Ciao Bella Restaurant (Bloomsbury)

• This authentic no frills Italian is hard not to love
• That kitchen is going to be busy
• It was deliciously rich with parmesan and bacon
• Even one of our italian colleagues was pleasantly delighted
• Ciao Bella was an interesting experience
• Living a street off Russell Square means that Marchmont Street (with all its incredible restaurants and pubs) was around the corner
• Tables closely placed to one another and a sense of intimacy that was immediately inviting
• Since Italian was on our agenda
• We were puzzled and were seated by someone entirely else
• Our guards were already up
• A mixture of sheer loveliness and abrupt rudeness depending on who is serving you
• We were quite excited for the food which was served reasonably fast (it took them longer to take the actual order)
• My friend's dish was excellent though
• We ended up staying for several rounds of drinks and coffees and were shocked by how cheap the bill was
• The seafood spaghetti that comes cooked in a paper bag is almost impossible to resist
• Faces put together and the Calzone would is about 4 times your recommended calorie intake for the day laden as it is in quality meats
• The lemon sorbet lives up to the Italian gelato standards and the tiramisu is very unique (in a good way) so try it all out
• I ate here quite regularly when I was a patient at Queen's Square Hospital around the corner
• Well priced with ridiculously huge portions
• I love the pizza bread (Pizza All 'Aglio) which is a steal at £
• Another dish I have fond memories of is the spaghetti with broccoli and anchovy
• They serve a melon flavored limoncello which is spectacularly good
• Great ambience with hundreds of fine Italian wines decorating the window seats
• Outside seating with heating to watch the world go bar
• The atmosphere is very unique in that it can be busy yet at the same time because of the music and the candlelit rooms and the kind waiters taking your coat
• My favorite thing to order is the Pasta and Fagioli soup which literally translates to pasta and beans
• It's a wonderful hardy soup with bits of veggies
• Ciao Bella is a firm favourite amongst my friends and family
• This gem is located on the very trendy Lambs Conduit Street and is a short walk from Russell Square station
• The walls are decorated with Fellini posters
• Paintings of legendary Italian stars such as Sophia Loren and jazz instruments and the windows are lined with rows and rows of wine bottles which you may select for your meal
• All the waiters speak Italian with a brilliant knowledge of Italian cuisine so if you have any questions about the menu do not hesitate to ask
• The restaurants popularity means that it is constantly bustling
• This is why it's best to book in advance to secure the perfect table for your party
• There are also several tables outside which are nice for a relaxed summer evening but can seem considerably less inviting in the winter months
• Each table is offered complimentary olives
• A rarity in most central London restaurants in which you are often charged for bread with your meal
• So if you are a pizza or pasta lover you are definitely in the right place
• A mouth watering seafood spaghetti that is served in a grease proof paper bag straight onto your plate
• I attempt to be more creative with my choice each time I dine but the Cartoccio or Calzone pizza often win
• The desert options are also mainly but not exclusively traditional Italian dishes such as Tiramisu or Panna Cotta and are always fun to enjoy with a shot or two of limoncello if you are celebrating
• Ciao Bella is a hugely popular spot which seems to always be full of families and business men and women alike
• The setting is warm and inviting and the restaurant provides the kind of inviting service that is unique to family run restaurants
• The food here is perfect Italian fare
• Chunks of coarse and delicious parmesan and olives are charmingly provided on each table to nibble on as you peruse the delicious menu
• Starter I usually have the tuna nicoise salad which is fresh and light
• Main the pasta dishes are delicious and beautifully flavoured
• The spaghetti al Cartoccio is my favourite as the steaming seafood is enclosed in brown paper keeping the flavour locked in
• It's always busy and is a firm favourite with locals
• The food is great and portions are generous to say the least
• Very reasonably priced and a great atmosphere with a resident pianist (who seems a little drunk)
• The food was good and also the service was no to complain about
• Naughty banter with the Italian staff and hot spicy Italian food done how it should be
• The ambiance is very nice with the piano and the old Italian songs

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