Bella Cucina
| Address: | 1234 Liberty St, Franklin, PA 16323, USA |
| Phone: | +1 814-432-4955 |
| Site: | bellacucinapa.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | Closed 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 26
PH
Phil 77
I REALLY wanted to like this place. Visiting PA to help a friend with some work and he took a couple of us here as a thank you. I was undressed admittedly. My bad. I apologize. Wasnt expecting the nice atmosphere. It looks nice. Very loud though. Waitress Jennifer was genuinely charming, funny, and did a solid job taking care of us... But the food... the food was poorly... My friend ordered three things. They were out of each. Not a great start. Decent bread with really nice dipping oil. We ordered the daily special flatbread. It was very rich and very sweet. More a big pile of toppings with some thin, soggy, chewy bread under it. Sometimes less is more. We left half uneaten. The asparagus soup de jour would have been excellent if not for the giant wad of parm cheese floating in it. It made a nice cream soup very messy and heavy for no reason. Then the long wait for entrees... The menu sounded great. I took the waitress advice and chose the crab and squid ink ravioli over the blueberry chipotle duck breast. Bad call... unless the duck was somehow worse. 1st it came out stone cold in the center. Then it came back... It was just a hot mess. Nothing texturally going on at all. There was so much piled on the overcooked ravioli that it was indecernable from the sauce and accoutrements. The frizzled leek or whatever on top was a terrible idea. Stripped with the grain and fried I believe, it reminds me of what I imagine a pile of celery strands would be like to eat. The dish had no balance. It was beyond rich and desperately needed some acid or something cut through it. It would have made a decent dip/spread for some crusty bread but its hardly an entrée. I also tried my friends strip steak with fingerling potatoes. It was chewy, mealy and poorly seasoned. Like a cheap sirloin, without with gristle though at least. The other dish was strip steak with farfalle(SP?) AKA bowtie pasta. He was unimpressed and ate little of it. Said the past was overcooked and is was bathed in cheese. He took it to go to be nice. A good amount of food went to the trash and we left unsatisfied with a large bill for what we were served. I wont return. The chef should seriously evaluate the menu and its plating/ingredient proportions. The ideas are amazing, the execution... Not so much...
JO
Josh Castonguay
Been a long time since Ive reviewed a place mostly because many of the places Ive been to recently have been so average that there is no real point. Bella Cucina though deserves what I am about to say. Hope they read it and I hope they view it as constructive criticism as I want them to succeed. Myself and 3 coworkers took an exec from Nike, yes the Nike to Bellas as they he was in town to review some machinery manufactured in Franklin. Ok so not asking for preferential treatment, but they obviously were giving to the locals, which again is understandable, but not when sacrificing other paying customers. We showed up at 10 to noon on a Wednesday, so they should be prepared for a lunch "rush" especially as there were 4 floor workers in a place with 16 tables and 5 bar seats?! Took 5+ minutes to get a server to the table and get drinks Just under 5 minutes to get our drinks Five more minutes for her to return to take our order and promise us bread. The locals at nearby tables got bread in about 10 minutes it took us 15 minutes. 40+ minutes to get our food from the time it was ordered, we all got salads and sandwiches. So we are at around an hour..... The server never asked us what sides we wanted with our sandwiches I later heard them offering fries, pasta salad, fruit salad, or chips to another table....we all got chips....A small broken handful of Giant Eagle Kettle Chips..... Food was good and no one complained, but then again no one said anything positive either. My Pork Belly Bahn Mi was good and flavorful, too bad 90% of the flavor came from the sauce.....A Bahn Mi should be a layering of textures and flavors, not a messy sauce delivery box. I unfortunately cannot feel comfortable taking clients here which is sad, because it is the only nice option in town. And would it kill the servers to smile?
SH
Sharon white
What a beautiful little restaurant tucked in the center of Franklin. To sit outside on a cloudless day with the warm sun on your back is such a delight. The view of the historic park and the chatter of people around you as you eat is peaceful. Good place to enjoy with family or friends. Bittersweet for me as I reflected on past memories. people eating around you
JO
joe karns
Ive eaten here a half dozen times or so. Every time is like the last, perfect atmosphere with a piano bar, lighting and decorating that produces a gentle calming Zen effect. Definitely 5 star all the way. The food is the highlight of this restaurant! All unique and exquisite to match this establishment. Expect to drop a Benjamin per couple but is worth it!
JI
Jim Nelson
Everytime Ive had food here, it has been a wonderful experience. Ive said that I cant think of a nicer restaurant in the area. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is very distinguished, and the price is reasonable.
SU
Susan Hileman
Never a bad experience or a bad meal at this restaurant! Absolutely wonderful cuisine artfully prepared. If youre looking for a special night out and guaranteed great meal--this is the place to go!
H
h z
I along with several friends rode here on a 70 mile trek on our motorcycles . It was worth the drive. I would do it again. Food was great, service was outstanding and the prices were reasonable.
DA
david wagner
Always a great meal and drinks! We were so happy to have this gem of quality food when we moved back from Philly 17 years ago! Only gets better...
DA
David Wagner
This is my favorite restaurant near home. Ive never had a bad experience here. The selection is diverse and tasty. The bread is awesome too.
AM
AMBER SCHOENER
Seriously the best food in Franklin! Always have a good meal when I go there- I recommend going for lunch in the summer and sitting outside!
SH
Shawn Witherup
Excellent food in an awesome setting with the best people the county has to offer! A special shout out to my girls Ava and Gretchen!!!!
MI
Michael Dulaney
Never a bad experience. This is definitely the best place to eat in Franklin... probably the whole surrounding area
VA
Vanessa Weis
Excellent service, excellent service and delicious cuisine. "Bella Cucina" means beautiful cuisine! Indeed!
BR
Bryan Wedekind
Lunch is great here, usually runs around $10 and its very good!
OS
Oscar Belden
Theres a bar but not a pool. 4.5 stars but I rounded up.
MA
Marcia Camp
Absolutely our favorite place for dinner. Tony and Marcia
DE
Dexter The Clown
Great food. A++++. Wonderful staff. Great environment
MA
Mark Salerno
Excellent service with food as good as any in any city
EL
Ellen Clarahan
Delicious high quality food and lovely setting!
ME
meghan white
We love this place! Always welcoming!
JO
Joshua Braughler
Bella is the best, every time.
DA
Dave Beers
Overrated and expensive.
ED
Ed Gonano
Good food fair prices
KA
Kathy Sisler
Awesome as always!!!
MA
Matt Beilstein
Great food!
A
A Private User
LAVA CAKE!
