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Last night was our first time at Bello. We walked in with no reservation and we were seated immediately. The server was there in a split second ready to get our drink order and give us the specials. We had the award winning meatballs which were amazing. The service was perfect. The waiter knew the menu inside and out. (I had to ask alot of questions because of my food allergy) I look forward to going back. I recommend this place for sure.

I went with 5 friends at around 9:30 on a saturday but plates were whisked out from underneath us and staff just hovered with disdain as we scoffed down our food. Not the dining experience you really want. I've waited on tables before so I'm sensitive to the needs of the staff but this was ridiculous.

Made a reservation, arrived on time, we were seated immediately & politely. The waiter took our coats and returned within seconds. We ordered wine, which came timely & was a generous pour. Try the portobello mushroom appetizer, it was very tasty with a hint of smokey balsamic, on a bed of arugala. The salmon entree was moist and not overly sauced. The veal sorrentino was tasty and a more than adequate portion. The bow tie pasta aldente, tho there could have been just a little more marinara sauce. The waiter was friendly, & available without being too close. The only thing that could have been better was that the tables were a bit too close. In the NY market, real estate is important in small restaurants. All in all, a very pleasant evening, good service and a very good meal. We left full & happy.

I have been to Bello Giardino many times over the past several years and have recommended it to many of my friends. I thought that this lovely restaurant would be the perfect place to have dinner to celebrate my 50th birthday. I had reserved for a party of 20 well in advance and when I arrived on the big evening, the tables were arranged beautifully. I had taken the trouble to ask the management to split up some of the checks (in groups of 4-6) since we were all paying our own way. This they agreed to do; However, the drink, dessert and coffee bill was put on one check for the entire party which, at the end of the evening, was passed around the tables without anyone being able to properly account for his or her portion of what was owed. This one drink and dessert bill was a jumbled mess of scribbling that one could only guess at figuring out. People paid their food checks without understanding how much they owed for drinks and dessert and some friends left while those remaining had to throw in more cash for what was still owed on the drink bill. Perhaps I am naive, but I don't understand what could be so difficult about making out 4 separate checks that included both food AND drinks. Here is why I will never recommend this restaurant to anyone again. When I went to the manager to ask for his help, he snapped at me. He never apologized or offered to help us in any way. Apparently, he was in too much of a hurry to go home. In a few minutes, I watched him leave the restaurant without even saying goodnight to us. The waiter was just as unhelpful and disinterested in sorting out the mess. I was completely embarrassed. This is a restaurant for small parties only. They are apparently unwilling and incapable of dealing with larger parties. They would need some manners and common courtesy for that.

I NEVER write reviews, but found it necessary to write one here. We came here based on a recommendation. My girlfriend and I are currently on limited budgets, so dining out has become something special. Since we don't eat Italian all that much, that made us really excited for Bello Giardino 8:00 table on a Friday. I used to wait tables so I am well aware this is the "rush" and did take this into account during the meal. Apparently there was "confusion" over who was waiting on us since it took 15 minutes after seating for the waiter to greet us. We had both a bread and water refill by the time he showed up. The bread was NOT that of a true Italian restaurant. It was unheated sourdough - gross. After the refill we HAD TO ASK THE BUSSER TO GET OUR WAITER. When he did come by it was to tell us he would "be right with us". We didnt even get service after all that. My girlfriend ordered the prosciutto and asparagus appetizer ($7.95) to start. It was a cold piece of asparagus (as advertised) with ONE piece of prosciutto. We couldn't even share it. Not to be obnoxious, but I expect more for $10 (after tax/tip). I ordered the shrimp and mushroom app ($9.95) which was decent, but nothing to write home to mom about. We both got veal as our entree. My girlfriend ordered the Vitello Limone ($15.95) which was probably the highlight of the meal. It is such a simple dish its pretty hard to screw up anyway. I had the Veal Sorrentino ($19.95) which was really nothing more than a veal cutlet and some eggplant parm on a plate. I should have known better. The dish was mostly sauce and cheese disguising a little bit of meat. The side served with the veal was bland bowtie pasta that hadn't been properly strained. I think there was more water than sauce in the bowls they gave us. The waiter failed to check up after the entrees were served. All in all, a bottle of cheap white wine ($27), 2 apps, and 2 entrees - $91 BEFORE tip. Had I not had experience as a waiter, I would have left $5. The service and experience was that bad. I decided to be generous (all things considered) and left $105 on the table. If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant that ONLY ACCEPTS CASH, this unbiased diner suggests traveling the extra 20 blocks and going to Gennaro.

I have enjoyed this restaurant for it neighborhood, unpretentious quality. Good food at a great value. But be warned on New Years Eve. We made a 10:45 reservation and were told about the lobster special and other wonderful things that awaited us. No lobster, but much more important - they actually tried to clear plates while we we still eating!! Someone wanted us out so that they could get to their party (we saw him running out a little before midnight). Ridiculous!

Food is good, certainly not the best Italian I've had, but good for a neighborhood joint. Staff has always been friendly and accommodating to me, and I've been here many, many times- I don't understand the negative reviews. The best thing about this place is in the name-- the garden. On summer evenings, the quiet backyard space is just absolutely charming.