Bella Brava

Rude service. Mediocre food.

My wife and I have a pretty simple way of judging restaurants or hotels: Would we come back. In this case, the answer is “No” twice over. First because of the food: I come from a large Italian family members of whom have studied at the Culinary Institute of America and Cordon Bleu and none would really care for this fare. I can only describe it as some sort of “Nouveau” Italian, though my family would just call it weird. I had the short ribs, which were flavored with some oddly sweet substance along with cinnamon. It was only okay, but I wouldn’t order it again or recommend it. My daughter had the child’s pizza and didn’t care for it much. She’s only eight and this is the first pizza she’s ever balked at. I tried it and did find that it had an unusual flavor, but I’m not sure what it was.

The second reason we wouldn’t go back is because of the exceptionally loud atmosphere. My wife and I had to shout to be heard across our table (third in from the door on the East side by the wall) and I couldn’t hear my daughter at all. It was exceptionally loud and this was on a Wednesday. I spent many years in radio and can tell you that that there are a host of ways to deaden sound that are VERY inexpensive. I didn’t see a one in this restaurant. It also makes the poorly slow service more acute when you can’t carry on a conversation with your table mates.

One benefit: A decent wine list and pricing, still not enough to get us to return.

I returned to find nothing had changed. Great Atmosphere, great food, and friendly people. If you want the feel of Italy in the US, go to Bella Brava. I was impressed. What impressed me the most was the desire to make it a special event by the staff. I had a challenge and it went away as fast as it came. Now thats a pro.



NIA, Madison Wisconsin, GO Badgers!