Bella Aquila
775 S Rivershore Ln, Eagle, ID, 83616
Bella Aquila Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Taco Bell
The biggest concern for diabetics is to find healthy food with less sugar at restaurants. The hunt for the right food becomes even more challenging for diabetics when dining at a fast food restaurant. Well, Taco Bell changes that with Fresco style. Simply ask or order an item from the Taco Bell menu in Fresco Style.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Taco Bell:
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Fresco Steak Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 4g Fat (1.5g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 17g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 10g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco – Shredded Chicken
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco Beef
Nutrition Fact: 160 calories, 6g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 480mg sodium, 18g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Bean Burrito
Nutrition Fact: 380 calories, 11g Fat (4g Sat. Fat), 1060mg sodium, 55g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 9g Fiber, 14g Protein
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for Diabetics:
You must avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes at Taco Bell if you have diabetes. Almost every beverage offered at Taco Bell contains high sugar content.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in Eagle for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Taco Bell
People with high blood pressure must avoid food with high sodium levels. You can either ask the people at Taco Bell to add less salt in your food or choose the food items with less sodium content or customize your order using Taco Bell's own nutrition calculator.
Food Suggestions to Control Blood Pressure at Taco Bell:
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Grilled Breakfast Burrito - Sausage
Nutrition Fact: 340 calories, 17g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 730mg sodium, 36g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 11g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Blood Pressure:
Taco Bell offers a wide range of Grande Scrambler Burritos, Crunch wraps, and Quesadillas which are high in sodium. It is important to limit the sodium intake at Taco Bell and avoid any meal with over 750-800mg sodium.
Visit below restaurant in Eagle for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a haven for Mexican delicacies such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and other specialty items. Owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. Taco Bell is one of the fastest growing American chains of fast food restaurants. The restaurant operates from 7,072 different locations which are mostly run by independent franchisees and licensees.
The background story of Taco Bell is interesting and inspiring for budding entrepreneurs. The fast-food brand is the brainchild of Glen Bell, who started his first food venture as a hot dog seller in San Bernardino, California. The year was 1948. After witnessing long queues outside a Mexican restaurant called Mitla Café across the street, Bell saw the opportunity and demand for hard-shelled Tacos. He reverse-engineered the recipe and later started selling Tacos and called the venture Taco-Tia.
Later, the name changed from Taco-Tia to El Taco. Eventually, Glen Bell sold the company to his partner and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey in 1962. By 1964, the restaurant also got its first franchise in Torrance. The 100th Taco Bell restaurant was opened by 1965. PepsiCo acquired Taco Bell from Glen Bell in 1978 and the restaurant brand is currently a subsidiary of Yum! Brands which looks after the restaurant business of PepsiCo.
Healthy Food Options at Taco Bell
You may believe that a healthy lifestyle doesn't go well at a fast food restaurant. Well, that's not the case with Taco Bell. Surprisingly Taco Bell offers a variety of healthy options, thanks to the in-house registered dietician who monitors the whole menu. The dietician ensures that each item on the menu is free from additives and preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors. The dietician also ensures that the food served at Taco Bell doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, low sodium levels, and reduced use of partially hydrogenated oil.
More than 75% of food items served at Taco Bell falls under 500 calories. Taco Bell also features the Fresco Style option which helps the customers to maintain healthy diet plan without missing out on taste. In Fresco style option, Taco Bell switches pico de gallo with cheese, sour cream, guac, and mayo-based sauce. Taco Bell takes care of almost every health preference of its customers.
Tips for Dining at Taco Bell
Diabetics can also try other Fresco styled Taco items such as Fresco Crunchy Taco, Fresco Grilled Steak, and Fresco Soft Taco Beef. These are other healthy alternatives of Tacos for diabetics which contains an adequate amount of starch and minimum or no fat content. Switch the regular sauce or cheese with pico de gallo and you can easily reduce the sodium intake and fat content for your body. It will help maintain blood pressure levels and control high cholesterol.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
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Address :
775 S Rivershore Ln
Eagle, ID, 83616 - Phone (208) 938-1900
- Website https://www.bellaaquilarestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Doug D.
Update from last review; went to Bella Aquila on a Friday night and had an excellent dinner on the patio with friends and had a great time! Glad I tried this place again as it was excellent and the service was fantastic as well. I must have caught them on a bad night before, or they changed the chef, or it was Friday and we got the command performance and it was very good! First visit was two stars and not very good: Went to Bella Aquila with high hopes for a great dinner based on all of these great reviews. It was a Thursday night and they were not very busy. After eating there it is not difficult to see why. First our salads were limp and brown and we sent them back for fresh ones. The entrees were good but the rice was cold and the side veggies were over cooked. It seemed to me that the chef was not interested in doing a line check or paying attention to details as it was a slow night and that he or she would wait for the command performance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Guess what, most places are busy on Thursday and Gino's is busy every night because they pay attention to details and everyday is a command performance. The manager or owner asked is everything was OK and we responded with the usual it was fine. The only time I say anything to a manager is when it is so bad that I'm willing to go through the hassle of helping them manage their business. The bill was over a hundred bucks for three people, the meal was not worth that much money with such little attention to detail. Big tip here for the owners; your chef need to punch in everyday or you need to replace them or soon you will not have any busy days for the chef to have a grand performance. And people expect a lot when your prices are so high and you pretend to be a fine dinning establishment. We did have some great after dinner cocktails to take our mind off of the mediocre food. I will say the service was good. I suggest going to Gino's you will never be unhappy with the quality there.
(4)Marie S.
This Is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the smoked salmon ravioli. The service has always been great too. It's such a nice place that you can dress up if you like. Once they got my order confused, but brought the wrong item out anyway (which was awesome, but a million more calories than my order) so we had both entrees, and lots of leftovers. It's great to sit outside when it's nice out.
(5)Greg L.
Great pasta! Huge menu, all freshly prepared in the restaurant. I had the veal saltimbocca, which was excellent. My wife and our friend ordered pasta dishes, which they raved about. Service was excellent, and we didn't have obnoxious dinner guests nearby!!
(4)Esther F.
homemade pasta and a lovely patio!
(4)Jane B.
When we went last fall. The service was very slow and the food was cold and tasted horrible. When we first got there the lady asked if we had a reservation. We said no, the place was almost empty. It took forever to get our check and the other tables near by also looked upset about how long it took to get the check. We left with food for the dogs that we did not even give them because it was so horrible and where sick that night with food poisoning. My mother figures the seafood was under cooked.
(1)Bruce T.
Four of us went last night. Very nice ambiance, excellent food, and superb service. My only complaint was that my veal scallopini was made with a veal cutlet, though the piccata sauce was out of this world. The others all loved their meals. We were surprised by the age of the crowd, who seemed to be mostly retired. But hey, we're retired, too! We're new to Eagle but Bella Aquilla is already on our list of favorites.
(4)Brady M.
Well. There was hair in my food. We told a manager and he responded by saying "well what do you want me to do about it?" Real professional. Then we get the check. The first ticket they gave us showed that everything was comped except for a drink and an appetizer. Awesome. But then after they run our card it shows that they've charged us for everything except the appetizer. Another real professional move... We won't be returning.
(2)Michael M.
I had dinner here with my team during a business trip. The service was extremely slow and incompetent. Rarely got refills, didn't get side condiments we asked for. Took forever for us to get our order submitted. The table next to ours was handled very well, so it may just be some of the waiters. As for the food, it was really good. I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana. Seasoned very well, flavorful cheeses and good pasta. I would score higher but the waiter just left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Benny J.
Everything was a 2 star until the check came. We had a fairly large group together for a birthday. Service was decent but nothing special. I ordered the steak medium rare, it was cooked correctly but tasted like the steak I would eat at a cheap 24hr diner. When the check came we had a pretty easy set up to split the check evenly. There were 7 couples so we needed 7 checks. It took 45 mins, a few tears from our server, and a pushy unprofessional manager to finally get everyone their check. ( we were left in the dark, not knowing what was going on) Not once did our party receive an apology for the long wait or the bad service. I expect that one of the more fancy restaurants in town would be able to handle a simple task, if not, I would expect the manager to be a little more experienced in those types of scenarios. I will never go back.
(1)Mike H.
I love this place. Best venue off Eagle road. The out door seating is by far the most relaxing I have been to in a long time. The host, server, and manager were all very kind and attentive. Not in a subservient manner either, more like a down home real kind of way. As for the food I have only had lunch. The salads are so so . I find the sandwiches to be much more desirable. Great fries, house made aloe, super soft bread.
(5)Alexxander P.
Love this place! Great service great food! And by far the best selection of any restaurant iv ever had! And also the sauce is just right! Not to thick and not to watered down just right! And the price is a little speedy for what people in Idaho consider it ranges from 10-30 and most dishes are 12-18 and very big positions as well! :) The outdoor patio is absolutely amazing and the experience of this place is worth the extra $ you'll spend compared to going to say The Village.
(5)David S.
Turned me away for dinner at 9:01 because kitchen closes at 9. Asked if they can make me something simple and said no. Business must be good.
(1)Idaho Travelers S.
After years of hype, we decided to make a trip to Bella Aquila. The bartender was nice, as was the hostess. Our server, on the other hand, was clueless. We brought a very nice bottle of wine with us, as we always do for a celebration. 100% of the time, our server will make a comment about the vintage or the region, or.... something. Whether they know anything about wine or not, it's all about presentation. And I would absolutely expect this at an "upscale" Itallian restauant. However, she didn't even look at the label, but instead offered to tell us that Bella Aquila is the only restaurant that will let you bring in a bottle of wine that they have on their menu. Huh? False.... VERY false. We brought a bottle of Caymus, and while Bella Aquila does not have Caymus on their menu, I have brought many bottles to places that do, and this statement is completely false. Opening a bottle of wine does not come with conditions, only a corking fee. Which brings me to our next server faux pas. While telling us about the corking fee, she specifically pointed out that their corking fee was the "cheapest" in the valley. First off.... if I am bringing a bottle of Caymus, I probably don't care to hear the word "cheap" and "corking" in the same sentence. And second... this statement, again, holds no truth. I told her that Barbacoa does not charge a corking fee. She wanted to argue that point with me, telling me that she has never worked at a restaurant that doesn't charge a corking fee, and that just didn't sound right to her. I think my correcting her might have bent her out of shape, because it took her 20 minutes to come back to our table to take our order. Since we had never been to Bella Aquila before, I wasn't sure if the chef would make dishes off menu, and she assured me that would not be a problem. I asked her if Chef Matt would do a medium-rare steak penne pasta with their Gogonzola cream sauce and mushrooms. I was very specific what I was asking, and told her that it wasn't problem at all if he prefered to work only off of his menu. She said no problem. When the dish came, it was a ribeye steak, with a side of penne pasta?? If that is what I wanted, I would have asked for the Black and Bleu Ribeye with a side of penne instead of mashed potatoes. The penne was more crunchy than al dente, and the steak was very, very rare. My husbands dish, while, it was what he ordered, was nothing special in terms of flavor or presentation. This was a special night for my husband and I. We will never return to this restaurant.
(1)Warren P.
Very nice Italian Ristorante with great food and service. Very nice atmosphere inside and lovely courtyard for outdoor dining. We would definitely return!
(5)Wendy M.
Recommended by a local person for good local Italian food there were 7 of us so the salmon honey special was wonderful! Thick piece of wild Canadian salmon fresh perfectly cooked. Seafood risotto with clams, mussels shrimp, crab was creamy and good, veal saltinbucca was ok, the best dish was the braised lamb shanks so tender and fork eating falling off the bone. Smoked salmon ravioli was ok kinda chewy but sauce was good. It was good, service was kinda slow. The cream brûlée was very good
(3)Kristi M.
Bella Aquila is a special treat. When we walked in, I was wondering if it was going to be more expensive than I planned on due to the romantic atmosphere and the tables adorned with white table cloths and candles. However, the menu was packed full of options for salads, apps, seafood, pastas etc and they were all in the reasonable fare range. We started with an appetizer that was recommended to us by the server. It was a calamari dish that was unlike any other calamari I have had. I am still trying to decide if I liked it or not. The pieces were huge and not crispy like other restaurants serve. I don't think I would order it again Next I had the granny smith apple salad with candied pecans (O!M!G!), Gorgonzola cheese crumbles and fresh spinach. I swear I could've licked my plate cleans. YUM. For the main entree we split the chicken marsala by recommendation of the server. It was some of the best marsala I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. It was creamy, yet not over the top & had little button mushrooms to compliment the chicken. Served with a side of linguine and seasonal vegetables, it was perfectly rounded out. I had a difficult time plowing through my half considering we had the appetizer and a split salad, but it was one of those meals that I didn't want to stop eating because it was THAT good. I recommend this place for a nice dinner in Eagle & definitely hope to be back on a return trip.
(4)Anthony O.
I am a lover of Italian food. I grew up in a huge Italian family and have been to Italy several times. This place was "ok" at best. Food was ok, the setting was ok and the service was ok. I honestly have no desire to go back. Not saying it was bad....but nothing to write home about.
(3)Rene W.
Such a disappointment. Chose this restaurant for Valentine's Day and I really wish we had gone somewhere else. 1) The tables are so close together that we could hear everything our neighbors were talking about. I could extend my arms on both sides and touch the person next to me. It loses any romantic ambience when I have to listen to the couple next to me complain about their jobs all night. I feel like they tried to squeeze as many people in as possible on a busy night to make a few extra bucks. Way too close for comfort. 2) The pasta and meatballs were overcooked. The fettucine alfredo was incredibly oily and bland. The meatballs were dry and were so burnt that they were colored black on the outside. The creme brulee was very good. I really had high hopes for this place because we had been there once before and the service and food were very good. Will we give them another try? Maybe. Will it be on a busy night? Nope.
(2)Sam H.
Surprisingly nice inside, and I felt waaaaay underdressed in jeans and a collared shirt. Everyone was in slacks. Mostly older people. Food was excellent. Price was higher than normal, but it's a small restaurant, and hey it's Eagle so everything is spendy. My buddy had the "opa" (?) fish and it looked amazing.
(4)Priscila B.
I look forward to this place every time I travel to Boise. Do many good things on the menu and amazing selection of Barollo
(5)Jaws S.
Best. Food. Ever. When the weather is good sit outside, river pathway right there and nice river views.
(5)Justin H.
This struck us as such a cool restaurant (and, we thought to ourselves, "finally, some decent Italian") with lovely atmosphere, great service and food. Well, we were right about one thing. The atmosphere is lovely. Restaurant located on the river in Eagle, which is pretty, and the inside is classy (dimly lit, nice furniture, blah blah blah). The one night we went, we were really turned off by the food and service. The first appetizer we had was shrimp in a pesto or chimichurri and I thought it was truly great (and the best thing we had all night). We're starting to think entrees are for the birds and that most places just make better appetizers. The rest of the food was instantly forgettable, which I did not see coming (based on outward appearances and what we paid). As for the service, there was kind of a long wait for having almost literally no one else in the restaurant. We went for my wife's birthday and, while she was in the rest room, I politely got the attention of our waitress, informed her of the birthday, asked if they do anything special and, if not, that we'd definitely want a dessert menu. She said she'd check; I said, "Let's keep it a surprise." After my wife returned from the restroom, the waitress returned and, speaking to both of us, in a cold, rude, impatient tone of voice, said, "You don't get anything free on your birthday," and walked away... much to my chagrine. I don't know if we'll give this place another shot, but I'm sure plenty of people have been there when both food quality and service align and they have a great time. We did not. ETA: Asiago's in downtown Boise blows this place out of the water, even if it is in the city and not on a river. I'd dine there a million times before Bella Aquila, based on my experience.
(2)Mike R.
We have been to Bella Aquila several times now. The food is fresh, and nicely prepared. Most of the entrees I've had were simple, but seasoned nicely, and better than your average Italian fare. For the food, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5. The service, and the atmosphere are closer to a 5 though. Very pleasant, and attentive staff, and you must (weather permitting), sit outside on the patio. Beautiful scenery with the Boise river in plain view. I would highly recommend BA, and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Al C.
This place is pretty darn good. Good value, menu is WAY too large (not necessary) but the food is pretty good. Wife had risotto and I had chicken...we will be back. One thing I'll say about atmosphere, and maybe it's because I'm not from around these parts. My wife and I were the youngest people here by 10 years at least. Felt like we got the stink eye a bit for being underdressed.
(4)Sean C.
Had a house special salmon salad and potato crab cakes. Loved them both. It was good and light.
(4)Amanda J.
We had lunch here, it was wonderful. Loved the selection of pasta and the portion size was right on. Great service and our waiter was so attentive. Loved the patio, very peaceful. We will return.
(5)Erin G.
Fantastic service! Stefanie was attentive without being overbearing, and helped us sort out final choices from their diverse and tasty menu. Spinach salads were a great start, followed by the chicken cordon bleu special and the gambero piccante. Both were excellent! Beer and wine choices were great, ambiance was perfect along the river on a warm summer evening. Will definitely be back!
(5)Kylie I.
I'm not even close to considering myself semi-knowledgeable of non-Olive Garden Italian food, so my review may need to be taken with a grain of salt. (Embarrassingly enough, I love indulging in the salty, creamy fettuccine alfredo that can be found in any ol' place, so I definitely don't feel that my palate is sophisticated enough to appreciate or recognize more authentic foods, at times.) The first thing that I noticed was the table settings. I am an absolute stickler for table settings: the table cloths were crisp and clean with the seam facing the correct direction, the flatware was impeccably placed, and the napkins were nicely folded. This place looks sharp and the staff's habits are clearly consistent. Service was professional and on top of our orders. I've nothing but positive things to say about our server. The soup of the day was clam chowder, and it was fabulous -- chock-full of clams and potatoes with a thicker consistency. The Mediterraneo pasta was definitely unique and enjoyable (not to mention a rather generous portion), but may not be as memorable in the long run for me, as it was not necessarily filling and lacking seasoning. Finally, the cannoli was perfect! Sweet, but not overly so, and had the perfect combination of textures and tastes. I have to hand it to an establishment when they put forth the effort to make their dishes so aesthetically pleasing. While my meal as a whole wasn't a jaw-dropping experience, the atmosphere and cannolis alone are enough to bring me back, should I need a nicer place to take a friend in the area (as I am kind of cheap and live far away enough for it to be inconvenient). A solid four stars!
(4)Mary A.
It's about time that I updated my review of Bella Aquila. We hadn't been to this restaurant in awhile and an opportunity to dine here again came with an invitation from our neighbors. The space hasn't changed much since we were here. It's located in a building shared with a few other businesses. It's a large open space and there is also a bar. Another room is available for private functions. When the weather is warmer dining space is available on the patio near the Greenbelt where you can enjoy the sounds of the river! We all ordered a plate of sautéed calamari and bruschetta to share. Calamari was cooked perfectly---nice and tender. The bruschetta was presented in a de-constructed way----slices of baguette toasted with a mound of chopped tomatoes, garlic, and basil. It was surprisingly tasty and served in a way that the bread stays crisp. For entrees---my husband and I shared chicken parmagiana which was definitely an ample dish and was enough for two people. One couple decided to share a dish of smoked salmon ravioli. One person opted for tortellini carbonara. Our chicken was excellent---lightly breaded with a tomato sauce and mozzarella. The tortellini carbonara was rated excellent also! The disappointment was the smoked salmon ravioli which had very little salmon, was dry, and was smothered in sauce. This was brought to the attention of the owner and she promptly said that she would talk to the chef. Desserts came. Cheesecake and tiramisu which we all shared. The tiramisu was complimentary to compensate for a disappointing entrée. What I like about this restaurant is there is good managerial control. Bill and Ellen Cooper always are there and checking on patrons to assure that their meal is to their liking and as experienced if it isn't they will make corrections. This is one restaurant that just keeps getting better and obviously has a lot of fans because most of the tables were filled. And that's a good thing!
(4)Millie H.
We were looking for a special place to celebrate Valentine's Day early. My husband made reservations and then there was a great review posted on line, so my hopes were high. My expectations were met with disappointment. As I love risotto we decided to order the fried risotto ball appetizer, which was delivered even before the waitress took our entree order. it was beyond bland. The only palatable bite was the one that I took with ALL of thin strips of basil that garnished the plate. Next I had a Caesar salad, it was delicious, but what can you really do to mess up a salad? Okay, so we're at 1 for 2. As the review I read raved about the smoked salmon ravioli that was what I ordered for my entree. A generous portion of ravioli filled my plate. The sauce was creamy and quite tasty. Sadly, the homemade pasta was thick and heavy as a lead weight in my mouth, and chewy as old taffy. We passed on dessert. Most disappointing to me was when the owner asked how our meal was, I told him "okay." He got defensive and said "just ok?" When I gave him the truth about the thick chewy heavy pasta, he made excuses for the kitchen staff. There was no attempt to create a happy customer experience, a savvy owner would have bought a round of drinks or offered dessert. Bottom line, if you enjoy bland food and chewy pasta you will probably be impressed, but if you've ever had good Italian don't waste your time. I'd rank this far behind Luciano's, way way behind Asiagos and light years behind Alavita.
(2)Jeffrey S.
Weekend brunch! Smoked chicken with sweet potato hash and two poached eggs a delight. Perfectly cooked! Palate approved.
(5)Becky R.
Bella Aquila is in a great spot. Patio overlooking the river and green space. Nice indoor space. I've eaten indoor and out a couple times. The food is good. Four stars to that. They do interesting things at brunch on Sundays. Almost like courses. Coffee is good. Desserts are good. It's a nice talk-and-relax environment with plenty of outdoor shade on hot Idaho days. They go out of their way to put umbrellas out and there are trees nearby as well. You can certainly have a nice birthday or anniversary party on the patio...and it'd be delightful. If I could improve two things: (1) the weird wait times between being greeted by your server the first time (twice it's been 20 minutes or more) and then just during the meal. There are waiters everywhere...so I'm not sure the situation with this. It's not like "slow intentional meal" sorta wait, it feels like "forgotten or didn't even know about us" wait. (2) I'd also tame down the outdoor talent in the summers. Sometimes a little senior center meets Red Lion nightclub. Two stars to this.
(3)Bonnie T.
We love this place! The food is delicious and the service, excellent! But it's best feature is the ambiance! It is located along the Boise River in Eagle and has beautiful views in every direction. It is a peaceful place to go where you can actually visit with friends and not have to yell across the table to be heard, which is the case in so many restaurants. If you have out of town guests, this is the place to take them for a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings. Oh, and by the way, the owners are there every day and are very welcoming and accommodating. I highly recommend it.
(5)Maureen K.
We weren't planning on going here late on a Sunday afternoon, but so many other places on our list were closed. So, since we pass by here often when heading into Eagle or Meridian we decided, "Why not? Let's check it out." Glad we did. We were warmly greeted and had our choice of seating as we were the only patrons in there during the off-hour. We took a table by the window. It was somewhat overcast, but people were out and about on the trail behind the restaurant near the Boise river. Families were having pictures taken (presumably for holiday greeting cards judging by some), some folks were fishing, others had their dogs with them... it was fun to just people watch and see all the smiles. We're interested in sitting outside come spring. There's a beautiful patio with fountains on either end. It was an intimate setting, and very classy with cloth tablecloth and napkins. We were afraid it might be overly spendy, but it honestly wasn't too bad compared to some other places downtown, plus ample free parking. A double whisky, a glass of wine and two entrees, and the total (without tip) was $77. So no, we won't be going here REAL often, but if we want a more upscale place to celebrate or to take people from out of town, this is the perfect place to do so. The complimentary bread was fresh out of the oven and was pleasantly different from your standard rolls or loaf of bread-- it was like a thin focaccia/chewy pizza dough, seasoned with parmesan and lightly herbed. A light cheesy/buttery spread was served on the side. It was honestly some of the best bread we've ever had, and we could have easily eaten a second serving which was offered but we decided to exercise at least some self-restraint :-). I had the dinner special which was sea bass with toasted orzo and vegetable compote, and hubby had the NY strip with garlic mashed pots. and vegetable medley. (See photos). Food was beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, and wonderfully tasty. This is one of the extremely few places that will actually cook the meat well done upon request which is how hubs prefers it. We opted to skip dessert and didn't even chance to look at the menu. Maybe next time. With our check, instead of a standard dinner mint, the server brought us each a wrapped choc.-covered mint stick. Nice change of pace, we thought. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and will definitely be back.
(5)Curt P.
We love Italian food, and this place was worth going to. We would definitely go again.
(5)Dr S.
Bella Aquina is clearly one of the top restaurants in Boise, yet I damn with faint praise, We were in the other night with a party of 5 for a birthday celebration, We had reservations through Open Table and were seated right away. At Bella Aquina, since the food is so consistently well done, especially the Vitello Marsala and Fettuccini Alfredo, the only thing that varies very much is the service. Stephanie was our server and her attention to detail was very professional, from making sure drinks and sodas were refreshed to taking orders from our females first- old fashioned I know but appreciated- to graciously checking in during the meal . The wait staff is dressed professionally, which leads me to my only complaint for the night. Walking around the restaurant, checking on tables and occasionally carrying a couple of bottles under his arms was a gentleman who looked like he had just jumped up from the couch after watching football all day, like someone's uncle who hadn't gotten the word on the dress code. Very discordant and unfortunate for Bella Aquina. I don't know who Uncle Harry is, but please, next time, at least tuck in your shirt. Stephanie's good professional work should be the standard.
(4)Julie P.
A friend and I had lunch at Bella Aquila Thursday, Sept. 19. When we walked in the host and a cook were at the front desk. The cook was friendly but the host never welcomed or smiled at us. We had to ask if we could sit on the patio. When the host took us to our table he acted put out. I'm a pretty smilie person and so is my friend, so his attitude surprised us (first impressions are important, unfortunately for Bella). Our waiter was a young man -- cute, but terrible server. He was slow (we were there for 1 1/2 hours) and we only got bread after we noticed the tables around us got some and we asked for some. 20 minutes after taking our order, our waiter told us the kitchen was slow and asked my friend if he'd like his soup before I got my salad. We'd already waited a while and a small dinner salad couldn't be made? The salad arrived with 1/2 cucumber slice, onions & 1 cherry tomatoe. Wow! That had to take a while to prepare. Food was good, but small portions (especially for the cost); we were never offered dessert. We noticed other wait staff was quick & friendly. The patio had an amazing view, but unless things change I wouldn't recommend this restaurant.
(1)Sharlene S.
Had lunch on the gorgeous patio. Beautiful setting, comfortable table and chairs, and a perfect day for outdoor dining. Staff was helpful and pleasant. Never felt rushed. We had the Calamari appetizer and it was tender, delicious, and just the right amount for three or four people. My main coarse, Chicken Marsala, was even better than I had hoped it would be. We will definitely return.
(5)Chase B.
This restaurant has become a favorite of ours. The summer patio by the river and waterfalls are fantastic. Everything there has been very good, especially the prawns and lamb. The only thing to watch out for are the spicy pasta's. I am not afraid of spicy hot at all, but I think they may over do it. I got a pasta dish with 3/5 stars, and it was so spicy I could not taste the dish. Great job all in all.
(4)Molly C.
For the price the food was just ok. I was disappointed they had pre-made the risotto so I couldn't order it without onions (the first time I came had the risotto and the onions were little raw chunks so sent it back). The waitress was good and view nice but won't be running back for the food.
(3)Paige F.
This review is based on one experience. My family and I went here for a wedding rehearsal dinner last weekend, and I was not impressed at all. The menu was so limited, and boring. Also, when I asked about having some gluten free, and dairy free items they pretty much treated me like I was a just a nuisance. With so many people having food allergies, this is totally un acceptable. Even after I specifically ordered my meal to be made with no gluten or dairy, it still came out made with butter. Also it took them forever to even bring the bride some bread as she requested so the Sangrias they kept bringing her didn't knock her on her ass the night before her wedding. Also beware that they add in gratuity for larger groups. Which is maybe why the servers were so bad. They didn't have to do much for their already paid tips. I will not be going back.
(2)Shannon L.
This is an old review transferred from an old Yelp acct: Delicious food and great drinks! I've been to Bella Aquila several times. The food has never let me down. The service, however, has been spotty at times. For instance, I visited BA several months ago and was delighted to see a gelato sampler that included spumoni--my favorite. Unfortunately, what was served was more like a pralines and cream, certainly not what I was expecting. When I questioned the server she took my plate away and promised to be right back. She came back about five minutes later--with my plate of pretty melted gelato--and told me that the chef said it was his kind of spumoni. Obviously I wasn't happy with my dessert, but instead of offering to replace or remove it she just plunked it back in front of me. Not professional, at all. That one server has taken a five-star review down to a four-star review. Try BA--the food alone is worth it!
(4)Sarah B.
Not impressed, husband liked it, I didn't. Paid $96 for dinner for 2 with cafe style service. Lots of old people, one even walked by and farted! Was that the patio band? Wait wasn't bad but they seated us next to the very busy wait station. Took a good 15minutes to get noticed to take drink orders (we ordered at the bar never got). All and all skip it, lots of better restaurants that can pull it all together.
(2)Roy S.
My wife and I were craving some Italian and had been given a gift certificate to Bella Aquila and decided to give them a try. We made a reservation through Yelp/Open Table being Saturday night and some of the reviews mentioned it was a good idea. When we arrived, we were promptly seated in a very nice spot by the window with a view of the patio and wooded area along the Eagle River. The staff was friendly and attentive, and got us drinks and appetizer (Calamari, which was very nice steak strips) quickly even though it was a full house. After looking over the menu, we were both torn with so many choices and asked our waitress, Elaina, for her recommendations. She offered several suggestions, and convinced my wife to try the Veal Marsala even though she has never had veal, and I went for the Lasagna Aquila. For me, the lasagna with fresh pasta was very good, and my wife's veal, also with fresh pasta, was a hit. I have to admit some menu envy after trying hers. She said this is the only thing she will order here. 5 stars for the food, 5 stars for the atmosphere, and 5+ stars for our waitress. She was a total pro and made every effort to make our visit enjoyable. If I were the Cooper's, I'd be treating her right, and if I owned a restaurant, I'd be recruiting her right now!
(5)Carol M.
Alfresco dining on the river...great Italian food...wine...Homemade pasta! Do not miss this restaurant...it is not the cattle call of Gino's! The concern here is that you enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace...not the pushy...ARE YOU DONE YET....THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE COMING IN FOR THAT TABLE that I have experienced at Gino's.
(5)Lou M.
The atmoshere is good, soft music and you are able to talk. The service was just ok, nothing better than average. The food was less than satisfactory. I had Veal for $23 and it was tough as shoe leather, there was a very small portion of sauteed veges and some pasta that was just average. The Marsala flavor was good. We spent $85 for two with only one drink at $7. Way too much denero for average food and service. Would I go back - NO
(2)A F.
After another bad experience here, I decided it was time for a review. In the past, we were always pleased with the food, atmosphere, and service. However, the last time we visited started off in a bad way when a very drunk customer (a member of a wine club), stood at the hostess stand and swore very loudly at another diner from her wine club. The hostess stood by and watched and two servers walked by, briefly pausing to watch, but nobody said a word. Unfortunately, we were waiting there for our table with our two young children, who my husband had to usher out of the building before they built up their vocabulary with some very colorful language. Once we were seated, our food was subpar. We had dishes we had ordered in the past (chianti beef and eggplant parmesan), but they were not nearly as good as in the past. Despite that experience we returned today (Mother's Day). We could tell that things were hectic, but we were told it was only a 20 minute wait (no reservations accepted), so we put our name on the list. We watched as many people were seated, including another group of four that walked in 20 minutes after us and were seated immediately. When we were the only group left, we were told they would get a table ready. Once seated, nobody acknowledged us for over 10 minutes. We asked to order immediately and our order was taken. We waited another 10 minutes for water, then approximately 20 more minutes for the pastries that were being served in place of the usual bread. When our food finally came, I noticed that my order was incorrect. I ordered a cashew chicken salad with dressing on the side- dressing was tossed with the salad. The server acknowledged it but didn't offer to fix it and I didn't push it as it had taken so long to get our food that I didn't want to wait longer, and it wasn't really a big deal, or so I thought. Turns out that they had tossed it with the house creamy italian dressing vs. the asian dressing listed on the menu. Also, the "fried noodles" on top were the texture of uncooked dry pasta; I tried one and was afraid I'd chip a tooth. It was very strange, but I couldn't bring it up as nobody ever stopped to check on us/our meal. A gentleman came by and cleared our plates but didn't ask about the meal. Another 15 minutes later, we found and flagged down our server and asked for the check. When he brought it to the table, we gave him the credit card so he could run it immediately. We watched him head inside, then come out with food on two occassions and slowly wander around the patio, the whole time with our credit card/tab sticking out of his apron pocket. When we finally flagged him down, he pulled it out of his pocket and dropped it off. It appeared he ran the card right away but had forgotten to bring it back. As we headed out of the restaurant, I stopped to talk to the owner who was standing at the hostess stand. I gave her a synopsis of our dissapointing past two visits and she offered me a coupon for $5 off lunch and asked me to come back soon. Sorry, but we've decided we are officially done spending our money at Bella Aquila.
(2)Janet M.
Love this Italian restaurant in Eagle. Consistently good food, great service and love the optional outdoor dining with a view of the river and waterfalls on either side of the patio to insulate a serene experience. Highly recommend this local Eagle restaurant for groups large or small.
(5)Phil E.
Wife and I visited this restaurant for the first time tonight. Promptly seated and after a couple minutes our server took our drink order & water was delivered. Our drinks were delivered after a few minutes and our server took our order: Veal Marsala for me and NY Strip steak for my wife. The veal was awesome-very tender and flavorful. However, the steak was tough as cowhide. My wife even had trouble cutting it. After a few bites we called the manager over & explained the problem. He asked if she wanted another steak. We said we didn't have time to wait. He then said he would subtract the steak from our bill. We thanked him & said the rest of the food, and service , was very good. We will probably go again but won't be ordering a steak.
(3)Ashley C.
I give this place five stars for the food, the service, the outdoor seating and view. My husband ordered the blackened salmon and it was amazing. Great texture, blackened and crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. I had my order altered and it was still good, but next time I go I won't be altering anything. The outdoor dining patio with waterfalls overlooking the river and walking path is a beautiful setting. It is a bit pricey though. We went for dinner, I heard lunch is not as expensive. I'm sure I will be going back.
(5)Warren P.
Great food. We have eaten hear several times. The food is great. Service is great and it is a nice place. Spring and Summer are the best as you can enjoy the outside patio. I have had several of their dishes. The scallions are the my favorite so far.
(5)Shannon L.
Delicious food and great drinks! I've been to Bella Aquila several times. The food has never let me down. The service, however, has been spotty at times. For instance, I visited BA several months ago and was delighted to see a gelato sampler that included spumoni--my favorite. Unfortunately, what was served was more like a pralines and cream, certainly not what I was expecting. When I questioned the server she took my plate away and promised to be right back. She came back about five minutes later--with my plate of pretty melted gelato--and told me that the chef said it was his kind of spumoni. Obviously I wasn't happy with my dessert, but instead of offering to replace or remove it she just plunked it back in front of me. Not professional, at all. That one server has taken a five-star review down to a four-star review. Try BA--the food alone is worth it!
(4)Whitney S.
This little family-owned Italian restaurant is a newbie in the Rivershore Business Center across Eagle Road from Bardenay - in the space formerly occupied by Franco Latino. Tucked away from the traffic of Eagle Road, it features linen service and a patio with a river view in good weather... I work in the same office complex as Bella and have been there for lunch, drinks and apps, as well as dinner (last night). I love the remodeled lounge-y bar in the back of the restaurant with the view of the river in the daytime. The restaurant is split up in to two different rooms separated by that bar and the layout is pretty sweet. Something else that struck in my ind was that the owner Bill Cooper has been there every time I've been in. I like that. 5/5 But, on to the most important part: DINNER. The menu is perfect - not too big, not too small. Great signature items. Salad selection. Spin offs of classics. Fun new things. I mean, really. Chef Mark Wilkerson (Blue Ribbon Artisans Bistro Italia and Asiago's) hit it out of the park for an Italian menu in Boise. It features a mix of regional Italian cuisines plus a selection of chops, steaks, fish and chicken that are anything but traditional looking or tasting. Before I came here, I heard mixed reviews from people as work, but thought I needed to take it for a spin myself a few times. So I did just that and was impressed all three times with dinner being the most impressive. For dinner we started with the Panzanella salad: Mixed greens, torn rosemary-onion foccacia, sweet red & green peppers, tomato, and FRIED MOZZARELLA on top with a amazing Parmesan balsamic vinegarette for $9. It was a fantastic salad with lots of different flavors going on, it was large enough for the two of us to get full off of, plus... I mean, it had fried homemade mozzarella "sticks" on top. SO GOOD! Taylor had the Fettuccine Bianco that was a little too watery for a white cream sauce and the noodles were a bit undercooked, but overall had pretty good flavor (and good portion). 3/5. Mine however, was fabulously flavorful. An absolute treat for my little taste buds! The Chicken Melanzane was a breast stuffed with feta, grilled eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, black olives with Saffron risotto and fried baby spinach on the side. The risotto was to die for, and the baby spinach gave the entire bite it a nice crunch when mixed in with the chicken and risotto. It could have been a tiny bit richer for the portion size since it was smaller, but overall it was great for $17. Dinner was a 4/5 after all was said, done and consumed :) No wine or dessert as we had both back at home, however, for $50 including tip, it was an A - experience and we will go back again and again! __________________________________________________Â_____________ Details: 775 S. Rivershore Lane, Eagle, 938-1900. Open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday (with happy hour from 4-6 p.m. - GET THE SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!!), 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Prices: $9-$15 at lunch; $12 to $30 for dinner, and $8-$11.5 at brunch.
(4)Shyam G.
Based on the review i read Expected this to be a small restaurant that could house ~15-30 people. but it is quiet spacious. We went for dinner in a casual attire as this restaurant is walking distance to my house. Most of the people were formally dressed, so if you plan to go for dinner don't put on a pair of shorts. Ambiance was really good, owners and the waiting staff are friendly. They have a patio for outside dining in summer. They have a good selection of vegetarian dishes and we ordered some sweet potato fries and capatone for appetizers and they were tasty. For main course we ordered eggplant parmigiana with fettuccine in Alfredo sauce we enjoyed the main course too. We definately plan to go back
(4)A L.
This is our go-to restaurant on every Idaho trip. Having explored a number of restaurants in Eagle as well as Boise, Bella Aquila is the clear favourite. The atmosphere itself is just wonderful, warm and conversation-friendly. I did have one dinner in the outdoor seating area. While the scenery was quite lovely, I have to admit I was eaten by mosquitos. To continue with this disclosure I have admit that in a party of 4 I was the only one. I always get the lamb shank. It's an enormous piece of lamb slow braised on top of mashed potatoes or parmesan polenta and vegetables. It's just terrific....tender and perfectly flavoured. A part of my mind is occupied by the thought of this lamb shank as soon as our plane lands. The bread here is wonderful with their slightly spiced cheese-spread (I'm butchering the description I'm sure). The wine list is spread out with a nice chunk of Italians (the Villa Antinori is always solid), a few upper-mid-range Californian cabs/blends and one or two wines from Idaho. I've yet to find another restaurant with the combination of dining experience/ambiance and quality of food that I've found here.
(5)charmaine M.
Brunch, lunch or dinner every meal has been great. Meals are priced reasonable, staff friendly, beautiful views of river and trees, great patio for summer dining. The owners are often there and check on your meal. One of the nicer restaurants to go to.
(5)Scott R.
Great restaurant! Will be back for sure!!
(5)Perry L.
Outstanding breakfasts.
(4)Adrienne S.
The house salad & dressing was nice. Had a couple glasses of wine. Ordered the Spinach fetticune with pesto creme sauce, tomatoes and pinenuts. Added four sauteed shrimp. The dish looked very nice, but slightly rich for me. I requested some additional pine nuts because I didn't really see/taste any in the dish. The server came back to tell me that the manager said they would need to charge me $2 for basically a tablespoon-full because pinenuts were expensive at $50 a pound. I thought this was funny actually because the comment was so absurd. I declined but the waitress brought them anyway. I am by no means a penny pincher. I declined the original offer basically because I thought it was rude, given that I was already spending $50 mby myself on dinner. The meal was nice but this really put a damper on it for me. Poor judgment on behalf of the management. Good judgment by the waitress. I won't be going back.
(2)David F.
Bella Aquila takes me back to the days when I would go to dinner parties at my parents' friends house and be served delicious food in an intimate environment. The combination of fine dining and lack of pretension is comforting. It's a great place for that big date night or just as appropriate for a nice meal when the folks come to town. I am always tempted by the Cioppino, but I'll venture into seared tuna or beef just to mix it up. Salads are top notch as they should be. Why is it so hard for some restaurants to discard wilted greens? At Bella Aquila you won't have to inspect your plate for questionable leaves. The wine list is excellent. I love the Cannoli, too.
(4)William S.
One of our top 5 restaurants in area. We love the friendly atmosphere of the two host/owners. We even had a wedding party dinner here. The Marsala Chicken is the best. Wil return as often as we can.
(5)Steve S.
This was our first trip to Bella Aquila. The food was good but not exceptional. The service was better than average (our water glasses were never empty) and our waitress was pleasant. The prices were OK and quality was fine. The desserts were OK (chocolate flour-less cake and chocolate turtle pie). They were served too cold and they looked factory made vs. something made at the restaurant (I have no idea where they were actually made). Decent food, service, and prices, but nothing I'd label "great". We may go back at some time.
(3)Beth F.
We've been to Bella Aquila approximately ten times since it opened. The dining room is really comfortable and nice, but the patio is especially wonderful! It offers a beautiful view of the trees that line the greenbelt, and has a soothing waterfall on each end. It was absolutely perfect last night, and despite having no reservation, they were able to seat us immediately. The staff was friendly, and the service excellent. The pace was just slow enough to not feel rushed, but prompt enough to not feel as though we were kept waiting. We had the Baby Iceberg Wedge to start. Their version of this salad is "deconstructed", with the tomatoes, onions, bacon, and gorgonzola arranged in little piles around the iceberg wedge. The dressing is served in a little dish on the side. I prefer it mixed altogether, but those who like their dressing on the side will appreciate this. On most visits we've been pleased with our entrees, and last night was no exception. My husband ordered a blackened steak with gorgonzola on top and I had veal marsala. Both were delicious! For dessert I got the bread pudding. It was yummy, but the sauce was a little "boozy". Tasted like it wasn't cooked long enough after the bourbon was added... My husband's creme brulee was perfect though! The price of the dinner entrees ranged from about $16 - $29. The price doesn't include soup or salad, but does include the side dishes. I hate when places make you purchase your veggies and potatos separately! Lunch is less expensive, but I feel that even the dinner prices are a good value considering the quality of the food and the ambiance of the surroundings. I highly recommend this restaurant, and we will definitely be back again!
(4)Sierra D.
Wonderful service and beautiful river view with outdoor seating. But lots of mosquito's. To start we has Bruschetta and was real pleased. We asked for a side of cheese to top it off and it made it awesome. The house bread was really good. I had Veal Marsala that was really good. I really liked the sauce. My girlfriend has Eggplant Parmigiana it was just OK. Nothing special. My boyfriend had the Lasagna that was AWFUL. We think they added the wrong spice when making it. We all had one bite and all agreed it was not edible. We let the waitress know and she did not even offer to bring him something in replacement. We thought that was strange. We did not try dessert. When we got the check we were insulted when they took off $3.75 for the Lasagna dish (that only had a few bites out of it). They should of taken it 100% off the bill. But, my veal was great so 1 dinner entree out 3 isn't worth returning.
(2)Michele R.
When a reviewer has been to a restaurant but once and has not such a great experience then writes a review, I take said review with a grain of salt. Readers of this opinion for Bella Aquila may want add that salt to this opinion since my review is based on one lunch this week for three people. Based on quality of food alone this review might be two stars. Same with the ambiance given it was too much a fly fest to eat outside on what seems to be a nice patio. Sadly, the flies seemed to be inside in good number too. Which is no knock on this restaurant because with a few exceptions, we found flies to be companions in most of the Boise area restaurants we visited in our September week stay. (We're curious to know what it is about the area that makes flies congregate. Seriously.) The saving grace here was the server. If you could create a character for a movie of the perfectly well informed and funny in a good way, it would be she. Brava. Lunch menu included starters, soup, salad, pizzas, sandwiches and entrees. Most all salads come in half sizes and the servings are so generous that we were glad we followed our server's recommendation and ordered half-sies. Prices are reasonable. Lunch for three that included three salads, one drowned in dressing and one with grilled salmon, one order of (too oily) potato crab cakes, one order of suppli (rice fritters) and iced tea came to about $45 total. All was well timed by our server and edible but just not memorable. I read in the Boise paper this that the former chef left here recently to take a job with Sysco. The assistant chef just took over the kitchen and the news said expect menu changes at some time in the future. Maybe our marginal experience with food today was just kitchen transition hiccups. My husband and I are pondering a move to Boise. If we end up here, we'll be back for a cocktail and dinner on the patio on a fly free day and try again. THIS N THAT: 1. ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible parking spaces in the lot, level in and throughout, both dining rooms have standard height table seating and so does the patio. All good. 2. ALL AGES FRIENDLY: Menu and layout is as friendly to tots as to seniors and all ages in between. 3. LIBATIONS: Looked like a pretty good wine list by glass and bottle.
(3)David B.
Had lunch on the patio and oh wow, best patio I have ever seen. Right by the Boise River and 2 patio waterfalls make it feel like you are in the water. The food was excellent, and service great. I will be going here again.
(5)Patrick W.
I love this place. Kinda classy but really good food. Got the filet and I literally cut it with a butter knife. No fucking joke
(5)Frank M.
Just heard of this place after being in the area for two years. A true hidden gem. Food was excellent (Sunday Brunch). Sat on the patio enjoying the beautiful day. Service was very good, food and ambiance amazing. High recommend this place.
(5)Babygirl M.
Atmosphere was nice. However the dishes we ordered did not possess anything memorable that would make us want to return. Each dish seemed overly salty.
(1)J G.
I came here on a recent visit to Boise. The food was great, the service was warm and unpretentious and the restaurant is in a great setting. The owners were VERY friendly and great to chat with after our meal was done.
(5)Gary S.
The owners of this restaurant use to own a restaurant in Saratoga, Ca. We went to this new location while visiting relitives and were not disappointed. Good Italian fare with the owner watching over things while on premises. We will be going back on our next visit. We also love their home made warm bread.
(4)Tim K.
Really liked this place. All the servers were friendly and the food was great. The flatbread Bianca appetiser had great flavor. The real winner was the lamb shank. Fall off the bone tender and delicious.
(4)Molly C.
For the price the food was just ok. I was disappointed they had pre-made the risotto so I couldn't order it without onions (the first time I came had the risotto and the onions were little raw chunks so sent it back). The waitress was good and view nice but won't be running back for the food.
(3)Paige F.
This review is based on one experience. My family and I went here for a wedding rehearsal dinner last weekend, and I was not impressed at all. The menu was so limited, and boring. Also, when I asked about having some gluten free, and dairy free items they pretty much treated me like I was a just a nuisance. With so many people having food allergies, this is totally un acceptable. Even after I specifically ordered my meal to be made with no gluten or dairy, it still came out made with butter. Also it took them forever to even bring the bride some bread as she requested so the Sangrias they kept bringing her didn't knock her on her ass the night before her wedding. Also beware that they add in gratuity for larger groups. Which is maybe why the servers were so bad. They didn't have to do much for their already paid tips. I will not be going back.
(2)Bonnie T.
We love this place! The food is delicious and the service, excellent! But it's best feature is the ambiance! It is located along the Boise River in Eagle and has beautiful views in every direction. It is a peaceful place to go where you can actually visit with friends and not have to yell across the table to be heard, which is the case in so many restaurants. If you have out of town guests, this is the place to take them for a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings. Oh, and by the way, the owners are there every day and are very welcoming and accommodating. I highly recommend it.
(5)Alexxander P.
Love this place! Great service great food! And by far the best selection of any restaurant iv ever had! And also the sauce is just right! Not to thick and not to watered down just right! And the price is a little speedy for what people in Idaho consider it ranges from 10-30 and most dishes are 12-18 and very big positions as well! :) The outdoor patio is absolutely amazing and the experience of this place is worth the extra $ you'll spend compared to going to say The Village.
(5)David S.
Turned me away for dinner at 9:01 because kitchen closes at 9. Asked if they can make me something simple and said no. Business must be good.
(1)Sam H.
Surprisingly nice inside, and I felt waaaaay underdressed in jeans and a collared shirt. Everyone was in slacks. Mostly older people. Food was excellent. Price was higher than normal, but it's a small restaurant, and hey it's Eagle so everything is spendy. My buddy had the "opa" (?) fish and it looked amazing.
(4)Priscila B.
I look forward to this place every time I travel to Boise. Do many good things on the menu and amazing selection of Barollo
(5)Jaws S.
Best. Food. Ever. When the weather is good sit outside, river pathway right there and nice river views.
(5)Doug D.
Update from last review; went to Bella Aquila on a Friday night and had an excellent dinner on the patio with friends and had a great time! Glad I tried this place again as it was excellent and the service was fantastic as well. I must have caught them on a bad night before, or they changed the chef, or it was Friday and we got the command performance and it was very good! First visit was two stars and not very good: Went to Bella Aquila with high hopes for a great dinner based on all of these great reviews. It was a Thursday night and they were not very busy. After eating there it is not difficult to see why. First our salads were limp and brown and we sent them back for fresh ones. The entrees were good but the rice was cold and the side veggies were over cooked. It seemed to me that the chef was not interested in doing a line check or paying attention to details as it was a slow night and that he or she would wait for the command performance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Guess what, most places are busy on Thursday and Gino's is busy every night because they pay attention to details and everyday is a command performance. The manager or owner asked is everything was OK and we responded with the usual it was fine. The only time I say anything to a manager is when it is so bad that I'm willing to go through the hassle of helping them manage their business. The bill was over a hundred bucks for three people, the meal was not worth that much money with such little attention to detail. Big tip here for the owners; your chef need to punch in everyday or you need to replace them or soon you will not have any busy days for the chef to have a grand performance. And people expect a lot when your prices are so high and you pretend to be a fine dinning establishment. We did have some great after dinner cocktails to take our mind off of the mediocre food. I will say the service was good. I suggest going to Gino's you will never be unhappy with the quality there.
(4)Marie S.
This Is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the smoked salmon ravioli. The service has always been great too. It's such a nice place that you can dress up if you like. Once they got my order confused, but brought the wrong item out anyway (which was awesome, but a million more calories than my order) so we had both entrees, and lots of leftovers. It's great to sit outside when it's nice out.
(5)Greg L.
Great pasta! Huge menu, all freshly prepared in the restaurant. I had the veal saltimbocca, which was excellent. My wife and our friend ordered pasta dishes, which they raved about. Service was excellent, and we didn't have obnoxious dinner guests nearby!!
(4)Esther F.
homemade pasta and a lovely patio!
(4)Carol M.
Alfresco dining on the river...great Italian food...wine...Homemade pasta! Do not miss this restaurant...it is not the cattle call of Gino's! The concern here is that you enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace...not the pushy...ARE YOU DONE YET....THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE COMING IN FOR THAT TABLE that I have experienced at Gino's.
(5)J G.
I came here on a recent visit to Boise. The food was great, the service was warm and unpretentious and the restaurant is in a great setting. The owners were VERY friendly and great to chat with after our meal was done.
(5)Gary S.
The owners of this restaurant use to own a restaurant in Saratoga, Ca. We went to this new location while visiting relitives and were not disappointed. Good Italian fare with the owner watching over things while on premises. We will be going back on our next visit. We also love their home made warm bread.
(4)Tim K.
Really liked this place. All the servers were friendly and the food was great. The flatbread Bianca appetiser had great flavor. The real winner was the lamb shank. Fall off the bone tender and delicious.
(4)Bruce T.
Four of us went last night. Very nice ambiance, excellent food, and superb service. My only complaint was that my veal scallopini was made with a veal cutlet, though the piccata sauce was out of this world. The others all loved their meals. We were surprised by the age of the crowd, who seemed to be mostly retired. But hey, we're retired, too! We're new to Eagle but Bella Aquilla is already on our list of favorites.
(4)Brady M.
Well. There was hair in my food. We told a manager and he responded by saying "well what do you want me to do about it?" Real professional. Then we get the check. The first ticket they gave us showed that everything was comped except for a drink and an appetizer. Awesome. But then after they run our card it shows that they've charged us for everything except the appetizer. Another real professional move... We won't be returning.
(2)Michael M.
I had dinner here with my team during a business trip. The service was extremely slow and incompetent. Rarely got refills, didn't get side condiments we asked for. Took forever for us to get our order submitted. The table next to ours was handled very well, so it may just be some of the waiters. As for the food, it was really good. I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana. Seasoned very well, flavorful cheeses and good pasta. I would score higher but the waiter just left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Idaho Travelers S.
After years of hype, we decided to make a trip to Bella Aquila. The bartender was nice, as was the hostess. Our server, on the other hand, was clueless. We brought a very nice bottle of wine with us, as we always do for a celebration. 100% of the time, our server will make a comment about the vintage or the region, or.... something. Whether they know anything about wine or not, it's all about presentation. And I would absolutely expect this at an "upscale" Itallian restauant. However, she didn't even look at the label, but instead offered to tell us that Bella Aquila is the only restaurant that will let you bring in a bottle of wine that they have on their menu. Huh? False.... VERY false. We brought a bottle of Caymus, and while Bella Aquila does not have Caymus on their menu, I have brought many bottles to places that do, and this statement is completely false. Opening a bottle of wine does not come with conditions, only a corking fee. Which brings me to our next server faux pas. While telling us about the corking fee, she specifically pointed out that their corking fee was the "cheapest" in the valley. First off.... if I am bringing a bottle of Caymus, I probably don't care to hear the word "cheap" and "corking" in the same sentence. And second... this statement, again, holds no truth. I told her that Barbacoa does not charge a corking fee. She wanted to argue that point with me, telling me that she has never worked at a restaurant that doesn't charge a corking fee, and that just didn't sound right to her. I think my correcting her might have bent her out of shape, because it took her 20 minutes to come back to our table to take our order. Since we had never been to Bella Aquila before, I wasn't sure if the chef would make dishes off menu, and she assured me that would not be a problem. I asked her if Chef Matt would do a medium-rare steak penne pasta with their Gogonzola cream sauce and mushrooms. I was very specific what I was asking, and told her that it wasn't problem at all if he prefered to work only off of his menu. She said no problem. When the dish came, it was a ribeye steak, with a side of penne pasta?? If that is what I wanted, I would have asked for the Black and Bleu Ribeye with a side of penne instead of mashed potatoes. The penne was more crunchy than al dente, and the steak was very, very rare. My husbands dish, while, it was what he ordered, was nothing special in terms of flavor or presentation. This was a special night for my husband and I. We will never return to this restaurant.
(1)Warren P.
Very nice Italian Ristorante with great food and service. Very nice atmosphere inside and lovely courtyard for outdoor dining. We would definitely return!
(5)Wendy M.
Recommended by a local person for good local Italian food there were 7 of us so the salmon honey special was wonderful! Thick piece of wild Canadian salmon fresh perfectly cooked. Seafood risotto with clams, mussels shrimp, crab was creamy and good, veal saltinbucca was ok, the best dish was the braised lamb shanks so tender and fork eating falling off the bone. Smoked salmon ravioli was ok kinda chewy but sauce was good. It was good, service was kinda slow. The cream brûlée was very good
(3)Benny J.
Everything was a 2 star until the check came. We had a fairly large group together for a birthday. Service was decent but nothing special. I ordered the steak medium rare, it was cooked correctly but tasted like the steak I would eat at a cheap 24hr diner. When the check came we had a pretty easy set up to split the check evenly. There were 7 couples so we needed 7 checks. It took 45 mins, a few tears from our server, and a pushy unprofessional manager to finally get everyone their check. ( we were left in the dark, not knowing what was going on) Not once did our party receive an apology for the long wait or the bad service. I expect that one of the more fancy restaurants in town would be able to handle a simple task, if not, I would expect the manager to be a little more experienced in those types of scenarios. I will never go back.
(1)Kristi M.
Bella Aquila is a special treat. When we walked in, I was wondering if it was going to be more expensive than I planned on due to the romantic atmosphere and the tables adorned with white table cloths and candles. However, the menu was packed full of options for salads, apps, seafood, pastas etc and they were all in the reasonable fare range. We started with an appetizer that was recommended to us by the server. It was a calamari dish that was unlike any other calamari I have had. I am still trying to decide if I liked it or not. The pieces were huge and not crispy like other restaurants serve. I don't think I would order it again Next I had the granny smith apple salad with candied pecans (O!M!G!), Gorgonzola cheese crumbles and fresh spinach. I swear I could've licked my plate cleans. YUM. For the main entree we split the chicken marsala by recommendation of the server. It was some of the best marsala I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. It was creamy, yet not over the top & had little button mushrooms to compliment the chicken. Served with a side of linguine and seasonal vegetables, it was perfectly rounded out. I had a difficult time plowing through my half considering we had the appetizer and a split salad, but it was one of those meals that I didn't want to stop eating because it was THAT good. I recommend this place for a nice dinner in Eagle & definitely hope to be back on a return trip.
(4)Anthony O.
I am a lover of Italian food. I grew up in a huge Italian family and have been to Italy several times. This place was "ok" at best. Food was ok, the setting was ok and the service was ok. I honestly have no desire to go back. Not saying it was bad....but nothing to write home about.
(3)Rene W.
Such a disappointment. Chose this restaurant for Valentine's Day and I really wish we had gone somewhere else. 1) The tables are so close together that we could hear everything our neighbors were talking about. I could extend my arms on both sides and touch the person next to me. It loses any romantic ambience when I have to listen to the couple next to me complain about their jobs all night. I feel like they tried to squeeze as many people in as possible on a busy night to make a few extra bucks. Way too close for comfort. 2) The pasta and meatballs were overcooked. The fettucine alfredo was incredibly oily and bland. The meatballs were dry and were so burnt that they were colored black on the outside. The creme brulee was very good. I really had high hopes for this place because we had been there once before and the service and food were very good. Will we give them another try? Maybe. Will it be on a busy night? Nope.
(2)Justin H.
This struck us as such a cool restaurant (and, we thought to ourselves, "finally, some decent Italian") with lovely atmosphere, great service and food. Well, we were right about one thing. The atmosphere is lovely. Restaurant located on the river in Eagle, which is pretty, and the inside is classy (dimly lit, nice furniture, blah blah blah). The one night we went, we were really turned off by the food and service. The first appetizer we had was shrimp in a pesto or chimichurri and I thought it was truly great (and the best thing we had all night). We're starting to think entrees are for the birds and that most places just make better appetizers. The rest of the food was instantly forgettable, which I did not see coming (based on outward appearances and what we paid). As for the service, there was kind of a long wait for having almost literally no one else in the restaurant. We went for my wife's birthday and, while she was in the rest room, I politely got the attention of our waitress, informed her of the birthday, asked if they do anything special and, if not, that we'd definitely want a dessert menu. She said she'd check; I said, "Let's keep it a surprise." After my wife returned from the restroom, the waitress returned and, speaking to both of us, in a cold, rude, impatient tone of voice, said, "You don't get anything free on your birthday," and walked away... much to my chagrine. I don't know if we'll give this place another shot, but I'm sure plenty of people have been there when both food quality and service align and they have a great time. We did not. ETA: Asiago's in downtown Boise blows this place out of the water, even if it is in the city and not on a river. I'd dine there a million times before Bella Aquila, based on my experience.
(2)Mike R.
We have been to Bella Aquila several times now. The food is fresh, and nicely prepared. Most of the entrees I've had were simple, but seasoned nicely, and better than your average Italian fare. For the food, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5. The service, and the atmosphere are closer to a 5 though. Very pleasant, and attentive staff, and you must (weather permitting), sit outside on the patio. Beautiful scenery with the Boise river in plain view. I would highly recommend BA, and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Al C.
This place is pretty darn good. Good value, menu is WAY too large (not necessary) but the food is pretty good. Wife had risotto and I had chicken...we will be back. One thing I'll say about atmosphere, and maybe it's because I'm not from around these parts. My wife and I were the youngest people here by 10 years at least. Felt like we got the stink eye a bit for being underdressed.
(4)Sean C.
Had a house special salmon salad and potato crab cakes. Loved them both. It was good and light.
(4)Amanda J.
We had lunch here, it was wonderful. Loved the selection of pasta and the portion size was right on. Great service and our waiter was so attentive. Loved the patio, very peaceful. We will return.
(5)Erin G.
Fantastic service! Stefanie was attentive without being overbearing, and helped us sort out final choices from their diverse and tasty menu. Spinach salads were a great start, followed by the chicken cordon bleu special and the gambero piccante. Both were excellent! Beer and wine choices were great, ambiance was perfect along the river on a warm summer evening. Will definitely be back!
(5)Mike H.
I love this place. Best venue off Eagle road. The out door seating is by far the most relaxing I have been to in a long time. The host, server, and manager were all very kind and attentive. Not in a subservient manner either, more like a down home real kind of way. As for the food I have only had lunch. The salads are so so . I find the sandwiches to be much more desirable. Great fries, house made aloe, super soft bread.
(5)Kylie I.
I'm not even close to considering myself semi-knowledgeable of non-Olive Garden Italian food, so my review may need to be taken with a grain of salt. (Embarrassingly enough, I love indulging in the salty, creamy fettuccine alfredo that can be found in any ol' place, so I definitely don't feel that my palate is sophisticated enough to appreciate or recognize more authentic foods, at times.) The first thing that I noticed was the table settings. I am an absolute stickler for table settings: the table cloths were crisp and clean with the seam facing the correct direction, the flatware was impeccably placed, and the napkins were nicely folded. This place looks sharp and the staff's habits are clearly consistent. Service was professional and on top of our orders. I've nothing but positive things to say about our server. The soup of the day was clam chowder, and it was fabulous -- chock-full of clams and potatoes with a thicker consistency. The Mediterraneo pasta was definitely unique and enjoyable (not to mention a rather generous portion), but may not be as memorable in the long run for me, as it was not necessarily filling and lacking seasoning. Finally, the cannoli was perfect! Sweet, but not overly so, and had the perfect combination of textures and tastes. I have to hand it to an establishment when they put forth the effort to make their dishes so aesthetically pleasing. While my meal as a whole wasn't a jaw-dropping experience, the atmosphere and cannolis alone are enough to bring me back, should I need a nicer place to take a friend in the area (as I am kind of cheap and live far away enough for it to be inconvenient). A solid four stars!
(4)Mary A.
It's about time that I updated my review of Bella Aquila. We hadn't been to this restaurant in awhile and an opportunity to dine here again came with an invitation from our neighbors. The space hasn't changed much since we were here. It's located in a building shared with a few other businesses. It's a large open space and there is also a bar. Another room is available for private functions. When the weather is warmer dining space is available on the patio near the Greenbelt where you can enjoy the sounds of the river! We all ordered a plate of sautéed calamari and bruschetta to share. Calamari was cooked perfectly---nice and tender. The bruschetta was presented in a de-constructed way----slices of baguette toasted with a mound of chopped tomatoes, garlic, and basil. It was surprisingly tasty and served in a way that the bread stays crisp. For entrees---my husband and I shared chicken parmagiana which was definitely an ample dish and was enough for two people. One couple decided to share a dish of smoked salmon ravioli. One person opted for tortellini carbonara. Our chicken was excellent---lightly breaded with a tomato sauce and mozzarella. The tortellini carbonara was rated excellent also! The disappointment was the smoked salmon ravioli which had very little salmon, was dry, and was smothered in sauce. This was brought to the attention of the owner and she promptly said that she would talk to the chef. Desserts came. Cheesecake and tiramisu which we all shared. The tiramisu was complimentary to compensate for a disappointing entrée. What I like about this restaurant is there is good managerial control. Bill and Ellen Cooper always are there and checking on patrons to assure that their meal is to their liking and as experienced if it isn't they will make corrections. This is one restaurant that just keeps getting better and obviously has a lot of fans because most of the tables were filled. And that's a good thing!
(4)Millie H.
We were looking for a special place to celebrate Valentine's Day early. My husband made reservations and then there was a great review posted on line, so my hopes were high. My expectations were met with disappointment. As I love risotto we decided to order the fried risotto ball appetizer, which was delivered even before the waitress took our entree order. it was beyond bland. The only palatable bite was the one that I took with ALL of thin strips of basil that garnished the plate. Next I had a Caesar salad, it was delicious, but what can you really do to mess up a salad? Okay, so we're at 1 for 2. As the review I read raved about the smoked salmon ravioli that was what I ordered for my entree. A generous portion of ravioli filled my plate. The sauce was creamy and quite tasty. Sadly, the homemade pasta was thick and heavy as a lead weight in my mouth, and chewy as old taffy. We passed on dessert. Most disappointing to me was when the owner asked how our meal was, I told him "okay." He got defensive and said "just ok?" When I gave him the truth about the thick chewy heavy pasta, he made excuses for the kitchen staff. There was no attempt to create a happy customer experience, a savvy owner would have bought a round of drinks or offered dessert. Bottom line, if you enjoy bland food and chewy pasta you will probably be impressed, but if you've ever had good Italian don't waste your time. I'd rank this far behind Luciano's, way way behind Asiagos and light years behind Alavita.
(2)Jeffrey S.
Weekend brunch! Smoked chicken with sweet potato hash and two poached eggs a delight. Perfectly cooked! Palate approved.
(5)Michele R.
When a reviewer has been to a restaurant but once and has not such a great experience then writes a review, I take said review with a grain of salt. Readers of this opinion for Bella Aquila may want add that salt to this opinion since my review is based on one lunch this week for three people. Based on quality of food alone this review might be two stars. Same with the ambiance given it was too much a fly fest to eat outside on what seems to be a nice patio. Sadly, the flies seemed to be inside in good number too. Which is no knock on this restaurant because with a few exceptions, we found flies to be companions in most of the Boise area restaurants we visited in our September week stay. (We're curious to know what it is about the area that makes flies congregate. Seriously.) The saving grace here was the server. If you could create a character for a movie of the perfectly well informed and funny in a good way, it would be she. Brava. Lunch menu included starters, soup, salad, pizzas, sandwiches and entrees. Most all salads come in half sizes and the servings are so generous that we were glad we followed our server's recommendation and ordered half-sies. Prices are reasonable. Lunch for three that included three salads, one drowned in dressing and one with grilled salmon, one order of (too oily) potato crab cakes, one order of suppli (rice fritters) and iced tea came to about $45 total. All was well timed by our server and edible but just not memorable. I read in the Boise paper this that the former chef left here recently to take a job with Sysco. The assistant chef just took over the kitchen and the news said expect menu changes at some time in the future. Maybe our marginal experience with food today was just kitchen transition hiccups. My husband and I are pondering a move to Boise. If we end up here, we'll be back for a cocktail and dinner on the patio on a fly free day and try again. THIS N THAT: 1. ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible parking spaces in the lot, level in and throughout, both dining rooms have standard height table seating and so does the patio. All good. 2. ALL AGES FRIENDLY: Menu and layout is as friendly to tots as to seniors and all ages in between. 3. LIBATIONS: Looked like a pretty good wine list by glass and bottle.
(3)David B.
Had lunch on the patio and oh wow, best patio I have ever seen. Right by the Boise River and 2 patio waterfalls make it feel like you are in the water. The food was excellent, and service great. I will be going here again.
(5)Patrick W.
I love this place. Kinda classy but really good food. Got the filet and I literally cut it with a butter knife. No fucking joke
(5)Frank M.
Just heard of this place after being in the area for two years. A true hidden gem. Food was excellent (Sunday Brunch). Sat on the patio enjoying the beautiful day. Service was very good, food and ambiance amazing. High recommend this place.
(5)Babygirl M.
Atmosphere was nice. However the dishes we ordered did not possess anything memorable that would make us want to return. Each dish seemed overly salty.
(1)Becky R.
Bella Aquila is in a great spot. Patio overlooking the river and green space. Nice indoor space. I've eaten indoor and out a couple times. The food is good. Four stars to that. They do interesting things at brunch on Sundays. Almost like courses. Coffee is good. Desserts are good. It's a nice talk-and-relax environment with plenty of outdoor shade on hot Idaho days. They go out of their way to put umbrellas out and there are trees nearby as well. You can certainly have a nice birthday or anniversary party on the patio...and it'd be delightful. If I could improve two things: (1) the weird wait times between being greeted by your server the first time (twice it's been 20 minutes or more) and then just during the meal. There are waiters everywhere...so I'm not sure the situation with this. It's not like "slow intentional meal" sorta wait, it feels like "forgotten or didn't even know about us" wait. (2) I'd also tame down the outdoor talent in the summers. Sometimes a little senior center meets Red Lion nightclub. Two stars to this.
(3)Maureen K.
We weren't planning on going here late on a Sunday afternoon, but so many other places on our list were closed. So, since we pass by here often when heading into Eagle or Meridian we decided, "Why not? Let's check it out." Glad we did. We were warmly greeted and had our choice of seating as we were the only patrons in there during the off-hour. We took a table by the window. It was somewhat overcast, but people were out and about on the trail behind the restaurant near the Boise river. Families were having pictures taken (presumably for holiday greeting cards judging by some), some folks were fishing, others had their dogs with them... it was fun to just people watch and see all the smiles. We're interested in sitting outside come spring. There's a beautiful patio with fountains on either end. It was an intimate setting, and very classy with cloth tablecloth and napkins. We were afraid it might be overly spendy, but it honestly wasn't too bad compared to some other places downtown, plus ample free parking. A double whisky, a glass of wine and two entrees, and the total (without tip) was $77. So no, we won't be going here REAL often, but if we want a more upscale place to celebrate or to take people from out of town, this is the perfect place to do so. The complimentary bread was fresh out of the oven and was pleasantly different from your standard rolls or loaf of bread-- it was like a thin focaccia/chewy pizza dough, seasoned with parmesan and lightly herbed. A light cheesy/buttery spread was served on the side. It was honestly some of the best bread we've ever had, and we could have easily eaten a second serving which was offered but we decided to exercise at least some self-restraint :-). I had the dinner special which was sea bass with toasted orzo and vegetable compote, and hubby had the NY strip with garlic mashed pots. and vegetable medley. (See photos). Food was beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, and wonderfully tasty. This is one of the extremely few places that will actually cook the meat well done upon request which is how hubs prefers it. We opted to skip dessert and didn't even chance to look at the menu. Maybe next time. With our check, instead of a standard dinner mint, the server brought us each a wrapped choc.-covered mint stick. Nice change of pace, we thought. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and will definitely be back.
(5)Curt P.
We love Italian food, and this place was worth going to. We would definitely go again.
(5)Dr S.
Bella Aquina is clearly one of the top restaurants in Boise, yet I damn with faint praise, We were in the other night with a party of 5 for a birthday celebration, We had reservations through Open Table and were seated right away. At Bella Aquina, since the food is so consistently well done, especially the Vitello Marsala and Fettuccini Alfredo, the only thing that varies very much is the service. Stephanie was our server and her attention to detail was very professional, from making sure drinks and sodas were refreshed to taking orders from our females first- old fashioned I know but appreciated- to graciously checking in during the meal . The wait staff is dressed professionally, which leads me to my only complaint for the night. Walking around the restaurant, checking on tables and occasionally carrying a couple of bottles under his arms was a gentleman who looked like he had just jumped up from the couch after watching football all day, like someone's uncle who hadn't gotten the word on the dress code. Very discordant and unfortunate for Bella Aquina. I don't know who Uncle Harry is, but please, next time, at least tuck in your shirt. Stephanie's good professional work should be the standard.
(4)Julie P.
A friend and I had lunch at Bella Aquila Thursday, Sept. 19. When we walked in the host and a cook were at the front desk. The cook was friendly but the host never welcomed or smiled at us. We had to ask if we could sit on the patio. When the host took us to our table he acted put out. I'm a pretty smilie person and so is my friend, so his attitude surprised us (first impressions are important, unfortunately for Bella). Our waiter was a young man -- cute, but terrible server. He was slow (we were there for 1 1/2 hours) and we only got bread after we noticed the tables around us got some and we asked for some. 20 minutes after taking our order, our waiter told us the kitchen was slow and asked my friend if he'd like his soup before I got my salad. We'd already waited a while and a small dinner salad couldn't be made? The salad arrived with 1/2 cucumber slice, onions & 1 cherry tomatoe. Wow! That had to take a while to prepare. Food was good, but small portions (especially for the cost); we were never offered dessert. We noticed other wait staff was quick & friendly. The patio had an amazing view, but unless things change I wouldn't recommend this restaurant.
(1)Sharlene S.
Had lunch on the gorgeous patio. Beautiful setting, comfortable table and chairs, and a perfect day for outdoor dining. Staff was helpful and pleasant. Never felt rushed. We had the Calamari appetizer and it was tender, delicious, and just the right amount for three or four people. My main coarse, Chicken Marsala, was even better than I had hoped it would be. We will definitely return.
(5)Chase B.
This restaurant has become a favorite of ours. The summer patio by the river and waterfalls are fantastic. Everything there has been very good, especially the prawns and lamb. The only thing to watch out for are the spicy pasta's. I am not afraid of spicy hot at all, but I think they may over do it. I got a pasta dish with 3/5 stars, and it was so spicy I could not taste the dish. Great job all in all.
(4)David F.
Bella Aquila takes me back to the days when I would go to dinner parties at my parents' friends house and be served delicious food in an intimate environment. The combination of fine dining and lack of pretension is comforting. It's a great place for that big date night or just as appropriate for a nice meal when the folks come to town. I am always tempted by the Cioppino, but I'll venture into seared tuna or beef just to mix it up. Salads are top notch as they should be. Why is it so hard for some restaurants to discard wilted greens? At Bella Aquila you won't have to inspect your plate for questionable leaves. The wine list is excellent. I love the Cannoli, too.
(4)William S.
One of our top 5 restaurants in area. We love the friendly atmosphere of the two host/owners. We even had a wedding party dinner here. The Marsala Chicken is the best. Wil return as often as we can.
(5)Steve S.
This was our first trip to Bella Aquila. The food was good but not exceptional. The service was better than average (our water glasses were never empty) and our waitress was pleasant. The prices were OK and quality was fine. The desserts were OK (chocolate flour-less cake and chocolate turtle pie). They were served too cold and they looked factory made vs. something made at the restaurant (I have no idea where they were actually made). Decent food, service, and prices, but nothing I'd label "great". We may go back at some time.
(3)Beth F.
We've been to Bella Aquila approximately ten times since it opened. The dining room is really comfortable and nice, but the patio is especially wonderful! It offers a beautiful view of the trees that line the greenbelt, and has a soothing waterfall on each end. It was absolutely perfect last night, and despite having no reservation, they were able to seat us immediately. The staff was friendly, and the service excellent. The pace was just slow enough to not feel rushed, but prompt enough to not feel as though we were kept waiting. We had the Baby Iceberg Wedge to start. Their version of this salad is "deconstructed", with the tomatoes, onions, bacon, and gorgonzola arranged in little piles around the iceberg wedge. The dressing is served in a little dish on the side. I prefer it mixed altogether, but those who like their dressing on the side will appreciate this. On most visits we've been pleased with our entrees, and last night was no exception. My husband ordered a blackened steak with gorgonzola on top and I had veal marsala. Both were delicious! For dessert I got the bread pudding. It was yummy, but the sauce was a little "boozy". Tasted like it wasn't cooked long enough after the bourbon was added... My husband's creme brulee was perfect though! The price of the dinner entrees ranged from about $16 - $29. The price doesn't include soup or salad, but does include the side dishes. I hate when places make you purchase your veggies and potatos separately! Lunch is less expensive, but I feel that even the dinner prices are a good value considering the quality of the food and the ambiance of the surroundings. I highly recommend this restaurant, and we will definitely be back again!
(4)Shannon L.
This is an old review transferred from an old Yelp acct: Delicious food and great drinks! I've been to Bella Aquila several times. The food has never let me down. The service, however, has been spotty at times. For instance, I visited BA several months ago and was delighted to see a gelato sampler that included spumoni--my favorite. Unfortunately, what was served was more like a pralines and cream, certainly not what I was expecting. When I questioned the server she took my plate away and promised to be right back. She came back about five minutes later--with my plate of pretty melted gelato--and told me that the chef said it was his kind of spumoni. Obviously I wasn't happy with my dessert, but instead of offering to replace or remove it she just plunked it back in front of me. Not professional, at all. That one server has taken a five-star review down to a four-star review. Try BA--the food alone is worth it!
(4)Sarah B.
Not impressed, husband liked it, I didn't. Paid $96 for dinner for 2 with cafe style service. Lots of old people, one even walked by and farted! Was that the patio band? Wait wasn't bad but they seated us next to the very busy wait station. Took a good 15minutes to get noticed to take drink orders (we ordered at the bar never got). All and all skip it, lots of better restaurants that can pull it all together.
(2)Roy S.
My wife and I were craving some Italian and had been given a gift certificate to Bella Aquila and decided to give them a try. We made a reservation through Yelp/Open Table being Saturday night and some of the reviews mentioned it was a good idea. When we arrived, we were promptly seated in a very nice spot by the window with a view of the patio and wooded area along the Eagle River. The staff was friendly and attentive, and got us drinks and appetizer (Calamari, which was very nice steak strips) quickly even though it was a full house. After looking over the menu, we were both torn with so many choices and asked our waitress, Elaina, for her recommendations. She offered several suggestions, and convinced my wife to try the Veal Marsala even though she has never had veal, and I went for the Lasagna Aquila. For me, the lasagna with fresh pasta was very good, and my wife's veal, also with fresh pasta, was a hit. I have to admit some menu envy after trying hers. She said this is the only thing she will order here. 5 stars for the food, 5 stars for the atmosphere, and 5+ stars for our waitress. She was a total pro and made every effort to make our visit enjoyable. If I were the Cooper's, I'd be treating her right, and if I owned a restaurant, I'd be recruiting her right now!
(5)Lou M.
The atmoshere is good, soft music and you are able to talk. The service was just ok, nothing better than average. The food was less than satisfactory. I had Veal for $23 and it was tough as shoe leather, there was a very small portion of sauteed veges and some pasta that was just average. The Marsala flavor was good. We spent $85 for two with only one drink at $7. Way too much denero for average food and service. Would I go back - NO
(2)Janet M.
Love this Italian restaurant in Eagle. Consistently good food, great service and love the optional outdoor dining with a view of the river and waterfalls on either side of the patio to insulate a serene experience. Highly recommend this local Eagle restaurant for groups large or small.
(5)Sierra D.
Wonderful service and beautiful river view with outdoor seating. But lots of mosquito's. To start we has Bruschetta and was real pleased. We asked for a side of cheese to top it off and it made it awesome. The house bread was really good. I had Veal Marsala that was really good. I really liked the sauce. My girlfriend has Eggplant Parmigiana it was just OK. Nothing special. My boyfriend had the Lasagna that was AWFUL. We think they added the wrong spice when making it. We all had one bite and all agreed it was not edible. We let the waitress know and she did not even offer to bring him something in replacement. We thought that was strange. We did not try dessert. When we got the check we were insulted when they took off $3.75 for the Lasagna dish (that only had a few bites out of it). They should of taken it 100% off the bill. But, my veal was great so 1 dinner entree out 3 isn't worth returning.
(2)Phil E.
Wife and I visited this restaurant for the first time tonight. Promptly seated and after a couple minutes our server took our drink order & water was delivered. Our drinks were delivered after a few minutes and our server took our order: Veal Marsala for me and NY Strip steak for my wife. The veal was awesome-very tender and flavorful. However, the steak was tough as cowhide. My wife even had trouble cutting it. After a few bites we called the manager over & explained the problem. He asked if she wanted another steak. We said we didn't have time to wait. He then said he would subtract the steak from our bill. We thanked him & said the rest of the food, and service , was very good. We will probably go again but won't be ordering a steak.
(3)Ashley C.
I give this place five stars for the food, the service, the outdoor seating and view. My husband ordered the blackened salmon and it was amazing. Great texture, blackened and crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. I had my order altered and it was still good, but next time I go I won't be altering anything. The outdoor dining patio with waterfalls overlooking the river and walking path is a beautiful setting. It is a bit pricey though. We went for dinner, I heard lunch is not as expensive. I'm sure I will be going back.
(5)Warren P.
Great food. We have eaten hear several times. The food is great. Service is great and it is a nice place. Spring and Summer are the best as you can enjoy the outside patio. I have had several of their dishes. The scallions are the my favorite so far.
(5)A F.
After another bad experience here, I decided it was time for a review. In the past, we were always pleased with the food, atmosphere, and service. However, the last time we visited started off in a bad way when a very drunk customer (a member of a wine club), stood at the hostess stand and swore very loudly at another diner from her wine club. The hostess stood by and watched and two servers walked by, briefly pausing to watch, but nobody said a word. Unfortunately, we were waiting there for our table with our two young children, who my husband had to usher out of the building before they built up their vocabulary with some very colorful language. Once we were seated, our food was subpar. We had dishes we had ordered in the past (chianti beef and eggplant parmesan), but they were not nearly as good as in the past. Despite that experience we returned today (Mother's Day). We could tell that things were hectic, but we were told it was only a 20 minute wait (no reservations accepted), so we put our name on the list. We watched as many people were seated, including another group of four that walked in 20 minutes after us and were seated immediately. When we were the only group left, we were told they would get a table ready. Once seated, nobody acknowledged us for over 10 minutes. We asked to order immediately and our order was taken. We waited another 10 minutes for water, then approximately 20 more minutes for the pastries that were being served in place of the usual bread. When our food finally came, I noticed that my order was incorrect. I ordered a cashew chicken salad with dressing on the side- dressing was tossed with the salad. The server acknowledged it but didn't offer to fix it and I didn't push it as it had taken so long to get our food that I didn't want to wait longer, and it wasn't really a big deal, or so I thought. Turns out that they had tossed it with the house creamy italian dressing vs. the asian dressing listed on the menu. Also, the "fried noodles" on top were the texture of uncooked dry pasta; I tried one and was afraid I'd chip a tooth. It was very strange, but I couldn't bring it up as nobody ever stopped to check on us/our meal. A gentleman came by and cleared our plates but didn't ask about the meal. Another 15 minutes later, we found and flagged down our server and asked for the check. When he brought it to the table, we gave him the credit card so he could run it immediately. We watched him head inside, then come out with food on two occassions and slowly wander around the patio, the whole time with our credit card/tab sticking out of his apron pocket. When we finally flagged him down, he pulled it out of his pocket and dropped it off. It appeared he ran the card right away but had forgotten to bring it back. As we headed out of the restaurant, I stopped to talk to the owner who was standing at the hostess stand. I gave her a synopsis of our dissapointing past two visits and she offered me a coupon for $5 off lunch and asked me to come back soon. Sorry, but we've decided we are officially done spending our money at Bella Aquila.
(2)Jane B.
When we went last fall. The service was very slow and the food was cold and tasted horrible. When we first got there the lady asked if we had a reservation. We said no, the place was almost empty. It took forever to get our check and the other tables near by also looked upset about how long it took to get the check. We left with food for the dogs that we did not even give them because it was so horrible and where sick that night with food poisoning. My mother figures the seafood was under cooked.
(1)Shannon L.
Delicious food and great drinks! I've been to Bella Aquila several times. The food has never let me down. The service, however, has been spotty at times. For instance, I visited BA several months ago and was delighted to see a gelato sampler that included spumoni--my favorite. Unfortunately, what was served was more like a pralines and cream, certainly not what I was expecting. When I questioned the server she took my plate away and promised to be right back. She came back about five minutes later--with my plate of pretty melted gelato--and told me that the chef said it was his kind of spumoni. Obviously I wasn't happy with my dessert, but instead of offering to replace or remove it she just plunked it back in front of me. Not professional, at all. That one server has taken a five-star review down to a four-star review. Try BA--the food alone is worth it!
(4)A L.
This is our go-to restaurant on every Idaho trip. Having explored a number of restaurants in Eagle as well as Boise, Bella Aquila is the clear favourite. The atmosphere itself is just wonderful, warm and conversation-friendly. I did have one dinner in the outdoor seating area. While the scenery was quite lovely, I have to admit I was eaten by mosquitos. To continue with this disclosure I have admit that in a party of 4 I was the only one. I always get the lamb shank. It's an enormous piece of lamb slow braised on top of mashed potatoes or parmesan polenta and vegetables. It's just terrific....tender and perfectly flavoured. A part of my mind is occupied by the thought of this lamb shank as soon as our plane lands. The bread here is wonderful with their slightly spiced cheese-spread (I'm butchering the description I'm sure). The wine list is spread out with a nice chunk of Italians (the Villa Antinori is always solid), a few upper-mid-range Californian cabs/blends and one or two wines from Idaho. I've yet to find another restaurant with the combination of dining experience/ambiance and quality of food that I've found here.
(5)charmaine M.
Brunch, lunch or dinner every meal has been great. Meals are priced reasonable, staff friendly, beautiful views of river and trees, great patio for summer dining. The owners are often there and check on your meal. One of the nicer restaurants to go to.
(5)Scott R.
Great restaurant! Will be back for sure!!
(5)Perry L.
Outstanding breakfasts.
(4)Adrienne S.
The house salad & dressing was nice. Had a couple glasses of wine. Ordered the Spinach fetticune with pesto creme sauce, tomatoes and pinenuts. Added four sauteed shrimp. The dish looked very nice, but slightly rich for me. I requested some additional pine nuts because I didn't really see/taste any in the dish. The server came back to tell me that the manager said they would need to charge me $2 for basically a tablespoon-full because pinenuts were expensive at $50 a pound. I thought this was funny actually because the comment was so absurd. I declined but the waitress brought them anyway. I am by no means a penny pincher. I declined the original offer basically because I thought it was rude, given that I was already spending $50 mby myself on dinner. The meal was nice but this really put a damper on it for me. Poor judgment on behalf of the management. Good judgment by the waitress. I won't be going back.
(2)Whitney S.
This little family-owned Italian restaurant is a newbie in the Rivershore Business Center across Eagle Road from Bardenay - in the space formerly occupied by Franco Latino. Tucked away from the traffic of Eagle Road, it features linen service and a patio with a river view in good weather... I work in the same office complex as Bella and have been there for lunch, drinks and apps, as well as dinner (last night). I love the remodeled lounge-y bar in the back of the restaurant with the view of the river in the daytime. The restaurant is split up in to two different rooms separated by that bar and the layout is pretty sweet. Something else that struck in my ind was that the owner Bill Cooper has been there every time I've been in. I like that. 5/5 But, on to the most important part: DINNER. The menu is perfect - not too big, not too small. Great signature items. Salad selection. Spin offs of classics. Fun new things. I mean, really. Chef Mark Wilkerson (Blue Ribbon Artisans Bistro Italia and Asiago's) hit it out of the park for an Italian menu in Boise. It features a mix of regional Italian cuisines plus a selection of chops, steaks, fish and chicken that are anything but traditional looking or tasting. Before I came here, I heard mixed reviews from people as work, but thought I needed to take it for a spin myself a few times. So I did just that and was impressed all three times with dinner being the most impressive. For dinner we started with the Panzanella salad: Mixed greens, torn rosemary-onion foccacia, sweet red & green peppers, tomato, and FRIED MOZZARELLA on top with a amazing Parmesan balsamic vinegarette for $9. It was a fantastic salad with lots of different flavors going on, it was large enough for the two of us to get full off of, plus... I mean, it had fried homemade mozzarella "sticks" on top. SO GOOD! Taylor had the Fettuccine Bianco that was a little too watery for a white cream sauce and the noodles were a bit undercooked, but overall had pretty good flavor (and good portion). 3/5. Mine however, was fabulously flavorful. An absolute treat for my little taste buds! The Chicken Melanzane was a breast stuffed with feta, grilled eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, black olives with Saffron risotto and fried baby spinach on the side. The risotto was to die for, and the baby spinach gave the entire bite it a nice crunch when mixed in with the chicken and risotto. It could have been a tiny bit richer for the portion size since it was smaller, but overall it was great for $17. Dinner was a 4/5 after all was said, done and consumed :) No wine or dessert as we had both back at home, however, for $50 including tip, it was an A - experience and we will go back again and again! __________________________________________________Â_____________ Details: 775 S. Rivershore Lane, Eagle, 938-1900. Open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday (with happy hour from 4-6 p.m. - GET THE SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!!), 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Prices: $9-$15 at lunch; $12 to $30 for dinner, and $8-$11.5 at brunch.
(4)Shyam G.
Based on the review i read Expected this to be a small restaurant that could house ~15-30 people. but it is quiet spacious. We went for dinner in a casual attire as this restaurant is walking distance to my house. Most of the people were formally dressed, so if you plan to go for dinner don't put on a pair of shorts. Ambiance was really good, owners and the waiting staff are friendly. They have a patio for outside dining in summer. They have a good selection of vegetarian dishes and we ordered some sweet potato fries and capatone for appetizers and they were tasty. For main course we ordered eggplant parmigiana with fettuccine in Alfredo sauce we enjoyed the main course too. We definately plan to go back
(4)