Tony Lupino's Bella Cucina

Bella Cucina used to be my favorite restaurant in this area. The last year I've noticed the place has been going down hill. The meals have been coming out a little cold, the prices have been increasing and the portions have been shrinking in size. They are not as good as they have been a few years ago.

My favorite dish here is the Chicken Romano. I order it almost every time I go here. When I order it, I ask them to put it on a bed of angel hair pasta, which is just a scoop of plain pasta underneath the Chicken Romano. They do and usually charge me $2.00 extra for the plain pasta, which I have no problem paying for, seeing it is extra. The last time I went I ordered the Chicken Romano and asked for the scoop of angel hair pasta. The waitress told me that she's was embarrassed to have to tell me, but from now on there is a $5.00 up charge for pasta. I told her that I thought it was a little high for a scoop of plain pasta and told her to forget about it. She apologized and told me that it's not her rule, but the owner's rule. I told her no problem and she should tell the owner to come over and take my picture because they will never see me in their restaurant again. A few minutes later, the waitress came back and told me the owner will waive the $5.00 up charge for the pasta this time.

I have no problem paying $2.00 for a scoop of plain pasta, but a $5.00 up charge is ridiculous. I don't mind paying for a good meal, but this place is slipping. I'm very disappointed in this restaurant.

Very attentive service, food was fine, but I've certainly had better Italian elsewhere.  It's traditional Americanized Italian with large portions.  I was on the cheap so I ordered pasta with marinara ($9) and a meatball ($1.50 extra), which also came with a small iceberg salad.  I didn't want something covered in cheese, which was most of the menu, but the other diners I was with enjoyed their lasagna dishes.  Marinara was tasty, but the meatball was eh...I've had MUCH better meatballs, and it wasn't very big either.  Desserts were tasty - we shared a vanilla creme brulee and a tiramisu.  Lots of angels in the decor so you are being watched over while you eat.  Overall, a decent affordable meal in New Hartford with very nice and accomodating servers.

come for the overcooked pasta stay for the fake italian accents

#marinnnnaaarrrsauce