would definitely return when we next visit the area. By the way, the establishment does not sell liquor, beer and wine solely, but these options appear to be ample.

I came here for lunch with coworkers. I had the sausage sandwich. It was a good sized sandwich and I had it with a cesar salad on the side. The salad was mediocre but I really enjoyed the Italian sausage. The bread they brought out in the beginning was also very good. I'd come back.

By far, this place exceeded my expectations. I ordered the gluten-free baked ziti, which tasted amazing probably better than any sauce I've ever eaten. Normally, they parboil them in the morning and then bake it later in the afternoon. Unfortunately the whole pan was ruined and they did not have any more to serve me but when I tell you the manager went out of their way to try to find me something different to eat after attempting to remake the Ziti differently I was very impressed. The second ziti did not taste very good because they tried to make it up on the fly. It was just the way the manager tried to make everything great I would 100%, no 1,000% recommend anybody that is gluten-free and in the area to stop at this restaurant the fauxcotta bread that is gluten-free as well was top-tier the food was really so tasty had that noodle just been cooked enough and not been hard and chewy that would have been a 10 star meal. But the one thing I will say that place has going for them is the customer service they comped my meal although I didn't eat it I did eat the bread I did have a dessert and I ended up asking them to let me pay for at least something so that I could tip my server on my credit card. So if you are in the area for sure, stop on in and grab some food here. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how amazing gluten-free food really can be.

Went here a little while back and truly enjoyed the food. Very authentic and flavorful! Ordered the meatball as an appetizer and they were bitesize, juicy and flavorful no complaints. Ordered a vegetable Stromboli which was a nice size and I only ate half. Vegetables was cooked perfectly and the crust on the Stromboli was just right. Lastly ordered the eggplant Parmesan, it melted in my mouth. Eggplant was perfectly sliced not too thick or thin, battered and fried perfectly! Lastly ordered the toffee Bundt, which I believe is seasonally but should be on the menu year round!!!!!!Highly recommend and I love the outdoors seating with the heat lamps so you can enjoy year round. Nice restaurant with great flavorful!

Never disappoints! Have been eating here for years. Flat bread pizza is awesome. Corbetto is my favorite. Tonight I got the special lasagne - chicken and fennel sausage. But ——- blueberry cheese cake made in house made my day! Love this place.

Today was my first visit to Bella Monica! We got there roughly when it first opened so it wasn't busy. The food was piping hot when it came to the table and was very delicious! The portion sizes were fair for the pricing and the soup I had I felt was seasoned nicely. I give this restaurant a 4 star because although the food was delicious I felt the waiter could have been more attentive especially during a time where there was only 3 other patrons in the restaurant. Overall it was great and I would definitely recommend and return!

Separate gluten free menu and gluten free house-made focaccia brought to the table before dinner was AMAZING! Even if you’re not gluten free, the food, service and atmosphere is all wonderful. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating for all our needs and preferences. Will definitely go back!

Unfortunately this establishment has lost something critically essential in quality. We’ve enjoyed BM since 2017, yet somehow the food isn’t holding its own. The lasagna was incredibly salty and greasy. The take away portions are inconsistent. We’ve noticed a change in consistency in the bread as well. Our latest order included 2 servings of lasagna; neither I nor my son could finish the meals as the salt was just too much. A waste of $$$. Take out failed to include bread. Bottom line, it’s an ambiguous hit or miss. The entire family remains hopeful for the return of what made us fall in love with BM.

today I was thinking about having some good food and i invited my cousin to come along with me. The food was delicious and tasted fresh made. The service was very professional and quick as well and I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. I will have to come back again and bring a date with me to this fine restaurants.

Decided on Bella Monica for my birthday dinner. I had heard many positive reviews over the years, but had never been. It's in a shopping plaza adjacent to Harris teeter. Plenty of parking. We made a reservation for 6pm and arrived a little early, but it was no issue & we were seated promptly. Just outside the door was a Happy Birthday greeting in chalk on the sidewalk which I thought was a nice touch. Once seated the hostess asked whose birthday it was (mine! ) and sprinkled Happy birthday confetti on the table. So cute. Our server was kind & friendly and took our drink & appetizer order. We ordered the garlic bread without cheese. The bread was crunchy & flavorful and the marinara sauce was delicious. We ordered rigatoni Alfredo, Calzone with ground beef & sausage, chicken parm and the spaghetti with shrimp scampi. The meals were all very good. They brought a birthday cannoli with a candle & we ordered tiramisu. The cannoli shell was crunchy and the filling was sweet & delicious. The tiramisu was excellent. Great evening at Bella Monica and I see why it's well liked. We'll have to try it again.

Stayed in Raleigh for work and found this local gem on OpenTable. It was pretty busy when we got there but we were able to get a table. Everyone is really nice and attentive. They have a huge wine list! The food is delicious!!!!! I had eggplant rollatini. I tasted the sauce first and I can honestly say it 1000000% authentic! My co-workers had the meatballs, squid ink pasta and a pizza. Everyone licked their plates clean! I got the tiramisu to go and devoured it back at my hotel room. It was soooooo moist and delicious! Highly recommend this place!

The food was fine , the lady who took my to go order ( chicken parm sandwich for 16.24 ) asked if I wanted change from a 20 , she never once smiled , said please or thank you and then tried to shame me into giving her a 3.76 tip , ( for what ? ringing in my order with a surly attitude ) it was pathetic for her and what an awful look for this restaurant. The food was good enough but her horribly rude behavior ( this employee has no business dealing with guests and should be a back room employee , if at all ) will prevent me from ever returning , I sent a note to the owner in the mail to ask him to call me to discuss this , two weeks later and still no call , maybe he didn't get the mail but based on the service i'm sure he has heard these complaints before and his failure to respond seemed like one more indication that neither he or the employee cares about the guest. Do what you like but I will never walk thru the doors again .

Tried this place years ago with my sister and I've been searching for the name ever since. Now that I found it, I will be returning on my next trip to Raleigh! I remember the pizzas were AMAZING, but I can't stop thinking about the mussels. The mushroom-leak crema was my favorite sauce ever. I still dream about those mussels. Can't wait to try it again!

Worth the visit! I love dining at Bella Monica. I have eaten here at least 15 times. As a gluten-free diner, it is not often that I am able to choose Italian as a cuisine option. Bella Monica has made this possible for me. The gluten-free menu is quite expansive and includes soups, appetizers, several pasta and sauce dishes, salads with protein options, seafood and meat dishes with sides, and desserts. They even offer gluten-free focaccia bread. They serve all food for gluten-free individuals on different colored plates so that the back-of-house employees and front-of-house employees are on the same page. I love that aspect. It is smaller than the large chunk they serve non-gluten-free diners, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. I usually dine alone and around lunchtime; however, I have dined there for dinner on two occasions. The seating at the bar is comfortable, and there is usually only one person working behind the bar, so it doesn't feel too hectic. They offer outdoor and indoor seating, and I find both to be extremely comfortable. In the winter, they light the outdoor heating lamps, making the temperature tolerable. My favorite appetizer there is the oven-roasted mussels in a mushroom leek cream sauce. There is so much flavor packed into this dish. It is a nice change from the traditional white wine with chorizo or sausage. It is not heavy and is well-sized for the price. Even though they serve gluten-free pasta, I choose the gluten-free chicken parmesan with Nana's gravy over a bed of spinach. The chicken piece is large and crunchy on the outside with tender, flavorful, moist chicken on the inside. The Nana's gravy is well-composed and not too acidic. And of course, the melted cheese is a wonderful touch. When I am in the mood for dessert, I order their gluten-free tiramisu. It was rich, creamy, and espresso-forward.

This is a very quaint restaurant. It is very small and close inside but it has a great ambiance. The food is respectable and the service is incredible. A place you would take friends for a drink and some great food.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

holy cow i randomly stumbled into this place and was instantly blown away! the vibes are gorgeous and so is the food. the lobster ravioli was soooo yummy, the asparagus and mushrooms it came with were a perfect combo with the pasta. i texted all my friends about it. service was great too

We love this place. When I am in town this is the place we always to go. Waiters and food are top notch. My go to is the lasagna. Great serving size. The garlic bread is so good. Don't really care for the free bread they bring to the table so order bread. We love the outdoor seating.

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!

Omg. Everything is great here. Bread, Wedding soup , salad, desert don't miss out

Bella Monica has been around for 22 years so that is a testament that they are doing something right. The restaurant offers both inside and covered outside seating. I had made reservations so we were seated inside. The restaurant has a large menu. I went with the housemade alfredo and added some shrimp. I could have gotten it as a side portion or an entree portion. I went with the larger size and it was large so I had another meal out of it. Service is attentive without being intrusive. Parking is easy here as the restaurant is located in a shopping center.

Really fantastic food here. The vibe was very relaxing and set the tone for a great night out. Ordered the baked ziti and it came out piping hot and was delicious. Heavy on the cheese, but it fits so well for a pick-me-up meal or just a treat for yourself. The customer service was fantastic, the waiter was very kind, and the food came out at a reasonable time. Highly recommend you come try this place out if you haven't yet!

My wife & I have been in the area for almost 2 decades, now. How have we not stopped here before? The food is good, the service is pretty good. definitely worth mentioning. Our server anticipated us needing boxes and refilling waters. I wouldn't necessarily order the mortadella philly again, though. I'd never had it before and it was okay, but not my cup of tea. My bride LOVED her eggplant dish. Loved the interior of the place - very nice ambiance, reminded me of growing up going to places with my grandad, some of his favorite restaurants. Yes, it brings back memories of simpler times. Got there early on a Friday afternoon and while the place didn't fill right up, parking was sparse. Thankfully I have a disability placard in my car so I can usually find a spot close by.

THE BEST!! My family has tried them all in the area and we were very impressed today. The watermelon salad, chicken parm and stuffed shells were FABULOUS. Really good staff and service was excellent. Will recommend and be back!

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.)

This was a great recommendation for dinner. Bella Monica has a lovely, warm, atmosphere. The manager, Eric, recommended, a good bottle of wine and was very helpful. The wait staff was friendly and professional. We had, Mussels (the sauce had a great flavor), Lasagna and personal pan, pizzas. All our food was delicious and the portions were generous, so we shared deserts. Will go back

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.

The best food and service. The atmosphere was amazing. Reservation required for a table so sat at the bar service was great but food was to die for

My first time here was on a week night and I did not know to make a reservation, so I was fortunate to get in. I was greeted at the door and made welcome. A young man came with some water that was very appreciated. My waitress came quickly and after a few questions, I decided to try the spaghetti and meatballs. It was a real "test" of the "gravy". I have been looking for good "gravy" since coming to this area, and I finally found it here. I was surprised at how good it was, and was even more delighted when I saw many small meatballs instead of one or two giant ones like most places. Oh my, those meatballs put me over the top! The flavor was just awesome! The small piece of bread with oil and onions was brought, but it was not near as good as the dish. There is a very small bar and there are tables both inside and out, but this is a smaller place that provides a nice atmosphere. The noise level was great but I had to laugh at the country type music being played. I will return with my family next time as this is my #1 pick for Italian in the area so far.

The best lasagna close to or even better than Anna Pizza. I've been so over 40 Italian restaurants in North Carolina. I can't talk about anything else. Customer service was up to par..

OMG, feeding on Bella Monica's deliciousness since 2002! Recommended to family, former coworkers and friends; won't be disappointed! (better not be disappointed after all this time!! Service is A+ too! Friendly, caring and accommodating!! Can't get any better than their ambiance whether lunch or dinner! All types of excellent wines to choose from. Ask for their excellent pairing choices! Artwork displayed on walls always was a wonderful idea both for the artist's and customers interested in purchasing! Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options always available and awesome! I do miss the live music that used to be available on late Friday nights, or was it Saturday nights? Whichever, it was fantastic! I always recommend Bella Monica!

Great catering Experience! Fabulous food and Spot On Service! So Professional Ben and his crew were Exceptional.... Made the Christmas Event so Easy and Elegant...First Class..

Italian Food for me is always a hit or a miss and that's why I usually don't go seek it out but I'll definitely be going back to Bella Monica. Tucked away in a shopping center off of Edwards Mills road in Raleigh, Bella Monica serves up a great selection of Italian food. It was 6 of us and we shared a couple of appetizers and got our own entrees. Everything I ate was flavorful and cooked perfectly. Here is what we ordered: App 1 : Sautèed Calamari : I was a bit skeptical about the sauteed calamari since I've usually has the typical fried version but it was really good. The basil sear gives it a unique flavor. App 2 : Crab Flatbread App 3: Bruschette : We got 2 Tomato Basil garlic and 2 Cannellini beans rosemary garlic. I don't like tomatoes much so I tried the Cannellini beans and it was great. App 4: Roasted Garlic Bread with Melted Mozzarella cheese : You can't really go wrong with garlic bread :) For the Entree, I got the Shrimp Scampi. The pasta and the shrimp were perfectly cooked and the portion size was also pretty good. I'll definitely go back to try their pizza and dessert!

I can't see how this place gets all the hype . My spaghetti scampi was mediocre at best . It was a small portion and really lacked any real flavor. I was hoping dessert would make up for it. But I was wrong. The cannoli also was mediocre and even the coffee was pretty weak.

I live near Bella Monica and I've heard about this restaurant for a long time, I'm so glad I finally had the opportunity to try it out! We rolled up about 5:30pm on a Saturday and hadn't thought about reservations, luckily they were able to seat us at a two top, the bar was open too. We ordered the bruschetta, it was tasty. If I were to order it again I would just get the tomato instead of a mix and match w the cannelloni beans. It was a lot of beans for me. They offered their house focaccia bread which had olive oil and some seasonings, it was a different approach for focaccia, it was so tall! It was good and I was glad to give it a try. The best part about the meal was the Eggplant Parmigiana. They don't bread and fry their version and it was some of the best Eggplant Parm we have ever had. We split one order and they plated it for us that way. Plenty of food to go around for us. I enjoyed seeing the different plates and pizzas going out, and I can see why there is so much buzz about Bella Monica!

Food was phenomenal Service was great Ambiance was personal and small. The food is five star great

Do Not Order Takeout from this Restaurant! Last Friday evening I called to place a takeout order for a medium size vegetable pizza. The first time I called to place the order I was put on hold for so long that I had to hang up and call back. The second time I called they hung up on me immediately! I called again and this time the same young women that answered the first time and put me on hold took my order and asked me for my credit card number and then asked me to include a tip. Reluctantly I did. (I have Never been asked to leave a tip for a takeout order ever!) When my friend picked up the pizza and brought it to me, it was not what I ordered. In fact, it was a pepperoni pizza. I hate pepperoni! All it had on it was pepperoni! I live across the street from this restaurant and thought this would be a good option for a Friday night. I was wrong. This is not the first time I have had this kind of experience with their takeout orders.

Went with friends and everyone enjoyed their meals. I had the white pizza and it was delicious. Save room for dessert!

First timer here but def not last time. Glad we made reservations for our birthday gathering. We had a table of 9 and even though they were packed, our table was ready when we arrived. The staff did a fantastic job, from the bussers to the waitstaff and especially a shout out to the guy who kept my water glass filled, the teamwork was as good as it gets! The bread is served first and it's served soaked in oil. Knife and fork is the way to go. I split a Caesar salad which comes with roasted red peppers and capers. Different, but in a good way. So many good looking options, I decided on the spinach stuffed shells and the cheesy goodness was served piping hot, the best tasting sauce, aka "gravy" that I've had in way too long. Everyone at our table enjoyed their selections, from the bruschetta to the spaghetti and scampi, chicken parm, Stromboli, no complaints from anyone! And that's no easy feat. Loved that they recognized the birthday girl with her name in chalk outside and a candle lit cannoli, it's those touches that put a restaurant into the 5 star category. Can't wait to try more of the menu options. We will be back!

First time here since moving and definitely won't be my last. They have been around for 20+ years and you can tell in the best way. Absolutely amazing food and the staff is so kind and welcoming. Shout out to Rachel - you're the best! I started off with the complimentary bread.. so good and soft with olive oil. Then as an appetizer, I had the bruschetta, mix, half tomato and half cannellini beans. So fresh and different too. As my main entree the baked ziti... WOWWWW. Delicious! Best ziti I have ever had. So creamy and flavorful. It's huge so if are a big eater or want left overs, this is for you to not share lol but I would suggest sharing and getting another one of their great dishes and split. Lastly, I had the tiramisu, another dish that was great! Definitely recommend this place and will be back.

Please update your hours. We drove 40 minutes to find out you are closed. Its very easy to just take the time to mark today as closed.

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.

buyer beware The food is horrendous, chef boyardi out of a can is better. Let's start with the 'bread' it's not bread it's sponge cake drenched in olive oil. The Caesar salad wasn't a Caesar salad. It has balsamic dressing and roasted red peppers on-top. The appetizer crab flatbread had rancid crab on it. It smelled and tasted so fishy and the tarter dipping sauce that came with it was sour. The entree baked ziti was god awful. It had so much cheese baked in it that if you weren't lactose intolerant, you will be after you eat it. The pasta was so overcooked that it fell through your fork, it was just a pile of mush. A toddler could've done better. A higher quality of food would be chef boyardi no joke. Wouldn't eat there again if it was my last option on earth. Also have food poisoning today. The 3 bites of rancid food I ate did me in. DO NOT RECOMMEND!!

If you're looking for a quick weeknight meal that will feed the whole family Bella Monica isn't a bad choice. The food is super salty though and everything basically tastes the same regardless of what you order. Fast service, but loud.

Had my wedding dinner here. Just me and my wonderful wife. Best meal of our lives. We love the atmosphere, the staff, and especially the food & wine. 11/10. Best Italian restaurant in Raleigh.

I love this place so much and every time I come to Raleigh it's a MUST! unfortunately I'm only giving them 4 stars bc I often order to-go to bring back to my hotel and every single time the lids and container on their marinara sauce are completely melted and make the sauce taste like plastic. it's deff not a reason to skip ordering from them I just simply ask management to PLEASE stop putting flaming hot sauce in their to-go containers :) (I'd rather it be cold sauce that I can heat up in in the microwave!) some of my favorite dishes are as follows: the Cheesy garlic bread, the beef carpaccio, the lasagna (TO DIE FOR), the stuffed shells, the meatballs, and the Tiramisu is the best Iv EVER had!!!

Service and food was excellent! While waiting to be seated I had multiple staff members ask if I had been helped (always a good sign). During my meal staff kept stopping by to make sure my water was full and to see if anything else was needed. Some of the best baked ziti and calamari I've had!

Nothing to complain about but nothing to rave about either! Food is incredibly average. Red sauce is very acidic and I would recommend skipping the bolognese. Flatbread is good. Service is awesome.

Great service and delicious food. I was here celebrating a birthday. We settled on a table since the booths were all taken. A booth came available, but it was a hassle to move things. The booths offer better privacy, more comfort, more protection from traffic, so if you can get one go that route. The food was very satisfying, and I forgot about the seating. I enjoyed the food and the experience here. Everyone takes good care of the customers, and I noticed a camaraderie amongst the employees. They are team players and support one another. We enjoyed the meatball Appetizer. The Chicken Parmesan and the Lasagna entrees. They even brought over a complimentary glass of wine for the Birthday we celebrated. If I'm not mistaken the sister restaurant Stellino's Italiano. I've eaten there and enjoyed it. I knew this experience would be just as great. Will I go back? Yes Will I share my experience with friends and family? Absolutely.

The menu and wine list are far better than anything in any strip mall in Raleigh. Try the sausage Parmesan and you won't be disappointed- same with the pizzas, calamari, meatballs, spedino, etc. The only thing I wouldn't recommend are the Brussels Sprouts.

3.5 - I got the baked ziti. I personally didn't think it was anything special. Extremely cheesy, so if you enjoy plenty of cheese you might like it. The gravy wasn't bad, just very plain. I wish they had a build your own option, I saw they had Alfredo, a basil sauce and garlic sauce, but it only came as a side dish. Being vegetarian, there were only three dishes available and they all had the gravy.

One of my top Raleigh restaurants. They have an extensive gluten free menu and everything is good here. Love the cozy ambiance, grab an outdoor table by the heater and kick back, relax and enjoy.

My experience yesterday tells me this restaurant is skidding downhill not sure why. NONE of the food was good. Ranging from a bizarre squid dish to a worse than Capri salad. Steer clear. They once were a fav. No longer