19 Bella
| Address: | 3401 W Skippack Pike, Cedars, PA 19423, USA |
| Phone: | +1 610-222-8119 |
| Site: | 19bella.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 9:30AM–2PM 9:30AM–2PM 9:30AM–2PM 9:30AM–2PM 9:30AM–2PM 9:30AM–2PM 10AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
A
A Private User
Hi, I never, ever do online comments and reviews, but simply had to for my experience at Bella 19. I think this is probably my first online review after using the web for 15 years. Anyway, after hearing a lot about Bella 19, my wife and I went with a couple friends. Service was just ok, and was slower than we would have preferred, but not horrible. Most of the servers and hostesses were very nice. My biggest issue is the minuscule portion sizes compared to the pricing. In this day in age, I totally get the "tapas" concept and actually enjoy the thought of ordering between 3 and 4 items per person. However, when many of the better choices on the menu range between 9 and 19 dollars, it gets ridiculously expensive very quickly. They advertise like most items are under $10, but most of the good ones are over that. We eat at fine restaurants several times per month, so we are used to expensive dinners. THIS, though was a rip off. Even though most of the food tasted good or ok, a tiny portion of lobster risotto for $18 (smaller than an appetizer anywhere else) is just crazy. BTW, the Lobster was tough and chewy, and hard to cut with a knife, and there was a minimal amount of risotto in the bowl. Cmon guys, it would have cost less than 5 cents to put enough risotto in there to make it slightly more worth it. There are plenty of ways to not leave hungry -- but only if you continue to repeatedly order more and more expensive dishes. But at that point, you have dropped $65-$75 each! I understand the a-la-cart charging for side dishes, but even they were tiny. Heck - they even charge $7 for bread! Seriously??? In todays world? Im sorry if this seems too rough of a review. It is a cute place in a nice area, and many of the things we tried were good. It is just that they needed to be great and there needed to be more on the plate for the high prices charged. If you go, before you sit down, see if you can look at some of the portion sizes being brought out to the already-seated tables. Thatll clue you in on what to expect.
JO
Joel K
We just returned from 19 Bella. My daughter wanted to take me out to dinner for my 65th birthday so we went to 19 Bella because of the great reviews we were reading. When my daughter and her husband arrived, she said the hostess didnt even acknowledge them. Once they got her attention, they were seated in a fairly nice corner of the restaurant. When my wife and I arrived and looked at the menu, the prices seemed fair, but that was before the actual food was presented before us. I still cant believe the chicken dish I ordered was $18 and there were only 2 small chunks of chicken with tidbits of lobster. My wife received 3 scallops for about $15. 3 scallops are supposed to be an entree? My daughters salmon never arrived and her husband received 4 small spanish meatballs. What made the evening even worse, instead of being served as a group, entrees and vegetables were served to each person separately. My wife received her salad and scallops together and the rest of us basically sat there eating bread. The bill was $100 for a meal that was supposed to be special, but it was only small, haphazard and non-existent. We will not return.
MA
Mattie Dimler
We love everything about this place. This mismatched plates are gorgeous. The sourdough bread and the olive oil with roasted garlic and rosemary are incredible. My fiance cried the first time she tasted the duck risotto--like actual tears--and even though I was a little put off initially with the idea of bacon wrapped fried dates, they are incredible, and I can usually take or leave both of those items. The servers are always really nice, and we ended up talking to the couple next to us on Valentines day for like half an hour. The small plates concept of eating is what I love most, though. We love to share, and to really get the best value, two couples getting the chefs selection will give you more variety of amazing food than youll know what to do with. Its not a cheap meal, but, if you like to share, it doesnt have to be that expensive either. Also, their truffled bearnaise is otherwordly, especially with some kind of lobster or asparagus dish.
A
A Private User
I have to say regardless of price and portion size (this is tapas after all) this is ABSOLUTELY the BEST place I have dined in years! Amazing recipes, amazing presentation. Honestly, this is an event not a dinner. I have eaten all over philly, west chester, and many great restaurants. Bella 19 you have my heart (and stomach). Expect to pay $90 for a couple and a great meal. Its a BYO which we like given a bottle is standard between the wife and I. Anyways, I cannot say enough praise for this restaurant. Yeah its a bit small, but has this cool vibe, and you realize you are onto something special. Any haters out there dont understand food or real gourmet taste. Trust me GO and if they have the in house smoked salmon, dont hesitate. And yes I said smoked salmon... coming from a meat and couscous kind of guy ;-) this is by far one of the best dishes I have eaten...
AN
Ann Unsworth
What a cute, fun little place. We were immediately greeted and offered a sample of red sangria, which was super tasty! The hostess took us right to our table, which had a delightful, quirky place-settings. We tried the Chunky Guacamole, Seafood Paella, and the Filet Mignon Wellington. The guacamole was chunky and had a nice kick of spice to it. The paella was only okay; very salty and a little too "fishy" for our taste. I know it was a seafood paella, but it just didnt do it for us. The Wellington, on the other hand, was phenomenal. It was the perfect portion size for the two of us. Super rich, cooked to perfection, and extremely filling. We were worried that we hadnt ordered enough food, but this was perfect. 10/10 would recommend to a friend and 10/10 will be back again! Two thumbs up!
NI
Nicole Zygmont
19 bella hosted our rehearsal dinner at the end of August, and we would not have wanted it any other way. Dana was EXTREMELY accommodating, and made the entire planning experience a breeze. I left the menu completely up to her, and she did not disappoint. Each plate was better than the last. I am still drooling over the sweet potato gnocchi and sauteed brussel sprouts. We sprung dessert on her at the last minute, and she had the kitchen prepared the most AMAZING croissant bread pudding. The private room was so perfect to celebrate such an exciting event with friends and family. They are BYOB, which is staying within a certain price range - and we had fun choosing the wine and beer for the event. We are already planning a return visit sometime soon!!
A
A Private User
Dan - Four of us dined there March 4 for Sunday evening dinner. Another outstanding meal of lamb kebob, duck breast, lobster risotto, veal oscar, their signature/superb cesar salad, and a veggie pasta dish. Incredible diversity, texture/flavor exotic and just right. I travel globally, eat well, and really this is as good a restaraunt as any I dine in anywhere, far better than most. And a terrific value as a byob! Cost for four people was only slightly more then for one at a Mortons etc. Chuck below apparently did not feel engaged. We felt quite the opposite, so we agreed the food is divine, but we think the team is great.
