Bella Napoli

Went there for an 18th birthday meal for 26 of us and had a great time! The staff were extremely friendly and very helpful as one of us had a special dietary requirement and they made sure to suit their needs. The food was delicious; the legendary spare ribs were to die for and a few of us had Calzones, which were surprisingly big portions as they were quite cheap and extremely delicious. Great Value for money and all food was homemade!

We were allowed to put our own CDs to add our own music and decorate the place with balloons and banners.

In overall, we all had a very nice time and I would definitely recommend this little restaurant to anyone!
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Emma
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 09, 2010

Went for a friends 40th Birthday and having read other reviews was looking forward to a nice meal - However, I came away somewhat disappointed!

I had read that the Calzone was great, but it was no where near as good I was expecting, very average to poor and my wife's pasta wasn't any better!

Also, as part of a party of 20, the kitchen could not cope and peoples food was arriving a different times and you could be finishing as your neighbor was just getting theirs! They can probably cope with couples or 4somes, but that's all!

On a positive, I like being able to bring my own wine, so I can choose a good quality without having to pay for overpriced average quality restaurant wines!
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Bella Napoli - A perfect ten of a restaurant

It was a dull day, late in the year, when my partner Sarah and I were walking down Abbydale Road as our stomachs yearned to be satisfied. As we walked past the Spar on our way into town we were distracted by the Christmas lights around a steamy window. This was going to be the first of many trips to Bella Napoli.

We were welcomed into the warmth by Nancy, a lovely, larger than life, ‘Italian mama’ restaurateur, speaking in a voice with heavily accented English and were seated. To look around the place we could have been sat in Italy, with the tightly packed tables and easy listening music playing over the stereo with a candle bobbing between us. The only thing reminding of us of where we were was the rain that lashed at the windows. The restaurant was small and cosy and Sarah and I smiled at each other as we instantly felt at peace. We ordered a Calzone and were both overjoyed to learn we could customise our meals at little extra cost. In a world where meals are pre prepared and batch cooked hours before they reach your plate, this was going to be a good meal cooked and prepared to order.

When we enquired as to the whereabouts of the wine menu we were informed by the waiter that it was ‘bring your own bottle.’ This was music to my ears. With pubs and other restaurants inflating the cost of the bottle, in some cases four or five fold this meant we could choose our own wine from next door and not be overly concerned about the price, (we have since learnt to visit Tesco for a much more varied selection of wine before dining).

By now Sarah and I with half a bottle of wine in our empty stomachs were positively grinning at each other. And then it arrived.

It was massive. The pizza folded in half, with bolognaise sauce drizzled over the oven baked crust was a delight to behold. It was beautifully presented, taking up four fifths of a substantial plate, with a side of salad tucked in the corner. So with knife and fork in hand I began to devour it. The simple taste of the food was too much for my limited vocabulary to express in an eloquent way, except to say that each mouth full was a joy, flavoursome and different with every bite. It was quite simply the best Calzone I have ever tasted, in this country or anywhere else.

Sarah and I have been back to the wonderfully independent Bella Napoli many times since then. In a world where chain restaurants dominate, Sarah and I would like to recommend Bella Napoli to any one. We have taken friends and family who have all spoken of the good food served there. We have entered with intentions of ordering something different but have yet to stray from ordering the Calzone. But the one thing is for sure, it always costs less than you’d expect.
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Duncan Strafford
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Bella Napoli... A cosy italian restaurant run by Italian ladies. So small, you could walk right by it and not know it was there. Which may explain why it can be quiet on a weekday...

The food is lovely and great value for money. The menu contains all the usual Italian fayre - pizzas, pastas and steak, chicken and fish dishes, with a decent sized specials board. Puddings are delicious too - just love the chocolate ice cream crepes with chocolate sauce. Yum! The service is helpful & attentive, but not intrusive. My favourite waitress is a little Italian older lady, with the mischeivous glint in her eye, who will go out of her way to make sure you enjoy your visit.

It's bring your own wine too, although I would seriously suggest that you think ahead and not rely on the selection from the Spar next door. If you are a white wine lover, like me, you will be disappointed by the limited choice, chilled or otherwise.

I've been to Bella Napoli for birthdays, for tea when I couldn't be bothered cooking after a hard day at work and have taken my parents when they've visited from out of town. I have never been disappointed. Ever. More people should visit this place - its a real gem!
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008