BellaBrava news

I'm still waiting to try Domenica Macchia's new lunch, dinner and bar menus at BellaBrava, but I thought I'd share that the restaurant is reopening for Sunday dinners on Nov. 15 at 4:30. Also through that date, get 20 percent off gift certificates. BellaBrava is also now the official restaurant of the Broadway Plus series at Progress Energy Mahaffey Theater. Call (727) 895-5515 for more information. Oh, and I was just told that BellaBrava also has certificates on restaurants.com (linking this post with my last post) at $10 for a $25 certificate, and if you use the code "ENTREE" you can get the $25 certificate for $2. That code expires 11/12.

 

Comments

[mike]

Who cares. she'll quit and get another job. a chef with anger management.

[Edzie]

Bella Brava...Most overrated rest. in St. Pete. Hasn't had an identity since its inception. Food?

[Jan]

Ouch, harsh comments...

[CTJ]

Harsh comments, yes... But a chef that doesn't stay at any place longer than a month or so there must be a problem, she's been at how many places in the last year? How many places did she bail out of before even starting?
Some of her food and ideas are pretty good, but no follow up, if it's not a hit right away she just quits.

[The real hambone]

I agree, flash in a pan!

[Lisa]

I am not commenting on the chef, even tho it is odd that she has moved around so much.

My issue with BellaBrava is the management and service there.

I have tried to go in there two (2)times to eat there.

First time, I took 4 to 5 people there. We ordered rounds of cocktails and a few appetizers and all oredered dinner. It was in the middle of the week and the place was not busy. We waited for over 45 mins for our dinners before we wondered what was going on. We had several expensive cocktails while sitting there. The server came over twice looking worried because it was taking so long. Eventually, it turned into over an hour. We told them to cancel our dinner because we weren't even hungry anymore. The server was apologetic but the manager at the time (some mean orange haired tyrant) came over with a louder than normal voice. We told her we would pay for our drinks and we wanted to leave. She freaked out and said she was bringing us the bill for the food we STILL had not received. I then got so embarressed in front of the people I brought and explained we hadn't had our food, only ONE appetizer came out and yet we had a very expensive bar bill waiting. We were leaving. She was talking crap about us as we were walking out the door.

Then months later, I thought... hmm maybe new staff.. I will try it again.

We came in and were seated right next to a wait station. We sat there for 20 minutes before water, bread, etc. I had to ask twice for a server to help us.

They were then snapping at each other because one server had plans and was leaving and the other said that wasn't his area. So we continued to sit there. Finally menus came. We waited, and waited, AND waited for another I don't know.. 10-15 mins to see if someone was coming to take our order. Noone came! We got up and walked out. As we were leaving, the hostess who saw us the whole time sitting there with NO meal, said to us: "Have a good night, hope you enjoyed your meal".

When I walk in there, I feel like I am on Candid Camera. I was waiting for Alan Funt to come out at any minute.

I have had friends go as well and mentioned similar issues and other say they loved it very much.

I tried twice to want to love it because I live in St. Pete and always go to local, non chain restaurants.

We are foodies, and we spend a lot. Too bad they won't be getting any of our money!

[Tino]

I'll try the restaurant.com code to see if it works, but my critique of the site in your "half-off" blog was deleted.

for this particular deal, you have to:
-buy at least $35 of food to use the certificate
-alcohol doesn't count
-18% gratuity added to bill
-dinner only
-cannot dine alone
-any other restrictions that they may add at the restaurant (specific days, etc)

I'll gamble with $2, but I've had enough of their certificates rejected to learn my lesson.

[just one of those little indians]

Dear Lisa, you might give L,Moe,s restaurant a look formerly the Brown Dog cafe.
Lmoes@lmoes.com