Bella Luna Restaurant & The Milky Way Lounge
The Milky Way Lounge,284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130
Bella Luna Restaurant & The Milky Way Lounge Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Sandwiches
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Dinner Entrees
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Gourmet Pizzas
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Make Your Own Galactic Pie
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Little Dipper Menu
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.
Healthy Meal suggestions for Bella Luna Restaurant & The Milky Way Lounge
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Appetizers
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Salads
-
Sandwiches
-
Dinner Entrees
-
Gourmet Pizzas
-
Make Your Own Galactic Pie
-
Little Dipper Menu
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.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
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 :
The Milky Way Lounge,284 Amory St
Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130 - Phone (617) 524-6060
- Website https://www.milkywayjp.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : DJ
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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LauRen B.
Sam Adams Nachos: good size for two people, wonderfully delicious Cod Piccata: good Broccoli Rabetelli: good Pain away:mixed drink: wow! You've got to try it, they don't skimp on the liquor. Eat on the patio if you have the chance. Busy on the Monday after Mothers Day, would suggest reservation just to make sure. Parking: decent number of spots Service: Catherine our server was friendly, not pretentious, offering great drink recommendations All in all ... we'll be back, hopefully soon!
(4)Alex C.
VEGAN PIZZA. And I'm not talking about weird, semi-edible, imitation pizza, I'm talking about delicious, fresh, probably-the-best-vegan-pizza-in-Boston pizza! Thank you Bella Luna for taking care of us vegans and making sure we can eat one of the best foods in the world that there is to eat.
(5)Brianna S.
SOOO I came back here for a date. I wasn't expecting too much since I didn't have a great experience food-wise before. This time what a difference!! The pizza was amazing..we got the caramelized onion, spinach and ricotta. Very yummy! And I got the ginger cocktail. Also delicious! The service was very attentive too. Only complaint was my plate had a chip in it..a minor thing to worry about, but still something to address just in case some chipped further into the food. Still pricey to me, but I wasn't paying ;)
(4)Vicky H.
One of the worst service I've had in a very long time... My friend came here a few months back, and raved about everything. We saw a deal on Groupon so why not? It was getting late so we made a reservation for 9pm. We got here and greeted by a friendly host who sat us. He brought a bottle of water over, left it on the table, and said our waiter will be with us shortly. I found it odd that he didn't pour the first glass. We asked him about the daily special and if that could be used by the Groupon. He simply said "no" dryly and left. No apologies or explained how the Groupon worked. Agitated with his attitude, I said, excuse me, we can order the appetizer first and will take a minute to decide on the entrees. My friend ordered the Chimichurri Steak, and I had the Salmon, substituted the potato with Broccoli instead. He came back and asked if i wanted the bacon with it since I didn't want the potatoes - i was confused and had forgotten what else came with so i said, yes of course. He sorta half laughed and smiled and said ok, and left again. Portion size was small for $11, but the mussels looked fresh. They were of varied sizes. The broth was very good. It came with two slices of bread that was slightly toasted (but dry) with butter/garlic. The dish was barely warm, the top of the breads were already cold. He never came to check on the mussels. When he came with the entrees he auctioned our diners. lol. He looked confused, and said, oh, i thought the chef made it wrong because there was potatoes!! Well, no, the chef got it right. I took a bite of my friends steak and it was pretty good, tender and cooked as ordered. The grilled asparagus was nice too. The bacon thing was tasty. She tried some of my food. The salmon was nicely done with a crispiness on the outside and moist inside, with a very sweet taste. The edamame/carrot mixture was pretty awful. It smelled foul and tasted funny so i pushed it aside and ate the rest. Its been 10 minutes after we were done with dinner and the waiter hasn't come over to even check on our meal. When he finally did he asked how things were. By this time, the only thing left on my plate was the edamame/carrots. I told him everything was delicious except for that and how it has a "Weird" taste and is "off". His response was, "I don't know." I looked at him quizzically - you don't know? is that all you can say to your customer?? So i said, "well, could you let your chef know? maybe there's something wrong with it? or Not fresh?" He agreed and said he would check with the chef. He never came back to let us know what the chef said and returned to asked if he could take the dishes away. Mind you - the only thing left was that awful mixture that smelled and tasted bad - so my only response was - "Well, i am not going to eat that!" so yea, he didn't apologize again but said the chef said the stuff was fresh. "Could it be the ginger you're tasting?" was his other response. GINGER?!!? when did ginger taste FOUL??? I'm Chinese. I grow up on ginger. Are you kidding me?!?! Now I am simply offended. Onwards to dessert. "Do you want dessert or something?" with an attitude after he cleared the table and never brought over a menu. He suggested "the ice cream and brownie because it was something [he] can make". My friend saw Nutella and she knows who much I love it!! He said that wouldn't be possible because the chef's had left for the night. Oh... And you're telling us this now at 10:15pm. Ok. This makes perfect sense. He also than suggested the apple crisp or something because it was "something he can throw in the oven". Why wouldn't you tell your customer that your chef's about to leave soon in case you wanted dessert to increase sales and increase your tip?!!?! So he left once again and as he was bringing the check to the table behind us, I asked for the check. We still tipped him 15% eventhough he didn't deserve it. We asked to speak to the host or a manager on the floor. We explained the entire ordeal to Anna. She apologized for his bad service and how it shouldn't have been handled. Her response to the poor meal was that "we normally would have comp'ed your meal but you have a Groupon and is already receiving a discount". She proceeded to say "I wished there was something i could do for you but other than speaking to him about the poor service and apologizing for it, there is nothing i can do. But we do hope that you will return and give us another try." ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?? NO! NO! NO!!!!! Who in their right mind would want to return with that sort of horrible service and didn't even at least offer a free meal for a future visit?! So yea.... what was supposed to be a nice evening with a close friend turned pretty bad. One of the worst service and poorest attitudes I've ever experienced in a waiter. And he wasn't even new at serving. That made it even worse. SAVE YOUR MONEY -- don't go here. :( **** had to edit a lot to make this fit the 5000 quota! :(
(1)Leah K.
As a JP resident, we all know the go-to places. But if you're me....you are lazy and haven't been to enough of them (SORRY!). We headed to Bella Luna for Trivia, which we LOVE (even though we're terrible). My boyfriend and I shared a small pizza, and he also had a side of mac and cheese. We ordered cheese pizza and we enjoyed it. It was the mac and cheese that was amazing. To me, it tasted like alfredo, but the BEST ALFREDO EVER. It tasted like parmesan and had a white sauce. Delicious! But the dish that really came out on top was their pizza with arugula. It's called the Lover's Lane. It's a white pizza with garlic oil, arugula, goat cheese, tomato, and red onion. The goat cheese MAKES the dish because it's so creamy and pairs well with the arugula and crispy crust. LOVE IT. Will be back for that Lovers Lane pizza. TO DIE FOR.
(4)Jessica F.
Mediocre food... Worse service. We have had mediocre experiences here in the past. Each time we go back we are disappointed. We live about a block from here so it's about convenience but it's so bad we will probably never come here again. Tonight our waitress took 20 minutes before she greeted us and took our order. The food took forever. We ran out of water and it took us at least 15 minutes to get her attention to bring us water. When we finished eating, it again took about 15 minutes to get her attention to wrap up our leftovers and then 30 more to get her attention to ask for our check... She walked by about 100 times with out even looking in our direction. It wasn't even that busy! Worst waitstaff ever - bella Luna, you will keep losing service if you don't get better waitstaff
(1)Kristine A.
This place has some damn good food. The best part is the fact they have vegan options. I actually remember coming here when it was in their former space. This is not the most affordable place around, feel like they have uped the prices or something. Since I am not in JP often I don't get to come here that much but it's fun for events since they do have an outdoor patio & a large room in the back. The service could be a bit better so I guess it depends on the day & time that you're there.
(4)The T.
We ordered: -Pulled-Pork nachos -1 meatball -gypsy king pizza Positives: -properly cooked pizza/meatball -properly seasoned pizza/meatball. -the pizza/pasta sauce is perfectly seasoned/cooked. A real treat. Negatives: -tiny tables for two. -customer service was fair/abrupt (server seemed slightly annoyed/in a rush/perhaps ready to go home). -pulled pork nachos (dry & under seasoned meat/ nachos not layered therefore a lack of cheese and toppings on bottom chips/nachos served on a hot plate so cheese over cooked/confusing toppings: no Latin seasonings or food preparation for the pulled pork, dill cabbage (?), and while they did serve guacamole the flavor conflicts with the other toppings. Business suggestions: -trade some smaller tables for larger ones. Don't cramp the space, better to be comfortable + slightly longer wait than to uncomfortable when eating dinner. -customer service needs work specifically in regards to customer engagement. Give your guests info/recommendations on the dishes/restaurant. Finally each guest should be made to feel they are the only customer in there. -pulled pork nachos need a focus. Make a red/green chili pulled pork, guacamole, lime soaked cabbage, house made salsa, layer your nachos/ or have one layer only, finally don't serve on hot plate the cheese burns. -focus your menu. Make what your great at. Will we return: Yes. The pizza is the reason for us to go here. The sauce is excellent, the pie and toppings were very intentional altogether, and the meatballs are worth the trip. Once they make minor improvements they will be 5 stars. Check it out!
(4)Jack K.
Really cool place. Has a good vibe. Fantastic drinks. We all loved our entrees and pizzas.
(4)Alana K.
Good beers, festive atmosphere, live music in their lounge Wednesday nights during their Fall Music Series and a plethora of other nightly activities, so take a look at their calendar online. Their Out Of This World Bean Burger lived up to its name. That lime crema... ooh, so good. The side salad was fresh and tasty. Staff was friendly. Check them out!
(4)Brian L.
Retro outer space mannn! We Groupon'd it up, a $30 for "$60" deal. The quotes are because it's actually for an appetizer and two entrees, which theoretically could total about $60, but based on the average menu prices is probably closer to 45-50. Whatevs. We chose the mussels, Nicoise salad with salmon and the ribeye steak. The bacon and leek salad with the steak was spot on. I guess you can't really go wrong with bacon, eh? The steak was pretty thin so I'm not surprised that my medium rare was a bit overdone, but c'est la vie. Overall, pretty tasty and nice cosmic vibe going on. I wouldn't mind coming back on a non-Groupon occasion. Variance (~): Line dancing on Tuesdays apparently? We were accosted by a seemingly tipsy woman who was really enthusiastic about it, but we quickly scurried away.
(4)Alisa A.
We are big fans of Bella Luna. The food is very good and at the same time we feel comfortable bringing our young child there. We tend to do a salad and pizza (the salads are big and great!) but we've had an excellent burger, amazing fig appetizers and the salmon was very good. It's a great place to bring a large group because there is space in the restaurant for a bigger group, it's easy to make reservations, parking is usually much easier than the rest of JP and the menu is large and diverse so almost anyone will be happy. They have a very nice beer menu although they have this crazy mental block against bringing a second beer. It's happened several times!!
(5)Kristina A.
Paid 10 bucks for an event and decided to sit at a table and grab a bite. Security guard was working the hostess area and couldn't help us. 10 minutes later a waitress helps us out. Horrible service. Took forever to get our drinks, take our orders, and bring our food. Got the lover's lane pizza and it was delicious. Other friends ended up joining us and she never bothered to come back and ask what they wanted to eat. What really made the night was when later sitting at the bar, the waitress decided to stand next to me and complain about how we left her a horrible tip. Got really bad bar service after that. I wonder why? The group I was with works in food service and understands how vital tips are. We tipped low because her service was deplorable.
(2)Justine J.
I photographed a wedding here in January and had a pretty awesome experience. We were in the dining/lounge area and it was pretty fantastic, aside from the back room (where the ceremony & dancing took place) smelling a bit like a cross between old beer and dried vomit (gag). We had a few of their flavors of pizza for dinner... all absolutely delicious. Cool atmosphere, too.
(4)Jennifer O.
I wanted to update my earlier review because something has definitely changed here. The staff are much better, the bartenders are great and the food has improved dramatically. I never used to order anything but the pizza but now I can order anything and know it will be good. I'm moving out of the neighborhood and I will miss this place.
(3)Lauren S.
I really like this restaurant/bar/lounge. I've never ordered a meal here that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Additional perks: they update their menu seasonally and they provide for the vegan population, at least with their pizza. They also have a number of good beers on tap. I would classify the food as New American. I've had a couple of their pizzas and they were pretty great. The crust is thin and crunchy. They have a number of "gourmet" pizza options available but you can also create your own pie. While their pizza is great, my favorites entrees have all involved pasta. At one point, they were serving mushroom ravioli, and it was fantastic! Even their regular "spaghetti with meatballs" dish was pretty good. I was impressed by their marinara sauce. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but to me it tasted homemade. There are always several really good beers on tap, and then of course, they have a larger variety in bottles. I don't drink cocktails much, but they seem to have a large drink menu. The space is kind of versatile. I think it could be good for a gathering with a group of friends or a romantic date. Overall, one of my favorite places in JP. The only issue for me is that it's not as close to a train line as I'd like it to be. It also doesn't seem to be close to much else, aside from the Sam Adams Brewery and Ula Cafe. So you'll never accidentally wander in unless you're at the brewery or the cafe. If you're in the neighborhood, make a point to try this place.
(4)A Z.
LOVED the Pizza Menino. Was here for a Ukulele meetup and the lounge atmosphere was fantastic.
(5)Caitlin S.
The pizza is inconsistent: sometimes burned, odd proportion of toppings... Service is a little too casual for my taste, the lighting inside is very dark at night. We have tried to like Bella multiple times and have not been satisfied with our experiences.
(2)Gina I.
The service was friendly but not attentive at all. It took a while to get water, bread, our meal, basically every time we needed anything... We got steak, duck, risotto and buffalo wings. The steak and buffalo wings were probably the best but it was still just okay. I am a little disappointed in the food and experience. Last time when we went the service was slightly better but the food was a lot better.
(2)Krystal L.
I really liked this place. I was visiting friends in Boston and they suggested pizza and I thought "Meh, I live in NYC" But. Damn. Was. I. wrong. Napolitano Pizza was the best. Creamy ricotta combined with salty prosciutto and olives was amazing. I can't even tell you very much about the ambience I was so engrossed in deliciousness (I remember that the outside was very nice. Very nice.) Great, great pizza.
(5)Katie H.
What a cute place. A hidden gem if I say so myself. This place has all the characteristics of a great restaurant but with unique touches. The decorations are quirky and fun. They have comfortable seating arrangements. There's outside seating... And the menu is diverse and funky. My kind of place. Cuteness factor: Their plates are handmade by customers and the workers. My plate was hand-drawn and decorated by a 12 year old. It had a sun with sunglasses and palm trees, aww. Ok, now on with the food aspect... I ordered chicken quesadillas which cost about $8 and had the works. Cheese, Guac, Sour Cream, grilled veggies. All around delicious. And a big helping too! (see picture) My friend had a grilled chicken honey mustard sandwich with sweet potato fries. I didn't try his food but gosh, those fries were some of the best I've ever had. Crispy and just the right amount of salt, but soft on the inside. And for dessert, get this: warmed up chocolate brownie with J.P. Licks vanilla/chocolate ice cream, glazed walnuts and fresh berries. That description alone should say enough. This place is again, funky/hip/cool and yet a family friendly vibe. If you're ever in JP (which is where my friend was), check this place out.
(4)Dylan T.
It's a trap This restaurant is WAY TOO expensive. The food is only so so. I have tried a lot of things on their menu and it all smells mediocre. The safest thing to get is a pizza. The atmosphere is fun and when you sit down you think your going to have an awesome experience but then your server comes over. Every time I have been to this place the server seems pissed off. The beer is pricey too don't be surprised if you spend 6 bucks fro a PBR or Narragansett. Mixed drinks are like $12 which I think is fine if you have the service and food to go along with it. Also be aware that they will charge you 20-30 dollars just to walk through the door which I think is incredible. Even if you just want to sit at the bar they will charge you! They have LAME shows that they think are worth the admission. Be careful when you're leaving too. There is a lot of crime in that parking lot and someone was stabbed recently.
(1)Sara M.
I like Bella Luna, it is a fun place to get a drink and enjoy some live music or comedy. Recently, we went to their hotdog hoedown, with unlimited hotdogs and what I thought were drinks too. It turned out you got two drink tickets, and that was it, still a pretty good deal, but not what it appeared to be. That, and the fact I got a drink in a cracked glass were my only disappointments. I like the food and the service is pretty good. Worth going for drinks.
(4)Mary V.
Bella Luna is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant with excellent food. I particularly love the kale Caesar salad with added grilled salmon, and the lover's lane pizza. The daily specials are usually delicious! I have always found the service to be excellent.
(5)Lisa T.
Worst experience in a long time. To start the hostess put me and the other person in a tight corner that for whatever reason gets no service from the employees. The hostess was nice enough to let us know the special and that the menus were new. She didn't let us know who was serving us and neither did the server herself. I work in the restaurant industry and I know the way things are supposed to go. It took the server 5 mins before she came to the table. When she came I knew what I wanted and made it as simple as it could be. The lady I was with inquired more about the special. She didn't ask for id when my friend ordered an alcoholic beverage. When our food came it was all wrong. I asked one of the bussers after 2 mins to grab my server because she was no where to be found. I told her again what I wanted. She questioned it saying so you wanted nothing other than what you asked for? I was confused as if I wanted something other than what I asked for. I wanted nothing on the sandwich other than meat and lettuce. How hard is that? The 2nd time the fries were burnt and seemed like the end of the bag. We had enough at this point, asked for a manager, who we never met, but he/she covered the bill and it this was the worst experience yet.
(1)Mark H.
It's the place you used to love and want to still love but ... just ... can't. we've been around for a long time - since this place was in hyde square. we've been there dozens of times. but over the last couple years, the attitude and the service has deteriorated so badly that we just can't go there anymore. other yelpers are correct: waitstaff seems disinterested, water and bread are missing and then not refilled. Failure to check back - or even be available for flagging down. etc etc. As a restaurant, the place has trended more toward entertainment and away from neighborhood eatery in recent years. I suppose that makes sense given the other observations - too hipster, problems with bouncers and/or bartenders etc. A restaurant wouldn't and shouldn't have those issues. The food is mediocre at best, the service poor, and the attitude (from the top down) is palpable. Young servers, bartenders and managers - many of whom seem more interested in socializing than pleasing the customer. The negative comments here on Yelp are significant and, sadly, accurate. Ciao Bella Luna. I will miss you - or rather what you used to be.
(1)Marie R.
I love that atmosphere this place has, the lights are low and the decorations are cool they have star light fixtures. Its really nice to have a date the volume is not very high. The waitresses are very friendly and down to earth. it used to be on centre st but the new location is way nicer. I wish i had taken a pic of my meal cuz it was pretty darn good. For apps me and my friend had the pulled pork nachos which are delicious, the portion was good but i thought it could have used some more pork. for my meal i got the chicken sandwich aka "el toro" with sweet potato fries. It was very good the chipotle sauce is yummy my only complaint is that the chicken is pretty thick for the sandwich but the sandwich is damn good. the fries are not extra crispy but they are good not greasy. overall my meal was good i was so stuffed!!!
(4)C S.
Another place in my neighborhood I wanted to love but... The first time I went I was unimpressed: my drink was okay but the service at the bar was just average. I ordered a side of fries and I remember it being very small for the price. The second time I was disappointed: I ordered the fall Spinach salad which sounded yummy with caramelized onions, toasted pumpkin seeds, apples, and warm goat cheese. But the goat cheese wasn't warm and came in ice-cream looking balls. I had nothing to scoop it up with, and I couldn't mix it in my salad. I asked for bread, which I did get, but the money I spent there still felt like a lot compared to the quality of the experience.
(3)Anthony Z.
I really enjoy my time here with my lady. We both were served very well and the food was good. My future wife is happy here and I am too..... Oh ... Carey D was our waitress and she as great.
(5)Piper P.
Friday date night out tonight with a Groupon, and Milky Way was the place. There was a private party happening in part of the lounge - very festive with holiday lights and decor (not tacky) and an overall trendy vibe. The cocktail list was creative, and the food was beyond expectation. I had the HALF MOON BAY FARFALLE (scallops, diced asparagus & grape tomatoes in basil white wine sauce served over farfalle) and my date had the AMORY STREET RIBEYE (grilled 10 oz ribeye steak w/ warm potatoes, bacon & leek salad w/ grilled asparagus). Both were very good. No room for dessert. I give a 4 star to places I would return on a regular basis and save 5 for outstanding. I would give Milky Way a 3.5 if it was an option. My feeling is that it's a reliable restaurant, the drinks are good (if not a tad overpriced), and it's worth checking out if you're on the fence!
(3)Abby F.
Absolutely love this restaurant! It helps that it's right near my apartment, but I would be willing to travel here as well. Their food is always good (love the brewery burger with the truffle fries ON it), and their drink selection leaves nothing to be desired. Sitting outside on their patio on a warm day is very relaxing, and they seem to always have some sort of event going on, whether it be live music, dance lessons, book club, trivia night, and more. The waitstaff is very nice and attentive, and the owner is usually around somewhere and is also very nice.
(5)Rebecca S.
Great experience! The service was fantastic. The atmosphere is great. Only thing is the menu is pretty pricey. However, the food was delicious and you definitely get bang for your buck when it comes to the cocktails, so it's worth it. Brought some friends there tonight, they're first time there and they were very impressed.
(4)Jean P.
Overpriced.
(2)Doug M.
We just had a wonderful dinner at Bella Luna. I hadn't been there since it moved from Hyde Square, but I saw that it had a Gluten-Free pizza, so i said "Let's have dinner there tonight." And we're glad we did. The pizza was amazing - certainly the best I've had since i went G-F 18 months ago. And when I get pizza w/no cheese (as I have for 20 years), it's often dry and clearly missing something (a lot, really). This pizza was succulent; w/whole tomatoes it was so moist, and the vegetables were tasty. Even my gluten & cheese eating spouse loved it. [After we left she admitted "I'm really starting to appreciate pizza w/out cheese."] We also had the best sweet potato fries I've ever had. The bean burger was only ok, but it would have been much better if it had been cooked till it was a little crispy - whether fried, broiled or baked. It seemed to be uncooked, which I've found at a couple other restaurants too [I'm not a fan]. And they unfortunately had no G-F bread to eat it on [I should've have brought some from home.] And they forgot my stir-fried broccoli. I topped it off w/some good blueberry sorbet. The Vegan & G-F choices were limited, and the overlap between the two was even more limited, but I'll definitely go again. And the service was excellent! Next time I'll order the pizza, sweet potato fries & a salad, and I'll be happy to give them 4 stars again!
(4)Michael R.
Living on nearby Lamartine Street in JP means that Bella Luna's a regular spot for Ashley E. and I, so we've been a little over a half dozen times for lunch/dinner and about the same number for just drinks. On the bright side: -Spicy stuffed cherry peppers w/ mozz. and pepperoni - Prepare to have your mouth and tastebuds lit aflame. In a good way though. -El Toro chicken sandwich - Enormous in size and in taste. You won't leave even the slightest bit hungry after this monstrosity. -Decor - Hip, space-themed, and comfortable. Very cool place to grab a bite to eat at, especially after downing a few or more samples at the nearby Sam Adams. -Flatbreads: Usually delicious, and the variety (especially the white pizza variety) is both creative and extensive. On the dim side: -The service: Sometimes it's great, and other times it's dismal. We've had well more than expected waits for food on several occasions. On one occasion, over an hour just for a quesadilla...which was definitely average...come on guys. -Flatbreads: Sometimes inconsistent. One of my favorites is the Latin Quarter. Sometimes it's melty and delicious, others it's on the messy side and lukewarm. To summarize: The food is usually delicious, and the service is a little spotty, but a little more consistency and you've got an extremely solid space-themed joint. If you're debating going for the frequently offered groupon, I would pull the trigger, especially if you've never been. But, just make sure you're not pressed for time. And also, definitely get those cherry peppers. Damn, those things are tasty.
(3)Becky D.
Fun place with lots of unique pizzas and other yummy options. Cool vibe with a nice bar and good drink selection. Service was a bit slow but we were there on a Trivia night.
(4)Vijtibble A.
used to bowl at the milky way when it was up on centre street over a decade ago. the new location looked cool so i decided to check it out. i entered through the main doors of the brewery, between ula and blmw. i grabbed a table by the bar but nobody came over to give me a menu or anything. so i asked a busboy what to do. he said the hostess station is at the front. didn't i come in through the front? no, the front is the back. you are in magical reverso land here at blmw. the hostess said we could sit at tall tables outside to drink but not eat, and if we wanted to eat we'd need to wait 45 minutes for a table. i felt like, huh? eat me? candies in a box grow big and tall? so we went to the bar to try to get a drink, because that's a nice thing to do but the wait staff kept grabbing my waist and saying "'scuse me hon" and kind of sliding me over and out of their way. i was just trying to get a drink. so we left. not planning on coming back. too many rules. i shouldn't have to try so hard to give them my money.
(1)Veronika P.
Great, STRONG cocktails and delicious pizza - so that sounds about perfect to me. The inside is a little dark but the decor is lovely. I've been here once for dance night and it was a good time.
(5)Maggie R.
Everyone who appreciates the fine food, struggles with the noise volume at Bella Luna. The acoustics are painful. But when the food is so good, its worth it to ignore the din of conversations, waitstaff, etc. Our service was excellent, and the flavors of the pumpkin ravioli and spinach salad were wonderful. What is puzzling is the over-priced dishes of ice cream offered for dessert. The menu and wait staff boast about serving JP Licks ice cream; but the price of the ice cream was almost double the cost from the servings at JP Licks. These were half the size of the kid size cone/dishes on Centre Street; but cost $2.50. (And while I'm commenting on desserts...the coconut cannoli definitely needs more coconut!) Great appetizers, salads, entrees and service : ) Disappointing desserts : (
(4)Melissa F.
OH.OH.OH. I am literally salivating thinking about the sandwich I had here. The "El Toro" chicken sandwich is so freaking good. Kinda like a chicken parm sandwich minus the marinara and with lots of prosciutto. I ordered it with sweet potato fries and that was bananas. We got the calamari to start and that was good as well. Yum
(4)Jason L.
Artisinal pizza? When she bit into a superheated cherry tomato, molten liquid tomato lava burst out and burned her tongue. Bummer. Otherwise the pizza was good, with a nice homemade crust and nearly enough arugula (or whatever) on top. Service was so-so, and I had some trouble getting more booze into my gullet, but that was probably for the best. We enjoyed the large, very nice outdoor area and wasted away a mild late summer evening.
(4)Jamie W.
Tried the vegan mushroom linguini. It was okay but nothing special. Rather bland in taste and overpriced for what it was. The service was quite slow to the point that the waiter said he almost forget us with regard the drink order. Nice outdoor seating and I likes the indoor decor. Will come back for one of the music nights and maybe try one if the pizzas which looked good. But nothing special.
(3)Kacey B.
The best food and drinks. Bar is a tiny size but selection is excellent for beer. Liquor selection could be better. No matter what food you order there's a very high chance you will enjoy it, the chefs are right on. I will say the music selection has been awful every time I have been in there though, as I'm not a fan of country or dance/pop. Excellent for a date or with a friend. Great atmosphere for the artsy vibe.
(4)Fernanda P.
We ordered fried calamari as appetizer. We asked the waitress for recommendations and she mentioned about how she likes the sauce on the side, we should've remembered to order with the sauce on the side, but I feel like she could've asked. Calamari was soggy and not tasty. I, personally, don't like calamari but when it's tasty I eat it all. My boyfriend loves calamari and he didn't like that one. I ordered the pork chops, and asked to switch Russell sprouts to asparagus. The food was delicious but they used A LOT of oil. Cook could be more attentive bc the food was pretty much soaked in oil. My boyfriend ordered a pizza and also, waitress could've asked about the size. He was expecting the big one and she brought the small size. He ordered the napolitano and although the ingredients sounded amazing the pizza was ok. Waitress was nice, but could have been more attentive. Decent food,nice environment, not my favorite place though.
(3)Leesha Z.
Yummy cocktails. Friendly, attentive bartenders. I came here on a Friday night with a friend around 9:30. The place was pretty busy but we got to grab a couple seats at the bar. We both ordered cocktails which the bartender actually suggested for us when we said we wanted whiskey. The drinks were delicious and strong. As for the atmosphere, it was nice but more of a place to chill rather than dance or anything like that.
(4)Naomi K.
Bella Luna was a busy night on Friday. They had a cover and a dance floor. Had the local Sam Adams brew with a cherry flavor- reminded me of the kids lip balm. Odd shaped bar, slower service on the busy nights. Had to leave the are to get to the bathrooms, which allowed for a little breathing room..the bar section was quite big but stopped serving food earlier, so we weren't able to try it. The dance room in the back had a sad low stage, nothing much to dance on. People were getting into the random array of music. The DJ was all over the place as far as genre.
(3)D P.
$7 Guiness. Enough said. You can get a cheaper Guiness at Faneiul Hall. Screw this place.
(2)Jeff V.
I had never been here before, but Bella Luna was recommended to my fiancee and I by a friend. We decided to try it out when we saw a GroupOn for it. I have to say that the deal was awesome, but even at full price I would have been very happy after eating here. Our waitress (I think her name was Emma) was great--very friendly and attentive. I was happy to see the beer selection which includes Sam Adams fresh from the brewerey next door. They offered a great variety of food too. We started with a veggie quesadilla for an appetizer and both really liked it. It came with guac, salsa and sour cream. I really wanted a burger, so that's what I got. I added avocado and cheese to it and picked a side salad, and my fiancee got the Half Moon Bay Farfalle which is scallops and vegetables in a white wine sauce over bow tie pasta. When our meals arrived, the first thing I noticed was my side salad--it was rolled up in thinly sliced cucumber--really cool! I know its just a side salad, but the presentation was great. The burger itself was great too and the avocado topper was a half of an avodado. I'm not into seafood, but my fiancee loved her dish too. I will definitely come back here.
(5)Chelsea P.
Seriously amazing. Cool environment, tasty foods and a great night! Perfect for friends, date night etc... Not too loud, not too elegant but a nice environment The calamari was just absolutely delicious My boyfriend and I both had nightly specials, which were great. We will be coming back!
(5)Renee R.
This place is super close to my house and I've been here twice now. Totally loving it. First time: Butternut Squash Raviolis in the walnut sage sauce. SO good, even leftover. Second time: Salmon, plus tried some of the Gypsy King pizza. Super good. The Wings of Desire with the sweet chili sauce were super yummy too. Atmosphere is also fun; great date spot in my opinion, and the service is really prompt too. Love that I can make a reservation at like 9:30pm directly from Yelp -- that helps. I haven't tried to go there for any of their music features or other themed nights, but might try it out!
(4)Dan C.
Hmm, we seemed to have had a different experience than most here. The deviled eggs to start were fantastic, but then things went downhill. The pizza had the flavor and floppy texture of a microwave pizza. Bean burger and salads were not bad but not great. The service was awful, we were basically ignored all night: the whole meal went by with empty water and beer glasses, and my friends pizza came out 15 minutes after I got my burger, I was basically done with it by then. Top things off with a bill with three extra items we didnt order on it. All in all not the best dinner outing...
(2)Christine S.
This was just a hot mess of a dinner. i dont like to be a hater, because maybe this was just an off night, or the waiter was overwhelmed (but it didnt seem that way), but soo many things went wrong. 4 of us showed up at 9pm on friday for a late dinner and drinks. we were told that the wait would be 30 mins since we didnt have a reservation, which was fine with us, we werent in a hurry. but our buzzer went off in 5 minutes- yay! so far so good. we were seated, and the waiter promptly took our beer and app orders... everything was great until after we ordered our entrees. the waiter never returned to see if we wanted refills after we finished our beers/waters, and was nowhere to be found. and when he did pop up, he tended to other tables and ignored us. we failed to get his attention so we just sat there, beerless. all of the food came out at different times, and normally i dont care if it's just a couple of minutes. that's fine. but they totally forgot about my pizza. first, my friend's burger arrived... then 5 minutes later two more dishes appeared... and another 5 minutes later the waiter returned to check on things. i said i was still waiting on my pizza and he said he would check on it. five minutes after that it arrived, and was very bland. the crust had a microwaved texture. almost 20 minutes passed between when the first dish arrived and the last. then when we finally received the check, there were three(!) additional entrees on it that we never ordered. it then took a while to flag down the waiter to make the change and bring us a new bill. ugh.
(2)Jennifer H.
I have been hearing about Bella Luna and it's split personality, Milky Way, from friends living in JP for years. Therefore, I was pretty excited to try it when I visited the Samuel Adams Brewery last month. Speaking of which, this place is perfectly situated to reap the benefits of hungry beer lovers either waiting for their tour or looking for some grub to sop up all that beer they just sampled while drinking even more beer. Oh yes, Bella Luna serves Sam Adams on tap, of course -- including the limited edition Brick Red. I was impressed with the food. The menu was varied and unique; the prices were reasonable. Both my friend and I chose the crab cake BLT, and what a great choice it was. A delicious, large crab cake topped with applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo on a sandwich bun. I devoured the whole thing, along with the waitress-recommended sweet potato fries. Our dining companions had a burger and pizza, and they were happy with both. The service was a tad slow, but not slow enough to prevent me from a return visit. Plus, I love the vibe of this place -- funky, old warehouse -- and I would love to go back at night to experience the awesomeness that is the Milky Way Lounge. Bathrooms were a bit of a downer as it was a hike to find them (it was almost like they were in an adjoining building), but for once the men's room had a line while us ladies walked right in.
(4)Sherri Q.
I have to say looking at all the "one" star ratings, I really feel the same. The service is horrible, and has been consistently. It's too bad because the space is great, but very little pour on the drinks (actually I sell houses in and around the neighborhood) and brought a client last week. Had a huge crack in my martini glass, not only did the bartender pour back what I had left from that glass, but when I asked the waitress to bring it back, it was the same thing. She said "this bartender is very particular about his pour". Really?? I cut my finger and almost cut my lip. Manager did come over and actually got me the right pour finally, and a free dessert. Wow. Honestly, what good is this site if the owners/managers don't do any thing about the consistent poor ratings?
(1)Meg N.
Went here on a Thursday night after going to a Sam Adams open house - just a short walk away which was very convenient because we were hungry! We went in the back way (near the bathrooms - which clean) and found the host stand. We had a couple minute wait so found some seats at the bar and then he came over shortly afterwards. He asked if we wanted to watch the game and sat us at a high top next to the bar area which was really nice because we could watch the game very easily. We both ordered the 22oz pumpkin beer special with sugared rim (yum). And then ordered deviled eggs and bruschetta to share. We also ordered the harvest apple pizza - all were good but the pizza was amazing. On top of that we got our whole meal and drinks for under $30 each which was really nice when compared with downtown prices. Our waiter and waitress were very good and we didn't have any complaints with service (I've noticed in other reviews) - water refills came quickly, food didn't come too fast and they poured the beer for us when it looked low. Also- you don't get rushed out of the place because they are trying to turn over tables.
(4)David V.
I went to a fundraiser event here recently and I was impressed. All I had was the gourmet pizza (several varieties of it), and it was delicious! The restaurant/lounge is very spacious, and judging by how crowded it was on a Wednesday night, I bet it gets pretty packed on the weekends. One of the co-owners actually donated the space and the pizza for this event. It is nice to see that this restaurant supports the community, and that makes me like the place even more.
(5)Lindsey R.
This was my first time going to Jamaica plains and I stumble upon this place for a brunch spot before going to the Sam Adams brewery. I ordered a black bean burger with Vermont cheddar with a side salad. It came out and the portion was quite big and the burger was delicious! The sweet potato fries were good and the chicken burger looked yummy as well. Definitely would recommend their food. Casual yet hip atmosphere and a cool mix of customers. The only down side was the staff. Our waiter was friendly but we could barely understand him and I had to ask several times for water refills before he got to it. We later came back to the bar for a beer and the selection was quite nice, although the bartender was slow and not very friendly. Overall great food, nice atmosphere, good prices but lacking in the service department.
(4)Jeremy B.
I always take JP for granted, until I move to places like Vermont--which I love, but a lot of those hip trendy coffee house/bistro/eclectic venues? JP kinda does it better, in a lot of ways (like having actual diversity in its community). One exemplary place might be Bella Luna/milky way, where I've been going since [wait---as I write this, the bartender walks by and says "here's some free pizza", walks off. Have another star, sirs and ma'ams]....since going to see Babaloo and Mary Mary's karaoke throughout my early 20's, over in Hyde Square. Babaloo and Mary are gone, but this place is still awesome. Still sort of counter culture without being kitschy, still diverse, still ecclectic, but without a chip on its shoulder. Now, why am I really writing this review? Oh, that'd be the Fried. Clam. Taco. I came, I ate it, I wanted 4 more, but showed some restraint for once in my goddamn life. No, actually I got a margarita, t'hell with restraint. Maybe I had a beer too, is that possible? I just didn't have the money for 4 more tacos. Anyhoo, this was one of those instances where some chef person took a street food (taco) added a regional ingredient (fried clam), and just absolutely nailed it, so well that it felt absurd that nobody had done this before--or if they had, they must have screwed up bad, because this seems too perfect to not be ubiquitous in a few years. No fancy nothin', just clam, taco, crema, avocado, cabbage--think baja style fish taco (no, no fancy mayo, you heathen...keep your cock-sauce off of my clam taco). This is the kind of thing where, were I in Vermont, I'd be saying "(in whiny voice) mehhhh, why did they do this blabla like that bla bla, this isn't LA/Brooklynn blablabla". [Kale taco and broccoli taco?! You know who you are, El Cortijo]. But this thing just sang in my face hole, and I forgot about words like fusion, authenticity and foodie concerns and other such bullshit. Then the dude gave me pizza. I'm coming back on taco night.
(5)Kathy A.
This is more of a 3.5 review. Ambiance alone this place is a 5 star joint. It's well decorated, really laid back and fun. Note to self: when in need of massive portions of food and feeling cheap GO TO Bella Luna. I went to this restaurant with a large group so we tried a lot of different things off of the menu and basically everything was HUGE and so reasonably priced if not on the cheap side. Most of the food was pretty good too. The only things I would definitely say to avoid is the Mac and Cheese. It was super bland. Also, unless you REALLY like your greens the salads are mainly a big pile of greens and not so much of the different toppings. The Heart Beets, Mediterranean Duet, and BBQ Cheese Fries are all pretty good appetizers. The Burrito and Burger are all tasty too and the sweet potato fries you can get with them are okay. The Salmon dish is decent. The fish itself is pretty good, but the thyme risotto it's served on top of is flavorless. We didn't get any pizzas sadly, but they all look delicious. Plus you can design your own or turn any of them into a calzone. Overall, not the most incredible meal of my life, but decent food for a very good price and a great atmosphere!
(3)Lea C.
The bf and I came here for NYE/my b-day celebration as it seemed like the most fun and reasonably-priced option in Boston where restaurants try to seriously gouge on New Year's (here, pre fixe 3-course for $40). To begin, it's in a totally accessible location. There's a parking lot and the T is down the street. For NYE there was a special Mad Men-themed menu with a suggestion to dress the part (which we totally did and had a great time with it) and also a separate party in the lounge that cost $20 at the door. We came in for our dinner reservation at 10:00 PM, but with talking, drinking, and perusing the menu, we started eating at around 11:00, which was fine with us since all the good stuff happens at midnight. The drinks were good. There was some sort of mix-up with our appetizers which later affected our dinner. I got a salad with dijon vinaigrette, candied walnuts, and pears and the bf got tuna tartar. He liked his tartar, and I thought my salad was out of this world delicious, especially the vinaigrette. Next, I had the duck a l'orange with black rice and bok choy and the bf had a steak with a gorgonzola sauce, roasted potatoes, and asparagus. Because of the earlier mix-up, our food was cold. Luckily, it was also still delicious. My duck was well seasoned and the sauce was delicious (though I wanted more of it). The black rice had candied orange peel in it, which was a nice touch. The bok choy was also yummy and tender. The bf loved his steak, but barely touched his veggies. I took a potato from his plate that was covered in gorgonzola sauce and was instantly hooked. That sauce was RIDICULOUS. Like one of the most delicious things I have ever put into my mouth. I then proceeded to eat the rest of those potatoes, relishing every bite. For dessert, I had orange mousse and the bf had a chocolate cake. I thought that my mousse was not dense enough and was lacking something I couldn't put my finger on, plus the strawberries listed on the menu. We switched desserts halfway in, and I gotta say I lurved that chocolate cake. It was light and delicious. Though the restaurant was notified that we were celebrating a birthday, it was never acknowledged (until the waitress apologized to me after dinner was finished and the check had been paid). Also, I had assumed that a champagne toast would be part of the NYE dinner, which it was not, and we had to ask (and pay) for one a couple minutes before midnight. The manager comped one of our dinners since they were cold, which we appreciated. We walked over to the lounge where there was a live performance after dinner, but basically never received any of the things allegedly included in our $20 admission: gift bags, party favors, etc. The music was good, and we had a couple drinks (which were fairly reasonable) after winning a space at the bar, but after that we were basically done and left around 1:30 so that we could still catch the T home. All in all, the evening was kind of hit or miss, but the hits were good enough that we'll probably end up coming back some time for dinner.
(3)Laura C.
What is up with the music at Bella Luna?? We had a otherwise perfectly fine meal nearly ruined by 14 yearold top forty music blaring that was all from like 8 years ago. Example: Nelly Furtado w/ Timbaland and it only got worse,much worse, from there, It became comical almost designed to drive customers out the door.We had groupon for 40$ for two people, the food,ordered a Simple Simon pizza and a Hart of Hearts salad with Grilled chicken was fine to good and we ordered 3 drinks between us to cover the groupon -were told they were not covered by the groupon so we couldn't use it as our food only came to 18$THIS was not the problem tho, the music was so bad we could not stand to stay for dessert!
(2)Jenny W.
My boyfriend and I went to Bella Luna a few weeks ago, with our groupon of course, and to our surprise, it was fantastic. The service was on point, the food was fantastic, and I was even persuaded to try something new! We ordered the mussels as an appetizer, the maple chicken, and the gnocchi. I had never had mussels before, but they were surprisingly delightful. It was a good balance of savory and salty. The chicken was very delicious, It was well fried and well cooked. I only wish they served more chicken with the dish! The gnocchi was also well prepared, except the sausage was shredded instead of cut into pieces. It was a bit confusing at first because we thought they forgot to add it, but it was there. Our waitress was happy to explain that it was shredded and also was able to have some more added to the dish. We enjoyed the fact that a bottle of water was left at our table so we could replenish ourselves at our own pace. It was well worth the groupon and will be well worth the money once this promotion is out! The space is very intimate, the lighting is dim, but everything is still visible. It was perfect for a date night. The restaurant is also very trendy and we very much enjoyed being greeted by one of the old school arcade games. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jason H.
Cool enough place to hang- funky atmosphere and great beer selection... Pretty much stops there. Food is pretty bland and underwhelming. Unless you're going for an event (which they seem to have a lot of), just don't see much reason to go back as I can get what they have, and then some, elsewhere.
(3)Shana K.
Great food, marvelous service. Excellent kids menu and they loved drawing on the paper tablecloths. So rare to find a place that's wonderful for kids and adults.
(5)Rayan S.
Many great experiences have been had here. Whether it is going for dinner, dancing on a weekend with some electronic music (random event!), or sitting at the bar and having the best habanero infused tequila I have ever had; it has always been a wonderful place for me. Worth a visit on weekends, especially if you are going on the Sam Adams brewery tour right behind this place.
(5)Daisy C.
Sunday night, 7pm. Bella Luna was decently busy, but we were seated quickly. One of the friendly owner's took our orders and was very knowledgeable about the wine selection. We ate, we were happy, we left an hour later. Service: Despite not being too busy of a night, service was some what slow. Our drinks were fast but ordering for dinner was slow and ordering for desserts was even slower. Our foods were brought by different waiters each time, I didn't mind so much since all of them were friendly. We have never been at a restaurant for over an hour, but I don't think I can complain since the decor and atmosphere was really nice. Food: Flavorful. Good amount. My boyfriend had the meatballs and said he's never tasted better meatballs before. I had the Chicken Saltinbocca and I never looked back! Good job chefs! Brownie dessert was deliciously consumed. Decor: Dimmed star lights, red walls and brick exposure gave off a romantic feel to it which was perfect for the celebration of our anniversary. The bar was full of happy people and everyone soaked off that energy, including us. Prices were reasonable. Parking was a little hard to find and we were surprised. Overall, we enjoyed the experience and we will come back to try their fried mac n cheese! :)
(4)Shane G.
They have a few whiskies worth drinking at the bar. The pizza should be avoided at all costs. The crust was not only wet, but the dry spots weren't even crusty like a cornicione should be. It either had too much shortening in it or not enough gluten in the flour, I can't tell. Also, be wary of what you're ordering. We got the La Bella Luna pizza, which advertised white pie w/ tomatoes, fresh basil, buffalo mozzarella... first, the pie had tomato sauce on it and when queried the manager insisted that they were "crushed tomatoes" and they used too much. No discount for complaining about being mislead, mind you, just an argument that crushed tomatoes were somehow different than tomato sauce and that even though the pie was completely red it was still considered a "white pie". It's wet and spreads like an amorphous liquid = sauce... but hey what do I know? Taht trip to Naples really confused the heck out of me, I guess. I really doubt the buffalo mozz was real too, though the massive sprinkling of dried up basil kind of squashed the ability to taste anything other than anise and cheap canned tomato. We also had the Once in a Blue Moon which advertised mashed potatoes. The potatoes were cubed and boiled to hell, definitely not mashed. Take any statement in the menu with a giant grain of salt but don't forget to save some for the actual food; it needs lot of salt (and prayer) too. Now Halloween IS just around the corner so if you're looking for a real horrorshow meal try the vegan pie. The cheese tastes like the fake disgusting part of boxed mac and cheese mix without any of the obvious cheese flavor. The wheat ribbons were indescribable. One of the most confusing things I've eaten. Ever. Even the garlic was out of place. If you're coming here after a Sam Adam's tour, take the tour a few more times and stock that liver up on free beer before even thinking about coming here.
(1)Tommy B.
GROUPON! Checked this place out on a whim about a month ago. I feel bad because I can't tell you exactly what my meal was but here's what went down. Bought the groupon, we made a reservation but not sure if it was necessary, found parking in the lot without a problem and made our way in. We were seated right away and within moments we placed our drink orders and ordered calamari as a starter. In addition our water was poured for us and this cool glass bottle was left on the table if we needed a refill. The calamari came out and It was delicious and for that alone we have been there twice now and will now be just as happy paying full price vs groupon deal. I wish I could tell you exactly what our meals were but I had some sort of steak special and that was also great.
(5)Kelly O.
So disappointed with the new Milky Way. The old place was fab (bowling & drinking = awesomeness), but the new place, not so much. The promise of skeeball and live music/dancing drew me here, but upon arrival, not only was the band that night just horrible (and they only played the most depressing holiday songs too, double suck) and the 'dance room' a tiny brick prison cell, but there was NO SKEEBALL. We asked a server, and apparently some drunk idiots decided it would be fun to throw the balls at eachother and ruin it for the rest of us. Fail. I haven't had the food, drinks are standard, atmosphere is more like a restaurant now than a bar. I'll probably find myself back here at some point (maybe in the summer when the promise of outdoor patio drinking lures us back), but I will forever mourn the old Milky Way, as I'm sure most of us will.
(2)Ellie W.
I have to say, I've never actually ventured into JP for food or really, much else. Always just seemed too out of the way. But my friend who lives in the area took me here for dinner, and it was actually quite good. The Latin pizza--chicken, avocado, jalapeno peppers--SO GOOD! I had to try the butternut squash ravioli (I guess it's my version of mac n' cheese--I have to try it everywhere I see it on a menu), and that wasn't half bad. It was a bit too salty--not as heavenly as the butternut squash ravioli at Giacomo's in the Back Bay. They must put crack or MSG or something insanely addictive in it, it's that good. However, if you don't have the ridiculously high standards for butternut squash ravioli that I do, you'll probably enjoy it. This is a nice casual spot to grab some drinks and food. Good service, relaxed atmosphere, and yummy pizza that leaves you (almost--come on, you're in public here, maybe when nobody is watching) licking your fingers.
(4)Owen C.
a little pricey, but very tasty. fun for a group of people. good drink selection and good food to follow.
(4)Jenn S.
We went to Bella Luna last night with some friends who were visiting from out-of-town. I had not been to The Milky Way since it was in the old location, so it was nice to see this new little "center." Very cute and I think they can do a lot with it. When we first walked in, there were 2 people waiting to be seated. We waited, they waited... We all waited some more. FINALLY, the hostess came to sit us and we had to explain we were 2 separate parties. She almost sat us first. Once that debacle was over, we were sat in an odd configuration of half booth, have table. We thought it was a bit odd and when our friends met us, they commented on it too. But that atmosphere is supposed to be fun and "out of this world," so we went with it. We all started off with a drink - I got a nice glass of Riesling and my husband got the Same Adams Pumpkin Ale. The bread was a bit hard on the outside, but nice and soft inside. The butter could have used some softening... For our food, he went with the burger (the fries were quite tasty, but I didn't try the burger) and in an effort to be healthy, I went with the Chicken Piccata (Tender chicken sauteed with shallots, garlic, lemon, capers & white wine tossed with linguini). It was a nice big bowl of linguini with already-chopped chicken in a more creamy sauce than I wanted. However, I polished off the entire thing, so it was obviously good! Our friend got the Pizza Menino (pepperoni, italian sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions), which was apparently quite tasty and her husband got the Better Than Your Momma's Meatballs (Homemade italian meatballs, marinara, parmesan linguini, grilled garlic bread), as his mom apparently makes AWESOME meatballs. He said they were quite good, but different and way bigger (these things were HUGE!). We don't live too far from JP, but we never go there. I would definitely go back to try some of the other options (everything on the menu looks good!) and definitely the pizza.
(4)Julie K.
We came to Bella Luna as a last minute decision to eat out tonight, and we had a great time. The food was great, and the drinks were excellent. I'm allergic to wheat, so sometimes it's a pain in the neck to eat out, but there were several things on the menu that I could eat, and the dish I ordered was excellent! We often get take out from Bella Luna, and I love the gluten free pizza they make. I would like it if they would put *more* of each topping on the pizza, though. Their salads are also consistently delicious.
(5)Amanda R.
This is a wonderful neighborhood spot! The food and drinks are quite good and, for the quality, well-priced. During the day, it can get a little hectic with families and kids, but I'm happy to have a relatively hip spot that families can go to in the neighborhood. At night they have dancing, DJs, comedy, and more. Very good for reservations for large groups, too.
(4)Jessica K.
I live around the corner from Bella Luna, and I've finally gotten to the point where the horribleness outweighs the convenience. Here's what I can say consistently about Bella Luna: you will always wait forever at the eternally empty hostess stand (seriously, they even have a weird Spencer Gifts-type electricity ball set up to entertain you for what they seem to acknowledge is an unnatural amount of time). You will also wait forever for your server to take your order/the food runner to bring your food/your server to check on you/your server to bring the bill. I think this is less because the servers are bad and more because this place seems dreadfully understaffed, but either way it's not fun. Also--kids. Fucking everywhere. And I mean, trust me, I get it. You got kids but still wanna have a night out, sure. And there are indeed some well-behaved kids that blend right into the atmosphere and don't bother anyone. But something about Bella Luna (I'm guessing it's a combo of ample mini-van parking and abundance of over-priced pasta on the menu) seems to attract the parents who think it's funny when their little darling runs over your toes on his scooter, or think it's cute when the kid is running around your table in circles, or decide to play the "I'm ignoring you, you can't control me" game while their kid screams in the other patrons' ears for 20 minutes. My last visit though, is what sent me over the edge. I ordered the soup, which, it said on the menu, was served with bread. Warm, delicious bread. You know when you order something based almost entirely upon a minor detail? That was me with this soup. I couldn't wait to dip that bread alllll up in it. Of course, not only did the bread never come, but I also had the added perk of getting a really bad attitude from two different people about it. When I (politely) asked the food runner for the bread when he came with the soup, he said "uhh... let me see if I can find you some," as if being asked to find bread in a restaurant was like being asked to find thimbles full of sand in a lush African jungle. He proceeded to disappear into the night forever. When our server came back to check on us 15 mins later, she said, with a grimace, that she "heard I was looking for bread," but unfortunately, there was NO MORE BREAD. Anywhere. No bread anywhere in this huge restaurant that serves bread to every table, except ours, before they even order. I reminded her that I wanted it because it was, you know, in the menu's description of my meal, and not because I was some sort of horrible monster, and she just grimaced. We sat there eating for over an hour, which is about 3X the amount of time it takes bread to cook in an already-hot brick oven, but no bread ever came. I know this sounds petty as all get-out, but paying for the privilege of being treated like you're some kind of jackass is really not my scene. (Also, our server was wearing an American Apparel dress, sans bra, that was so short I could practically see her uterus. I'm no prude, but, seriously? ...At work? Not super appetizing.) In summation: I think there are a lot better places to get a mediocre $12 plate of pasta. But if you're looking to get a lovely cocktail and sit at the bar past kiddie-bedtime, it's a pretty good choice (the bartenders are all great).
(2)Mallory S.
I wished I lived near the Brewery building - gym, pizza and coffee all in one location! This place has a good atmosphere/fun decor, and great service (attentive but not in your face/obnoxious). They give you complimentary bread and olive oil. We ordered mozzarella sticks, a small Latin Quarter pizza ($12, avocado, bacon, chicken, jalepeno) and a small ? ($9, ricotta, spinach, caramelized onions). Everything was yummy! Especially the Latin Quarter - my fave! It was wayyy too much food for 2 people so we took the rest home. Beers were $5.50 each (cherry wheat on tap is always nice) 4 beers, 2 small pizzas and mozzarella sticks came to $60 (including tax and tip).
(4)Ernest L.
It's an ok place while waiting for a Sam Adams Tour. I think it's the closest bar to the brewery. It's a little pricey and the bartenders wear plaid.
(3)Erica M.
There were a few people in front of us but we had a reservation and once we were up, we were seated quickly. The menus were brought over soon after, but then it was a few minutes (longer wait than I am used to other places) before a waiter appeared to introduce himself, bring water, etc. Once he did come over, we'd had enough time to figure out what we wanted and we ordered right away, in part for fear he'd be gone again for several minutes before we'd have a chance to order. We were thrilled to see bread and butter appear a few minutes after we ordered. And it was delicious! We went through two baskets (whoops!). The jambalaya was bland and my boyfriend added a lot of salt...although maybe it wasn't really that much because the salt shaker wasn't really doing anything and so we asked for another one, which was much more effective. The chicken saltimbocca was flavorful and delicious...I guess they put his salt on my plate?? The portions were hearty and the prices reasonable. We had a Groupon, which made it a much better deal though, I have to say! The service was nothing stellar. In fact, when I asked for another salt shaker the waiter seemed either totally indifferent or irritated...I'm not sure which. I was hoping for friendlier, more attentive service. The ambiance was nice...even though the place was packed and it was a Saturday night around peak dinner time, the place wasn't extremely loud, which I liked. There are glass partitions between tables near the bar and the tables closer to the windows, which seems to prevent it from getting really loud. It's a cool place with exposed brick walls and funky lighting fixtures. I would go back, but particularly if I had some type of discount, because the service and some of the food made it only an OK experience.
(3)Shelby D.
Amazing restaurant. Service might need a little work (the two times I have gone it seems like the servers are new to the game), but the staff is super friendly and welcoming. The food is absolutely delicious, I'm hooked on the uber-fattening loaded fries and the vegan pizza! Yes, this place offers vegan food! As someone who tries...tries hard....and often fails...to maintain a mostly vegan diet, I really appreciate being able to go out to a cool vibrant restaurant and order something veg friendly. This place is definitely a must for anyone, it's so much fun and the food is really great!!
(5)Yolanda R.
All was swell once the host could get past that I had not previously checked in and could accept that they had seated someone else prior under my reservation. Cocktails were exceptional and dinner fantastic! Duck and steak were spot on! Dessert, not so much. All things Prince theme was fun!
(5)Sarah C.
Sigh. I hate giving 3 star reviews. I'd really rather the place just be slightly better, so I could give it 4 stars. Alas, 'tis not, and that makes me sad. I suppose I shouldn't compare the new BL/MW version to the old, but it must be said that basically, the Milky Way is no more. Bella Luna has a nice new space, much bigger than the previous, with nice exposed brick. Although, some of the seating is suspect - we were in a nice two-person booth, when a couple was seated on the other side of the glass divide at a high top, basically looking straight down on us. awkward... We had an early dinner, around 6pm I think, and the place was mostly empty. I would have been a little frustrated with the service regardless, but since the place was empty, it made an even bigger impression that we weren't attended to in a particularly timely manner. The menu has a decent selection (though I don't partake, points for gluten-free pizza dough), but i'm really really sad that they got rid of their gnocchi dish - it was a favorite of mine! Drinks: I don't remember what my boyfriend got, but it was okay. He (a bartender) said it should have been strained more because there was pulp in it. I got the pumpkin pie martini. It was tasty, although the rim got kind of soggy and clumpy (crust bits I think), and it was made with crushed ice so that was kind of annoying. I don't really want to chew/crunch my martini. Food: The butternut squash bisque was really good, but it was lukewarm - sigh. It came with a side of delicious little bread nuggets (mini rolls, mayhaps?) that probably had a half stick of butter each. A suggestion to the manager if s/he reads yelp reviews - when you bring that to a table of two, bring four rolls instead of three. They're little and splitting one is kind of obnoxious. I had the Deidre pizza which was good, but could have had more gorgonzola and onions. Also, I felt like the toppings were kind of clumped rather than spread out. BF had the burger which was mediocre and a bit dry. A heads up for those who like fries - theirs are shoestring. He seemed to like them, but they are not my favorite. So bottom line in a 3-star review is that it's fine. I won't be going back, but if you live in the neighorhood it can't hurt to try it and form your own opinion. Some items are probably delicious! But I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here.
(3)Lana K.
The cocktails were fantastic; the bar staff were friendly, responsive, and know how to mix a delicious drink; can't speak for the food because I didn't order any. But for an evening of drinks with friends, this is definitely a place I would recommend visiting! I also loved the atmosphere. It definitely is a safe space for LGBTQ folk and allies. All in all, I will absolutely be making my way back here many many times!
(5)Kelsey F.
Have never really ventured to JP all that much but am glad that I came here when I did! It is set back and a bit hidden - but has a parking lot which is always a plus. They have a cute patio that seems like it would be great for a nice, non-humid. We decided to sit inside though. It has the old-factory feel, with high ceilings, exposed brick, low hanging lights, steel beams, etc. It was trivia night (monday) so we were unexpectedly entertained through out dinner. Drinks were perfect. My bf got the iced tea and I got the sangria. Both were really refreshing for a nice summer night. My sangria was one of the best I've had recently believe it or not. For apps we got the deviled eggs. Came with 3 and had a unique indian spiced flavor to them. I then got the black bean burger with gorgonzola, and avocado. It was really flavorful but made with bulgar so fell apart pretty easily. I got it with sweet potato fries which were pretty good. No honey mustard though so a bit dissappointing! My bf got the fish tacos which he said were good. They came with avocado so that always bumps up a meal in my books. Our server was really nice and attentive. Overall, this place was a hidden gem (at least for me). It seems like it would be fun to come back any night for dinner or drinks or both!
(4)Eleanor F.
A great spot for Valentine's day! My honey and I have been here for two valentine's and it's not a bad price for excellent food! i had bacon wrapped figs stuffed with spiced pear, duck that was nicely cooked over rice and beignets for dessert. All was fabulous. The great thing about bella luna is that it can feel fancy for special occasions without feeling cliche. The waitresses dress up to the theme, the prince music playing was just the right mood and I never would have guessed it. On really packed nights it can get crowded and service can be slow, but if you're not in a rush the food is amazing. Get the lovers lane pizza!
(5)Heather G.
I didn't know I could like a veggie burger so much. People love the pizza here, and so I'm eager to go back and try a few of them. Prices are very affordable and the overall environment is nice.
(4)Stacy H.
my friends and i came here for a birthday dinner, and we had a reservation so we were seated pretty much immediately. i appreciated the fact that they have a vegan special of the day, but other than that they don't really have that many vegetarian options :\ luckily for me, their special that day was orzo and it was pretty good. oh, and about the birthday situation. i tried to flag down a waitress that wasn't ours to tell her that it was my friend's birthday, but she just told our waiter and didn't really tell him who the birthday girl was even though i clearly indicated across the table. i guess next time you should tell the server immediately.
(4)Lola C.
Big Fan. The food is reliable; pizza is excellent, Bella Luna salad is solid, the Better than Your Mama's Meatballs are pretty damn close to Mama's. Their menu changes it up each season, and sometimes I love the menu and sometimes it feels lacking, but the experience there is always stellar. Yes, a stupid and corny joke, couldn't resist. What makes this place so great is the staff, if you are at a table with (or without) kids they are really patient - and the kids food is really good too. My favorite part of Bella Luna is the bar and the bartenders. A really friendly and comfortable place to hang or eat dinner. Big Fan.
(4)Jennifer N.
Three and a half... We were big fans of the old Bella Luna. We liked it's quirky calm atmosphere, the dark room with those big lit up red stars, and the smallness of the place. The new Bella Luna feels like the old one on amphetamines. They've retained the stars and the red chairs, but they've been coupled with flat screen TVs mounted on the walls and very loud music. So the ambience isn't so much a relaxed neighbhorhoody place but a place to grab a beer and have some good pizza. The food is ok, not as good as I remembered. We started with two delicious appetizes- the calamari and the sweet potato chips with sweet onion and artichoke dip. The entrees were less exciting than the appetizers- my tuscan chicken was a salty plate of rigatoni with artichokes and sundried tomatos. Two friends had the steak frites, which was ok but unremarkable, and served on a large mound of soggy french fries. The best meal of the evening was my last friend who ordered the chicken marsala. We ended with dessert- tiramisu- an absolutely enormous portion of very, very sweet tiramisu. All this to say, if you're going for ambience or for quiet, this is not the place. But as a local joint to get some pizza and some pasta, I think Bella Luna is just fine.
(3)Erin K.
I make it a point to go here whenever I'm in the area, always ordering a pizza with eggplant (love the crispy, fried eggplant) and a beer. The service can be on the slower side and music can be a little loud for dinner conversation. Overall, it's a good choice for pizza and beer in the area.
(4)Chach K.
To keep it short: Atmosphere, amazing. Food: Good Service: Host was prompt and friendly. Waitress: cold unfriendly and didn't bring the food to the table and did not come over to our table until we were entirely done with our meals, while I could have used a fresh drink. She offered dessert but at that point we were ready to move on.
(2)Rosa S.
What a let down. I came in last week with a friend and we were sat in a tight booth. The decor, furniture , and bar are very cute however not ideal for 'getting down' on the menu. I order buffalo wings and they were boring. Bottled sauce which did not completely coat every wing. I also ordered the calamari and although the presentation was on point, the taste fell short. I also ordered the Menino pizza and it was good. If i find myself here again I may order something new but I wasnt happy with what i tried so far. Will continue to patronize bar.
(3)Brian S.
After my last couple of bad dining experiences here, I met up with friends for dinner last night, hoping that they had turned things around a bit -- both the service and the food. They got 1 out of 2 right. Our service was great. Food was a little slow to come out, and the server forgot one of the drinks we ordered, but he came back, apologized and we just made a joke about it. He was friendly attentive and a fun server -- so a vast improvement over my last experience there. The food however, is another story. It wasn't bad food -- but it wasn't good. I got the pork shoulder special over rice and beans and collard greens ($19). Sounded tasty and it was one of the specials, but honestly, I've had better seasoned food at a school cafeteria. The pork shoulder was dry with only small drops of a forgetful sauce dribbled over it. The rice and beans looked great, but lacked any seasoning. The star of the plate was the greens. I felt robbed paying $20 for a plate of food that had less flavor than a microwave dinner. My cocktail was also just so-so. In addition to having to order something ridiculous like the "Smokey & The Bandit", the tequila, habanero, lime, smoked salt rim concoction was way too spicy and by the end it was so salty that it was undrinkable. At least the service has improved and the food was actually edible (though unsatisfying). However, the outdoor seating looks amazing (we sat inside) and I'd definitely return for apps and drinks on the patio sometime.
(2)Gwen F.
I love the pizza here, I really do. It's almost as good as Emma's. Almost. The beer selection? Awesome. Oh, and they make a good vodka martini. The decor is lovely, and the staff was pleasant. The only thing I don't like about this place is the hours. We arrived here at 4 pm for a late lunch/early dinner today, and Bella Luna was closed. Kinda frustrating to drive in from Brighton for nothing. (Yeah, I know I could have looked up the hours before leaving, but it never occurred to me that the place wouldn't open until 5 pm. I'll take some of the blame.)
(4)Angie C.
Great food and music (on Fridays) Experience: Depending on when you come and how large your party is it can be a bit of a wait, but the music will entertain you. They also host different nights like Karaoke Night and Dyke Night. I haven't been to either one of those nights, but I really want to check out Dyke Night since the city of Boston decided to shut down every "ladies night" downtown. Food: They have a great variety of food and drinks. I recommend the following (*amazing): 1. Wings of Desire-Sweet Chili Sauce w/Cilantro* 2. Bella Burger (gets the job done) 3. Gypsy King Pizza w/Chicken 4. Pizza Menino 5. Ginger Caipirinha (cocktail) 6. Martini Del Rio Overall: Love it.
(4)Joel G.
I really want to love this place, I do. I love the vibe, and I love the location...but that is where it ends. The service is slow but friendly. Then there is the food...whoever wrote the menu must be a creative writer because so many things look good on the menu, but when you get the food reality sets in. The food is at best bland, if not a little funky/wierd. I have been there 3 times and have not had an appetizer or meal that I can say liked. I will be back form time to time but until they get their food quality up to snuff I will be sticking to Centre St.
(2)Mairead N.
I've been coming here for YEARS!!! I hate that they moved from my old neighborhood, I used to take a 5 minute walk there, have a drink and maybe get a little bowling in too. The new location, in the Brewery area in JP is also cool. The atmosphere here in the summer is great, you can sit outdoors and have a drink...the martinis are really great, Tiago, the bartender, is one talented guy and he also happens to be Brazilian, even better :-) He will mix you up whatever your heart desires. I love to come here in the evening, grab a table outside and feel the hot evening sun on my skin and chat with my mates, have a quick drinky-poo before I start my night... whatever I'm doing...date, movies.....this little place gets me in the mood for sure. I came here a few weeks ago and everything was really terrible, for the first time ever! I'm a local and have been coming here for years(at the old place) and I really want it to succeed(at the Brewery). First off, they gave us those cute little plates that have been painted on.....here's a note to the management, the plates are cute and bring character to the place and I know they have been using them for years, however, the plates we both got were REALLY old and worn and looked dirty, I think it's time for a new batch of plates that look less worn. We ordered the calamari, it was totally soggy and horrible, I've had it a million times, always good, this night, not! We then ordered a cheese pizza which, no kidding, was soooo smothered in cheese, when you picked it up, the cheese was so dense it just fell off the slice, it tasted awful.... To be fair to Bella Luna, they were really great about it all but then at the the end of the night the bill came and they charged us for everything, even after we had talked to the manager, whom we both know. Long story short ....they took the bill and told us because of the awful experience, it was on the house...now this is how you treat regular and loyal customers for sure!!! Even though it was an off night, I will still give them 4 stars...5th star would be when they get those new plates..:-) I'll see you soon Bella Luna!!!
(4)Beck N.
Great place to host an event! We had my 30th here & they took care of everything -- from picking out the menu (you can pick it yourself, but they were psychic with my choices), to decorating with balloons, & making all my guests feel welcome. Yes, I "planned" my own birthday party, but when I told the folks over at Bella Luna/Milky Way that I wanted a pizza party for my 30th, they did not even bat an eyelash. Everyone had enough tasty pizza, my cake (which you can bring in) was served on time, & the Wii bowling was a great added touch. They also let you bring in your own Ipod, so we were rockin' out to my favorite tunes all night, too. Would recommend the function room for anyone looking for an affordable but kickass party. Thanks again, Maura & the gang!
(5)Grace C.
When one pays $17.00 for $0.50 worth of pasta and $2.00 worth of chicken, one should be able to expect that it will be tasty, right? Not so much. Flavorless, undersauced, overcooked. Not to mention arriving ice cold. As did my companion's veggie burger. Then the bartender suggests that we should have said something sooner and she'd have had it sent back to the kithcen for reheating, completely missing the point. This place used to be a favorite of mine and now it's just a big fat expensive disappointment. Come for the music and a drink, skip all the food.
(1)Amy G.
I've always loved this place. Tasty food, tasty booze, and great dance nights. However, my experience there the other night made me want to take to the internet and gush. As a new recruit to a gluten-free diet, going out to eat can sometimes be a production. Entirely my fault, usually. I will often refuse to ask what the ingredients are in a specific dish - despite my boyfriend's glares and eye-rolls from across the table - or I will mope for hours about only being able to eat a salad (sometimes in this order). So, I was quite pleased to notice the new little "GF" designators next to menu items at Bella Luna. But even better was our server's sensitivity to my new GF designation. He brought extra cucumbers and no crackers with the smoked trout dip, automatically said "no croutons" when I did, in fact, order a salad, and best of all, he didn't even bring a basket of bread to the table, somehow knowing in advance how it would break my heart to watch the boyfriend snarf the entire basket down himself. It also didn't hurt that the wedge of pineapple in my dark & stormy was the booziest piece of boozefruit I've ever eaten. I left full, a little drunk, and gastronomically and emotionally satisfied. **Update: Since I posted this review, I got a message from a Bella Luna ambassador telling me that they DO, in fact, have gluten-free pizza crust. AWESOME.
(4)Zoe P.
Huh. First, the hostess was awkward when we wanted to sit outdoors on a slow afternoon and drink, which we did on uncomfortable bar stools. Then our waiter was awkward when our party arrived, we were allowed to sit at a table, and we ordered a ton of food and beverages. The majority of that food was, let's be honest, the sort of thing you might find at an upscale cafeteria. Basic, bland, and pretty blah - wings that tasted like fast food, burgers, pizza like you might make at home, in a pinch, predictable chicken sandwiches, bready crab cakes and mountains of fries. I think my salad was a happy accident - soft, sweet Boston Bibb lettuce, fresh crisp asparagus, toasted almonds, grated Manchego and a lemony but barely-there dressing. It's like they have good ingredients but no real chef. And the margaritas and mojitos we had were some of the weakest I've had in a long while. Good. But weak. All in all, not bad for Boston, but in its own uniquely mediocre way.
(3)Jessie N.
The lunch here was good, I had the Silver Moon salad and was impressed. I took a star off because it took a while before someone came to service my girlfriend and I.
(3)Ally M.
I made reservations here for my husband's birthday after we took the Sam Adams tour. I loved the atmosphere as well as the food. We ordered the pulled pork quesadilla and the apple bacon pizza, both were awesome. I loved all the artwork that decorated the walls and they have custom drawn plates, which I thought was an awesome touch. Definitely worth a visit! We went for an early weekday dinner but I bet the place is hopping on a weekend night!
(5)Steve G.
Last night I had the Cod with Root Vegetables in a Tomato Sauce. I said, "This is the BEST fish I ever had." The girl at the next table leaned over and said, "That's funny you should say that. I was just thinking that this is the BEST chicken marsala I have ever eaten." I also had a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. Great experience. Disclosure: I know the owner but that did not influence this review.
(5)Crystal S.
This place would be so great if only the food was better. I should have paid more attention to the other reviews. The pizza was tasty but the bottom was soggy which for a restaurant is completely unacceptable- even the pizzas I make at home aren't soggy!!! My husband's meatballs were in his words " Totally flavourless- Chef Boyardee tastes better". But I do have to say the bread was nice.
(2)KATE G.
Yes the bowling is gone - but so is the snarky bored hipster vibe(ahhhh). The servers are much more professional and keep the place very clean. The bartenders are charming w/ out being cloying. They seem to be trying to carry the vintage cocktail craze and do pretty well. I have only had a martini - but may try a Sazerac. The pizzas are still stand up and consistent - you are warned they may take a little time. The pasta dish w/ shrimp is warm and filling. Overall a nice go to neighbor hood place. ( outdoor seating is great)
(3)tavia m.
What a piece of crap this place has turned into. I recently went here with a group of 5 other people. We were seated right away and given water and then our waiter disappeared for a good 10 minutes. He took our drink orders and then disappeared for another 10 minutes. I had to ask the waitress helping the table next to us to take our orders. Conveniently, the waiter came back at that time and took our orders. After a reasonable wait for our food, five of us were delivered our entrees right away and the last person languished for another 10 minutes before receiving her pizza. Our drinks were never refilled, we had to beg another server for water and we were given one bread basket for the entire table. Meanwhile, tables of two were given one basket for their table....it didn't add up. Our waiter was non-existent and a jerk to boot. Thank goodness the tip wasn't added in to our bill because no way did this guy deserve 18% or even 15%. The food was average with some people liking their entree and some not liking it. The person who ordered the mac and cheese was given a very scant portion. I'm not coming back here if I can help it. You should avoid it, too.
(2)Jon H.
I tend to order the same thing at every visit because it is always reliably great-the "lovers lane" (simply arugula,truffle oil+redonion)pizza, mussels/calamari appetizer, and one of the often varied+inventive cocktail specials, and freshest Sam Adams(duh,it's nx to the brewery) in town- especially the cherry wheat -that even non-beer drinkers can really enjoy- patio+parking is huge plus too
(5)Jasmine M.
Like other reviewers who were disappointed, I really want to like this place. I went with a friend on a busy Saturday night and we both were not impressed with the food or the service. Not terrible, but not great, either. We didn't order the pizza, which was probably a mistake. Also, our waiter at the time was also one of the bartenders that night, so our service was super slow. He was friendly, but he spilled my friend's beer as he brought it out and didn't get her a new one. Also, when our desserts came out, her ice cream had turned into soup. Disappointing. However, the ambiance is awesome and maybe next time I can write a better review after trying it out again. I haven't given up on it quite yet.
(2)Jeanny C.
TheSpaghetti and meatballs were awesome. They could use a bigger selection in food options but overall good.
(3)Sarah D.
love this place, great food, great atmosphere and great staff. Nothing negative to say about this joint
(5)Alex S.
I feel like I am being mean here but I left not feeling like there was any real reason for me to want to go back. Yeah, it was pretty cool inside and no, there was nothing really bad about the food or service, but there was also nothing that was too amazing about it either. We sat at a high top table near the bar because all the tables were full on a Saturday at 7. We were separated by a transparent divider from a couple at a lower table and kinda felt like we were right on top of them. Good thing the girl wasn't wearing a low cut shirt because.....well you know where I am going. It is pretty cool that they have their own Sam Adams exclusive brew and they do have good draft beer selection (doghead 60 min IPA and Brooklyn Lager, etc.). We had the crab cakes to start which thankfully weren't full of bread crumbs but I would have also liked there to be some chunks of crab in there. Instead it was all totally shredded crab. I went simple with the entree and got a burger and fries. The burger was actually cooked rare when I asked for it rare which is rare (haha I am hilarious). The fries were those really skinny fries. They were fine I guess (not soggy or cold) but like the rest of the experience, were nothing surprising or that unique. P.S. OK I guess the old abandoned building deal and decorations are unique but my point is the food wasn't.
(3)Mike M.
I just went there for the first time and really enjoyed the eclectic/Latin atmosphere...I ordered what I thought was a portabello sandwhich. But I misread the menu. This item is like a veggie burger thing...tasted like bland potatos, BUT the waiter/bartender Chris, asked how everything was, so I explained my thoughts...he quickly offered something else and gladly took away the burger....very proffesional and friendLy, My drink was this pepper concoction which was spicey and fun... Great parking area.... Reasonable prices.....I say check it out! :
(4)Tiffany P.
This is one of my favorite places to get a great pizza. Sometimes I go in for a drink and to support local artists, but even when I don't feel like going out, I still have the luxury of having them come to me with their delivery service. And can I say how nice the delivery lady - in my case - is? Super friendly! Let's talk about the food, I'm pretty much in love with their pizza. I've had their pasta before and it wasn't my favorite. The Gypsy King Pizza is my staple favorite and the La Bella Luna comes a close second. When I'm feeling sweet n' savory I go for the Dierdre Deluxe which fits the bill on all accounts. For avid pizza connoissuers you may find the crust to be a big soggy with the generous toppings and heavy pour on the olive oil. I personally love it that way...but could understand if others don't feel the same. Dining in if you're looking for a spicy kick to your dinner or day :) try the Some Like it Hot cocktail, it's spicy alright, but in the most deliciously sweet way! As you can tell I love heading to this spot with the free parking - gotta love that and when I can't make it out it's great they deliver! (only in JP)
(4)Margo C.
Went here with a friend to use a Groupon I had bought. I have to say I was very impressed! First, the hostess was very friendly. We wanted to participate in Trivia so she honored our seating request to be near the bar area and offered some helpful suggestions regarding the Menu. We were first greeted by the "bus girl" she was friendly enough, but I was happy to find they leave a large bottle of water on the table. I hate having to ask for water and refills so I thought this was a nice touch! Our waitress was AWESOME! I wish I could remember her name... She was very nice, helpful and attentive. She was great with menu suggestions and really knew about all the dishes. Our cocktails were delicious to start. We ordered the Braised short rib for an app and it was divine. The meat melted in our mouths and the creamy parsnips were a nice touch. For dinner I had the Butternut squash ravioli with chicken. It was everything I could have hoped for! I love butternut squash ravioli but find that most restaurants never serve them correctly... that was not that case this evening. 2 thumbs up for the chef! My friend had the Crabcake BLT and enjoyed it thoroughly. For dessert my friend and I both had the Bread pudding for dessert. It was sooo yummy! Highly recommend! The dessert menu alone is worth a return trip! All homemade items.. it was difficult to make a decision. We really enjoyed the atmosphere my only complaint is how close some of the tables are to each other. It is very difficult to hold a private conversation when it feels like you are dining with the 2 tables next to you. Overall great experience.. can't wait to go back and try some different menu items!!
(4)J K.
It's alright. The food is hella expensive but the atmosphere is cutesy and that sort of adds something I guess. The drinks cost a lot and the dancing is awkward but I guess if you're into that kind of thing, then this is perfect for you.
(3)Alexis B.
Wayyyyy under staffed. Not a good thing. Since it's directly located across from the Sam Adams Brewery you would think they would have addequite staff. Well they don't. Also for our table of three they only had one menu. Where did these menus go? Do people steal them? Very odd. So for our section of 6 tables there was only 1 waiter. He didn't know the menu, the drinks, or much of anything. He was nice but clearly stretched thin. The food was meh. Cait and I both got the Crabcake BLT. Meh. The bacon was soggy. The crabcake was ok. The sweet potato fries were weird tasting like fake almost. My bf got a pizza. We heard good things about the pizza. The pizza had good flavor but was so SOGGY even a knife and fork was difficult. So not to future patrons-- GET YOU PIZZA WELL DONE. We probably won't be back.
(2)Mon R.
Sometimes I feel like my experiences at Bella Luna are hit or miss. My husband and I generally call an order in and pick it up since we live so close. Anyway, several things: Price wise they are ok. Food can go either way. I tried their Mexican type pizza (The Latin Quarter) and it was GROSS. My husband loves their deirdre pizza, and we both enjoy the Bella Luna and Lovers Lane (a MUST try!) Their burgers are also great. I really hate the plates that food are served in. They look childlike and I'm sure its hipster or relevant and all but its just not appealing. I also don't like the fact that they don't serve bread at lunch. I would not go here for lunch, basically because I am convinced that they reheat/refry fries that have been fried the night before and are using them for the lunch crowd. My fries were rock hard, and everyone at my table thought the same. My burger which I asked for medium well was beyond well-done and it was basically still cooking when it got to our table. Overall Bella Luna is a good spot in JP to check out, but its not my favorite.
(3)Robo T.
Went here specifically for soy cheese pizza. Service was.... interesting. The times between getting seated, drink order being taken, drinks arriving, bread arriving etc were longer than should be but oddly consistent. It was like the waitress was operating in an alternate universe where time was different. That said, waitstaff was friendly. Pizza was awesome!! Sauce is delicious. They actually got my companion's pizza wrong but corrected it relatively quickly. Location is cool - interior is hipster, lively and also welcoming. Although I do miss hitting the old Milky Way back on Centre Street to see my friend's trashy bands, I dont mind the current incarnation. I wasn't blown away at all but I will hit it up again.
(3)Adrienne T.
Oh my goodness, love Bella Luna! The Silver Moon salad with a little extra dressing is to die for, and the Manny Grand Slam pizza (mashed potatoes, scallions, bacon, etc.) is pure BLISS, I tell you. Cute plates, great walls to look at, nice servers, and the place just has a general nice feel to it. There are several other things on their menu that I want to try, but it's so hard for me to move away from what I know and love. Enjoy!
(5)Dan C.
What a dumpy neighborhood, what a great restaurant. I know, I lived in the Jackson square neighborhood in JP for 5 years, back when it was still kinda a war zone. Bella Luna is reminds of a restaurant that you would find in Cambridge, some small college town or Brooklyn. It is very cozy and eclectic. The pizza and pasta dishes are excellent. You really can't go wrong. They always have good pasta specials and the pizza, although not Santarpio's or Regina, is quite good. In addition to good food, Bella has a great wine, all reasonably priced. After dinner, head down to the Milky Way Lounge to catch a local band or engage in the very New England pastime of candle-pin bowling. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, head across the street to the Brendan Behan pub.
(4)Matt B.
Bella Luna (the restaurant half) is pretty solid. I don't know that I'd say there's anything particularly special about it (although there is a surprisingly good vegan pizza) but the pizza menu and the drink menu are pretty on the ball. I've only been to Milky Way (the "lounge" half) for La Boum (queer dance party) and Mass Mouth (sorta like StoryCorps) but while the space does seem fairly small, they make really good use out of it.
(4)Matthew A.
I am not a Bella Luna addict to tell you all the truth. When I lived in JP I went there often or my roomies and I got take out pizza. I will say this. It is not the best pizza, always heavy and wet, sloppy pizza. A bit pricey for pizza, dontcha think? Artsy fartsy, kinda place. With tonz of lesbians. Who cares!
(2)Leah G.
I'm starting to wonder if it's possible to EVER receive good service from this place. Ambiance? LOVE. Food? Like. Location and patio and overall "vibe"? Big fan. But seriously, why is it that every time I come here (most recently 3 times in the past 2 months) I end up with a server who looks like they'd rather be anywhere else doing anything else? I mean seriously, if your puppy got run over before your shift, I can understand the salty attitude but come on. Your job is to serve people. Put a damn smile on your face. And please please PLEASE, fill up my water. That is all.
(2)Joe B.
It pleases me to read positive reviews of Bella Luna...since they reassure me that *anyone* really can make it in america. I find the quality of ingredients disturbingly low, the level of creativity in the menu non-existent and the taste entirely bland. I think of BL (at which I've eaten a number of times, owing to a sincere desire to find something redeeming on the menu) as a glorified version of Ideal Pizza Cafe or any of the many other JP pizza and sub shops that mistake the notion of a volume business for the idea that customers don't expect quality or care in their food - except worse because it serves volume-business-grade food in a gourmet-food setting (with prices to match).
(2)Shawn W.
I finally made the trek from Forest Hills to the Brewery to see just how awesome Bella Luna/Milky Way remained.To my surprise, this place is now a joke. I went with a friend on an early Saturday afternoon. It was a little busy, but our experience will be remembered for years. 1) The host forgot we were waiting for a table and sat people before us 2) The waitress was incredibly dumb, CRS ("couldnt rememba shit") and messed up our drink order. I never did get that water I politely asked for. 3) The drinks were awful. You call that a cosmo!? Go back to bartending school. 4) The friend and I truly believed the waitress forgot about us. She served us one drink each, and after both drinks were sent back and we got new ones, she NEVER came back to the table to take our lunch order. I have NEVER chewed and screwed, but given our circumstances, we left. We had a terrible time. We got crap drinks and even worse service. Not to mention that 40 minutes go by and no waitress. I totally would NOT go back. I'm sure the food is as bad as the drinks, the service and the Applebee's-esque atmosphere. Save your money and go to Ula.
(1)Megan S.
If someone handed me a ton of money and told me to start my own restaurant - it would basically be Bella Luna. One, it's got totally hip design. It's in an old brewery building with high ceilings. There's red vinyl booths, a curvy bar, local art and stars hanging from above. Two, it's got great food and drink. Home made pasta and eggplant that melts in your mouth. Yummy pizza that's as good as it gets in Boston. It's own Sam Adams brew. (Yes their very own beer made at Sam's right behind the restaurant.) My boyfriend says the meat is great too. Three, there's entertainment. You got a love an establishment that supports local bands, has a dance floor and runs a game night. Four, staff are pretty good. No cheesy waiter outfits and knowledgeable about the menu. Only drawbacks are on the weekend there will be a wait, no, there is no longer candle pin bowling and they run out of popular entrees. Hot tip: Check out weeklydig.com for a $50 Bella Luna gift certificate for $25!
(5)Ashley F.
The patio at Bella Luna is a hot spot for a warm evening date. Don't mind the parking lot atmosphere, try to snag a seat near the fountain in the corner. I loved the big water bottle on the table. Get the olives for a picker ($4), try the simple house salad (minus points for not having veggie protein toppings), sweet potato fries are delicious, try the olive oil and bread (complimentary, bright green fresh EVOO). Enjoy!
(4)Sean B.
Yeah! I usually like to eat in the Milky Way part. But this is because i don't like people on the street to watch me eat and wipe crumbs off my chest. The drink specials are usually interesting and delicious. The staff is almost always great and friendly. Some of my favourite things to eat there are their salads, all the pizza, and calamari. I liked the bruschetta of the past more when there were three different options but it is still pretty great. Many of my vegetarian friends will become pescatarians just to eat the calamari. hope that helps with the tasty meter in your head.
(4)Andi P.
Before last night, I hadn't been to The Milky Way since its move, but last night after dinner and possibly some drinking at Sel de la Terre, I suddenly had a vague recollection of the most recent "Dyke Night Final Fridays at The Milky Way" e-mail. . . . It mentioned "Gaga on the Hour." So, my partner-in-crime and I headed over to the Back Bay T station, hopped on the Orange Line, and were soon deboarding at Stony Brook and ready to check it out. Really, I was just going through withdrawal from "Bad Romance" being played at high volumes, so as long as that happened in the hour or so before the venue closed, my standards were otherwise non-existent or at least non-specific. That said, I like the space (including all the seating options!), although the little brick room used for dancing was pretty claustrophobic and cramped and perhaps a good 20 degrees hotter than anywhere else there, and maybe even a little creepy too. We worked our way into the heart of the mayhem of said room and all I could think of at that point was breaking through the windows to get some SPACE going. Once we escaped back to the main area, however, I'd settled on getting another drink rather than window-breaking. The bartenders were sweet enough to make mojitos despite the mob-scene! Oh, and "Bad Romance" did get played at the very end. All in all--and in all seriousness here--I heart Kristen and her Dyke Night enterprise is totally bang on and has been one of the best and more nuanced fixtures of the Boston-area lesbian (and friends) scene for some time now. And although I miss Toast, The Milky Way seems to have a stellar vibe for such an affair, and is a good match for the community-feel that Kristen's events are known for. And also, my partner-in-crime--a guy--did perfectly well here, as have all the boys, GBT & straight, I've carted with me to Dyke Nights: extra-super-friendly!
(4)Jackie M.
I really, really want to love this place. Unfortunately, I just can't. They do some things really well and other things just okay. Pros: -Walking distance from where I live -Tons of free parking if I'm lazy -Wonderful, if small, butternut squash ravioli (anyone else think $15 for 6 raviolis seems kinda steep? I could get oysters pretty much anywhere for that price...) -Delicious Harvest Sangria -Solid Sweet Potato Fries Cons: No matter how I order the burger (medium-rare or rare) it always comes out medium-well. The pizzas are really hit or miss. Very leisurely service. I'll keep coming back because it's convenient.
(4)Ken M.
We came here today for a bridal shower and it was the first time I'd been to "the new" Bella Luna/Milky Way. The private event room is really cool, but a bit small. The bar is really nice...and they have Absolut Boston still. The bruschetta was delicious. The cannolis were fine. The burgers were tasty, but the buns were meh.
(4)Sami W.
I have never known this place existed until my friend brought me here. There are over a 100 reviews of the place, I doubt that I'll say something that hasn't already been covered. Anyway, we shared the fried calamari appetizer, the large Prosciutto pizza, and finally the creme brulee. Everything we ate was good, and will definitely come back again.
(4)Felicia L.
Look y'all, I'm from the eating out capital of the world and I know food. I'm also from the South, so that's a double P-O-W. Add to that, I'm extremely picky and I'm a server's worst nightmare. But its okay, I've played that fiddle before and I'm friendly and I tip well. It evens out. Our server was Justin and he was great. Very sweet. We ordered the mozzarella sticks and pizza. Both were pretty decent. Heck, they even gave us a large pizza when we ordered a small and didn't charge us. Yes, that was their fault but you know how snarky some places can be...not here. This place also gets bonus points for the customer created plates. Super cute...
(4)stephanie s.
3 stars overall - 5 stars for location and atmosphere, 2 stars for food and 3 for service. Location: speaks for itself... awesome! Food: I'd go here for a burger or pizza, no problem. I won't choose anything from their daily special menu. I think they confuse "special" with "poor food/price ratio". I took the pan seared salmon cakes with three bean ragu and haricot verts. I got a big salmon cake that was good but a little on the bready dry side. The three bean ragu was delicious but I would have loved a larger portion. And as for the very much awaited haricot vert, I got 8 of them neatly stacked on my salmoin cake. Yes only 8 green beans. Total price $17. My partner in crime took the pan seared stuffed chicken. The portion of meat was about half a chicken breast. there was more delicious sauce than meat and that was accompanied by 3 or 4 stalks of broccoli rabe and some potatoes... total price $16. Although the food was delicous, we both felt completely ripped off and a little hungry. Service: Good but their "rules" are a little silly... bar and restaurant can't transfer tabs and the table tops outside don't get any bar or food service ... which to me means that you could sit there even if you were not consuming but whatever... Solid place but stick with the "bar food".
(3)Danae B.
This review is specifically of Fourth Fridays hosted by Dyke Night. Having loved the original Milky Way Lounge and the nights hosted there, I was decidedly underwhelmed by this new location. Layout was very awkward with the amount of people there, and with some still sitting at the bar, getting drinks became a Herculean effort. I was also ticked off by the fact that my friends and I had to wait in line, starting at 10p, for about 20 minutes even though the house was not yet packed. Bouncer was also an ass. Cover: $6. Moderately priced, good selection of beer/liquor. Small dancing area. If I lived in J.P., I might be more willing to give this place a try on a different night, but after this experience, I won't be venturing back unless dragged, kicking and screaming, by my friends. Cute girls though.
(2)Kathy M.
I love coming here for Monday night trivia and $.50 wings. The wings-especially the sweet chili wings- are really good but because their trivia night is so popular, MAKE A RESERVATION!
(3)Dave R.
This place breaks my heart these days. I am saddened by the injustice of the world that forced the Milky Way/Bella Luna to move in the first place. Imagine a magical place, with crazy small-ball bowling, crazy music, good food, and a solid, funky atmosphere. It was awesome, and it was the old Milky Way/Bella Luna. Then imagine that they got screwed out of their lease, had to move half-way across the neighborhood, lost their bowling alley AND the skeeball that was supposed to soothe that pain, and tried desperately to replace that awesomesauce with a Nintendo Wii and a projector. What would your response be? Mine was despair. Simple, clean, and soul-crushing. The new Milky Way/Bella Luna IS really nice - it's a beautiful space, I'm sure they'll do a lot with it, and the same cool food is available as before - but without the bowling, it's not what it was. Now it's basically a nice, slightly pretentious pizza place in a brewery. That's nothing to knock, but it's also not really anything special - I can get pretentious pizza in a lot of places in Boston, and I don't have to travel for an hour on the T to get it. The old place was a straight-up icon of the neighborhood, and truly cool, unique place to spend an evening. The new place just...isn't.
(3)David D.
After waiting wut seemed like a WEEK to get the bartender's attention, I was ridiculed for ordering a Diet Coke towards the end of the night. Sorry, I visited 3 BETTER bars earlier in the evening, and I had to drive home -- I didn't want to cap the night off with a DUI. Can this place be BYOB? I HATE waiting at this bar.
(2)Julie N.
This place screams JP. The building is really cool, the layout is nice, the decor is modern, it's just a great space. My problem? The service. We were a table of 5 on Saturday night with reservations. The waitress finally appeared and apologized for the wait since she had 10 other tables. We appreciated the heads up. From the moment we put our order in, it was IMPOSSIBLE to find her. The food came out quickly from the runners but it was impossible to order another round of drinks. We spent so much time looking around for her and waiting for her that it took away from the experience. Hire more staff for a Saturday night. My other problem? The $7 5 ounce pour of wine. When I ordered another glass of wine I asked if she could fill it a little higher next time, she said 5 ounces was all I got. It was less than half of the glass. The food was good though.. they had a tempura crab cake special that was super yummy and the mussels and calamari were fantastic. The black bean burger was pretty terrible though.. I wouldn't recommend it unless you would eat an entire can of black beans in a sitting. There was no other flavor. I won't go back, but give it a try.
(3)A S.
I've always had a pretty good time with pretty good to great service when I've been in to Bella Luna, but it's not the best place I've ever been to eat. I did however once have a spectacular soup. It was some sort of creamy butternut squash & nutmeg concoction but it's not a regular on the menu. Anyway, as others have mentioned, the delivery options in JP are pretty slim, so the fact that Bella Luna delivers gets it an automatic three stars! My usual choice is the Diedre Deluxe (mentioned earlier, it is a white sauce pizza with gorgonzola, cranberries, and carmelized onions). I've ordered other stuff for delivery as well, but getting an order of calamari in a plastic container just isn't the same as sitting down to a nice meal out. If you do go for dinner: the drinks are good but because the waitstaff has to go up and down stairs to get them, the drink service can be particularly slow. SO, order drinks right away and order second drinks before your first is gone (if you're like me and you like a steady stream of alcohol!)
(3)Mister Chub S.
Great place to see a show. It's a small, intimate venue with a fun vibe and hip locals. The salads and pizza are very good.
(4)Joe M.
Other than it's proximity to the Sam Adams Brewery, I can't imagine why anybody would want to eat at this place. A small group of friends and I (5 altogether) stopped in for lunch while waiting for our tour time at the brewery. It was a Saturday afternoon, about 1:00pm, and it was pouring outside so it was understandably packed. Surprisingly, we were seated immediately, but that was the extent of our good times at Bella Luna. Only the limited bar menu was available. It took 10 minutes for our waitress to stop by and ask us if we were ready to order. Greeting? Specials? Anybody like a drink? None of the usual pleasantries. 2 orders of wings (never asked what kind, buffalo, honey BBQ, etc) and 3 cheeseburgers (never asked side salad or fries). Literally ran off before we could order drinks. Wings were tasty, though undercooked. Burgers were good, great roll, and crispy thin-cut fries, but no ketchup to be found. Finally flagged waitress down 5 minutes later and got ketchup and a heaping helping of attitude. After that we couldn't get the check, and out of there, fast enough. I won't be going back.
(1)Leslie P.
I've been to Milky Way about four times now. Unfortunately, it is usually pretty crowded on the weekends. I would definitely suggest making a reservation, as I have waited close to two hours before. The drinks are great and the food is even better. My personal favorite is the "Pilgrimage" sandwich (which I recently think they took off the menu!) Absolutely amazing sandwich...potentially one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. The pizzas are also wonderful, as is the calamari.
(5)Chelsea V.
Yummy vegan pizza, great cocktails(try the habanero infused tequila martini) and a wonderful welcoming environment.
(4)Kate L.
So, it's taken me nearly 2 years to go back to Bella Luna because of my awful first experience, but I met a friend there for a "quick drink" after a workout on Valentines night. 4 hours later, we were still drinking at the bar, but that's beside the point! The bartenders were both really friendly and attentive and the drinks were delicious. We ordered off of the special valentines menu. We had bacon wrapped figs that were stuffed with pears. Amazing. They were served on a small bed of greens that had the juices from the bacon and figs on it. If I weren't in public, I absolutely would have picked up the greens and eaten it with my hands, it was so good! Then we shared a shrimp risotto which was good. Nothing majorly special ,but had nice flavor and the portion was huge, which was unexpected! Finally we had cinnamon beignets with sweet cream ice cream. Holy God they were good! 3 courses and about a billion cocktails and we each paid $75, I think. Also, they were playing Prince music all night, which was pretty stellar... All in all, a good experience, I'm glad I tried again.
(3)Seth B.
This isn't the old place like it was on Centre St. Off go the bowling lanes, all of it's grunginess. The service is better and the food is completely updated. Everything I've tried the number of times I've been here is good. The different pizzas, the burgers, the wings. All better than average fare. This is place is close to home, so I've got to know the bartenders who are all very helpful and have a pretty good drink list and beer selection to work with. This is is worth the price and a nice neighborhood spot.
(4)Tiffany Q.
Saw this on Phantom Gourmet and had to give it a try. The place itself is veryyyyy cool and the fact that its an old brewery gives it even more points. I'd probably give this place a second try. The food wasn't terribly bad but wouldn't order it again. We ordered the mac n cheese which was a fan fav on Phantom Gourmet. It was good...really good. They use rigatoni pasta and an arry of diffrerent kinds of cheeses and bake with with breadcrumbs on top. Its veryyyyyyyyyy rich and veryyyyyyyyyy heavy. It was a bit expensive as well, I believe it was $14 and it wasn't a terribly huge plate. We also odered the Latin Quarter pizza which is bacon, avocado, cheese and jalpenos. There was sooooooooooooooooooo much oil on the bottom of the plate when I picked up a piece of it I was so grossed out. It was running down my hands and all over my napkin. There was just a pool of oil on the plate as well. When we had it wrapped up the oil was seeping out of the bottom of the bag so the point where I had to put it on a plate in my frig. The atosphere is very cool, same with the decor. Our waitress was great as well. Although we didn't indulge there dessert menu looked awesome...dark chocolate cheesecake!! yummm And watch there coffee its DARK and STRONG....I couldn't figure out the next morning why I slept crappy...come to realize I had coffee. Very very strong coffee.
(3)Julie R.
I had been here for drinks before, but this was my first time dining and I was very impressed! We called at 8:15 and were able to get reservations for 9:00 on a Saturday night for our group (be warned that if we would have come for dinner after 9:30pm, we would have been asked to pay the lame $10 cover charge even though we weren't staying for the show). We were seated quickly and the service was good. The menu had decent options for the meat eaters, fishaterians, and vegetarians alike. I was impressed with the wine options and even tried the cheapo house red wine and enjoyed it fine! All of our orders were brought to the table with no mistakes - the portions were big and the calzones were literally larger than my head. According to a fellow diner, the burger was cooked to request but lacked flavor, seasoning, and any spark - he actually questioned at one point if the burger was even made in house it was so mediocre. The chicken sandwich was large and got good reviews. The regular and sweet potato fries were good but nothing to rave about. The calzones on the other hand were huge and delicious. I got all veggies in mine, and they were cooked perfectly - still a little crunch to the peppers, the mushrooms weren't mushy, and the onions added great flavor. No need to add ricotta or an additional cheese - there was plenty of gooey mozzarella packed inside. Even though there was sauce inside the calzone, I asked for a side of sauce and I'm so glad I did - it was just divine! I literally could have ate this sauce sans food with a spoon. Another diner's calzone was stuffed with so many ingredients that he could barely finish them all! My only complaint with the calzone is that it was a bit undercooked, particularly in the crust which was clearly still doughy in the middle and in the thicker parts was literally raw dough. I was hungry enough to just pick around the rawness and love on the inside, but still. I definitely will go back but will probably stick to the pizza/calzone menu based on our first dining experience.
(4)Erika M.
I LOVE, LOVE LOVE their pizza. I HATE their ala carte pizza prices. When I have a good week at work I like to treat myself to a Simple Simon with, goat cheese, caramelized onions and BBQ chicken. The total comes to $24+tax. $24 for a pizza? I want to cry. Like now. I'm newly prego and all I want is a $24 pizza at Bella Luna. I think I might try the Dogwood's version. It's $7 cheaper. Please make a pizza with caramelized onions, goat cheese and BBQ chicken and add it to your reasonably priced pizza menu. You can call it the "Demands of the Feed-us".
(4)Amanda F.
I came here for drinks and apps one night, and had a great time! The mozzarella sticks were crispy, just the way I like them! We also decided on buffalo fries. They were good, but I would have liked a bit more spice. I can't remember what drink I got, but it was a bit TOO spicy. I took the giant pepper out, and that helped a bit. Too bad some of that spice couldn't be tranfered to the not-spicy-enough buffalo fries. I had a good time, though. I'll be back. A quick look at the menu tells me that I should go for the pizza next time!
(3)Andrew R.
Wow! It's not the same old Bella Luna and Milky Way from it's old digs on Centre St., but the new location has a charm all its own. Exposed brick walls, pool table, arcade games, oversized wall mounted Connect-4, and a giant projection screen for (what else) Wii bowling all combine to make a wonderfully eclectic hangout spot as well as a great place for pizza and beer. I've tried a number of their pizzas at the old location, and they seem to have kept the same philosophy here: thin, excellent toppings, tastily mixed. Add in a decent beer selection and this place is a pretty cool restaurant. If only it wasn't way out on the Orange line...
(4)Rachel L.
I have visited Bella Luna before and had a great experience. The second time around, however, I was disappointed. My boyfriend arrived right after it opened on a Sunday night and though we were able to bring our drinks on the patio (which was nice) but could not enjoy our dinner outside (seems arbitrary). Other customers arrived for dinner and received bread and their food well before we did (in fact, we didn't get any bread). We ordered a salad and small pizza; the salad was good but the toppings on the pizza were rather sparse- just a small amount of cheese, onions and cranberries (a good idea, poor execution). The only upside was the drink I ordered- a spicy ginger beer concoction. Yum.
(2)Jocelyn G.
Went to Bella Luna before the Elite event downstairs at the Milky Way last night and was pleasantly surprised. We split a large pizza between the three of us (bbq chicken, pepperoni, and bacon. Bacon makes everything better) and a plate of wings of desire. The wings were good, wouldn't have minded getting another set of napkins, though. Loved the star lanterns...The cushions on the bench seats reminded me of my grandparent's house, which is currently being taken over by pillows. Kinda weird.
(4)Kimberly H.
I like this place. I wish it was close to where I live. I went here a few times. Once for my birthday and once for valentines day that I can recall off the top of my head. The food was great- They are very accomodating to people like me with food allergies and also who are vegan. The drinks are creative and strong. The atmosphere is really cute- I love the name of the place too- space themed. The staff is super friendly and down to earth- I cant wait to go back again. PS the pizza is great!
(5)Janice T.
I am seriously contemplating a move to JP because of this place. We came to eat here for lunch after touring the Sam Adams Brewery. My, my. The food sure is tasty. The calamari was to die for, fried, then tossed in a creamy chipotle sauce. A friend and I shared that as well as the pizza with broccoli rabe, ricotta, and garlic....so savory, so good. The other folks with us ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which was quite good, and the most comparable to the Memphis style pork bbq my fiance and I are accustom to. The atmosphere was great too.
(5)Bethany M.
Went here quickly last night before a tasting at the brewery. Met a few friends for a drink and a bite, and boy was I impressed. The decor is very cool, the bartenders are super nice and though things aren't exactly cheap, I didn't walk out of there with an empty wallet. I tried the drink special which was a pink lemonade (vodka, grenadine and lemon... holy christ). It was 8 bucks, which didn't thrill me, but tasty and I definitely wouldn't drink more than one. A friend and I shared a small pepperoni pizza. Plenty big for two people who aren't starving, but would work for one as well. It is a little greasy though, so if you don't like that kind of thing, you might have to blot it. Overall I was impressed at the location, the place itself, the service and the food. I will go back for sure.
(4)Tara B.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for moving to the Brewery Complex, and thus, literally around the corner from my apartment. So I went to the Milky Way maybe twice when it was all.the.way. on Centre St, but I had never eaten at Bella Luna. Since the big move, I've dined & boozed here on several occasions, chilling with the super friendly and helpful barstaff, or scarfing delicious pizzas with friends during Monday night Stump Trivia. Never disappointed. And best part? If I get trashed, home's a block away! Oh and definitely don't miss the Sam Adams Sunray, a brew made specially for Bella Luna from the kind neighbors round back. Similar to Sam Summer, but more citrus and a less wheaty flavor. Fantastical!
(4)Adam E.
This new space is bomb! Exposed brick, funky lounge space, sparkly red bar top, awesome lighting fixtures and the promise of patio dining/drinking in the summer? So much better than a basement in Hyde Square! I'm told the capacity is the same as at the old space, so I'm not sure why people are complaining about that. Maybe the lines seem longer because more people are checking out the new digs? And Dyke Night always has a line, that's a given. I never bowled anyway (and could give two shits about skee-ball, I'm not 9 years old), so I don't care about that, I'd rather have some delicious drinks. And food, sure, but the drinks are where it's at for me. They have this strawberry rhubarb drink on the menu now, and holy heaven is it good. Summer in a glass I tell you. The beer selection seems larger now, though I'm not sure it actually is. They had this special brew from Sam Adams called Sun Ray, which was like a Blue Moon and UFO had a baby and added some coriander. Yum. Service is impeccable as always, and there are 3 bartenders, not 2 as mentioned in another review. I've been a couple of times already and there are always 3. So yeah, it's not the old basement. It's hipper, and more fitting with what the Milky Way always seemed like to me- a funky, cool bar and lounge. As a bonus, Bella Luna serves up the same awesome food as ever, and I heard rumors there might be a brunch menu in a few weeks.
(5)Lindsey B.
We just had dinner here for the first time tonight, and I have to say I was pretty disappointed. We live right in the neighborhood and have been meaning to try Bella Luna forever, so yesterday's Groupon finally got us in the door. It's a fun, cozy space, and the service was fine (if slow), but the food was just really bad. Appetizer: we got the beet/sausage/goat cheese appetizer, which was really odd in its presentation: three insubstantial pieces of bread, three very thick slabs of sausage, some large beet chunks, and a whole ball of goat cheese. There wasn't nearly enough crostini for the toppings, and the sausage (while tasty) was tough and nearly impossible to cut. Kid's meal: mac and cheese. This was gross -- soupy, runny, and with an odd flavor. Our meal: a Bella Luna pizza with prosciutto. It looked really good when it arrived, but it was utterly soggy and droopy, to the point that you could barely pick it up to eat it. I LOVE cheese, but this was just way too much -- the whole pizza was just, well, flaccid. There was almost no prosciutto on the pizza, so we were galled to see that we'd been charged $5 extra for it (the menu said it was an extra $2). It took a while to get the check, though, so with an antsy kid we just paid the bill and left. So, two stars for the nice atmosphere and the great beer selection, but I wouldn't go here again. The food was a disappointment all around.
(2)Jennie P.
As a Brookside resident and a long time customer of the Milky Way and Bella Luna, I, along with my former Milky Way bowling/dance crew respectfully request that you PLEASE please please bring back the Barbecue Cheese Fries. They were everyone's favorite bar food and then some! Your staff have attested to this fact the past few times we've been there and more than one bartender has told us how many people have ordered them since you took them off the menu recently, and how frustrated and sad those people are when they are told the fries are no longer available. :( On another note, we LOVE the addition of the bowling seats to the patio - perfect and a great tribute, if a little bittersweet. And that the patio has a lounge area is brilliant. The only things missing are some little tiny tables/pedestals in front of the seating to put drinks and apps on. Another of everyone's favorite things: drinks and apps outdoors in the summer! Also, as an aside to Derek L., I may be mistaken or things may have changed, but I believe the Milky Way always offered salsa lessons around 9-9:30 on Saturday nights before it gets packed. You may want to check that out next time.
(3)Matt W.
I've eaten here a few times. The food is alright, but not of a very wide variety, and is rather expensive for what it is. That said, I would have given it 3 stars, except I had brunch there this morning and there was a pretty terrible folk band playing while we were eating at 11am. And we were on the other side of the restaurant, but there was a speaker right over our heads that was louder than standing in front of the actual band. Really annoying, and it clipped a few times. The highs were WAY too high and it actually hurt to be there.
(2)Rich O.
OK, I have never been to the old Milky Luna so my review is based simply on my visit there strictly for dinner at the new location. The first bit of confusion for me was where the hell was it? The signage from the street is hardly indicative of where Bella Luna actually is in the Sam Brewery complex. After that everything went smoothly. The starters we got, including bbq cheese fries and The Worlds Best calamari (which several at the table agreed it actually was), were spot on. Among the dishes we ordered, including steak frites, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and tuscan chicken all scored very high. The coupled seating next to us also raved about the special starters (a fruity watermelon soup and featured cheese plate). I never got a real lay of the land as we left after dinner so I can't comment on the "lounge" aspect. The Latin music was kicking into high gear as we were leaving. The bathrooms are kind of disjointed and adventurous but clean and the tables are a bit too close together (as the woman sitting next to me who got a face full of my ass as I tired to get up from the table can attest to) but service was strong. So, without the nostalgia of the old place I'd have to say the Bella Way Lounge was AOK!
(4)Mike M.
I would say the main yardstick a place like Milky Way should be judged is the impact is has on the community. If you want lightning fast service there are any number of bars to go if you're just looking to get wasted. As for the food, Bella Luna is off the chains but that's besides the point. The Milky Way is an institution. It is a nexus for JP's vibrant arts community and it is the best new spot to open in years. Sure it has some kinks to work out. But hey, maybe will you're spending an excruciating 5 minutes waiting for a beer you could talk to any one of the interesting people that are probably standing to your left or right. That's what that place is all about. It's outreach to the arts, music, and GLBT communities is unparalleled in Boston and it's places like this that bring neighborhoods together. I would rather be stuck in this place's bar line for an hour than drink at TGI Friday's for free.
(5)Lindsay L.
Bella Luna's new digs get mad props for decor. The lighting is fun and the set-up is zany. It walks the fine line between DIY and polished. I would say that the decor is what I enjoyed most about being there. The food was totally good and fine! It wasn't amazing, hence the "A-OK" three stars. My friend and I got the gluten-free dairy-free farmer's pizza (whatever the seasonal vegetables are), and I have to say, their soy cheese is pretty darned good (for soy cheese). The GF pizza dough was not among the best I've had, but it was also not among the worst. As an appetizer, we got the ridiculously tasty sweet-potato fries, which were, for me, the highlight of the meal. For dessert, we tried the adventurous chilled blueberry cucumber soup, which was actually really good! All in all, it was a good experience, and I'll go again.
(3)Zoe W.
Of course I was sad to see the old Milky Way/Bella Luna leave their Hyde Square location, but they have come back with a vengeance at the Brewery complex. I came for a little graduation dinner with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. My cousin is a "foodie" (i.e. she's pretty picky) and we all had a lovely time and enjoyed our food and drinks thoroughly. We made a few special requests which were taken graciously by our waitress. She even managed to find some sparkling wine after originally declaring they were out. We started with the artichoke dip which was all yum. My aunt and uncle got the two special soups: one was a tomato/ginger concoction, and the ginger knocked you right out. The other was a chilled strawberry soup which was deeeelish. My main dish was chicken with spinach and mashed sweet potatoes and I ate the entire thing and loved every second of it. I also heart the cocktails here, they seem to be infallibly good. Can't wait for the outdoor seating to open up - I will surely be making an appearance at that time!
(5)K D.
OK - so I've been to Bella Luna many, many times and I've finally broken down and decided to write down what I think about it. 1. Location - Love the location! - not only because it is close to my house, but also because it is close to the T, which allows us to invite our non-JP friends out to meet us there. Other places in JP are just not as amenable to that. 2. Food - OK, though somehow they frequently find a way to disappoint. Their menu will often have items that sounds great but the taste just isn't there. The exception to this is the pizza, which many have written about before so I won't go into it. Items that I do like include: Butternut Squash Ravioli (really good), the burger is consistently good, Silver Moon salad usually a good bet. 3. Drinks - 3a. Mixed/Cocktails - The mixed drinks overall are not good, though this hasn't stopped me from trying to find the stars. There are one or two drinks that flit on and off their cocktail list that are fun but even they are often not worth the price. I will say that if you ask for a standard mixed drink, say a White Russian or a Jack and Coke, they are not cheap with the alcohol and that is something I respect. 3b. Beer - One of the coolest things about the new Bella Luna location is that they now have a beer made especially for them by the Sam Adams brewery. Other beers on tap are generally respectable, with a nice but not wonderful variety. 4. Extracurriculars - these include Wii bowling, Karaoke, trivia, pool etc. To be fair for this category- I have not experienced all of these lovely extras yet. What I have done the most is trivia, so I'll speak a bit to that. First and foremost - my biggest annoyance: the website says that trivia begins at 8:30pm however the people running it almost never begin trivia at the stated time. I'm not sure why they've decided that time doesn't matter, but I am of the opinion that if you say something starts at a certain time then it should start at that time. Otherwise, trivia is fun with a nice amount of players, though I could do without the heckling from the chic who usually does it. So, those are my basic thoughts on Bella Luna. I think it has a lot of potential and I will definitely go back.
(3)Eric S.
This location is SO much better than their old place! My buddy and I went here for dinner last night, and it was so delicious. Definitely one of the best pizzas in town. We had a small hiccup - it took forever for the food to come out. But, the waitress knew it was taking a long time and was apologetic. Additionally, there was (I assume) a manager who kept checking on us, and was very aware to make sure we were enjoying. Once the food arrived, it was worth the wait. We had an amazing (not Weight Watchers Points friendly) onion and artichoke dip, a great salad, and the pizza and pasta were SO flavorful (and super hot!) The sauce on the spinach ravioli was stunning. Definitely a hit! And, the staff was so attentive when a small problem did arise. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Elizabeth L.
Does anyone remember that the Milky Way was closed for over a month? give them a break! Did anyone ask where the skee-ball was? If you had, you would have been informed that it is on it's way and it is taking longer to arrive than they were told. And as for the patio, did anyone else see construction? My guess is that they are working on it. Let's be supportive of this local restaurant that even though they were pushed out of their old space (85% rent raise anyone?) they are back and will be better than ever. Also, did anyone notice that the staff is pretty much the same? They must be doing something right if the staff all stuck around.
(4)Ceceilia A.
I go here regularly for dancing, but the food is consistently disappointing. Don't do it. Last time I went I got a crab cake BLT. The crab cakes were the size of golf balls on a full size roll, plus they were bland and dry. Just gross. In my latest visit, my girlfriend and I got two silver moon salads that ended up being nothing more than a paltry handful of spring mix and some hard as rock croutons. We asked for avocado and got cut-up pieces of about 1/4 of an unripe avocado. They didn't have shrimp anymore so offered us a crab cake. (Obviously not after my last experience.) Oh, and the single crab cake was $4. FOUR DOLLARS. No thanks. There's nothing that burns like paying $25 for two itty bitty handfuls of lettuce that would have cost $10 at Ula next door... except seeing it go downhill to this point over the past few years. Perhaps I'm stupid for continually for going back and stupid for holding on to what Milky Way/Bella Luna was. I believe! Sadly, it's not that anymore, and I've had so many disappointing experiences that my major loyalty and my lazy ass (it's two blocks away from me) have gone elsewhere. There's a reason they haven't been on the "Best of Boston" list since 2007.
(1)Ann F.
What happened to the City Year Pizza? Do they not offer it on the menu anymore? It was my favorite! Really yummy pizza, interesting ingredients, crispy, thin crust, friendly staff and cool decor!
(4)Cari H.
This is hands-down my favorite eatery in Boston. It is the place I have repeatedly gone to on a Friday night when I haven't planned anything else and l want something I know will be good. My friend always gets the "Better Than Your Mama's Meatballs" with the two Raiders-of-the-Lost-Ark-boulder-size meatballs. It's basically two hamburgers on a plate of delicious pasta. I used to love their the vegetarian nut loaf at the old location, but now ADORE the calamari (sinful) and eggplant parm. It is the best I have ever had... and I have had my share (probably not a good thing...). Aside from the menu, the ambience is wonderful. I love the star paper lights with the exposed brick. Plus, I swear the Sams Adams Boston Ale I had last time tasted fresher than I ever remember it.
(5)Jessica B.
This Yay! is only for the food. I repeat, only for the food. Not for the service and *definitely not* for phone accessibility. And not really for the atmosphere. The food is still really good. Really really. The ricotta gnocchi were tasty and served in a large portion. So large, in fact, that I planned to take home a full half of the meal for later. I even made sure I didn't eat all the delicious sausage out of it. Too bad the waitress took it away never to be seen again after asking if I wanted it boxed. (Yes, I did want it boxed.) I don't know if the staff is new, or just harried, or if the place is oddly laid out, but service was pretty slow. But, again, the food is great. The restaurant is much more chi-chi now. I liked the old look better, but I imagine the fancier appearance will help draw a larger crowd. And: Yay! They have delivery! Or no. Change that to Yay! They have delivery if you can ever get anyone to answer the phone! If you can't, then you have to listen to an automated list of bizarrely numbered options: Press 24 to talk to our general manager. Press 11 to talk to blah blah blah. At no point is there an option that makes it clear what you should do if you just want to order a damn pizza. Only when you have called back between 1 and 4 times and gotten a real person do you realize that someone is supposed to be answering the phone and taking your order. I am thrilled to have them deliver. I am even thrilled to do pick-up myself. I am not thrilled to have to call repeatedly or listen to an automated phone system. Also, just a thing to remember: delivery stops at 9:30.
(4)Joshua K.
The last several times I have been there, the service has been great. So I am changing my review from four stars to five stars!
(5)Becky A.
Love this place! Has a very laid back scenery, drinks are great, food is awesome....MUST TRY CALAMARI'S if your a seafood lover! The sauce poured over it is simply delish! Also my second favorite there is the "MOJITO's" are SOO GOOD! I am a mojito lover so thumbs up on this drink!!
(4)Felecia C.
To start off, here is my interpretation of the new name/location. Bella Luna seems to be the name for any part of this establishment where you sit and eat. Milky Way is the name for the parts where you stand at the bar or hang out in the open space to the right. They seem to both coexist and overlap, so I don't know why Yelp singles out Bella Luna and has deemed the Milky Way closed. While I had been to the Milky Way of yore with the candlepin bowling and liked it enough, this review is based on one night at the new location - namely, New Year's Eve. Read my review before you roll your eyes and go off about the horrors of NYE in Boston, please. This year, many of my college friends were going to be in town for NYE and I was one of several of the Boston contingent to plan the main event. Our criteria typically include the following: lots of dancing, cheap(ish) or no cover, options for food and drink, central location for people staying in various pockets of Boston, and character. When we found out that the Milky Way was holding a gold-themed party called CA$H 4 GOLD and was charging $15, we were like, score. Well, to be honest, were were 30% score and 70% um this is suspiciously cheap and off-beat, it better not suck. This doubt was reinforced by many Yelp reviews brimming with distaste for this new location. To alleviate my fears that I had potentially planned the worse NYE ever, I finally got in contact with Maura, who is the official Bella Luna/Milky Way event planner or something important. She let me know that the place had ample space, we could show up whenever, food would be available, and we would not be the only fools wearing gold. In short, she was correct on all accounts. I had a great time and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised by the venue. I don't think anyone experienced a huge line at the bar or shoddy service. That is not to say there were not odd things about this evening. For one, there was some sort of interlude with dancers dressed in Nutcracker outfits. No one really got that. Also, the music was a bit spotty. Lots of Lady Gaga, not enough Bon Jovi for some people's tastes. I enjoy the Gaga, so it didn't bother me so much. They did not provide NYE hats but we brought our own. Always be prepared! I like the new location. I had never used the Stony Brook T stop before, and I was surprised that the bar was so close to the T. Plus, given that it was NYE, the T was running free of charge and uber late. It seemed like there was plenty of parking for those who would need it. As far as the remodel and feel of the new facility, it's obv different from the old, but still seems to attract a reasonable crowd of JP locals and other young Bostonians. All in all, it was a successful NYE. I would go back to check out this supposed Wii bowling/pool room, which I believe was the dance floor for our evening out. Maura said they have gluten-free pizza. If I come back here for dinner, you better believe I'll be asking more about that.
(4)Don M.
This place will not deliver to my house, though it is less than a mile and a half away. The "problem" is that my house is in the "Roxbury" zip code and not a "JP" one. This is a real problem for me and bespeaks a certain attitude ... I don't think I need to elaborate except to say that to define a service area by zip code - and not by distance - is simply wrong. Very uncool and the kind of thing that should not stand in the post-Obama century.
(1)J D.
Bella Luna can be proud of one of the most cozy, creative atmospheres in or around Boston, but has little else to offer. In fact, they try to carry it a little too far. The prices are a bit too much for the offerings. And while it doesn't affect the food at all, I'd prefer being served an undercooked, overpriced steak on most anything than the plastic plate I ate from (which I found a price tag on the underside of). With no disrespect to the chef / kitchen, I don't know anybody who couldn't prepare any one of the entrees Bella Luna has to offer at home, on their own. This isn't to say the food is bad, as it is usually tops. The only exception was my last visit when I ordered the worst steak I've ever had. It arrived on a bed of mashed potatoes and onion rings, just to ensure that all were equally soggy. I can imagine how this dish may have looked in one's imagination, but the plating made for an awful meal. The real disappointment came even before my food had arrived, when I overheard a nearby table order a burger. Their waitress asked a common question that patrons shouldn't have to volunteer the answer to; "How would you like that prepared?" Nobody asked me how I'd like my steak. This was a one time bad meal, and I will return to Bella Luna because each other time there has been good enough. The service has always been good; Sometimes really great. But there have been some spotty episodes, not unlike my steak meal, where it seemed as though I was paying to be part of a server-training exercise; The "What not to do" portion. I'll reserve Bella Luna for nights when I've got an empty fridge, or just don't feel like cooking for myself. Of course, I'd need somewhat deep pockets to do this regularly, as a $40 grocery run could easily provide you with half of their menu ingredients. The decor may be where to start and begin, if giving any praise to Bella Luna. So I'll do just that.
(2)Chris H.
Very disappointed in this place. I've catered it since it opened, but have found myself going less and less often. I went last week for dinner, the first time in about a year (hoping that the kitchen staff had been turned over or at least a fresh menu). The menu hasn't changed at all. The calamari (spectacular the first few times I had it) is now consistently mushy with the breading falling off and soaked in aioli. My friend had the mango chicken sandwich in which the mango was seen but not tasted. His fries were bland and not crispy. My crab cake sandwich was tasty, but tiny in the oversized bun. My sweet potato fries were the best thing we had. Our server was quite good (as it often is there) but the hostess is cold and terse. In the past I've had the pasta and meatballs (crappy balls and overcooked pasta), pizza (like the calamari can be amazing or mushy) and many cocktails (rarely taste like the description and either weak or poorly mixed). The big party night here is La Boum on the first Friday of every month. If it's fun it's in spite of the slow bar, which has a terrible crowd control design. I am 100% done with this place and it's hip decor, mushy food and often arrogant hosts and bartenders. I honestly don't know why you "need a reservation" to get dinner there on a weekend night. The "extra" star is for the kind and attentive table service I have gotten here. But c'mon JP diners, you should know better.
(2)Chris S.
Lured by near 70 degree weather and the promise of an outdoor patio, I ventured to the new digs of the Milky Way and Bella Luna. No patio to be had, at least not yet. Foiled! The new spot is impressive, carving out a new style for itself much different than old. First, the Milky Way and Bella Luna share the same space. The lounge is a fraction of it's original size, but appropriate to the space. It features a red horseshoe bar (with an unfortunate I beam at the apex), and some additional lounge space set off a few steps away. Bella Luna's tables encircle the bar abutting numerous giant windows, and there's room for large parties toward the back, which also doubles as the DJ space and dance floor. The interior is gorgeous, it's well decorated, well planned, beautiful and airy. And I was thoroughly impressed with the tapped beer selection. I'd come back solely to swap between Anchor Porters and Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA's, mixing in an obscure Sam Adams (like tonight's Brick House Red) just to keep me on my toes. I'll miss the candlepin bowling and the huge sprawling lounge space, but skee ball is a consolation and I'm a sucker for outdoor seating. I can't help but wonder if the new location and atmosphere will change the dynamic of this place. Situated at the Brewery on Amory amongst numerous high end lofts with it's nicely appointed makeover ... it feels a bit more yuppy. That suits me fine, but I'm not the typical clientele, and what made the old spot a hit was its character and originality. Though in keeping with the old I stumbled upon the inaugural Dyke Night, and my ears we subjected to the familiar dated sounds of Four Non Blondes and Alanis Morisette, but still I just couldn't shake the fact that it felt so different. They should update their tunes to some Uh Huh Her and embrace the new.
(3)Christina C.
The service here was great, but the food was pretty bad. I ordered the "chickpea piccata" which I thought would be a chickpea patty in sauce. It turned out to be canned chickpeas and capers in a shallow bowl standing in a literal inch of clear broth. My mashed potatoes were just soaking in the broth. I shyly sent it back and got the black bean burger. The black bean burger was severely under seasoned. Close to not seasoned at all, and as far as I could tell, the patty wasn't pre-sauteed or grilled, so it was just mush and fell apart as soon as you picked it up. My boyfriend's fish taco's were very bland as well. I gave him the pickle that came with my burger, and somehow it wasn't "pickled" almost at all. It tasted just like a cucumber. I didn't know it was possible to under season a pickle. Our server was very nice and fast, and the place is very beautiful but I can't recommend the food.
(2)Annie I.
this shit has jumped the shark. seriously. the food is good (the chilli wings are damn delicious) but the service is always so slow and they have jacked their prices up. i like going to local restaurants and am happy when they get more popular, except when the service suffers. they routinely seem understaffed and bewildered.
(2)anthony L.
3 stars for my meal, 5 stars for my girlfriend's. I had the stuffed Veal saltimboca with a side of Gnocchi. The Gnocchi was good, but not great, and the Veal was delivered cold. Also the combination of flavors (roasted peppers, rubbery cold veal, and what seemed like velveta cheese) just didn't add up to anything remotely close to delicious. My girlfriend's mac and cheese (I don't remember what they called it exactly) was absolutely mind blowing. She ordered it with crispy prosciutto. It was just unreal. I'm not sure what else to say. beautiful. Other than that the server was excellent, and funny. It did take a while to get the check, but that didn't detract from the experience at all. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)Jules H.
I love the Milky Way, and I am not someone who was deeply sentimental about its previous location on Centre Street (frankly, it sounds as though the landlord was a jerk, and while I love candlepin, the bowling was expensive and noisy). I really like the new location, though -- the bar is spacious (and the cocktails DELICIOUS), and the vibe is just as hip as ever. Perhaps because there is a bit more space the spot feels more democratic, less hipster -- but I am fine with that. The pizza, if you like pizza, is very good (I'm not a fan of pizza in general, but I do recognize the food quality at Bella Luna), but it's the drinks and the laid-back atmosphere that bring me back to this place.
(4)Gail L.
We went opening night, Monday...4 of us were seated right away (I was surprised it wasn't packed at 7pm) We had drinks and dinner in a lovely room divided in a way that lets you feel you're not in a huge space...small areas sectioned to make little groups instead of one big room. The exposed brick, little star lights and the bold colors make for a rosy feel...(the light is very complimentary) The menu offers some new items but the old favorites are still there too. The staff was attentive and friendly. I can't wait for the outdoor seating...BTW, the food is very good. Outdoor seating is available now...8/4/09
(4)johnny r.
This is a great find in the jp area with a parking lot... Pizzas are really good. The silvermoon salad is fabulous, the gorgonzola and parm peppercorn dressing go great togther, a must try! You really can't go wrong with any of the dishes here, will venture back here more often...
(4)Michele G.
Sad to have to knock a few stars off. Went back with a BuyWithMe (they even used my previous Yelp review as a quote in their description) and there was crud on the plates and on the silverware, and the Latin Quarter was merely okay instead of being a an example of what pizza should be. Hopefully, it was just an off (Sunday) night.
(3)Olivia C.
I like the new Milky Way, mm'kay... First impressions, RECESS!! Dance party with DJ Lone Wolf. Loud, banging, creative, mashed tunes, exposed brick, friendly, familiar, fast service, local micro-brew, the potential energy of an upcoming patio. I'm down. Sure it's small, sure it's sad to miss the old bowling alley/pool hall/ dance floor/magic eclectic music house/restaurant extravaganza. Sure, the new snaky labyrinth was architecturally designed by a budget drunk. Yes, I must ask, why couldn't the brewery sell the MW a bigger space? Where have all the stimulus dance money gone?? JP has a license to ill!! But remember kids......YOU bring the scene. And I am grateful for a corner to booze in. And even though, I am not much of a clubber, I have a goddamn hip bar around the corner from my house!! Thanks for bringing me out Kristen!! We don't even need to ride the bus to "the intercity disco...."
(3)Angelina C.
Close by. Newly-launched brunch menu. Had to try it. Solid three stars. Apple fritters as a starter were perfectly dusted in powdered sugar with a side of maple syrup to dip, and more than enough for our party of three. The Bella Luna Benedict featured a creamy poached egg, hollandaise, cheesy risotto cakes in lieu of english muffins, and bacon placed carefully like antennae atop the eggs. The Benedict's overall flavor was savory and really, really rich-- more than enough for two. The atmosphere is a little morning-after stale given the late night dance parties, but the live jazz helps to bring in the morning. Not too shabby, guys, but I still dig and prefer your nightlife.
(3)Caitlin I.
I don't think I'll be writing home about this one. Sorry mom. Bella Luna is a cute place. Nice atmosphere, cool vibe, but something just doesn't vibe with me. Maybe it's the fact that they dim the lights so low that I have to squint to see my date (I mean I understand the concept of mood lighting, but c'mon now people, I'm vision impaired as it is!) Maybe it's the fact that their drinks, the sangria in particular was disgusting (I'm almost positive Sangria is NOT supposed to be that shade of purple) or maybe it's the fact that their food was just....ehhh. Nothing special about it. The food I've had there just always seems like it needs a little something extra. I can't actually put my finger on what that somethin'-somethin' is, but I know it's lacking and needs to be improved upon. The wait staff could also use some improvement. No problems in the actual wait time for being seated, but for actual orders and their standard "How is everything?", they seemed to be taking their sweet time and avoiding any and all eye contact lest you have some kind of problem when they breeze right by you. I can only comment on the food since I have yet to put their bowling and pool table area to use, but if the $10 cover last night was any indication of how that was gonna go, I'm gonna pass and opt for something else.
(2)Thomas L.
Nothing exceptional here, just basic bistro-type fare that mostly satisfies in a friendly setting and with agreeable service. And if you're gluten-free, you'll enjoy the best no-gluten pizza in Boston.
(3)Brian G.
The customer service here is awfu!! Hoiw does an Italian restauarnt have no pasta on the lunch menu? I asked the waitress if there is any pasta on the menu and she gave me an attitude and told me these 2 choices are pasta, which weren't even pasta! I couldn't believe it. Then she said there are no other pastas until the dinner menu that starts at 5. It was 4:30 and she said she would ask the chef. My boyfirned watched her the whole time and she never even asked him!!!!!! The hostess with the short hair just kept looking at us in a way which was demeaning too. She came back to my boyfriend while i was in the bathroom that they can't make anything off the dinner menu. I just feel that this is bad customer service and she didn't even say sorry. This place would be out of business in NYC with that kind of lack of accomadation and lack of positive attitude.
(1)Mike S.
This was our second time to Belle Luna since they moved. We very much loved the original place. Aside from the charm, the food and service was very good. Plus it was fun to hang out downstairs at the Milky Way after dinner. The first time we went to Belle Luna was right after the move. The food and service was lousy, but we chalked it up to the restaurant not being settled in yet. We went back on Friday 9/03/2010 to see if the place had improved any. We got there around 6:30pm. The hostess told us that the only available seats were at the high top tables near the bar. Otherwise there would be a 20 minute wait. We opted to take the tables. The unfortunate problem with sitting near the bar is the bartenders are also the waiters. Being a Friday night, there were groups of people pouring in to have a few drinks and the bartenders ended up having less time to wait on tables. After we gave our drink order, it took a long time for the bartender waiter to come back and take our food order. And we didn't get bread for the table. During this long wait, I noticed there were a lot of babies and toddlers in the place. Not so bad when they are asleep, but, of course, a screaming mimi sits right next to us. I guess that now that the location of the restaurant is in a more residential area, it's going to attract more families. I counted 6 bassinets and 5 toddlers running around. In my opinion, kids kill the "hip vibe" this place used to have. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Probably because they have food servers to bring the food out, not the waiters. I had the meatballs and spaghetti and my partner had the mac and cheese. My meatballs were mealy and not very good. His mac and cheese had a very strange smell to it. As we were eating the bar area really filled up with people. Our table was constantly getting bumped by people hanging out. Our bartender waiter was stuck behind the bar making drinks for the crowd and never came back to check on us. We had to ask another waiter for our check. We paid the bill and left. Bella Luna has lost whatever mojo it had. We will never go back again.
(1)S C.
Place was below average. I went to this lounge while visiting a few friends in town. They all raved about how this is a great place and that the music was awesome. I thought it was ok... After a few drinks my mind was set this place was just another average college hangout with a someone less fashionable crowd. Even though the atmosphere was pleasing to the eyes, the bartender gave below average service with extended wait time to receive my beverages. Will I go again? Maybe when Im in boston.
(2)Courtney H.
I decided to have dinner in JP on a whim. I was a little surprised at the price of some of the dishes, but the pizzas are a good deal. I had a 'full moon' pizza -- white pizza with pesto, tomatoes, and artichokes. It was delicious! The balance between the cheese and pesto was perfect. The waitstaff was nice and the atmosphere was cute. I would go back for pizza again, or maybe the calamari.
(4)Tammi M.
I think I've found my new spot! This place is fantastic. The entrees are amazing. I got the salmon w/ sweet corn & goat cheese puree... to die for! Can't wait to come back. Looking for a gormet dinner that's healthy AND delish, you have to try Bella Luna. As you can see I highly recommend this place!
(5)Jenna C.
I'm pretty sure I don't like Bella Luna. I've tried to convince myself otherwise but the food just keeps letting me down. I've never had a bad waitress. They're always super nice but sometimes can run on the slow side. I think the hand painted plates are adorable and a cute idea. But It's super small and I feel like every time I get up from my table I'm practically standing on my neighbors meal/in the middle of their conversation. After visiting quite a few times since moving to Boston 2 years ago I've come to the conclusion that the only thing worth ordering is the BBQ cheese fries. Perfection. I've also tried: Pizza: meh. nothing to write home about. A burger: dry and overcooked. Meatballs: undercooked Pulled pork: dry Greek salad: they don't have greek dressing. how is that possible? Quesadilla: were good at one point but have slowly gotten worse I'm actually really sad that this place is a big disappointment because like every other JP review I've done it's soooooo close to my apartment. Maybe I'm just too picky. But it seems others also feel the same.
(2)Adam C.
I think Bella Luna is fan-fuckin'-tastic personally. Their drink menu is excellent. For some reason, I've ordered mojitos both times I've been, but they're fuckin' good. Also, they have caiphirinhas on their drink menu. Pretty boss. Side-note: I overheard one of the bartenders downstairs explaining what a caiphirinha was to a customer and he replied "I think I'd rather have a shot of insulin!!!" Douche. Anyway, the food. The food I've had has been phenomenal. I had a 3-mushroom risotto dish that was amazing. The pizza's great, the appetizers, great. What can I say, I really liked it and the staff have been great too. Word up to the MAX, dude!
(5)Jen T.
I've now been to the new location a few times. The first was just after it moved, for my birthday last year. Despite having just moved, Bella Luna was great. They let us have the private back area, and our waitress was excellent - friendly, good about checking on us, patient with our 20-person group. The food was excellent! I have a very tasty pasta dish, and the calamari appetizer was a hit. The space is nice, too - plenty of seating, decent sized bar, fun decor. But sadly, after my second, more recent visit, I can only give it 3 stars. A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I were on our way home and need a place to snag a late-ish dinner. In JP, this is no easy feat, as many places stop serving at around 10 or 10:30 on weekdays. But knowing that most of JP's bars keep their kitchens open later (Costello's, James's Gate) we figured we would stop in at Bella Luna and grab some pizza. We walked in at about 9:50pm and immediately wondered why, on a Thursday, the place was so empty. When we finally located a staff member (the host stand was empty) we were told that the kitchen closed at 10pm. And they weren't all that nice about it. So that explained it. We were so confused as to why a bar that stays open until 1am on Thursdays would stop serving food so early. I can understand switching to a late-night menu so that the kitchen doesn't need to keep putting out entrees - maybe just serve pizzas after 10? Or bar food? Also, maybe there would have been more than 6 people there on a Thursday night if there was something to eat. I suppose their thinking must be that when it turns into a dance party later, they don't want to deal with food? But I have to say, it didn't look like it was GOING to turn into a dance party.
(3)Susie A.
So, Bella Luna got a new chef and invited a bunch of us bloggers to come hang out and eat some of their food and drink some wine. I had never been here before and probably never would if it hadn't been for this event. And ya know what? I'm sure I'll go back! The food was seriously fabulous so kudos to their new chef! I was especially a fan of their portobello black bean burger, but their flatbread was amazing as was. They also served some reallyyy good salmon. And pork that I heard was amazing and I'm so disappointed I didn't get to try. Little cannolis and key lime squares for dessert, YUM. The patio out back is super cute and makes you feel kind of like you're tucked away in a little restaurant in Italy. The people at the event were fabulous (hi, Leighann was there!) and Bella Luna even had a DJ pumping some beats. And when you're done eating, you can always go downstairs for some bowling. Does it get any better than that??
(5)Michael P.
The location is convenient for me and I go about once a month. The food is OK, but the bar service is unforgivable on Friday and Saturday nights. It's almost comical to see the bartenders trip over eachother, stare at the POS machine, hunt around for credit cards, and chat with eachother and patrons like it's a Sunday afternoon. I would say switching to cash only would speed things up, but both payment methods seem to take forever. Also, not a huge fan of the plastic cups.
(2)John M.
Went to "Boyfriends" night, a new friday-once-a-month with Boston DJ Brent Covington. The night was very fun - really good, friendly crowd and the music was great the whole night. I'd only been to Milky Way for dinner, but late-night the place is really cool. And hey, any place in Boston with free parking has it over the other clubs...
(4)Mel P.
Last night, my hubby, toddler and I went to Bella Luna for dinner. It was the last day for my Groupon, and I figured it would be nice to have dinner out for Memorial Day. We called ahead to make reservations. And although we had to wait while non-reservationists were seated, and were told that we'd have to wait 5 minutes... I being the plucky individual I am, pointed over to an empty table and said "We will take that." And so we did. I ordered the crab cake sandwich. It was quite smaller than I expected and really "fishy" tasting. I don't think it was real crab at all. Probably canned, which took away from the experience. The sweet potato fries were delish. My hubby ordered the Saturn (or some other planet)steak, and for $20, it was not worth the price. It was so small, my hubby kept looking around his plate for the other half. His meal came with spinach and it was just sooo oily. I'm not sure if the chef thought that a side dish of EVOO was needed, but that is what he had. (Not including the indigestion from the meal itself.) My toddler had the mac and cheese. Which was fine. Its a simple enough dish that no one can really mess it up. At $6, you also get a choice of milk, chocolate milk or soda. Yet, there is no veggie. I would think that a balanced meal would include a vegetable. I'd gladly fork over an extra buck or two to ensure some carrots are slapped on her plate. But alas, that was not an option. With mediocre sides offered there's not much from the menu for a patron to "add on". I ended up paying $30 more than my Groupon offered, which is fine by me. I don't mind paying for my meals. Yet, while it had been several years since I last visited Bella Luna, I have to say, I miss their old 'unswanky' ways. But everyone wants business, right? Yet, for their updo- location-wise, one has to wonder why only the wait staff seems to wear uniforms. The hostess was an absolute mess wearing some brown and black cover up, as though she just came in from a swim. And many other upper staff members wore shorts? or casual wear. Let me state that the message your people are sending with their outfits is that they don't give a damn, and that is sad. No patron should be subject to such lazily dressed staff workers. It makes me personally think that just as in your dress, you don't care about your food presentation either. We had beer too. While we asked for Blue Moon, we were told that the restaurant only serves local beer and a similar to BM beer was some Maine Lager, it was too light for my hubby, so while I was stuck with it, he ordered a Sam Adams Light in a bottle... which made me wonder... if you support local breweries, why isn't Sam Adams Light on tap? Hmmm.. Anyway, I don't think I will be back, but it was lovely to see how the ol' place turned out. On to the next one...
(3)Kirs P.
I really, really like their pizza. And not just the Deidre Deluxe (resident yuppie pizza option- gorgonzola, cranberries, and onions- fucking fantastic). They just make a good pizza. I like the crust. It's thin, but not greasy. The Gypsy King is also good (ricotta, spinach, caramelized onions). What I really love about Bella Luna is that they will deliver to my house. Delivery in JP is tough. We don't have that many options. There are lots of crappy pizza places that will come to your door- but Bella Luna is really the only of any real quality. And, you aren't just stuck with pizza. Husband regularly orders their burger- which he says is fantastic. I wouldn't know. I'll take his word for it. And they have other perfectly acceptable menu items (quesadilla, pasta dishes, and calamari, to name a few)- all deliverable. Sometimes it's nice to have food other than greasy Chinese and pizza come to your door.
(5)Kathryn M.
So to be fair this review does not include an experience of the food so I can't help you there. However, a friend threw a graduation party for about 40 people last Saturday night and the place was perfect. They gave us the back room (later dance floor) so it was private and quieter than the rest of the restaurant. They were helpful and gracious about cleaning up and assisting with cake and plates. The tap selection is great and obviously includes a large amount of Sam Adams as the new location is where the brewery is. All in all I was really impressed with the change of location and the revitalized venue. It has been years since I've been to the original Milky Way and I was a little concerned about the change but as long as you aren't expecting the original you shouldn't be too heartbroken.
(4)Heather W.
Very yummy food and fun atmosphere. Eclectic! Best calamari ever, and the pizza was really good!
(4)tricia k.
yeah, so it is still sad that bella luna/milky way was forced out of their old location and into this soulless (but clean) new venue, but their food is pretty amazing. the deidre deluxe is definitely my go-to i don't feel like cooking dinner, must order takeout now, meal. and they usually have a good seasonal salad that always has a fantastic and unique dressing. cocktails ain't bad either. the four stars are for the sometimes painfully slow delivery, overly friendly but not overly proficient service, and overwrought atmosphere.
(4)Nicole M.
Waited a half an hour to be seated, a substantial amount of time for our food and another half an hour just for our check. Fortunately our server Danny was very nice, but you can tell he was overwhelmed. Definitely understaffed, but all in all we enjoyed our meal.
(3)Dawn W.
This is strictly a review for Bella Luna's brunch. I so desperately wanted to really love it, because I loved the former Bella Luna/Milky Way and the new location is about 200 yards from my house. In a word, I was underwhelmed. Severely. After I was served a bland, uninspired plate of "apple crumb french toast," I understood why we were the only people there aside from a party of 6. It was the most tasteless french toast I've ever eaten, and in all honesty was a little hard to get down as it was so dry. The crumb topping tasted like nothing more than crushed quick-cooking oats and there was nary a smidgen of vanilla, pinch of nutmeg (or any other spice for that matter), or the forementioned apples (or promised apple butter) in sight. I also tried my friend's bella benedict, comprised of "crispy risotto cakes," bacon, the usual poached eggs and their "own spicy hollandaise" The risotto cakes were also tasteless, but at least they were moist. As for the hollandaise, it was spicy, perhaps because of some red pepper, but it also tasted vaguely of processed cheese, and looked it too. The only redeeming point of the whole morning was the low price point; most of the dishes hover between $7 - $10, as opposed to my favorite brunch spot, Centre Street Cafe. Next time I will spring the extra few bucks for a truly delicious brunch that's worth leaving the house before noon for. I suggest you do the same. Bottom line, I'll be sticking to the new Bella Luna for cocktails and bar food only from now on. They make a killer strawberry lemon mojito.
(2)Manny F.
I've been going to Bella Luna for nearly ten years. I was always very satisfied with their old location. The space was crowded and had a nice feel. After Bella Luna moved to the Brewery, we visited them twice last August. Both times the service was painfully slow and the food was poorly prepared. I love the fact that they give you a bottle of water at your table so you don't constantly need to be waiting for refills. Nevertheless, we went a year without going back. When we returned a few weeks ago, things had improved. Service was good and the food seemed more how we remembered it. The new location will never have that same neighborhood-y feel, but I'm glad to have them back.
(3)Liz K.
Went for lunch while waiting for a Sam Adams tour. Got a mimosa which was yummy. Also had pizza which was ok. Great ambiance. The waiter was given too many tables I think so the service was slightly slow. However the waiter had a great attitude and was very pleasant.
(4)liz b.
I went to this Bella Luna with friends. nice place to hang around, wonderful bar, my favourite was eggplant parmazaan dish.. the deserts were yummy, I will go back again.. keep up the good work..
(4)blanca b.
My favorite bartender is back. He's been away for a while, since Bella Luna was on Center Street, but he's back. So happy. I will definitely be coming back for more. Thanks Dave! By the way, Mondays is trivia night and $.75 wings!
(5)Vincent M.
We sat out on the patio here. I LOVE THE PATIO HERE. It was a beautiful waning summer night with great friends. The atmosphere here is so cool- a real great place to hang out. If only the food and the service matched the ambiance. Our waitress, Noelle just wasn't having it with us. Either she was overwhelmed with all her tables (although there seemed to be an abundance of staff) or she just didn't like us! I dont know. It took a solid ten minutes before we even saw her and then another 10 minutes to get our beers. 5/6's of our drinks came and then we waited another 5 minutes for our last friends drink to arrive. When she came to bring our lost friends drink, she stopped at another table first to drop off theirs. That just doesn't make sense to me. We ordered poutine and nachos for the table. The poutine, while not traditional poutine (I've been told) was good but the nachos were subpar honestly. A generous helping but they were dry, overcooked, slopped together. I ordered the chicken sandwich for my entree. Half of it was REALLY delicious, the other half of it was dry and really hard. Very confusing. I know I will be back here again because I loved the patio THAT much. I really hope my experience will be better so that I can change it and make it the 4/5 start review that I hope this place is!
(2)Simone H.
It's the bar you come to after you visit the Sam Adam's brewery for some actual food. The place is nice and pleasant, the bar staff helpful and makes a pretty strong drink. Ordered the poutine which was delicious. The dish was served in a cauldron, which I loved, and had just the right amount of aioli to tame my carb hungry beast. In general, Bella Luna was a lovely selection of appetizers which you can stumble your way through as you sip more on Sam Adams with your friends. Being closer to Canada definitely helps with creating a better quality product because this was very good. Additionally, Bella Luna during the summer has a good set of live performers in order to make your travel down the orange line a worth while experience. Do come back.
(3)Allison L.
VEGANS! There are things you can eat here, although not as many or as creative as you might expect from a JP restaurant. In addition to the normal salads and side dishes, you can get vegan pizza, and they also usually have one other (~$20) vegan dish. I have to say something regarding the vegan pizza, though. Omnivores preparing vegan food need to understand that a little Daiya tricks your brain into thinking "Mm! This tastes kind of like cheese, well not exactly, but it's a nice addition to the other flavors." Giant fistfuls of Daiya makes your brain think, "Ew, an unappetizing pile of chemical glop that's all I can taste." Go easy on that stuff. Cocktails are usually good. Atmosphere is nice. Their New Year's Eve party is a fun alternative to fighting the crowds downtown. I just sometimes feel that I don't get my money's worth here and I'm never wowed by the quality or quantity of the food.
(3)Suji K.
Went here for bro's post graduation dinner from Harvard. I reccommend the calamari. Crisp and tossed in a slightly spicy Chile aioli. We ordered two pizzas for our table. One plain (Simple Simon) and one custom with smoked mozzarella, bacon, spinach, and onions. The pizza tasted fresh. Sauce is good. Dough is good, stretched into a thin crust. However, we were extremely dissappointed to find the kitchen forgot one of our requested toppings...onions. Which would've taken that pizza to the next level. The atmosphere is charming and the workers are nice. But to be honest, this experience will probably go on the forgettable list.
(3)Andres V.
Awful service and mediocre food. I went with my wife and some friends for dinner and we sat at the nice patio they have. A tattooed woman, who I think is the head waitress, came and told as off because we were supposed to get inside the restaurant and wait to get seated (we didn't realize because the patio has its own entrance). She told us it was OK for us to stay there but she repeated several times that next time we should go inside and ask to get seated (don't worry, there won't be a next time). Five minutes after some friends joined us making us a group of 7, what made the waitress a bit nervous. She told us that the maximum number for dinner tables is 6 and she hinted that we should go and have dinner somewhere else. Finally we ended up moving to the tall 'drinks' tables because they don't have a limit for the number of people, but you have to go and get your own drinks and order food at the bar. Seven people coming and going to order food and get drinks is not great idea. After we placed our orders, the food arrived for two of us and after waiting for 50 minutes we asked what was going on and they told us that they were sorry and that some of the orders got misplaced but that the food was coming soon. Half an hour after that, undercooked and wrong orders started arriving to the table one by one approximately every 20 minutes. Everyone of us got the orders as different times so technically we couldn't have dinner together and the worst thing is that we spent a really nice summer night at the patio worrying about the orders and speaking to the waiters.
(1)Natasha M.
Service was great but my mushroom linguine was bland. SO BLAND. I wanted to love it and asked for some parmesan cheese to try to make it taste better but that didn't help much since it was also drenched in oil, ugh. The cups used to serve water appeared to be dirty too so I didn't drink out of them. Also, hipster paradise. No thanks.
(2)Tim B.
BBQ pulled pork pizza was some really good business. every one else's dishes were fine but nothing special. if I am ever nearby though, I am going back for that pizza. first server was wonderful, great advice and we had fun discussing the artwork on all of their novelty dinner plates. second server was neglectful and less eager to be there. great place to make sure you don't brew tour on an empty stomache. overall much better food option than doyle's but you won't get a free pint glass here. unique artsy atmosphere. check it out.
(4)Edgar L.
It was a long wait. We should have made reservations, so that is not their fault per se. My fiancee and I just got drinks by the bar. Well, she got a drink (pictured below). It was nice; small but strong, and kind of fruity, which is how I like it. We waited quite a long time (probably over an hour from the moment we stepped into the restaurant). Location: It's in JP, which is a decently nice area. The surrounding location is kind of nice, actually, since it's near the Southwest Corridor, but at night it looks a little sketchy. Inside the restaurant it was very decorated with lots of odd things. Very dim lighting. Fairly loud. Service: Not as bad as we expected, given the reviews we read. The maitre d was very friendly and said she felt bad about the long wait, but was kind, which was good. Our own table server was also quite nice. Food: We ordered two pizzas: a mashed potatoes one and a pulled pork one. This is where the points came off the review. We waited a fairly long time for the pizzas to come out. The mashed potato one, honestly, was not that bad taste-wise, but there just wasn't a lot of substance. At some point, it just tasted like you were eating bread/dough because there wasn't any sauce (intentional) and because the bacon bits were so itsy bitsy. The pulled pork one may as well have been a misnomer because there were maybe 4 pieces of meat, and they didn't even look like pulled pork. It tasted good because of the sauce, but it was also not very substantial. The only plus is that there is more than enough food, though it was quite pricey - $26 for 2 personal pizzas, and $11 for the drink. I came here because I won a gift card to this restaurant and wanted to try it out despite the negative reviews here on Yelp, but I will likely not return. Verdict: Make a reservation or wait a very long time. Low lighting and loud ambiance. Decent pizzas, but nothing to email home about. I will likely not come back.
(3)Leyani L.
New Review: Second time around and Still wasnt able to seat outside becuase it was a cooler night ( damn, i might try to come back to this place until im able to get a seat at their patio, Im not a quiter). Now let me tell you something.... I ordered a salad to share with my date becuase it was the most suitable item in the menu for both of us and two months after I'm still eating the same salad everyday for dinner. I memorized all the ingridients and went to the store the next day and been making it myself since then. BEST SALAD UP TO THIS DAY! This spot always has good music and such a cool vibe.The bar is pretty large , i loved it!
(5)Maddy S.
Such wonderful customer service! There was a mistake made with our meal and on top of fixing it they also comped both meals even though we hadn't complained to anyone. I really appreciate that level if respect for customers and our waitress was so nice and apologetic. Plus the food was great! Really good pizza and nachos. All around great. Would absolutely recommend.
(5)Dan G.
Living in Boston and working in Jamaica Plain I have never had the opportunity to eat here until last night and fortunately for us it was Taco Tuesday and we got there before the crowd arrived. It was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night which is good to see. A few of us went for drinks at the bar which is small but the bartender accomodated all of us and was friendly and talkative. Drinks came out quick and tasted good. Once we had several drinks we opted for a large table for 8 of us. Spur of the moment seating and they were able to accomodate us by just pulling a few tables together. As I said it was Taco Tuesday so a few of us ordered the calamari tacos and pulled pork tacos which I heard were very good. $4 tacos...so a few ordered two and after only two they were full. Topping were $.50 extra but they pilled on the toppings. We also ordered the pulled pork nachos which were again a large portion covered with the goods. The bella burger I heard was good, a large meat patty cooked medium came out as ordered. The Broccoli Rabetelli looked really good and I was a little jealous I didnt end up getting that. I struggled to decide what to get so therefore I asked the waitress. She was awesome! She walked me through some favorities and recommendations. I ultimately decided on the Pizza Menino with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, pepper and onions. Quite tasty indeed, great recommendation!! I think the prices are reasonable especially for the portions you receive. I must say our waitress was amazing, she was friendly and patient dealing with our semi-crazy group. She was helpful with the menu and checked in on us. A nice cozy atmosphere where locals seem to flock. I hope to return soon!
(4)Isaac A.
It's really a shame that this place has such bad food. What a cool area and atmosphere it has, and the dancing at Bella Luna is pretty fun. Very interesting music and fun people. But, wow, they really need to improve their food. C'mon people! Do you know how great this place could be? We ordered the Calamari. Which was obviously frozen. It has a weird color and was greasy and far from crispy. The Kale Cesar salad was just fresh kale dusted with parmesan cheese. The "Cesar" dressing was very strange and unappetizing. We created our own pizza with onions and ham. The pizza left a really bad taste in the mouth and the onions were again, a very strange taste, color and texture. What are they doing back there in the kitchen? Fix it!
(1)Tiana M.
I love the atmosphere and the bartenders and waitstaff were very polite. Very diverse group, young, older, all ethnicities, gay and straight. I absolutely loved it. I'm very social and really enjoyed conversing with everyone I met here. I'll definitely be back since I live fairly close.
(3)Lady D.
We go to this place because its close by and nice to sit on the patio. However, the food is very average. The pizza, in my opinion, should be removed from the menu since its so bad. People probably come b/c there are few options in the area.
(3)Susan R.
Yeah- I am partial to Bella Luna- and it's time I update my review. The cocktails are interesting & reasonably priced , the bartenders are fun, they take open table- and most importantly for me- they have the most inclusive, LGBT-friendly line-up of any bar in the area. They have won awards for it... And they actually care about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable. When the patio is open/ you cannot beat the atmosphere- and their Wednesday night music series is a really great way to spend the early evening. I highly recommend the calamari appetizer, the flatbread, any pizza (esp the lovers lane) , and all of the rotating draft lines are awesome. Overall, this is a great local place, with good food, excellent drink options, diverse nightly entertainment, and where you know you'll feel comfortable- no matter who you are.
(5)Emily T.
We initially ordered take-out but hoped to eat there at the restaurant when we picked food up--apparently, that's a problem at Bella Luna! Despite spending over $80 (plus tips) the manager/owner moved us mid-meal (we were eating and had to stop) to a high top table that rocked every which way, and when we complained she said "the other patio tables are in high demand" --at the time three patio tables were completely empty. She reluctantly tried to fix our table and didn't succeed. Really rude, bad service, never going back.
(1)Lannie L.
I have been meaning to patron this restaurant for a LONG time and finally had the excuse to by way of a girls' night out. It was easy to make a reservation for the 9 of us on a Friday night. Parking was ample and table was ready on arrival. Good start! The interior is so cute with its galactic theme and non-pretentious dinnerware (plates seem hand-crafted by children!). The menu was large and everyone was commenting on how difficult it was to choose. Our table chose from an array of pizza, pumpkin ravioli, spaghetti with meatballs (the biggest meatballs EVER), and bacon wrapped scallops. Everyone commented on how good the food was which is a good sign. Service was efficient and friendly. A great local joint!
(4)Maya G.
I've been going to Bella Luna since I was a kid growing up in JP. Since the move to the Brewery space, the restaurant has kept its family vibe while also bringing more adventure to the menu with seasonal rotations and has attracted a younger, trendier crowd. Still, the menu is diverse enough to offer something for anyone from family dinner to date nights, and with the attention they pay to dietary needs, you really can find something for everyone.
(5)Shasha W.
Very cozy place, nice menu and atmosphere.
(3)Cristina R.
Bella L is that one friend that may be a little eccentric and flaky at times, but you know that she's ultimately reliable and good at heart. On a warm Tuesday evening around 8 PM, our group of 6 hungry diners found ourselves at Bella's abode, not knowing where else to go in the area (JP is another world!). Unfortunately there was a 45 minute wait for an outdoor table, as the hostess explained that they would have to combine 2 smaller tables to accomodate us, so we opted for one of the large tables indoors. The interior of the space is dark with a variety of lights and decorations including rainbow-colored hanging lights, star lanterns, and one of those electric orb lamps. Bella's interior decorator must have hit up Spencer's in a suburban mall for inspiration. Such a middle school throwback. I dig it. But I really just want to dig in! From creative cocktails to seasonal beers, the drink menu can be a bit overwhelming. As is the food one! There are specials, apps, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, oh my. And it may just be that we're starving, but everything sounds crave-worthy. And just our luck! It's Taco Tuesday, so there's even a little menu boasting these options (fried calamari, al pastor, and cauliflower) at $4 a pop. Our table starts out with the sweet pea and arugula flatbread to share, and I thoroughly enjoy my Cat on a Hot Tin Roof drink. I'm a huge Dark and Stormy fan, and this baby just cries a little louder by adding pineapple to the rum and ginger mix. Muy tropical! Let's stay on this pineapple train! I order the taco al pastor which features ground pork, pineapple chunks (though I could have used more!), guacamole, slaw, and salsa on the side. The waitress said it was a small portion, but they really loaded up the toppings! I could have made this my meal if I wanted to. But I obviously didn't. I ordered the Margarita Mussels as my entree, which was a very good portion for me. This is a different take on the shellfish dish, as the sauce is slightly boozy and acidic with sweet kernels of corn and salty chorizo. It's served with a few housemade chips which adds a delightful crunch. The rest of my party was all satisfied with their meals which included the other 2 taco offerings, salads, and burgers. Bella is also very veg-friendly, as she shows off a variety of veggie pizzas and a black bean burger. Bella Luna's crib is a great option for the area, especially if you're looking for a more casual spot with drinks and lots of variety. She's good with groups and seems to host a variety of events and activities in her quarters, as a group was engaging in some sort of dance lesson in a room off to the side as we ate (Tuesday night line dancing = free entertainment!). The main downsides of our experience were the slow and inattentive service, as the dishes took a while to be served, one of the burgers was not prepared correctly (although she asked to have it exactly like the other one ordered), and the waitress would disappear at inopportune times (such as when we were trying to peace out but couldn't get the check). The price point could be lower considering the type of environment and fare served. For example, cocktails, albeit tasty, are all $11, and most beers hover around $6.50 or $7. But whatever. Bella does what she wants. You can't get too mad at her.
(3)Melanie W.
Bella Luna is OK. I like the outdoor seating in nice weather, and the service is always friendly, if a little slow. I loved the brownie sundae that I got here. The brownie was absolutely delicious. They were out of vanilla ice cream, so I got it with chocolate and it was totally decadent. My favorite entree was the broccoli rabetelli, which was broccoli rabe with sausage and pasta and a white wine sauce. I wasn't a fan of The Gypsy King pizza. It comes with caramelized onions, spinach, ricotta, and red sauce. I found it to be completely lacking in taste. The spaghetti and meatballs were tasty, but the pasta wasn't well drained and it became like a red tinted soup in the bowl. Overall, I'll be back for that brownie, but I think the food is kind of hit or miss.
(3)Melanie M.
The sweet chili wings were awesome! We also had the Sam Adams Pulled Pork Nachos, and they were definitely a hit at the table! The brick oven pizza was amazing! We had the Latin Quarter pizza with chicken, avocado, bacon, jalapeños and cheddar. Need I say more? We went on a Wednesday so it wasn't super packed but the music was still good. The lighting is dim and set for a great ambiance. I would definitely come back here!
(4)Lauren D.
This place has amazing pizza pies and Mac and cheese! A very cool and unique atmosphere and a nice outdoor deck with live music some nights. Service is a little slow and not very attentive but definitely worth trying!
(4)Annie S.
Mmmmmm!!! Bella Luna is a fun and funky restaurant. Sometimes they have special nights with live music and themed meals like all-you-can-eat hot dogs and BBQ. Their normal menu is also great- they have really filling and fresh salads. I don't usually rave about a salad, but the strawberry spinach salad is so good. Milky Way at night is also pretty fun, there's good dancing. Some Fridays (maybe every Friday? I don't know) they have queer dance parties. Also, the owner of Bella Luna is a man named Charlie Rose, he's an incredible man and an inspirational Bostonian!
(4)Boudu B.
Only had drinks and fries but the food and place looked great. I wouldn't call it neighborhoody, but maybe that is a good thing. The staff was young and attentive. They have a great beer selection and I would eat a lot of their appetizers as meals. Good parking and bathrooms are through the back in the hall.
(4)Kristen P.
Enjoyed dinner before the Fourth Friday dance party in February. What a fun crowd. Great range in ages and demographics. The food was excellent (ravioli and pizza) and service terrific. We were celebrating a special occasion with family in from Florida- the owner sent over some champagne. Now that is what I call exceptional service!!
(5)Bia M.
I have been going to the Milky Way for years and used to like it. That was before Friday night when I was ordered a beer at 12:54 (I have the receipt) and at 1 am started being screamed at by the bouncer who wouldn't leave me alone. I wasn't drunk or rowdy, or loud. I don't understand why they would serve me beer at 12:54 and expect me to leave at 1 am. When I asked him why isn't kicking the other guests out, he yelled "let's go ladies," then turned to my face and screamed 'ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?'" - Then he physically and violently snatched it from my hands, spilling it all over me and the floor. I was about to cry when the general manager, Carol Downs, came next to me and told me leave. Without even asking how I was after this dude twice my size basically attacked me. I'm assuming she must have seen what the bouncer did. I left in tears, and nobody from the establishment seems to care. I am distraught and disgusted that they would treat a customer like this. Also, that they would harass me after serving me alcohol 5 minutes earlier. Maybe the last call should have been 12:30, not 12:55. I can't deny I felt the harassment was coming from (what I believe to be a) homophobic bouncer who seemed to want to prove his masculinity to me. Who would have thought, in JP. Still, Milky Way doesn't seem to care one of its loyal customers felt unsafe and was attacked by one of its employees.
(1)Jazzie F.
So I've had a couple of days to dwell on this & I'm still troubled. My partner & I went to the Halloween Party at Milky Way on October 31. It was all fine & we were having a good time. We arrived at 10:44 pm--yes--I checked my watched b/c we didn't have tickets for the event & I'd read online that if you didn't have tickets, you'd have to wait in line until 11 pm. So at 10:44 we were allowed in after paying 30 dollars for the both of us. YIKES. So--a couple of beers in, we met people, talked, danced. It was all fine. I know this for a fact -because--if anyone knows anything about me, knows that I am thorough. At midnight--when they made the announcement for "winners for the costume contest" (Groot & Rocco won, by the way, & quite rightly, I might add) My partner & I went up to the bar to get a third drink. Which was a beer. Because that's what we drink. 1.25 hours in-3 beers. Then I saw the lights flash, hey, last call, let's get another beer. 1 more beer (per person) served at 12:55 am - I have the receipt - so don't even-- 1 am--the bouncer is SCREAMING--mind you--SCREAMING at us to leave. I looked at him, made eye contact & nodded. "We'll leave as soon as I finish my drink." He walked away--came back 30 seconds later, SCREAMING. YES, I know, it's a club & it's closing time & believe it or not, buddy, this ain't my first rodeo. I looked right at him & said "I can't leave the premise with alcohol, let us finish our beers." I down my club soda (that I paid for) & then sipped my Guinness--because seriously--YOU try downing a Guinness. So I'll add this again: 3.25 hours at this establishment, 4 beers. My partner was on the same boat as me. She drinks slower than I do & out of principle, stood her ground & said, "I need to finish my beer." I mumbled as I walked away "Can't leave the premise with alcohol, let HER finish her beer." The bouncer continued to SCREAM--at us. At her. AT HER. She stated that there are still other people here-- she needs to finish her beer. The man-screamed--AT HER. AGAIN. Then again. I walked away to grab our coats because I figured when she's done w/ her drink, she'll walk out. She was still back there so I went back--she was crying. Why? Because the man had yanked the drink/glass out of her hand spilling the drink on her & all over the floor. Can I tell you that we were not drunk? If we were completely obliterated & acting like a-holes (again, not my first rodeo so I've had some experience) it still WOULD NOT justify this man, who was large beyond all reason, to yank a drink out of a person, a woman's hand. Seriously, was he really THAT threatened by a skinny lesbian in a HAN SOLO costume? (I was Bellatrix, thanks for asking). Why was it justified for him to attack a woman 1/3 his size, who was doing nothing but standing her ground. We walked away--& when we got outside, is really, when I realized how bad the situation really had been, how hurt SHE really was, & how WRONG this entire ordeal had become. I returned to the fine establishment & requested a business card. I was too angry to have coherent words form from me. TOO PISSED OFF that I really would have punched someone & I knew to keep my cool. I just wanted a business card. I wanted a contact information so when things were settled, I could figure out how to approach this. I was led to the "manager" who directed me to the owner, Carol Downs. As I waited for said owner to come & talk to me, another bouncer asked if he could talk to me. I did not want to TALK to him. I just wanted a business card. He said: You can't just have a good night. If this were a cartoon-my jaw would have LITERALLY dropped on the floor. What I wanted to say was: you just pissed my girlfriend off & she's outside crying, no motherfucker-I can't just have a good night. To him, then, I repeated "All we were saying was that we cannot take the alcohol outside the premise, & all we wanted was to finish our drinks." We WERE having a good night. Then I spoke to woman in charge who gave her card & wanted to shake my hand. I was so angry, I knew I was stuttering. (Also the doors were open & it was cold & I didn't have my jacket on me, because, yes, all I really wanted was a fucking business card, I did not want to shake this woman's hand). Then Carol Downs asked me: Is she alright? Really? Now you care? After 1 of your (very clearly homophobic or at least insecure in his own masculinity) staff member attacked her & the rest took HIS side b/c she STOOD HER GROUND? REALLY? Before I leave you, I'd also like to add: I mentioned--about half a dozen times--why are you kicking us out like this, we haven't finished our drinks & we can't take the drinks off the premise--I said THOSE EXACT words--no one seemed to care. AND there was NO SECURITY at the door when we were leaving. This leads me to think that do these people not care if their patrons leave the bar w/ plastic cup in their hand? Isn't that *gasp* illegal?
(1)Nancy C.
Went here for a group dinner. I tried the date appetizer, which was interesting and decent, though a little oversweet. As for the entree, I ordered a salad with grilled salmon. After a little bit, the waitress came back and told us that they had run out of salmon, except for two pieces, so two of our group had to give up our salmon and choose something else. I and another person who had chosen salmon for our salads gave up ours in place of chicken. Bad choice. The salad was way too much. Like, huge portion. The chicken was very dry; the salad itself was nothing special. I should've ordered a pizza instead; at least those looked appetizing. All in all, not a dinner worth going to. At least I didn't have to pay (it was taken care of by the group leader).
(2)karen f.
Solid food and drink. Nice atmosphere. Kale salad needs to be massaged more. Pizza was flavorful. If I could add another 1/2 star I would. 3.5 is accurate.
(3)Elise K.
Not so much liking it.... We had time to kill while waiting for a Sam Adams tour, so we stopped on over. It is a neat building, but the "space" theme is a bit weird as it looks somewhat Americana and somewhat trendy at best. When we got it the hostess ignored us and finally checked us in by giving us a buzzer to wait for a table. There were tables open, but the staff was having trouble clearing them fast enough. We hopped over to the bar for a drink to wait. We finally got some drinks and the buzzer went off. We went to the hostess stand and waiting again several minutes to be seated. When finally seated we ordered some appetizers. Hummus and "Worlds Best" Calamari. The hummus was find, a bit oily. The "Worlds Best" was more like WORLDS WORST CALAMARI. They doused it in a tangy mayo based sauce to try to cover it up, but it was pretty bad and also pretty full for tentacles. We had a tab open at the bar which was a pain to go close and re-open one at the table, so we just ordered drinks at the bar. This clearly pissed our server off. Service was slow. We didn't get acknowledged... they just put the food down and walked away. It took 30+ minutes just to get the check and another 20 just to get them to process the card. We also were seated at a table behind a big beam... at bit odd placement. Anyway... there are other choices... choose them!
(2)Wendy S.
I am just thankful we used a groupon and it only cost us about $13 each for our meal. The experience was pretty bad from the moment we sat down until we walked out the door. Our waitress was terrible, and the food? Eek! Me thinks not! We got the pulled pork quesadilla. It was all pork fat. They should just put that on the menu, pork fat quesadilla. Yum! And we couldn't get the taste out of our mouths! Gross! Our dessert was supposed to contain nutella. They must have ran out. Can't believe the great reviews this place got.
(1)beth w.
3rd time this year eating here and had fantastic service. Lila was a wonderful waitress. Bean burger was very good and sweet potato fries delicious. We live 3 blocks away. Keep hiring great waitstaff and we'll be back.
(4)Michael V.
Bad service. Sat outside and was told to go to the bar to order food. Stood there for 10 minutes without anyone talking to me. Shame, had a cool vibe otherwise.
(2)Brian W.
My wife had been raving about the gluten free pizza at this place so we made the trek out to JP one night to help refresh her memory. I've never really spend much time in JP, but this restaurant definitely has the weird/trendy/funky vibe to it. It's kind of like an earthy organic pizza place, but with a menu that has way more to offer than one of those restaurants. We started with these amazingly addictive spiced almonds that made you want to lick your fingers to not let the spices go to waste. The pizzas took a long time to come out, but we had those almonds to tide us over. While I don't think my regular pizza was the best I've ever had, it was still damn tasty and covered in delicious fresh topping. The gluten free pizza was better than most. The toppings were better than Stone Hearth, but the crust and overall taste couldn't compare. If I lived closer I'd go here all the time to check out the rest of the menu and some of the interesting drinks, but unfortunately it's a bit of a trek from Waltham and there are some better pizza options much closer by.
(4)Lesley P.
The setting on the patio was nice. They give reasonable portions and the staff are friendly. We went on a Friday night at about 5:30 and by the time we were leaving there was a line. We had a lobster roll and a fish sandwich. We felt it was reasonably priced and we will go again.
(4)Christopher G.
Horrible wait staff, lousy fee-for-service bouncers at night, rude, overrated food- give this place a pass and choose one of our many other wonderful restaurants in JP. I'll never waste money there again.
(1)Paul D.
See if you can follow this logic for a minute....as clearly Bella Luna cannot. You have two groups of customers coming to your establishment. Group 1 - comes in twice a year to hear a band. They show up at 11 and because you close at 1 - they are already nice and liquored up from their pre gaming. They pay $10 cover (which goes 100% to the band), the buy 3 beers at the bar and leave. The bar makes $20 dollars max off these people Group 2 - comes in 5 or 6 times a year and usually early say 8 p.m. Orders wine, apps, main courses, desert, and 5 more round of drinks. They spend $250 dollars between the 4 of them....and then have 4 more friends join them, who also order food and drinks. Bella Luna makes about $400 off this group. If you owned a business, which group would you go out of your way to take care of - the group who spends $20 pp 2x a year, or the one that spends $50x pp 5x a year? Seems like a trick question doesn't it? After last Friday Night it is clear that Bella Luna cares more about group 1. Because they have no clue how to run the door in their establishment, when they have a band they actually ask you as a dinner customer who just spent HUNDREDS of dollars on their average food and overpriced drinks - to pay a cover to use the bathroom. Can you imagine the stupidity in this? Anyone with half a brain in the hospitality business knows it is the repeat RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS (see Group 2 from above) that keep an establishment in business. Bella Luna must have missed the memo and you need look no further than the last year of reviews out here to see where Bella Luna stands. Ave Food + High Prices + Poor Waitstaff + Dumb Door policies + managers with no common sense = a place that better hope they can survive on those 2 times a year customers from group 1....as they clearly don't want high margin, repeat customers around. I used to drink and bowl with you on Centre St - now the only reason you will find me on Armory St is when I am cutting across from Canary Square, heading to Doyles.
(1)Seth And Sophie G.
Our favorite place in Boston! Amazing pizzas (Intergalactic Eggplant is AWESOME!) Great apps and fun drinks! Calamari is crispy and chewy, just perfect. The pizza is steamy and thin crisp crust, delicious! We HIGHLY recommend it!!
(5)Nick K.
Fantastic place that my girlfriend and I love going to. We recommend any of their pizza options. The atmosphere is great and their trivia night is always fun. As to some of the comments below knocking the place - half sound as if they've never been there? The bathrooms are outside the actual restaurant, so it would be impossible to charge a cover for them? Highly recommend!
(5)Justin E.
GREAT food, GREAT beers & cocktails, GREAT vibe! I love everything about this place. I come here at least once a week (if not more) and the hosts, waitstaff, and bar staff all are as nice as can be. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is inviting... Bella Luna is an all-around great place to catch up with friends, go out on a date, take in some comedy, or dance late night with live music or a DJ. I couldn't recommend this place more.
(5)B J.
This place looked so promising, but ultimately failed hard. The interior is very trendy, the music was not so loud you could not talk to people in your party. Once the service started, it was all down hill. Most places give you ice water, I always like that. The server brought out a bottle of lukewarm water in a colored bottle. Simply put, the water smelled, and it was so warm that it was undrinkable. We were a party of 4, and we all ordered right off the menu, with no substitutions or changes. When the food arrived, 50% of the order was incorrect. The server may think it adds to the experience if she doesn't have to write anything down, but in the end if you cant even come close to remembering what people told you, the pen and paper would have seemed like a good idea. Delivering food that is incorrect, and then trying to tell the guest they ordered the chicken, when this person has been a vegetarian for many years, is just insulting. 10 minutes later when the actual meal arrived, unapologetically, with no offer to comp it, we continued. The food itself was nothing special either. I had the pulled pork which came out cool to the touch. It was just above a fast food in terms of quality. The kick in the pants was when the bill came, they STILL CHARGED US FOR THE WRONG MEAL! We had to flag down a manager who gave a lame excuse of "well normally shes very good" about the server. This is nice, but she was bad today, and you did nothing to try to correct the situation other than say you would take off the 5th meal for our four person party. We still had to pay for the four, including the much delayed one. There was an opporunity to turn this experience around, but they failed.
(1)Gene L.
Regular for Friday drinks. I haven't had anything I didn't like there. The atmosphere is really nice and who would complain about the occasional live band. The fried calamari and the burgers are delicious. I like how they keep their menu small and rotate options based on the season. The specials they offer are also really nice. The pizzas are also a favorite.
(5)R Oh Bee P.
I have been to this place dozens of times. I come here for the wings, pizza, drinks and beers. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Out of the many times I've been here, I only had one bad experience with the waitress. Maybe on this particular night, she just didn't feel like giving it 100% and that's fine. I'm still a fan of Bella Luna. If you come here on a Saturday night after 10:30, you will be expected to pay an entrance fee because it turns into a club atmosphere. I was once surprised by that. The wings are not a let down. They have the right amount of spice and kick to them. I could eat an entire large order! They have a variety of pizzas to choose from. Just reading the menu makes your mouth water. Made fresh and always leaves my stomach happy. The drink menu really gives this place a unique feel. I tried about 4 different drinks my first time here and even though the drink menu changed, I still ask the bartenders to make my favorite drinks...Jose is my favorite bartender. I always go to him. When it comes to the beers, the have well known beers and they offer different types to change things up a bit. I usually go with a seasonal Sam Adam or I try something new. I hope this review helps.
(4)Angel M.
A definite pit stop for aliens in our universe, in the best galaxy ever. Especially when the moon is out. The "Smokey bandit" cocktail was quite the outlaw. He certainly played by his own rules, the smoked salt crystal rules. The "Some like it hot" and the "Hot and Bothered" were so tongue captivating, they both had their own peppers, one had habanero and the other a little red one. My internal temperature increased to 99.6 degrees, definitely. In keeping with the theme of sexy and hot, we ordered the deviled eggs. So good, high cholesterol is overrated anyway. We got two orders. For my entree I got the "Kickin Carbonara", it kicked me in my mouth, in the good way. Bella Luna was a beautiful moon, I would know, it was reflecting in my sauce. The side bread was prompt and carbolificent. Soft butter for my melting eyes. Oh yeah, they also have their summer cocktail with rum and raspberries...summer-solstice-super-socks! Um, but, my favorite part was the dessert. Okay, ready for this? Wait, second to the drinks. OATMEAL.COOKIE.ICE.CREAM.SANDWICH. Grandma's ostentatious oatmeal was most likely used here. Cradled amongst the cookie was an intergalactically flavored orb of vanilla ice cream, very "milky moon". All surrounded by semisweet chocolate chips. I must also say, I really appreciate the staff. I have my favorites, sure, thats a given, but thats because I know them outside of this galaxy. They know who they are ;) My "waitress was like, being a waitress". YELPED!" My bartender, was like, being a bartender. "YELPING!"
(5)Kerry L.
Great drinks, I really love their seasonal apple cider martini! They used to have an incredible drink called "the rainflower". If you see it on the menu in the future...get it! The bartenders are always really nice and funny. The food here is also top-notch. The pizza, chicken wings, meatballs, and pretzels with Sam Adams beer mustard are so good! They have great dance nights!
(4)Erin D.
I dine at Bella Luna fairly frequently, as I work and live within walking distance. I seriously love this place, and here's why: - Delicious food and cocktails, made with quality ingredients - Plenty of vegetarian options, as well as options for vegans and folks who are gluten free (it's a great place to bring friends/family/dates that may have dietary restrictions) - Seasonal changes to both the dinner and cocktail menus (to spice things up for frequent diners like myself) - Reasonable prices I deduct 1/2 a star because service can be lacking when it's busy. I totally get that is to be expected, but dining there on Friday nights, it seems they need an extra server on. Some waitstaff appear to be overwhelmed by the size of their sections. Generally speaking though, service is great. I deduct another 1/2 star because, like some other posters have said, sometimes it can be too loud. I'm not talking about weekend nights when there's a DJ or band that starts later in the evening - that I get. I'm talking about when it's a weeknight and Latin karaoke is piped in through the entire restaurant. Really?
(4)Joseph P.
This place is one of Boston's gems. Some friends had their wedding reception here, the Milky Way was cool like that. Although on a Thurs night dinner date at 8 o'clock, one may have to wait a little, the food and atmosphere definitely makes up for it. I had one of their vegetarian pizzas, the Gypsy King, and it was fantastic. The pizza was delicious, with hints of rosemary in a beautiful ricotta and caramelized onions with fresh baby spinach. It was a treat. They also have a great pairings of food with wine or spirits, the bar cocktails are pretty authentic and they do a great job with presentation. You need to experience this yourself, I'd go back again. Oh and because JP is such a flaring community, their night scene can be pretty fun, with different musical guests.
(5)Ronald S.
the high points of this place for me were the proximity to the sam adams brewery and the pea soup. my vegan pizza was OK but very very soggy (and we didnt get plates?). the salad was underdressed and small. service was ok. space was nice. art on display was nice. if you go on the brewery tour and want to walk somewhere and aren't too picky, this place is right under the smokestack.
(3)Cassandra B.
Wow. The farmers pizza (rotating toppings) was incredible when I had it. It had seasoned tempeh, broccoli, vegan cheese, and lots of tasty sauce. Yum!
(4)Liliana C.
We'd been hearing about this place for years, and were really excited to love it. We came to dance late in the evening, but got there 20 min early. We tried to get a table (there were several open) but just wanted to order some food and drinks before dancing--but no dinner. The waitstaff wouldn't serve us and was really rude, despite the fact that people kept clearing out as we were trying to reason with him. Wtf? We still came back later to dance, but felt pretty disappointed in our evening. This was followed by another rude experience with staff at the bar. :(
(2)Wayne S.
This review is not for the food (which deserves a 4 star rating) but for the service, or lack of it. If you advertise delivery service then why would you stop it 35 minutes before your kitchen closes on a Thursday night when it is 20 outside? That is just lame. If you are going to offer your regular customers a service, and advertise it, then don't stop it randomly because one night you don't feel like doing it.
(2)Lindsey R.
good food at a reasonable price. only had one less than great experience with the wait staff.
(4)Jennifer M.
This place is terrible. But what is even worse is that they think they are too good to be terrible. First, they say 10 minute wait but it was 20 minutes in the rain. They sit us and we give our order. First we had an appetizer. It was chicken wings. They were overdone and burnt. Then we had our burgers. The three guests that were with me ordered medium. They were well done. I ordered medium rare. It was medium well. I also ask for bbq sauce. 15 minutes later the waitress comes back and I complain that I asked for bbq sauce (my boyfriend also asked for mustard but chose to eat it without) and that my burger was way overcooked. She then offered to have the kitchen make a new one and I can eat that one too. We declined. How many bad burgers do you think people can eat? I get my new burger 10 minutes later (but was told it would be 5) and it is WELL DONE! WTF! I choose to eat it because we were going to the Sam Adam's tour and could not wait any longer (two friends were from out of town and I am a local JP resident). She does not get a manager. She does not comp it on the bill. And when something is sent back, it is typical that the manager is notified and comes out to apologize. This never happened. My only guess is that they do not care and this happens quite a bit. The service was awful. She did not come back right away to see if the burger was okay. She did not have me cut it to check. We don't normally take away tip for kitchen mistakes but her service was so bad she made a very small tip. The kitchen does not know temps and it seems they don't really care. The music is lame. The decor is nice but the music is old and when I go out I don't expect to hear music from my teen years. I am very local and will let everyone know about my experience. And it was terrible! The only reason I can possibly understand people enjoying this place is that they don't know any better and don't get out much to better quality food and service in restaurants.
(1)Emily S.
The Diedre Deluxe is probably the best pizza I've ever had! I've been to this place a few times and love the trendy/chic atmosphere. The hanging star lamps are a nice touch. It's good for a couple or a small group of friends. It's a tad on the loud side during dinner so I find myself raising my voice to be heard. They have a cool, well-stocked bar so I was expecting slightly better cocktails but they are still good and the wine is great. If you go on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night I would recommend making a reservation or you might be waiting for a table.
(4)Leatherhead F.
Really was a good find. Food was great, ribs weren't too tough or sloppy. great beer selections since it's attached to the Sam Adams specialty brewery. Definitely would go back. FOOD not fuel.
(3)Juliana C.
I got stood up by a blind date here. I spent half an hour sipping and then gulping red wine -- an excellent syrah, to be exact. My server, Justin, was both attentive and sympathetic. After a half hour I was ready to call it a night, but I was also hungry, so I ordered one of the two pizza specials, dubbed The Brewer's Fave. You guys. This pizza is THE pizza. Roasted chicken, garlic, pesto, goat cheese, fresh tomatoes, even fresher crust. I ate about five slices before finally re-hinging my jaw. The leftovers this afternoon were stunning -- we're talking parted clouds, angelic choirs. I'm already plotting a return trip. Five stars because the empty seat opposite me ended up being occupied by a rather cute staff member; back down to four stars because past nine the whole place is blaring club music and it's hard to hold a conversation. Pizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizza...
(4)Lauren P.
Customer service : Poor - Getting through to an actual person on the phone is like trying to get through to someone at the RMV. I've been here a few times now and on every occasion the wait staff are slow / unfriendly. Food : Mediocre - The only thing redeemable about the menu is a semi-decent beer list.
(2)S M.
I wanted to love this place because its in our area but mehhh. Went here with a groupon a few weeks ago, I think it was a Friday night. Shoulda called and made a reservation way in advance but forgot. Over the phone they told me the later i came the better chance I had of waiting less time for a table. Fine. Got there around 9pm and the place was packed. Good sign. We waited around an hour for a table. We went to the bar during that hour where it was almost near impossible to get a drink. 2 bartenders!! WTH. Probably waited 25 minutes just to get the bartender's attention over all of the people that were trying to order. When our buzzer things finally buzzes indication our table is ready we are told by whom I believe was a manager that they would only be serving pizza and wings because the kitchen was so backed. WHAT! We waited an hour for you to tell us that??! I was starving so I said fine, otherwise my husband would have left as he was livid since he wanted some meat dish. We sat at a tiny table, quite close to other customers. Asked the waitress if there was anything else besides pizza and wings so she went to check with the kitchen. She told us they could make anything besides like 2 dishes which thankfully we didn't want. I ordered a pizza (a big one) and I was brought a small one -____- I was so hungry I didnt even say anything. My husband got some meat dish I forgot and said it was ok. My pizza was pretty good. Overall due to the service we will not return to this place. I understand it was a Friday but they could have been a bit more prepared. Sorry Bella Luna.
(2)Farah S.
Went here on Dyke Night. Very friendly, welcoming staff and the door. Atmosphere was electric, and the drinks were flowing. I loved how they offered free samples of their cocktail special. As any good bar in Boston they have Sam Adams on tap and even the Cherry Wheat, which I had never seen before. Bar staff very efficient, just get there and make your order. 80's night on the dancefloor had the crowd bumpin'
(4)Bobby C.
We had reservations for 6PM on a Friday evening. My friends were stuck in traffic. After 20mins, the hostess called my friends to see if we were coming. It was nice of them to call us instead of giving our seats away. Place is pretty decently sized. One nice thing is the parking lot and some street parking. Our server was pretty accommodating as were crunched on time to get to a play afterward. He kept us apprised of how long more it was going to take for the food to come out. I had the steak frites. One friend got the burger. Another got the vegan ravioli. Portions were decent. Prices were ok. The ravioli was surprisingly tasty. My steak frites was ok, nothing special. The garlicky broccolini went went with the steak flank. If I am in the area, I might stop by again. When the hostess seated, she mentioned they make their dessert from scratch. Will definitely have to try some of their desserts out next time.
(3)Kristina M.
After a number of different experiences ranging from excellent to mediocre to downright unacceptable, I am going to settle on 3 stars. I would like to give this place more - it's super-cute, the food can be great, and I really appreciate the fantastic influence they've had on the neighborhood. I am actually very upset that their a...le of a landlord felt he had to increase the rent up to a point where they can no longer can afford it, and that they will be forced to move out in March 2009. This sucks big-time! Alas, in all fairness, the service is not always stellar (they tend to forget you when you chose to sit outside, food came out cold once, and on one occasion they served us what was hardly a tiny sip of wine priced at $8 each - ridiculous!!!). Also, the pizza is little pricey for my liking. That being said the pizza definitely kicks ass, the wait-staff is usually very friendly, and I just love the coziness and neighborhood-feel of the place! Still, I usually go down the Milky Way and order food from there (it's the same kitchen).
(3)Elise V.
I really really really want to love this place but I only like it. I go here quite a bit because I live in the area (though I go less often these days). The atmosphere is great, love the look and the feel and the patio is nice in the summer. The staff is ok, very friendly but oh, so slow! I always find myself waiting for someone to come check in on us. The food is good but seems to be hit or miss. It is usually very good but once in a while its just not what your expecting. I will find myself saying "this tasted so much better last time." I also went to dinner with friends one night, they were having Latin night that evening so they kept telling us we had to get wrist bands. I have never been to a place that makes you pay if you are already in having dinner. We felt very pressured to either stay and enjoy our time after we payed for a wrist band or hurry up and get out. Overall, a good and chill place to hang out but expect to be waiting.
(3)Joseph G.
Very impressive tap selection. Not a lot of them but delicious options. Like Dogfish Head 60 minute and Seasonal. I am yet to eat here but have it on good authority that it is delicious. I came for a story slam in the Milky Way space and it was a lot of fun
(4)Chad G.
I had high hopes, but they were dashed. I arrived at 9:45 after being told they served until 10pm. Offered me a table but would not clean it or acknowledge my existence for ten minutes. Staff seemed totally bewildered and uninterested in my presence, as they ate their own dinners (this was a Thursday night). Finally, I went to bar and ordered from very friendly bartender. Wine was good but Food was miserable. Broccoli rab was cold, black bean burger was stale and lukewarm and covered with some sort of unrecognizable sauce that reminded me of a 1970s TV dinner. Grated carrots on salad and yucky brown dressing. A side of meatball was tasty, but not enough to rescue the rest of the meal. If they are trying to be a dive bar that serves bar food, they get a C- (at least serve food hot); if they are trying to be a real restaurant they barely pass with a D-.
(2)Diane I.
what a great change of pace from the normal boston/cambridge scene. the place has it all. pool tables, bowling (i love bowling!) and beer. a great place to go for a night and hang out with friends.
(5)Huan z.
I had the Crab Cake BLT, it was yummy; however, 2 friends complained their Portbella and Black Bear Burger was kind of dry. I liked their sweet potato fries as well. Too bad there is no more disco bowling, but this is still a cool place to eat if you are nearby.
(3)Sarah G.
I moved out of JP and very quickly started mourning all the restaurants I left behind. My plan had been to eat at a different restaurant every time I was back in the area so as not to miss them as much. In the end, Bella Luna is the only one I've been back to. I love the pizzas! I usually try a different one every time I'm there, but I keep the one with the mashed potatoes in regular rotation. I can't help it, people. I'm a creature of habit, and that's a delicious habit. I've had bits and pieces of the other food, and have had friends order entrees that they've all been very happy with it. Someday I'll stop associating Bella Luna with pizza and start ordering other food when I'm there! I love the decor/feel of the place - casual but not divey. I love the pillows they give you if you're seated on the bench, and I love the star lanterns and the red and turquoise. I love the sangria they have sometimes, and I've never tried any of their mixed drinks - we stick with beer/wine/soda because we're simple folk. ;) The only complaint here is parking, really - although that's only an issue when I'm with my car-dependent suburban friends (who have also come to request that we go here whenever we're in the area), as I don't own a car. Without a car though, this place is easy to get to on the 39 or is a bit of a walk from Jackson Square (which some people think is a little dicey at night), but I think it's worth any extra effort to get there.
(5)Jeffrey H.
It's aiiight. I wasn't too impressed nor disappointed. I enjoyed the decor (plates decorated by children, visible kitchen area, lesbians roaming freely outside) but the food and service were just, meh. I got some special pulled-pork sandwich they were offering...it wasn't bad but it wasn't anything I'd order again. It was kind of dry so I basically had a ketchup sandwich with some pork thrown in. The fries were a little high school cafeteriaish for me, but a french fry is a french fry so I won't leave any one unaccounted for. Our server was really nice but took her a while to get over to us. She reminded me of Parker Posey so I was instantly in love. She sauntered around the restaurant and seemed as if she knew lots of the customers. If she didn't, well then she's just a nice lady! Creep. Kidding. Maybe. I think if I ordered something different I may have enjoyed the place more so I'm not going to rule out trying it again. Especially if my bitch Parker is going to be there.
(3)Janine A.
My favorite pizza is the latin quater and we loved the wings of desire. Food is fabulous and the cocktail list is really good too!
(4)Rozzie M.
Read the reviews before going and didn't think they could possibly be true. No person to greet you when you walk in? Lousy service? Nah. How could the place be in business with that kind of craziness? Decided to give it a try anyway based on the positives. Well, guess what? No one to greet us. Lousy service. Who'd have thunk it? The hostess was very rude when we asked (nicely) if we could sit at the adjacent table (empty) to where she was aiming to put us (right in the flow of traffic). She did not even say yes or no. Just rolled her eyes while we stood there like idiots for a while, wondering which way to go. Our waiter, once we were seated (at the table we preferred--thanks miss grumpy) was the kind of guy who comes up with a big smile and then scowls the very second he walks away. Fake, fake, fake. And scarce. Seemed to not be enough servers around for all the tables and the party in the next room. Since this seems to be a recurrent complaint you'd think they'd fix this issue by adding some staff. Food was merely mediocre, solid "meh" on all fronts. Calamari was meh--needed some zingy sauce. Caprese salad was over salted and peppered and missing the promised basil.. Pizza was fine. Had been looking forward to the ice-cream sandwich one Yelper had raved about, but was surprised to see two giant cookies filled with about a tablespoon of ice cream. What is that about? Plus, we were a party of six and they added a 20% automatic tip, which we found nervy, given the poor service and attitude. 15% would have been PLENTY. But it would have taken WAY TOO LONG to flag someone down and get this issue discussed and resolved, so we left it as is. Probably the only way anyone there gets a 20% tip is my guess.
(2)luke o.
the atlantic cod blew me away. go order it right now. i think its like 19 bucks. imagine a perfect stack of awesome mashed potatoes with beautifully cooked asparagus topped with an ample portion of slightly breaded cod. oh my god. and there is this berry sauce in a little moat surrounding your meal which is also delicious. mmmmm. p.s. new location at brewery is cool
(5)Mary F.
I don't know how people go back to Bella Luna. I went there last week and it was not overly busy but we had to wait for a table. The bar tender was rude and didn't get us our drink until he saw us getting up to go to our table. Also, the waitstaff we had didn't come by the table until we stood up to leave. She then took our drink orders and disappeared. She then decided to chit-chat with her friends two tables down from us. Again, we didn't get any service until I flagged down the manager. Then it was "i'm sorry". No excuse. Food was ok. Not too impressed. The mca & cheese had no taste and needed lost of salt. Ny boyfriend did enjoy is chicken. Since this is a service industry, I'd expect the waitstaff to earn their dollars. We only left 10% tip. She deserved $0. I will never go back and my boyfiend wont' either. And that is too bad as he is VERY well connected in JP and is opening a business in JP.
(1)Margaret W.
Some of the best pizza in Boston -- dreamy toppings combinations, thin crust, perfect amount of cheese. We got half Gypsy King and half Roma on a recent visit, washed down by a selection of local artisanal beers. I'd be happy going here for dinner every weekend.
(5)Melissa C.
Came here for a small bday gathering. The staff was very nice and had reserved the table I wanted and sprinkled Happy Birthday confetti on my table which I thought was very nice. Every drink and food item I have had here has been great (buffalo fries, sweet potato fries, butternut squash raviolis and the Don Vincenzo drink). Was very busy early on in friday evening (mostly older restaurant only crowd) but by 10 or so it emptied a bit and a very good dj came in. Overall it was nice to have a table and was not crowded so my friends and I could move around. Been here on a Monday for trivia and it was a good time also.
(5)Asta S.
Good for beer and pizza. Dinner is over priced for what it is. The service leaves something to be desired.
(3)M H.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. After all it's right down the street from me. Easy to just stroll over there if I'm feeling too lazy to cook. Alas, it was not to be. Unfortunately, I have yet to try an entree that warranted the price point. If they were $5 cheaper, I'd be a bit more lenient. But if you're going to charge Ten Tables prices, you better be able to compete at that level. If you go, stay away from the entrees and just stick to the pizza. While it's not the best, (Picco) it is decent enough. So why the three stars you might be asking? Because the atmosphere is super cool. And the bar is great.
(3)Niki M.
Delicious! I went for the Valentine's Day special and was extremely impressed with the menu. Not a pizza hotspot, but totally convenient to visit when hanging out in JP. I enjoy the artsy vibe.
(4)robert o.
The placed looked nice and the service was good but the food we had lack. We share an order of buffalo tenders. They were overcooked and dry. We both had burgers. The were cooked right but were over spiced the fries were excellent. It was our first time. I would go again and give it another try.
(2)Melissa A.
That's awfully cute and all, what with the kids' drawings on plates, but I remember making these plates when I was wee and my preschool teacher told my mom not microwave them, put them in the dishwasher, or eat on them, so my mom put them on plate stands to display my handiwork [mostly just portraits of my family WITHOUT my stupid brother, houses, dogs, ponies]. So when I see that this place uses them, I sort of push my food over to the small, white areas of the plate devoid of art. YICK! I mistakenly joked a little too loud yelled, "What kind of stupid idiot drew this?" and then someone who worked there grumbled, "Uh, KIDS drew those." Jokes! Who likes 'em?! [did you know that this symbol '!?' is called the 'interrobang'?] I got the spinach ravioli with white sauce and greens on the bottom. I'm sure the restaurant's description is much better. It was very saucy and very tasty. They let me get the lunch size even though it was nearing 5PM. It is the PERFECT size. So PERFECT that I have to capitalize it. I like this place just fine, but let me drink a goddamned cocktail before 5PM. It's like I'm a leper because I want some doofy, frou-frou drink before dinner. SUE ME.
(3)Joe B.
So glad I don't live in JP any longer. Apart from Centre Street Cafe, JP Seafood Cafe, the Dogwood and City Feed, the vast majority of available dining consists of poor to mediocre quality food at above average prices. Bella Luna =s bland, slightly short of mediocre quality food at slightly above average prices. Thoroughly underwhelming.
(2)Emily P.
I have been to the new location several times and while I don't have anything negative to say, it's just not a place that I usually find myself wanting to frequent. It just kind of looses it's gleam and glimmer after the first few visits. That being said you CAN'T go wrong with the 'El Mariachi' cocktail (if you like it HOT) , the Shrimp and Avo salad and the Latin Quarter pizza. I split that combo (minus the drink which was ALL mine) just last night with my roommate at the bar. Bartender was nice and attentive too - always a huge a plus. Only other thing to note is that since outdoor seating is a rarity in JP, their patio bumps Bella Luna up a nacho too.
(3)Damien P.
Great place! Love the casual neighborhood feel. Their pasta is top notch, as it their pizza. Appetizers are a bit less creative, but decent overall. Their lunch specials are usually great as well. Taco happy hour was a brilliant idea. My one complaint is that the menu doesn't change much. It would keep the place feeling much more fresh and interesting if there were new things to try.
(4)Vanessa C.
this review is only for their delivery service: I recently moved to JP, so being new to the area I was a little surprised by the lack of delivery options. I dont cook anyway, but while I was moving in of course I had no food in the house. the only place that seemed to deliver was Bella Luna so I gave it a try. it was pretty tastey! the girl who took my order over the phone was very nice. they keep your phone number on record so you dont have to give your address info everytime you call - I like that! I ordered a few times that week & my food always came quickly and was very fresh. but depending on what you order, it seems like it can be hit or miss. for pizza, I really enjoyed their creative selections like the full moon with pesto & artichoke hearts. their more conventional pizzas (like the menino) were not so good by comparison. also good to note for the domestically challanged: I dont eat cold leftover pizza - I have to heat it up. the goodridge (meatball topping) is the best reheated pizza I've had in recent memory. a medium size can easily yield lunches for 3 days! good stuff.
(3)Lauren D.
YUM...YUM... YUM... Delicious. They deliver and the wait staff is nice. A bit pricey, but worth it! If you haven't tried it, you most give it a shot! I am going to miss it when I move in the next few months....
(4)Dennis D.
I have to say... I do like this place a lot, even in the new location, which is a block away from where I live. I admit the old place was better because of the bowling and the space, but the new place has a cool vibe and look. The food is good, had the pizza (Menino) and the wings of desire and I love how big and spicy (when you order the buffalo favor) the wings were. I also tried the silver moon salad and the parmesan peppercorn dressing and gorgonzola cheese definitely makes the salad good. I give 4 stars only because depending on some nights, the service takes a while and you want to order or ask for the check and I don't like to wait long. The bar part is good, they make some pretty good drinks and on saturday nights is latin night and you can have fun if you bring friends. Overall, I recommend this place.
(4)Abbie T.
Having been a big fan of their previous location, I went to Bella Luna last Saturday for only the second time since they moved. I was hesitant because of how different the new location looks, but was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was quiet enough to talk easily when we first arrived around 8:30, but got much louder as the night went on and by the time we left it had definitely transitioned into the "lounge" side of things. Although I preferred the atmosphere earlier in the night, the food was great and so was the service. The mac and cheese was the low note of the night, but I highly recommend the Gypsy King pizza (ricotta, caramelized onions and spinach) and the buffalo fries. I'll definitely be going back, just maybe a bit earlier in the night.
(4)Nicole M.
When we lived in JP, Bella Luna was a regular place we'd eat at. We never ate upstairs in the main area, but we would order food downstairs and more often, order take out. They have excellent pizza and calzones, at the time, they were the best in the area.
(3)Abby M.
I've been to both their new and old locations--and at both I've had great experiences. The menu is drool worthy, and has everything to suit your mood from inventive salads to 'twice baked potato on a pizza.' In the past I've gotten the pear and fennel salad, the cheese plate, a yummy artichoke dip, pizza, the amaaazing eggplant parm and dessert-- it's always totally satisfying. Not cheap, but reasonable and it feels like a nice dinner out. I would certainly recommend it to friends.
(5)Jessica R.
I've spent plenty of time drinking and dancing at Milky Way Lounge over the past two and a half years, but last night was the first time I'd been for dinner. It was a much better experience than I was expecting. Our food was awesome, our server was awesome, thumbs up. I don't end up in JP for meals that often, but I'll be up for more visits in the future.
(4)Phil W.
I'm a regular at Bella Luna / Milky Way and I love it there. The food is excellent. The calamari is some of the best I've had, and it's very difficult not to keep ordering the steak frites. The pizza is inexpensive and very good. The Milky Way downstairs is what makes it for me. Very friendly staff, bowling, pool tables, karaoke (do not miss live band karaoke every other Tuesday!), dancing. It's probably my favorite bar/restaurant in the city.
(4)Althea D.
I eat at Bella Luna because it's near my house and local friends like to go there. On the plus side the food is fantastic, especially the pizza. The atmosphere is fun & relaxed. It's a great place for people of all ages. I rarely have to wait long to be seated. However... My big gripe with the restaurant though is the consistently horrible service. They're plagued with an inattentive waitstaff. They tend not to write down your order as you place it, causing mistakes to be made. Several times I've had appetizers not show up, another time an incorrect entree arrived. I've never ordered dessert at Bella Luna as it would add at least an additional hour to visit because the service is so slow. Because of the service issues, I mostly get takeout from Bella Luna and try to avoid dining there.
(3)laura c.
We were so disappointed when Bella Luna and Milky Way left its old haunt. I thought it could never be the same in a new location. But I was wrong. The pizza and seafood is consistently good and the beer selection can't be beat. I'd never order the calamari again because it was so greasy. But hey, it's still 5 stars for being a good time every time.
(5)Ashley S.
+outdoor seating, cute and private. +fun waiter, he joked around with us. +really tasty calamari appetizer; got quite a lot for $9 +salads have the option of being turned into a wrap. i got the chicken ceasar wrap and was pleasantly surprised to find the
(5)Brian P.
I hosted a surprise party for my wife's 30th birthday at the Milky Way, and can't say enough good things about the venue and staff. The booking process was easy, and Maura worked with me to craft a food selection which met the dietary needs of our guests (some vegans and vegetarians in the crowd). We had about 30 people and booked the Satellite Room, which was the perfect size. It has a few booths where people can sit down to eat or talk, as well as some standing tables and plenty of open space for mingling. For parties, you get complimentary music and Wii bowling on the big screen. This was a big hit throughout the night. Compared to what some other venues in the area wanted to rent a room on a Saturday night, the Milky Way's prices were very reasonable. The food was great, the staff was friendly and helpful, and all in all a great time was had by all.
(4)Beth M.
My husband and I tried Bella Luna the other night because we felt like something semi-cheap and were in JP for an art opening. We've always wondered about it but never stopped in. We found it cute and cozy-- we were seated right away, and our waiter was really charming. I don't get the whole thing with using plates that kids drew on, but it was kinda cute, if confusing. It let's you know you're in a more casual restaurant for sure. We liked the food a lot-- my husband got the gnocchi special which he found to be a bit heavy (he's a gnocchi novice and doesn't realize that most of it doesn't come 'toasted', but rather boiled then slathered in a creamy sauce) I think he enjoyed it tho. I got a spinach, bacon, avocado salad with really delicious herb-citrus grilled shrimp, and a side of garlic mashed potatoes...very yummy. For a chill bite to eat (and a decent glass of wine, I got the riesling) this is a nice casual joint with yummy italian fare.
(4)Zev X.
BEST PIZZA IN TOWN. I love Bella Luna!!! Nice atmosphere ... the salads and pizza are consistently great. Silver Moon Salad is fabulous and the Full Moon White pizza with pesto, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and basil is to die for.
(4)A J.
Great atmosphere. Better for a date or a tiny group since there is not a ton of room. For larger groups, head downstairs to The Milkway. Favorites on the menu: Silver Moon Salad, Fried Calamari, Mushroom Risotto, and the Spinach Ravioli
(4)Robert M.
2nd visit 7/20/11[1st 6/30] 1st meal was great,couldn't have been any better. Had talked up this place to my sister who is a chef and wine expert in Northern Calf. Made res. on open table,arrived on time. Nobody at the desk ,waited for about 5 minutes. Person shows up and asked if there was a res....yes. Oh, here's your table for three [maybe 3 small childern] Hoped it would get better,it didn't. Service was a disgrace. The food was so so, the drinks where wrong, the final straw...the dessert was wrong. Waitperson shows up..."sorry about that" no more. Had make my regrets to my sister. Would never recommend or eat here,again.
(1)Aretha B.
I love this place! Yummy pizza with a great thin crust. We ordered the Menino (tons of meat, peppers & onions). Next time I'm going to try a straight Margherita to get the true essence of all the ingredients. We also shared the spinach and cheese ravioli in a ginger cream sauce on a bed of baby spinach. It is at least 34 times better than it sounds! DELICIOUS! I will be happy to visit this place again.
(5)Meg K.
Try Bella Luna when the weather is warm, and you can sit on their back patio. Bella Luna was my favorite restaurant in JP, until they got a new chef. The menu fairly heavily pasta-based now, and I am rarely in the mood for a heavy pasta dish (although the sage gnocchi is pretty fabulous). The pizza is fabulous, as are the sandwiches. There is a full bar through the Milky Way downstairs, so there are some specialty cocktails and decent beer. Service is hit-or-miss. I've had two terrible waiters, and several fantastic, knowledgable waiters.
(4)Lilee N.
Came with a friend and sat at the bar. Nice place for drinks and to catch up. Food is good and the selection is wide enough to please many; we shared the squash ravioli and warm pear crisp. Prices are very reasonable and the bartender was friendly and attentive. Music is chill and so is the atmosphere. Easy to find parking (and it's free!).
(4)Amanda S.
Despite the new Bella Luna being further from my house, I think the new venue is great! This space is so much nicer, and so much warmer than the old location, but maintains all the charm of the old Bella Luna/Milky Way. I've been twice now- once a Sunday night with a great Latin-jazz duo, and again on a Friday with a few different bands (some more bearable than others...). On both occassions there's been a nice mix of people. I haven't had any of their food or table service since they relocated, but bar service has been friendly. Thank goodness we didn't lose Bella Luna forever!
(4)Amy A.
I had a phenomenal night at karaoke last Tuesday night. My faith has been restored. I'm just going to have to make this place a habit.
(4)Steve L.
I visited on a beautiful afternoon saturday simply because it was the closest bar to the sam adams brewery and we had an hour and a half wait til the next tour. There was live countryish music (they played some slow versions of Gun's'n'roses) which was quite enjoyable and didn't stop one from having a friendly conversation. Bar is nice. Beer selection is good (anything bar with no dedicated miller/coors/bud draft lines is a plus). Service was standard. and at approx $5 a pint I was pretty happy.
(4)B R.
Fake flowers were the first thing I noticed as we sat down and began to look at what seemed to be a nice menu. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer and were both satisfied with its unique presentation and great flavors. It was a bit after 6 and the restaurant was beginning to fill quickly, so I didn't bother the server for forgetting the cream soda my lady ordered or the fact that our water was empty for nearly 10 minutes. I understand. The $12 burger that I ordered was standard. A $12 burger should be memorable(in a good way). Even with gorgonzola cheese and bacon it seemed bland. Plus the fries were soggy. Who likes soggy fries? My fiance ordered the Chicken Marsala with portabella mushrooms. $15 is a fair price for marsala, if executed well. She pointed out that the mushrooms used weren't even portabella and after tasting it, the pasta was overcooked and the marsala really didn't even taste like marsala. Overall, a very sad attempt. After quickly finishing our disappointing meal, we asked for the check. I had to ask the manager to take off the cream soda, whom returned to the table promptly with incorrect change. I feel that a restaurant's menu, service, quality of food, ambience and price point should be in align with one another. This is not the case at Bella Luna. EXTREMELY OVERPRICED with a chef out of his league. This all may seem harsh, but when you have one night a week to go out for dinner, you want to enjoy a good meal with good service. I wish Zon's was still open on Mondays so I wouldn't have had this experience. Hopefully with Bella Luna's new location at The Brewery, starting in April, we will see a new approach and better quality all around. I recommend fresh flowers to start.
(1)Derek L.
So I go back on Saturday to check out the Salsa scene. This time there is around 45 people and I am there with these two Taiwanese lesbian tourists that my sister introduced to me. None of us know how to salsa so we mostly just watch and danced a bit when they played some merengue. The crowd is forty percent latino and forty percent white and the rest of the crowd is asian or black. The music was ok, and there was a couple of good dancers to watch. Might bring the wife here, but not knowing how to salsa, I'm just not too comfortable coming back.
(3)Jon V.
I liked the old Milky Way and Bella Luna. But cry me a river, things change. So no more bowling alley and the new restaurant has all the charm of an Applebees, but whatev. At the old Bella Luna I had a waitress who remembered my name and asked me questions about my day. And she remembered what we talked about the last time I was there. I felt special, as I should I'M PART OF THE FRIGGIN GAY MOB. This new place has small portions, loudmouth waiters who would be better suited for working at assisted living, and s-l-o-w bartenders. The worst part? After I dropped $50 on a scrawny dinner and a beer, I went to leave. I felt friendly enough despite the crappy portions and waiter who yelled when he talked, so I tried to say goodbye to the hipster hosts at the door. They ignored me because they were too buys talking about the MFA thesis show. If I drop $50 on dinner on a Tuesday night, don't talk to me like I'm senile and deaf and for Krike's sake, just say bye if I give you the time of day. Your hipster lifestyle will survive a 4 second acknowledgement.
(2)Andrea P.
Funky place, awesome menu (lots of veggie options), great atmosphere. With the outdoor seating, it felt like we were relaxing in someone's back yard. Good date place. Our server was very informative and just attentive enough. For an appetizer, we split a special, the grilled calamari salad with avocado and farmer's cheese. For entrees, I got the Grilled Salmon special with creamy potatoes and spinach (sub broccoli for coleslaw 'cause it's ew) and my BF got the Steak Frites. His steak wasn't cooked medium like he asked, and my fish was a little underdone for my liking, but everything was still delicious. We went on a Wednesday and they had a Prix Fix menu (just on Wednesdays?), something like 3 courses for $15 I think. Looked like an excellent value but there was only one dinner option and it was meat. I wish they did a meat and a veggie option for the Prix Fix! I can't wait to go back, there are so many more things I want to try...and the pizzas, they looked amazing!
(4)J L.
Good food and funky decor. What's not to like? Great for dinner with a few of your friends or a night out with your significant other. Guys, as a girl I would label this as an ideal first date place. It has a romantic vibe, but it's also fun and hip so you don't seem like you're trying too hard -- and it's not overly expensive. My faves on the menu - the chipotle aioli fried calamari, the eggplant parm (it's battered so that may be a turn off to some), the balsamic chicken with polenta, the better than your mama's meatballs and the spinach ravioli. The only entree that I've tried that I haven't cared for is the tuscan chicken pasta (really bland, IMO). Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Hannah L.
you know, i really miss the old milky way. the other space was so much funkier and raw. the candlepin bowling was a really fun and unique draw, and the music was awesome. this new place really just doesn't cut it. reason 1: they are following a new person limit (which is 200 people), so you basically are standing in a 35-45 minute line to get in starting at 8:30. unreal! reason 2: the decor is cheesy. reason 3: lights are way too bright for a lounge/dance party. reason 4: the DJ honestly played 2 good songs and i was bored reason 5: my friends, who ate there before going out, STILL had to pay a cover even though they got there early. we all left thinking this place is lame, and probably not going back ever again. i'm sad...i miss the original place. sigh.
(2)jeremy f.
Bella Luna may have more style than substance, but the substance is pretty darn good too. I've eaten there for sandwiches (at lunch), yummy pizza, and now a full dinner, and I've never been let down. Tonight, my friend and I started with antipasto (minus the prosciutto). The antipasto was delicious, especially the roasted peppers when combined with buffalo mozzarella. And in the middle of the antipasto was a flavorful artichoke heart, which really made the dish. Following this my friend had the vegetarian heaven, and I had the sage gnocchi. The vegetarian heaven practically describes itself. It was a flavorful stuffed portabella mushroom, with a delectable tomato-based sauce on top. My sage gnocchi was absolutely wonderful. The gnocchi itself melted into your mouth, and was complemented small pieces of smoked ham, each of which was full of flavor. And even better were the plum tomatoes that exploded upon biting, filling your mouth with a burst of tomato juice. Providing a perfect base for it all was the sage cream sauce. For the antipasto, the two entrees, and a glass of house Merlot for each of us, the total came to $50. Not bad for such a delicious meal, in a stylish but casual setting.
(4)Katelyn M.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed 2 large pies (pizza) with a group of 6. We chose to be bit adventurous with the Latin Quarter -- a white pizza with avocado, bacon, and chicken. The other was a "supreme" pizza -- pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Both were good -- the "supreme" was better, though. White pizzas are difficult to do well (see my next review on The Dish). The service was good. I loved the atmosphere, the melamine plates with kids' drawings are so cute. Will come back for cocktails and lunch/dinner sometime.
(4)johnson r.
As my nephew said when we went to pick up a pizza- Gee auntie, this place is weawy pope-yoolar. It's a busy little place, cute charming little tables. The pizza is good, very interesting special pies. The food is pretty good too. It's tasty, hot, served by friendly people. Take out is great too.
(3)Daniel K.
Pretty good food, but much better lounging/drinking place.
(3)Jeff L.
I was really drunk when I ate there but I remember the pizza being good. I can't remember what else I had though....
(3)Molly W.
Bella Luna moved to the Brewery, but it hasn't changed like - at all. And I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. While it's retained it's cozy atmosphere, the menu is pretty much the same as it's always been. I really want to like it here but I find the food to be just OK. I wish they had a more refined menu - just a few things that they do really well instead of trying to do it all. Joel (who could house a plate full of wings no problem) got the Wings of Desire and didn't even finish them. Then he ordered a burger (medium) and it came well-done and "tasted like a hockey puck". He didn't finish that either. But like I said, the atmosphere is nice so.... while it's not my thing, I could see how it could be a good casual Date Night place? Calling all you Match.com people - this is a cute affordable place with average food. Whatevs. But I still miss the bowling alley. What happened to ski ball? I need an activity to do whilst drinking.
(3)Amelia E.
I really liked the inside of the bar but the service was SO bad! The waiters ignored us and were busy counting money and eating dinner at the next table over. The food and drinks weren't very good either. The "wings" are basically heated up chicken fingers with BBQ sauce on them.
(1)Jesse F.
Love this place. Good beer, good food, good service, just a phenomenal place to be.
(5)Brian D.
I am a 10+ year JP/Roxbury resident and I can say in all honesty that I have had Bella Luna (4) times in my time here. A lot of folks seem to love this place and that's fine - the food is OK, the staff are pleasant and they have hand painted plastic plates. But what they also have is inconsistent food quality, very slow serving times and some expensive pizza pies and entrees. At first I thought this was the case on busy nights, but I went there for lunch last week and it was the same exact story (meaning slow service). I have had the delivery, and that was quick and the pizza as a stand alone with out the restaurant is pretty darn good. I dunno but I doubt I will be going back to dine in there anytime soon.
(3)Walt M.
Been to this restaurant about 7 times since they've been in this new location and it's steadily going downhill. The place was packed shortly after the move, but last Friday night at 7:30 there were plently of tables. My last two visits have been terrible. My dining partner and I both thought the crab cake appetizer was spoiled. We each had only a couple of bites. It also smelled very bad. Very bad. We told the waitress and it was taken off the bill. My last visit (which was last Friday) was sub par also. Despite the fact that the place wasn't busy, we were not given any bread and it took a while to get a drink order taken. I really want to like this place, but they are going out of their way to make it difficult.
(2)A W.
After reading all these great reviews on Yelp, I was really excited to check out Bella Luna, but I was really disappointed with the service. I was in shock at how rude one of the waiters was. We had two, one who brought over water while the other one served us food. Here's the 411: We got there and the place was packed upstairs, so we were seated downstairs. We sat down and immediately one of the waiters walked over and said that we had to leave by 9pm, we have a private party. We thought his tone was really inappropriate, there wasn't even a greeting...just, you have to leave at 9pm. It was 7:30pm and we were pretty confident that we could leave by then. We didn't think much of it. He walked away and came back with waters and he said it AGAIN, "you need to leave by 9pm." We thought this was unnecessary, but why spoil the night and dwell on this so we said to him sure we should be able to leave by then. Our pizza, which was very good, but unfortunately did not arrive until 8:35pm. We were munching on our appetizer for an hour. We ate for 20 mins, had two slices each and then the man came back and said...you guessed it..."you need to leave by 9pm." That was completely disrespectful...we got the message the first time he said it...but again, we didn't want to spoil our night and cause a scene, so we just let it be. As we were leaving, we attempted to walk up the stairs where we came down from. You know...like what most people would do. There was a sign in the corner that said we should use the main stairs and that this was the emergency exit, but it was in a corner so we thought we'd try to get back to the street level from there since there was still room to walk...maybe they meant to pull it over once it struck 9. The man rushed over and said, hey you can't walk up there, that's the emergency exit. So we thought, OK, our bad...and my friend was very sweet and said sorry. He proceeded to say, yeah that's the emergency exit, that's what the sign says...that's what it's for. Is it really necessary to say this? The tone was SO inappropriate, I had to tell him he was being very impolite. I was in complete shock at how bad the service was. OK - so you won't be getting as much money from us as a private function, maybe you're very nervous about prior set up and so forth, but we are customers. Why talk to us in a disrespectful manner? It was not deserved, and unfortunately, because this experience, although I thought the food was great and the atmosphere was chill, I will not be going back there again.
(1)Cristin B.
I can't say whether or not the food is good because I ordered a pizza for delivery and it never showed. They had my number. If you decide not to make a delivery, the very very least you can do is call rather than leave people wondering for hours whether their food is ever going to show.
(1)Brian A.
Pizza was really good, the ingredients tasted really fresh and the price was decent ( a little pricey). The waitress was super friendly and sang happy birthday to us. I got a great drink from the bar (a dark and stormy) and the atmosphere was very relaxing. i would definitely recommend giving this a try for gourmet pizza.
(4)patrick w.
I want to like this place more, but after three out of three bad experiences I can't give a higher rating. Why do I want to like it more? Well it's local, looks cool inside, nice groovy people, friendly enough staff. Why do I dislike it? First time I ate there we ordered pizza on the patio outside. It was served cold (I kid you not). Who serves expensive pizza cold? No apologies, no explanations. Later in the evening our sever just disappeared so we had to finally go into the restaurant to pay. Second time I ate downstairs at the bar and ordered a vegan pizza. So called vegan pizza arrives with vegan cheese etc, but somehow the cooks don't understand that butter the onions are cooked is not vegan. How do you seriously not know this? Third time last night while waiting for a table we ordered a couple of glasses of the "special" wine of the week. For $16 plus tax you would expect two nice glasses of wine. What we got were two really tiny glasses (seriously I am not exaggerating - basically a couple of sips each) and my glass was full of detritus. My guess is that the bottle they were pouring out of was nearly empty and they just filled up our glasses with what was left. The wine was definitely not great, it probably cost them less than $8. So they were totally ripping us off. When I complained rather than apologizing and either not charging for the drinks or offering us new wine, they took my $16.75 for the wine (which we never drank because we were so annoyed) and we left. My theory is this place has too much reputation now amongst the cool set that they charge too much, and don't care about repeat business within the local community. Too bad. And too bad they weren't willing to apologize to me for basically screwing me three times in a row. I most annoyed because I now feel like some sort of arsehole for complaining about this. I have never walked out of a restaurant before, and went in with the expectation that this would become a favorite local hangout. To the waiter that took my money after I complained about the crap in the glass: Screw you!
(1)admir a.
Best Pizza in JP. Really good lunch deals, delicious, inexpensive.
(4)Bob T.
I ordered two hot dogs. 1 hour. No joke. Nothing fancy, nothing special, just two hot dogs. During that time there was ONE visit from the server to check on our party of four. Food came out one person at a time. Great decor, decent jazz, but the food was ho-hum, prices ho-hum, and service terrible.
(1)Oneda H.
On my first try, I would have given the restaurant 5 stars. My roommates and I had the Quesadillas with Guacamole...the Guac was in this great lime sauce. When we ordered from there again, they no longer had the same guac. NOW they dont even have quesadillas....The pizza used to be good but now whenever I get delivery the chicken on the Latin Quarter is AWFUL...it tastes like leftover turkey. The menu has changed quite a bit and seems to be moving away from the "cozy, neighborhood place" and is making a faulty attempt at upscale. But the Silver Moon salad IS wonderful!
(2)Alyssa N.
Inconsistent service and quality on my different visits. My first visit was with 5 other people and they handled our varied requests well (we had two veggies and a semi-veggie among us that night). The place is kind of small and I felt like we scored by snagging a large, round table. I'm not sure it deserves to call the stuff on it's menu JP's Best Calamari- it was actually kind of greasy, chewy and soggy. Entrees have been decent. The drinks are good, but I once had to wait until the bar opened downstairs, which was kind of odd, since it was on a Saturday around 6pm or something. Still, it's a nice option that's fairly close by and has a parking lot. After your dinner, you can hit the Milky Way downstairs for more good drinks and maybe some bowling or live music.
(3)Mark S.
I don't have that much more to add about this place that someone else hasn't already written about but I would like to mention specifically the atmosphere. The lighting in the place is perfect and there is such a non-pretentious vibe that I get which makes my dining experience here wonderful. The waitstaff are pleasant, attentitive and very accomodating. I also don't feel like I am being rushed through my meal which is big points for me. Try the antipasto, it's superb!
(4)Andrea C.
I want to like the new Bella Luna/Milky Way, but they make it too hard. I've been several times over the summer and have had consistently bad service. The host/ess makes is seem like he is doing me a favor by seating me and even when it's not particularly busy, it takes a loooong time to get a table. Last night after being seated, had to wait at least 20 minutes for bread to be delivered and the server made herself very scarce (except to pick up her check-- she was quite prompt with that!). Food is good for a neighborhood restaurant.
(2)Hollie N.
The bar at the new location is small and crowded, but I think the restaurant is even better than before - the last few times I have gone they have had some seriously awesome vegan options, and the omnivores I went with loved their meaty dishes too!
(4)Lynette M.
Decent food, cute atmosphere.
(3)Eric W.
The antipasto appetizer was crisp and diverse, a welcome way to start the meal. However, the crust of the pizza wasn't substantial enough to support the toppings. It was difficult to move the slices from the pan to the plate without having them disintegrate, so forget eating with your hands. The staff was friendly and attentive, the atmosphere warm and fun, and on a Sunday afternoon there were plenty of seats.
(3)James H.
Sooooooo disappointing. I want to like this place. The food is mediocre, the staff is usually rude, the drinks are sometimes good and sometimes bad. I go occasionally but only b/c it's convenient. Not worth a special trip. I complained to the owner once about snotty staff and pathetic drinks and she didn't give a crap so good luck to them.
(2)Brandon I.
Tonight was my first night in Boston. I was really excited about this place cause I had heard that it was local, funky, and served good food. I have to say, the food was horrible. I read a lot of stuff on Yelp about the poor service but our waiter was OK. There were occasional moments when the entire staff was in the corner chanting some staff guy's name like the place was a drunken frat party but otherwise just OK. I don't get the guy with a CIA style earpierce that went around sitting on every ledge in the restaurant though. Really? To start, the artichoke dip appetizer was cold... no worse than cold... a soggy luke warm. The chips were extremely soggy and felt like they'd be left out for WEEKS. The one or two crispy ones actually tasted good. Imagine cold slimy room temperature cream on limp stale chips.. mmmm... Next, the fries that came with the burger were the soggiest fries I've ever seen in my life. Disgusting. And the $17 skirt steak? Rubbery, chewy and the "ginger and sweet onion... blah blah pretentious sauce" tasted straight out of a bottle from the grocery store. The potatos... suffering the same disgusting fate as the fries and chips. The crispy onion garnish on top was cold, a little stale... and 100% straight out of the preprepared can from the grocery store. The bill was $50 for two and we didn't even eat a quarter of our food. It's the only place around with a cool atmosphere so it will be frequented nontheless by local people starving for a decent place to hang out. I have no doubt that people are nostalgic about this place cause it looks cool and has cool events... the food, however, is disgusting.
(1)S H.
Bella Luna has great gourmet pizza. The crust is always perfect, the cheese is the right amount and they are generous with their toppings. The salads are also surprisingly good for being a pizza place. The atmosphere is pleasant, but the service can be spotty. Just go in there with a laid back attitude and you'll get your pizza, hot and fresh. You're guaranteed to be full when you leave. Tips: check out the back patio during the summer, the Hi-Lo market parking lot is for restaurants after 5:00 PM (next door), the pizza is "take out friendly" -- stays good all the way home.
(4)Katie W.
The atmosphere is casual romantic. It's a good place to go for a date. I would suggest ordering pizza on that date, however. The other food I've experienced isn't as good. The wait staff are friendly and warm so they kind of made up for the overpriced underwhelming spaghetti.
(3)Stacie J.
Pefect date spot. Great pizza and just a 2 minute walk from our front door. Cozy outdoor seating is available and Milky Way Lounge is a funky place to hang out and still get the Bella Luna menu options. You can wear something nice and not feel out of place and then you can dress down and no one will notice.
(4)Erin F.
It really pains me to write a mediocre review for Bella Luna, but I hope that maybe someone there will see the multiple so-so reviews and make a change... I think the restaurant itself (it's decor, the people, the idea of the menu, etc.) are excellent, and I think that's why we go back occasionally, but unfortunately, since they changed chefs somewhere around a year ago, the food has been- how can I say it- really really OK. Even the BBQ cheese fries aren't as good since they made the change. This sucks, as those fries were my favorite food to inhale after a bad day at work. It's not just the fries though, unfortunately. The chicken and pasta dish has also lost it's pizazz. Please Bella Luna folks, help to make better food come out of the kitchen, so I can have one of my favorite JP haunts back!
(3)David W.
I've been to Bella Luna quite a bit now, and I've always had a good experience. The salads are simple and fresh, and aren't swimming in sauce. I've had good luck with the couple of pasta dishes that I've tried there, and I like the (enormous) pulled pork sandwich a lot. The pizzas are really wonderful, thin-crust gems. I grew up in Europe, and their crust reminds me of the pies at Pizzeria Romantica just down the road from my house growing up! Note: this place is a neighborhood restaurant. They're not pretentious, and they don't seem to be trying to get national accolades. Seems more like they're trying to bring good-quality, affordable, familiar foods with a fun twist to a neighborhood that's on the up-and-up. And in my opinion, they're doing a great job of it.
(5)Scott C.
Ok, I really wanted to like this place but could not find even a decent reason to like it. My appetizer was very overcoooked, my burger was actually soupy and wicked over seasoned....and it is pretty hard to make me not like a burger. I wouldnt go back.
(2)Neftali F.
when we first went there about 3 weeks ago the food was great i had the bacon and peperoni pizza and my fiancee had the crab cake BLT then we went there 2 days ago and i had the same pizza and my fiancee had the same crab cake BLT this time the food was disappointing the crab cake had shells or bone in it and my pizza the bacon was not cook and the pizza dough was soggy it was so bad that we did not even finish the meal we just paid and left i am not sure if i would go back.
(2)Cecilia B.
Ordered take out - salads and pizza for a vegan and a veggie. Mezzaluna salad fine; the more interesting Silver moon great. Thin crust pizzas ok but cold on delivery. Vegan cheese does not melt and not worth it - stick with veggies in the "create-your-own" option. Service was quick.
(3)Sarah M.
I went to the old Bella Luna many times. It had a great vibe, nice people, etc. Then I went away and I came back and things have changed a bit. That's understandable; there was nothing they could do about it. The servers are still great. But there are some definite issues. I eat a vegan diet and since Bella Luna started offering a Teese fake cheese I was really excited to try the new pizzas. The first time we picked the tempeh pizza. To our dismay, it wasn't very good. It didn't come with a red sauce because it's supposed to have a "garlic oil" but that just wasn't very flavorful and left the pizza kind of sparse and dry, and the crust was very thin - but not in a good way. The other big problem was that they skimped on toppings and cheese. Those are two big no-no's if you want to make a good vegan pizza. Despite this, I like to support local businesses and especially Bella Luna, so we tried again... and again... and again. When we ordered the baja tofu, for delivery, it had plain, unseasoned, un-marinated tofu crumbled on top - which is not appetizing, no Teese because they had run out, and was the smallest large-size pizza I've ever seen. A few weeks later I decided to make a pizza at home but didn't have all the ingredients, so I called up Bella Luna to see if they sell their prepared dough and sauce - like some pizza places do. The nice girl on the phone talked to the chef who said it was fine and that the dough would cost $3.75 or something close to that. My friend went to pick it up and when he got home he told me that the chef had charged $6 for the container on pizza sauce and made sure to have the waitress tell us that this was a one time favor he was doing for us. I don't know what a favor means to this guy... but $10 for uncooked dough and sauce doesn't seem like a favor to me. It also seems counter-intuitive and rude to say to a customer that, yes, you do sell dough and sauce, and then inform them after the fact that "the chef doesn't mind doing it this time, but this is just a one-time favor". It would make more sense just to say "no" to begin with instead of grossly overcharging for a "favor". Still, my overall issue with the service is just the quality of the pizza. Making pizza for vegans is an awesome thing to do, more power to you! But if it's not good, what's the point? It's really not that hard, I make good vegan pizza all the time, I've had it at many other places all over the country. It just takes alot of gooey cheese and a good amount of toppings, like any good pizza... I hope that these things change at Bella Luna, so-much-so that I'll probably keep trying a pizza again every few months, hoping that something will change. All the other food is really good, from what I know/hear.
(3)Evelyn A.
Nice ambiance and decor, but the food is mediocre. The eggplant parm - did it have eggplant? All I saw was breading, the eggplant was unidentifiable. Fried calamari were soggy. Gnocci dish & lobster tortellini with alfredo sauce were ok, nothing to brag about. Tiramisu was tasteless.
(1)sandra q.
Their pizza, wo-wee! The pizza is awesome! I also love their Silver Moon salad, and their homemade dressing. They are delicious and I recommend them. I usually take-out, but if you want to sit in, do it. The staff is professional and prompt, the plates add a very warm touch, and the atmosphere is mellow, may be a little romantic. Don't expect your tongue to tingle if you order entrees and desserts, but their pizza and the Silver Moon salad, now that is tasty.
(4)Katy G.
Funky and delicious. When seated, the plates that greet you at your table are those awesome decorate them yourself plates with a variety of unique designs. The cuisine is Italian, but with a bit of fushion thrown in there. The entire menu is available for take out and the pizzas are superb, esp the breaded eggplant, mmmmm.
(4)Stellina M.
I do not understand what is great with this place! Maybe because there is nothing else in the neighborogh? How would somebody define the food? If you are a connisseur of italian food you would not recognize it. But if you want to go with your friends and live in JP, why not?
(2)Heather Q.
Bella Luna always leaves me wanting a little something more. It's OK. Best as one of the places to go on a date or with out of town guests when you're trying to impres them with JP's funky atmosphere. Certainly more style than substance. The pizza's are good, thin crust done right is hard to find. It's not cheap though, you're paying for the gourmet lable.
(3)seana m.
Bella Luna is a fun spot for dinner. Their brick oven pizza is good. There are lots of toppings to choose from like chicken, artichkokes, olives, white pizza, soy pizza, or your good ole fashioned tomoato sauce and pepperoni. Sometimes the wait gets ridiculous. Ask how long it is and tack on a good 15 minutes from what they say.
(3)Gael R.
oh bella luna....just go eat the damn pizza, already.
(4)Kevin C.
Great beer. NEWS FLASH! If there are only 10 people in your 100 capacity bar, and 5 people want to get beers but not food so you wont let them sit down, you dont understand the business
(3)Jou-jou S.
i like the set up. I like how they transform for events
(4)Lily L.
Good buddy restaurant with great choices of beer (LOL). Legit at the area.
(4)Laura M.
I keep going back. And it's getting worse and worse. After sitting without being waited on until the kitchen closed last night, I'm done. Maybe only pizza take out because the food is good, but the service is awful.
(1)Stephanie S.
This was our first time at BL so it was our first crack at the menu. Everything looked great so it was hard to choose. Between my husband and myself we got a Brewery Burger and a "small" Napolitano pizza which were both delicious! I wish we could have sampled more, but the meal portions were huge so we ended up taking literally half of it home. My only gripe is that it felt like it took a long time to get our food once we had ordered, and the restaurant was only filled to about half the capacity. We will definitely go back, but maybe with a group so we can share and try more things on the menu. I also look forward to hearing some of the live music they have throughout the week.
(4)Jess L.
I've dined here several times...and many times at their old location. The food is always dependable...always. Their pizza is always great, their burgers are great also. Their bartenders are great. Their wait staff is not great...especially the tall red headed dude with his sunglasses mounted on top of his head...not great at all. Their drink menu is great....although I will miss my favorite "some like it hot" spicy cocktail. In fact, I was really looking forward to it on my last visit. And no, the waiter said he wouldn't ask the bartender to make one especially for me. Huh? Why not? Yeah, I was "put off." We almost left without paying because the waiter took so long to bring our bill.
(3)Lina M.
Great beer selection! Tons of appearances from craft breweries. Service was above average, food was fresh, the pizza had a tasty, thin crust, and the pricing was very reasonable.
(4)blanca b.
My favorite bartender is back. He's been away for a while, since Bella Luna was on Center Street, but he's back. So happy. I will definitely be coming back for more. Thanks Dave! By the way, Mondays is trivia night and $.75 wings!
(5)Nicole M.
Waited a half an hour to be seated, a substantial amount of time for our food and another half an hour just for our check. Fortunately our server Danny was very nice, but you can tell he was overwhelmed. Definitely understaffed, but all in all we enjoyed our meal.
(3)Vincent M.
We sat out on the patio here. I LOVE THE PATIO HERE. It was a beautiful waning summer night with great friends. The atmosphere here is so cool- a real great place to hang out. If only the food and the service matched the ambiance. Our waitress, Noelle just wasn't having it with us. Either she was overwhelmed with all her tables (although there seemed to be an abundance of staff) or she just didn't like us! I dont know. It took a solid ten minutes before we even saw her and then another 10 minutes to get our beers. 5/6's of our drinks came and then we waited another 5 minutes for our last friends drink to arrive. When she came to bring our lost friends drink, she stopped at another table first to drop off theirs. That just doesn't make sense to me. We ordered poutine and nachos for the table. The poutine, while not traditional poutine (I've been told) was good but the nachos were subpar honestly. A generous helping but they were dry, overcooked, slopped together. I ordered the chicken sandwich for my entree. Half of it was REALLY delicious, the other half of it was dry and really hard. Very confusing. I know I will be back here again because I loved the patio THAT much. I really hope my experience will be better so that I can change it and make it the 4/5 start review that I hope this place is!
(2)Simone H.
It's the bar you come to after you visit the Sam Adam's brewery for some actual food. The place is nice and pleasant, the bar staff helpful and makes a pretty strong drink. Ordered the poutine which was delicious. The dish was served in a cauldron, which I loved, and had just the right amount of aioli to tame my carb hungry beast. In general, Bella Luna was a lovely selection of appetizers which you can stumble your way through as you sip more on Sam Adams with your friends. Being closer to Canada definitely helps with creating a better quality product because this was very good. Additionally, Bella Luna during the summer has a good set of live performers in order to make your travel down the orange line a worth while experience. Do come back.
(3)Allison L.
VEGANS! There are things you can eat here, although not as many or as creative as you might expect from a JP restaurant. In addition to the normal salads and side dishes, you can get vegan pizza, and they also usually have one other (~$20) vegan dish. I have to say something regarding the vegan pizza, though. Omnivores preparing vegan food need to understand that a little Daiya tricks your brain into thinking "Mm! This tastes kind of like cheese, well not exactly, but it's a nice addition to the other flavors." Giant fistfuls of Daiya makes your brain think, "Ew, an unappetizing pile of chemical glop that's all I can taste." Go easy on that stuff. Cocktails are usually good. Atmosphere is nice. Their New Year's Eve party is a fun alternative to fighting the crowds downtown. I just sometimes feel that I don't get my money's worth here and I'm never wowed by the quality or quantity of the food.
(3)Suji K.
Went here for bro's post graduation dinner from Harvard. I reccommend the calamari. Crisp and tossed in a slightly spicy Chile aioli. We ordered two pizzas for our table. One plain (Simple Simon) and one custom with smoked mozzarella, bacon, spinach, and onions. The pizza tasted fresh. Sauce is good. Dough is good, stretched into a thin crust. However, we were extremely dissappointed to find the kitchen forgot one of our requested toppings...onions. Which would've taken that pizza to the next level. The atmosphere is charming and the workers are nice. But to be honest, this experience will probably go on the forgettable list.
(3)Andres V.
Awful service and mediocre food. I went with my wife and some friends for dinner and we sat at the nice patio they have. A tattooed woman, who I think is the head waitress, came and told as off because we were supposed to get inside the restaurant and wait to get seated (we didn't realize because the patio has its own entrance). She told us it was OK for us to stay there but she repeated several times that next time we should go inside and ask to get seated (don't worry, there won't be a next time). Five minutes after some friends joined us making us a group of 7, what made the waitress a bit nervous. She told us that the maximum number for dinner tables is 6 and she hinted that we should go and have dinner somewhere else. Finally we ended up moving to the tall 'drinks' tables because they don't have a limit for the number of people, but you have to go and get your own drinks and order food at the bar. Seven people coming and going to order food and get drinks is not great idea. After we placed our orders, the food arrived for two of us and after waiting for 50 minutes we asked what was going on and they told us that they were sorry and that some of the orders got misplaced but that the food was coming soon. Half an hour after that, undercooked and wrong orders started arriving to the table one by one approximately every 20 minutes. Everyone of us got the orders as different times so technically we couldn't have dinner together and the worst thing is that we spent a really nice summer night at the patio worrying about the orders and speaking to the waiters.
(1)Natasha M.
Service was great but my mushroom linguine was bland. SO BLAND. I wanted to love it and asked for some parmesan cheese to try to make it taste better but that didn't help much since it was also drenched in oil, ugh. The cups used to serve water appeared to be dirty too so I didn't drink out of them. Also, hipster paradise. No thanks.
(2)Tim B.
BBQ pulled pork pizza was some really good business. every one else's dishes were fine but nothing special. if I am ever nearby though, I am going back for that pizza. first server was wonderful, great advice and we had fun discussing the artwork on all of their novelty dinner plates. second server was neglectful and less eager to be there. great place to make sure you don't brew tour on an empty stomache. overall much better food option than doyle's but you won't get a free pint glass here. unique artsy atmosphere. check it out.
(4)Edgar L.
It was a long wait. We should have made reservations, so that is not their fault per se. My fiancee and I just got drinks by the bar. Well, she got a drink (pictured below). It was nice; small but strong, and kind of fruity, which is how I like it. We waited quite a long time (probably over an hour from the moment we stepped into the restaurant). Location: It's in JP, which is a decently nice area. The surrounding location is kind of nice, actually, since it's near the Southwest Corridor, but at night it looks a little sketchy. Inside the restaurant it was very decorated with lots of odd things. Very dim lighting. Fairly loud. Service: Not as bad as we expected, given the reviews we read. The maitre d was very friendly and said she felt bad about the long wait, but was kind, which was good. Our own table server was also quite nice. Food: We ordered two pizzas: a mashed potatoes one and a pulled pork one. This is where the points came off the review. We waited a fairly long time for the pizzas to come out. The mashed potato one, honestly, was not that bad taste-wise, but there just wasn't a lot of substance. At some point, it just tasted like you were eating bread/dough because there wasn't any sauce (intentional) and because the bacon bits were so itsy bitsy. The pulled pork one may as well have been a misnomer because there were maybe 4 pieces of meat, and they didn't even look like pulled pork. It tasted good because of the sauce, but it was also not very substantial. The only plus is that there is more than enough food, though it was quite pricey - $26 for 2 personal pizzas, and $11 for the drink. I came here because I won a gift card to this restaurant and wanted to try it out despite the negative reviews here on Yelp, but I will likely not return. Verdict: Make a reservation or wait a very long time. Low lighting and loud ambiance. Decent pizzas, but nothing to email home about. I will likely not come back.
(3)Leyani L.
New Review: Second time around and Still wasnt able to seat outside becuase it was a cooler night ( damn, i might try to come back to this place until im able to get a seat at their patio, Im not a quiter). Now let me tell you something.... I ordered a salad to share with my date becuase it was the most suitable item in the menu for both of us and two months after I'm still eating the same salad everyday for dinner. I memorized all the ingridients and went to the store the next day and been making it myself since then. BEST SALAD UP TO THIS DAY! This spot always has good music and such a cool vibe.The bar is pretty large , i loved it!
(5)Maddy S.
Such wonderful customer service! There was a mistake made with our meal and on top of fixing it they also comped both meals even though we hadn't complained to anyone. I really appreciate that level if respect for customers and our waitress was so nice and apologetic. Plus the food was great! Really good pizza and nachos. All around great. Would absolutely recommend.
(5)Dan G.
Living in Boston and working in Jamaica Plain I have never had the opportunity to eat here until last night and fortunately for us it was Taco Tuesday and we got there before the crowd arrived. It was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night which is good to see. A few of us went for drinks at the bar which is small but the bartender accomodated all of us and was friendly and talkative. Drinks came out quick and tasted good. Once we had several drinks we opted for a large table for 8 of us. Spur of the moment seating and they were able to accomodate us by just pulling a few tables together. As I said it was Taco Tuesday so a few of us ordered the calamari tacos and pulled pork tacos which I heard were very good. $4 tacos...so a few ordered two and after only two they were full. Topping were $.50 extra but they pilled on the toppings. We also ordered the pulled pork nachos which were again a large portion covered with the goods. The bella burger I heard was good, a large meat patty cooked medium came out as ordered. The Broccoli Rabetelli looked really good and I was a little jealous I didnt end up getting that. I struggled to decide what to get so therefore I asked the waitress. She was awesome! She walked me through some favorities and recommendations. I ultimately decided on the Pizza Menino with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, pepper and onions. Quite tasty indeed, great recommendation!! I think the prices are reasonable especially for the portions you receive. I must say our waitress was amazing, she was friendly and patient dealing with our semi-crazy group. She was helpful with the menu and checked in on us. A nice cozy atmosphere where locals seem to flock. I hope to return soon!
(4)Isaac A.
It's really a shame that this place has such bad food. What a cool area and atmosphere it has, and the dancing at Bella Luna is pretty fun. Very interesting music and fun people. But, wow, they really need to improve their food. C'mon people! Do you know how great this place could be? We ordered the Calamari. Which was obviously frozen. It has a weird color and was greasy and far from crispy. The Kale Cesar salad was just fresh kale dusted with parmesan cheese. The "Cesar" dressing was very strange and unappetizing. We created our own pizza with onions and ham. The pizza left a really bad taste in the mouth and the onions were again, a very strange taste, color and texture. What are they doing back there in the kitchen? Fix it!
(1)Tiana M.
I love the atmosphere and the bartenders and waitstaff were very polite. Very diverse group, young, older, all ethnicities, gay and straight. I absolutely loved it. I'm very social and really enjoyed conversing with everyone I met here. I'll definitely be back since I live fairly close.
(3)Lady D.
We go to this place because its close by and nice to sit on the patio. However, the food is very average. The pizza, in my opinion, should be removed from the menu since its so bad. People probably come b/c there are few options in the area.
(3)Susan R.
Yeah- I am partial to Bella Luna- and it's time I update my review. The cocktails are interesting & reasonably priced , the bartenders are fun, they take open table- and most importantly for me- they have the most inclusive, LGBT-friendly line-up of any bar in the area. They have won awards for it... And they actually care about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable. When the patio is open/ you cannot beat the atmosphere- and their Wednesday night music series is a really great way to spend the early evening. I highly recommend the calamari appetizer, the flatbread, any pizza (esp the lovers lane) , and all of the rotating draft lines are awesome. Overall, this is a great local place, with good food, excellent drink options, diverse nightly entertainment, and where you know you'll feel comfortable- no matter who you are.
(5)Emily T.
We initially ordered take-out but hoped to eat there at the restaurant when we picked food up--apparently, that's a problem at Bella Luna! Despite spending over $80 (plus tips) the manager/owner moved us mid-meal (we were eating and had to stop) to a high top table that rocked every which way, and when we complained she said "the other patio tables are in high demand" --at the time three patio tables were completely empty. She reluctantly tried to fix our table and didn't succeed. Really rude, bad service, never going back.
(1)Lannie L.
I have been meaning to patron this restaurant for a LONG time and finally had the excuse to by way of a girls' night out. It was easy to make a reservation for the 9 of us on a Friday night. Parking was ample and table was ready on arrival. Good start! The interior is so cute with its galactic theme and non-pretentious dinnerware (plates seem hand-crafted by children!). The menu was large and everyone was commenting on how difficult it was to choose. Our table chose from an array of pizza, pumpkin ravioli, spaghetti with meatballs (the biggest meatballs EVER), and bacon wrapped scallops. Everyone commented on how good the food was which is a good sign. Service was efficient and friendly. A great local joint!
(4)Maya G.
I've been going to Bella Luna since I was a kid growing up in JP. Since the move to the Brewery space, the restaurant has kept its family vibe while also bringing more adventure to the menu with seasonal rotations and has attracted a younger, trendier crowd. Still, the menu is diverse enough to offer something for anyone from family dinner to date nights, and with the attention they pay to dietary needs, you really can find something for everyone.
(5)Shasha W.
Very cozy place, nice menu and atmosphere.
(3)Cristina R.
Bella L is that one friend that may be a little eccentric and flaky at times, but you know that she's ultimately reliable and good at heart. On a warm Tuesday evening around 8 PM, our group of 6 hungry diners found ourselves at Bella's abode, not knowing where else to go in the area (JP is another world!). Unfortunately there was a 45 minute wait for an outdoor table, as the hostess explained that they would have to combine 2 smaller tables to accomodate us, so we opted for one of the large tables indoors. The interior of the space is dark with a variety of lights and decorations including rainbow-colored hanging lights, star lanterns, and one of those electric orb lamps. Bella's interior decorator must have hit up Spencer's in a suburban mall for inspiration. Such a middle school throwback. I dig it. But I really just want to dig in! From creative cocktails to seasonal beers, the drink menu can be a bit overwhelming. As is the food one! There are specials, apps, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, oh my. And it may just be that we're starving, but everything sounds crave-worthy. And just our luck! It's Taco Tuesday, so there's even a little menu boasting these options (fried calamari, al pastor, and cauliflower) at $4 a pop. Our table starts out with the sweet pea and arugula flatbread to share, and I thoroughly enjoy my Cat on a Hot Tin Roof drink. I'm a huge Dark and Stormy fan, and this baby just cries a little louder by adding pineapple to the rum and ginger mix. Muy tropical! Let's stay on this pineapple train! I order the taco al pastor which features ground pork, pineapple chunks (though I could have used more!), guacamole, slaw, and salsa on the side. The waitress said it was a small portion, but they really loaded up the toppings! I could have made this my meal if I wanted to. But I obviously didn't. I ordered the Margarita Mussels as my entree, which was a very good portion for me. This is a different take on the shellfish dish, as the sauce is slightly boozy and acidic with sweet kernels of corn and salty chorizo. It's served with a few housemade chips which adds a delightful crunch. The rest of my party was all satisfied with their meals which included the other 2 taco offerings, salads, and burgers. Bella is also very veg-friendly, as she shows off a variety of veggie pizzas and a black bean burger. Bella Luna's crib is a great option for the area, especially if you're looking for a more casual spot with drinks and lots of variety. She's good with groups and seems to host a variety of events and activities in her quarters, as a group was engaging in some sort of dance lesson in a room off to the side as we ate (Tuesday night line dancing = free entertainment!). The main downsides of our experience were the slow and inattentive service, as the dishes took a while to be served, one of the burgers was not prepared correctly (although she asked to have it exactly like the other one ordered), and the waitress would disappear at inopportune times (such as when we were trying to peace out but couldn't get the check). The price point could be lower considering the type of environment and fare served. For example, cocktails, albeit tasty, are all $11, and most beers hover around $6.50 or $7. But whatever. Bella does what she wants. You can't get too mad at her.
(3)Melanie W.
Bella Luna is OK. I like the outdoor seating in nice weather, and the service is always friendly, if a little slow. I loved the brownie sundae that I got here. The brownie was absolutely delicious. They were out of vanilla ice cream, so I got it with chocolate and it was totally decadent. My favorite entree was the broccoli rabetelli, which was broccoli rabe with sausage and pasta and a white wine sauce. I wasn't a fan of The Gypsy King pizza. It comes with caramelized onions, spinach, ricotta, and red sauce. I found it to be completely lacking in taste. The spaghetti and meatballs were tasty, but the pasta wasn't well drained and it became like a red tinted soup in the bowl. Overall, I'll be back for that brownie, but I think the food is kind of hit or miss.
(3)Melanie M.
The sweet chili wings were awesome! We also had the Sam Adams Pulled Pork Nachos, and they were definitely a hit at the table! The brick oven pizza was amazing! We had the Latin Quarter pizza with chicken, avocado, bacon, jalapeños and cheddar. Need I say more? We went on a Wednesday so it wasn't super packed but the music was still good. The lighting is dim and set for a great ambiance. I would definitely come back here!
(4)Lauren D.
This place has amazing pizza pies and Mac and cheese! A very cool and unique atmosphere and a nice outdoor deck with live music some nights. Service is a little slow and not very attentive but definitely worth trying!
(4)Annie S.
Mmmmmm!!! Bella Luna is a fun and funky restaurant. Sometimes they have special nights with live music and themed meals like all-you-can-eat hot dogs and BBQ. Their normal menu is also great- they have really filling and fresh salads. I don't usually rave about a salad, but the strawberry spinach salad is so good. Milky Way at night is also pretty fun, there's good dancing. Some Fridays (maybe every Friday? I don't know) they have queer dance parties. Also, the owner of Bella Luna is a man named Charlie Rose, he's an incredible man and an inspirational Bostonian!
(4)Boudu B.
Only had drinks and fries but the food and place looked great. I wouldn't call it neighborhoody, but maybe that is a good thing. The staff was young and attentive. They have a great beer selection and I would eat a lot of their appetizers as meals. Good parking and bathrooms are through the back in the hall.
(4)Kristen P.
Enjoyed dinner before the Fourth Friday dance party in February. What a fun crowd. Great range in ages and demographics. The food was excellent (ravioli and pizza) and service terrific. We were celebrating a special occasion with family in from Florida- the owner sent over some champagne. Now that is what I call exceptional service!!
(5)Bia M.
I have been going to the Milky Way for years and used to like it. That was before Friday night when I was ordered a beer at 12:54 (I have the receipt) and at 1 am started being screamed at by the bouncer who wouldn't leave me alone. I wasn't drunk or rowdy, or loud. I don't understand why they would serve me beer at 12:54 and expect me to leave at 1 am. When I asked him why isn't kicking the other guests out, he yelled "let's go ladies," then turned to my face and screamed 'ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?'" - Then he physically and violently snatched it from my hands, spilling it all over me and the floor. I was about to cry when the general manager, Carol Downs, came next to me and told me leave. Without even asking how I was after this dude twice my size basically attacked me. I'm assuming she must have seen what the bouncer did. I left in tears, and nobody from the establishment seems to care. I am distraught and disgusted that they would treat a customer like this. Also, that they would harass me after serving me alcohol 5 minutes earlier. Maybe the last call should have been 12:30, not 12:55. I can't deny I felt the harassment was coming from (what I believe to be a) homophobic bouncer who seemed to want to prove his masculinity to me. Who would have thought, in JP. Still, Milky Way doesn't seem to care one of its loyal customers felt unsafe and was attacked by one of its employees.
(1)Jazzie F.
So I've had a couple of days to dwell on this & I'm still troubled. My partner & I went to the Halloween Party at Milky Way on October 31. It was all fine & we were having a good time. We arrived at 10:44 pm--yes--I checked my watched b/c we didn't have tickets for the event & I'd read online that if you didn't have tickets, you'd have to wait in line until 11 pm. So at 10:44 we were allowed in after paying 30 dollars for the both of us. YIKES. So--a couple of beers in, we met people, talked, danced. It was all fine. I know this for a fact -because--if anyone knows anything about me, knows that I am thorough. At midnight--when they made the announcement for "winners for the costume contest" (Groot & Rocco won, by the way, & quite rightly, I might add) My partner & I went up to the bar to get a third drink. Which was a beer. Because that's what we drink. 1.25 hours in-3 beers. Then I saw the lights flash, hey, last call, let's get another beer. 1 more beer (per person) served at 12:55 am - I have the receipt - so don't even-- 1 am--the bouncer is SCREAMING--mind you--SCREAMING at us to leave. I looked at him, made eye contact & nodded. "We'll leave as soon as I finish my drink." He walked away--came back 30 seconds later, SCREAMING. YES, I know, it's a club & it's closing time & believe it or not, buddy, this ain't my first rodeo. I looked right at him & said "I can't leave the premise with alcohol, let us finish our beers." I down my club soda (that I paid for) & then sipped my Guinness--because seriously--YOU try downing a Guinness. So I'll add this again: 3.25 hours at this establishment, 4 beers. My partner was on the same boat as me. She drinks slower than I do & out of principle, stood her ground & said, "I need to finish my beer." I mumbled as I walked away "Can't leave the premise with alcohol, let HER finish her beer." The bouncer continued to SCREAM--at us. At her. AT HER. She stated that there are still other people here-- she needs to finish her beer. The man-screamed--AT HER. AGAIN. Then again. I walked away to grab our coats because I figured when she's done w/ her drink, she'll walk out. She was still back there so I went back--she was crying. Why? Because the man had yanked the drink/glass out of her hand spilling the drink on her & all over the floor. Can I tell you that we were not drunk? If we were completely obliterated & acting like a-holes (again, not my first rodeo so I've had some experience) it still WOULD NOT justify this man, who was large beyond all reason, to yank a drink out of a person, a woman's hand. Seriously, was he really THAT threatened by a skinny lesbian in a HAN SOLO costume? (I was Bellatrix, thanks for asking). Why was it justified for him to attack a woman 1/3 his size, who was doing nothing but standing her ground. We walked away--& when we got outside, is really, when I realized how bad the situation really had been, how hurt SHE really was, & how WRONG this entire ordeal had become. I returned to the fine establishment & requested a business card. I was too angry to have coherent words form from me. TOO PISSED OFF that I really would have punched someone & I knew to keep my cool. I just wanted a business card. I wanted a contact information so when things were settled, I could figure out how to approach this. I was led to the "manager" who directed me to the owner, Carol Downs. As I waited for said owner to come & talk to me, another bouncer asked if he could talk to me. I did not want to TALK to him. I just wanted a business card. He said: You can't just have a good night. If this were a cartoon-my jaw would have LITERALLY dropped on the floor. What I wanted to say was: you just pissed my girlfriend off & she's outside crying, no motherfucker-I can't just have a good night. To him, then, I repeated "All we were saying was that we cannot take the alcohol outside the premise, & all we wanted was to finish our drinks." We WERE having a good night. Then I spoke to woman in charge who gave her card & wanted to shake my hand. I was so angry, I knew I was stuttering. (Also the doors were open & it was cold & I didn't have my jacket on me, because, yes, all I really wanted was a fucking business card, I did not want to shake this woman's hand). Then Carol Downs asked me: Is she alright? Really? Now you care? After 1 of your (very clearly homophobic or at least insecure in his own masculinity) staff member attacked her & the rest took HIS side b/c she STOOD HER GROUND? REALLY? Before I leave you, I'd also like to add: I mentioned--about half a dozen times--why are you kicking us out like this, we haven't finished our drinks & we can't take the drinks off the premise--I said THOSE EXACT words--no one seemed to care. AND there was NO SECURITY at the door when we were leaving. This leads me to think that do these people not care if their patrons leave the bar w/ plastic cup in their hand? Isn't that *gasp* illegal?
(1)Nancy C.
Went here for a group dinner. I tried the date appetizer, which was interesting and decent, though a little oversweet. As for the entree, I ordered a salad with grilled salmon. After a little bit, the waitress came back and told us that they had run out of salmon, except for two pieces, so two of our group had to give up our salmon and choose something else. I and another person who had chosen salmon for our salads gave up ours in place of chicken. Bad choice. The salad was way too much. Like, huge portion. The chicken was very dry; the salad itself was nothing special. I should've ordered a pizza instead; at least those looked appetizing. All in all, not a dinner worth going to. At least I didn't have to pay (it was taken care of by the group leader).
(2)karen f.
Solid food and drink. Nice atmosphere. Kale salad needs to be massaged more. Pizza was flavorful. If I could add another 1/2 star I would. 3.5 is accurate.
(3)LauRen B.
Sam Adams Nachos: good size for two people, wonderfully delicious Cod Piccata: good Broccoli Rabetelli: good Pain away:mixed drink: wow! You've got to try it, they don't skimp on the liquor. Eat on the patio if you have the chance. Busy on the Monday after Mothers Day, would suggest reservation just to make sure. Parking: decent number of spots Service: Catherine our server was friendly, not pretentious, offering great drink recommendations All in all ... we'll be back, hopefully soon!
(4)Alex C.
VEGAN PIZZA. And I'm not talking about weird, semi-edible, imitation pizza, I'm talking about delicious, fresh, probably-the-best-vegan-pizza-in-Boston pizza! Thank you Bella Luna for taking care of us vegans and making sure we can eat one of the best foods in the world that there is to eat.
(5)Brianna S.
SOOO I came back here for a date. I wasn't expecting too much since I didn't have a great experience food-wise before. This time what a difference!! The pizza was amazing..we got the caramelized onion, spinach and ricotta. Very yummy! And I got the ginger cocktail. Also delicious! The service was very attentive too. Only complaint was my plate had a chip in it..a minor thing to worry about, but still something to address just in case some chipped further into the food. Still pricey to me, but I wasn't paying ;)
(4)Vicky H.
One of the worst service I've had in a very long time... My friend came here a few months back, and raved about everything. We saw a deal on Groupon so why not? It was getting late so we made a reservation for 9pm. We got here and greeted by a friendly host who sat us. He brought a bottle of water over, left it on the table, and said our waiter will be with us shortly. I found it odd that he didn't pour the first glass. We asked him about the daily special and if that could be used by the Groupon. He simply said "no" dryly and left. No apologies or explained how the Groupon worked. Agitated with his attitude, I said, excuse me, we can order the appetizer first and will take a minute to decide on the entrees. My friend ordered the Chimichurri Steak, and I had the Salmon, substituted the potato with Broccoli instead. He came back and asked if i wanted the bacon with it since I didn't want the potatoes - i was confused and had forgotten what else came with so i said, yes of course. He sorta half laughed and smiled and said ok, and left again. Portion size was small for $11, but the mussels looked fresh. They were of varied sizes. The broth was very good. It came with two slices of bread that was slightly toasted (but dry) with butter/garlic. The dish was barely warm, the top of the breads were already cold. He never came to check on the mussels. When he came with the entrees he auctioned our diners. lol. He looked confused, and said, oh, i thought the chef made it wrong because there was potatoes!! Well, no, the chef got it right. I took a bite of my friends steak and it was pretty good, tender and cooked as ordered. The grilled asparagus was nice too. The bacon thing was tasty. She tried some of my food. The salmon was nicely done with a crispiness on the outside and moist inside, with a very sweet taste. The edamame/carrot mixture was pretty awful. It smelled foul and tasted funny so i pushed it aside and ate the rest. Its been 10 minutes after we were done with dinner and the waiter hasn't come over to even check on our meal. When he finally did he asked how things were. By this time, the only thing left on my plate was the edamame/carrots. I told him everything was delicious except for that and how it has a "Weird" taste and is "off". His response was, "I don't know." I looked at him quizzically - you don't know? is that all you can say to your customer?? So i said, "well, could you let your chef know? maybe there's something wrong with it? or Not fresh?" He agreed and said he would check with the chef. He never came back to let us know what the chef said and returned to asked if he could take the dishes away. Mind you - the only thing left was that awful mixture that smelled and tasted bad - so my only response was - "Well, i am not going to eat that!" so yea, he didn't apologize again but said the chef said the stuff was fresh. "Could it be the ginger you're tasting?" was his other response. GINGER?!!? when did ginger taste FOUL??? I'm Chinese. I grow up on ginger. Are you kidding me?!?! Now I am simply offended. Onwards to dessert. "Do you want dessert or something?" with an attitude after he cleared the table and never brought over a menu. He suggested "the ice cream and brownie because it was something [he] can make". My friend saw Nutella and she knows who much I love it!! He said that wouldn't be possible because the chef's had left for the night. Oh... And you're telling us this now at 10:15pm. Ok. This makes perfect sense. He also than suggested the apple crisp or something because it was "something he can throw in the oven". Why wouldn't you tell your customer that your chef's about to leave soon in case you wanted dessert to increase sales and increase your tip?!!?! So he left once again and as he was bringing the check to the table behind us, I asked for the check. We still tipped him 15% eventhough he didn't deserve it. We asked to speak to the host or a manager on the floor. We explained the entire ordeal to Anna. She apologized for his bad service and how it shouldn't have been handled. Her response to the poor meal was that "we normally would have comp'ed your meal but you have a Groupon and is already receiving a discount". She proceeded to say "I wished there was something i could do for you but other than speaking to him about the poor service and apologizing for it, there is nothing i can do. But we do hope that you will return and give us another try." ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?? NO! NO! NO!!!!! Who in their right mind would want to return with that sort of horrible service and didn't even at least offer a free meal for a future visit?! So yea.... what was supposed to be a nice evening with a close friend turned pretty bad. One of the worst service and poorest attitudes I've ever experienced in a waiter. And he wasn't even new at serving. That made it even worse. SAVE YOUR MONEY -- don't go here. :( **** had to edit a lot to make this fit the 5000 quota! :(
(1)Leah K.
As a JP resident, we all know the go-to places. But if you're me....you are lazy and haven't been to enough of them (SORRY!). We headed to Bella Luna for Trivia, which we LOVE (even though we're terrible). My boyfriend and I shared a small pizza, and he also had a side of mac and cheese. We ordered cheese pizza and we enjoyed it. It was the mac and cheese that was amazing. To me, it tasted like alfredo, but the BEST ALFREDO EVER. It tasted like parmesan and had a white sauce. Delicious! But the dish that really came out on top was their pizza with arugula. It's called the Lover's Lane. It's a white pizza with garlic oil, arugula, goat cheese, tomato, and red onion. The goat cheese MAKES the dish because it's so creamy and pairs well with the arugula and crispy crust. LOVE IT. Will be back for that Lovers Lane pizza. TO DIE FOR.
(4)Jessica F.
Mediocre food... Worse service. We have had mediocre experiences here in the past. Each time we go back we are disappointed. We live about a block from here so it's about convenience but it's so bad we will probably never come here again. Tonight our waitress took 20 minutes before she greeted us and took our order. The food took forever. We ran out of water and it took us at least 15 minutes to get her attention to bring us water. When we finished eating, it again took about 15 minutes to get her attention to wrap up our leftovers and then 30 more to get her attention to ask for our check... She walked by about 100 times with out even looking in our direction. It wasn't even that busy! Worst waitstaff ever - bella Luna, you will keep losing service if you don't get better waitstaff
(1)Kristine A.
This place has some damn good food. The best part is the fact they have vegan options. I actually remember coming here when it was in their former space. This is not the most affordable place around, feel like they have uped the prices or something. Since I am not in JP often I don't get to come here that much but it's fun for events since they do have an outdoor patio & a large room in the back. The service could be a bit better so I guess it depends on the day & time that you're there.
(4)The T.
We ordered: -Pulled-Pork nachos -1 meatball -gypsy king pizza Positives: -properly cooked pizza/meatball -properly seasoned pizza/meatball. -the pizza/pasta sauce is perfectly seasoned/cooked. A real treat. Negatives: -tiny tables for two. -customer service was fair/abrupt (server seemed slightly annoyed/in a rush/perhaps ready to go home). -pulled pork nachos (dry & under seasoned meat/ nachos not layered therefore a lack of cheese and toppings on bottom chips/nachos served on a hot plate so cheese over cooked/confusing toppings: no Latin seasonings or food preparation for the pulled pork, dill cabbage (?), and while they did serve guacamole the flavor conflicts with the other toppings. Business suggestions: -trade some smaller tables for larger ones. Don't cramp the space, better to be comfortable + slightly longer wait than to uncomfortable when eating dinner. -customer service needs work specifically in regards to customer engagement. Give your guests info/recommendations on the dishes/restaurant. Finally each guest should be made to feel they are the only customer in there. -pulled pork nachos need a focus. Make a red/green chili pulled pork, guacamole, lime soaked cabbage, house made salsa, layer your nachos/ or have one layer only, finally don't serve on hot plate the cheese burns. -focus your menu. Make what your great at. Will we return: Yes. The pizza is the reason for us to go here. The sauce is excellent, the pie and toppings were very intentional altogether, and the meatballs are worth the trip. Once they make minor improvements they will be 5 stars. Check it out!
(4)A Z.
LOVED the Pizza Menino. Was here for a Ukulele meetup and the lounge atmosphere was fantastic.
(5)Caitlin S.
The pizza is inconsistent: sometimes burned, odd proportion of toppings... Service is a little too casual for my taste, the lighting inside is very dark at night. We have tried to like Bella multiple times and have not been satisfied with our experiences.
(2)Gina I.
The service was friendly but not attentive at all. It took a while to get water, bread, our meal, basically every time we needed anything... We got steak, duck, risotto and buffalo wings. The steak and buffalo wings were probably the best but it was still just okay. I am a little disappointed in the food and experience. Last time when we went the service was slightly better but the food was a lot better.
(2)Katie H.
What a cute place. A hidden gem if I say so myself. This place has all the characteristics of a great restaurant but with unique touches. The decorations are quirky and fun. They have comfortable seating arrangements. There's outside seating... And the menu is diverse and funky. My kind of place. Cuteness factor: Their plates are handmade by customers and the workers. My plate was hand-drawn and decorated by a 12 year old. It had a sun with sunglasses and palm trees, aww. Ok, now on with the food aspect... I ordered chicken quesadillas which cost about $8 and had the works. Cheese, Guac, Sour Cream, grilled veggies. All around delicious. And a big helping too! (see picture) My friend had a grilled chicken honey mustard sandwich with sweet potato fries. I didn't try his food but gosh, those fries were some of the best I've ever had. Crispy and just the right amount of salt, but soft on the inside. And for dessert, get this: warmed up chocolate brownie with J.P. Licks vanilla/chocolate ice cream, glazed walnuts and fresh berries. That description alone should say enough. This place is again, funky/hip/cool and yet a family friendly vibe. If you're ever in JP (which is where my friend was), check this place out.
(4)Dylan T.
It's a trap This restaurant is WAY TOO expensive. The food is only so so. I have tried a lot of things on their menu and it all smells mediocre. The safest thing to get is a pizza. The atmosphere is fun and when you sit down you think your going to have an awesome experience but then your server comes over. Every time I have been to this place the server seems pissed off. The beer is pricey too don't be surprised if you spend 6 bucks fro a PBR or Narragansett. Mixed drinks are like $12 which I think is fine if you have the service and food to go along with it. Also be aware that they will charge you 20-30 dollars just to walk through the door which I think is incredible. Even if you just want to sit at the bar they will charge you! They have LAME shows that they think are worth the admission. Be careful when you're leaving too. There is a lot of crime in that parking lot and someone was stabbed recently.
(1)Sara M.
I like Bella Luna, it is a fun place to get a drink and enjoy some live music or comedy. Recently, we went to their hotdog hoedown, with unlimited hotdogs and what I thought were drinks too. It turned out you got two drink tickets, and that was it, still a pretty good deal, but not what it appeared to be. That, and the fact I got a drink in a cracked glass were my only disappointments. I like the food and the service is pretty good. Worth going for drinks.
(4)Mary V.
Bella Luna is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant with excellent food. I particularly love the kale Caesar salad with added grilled salmon, and the lover's lane pizza. The daily specials are usually delicious! I have always found the service to be excellent.
(5)Lisa T.
Worst experience in a long time. To start the hostess put me and the other person in a tight corner that for whatever reason gets no service from the employees. The hostess was nice enough to let us know the special and that the menus were new. She didn't let us know who was serving us and neither did the server herself. I work in the restaurant industry and I know the way things are supposed to go. It took the server 5 mins before she came to the table. When she came I knew what I wanted and made it as simple as it could be. The lady I was with inquired more about the special. She didn't ask for id when my friend ordered an alcoholic beverage. When our food came it was all wrong. I asked one of the bussers after 2 mins to grab my server because she was no where to be found. I told her again what I wanted. She questioned it saying so you wanted nothing other than what you asked for? I was confused as if I wanted something other than what I asked for. I wanted nothing on the sandwich other than meat and lettuce. How hard is that? The 2nd time the fries were burnt and seemed like the end of the bag. We had enough at this point, asked for a manager, who we never met, but he/she covered the bill and it this was the worst experience yet.
(1)Mark H.
It's the place you used to love and want to still love but ... just ... can't. we've been around for a long time - since this place was in hyde square. we've been there dozens of times. but over the last couple years, the attitude and the service has deteriorated so badly that we just can't go there anymore. other yelpers are correct: waitstaff seems disinterested, water and bread are missing and then not refilled. Failure to check back - or even be available for flagging down. etc etc. As a restaurant, the place has trended more toward entertainment and away from neighborhood eatery in recent years. I suppose that makes sense given the other observations - too hipster, problems with bouncers and/or bartenders etc. A restaurant wouldn't and shouldn't have those issues. The food is mediocre at best, the service poor, and the attitude (from the top down) is palpable. Young servers, bartenders and managers - many of whom seem more interested in socializing than pleasing the customer. The negative comments here on Yelp are significant and, sadly, accurate. Ciao Bella Luna. I will miss you - or rather what you used to be.
(1)Marie R.
I love that atmosphere this place has, the lights are low and the decorations are cool they have star light fixtures. Its really nice to have a date the volume is not very high. The waitresses are very friendly and down to earth. it used to be on centre st but the new location is way nicer. I wish i had taken a pic of my meal cuz it was pretty darn good. For apps me and my friend had the pulled pork nachos which are delicious, the portion was good but i thought it could have used some more pork. for my meal i got the chicken sandwich aka "el toro" with sweet potato fries. It was very good the chipotle sauce is yummy my only complaint is that the chicken is pretty thick for the sandwich but the sandwich is damn good. the fries are not extra crispy but they are good not greasy. overall my meal was good i was so stuffed!!!
(4)C S.
Another place in my neighborhood I wanted to love but... The first time I went I was unimpressed: my drink was okay but the service at the bar was just average. I ordered a side of fries and I remember it being very small for the price. The second time I was disappointed: I ordered the fall Spinach salad which sounded yummy with caramelized onions, toasted pumpkin seeds, apples, and warm goat cheese. But the goat cheese wasn't warm and came in ice-cream looking balls. I had nothing to scoop it up with, and I couldn't mix it in my salad. I asked for bread, which I did get, but the money I spent there still felt like a lot compared to the quality of the experience.
(3)Anthony Z.
I really enjoy my time here with my lady. We both were served very well and the food was good. My future wife is happy here and I am too..... Oh ... Carey D was our waitress and she as great.
(5)Piper P.
Friday date night out tonight with a Groupon, and Milky Way was the place. There was a private party happening in part of the lounge - very festive with holiday lights and decor (not tacky) and an overall trendy vibe. The cocktail list was creative, and the food was beyond expectation. I had the HALF MOON BAY FARFALLE (scallops, diced asparagus & grape tomatoes in basil white wine sauce served over farfalle) and my date had the AMORY STREET RIBEYE (grilled 10 oz ribeye steak w/ warm potatoes, bacon & leek salad w/ grilled asparagus). Both were very good. No room for dessert. I give a 4 star to places I would return on a regular basis and save 5 for outstanding. I would give Milky Way a 3.5 if it was an option. My feeling is that it's a reliable restaurant, the drinks are good (if not a tad overpriced), and it's worth checking out if you're on the fence!
(3)Abby F.
Absolutely love this restaurant! It helps that it's right near my apartment, but I would be willing to travel here as well. Their food is always good (love the brewery burger with the truffle fries ON it), and their drink selection leaves nothing to be desired. Sitting outside on their patio on a warm day is very relaxing, and they seem to always have some sort of event going on, whether it be live music, dance lessons, book club, trivia night, and more. The waitstaff is very nice and attentive, and the owner is usually around somewhere and is also very nice.
(5)Justine J.
I photographed a wedding here in January and had a pretty awesome experience. We were in the dining/lounge area and it was pretty fantastic, aside from the back room (where the ceremony & dancing took place) smelling a bit like a cross between old beer and dried vomit (gag). We had a few of their flavors of pizza for dinner... all absolutely delicious. Cool atmosphere, too.
(4)Jennifer O.
I wanted to update my earlier review because something has definitely changed here. The staff are much better, the bartenders are great and the food has improved dramatically. I never used to order anything but the pizza but now I can order anything and know it will be good. I'm moving out of the neighborhood and I will miss this place.
(3)Rebecca S.
Great experience! The service was fantastic. The atmosphere is great. Only thing is the menu is pretty pricey. However, the food was delicious and you definitely get bang for your buck when it comes to the cocktails, so it's worth it. Brought some friends there tonight, they're first time there and they were very impressed.
(4)Jean P.
Overpriced.
(2)Krystal L.
I really liked this place. I was visiting friends in Boston and they suggested pizza and I thought "Meh, I live in NYC" But. Damn. Was. I. wrong. Napolitano Pizza was the best. Creamy ricotta combined with salty prosciutto and olives was amazing. I can't even tell you very much about the ambience I was so engrossed in deliciousness (I remember that the outside was very nice. Very nice.) Great, great pizza.
(5)Jamie W.
Tried the vegan mushroom linguini. It was okay but nothing special. Rather bland in taste and overpriced for what it was. The service was quite slow to the point that the waiter said he almost forget us with regard the drink order. Nice outdoor seating and I likes the indoor decor. Will come back for one of the music nights and maybe try one if the pizzas which looked good. But nothing special.
(3)Kacey B.
The best food and drinks. Bar is a tiny size but selection is excellent for beer. Liquor selection could be better. No matter what food you order there's a very high chance you will enjoy it, the chefs are right on. I will say the music selection has been awful every time I have been in there though, as I'm not a fan of country or dance/pop. Excellent for a date or with a friend. Great atmosphere for the artsy vibe.
(4)Renee R.
This place is super close to my house and I've been here twice now. Totally loving it. First time: Butternut Squash Raviolis in the walnut sage sauce. SO good, even leftover. Second time: Salmon, plus tried some of the Gypsy King pizza. Super good. The Wings of Desire with the sweet chili sauce were super yummy too. Atmosphere is also fun; great date spot in my opinion, and the service is really prompt too. Love that I can make a reservation at like 9:30pm directly from Yelp -- that helps. I haven't tried to go there for any of their music features or other themed nights, but might try it out!
(4)Fernanda P.
We ordered fried calamari as appetizer. We asked the waitress for recommendations and she mentioned about how she likes the sauce on the side, we should've remembered to order with the sauce on the side, but I feel like she could've asked. Calamari was soggy and not tasty. I, personally, don't like calamari but when it's tasty I eat it all. My boyfriend loves calamari and he didn't like that one. I ordered the pork chops, and asked to switch Russell sprouts to asparagus. The food was delicious but they used A LOT of oil. Cook could be more attentive bc the food was pretty much soaked in oil. My boyfriend ordered a pizza and also, waitress could've asked about the size. He was expecting the big one and she brought the small size. He ordered the napolitano and although the ingredients sounded amazing the pizza was ok. Waitress was nice, but could have been more attentive. Decent food,nice environment, not my favorite place though.
(3)Leesha Z.
Yummy cocktails. Friendly, attentive bartenders. I came here on a Friday night with a friend around 9:30. The place was pretty busy but we got to grab a couple seats at the bar. We both ordered cocktails which the bartender actually suggested for us when we said we wanted whiskey. The drinks were delicious and strong. As for the atmosphere, it was nice but more of a place to chill rather than dance or anything like that.
(4)Jeff V.
I had never been here before, but Bella Luna was recommended to my fiancee and I by a friend. We decided to try it out when we saw a GroupOn for it. I have to say that the deal was awesome, but even at full price I would have been very happy after eating here. Our waitress (I think her name was Emma) was great--very friendly and attentive. I was happy to see the beer selection which includes Sam Adams fresh from the brewerey next door. They offered a great variety of food too. We started with a veggie quesadilla for an appetizer and both really liked it. It came with guac, salsa and sour cream. I really wanted a burger, so that's what I got. I added avocado and cheese to it and picked a side salad, and my fiancee got the Half Moon Bay Farfalle which is scallops and vegetables in a white wine sauce over bow tie pasta. When our meals arrived, the first thing I noticed was my side salad--it was rolled up in thinly sliced cucumber--really cool! I know its just a side salad, but the presentation was great. The burger itself was great too and the avocado topper was a half of an avodado. I'm not into seafood, but my fiancee loved her dish too. I will definitely come back here.
(5)Chelsea P.
Seriously amazing. Cool environment, tasty foods and a great night! Perfect for friends, date night etc... Not too loud, not too elegant but a nice environment The calamari was just absolutely delicious My boyfriend and I both had nightly specials, which were great. We will be coming back!
(5)Kevin C.
Great beer. NEWS FLASH! If there are only 10 people in your 100 capacity bar, and 5 people want to get beers but not food so you wont let them sit down, you dont understand the business
(3)Jou-jou S.
i like the set up. I like how they transform for events
(4)Lily L.
Good buddy restaurant with great choices of beer (LOL). Legit at the area.
(4)Laura M.
I keep going back. And it's getting worse and worse. After sitting without being waited on until the kitchen closed last night, I'm done. Maybe only pizza take out because the food is good, but the service is awful.
(1)Naomi K.
Bella Luna was a busy night on Friday. They had a cover and a dance floor. Had the local Sam Adams brew with a cherry flavor- reminded me of the kids lip balm. Odd shaped bar, slower service on the busy nights. Had to leave the are to get to the bathrooms, which allowed for a little breathing room..the bar section was quite big but stopped serving food earlier, so we weren't able to try it. The dance room in the back had a sad low stage, nothing much to dance on. People were getting into the random array of music. The DJ was all over the place as far as genre.
(3)D P.
$7 Guiness. Enough said. You can get a cheaper Guiness at Faneiul Hall. Screw this place.
(2)Stephanie S.
This was our first time at BL so it was our first crack at the menu. Everything looked great so it was hard to choose. Between my husband and myself we got a Brewery Burger and a "small" Napolitano pizza which were both delicious! I wish we could have sampled more, but the meal portions were huge so we ended up taking literally half of it home. My only gripe is that it felt like it took a long time to get our food once we had ordered, and the restaurant was only filled to about half the capacity. We will definitely go back, but maybe with a group so we can share and try more things on the menu. I also look forward to hearing some of the live music they have throughout the week.
(4)Michael V.
Bad service. Sat outside and was told to go to the bar to order food. Stood there for 10 minutes without anyone talking to me. Shame, had a cool vibe otherwise.
(2)Jess L.
I've dined here several times...and many times at their old location. The food is always dependable...always. Their pizza is always great, their burgers are great also. Their bartenders are great. Their wait staff is not great...especially the tall red headed dude with his sunglasses mounted on top of his head...not great at all. Their drink menu is great....although I will miss my favorite "some like it hot" spicy cocktail. In fact, I was really looking forward to it on my last visit. And no, the waiter said he wouldn't ask the bartender to make one especially for me. Huh? Why not? Yeah, I was "put off." We almost left without paying because the waiter took so long to bring our bill.
(3)Lina M.
Great beer selection! Tons of appearances from craft breweries. Service was above average, food was fresh, the pizza had a tasty, thin crust, and the pricing was very reasonable.
(4)Elise K.
Not so much liking it.... We had time to kill while waiting for a Sam Adams tour, so we stopped on over. It is a neat building, but the "space" theme is a bit weird as it looks somewhat Americana and somewhat trendy at best. When we got it the hostess ignored us and finally checked us in by giving us a buzzer to wait for a table. There were tables open, but the staff was having trouble clearing them fast enough. We hopped over to the bar for a drink to wait. We finally got some drinks and the buzzer went off. We went to the hostess stand and waiting again several minutes to be seated. When finally seated we ordered some appetizers. Hummus and "Worlds Best" Calamari. The hummus was find, a bit oily. The "Worlds Best" was more like WORLDS WORST CALAMARI. They doused it in a tangy mayo based sauce to try to cover it up, but it was pretty bad and also pretty full for tentacles. We had a tab open at the bar which was a pain to go close and re-open one at the table, so we just ordered drinks at the bar. This clearly pissed our server off. Service was slow. We didn't get acknowledged... they just put the food down and walked away. It took 30+ minutes just to get the check and another 20 just to get them to process the card. We also were seated at a table behind a big beam... at bit odd placement. Anyway... there are other choices... choose them!
(2)Wendy S.
I am just thankful we used a groupon and it only cost us about $13 each for our meal. The experience was pretty bad from the moment we sat down until we walked out the door. Our waitress was terrible, and the food? Eek! Me thinks not! We got the pulled pork quesadilla. It was all pork fat. They should just put that on the menu, pork fat quesadilla. Yum! And we couldn't get the taste out of our mouths! Gross! Our dessert was supposed to contain nutella. They must have ran out. Can't believe the great reviews this place got.
(1)beth w.
3rd time this year eating here and had fantastic service. Lila was a wonderful waitress. Bean burger was very good and sweet potato fries delicious. We live 3 blocks away. Keep hiring great waitstaff and we'll be back.
(4)Brian W.
My wife had been raving about the gluten free pizza at this place so we made the trek out to JP one night to help refresh her memory. I've never really spend much time in JP, but this restaurant definitely has the weird/trendy/funky vibe to it. It's kind of like an earthy organic pizza place, but with a menu that has way more to offer than one of those restaurants. We started with these amazingly addictive spiced almonds that made you want to lick your fingers to not let the spices go to waste. The pizzas took a long time to come out, but we had those almonds to tide us over. While I don't think my regular pizza was the best I've ever had, it was still damn tasty and covered in delicious fresh topping. The gluten free pizza was better than most. The toppings were better than Stone Hearth, but the crust and overall taste couldn't compare. If I lived closer I'd go here all the time to check out the rest of the menu and some of the interesting drinks, but unfortunately it's a bit of a trek from Waltham and there are some better pizza options much closer by.
(4)Lesley P.
The setting on the patio was nice. They give reasonable portions and the staff are friendly. We went on a Friday night at about 5:30 and by the time we were leaving there was a line. We had a lobster roll and a fish sandwich. We felt it was reasonably priced and we will go again.
(4)Paul D.
See if you can follow this logic for a minute....as clearly Bella Luna cannot. You have two groups of customers coming to your establishment. Group 1 - comes in twice a year to hear a band. They show up at 11 and because you close at 1 - they are already nice and liquored up from their pre gaming. They pay $10 cover (which goes 100% to the band), the buy 3 beers at the bar and leave. The bar makes $20 dollars max off these people Group 2 - comes in 5 or 6 times a year and usually early say 8 p.m. Orders wine, apps, main courses, desert, and 5 more round of drinks. They spend $250 dollars between the 4 of them....and then have 4 more friends join them, who also order food and drinks. Bella Luna makes about $400 off this group. If you owned a business, which group would you go out of your way to take care of - the group who spends $20 pp 2x a year, or the one that spends $50x pp 5x a year? Seems like a trick question doesn't it? After last Friday Night it is clear that Bella Luna cares more about group 1. Because they have no clue how to run the door in their establishment, when they have a band they actually ask you as a dinner customer who just spent HUNDREDS of dollars on their average food and overpriced drinks - to pay a cover to use the bathroom. Can you imagine the stupidity in this? Anyone with half a brain in the hospitality business knows it is the repeat RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS (see Group 2 from above) that keep an establishment in business. Bella Luna must have missed the memo and you need look no further than the last year of reviews out here to see where Bella Luna stands. Ave Food + High Prices + Poor Waitstaff + Dumb Door policies + managers with no common sense = a place that better hope they can survive on those 2 times a year customers from group 1....as they clearly don't want high margin, repeat customers around. I used to drink and bowl with you on Centre St - now the only reason you will find me on Armory St is when I am cutting across from Canary Square, heading to Doyles.
(1)Jack K.
Really cool place. Has a good vibe. Fantastic drinks. We all loved our entrees and pizzas.
(4)Alana K.
Good beers, festive atmosphere, live music in their lounge Wednesday nights during their Fall Music Series and a plethora of other nightly activities, so take a look at their calendar online. Their Out Of This World Bean Burger lived up to its name. That lime crema... ooh, so good. The side salad was fresh and tasty. Staff was friendly. Check them out!
(4)Brian L.
Retro outer space mannn! We Groupon'd it up, a $30 for "$60" deal. The quotes are because it's actually for an appetizer and two entrees, which theoretically could total about $60, but based on the average menu prices is probably closer to 45-50. Whatevs. We chose the mussels, Nicoise salad with salmon and the ribeye steak. The bacon and leek salad with the steak was spot on. I guess you can't really go wrong with bacon, eh? The steak was pretty thin so I'm not surprised that my medium rare was a bit overdone, but c'est la vie. Overall, pretty tasty and nice cosmic vibe going on. I wouldn't mind coming back on a non-Groupon occasion. Variance (~): Line dancing on Tuesdays apparently? We were accosted by a seemingly tipsy woman who was really enthusiastic about it, but we quickly scurried away.
(4)Alisa A.
We are big fans of Bella Luna. The food is very good and at the same time we feel comfortable bringing our young child there. We tend to do a salad and pizza (the salads are big and great!) but we've had an excellent burger, amazing fig appetizers and the salmon was very good. It's a great place to bring a large group because there is space in the restaurant for a bigger group, it's easy to make reservations, parking is usually much easier than the rest of JP and the menu is large and diverse so almost anyone will be happy. They have a very nice beer menu although they have this crazy mental block against bringing a second beer. It's happened several times!!
(5)Kristina A.
Paid 10 bucks for an event and decided to sit at a table and grab a bite. Security guard was working the hostess area and couldn't help us. 10 minutes later a waitress helps us out. Horrible service. Took forever to get our drinks, take our orders, and bring our food. Got the lover's lane pizza and it was delicious. Other friends ended up joining us and she never bothered to come back and ask what they wanted to eat. What really made the night was when later sitting at the bar, the waitress decided to stand next to me and complain about how we left her a horrible tip. Got really bad bar service after that. I wonder why? The group I was with works in food service and understands how vital tips are. We tipped low because her service was deplorable.
(2)Lauren S.
I really like this restaurant/bar/lounge. I've never ordered a meal here that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Additional perks: they update their menu seasonally and they provide for the vegan population, at least with their pizza. They also have a number of good beers on tap. I would classify the food as New American. I've had a couple of their pizzas and they were pretty great. The crust is thin and crunchy. They have a number of "gourmet" pizza options available but you can also create your own pie. While their pizza is great, my favorites entrees have all involved pasta. At one point, they were serving mushroom ravioli, and it was fantastic! Even their regular "spaghetti with meatballs" dish was pretty good. I was impressed by their marinara sauce. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but to me it tasted homemade. There are always several really good beers on tap, and then of course, they have a larger variety in bottles. I don't drink cocktails much, but they seem to have a large drink menu. The space is kind of versatile. I think it could be good for a gathering with a group of friends or a romantic date. Overall, one of my favorite places in JP. The only issue for me is that it's not as close to a train line as I'd like it to be. It also doesn't seem to be close to much else, aside from the Sam Adams Brewery and Ula Cafe. So you'll never accidentally wander in unless you're at the brewery or the cafe. If you're in the neighborhood, make a point to try this place.
(4)Joseph P.
This place is one of Boston's gems. Some friends had their wedding reception here, the Milky Way was cool like that. Although on a Thurs night dinner date at 8 o'clock, one may have to wait a little, the food and atmosphere definitely makes up for it. I had one of their vegetarian pizzas, the Gypsy King, and it was fantastic. The pizza was delicious, with hints of rosemary in a beautiful ricotta and caramelized onions with fresh baby spinach. It was a treat. They also have a great pairings of food with wine or spirits, the bar cocktails are pretty authentic and they do a great job with presentation. You need to experience this yourself, I'd go back again. Oh and because JP is such a flaring community, their night scene can be pretty fun, with different musical guests.
(5)Ronald S.
the high points of this place for me were the proximity to the sam adams brewery and the pea soup. my vegan pizza was OK but very very soggy (and we didnt get plates?). the salad was underdressed and small. service was ok. space was nice. art on display was nice. if you go on the brewery tour and want to walk somewhere and aren't too picky, this place is right under the smokestack.
(3)Cassandra B.
Wow. The farmers pizza (rotating toppings) was incredible when I had it. It had seasoned tempeh, broccoli, vegan cheese, and lots of tasty sauce. Yum!
(4)Liliana C.
We'd been hearing about this place for years, and were really excited to love it. We came to dance late in the evening, but got there 20 min early. We tried to get a table (there were several open) but just wanted to order some food and drinks before dancing--but no dinner. The waitstaff wouldn't serve us and was really rude, despite the fact that people kept clearing out as we were trying to reason with him. Wtf? We still came back later to dance, but felt pretty disappointed in our evening. This was followed by another rude experience with staff at the bar. :(
(2)Wayne S.
This review is not for the food (which deserves a 4 star rating) but for the service, or lack of it. If you advertise delivery service then why would you stop it 35 minutes before your kitchen closes on a Thursday night when it is 20 outside? That is just lame. If you are going to offer your regular customers a service, and advertise it, then don't stop it randomly because one night you don't feel like doing it.
(2)Jennifer M.
This place is terrible. But what is even worse is that they think they are too good to be terrible. First, they say 10 minute wait but it was 20 minutes in the rain. They sit us and we give our order. First we had an appetizer. It was chicken wings. They were overdone and burnt. Then we had our burgers. The three guests that were with me ordered medium. They were well done. I ordered medium rare. It was medium well. I also ask for bbq sauce. 15 minutes later the waitress comes back and I complain that I asked for bbq sauce (my boyfriend also asked for mustard but chose to eat it without) and that my burger was way overcooked. She then offered to have the kitchen make a new one and I can eat that one too. We declined. How many bad burgers do you think people can eat? I get my new burger 10 minutes later (but was told it would be 5) and it is WELL DONE! WTF! I choose to eat it because we were going to the Sam Adam's tour and could not wait any longer (two friends were from out of town and I am a local JP resident). She does not get a manager. She does not comp it on the bill. And when something is sent back, it is typical that the manager is notified and comes out to apologize. This never happened. My only guess is that they do not care and this happens quite a bit. The service was awful. She did not come back right away to see if the burger was okay. She did not have me cut it to check. We don't normally take away tip for kitchen mistakes but her service was so bad she made a very small tip. The kitchen does not know temps and it seems they don't really care. The music is lame. The decor is nice but the music is old and when I go out I don't expect to hear music from my teen years. I am very local and will let everyone know about my experience. And it was terrible! The only reason I can possibly understand people enjoying this place is that they don't know any better and don't get out much to better quality food and service in restaurants.
(1)Emily S.
The Diedre Deluxe is probably the best pizza I've ever had! I've been to this place a few times and love the trendy/chic atmosphere. The hanging star lamps are a nice touch. It's good for a couple or a small group of friends. It's a tad on the loud side during dinner so I find myself raising my voice to be heard. They have a cool, well-stocked bar so I was expecting slightly better cocktails but they are still good and the wine is great. If you go on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night I would recommend making a reservation or you might be waiting for a table.
(4)Leatherhead F.
Really was a good find. Food was great, ribs weren't too tough or sloppy. great beer selections since it's attached to the Sam Adams specialty brewery. Definitely would go back. FOOD not fuel.
(3)Juliana C.
I got stood up by a blind date here. I spent half an hour sipping and then gulping red wine -- an excellent syrah, to be exact. My server, Justin, was both attentive and sympathetic. After a half hour I was ready to call it a night, but I was also hungry, so I ordered one of the two pizza specials, dubbed The Brewer's Fave. You guys. This pizza is THE pizza. Roasted chicken, garlic, pesto, goat cheese, fresh tomatoes, even fresher crust. I ate about five slices before finally re-hinging my jaw. The leftovers this afternoon were stunning -- we're talking parted clouds, angelic choirs. I'm already plotting a return trip. Five stars because the empty seat opposite me ended up being occupied by a rather cute staff member; back down to four stars because past nine the whole place is blaring club music and it's hard to hold a conversation. Pizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizza...
(4)Lauren P.
Customer service : Poor - Getting through to an actual person on the phone is like trying to get through to someone at the RMV. I've been here a few times now and on every occasion the wait staff are slow / unfriendly. Food : Mediocre - The only thing redeemable about the menu is a semi-decent beer list.
(2)Dan C.
Hmm, we seemed to have had a different experience than most here. The deviled eggs to start were fantastic, but then things went downhill. The pizza had the flavor and floppy texture of a microwave pizza. Bean burger and salads were not bad but not great. The service was awful, we were basically ignored all night: the whole meal went by with empty water and beer glasses, and my friends pizza came out 15 minutes after I got my burger, I was basically done with it by then. Top things off with a bill with three extra items we didnt order on it. All in all not the best dinner outing...
(2)S M.
I wanted to love this place because its in our area but mehhh. Went here with a groupon a few weeks ago, I think it was a Friday night. Shoulda called and made a reservation way in advance but forgot. Over the phone they told me the later i came the better chance I had of waiting less time for a table. Fine. Got there around 9pm and the place was packed. Good sign. We waited around an hour for a table. We went to the bar during that hour where it was almost near impossible to get a drink. 2 bartenders!! WTH. Probably waited 25 minutes just to get the bartender's attention over all of the people that were trying to order. When our buzzer things finally buzzes indication our table is ready we are told by whom I believe was a manager that they would only be serving pizza and wings because the kitchen was so backed. WHAT! We waited an hour for you to tell us that??! I was starving so I said fine, otherwise my husband would have left as he was livid since he wanted some meat dish. We sat at a tiny table, quite close to other customers. Asked the waitress if there was anything else besides pizza and wings so she went to check with the kitchen. She told us they could make anything besides like 2 dishes which thankfully we didn't want. I ordered a pizza (a big one) and I was brought a small one -____- I was so hungry I didnt even say anything. My husband got some meat dish I forgot and said it was ok. My pizza was pretty good. Overall due to the service we will not return to this place. I understand it was a Friday but they could have been a bit more prepared. Sorry Bella Luna.
(2)Farah S.
Went here on Dyke Night. Very friendly, welcoming staff and the door. Atmosphere was electric, and the drinks were flowing. I loved how they offered free samples of their cocktail special. As any good bar in Boston they have Sam Adams on tap and even the Cherry Wheat, which I had never seen before. Bar staff very efficient, just get there and make your order. 80's night on the dancefloor had the crowd bumpin'
(4)Lindsey R.
good food at a reasonable price. only had one less than great experience with the wait staff.
(4)Bobby C.
We had reservations for 6PM on a Friday evening. My friends were stuck in traffic. After 20mins, the hostess called my friends to see if we were coming. It was nice of them to call us instead of giving our seats away. Place is pretty decently sized. One nice thing is the parking lot and some street parking. Our server was pretty accommodating as were crunched on time to get to a play afterward. He kept us apprised of how long more it was going to take for the food to come out. I had the steak frites. One friend got the burger. Another got the vegan ravioli. Portions were decent. Prices were ok. The ravioli was surprisingly tasty. My steak frites was ok, nothing special. The garlicky broccolini went went with the steak flank. If I am in the area, I might stop by again. When the hostess seated, she mentioned they make their dessert from scratch. Will definitely have to try some of their desserts out next time.
(3)Christine S.
This was just a hot mess of a dinner. i dont like to be a hater, because maybe this was just an off night, or the waiter was overwhelmed (but it didnt seem that way), but soo many things went wrong. 4 of us showed up at 9pm on friday for a late dinner and drinks. we were told that the wait would be 30 mins since we didnt have a reservation, which was fine with us, we werent in a hurry. but our buzzer went off in 5 minutes- yay! so far so good. we were seated, and the waiter promptly took our beer and app orders... everything was great until after we ordered our entrees. the waiter never returned to see if we wanted refills after we finished our beers/waters, and was nowhere to be found. and when he did pop up, he tended to other tables and ignored us. we failed to get his attention so we just sat there, beerless. all of the food came out at different times, and normally i dont care if it's just a couple of minutes. that's fine. but they totally forgot about my pizza. first, my friend's burger arrived... then 5 minutes later two more dishes appeared... and another 5 minutes later the waiter returned to check on things. i said i was still waiting on my pizza and he said he would check on it. five minutes after that it arrived, and was very bland. the crust had a microwaved texture. almost 20 minutes passed between when the first dish arrived and the last. then when we finally received the check, there were three(!) additional entrees on it that we never ordered. it then took a while to flag down the waiter to make the change and bring us a new bill. ugh.
(2)Jennifer H.
I have been hearing about Bella Luna and it's split personality, Milky Way, from friends living in JP for years. Therefore, I was pretty excited to try it when I visited the Samuel Adams Brewery last month. Speaking of which, this place is perfectly situated to reap the benefits of hungry beer lovers either waiting for their tour or looking for some grub to sop up all that beer they just sampled while drinking even more beer. Oh yes, Bella Luna serves Sam Adams on tap, of course -- including the limited edition Brick Red. I was impressed with the food. The menu was varied and unique; the prices were reasonable. Both my friend and I chose the crab cake BLT, and what a great choice it was. A delicious, large crab cake topped with applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo on a sandwich bun. I devoured the whole thing, along with the waitress-recommended sweet potato fries. Our dining companions had a burger and pizza, and they were happy with both. The service was a tad slow, but not slow enough to prevent me from a return visit. Plus, I love the vibe of this place -- funky, old warehouse -- and I would love to go back at night to experience the awesomeness that is the Milky Way Lounge. Bathrooms were a bit of a downer as it was a hike to find them (it was almost like they were in an adjoining building), but for once the men's room had a line while us ladies walked right in.
(4)Sherri Q.
I have to say looking at all the "one" star ratings, I really feel the same. The service is horrible, and has been consistently. It's too bad because the space is great, but very little pour on the drinks (actually I sell houses in and around the neighborhood) and brought a client last week. Had a huge crack in my martini glass, not only did the bartender pour back what I had left from that glass, but when I asked the waitress to bring it back, it was the same thing. She said "this bartender is very particular about his pour". Really?? I cut my finger and almost cut my lip. Manager did come over and actually got me the right pour finally, and a free dessert. Wow. Honestly, what good is this site if the owners/managers don't do any thing about the consistent poor ratings?
(1)Meg N.
Went here on a Thursday night after going to a Sam Adams open house - just a short walk away which was very convenient because we were hungry! We went in the back way (near the bathrooms - which clean) and found the host stand. We had a couple minute wait so found some seats at the bar and then he came over shortly afterwards. He asked if we wanted to watch the game and sat us at a high top next to the bar area which was really nice because we could watch the game very easily. We both ordered the 22oz pumpkin beer special with sugared rim (yum). And then ordered deviled eggs and bruschetta to share. We also ordered the harvest apple pizza - all were good but the pizza was amazing. On top of that we got our whole meal and drinks for under $30 each which was really nice when compared with downtown prices. Our waiter and waitress were very good and we didn't have any complaints with service (I've noticed in other reviews) - water refills came quickly, food didn't come too fast and they poured the beer for us when it looked low. Also- you don't get rushed out of the place because they are trying to turn over tables.
(4)David V.
I went to a fundraiser event here recently and I was impressed. All I had was the gourmet pizza (several varieties of it), and it was delicious! The restaurant/lounge is very spacious, and judging by how crowded it was on a Wednesday night, I bet it gets pretty packed on the weekends. One of the co-owners actually donated the space and the pizza for this event. It is nice to see that this restaurant supports the community, and that makes me like the place even more.
(5)Lindsey R.
This was my first time going to Jamaica plains and I stumble upon this place for a brunch spot before going to the Sam Adams brewery. I ordered a black bean burger with Vermont cheddar with a side salad. It came out and the portion was quite big and the burger was delicious! The sweet potato fries were good and the chicken burger looked yummy as well. Definitely would recommend their food. Casual yet hip atmosphere and a cool mix of customers. The only down side was the staff. Our waiter was friendly but we could barely understand him and I had to ask several times for water refills before he got to it. We later came back to the bar for a beer and the selection was quite nice, although the bartender was slow and not very friendly. Overall great food, nice atmosphere, good prices but lacking in the service department.
(4)Jeremy B.
I always take JP for granted, until I move to places like Vermont--which I love, but a lot of those hip trendy coffee house/bistro/eclectic venues? JP kinda does it better, in a lot of ways (like having actual diversity in its community). One exemplary place might be Bella Luna/milky way, where I've been going since [wait---as I write this, the bartender walks by and says "here's some free pizza", walks off. Have another star, sirs and ma'ams]....since going to see Babaloo and Mary Mary's karaoke throughout my early 20's, over in Hyde Square. Babaloo and Mary are gone, but this place is still awesome. Still sort of counter culture without being kitschy, still diverse, still ecclectic, but without a chip on its shoulder. Now, why am I really writing this review? Oh, that'd be the Fried. Clam. Taco. I came, I ate it, I wanted 4 more, but showed some restraint for once in my goddamn life. No, actually I got a margarita, t'hell with restraint. Maybe I had a beer too, is that possible? I just didn't have the money for 4 more tacos. Anyhoo, this was one of those instances where some chef person took a street food (taco) added a regional ingredient (fried clam), and just absolutely nailed it, so well that it felt absurd that nobody had done this before--or if they had, they must have screwed up bad, because this seems too perfect to not be ubiquitous in a few years. No fancy nothin', just clam, taco, crema, avocado, cabbage--think baja style fish taco (no, no fancy mayo, you heathen...keep your cock-sauce off of my clam taco). This is the kind of thing where, were I in Vermont, I'd be saying "(in whiny voice) mehhhh, why did they do this blabla like that bla bla, this isn't LA/Brooklynn blablabla". [Kale taco and broccoli taco?! You know who you are, El Cortijo]. But this thing just sang in my face hole, and I forgot about words like fusion, authenticity and foodie concerns and other such bullshit. Then the dude gave me pizza. I'm coming back on taco night.
(5)Kathy A.
This is more of a 3.5 review. Ambiance alone this place is a 5 star joint. It's well decorated, really laid back and fun. Note to self: when in need of massive portions of food and feeling cheap GO TO Bella Luna. I went to this restaurant with a large group so we tried a lot of different things off of the menu and basically everything was HUGE and so reasonably priced if not on the cheap side. Most of the food was pretty good too. The only things I would definitely say to avoid is the Mac and Cheese. It was super bland. Also, unless you REALLY like your greens the salads are mainly a big pile of greens and not so much of the different toppings. The Heart Beets, Mediterranean Duet, and BBQ Cheese Fries are all pretty good appetizers. The Burrito and Burger are all tasty too and the sweet potato fries you can get with them are okay. The Salmon dish is decent. The fish itself is pretty good, but the thyme risotto it's served on top of is flavorless. We didn't get any pizzas sadly, but they all look delicious. Plus you can design your own or turn any of them into a calzone. Overall, not the most incredible meal of my life, but decent food for a very good price and a great atmosphere!
(3)Lea C.
The bf and I came here for NYE/my b-day celebration as it seemed like the most fun and reasonably-priced option in Boston where restaurants try to seriously gouge on New Year's (here, pre fixe 3-course for $40). To begin, it's in a totally accessible location. There's a parking lot and the T is down the street. For NYE there was a special Mad Men-themed menu with a suggestion to dress the part (which we totally did and had a great time with it) and also a separate party in the lounge that cost $20 at the door. We came in for our dinner reservation at 10:00 PM, but with talking, drinking, and perusing the menu, we started eating at around 11:00, which was fine with us since all the good stuff happens at midnight. The drinks were good. There was some sort of mix-up with our appetizers which later affected our dinner. I got a salad with dijon vinaigrette, candied walnuts, and pears and the bf got tuna tartar. He liked his tartar, and I thought my salad was out of this world delicious, especially the vinaigrette. Next, I had the duck a l'orange with black rice and bok choy and the bf had a steak with a gorgonzola sauce, roasted potatoes, and asparagus. Because of the earlier mix-up, our food was cold. Luckily, it was also still delicious. My duck was well seasoned and the sauce was delicious (though I wanted more of it). The black rice had candied orange peel in it, which was a nice touch. The bok choy was also yummy and tender. The bf loved his steak, but barely touched his veggies. I took a potato from his plate that was covered in gorgonzola sauce and was instantly hooked. That sauce was RIDICULOUS. Like one of the most delicious things I have ever put into my mouth. I then proceeded to eat the rest of those potatoes, relishing every bite. For dessert, I had orange mousse and the bf had a chocolate cake. I thought that my mousse was not dense enough and was lacking something I couldn't put my finger on, plus the strawberries listed on the menu. We switched desserts halfway in, and I gotta say I lurved that chocolate cake. It was light and delicious. Though the restaurant was notified that we were celebrating a birthday, it was never acknowledged (until the waitress apologized to me after dinner was finished and the check had been paid). Also, I had assumed that a champagne toast would be part of the NYE dinner, which it was not, and we had to ask (and pay) for one a couple minutes before midnight. The manager comped one of our dinners since they were cold, which we appreciated. We walked over to the lounge where there was a live performance after dinner, but basically never received any of the things allegedly included in our $20 admission: gift bags, party favors, etc. The music was good, and we had a couple drinks (which were fairly reasonable) after winning a space at the bar, but after that we were basically done and left around 1:30 so that we could still catch the T home. All in all, the evening was kind of hit or miss, but the hits were good enough that we'll probably end up coming back some time for dinner.
(3)Laura C.
What is up with the music at Bella Luna?? We had a otherwise perfectly fine meal nearly ruined by 14 yearold top forty music blaring that was all from like 8 years ago. Example: Nelly Furtado w/ Timbaland and it only got worse,much worse, from there, It became comical almost designed to drive customers out the door.We had groupon for 40$ for two people, the food,ordered a Simple Simon pizza and a Hart of Hearts salad with Grilled chicken was fine to good and we ordered 3 drinks between us to cover the groupon -were told they were not covered by the groupon so we couldn't use it as our food only came to 18$THIS was not the problem tho, the music was so bad we could not stand to stay for dessert!
(2)Jenny W.
My boyfriend and I went to Bella Luna a few weeks ago, with our groupon of course, and to our surprise, it was fantastic. The service was on point, the food was fantastic, and I was even persuaded to try something new! We ordered the mussels as an appetizer, the maple chicken, and the gnocchi. I had never had mussels before, but they were surprisingly delightful. It was a good balance of savory and salty. The chicken was very delicious, It was well fried and well cooked. I only wish they served more chicken with the dish! The gnocchi was also well prepared, except the sausage was shredded instead of cut into pieces. It was a bit confusing at first because we thought they forgot to add it, but it was there. Our waitress was happy to explain that it was shredded and also was able to have some more added to the dish. We enjoyed the fact that a bottle of water was left at our table so we could replenish ourselves at our own pace. It was well worth the groupon and will be well worth the money once this promotion is out! The space is very intimate, the lighting is dim, but everything is still visible. It was perfect for a date night. The restaurant is also very trendy and we very much enjoyed being greeted by one of the old school arcade games. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jason H.
Cool enough place to hang- funky atmosphere and great beer selection... Pretty much stops there. Food is pretty bland and underwhelming. Unless you're going for an event (which they seem to have a lot of), just don't see much reason to go back as I can get what they have, and then some, elsewhere.
(3)Shana K.
Great food, marvelous service. Excellent kids menu and they loved drawing on the paper tablecloths. So rare to find a place that's wonderful for kids and adults.
(5)Rayan S.
Many great experiences have been had here. Whether it is going for dinner, dancing on a weekend with some electronic music (random event!), or sitting at the bar and having the best habanero infused tequila I have ever had; it has always been a wonderful place for me. Worth a visit on weekends, especially if you are going on the Sam Adams brewery tour right behind this place.
(5)Daisy C.
Sunday night, 7pm. Bella Luna was decently busy, but we were seated quickly. One of the friendly owner's took our orders and was very knowledgeable about the wine selection. We ate, we were happy, we left an hour later. Service: Despite not being too busy of a night, service was some what slow. Our drinks were fast but ordering for dinner was slow and ordering for desserts was even slower. Our foods were brought by different waiters each time, I didn't mind so much since all of them were friendly. We have never been at a restaurant for over an hour, but I don't think I can complain since the decor and atmosphere was really nice. Food: Flavorful. Good amount. My boyfriend had the meatballs and said he's never tasted better meatballs before. I had the Chicken Saltinbocca and I never looked back! Good job chefs! Brownie dessert was deliciously consumed. Decor: Dimmed star lights, red walls and brick exposure gave off a romantic feel to it which was perfect for the celebration of our anniversary. The bar was full of happy people and everyone soaked off that energy, including us. Prices were reasonable. Parking was a little hard to find and we were surprised. Overall, we enjoyed the experience and we will come back to try their fried mac n cheese! :)
(4)Shane G.
They have a few whiskies worth drinking at the bar. The pizza should be avoided at all costs. The crust was not only wet, but the dry spots weren't even crusty like a cornicione should be. It either had too much shortening in it or not enough gluten in the flour, I can't tell. Also, be wary of what you're ordering. We got the La Bella Luna pizza, which advertised white pie w/ tomatoes, fresh basil, buffalo mozzarella... first, the pie had tomato sauce on it and when queried the manager insisted that they were "crushed tomatoes" and they used too much. No discount for complaining about being mislead, mind you, just an argument that crushed tomatoes were somehow different than tomato sauce and that even though the pie was completely red it was still considered a "white pie". It's wet and spreads like an amorphous liquid = sauce... but hey what do I know? Taht trip to Naples really confused the heck out of me, I guess. I really doubt the buffalo mozz was real too, though the massive sprinkling of dried up basil kind of squashed the ability to taste anything other than anise and cheap canned tomato. We also had the Once in a Blue Moon which advertised mashed potatoes. The potatoes were cubed and boiled to hell, definitely not mashed. Take any statement in the menu with a giant grain of salt but don't forget to save some for the actual food; it needs lot of salt (and prayer) too. Now Halloween IS just around the corner so if you're looking for a real horrorshow meal try the vegan pie. The cheese tastes like the fake disgusting part of boxed mac and cheese mix without any of the obvious cheese flavor. The wheat ribbons were indescribable. One of the most confusing things I've eaten. Ever. Even the garlic was out of place. If you're coming here after a Sam Adam's tour, take the tour a few more times and stock that liver up on free beer before even thinking about coming here.
(1)Tommy B.
GROUPON! Checked this place out on a whim about a month ago. I feel bad because I can't tell you exactly what my meal was but here's what went down. Bought the groupon, we made a reservation but not sure if it was necessary, found parking in the lot without a problem and made our way in. We were seated right away and within moments we placed our drink orders and ordered calamari as a starter. In addition our water was poured for us and this cool glass bottle was left on the table if we needed a refill. The calamari came out and It was delicious and for that alone we have been there twice now and will now be just as happy paying full price vs groupon deal. I wish I could tell you exactly what our meals were but I had some sort of steak special and that was also great.
(5)Kelly O.
So disappointed with the new Milky Way. The old place was fab (bowling & drinking = awesomeness), but the new place, not so much. The promise of skeeball and live music/dancing drew me here, but upon arrival, not only was the band that night just horrible (and they only played the most depressing holiday songs too, double suck) and the 'dance room' a tiny brick prison cell, but there was NO SKEEBALL. We asked a server, and apparently some drunk idiots decided it would be fun to throw the balls at eachother and ruin it for the rest of us. Fail. I haven't had the food, drinks are standard, atmosphere is more like a restaurant now than a bar. I'll probably find myself back here at some point (maybe in the summer when the promise of outdoor patio drinking lures us back), but I will forever mourn the old Milky Way, as I'm sure most of us will.
(2)Ellie W.
I have to say, I've never actually ventured into JP for food or really, much else. Always just seemed too out of the way. But my friend who lives in the area took me here for dinner, and it was actually quite good. The Latin pizza--chicken, avocado, jalapeno peppers--SO GOOD! I had to try the butternut squash ravioli (I guess it's my version of mac n' cheese--I have to try it everywhere I see it on a menu), and that wasn't half bad. It was a bit too salty--not as heavenly as the butternut squash ravioli at Giacomo's in the Back Bay. They must put crack or MSG or something insanely addictive in it, it's that good. However, if you don't have the ridiculously high standards for butternut squash ravioli that I do, you'll probably enjoy it. This is a nice casual spot to grab some drinks and food. Good service, relaxed atmosphere, and yummy pizza that leaves you (almost--come on, you're in public here, maybe when nobody is watching) licking your fingers.
(4)Owen C.
a little pricey, but very tasty. fun for a group of people. good drink selection and good food to follow.
(4)Jenn S.
We went to Bella Luna last night with some friends who were visiting from out-of-town. I had not been to The Milky Way since it was in the old location, so it was nice to see this new little "center." Very cute and I think they can do a lot with it. When we first walked in, there were 2 people waiting to be seated. We waited, they waited... We all waited some more. FINALLY, the hostess came to sit us and we had to explain we were 2 separate parties. She almost sat us first. Once that debacle was over, we were sat in an odd configuration of half booth, have table. We thought it was a bit odd and when our friends met us, they commented on it too. But that atmosphere is supposed to be fun and "out of this world," so we went with it. We all started off with a drink - I got a nice glass of Riesling and my husband got the Same Adams Pumpkin Ale. The bread was a bit hard on the outside, but nice and soft inside. The butter could have used some softening... For our food, he went with the burger (the fries were quite tasty, but I didn't try the burger) and in an effort to be healthy, I went with the Chicken Piccata (Tender chicken sauteed with shallots, garlic, lemon, capers & white wine tossed with linguini). It was a nice big bowl of linguini with already-chopped chicken in a more creamy sauce than I wanted. However, I polished off the entire thing, so it was obviously good! Our friend got the Pizza Menino (pepperoni, italian sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onions), which was apparently quite tasty and her husband got the Better Than Your Momma's Meatballs (Homemade italian meatballs, marinara, parmesan linguini, grilled garlic bread), as his mom apparently makes AWESOME meatballs. He said they were quite good, but different and way bigger (these things were HUGE!). We don't live too far from JP, but we never go there. I would definitely go back to try some of the other options (everything on the menu looks good!) and definitely the pizza.
(4)Julie K.
We came to Bella Luna as a last minute decision to eat out tonight, and we had a great time. The food was great, and the drinks were excellent. I'm allergic to wheat, so sometimes it's a pain in the neck to eat out, but there were several things on the menu that I could eat, and the dish I ordered was excellent! We often get take out from Bella Luna, and I love the gluten free pizza they make. I would like it if they would put *more* of each topping on the pizza, though. Their salads are also consistently delicious.
(5)Amanda R.
This is a wonderful neighborhood spot! The food and drinks are quite good and, for the quality, well-priced. During the day, it can get a little hectic with families and kids, but I'm happy to have a relatively hip spot that families can go to in the neighborhood. At night they have dancing, DJs, comedy, and more. Very good for reservations for large groups, too.
(4)Jessica K.
I live around the corner from Bella Luna, and I've finally gotten to the point where the horribleness outweighs the convenience. Here's what I can say consistently about Bella Luna: you will always wait forever at the eternally empty hostess stand (seriously, they even have a weird Spencer Gifts-type electricity ball set up to entertain you for what they seem to acknowledge is an unnatural amount of time). You will also wait forever for your server to take your order/the food runner to bring your food/your server to check on you/your server to bring the bill. I think this is less because the servers are bad and more because this place seems dreadfully understaffed, but either way it's not fun. Also--kids. Fucking everywhere. And I mean, trust me, I get it. You got kids but still wanna have a night out, sure. And there are indeed some well-behaved kids that blend right into the atmosphere and don't bother anyone. But something about Bella Luna (I'm guessing it's a combo of ample mini-van parking and abundance of over-priced pasta on the menu) seems to attract the parents who think it's funny when their little darling runs over your toes on his scooter, or think it's cute when the kid is running around your table in circles, or decide to play the "I'm ignoring you, you can't control me" game while their kid screams in the other patrons' ears for 20 minutes. My last visit though, is what sent me over the edge. I ordered the soup, which, it said on the menu, was served with bread. Warm, delicious bread. You know when you order something based almost entirely upon a minor detail? That was me with this soup. I couldn't wait to dip that bread alllll up in it. Of course, not only did the bread never come, but I also had the added perk of getting a really bad attitude from two different people about it. When I (politely) asked the food runner for the bread when he came with the soup, he said "uhh... let me see if I can find you some," as if being asked to find bread in a restaurant was like being asked to find thimbles full of sand in a lush African jungle. He proceeded to disappear into the night forever. When our server came back to check on us 15 mins later, she said, with a grimace, that she "heard I was looking for bread," but unfortunately, there was NO MORE BREAD. Anywhere. No bread anywhere in this huge restaurant that serves bread to every table, except ours, before they even order. I reminded her that I wanted it because it was, you know, in the menu's description of my meal, and not because I was some sort of horrible monster, and she just grimaced. We sat there eating for over an hour, which is about 3X the amount of time it takes bread to cook in an already-hot brick oven, but no bread ever came. I know this sounds petty as all get-out, but paying for the privilege of being treated like you're some kind of jackass is really not my scene. (Also, our server was wearing an American Apparel dress, sans bra, that was so short I could practically see her uterus. I'm no prude, but, seriously? ...At work? Not super appetizing.) In summation: I think there are a lot better places to get a mediocre $12 plate of pasta. But if you're looking to get a lovely cocktail and sit at the bar past kiddie-bedtime, it's a pretty good choice (the bartenders are all great).
(2)Mallory S.
I wished I lived near the Brewery building - gym, pizza and coffee all in one location! This place has a good atmosphere/fun decor, and great service (attentive but not in your face/obnoxious). They give you complimentary bread and olive oil. We ordered mozzarella sticks, a small Latin Quarter pizza ($12, avocado, bacon, chicken, jalepeno) and a small ? ($9, ricotta, spinach, caramelized onions). Everything was yummy! Especially the Latin Quarter - my fave! It was wayyy too much food for 2 people so we took the rest home. Beers were $5.50 each (cherry wheat on tap is always nice) 4 beers, 2 small pizzas and mozzarella sticks came to $60 (including tax and tip).
(4)Ernest L.
It's an ok place while waiting for a Sam Adams Tour. I think it's the closest bar to the brewery. It's a little pricey and the bartenders wear plaid.
(3)Erica M.
There were a few people in front of us but we had a reservation and once we were up, we were seated quickly. The menus were brought over soon after, but then it was a few minutes (longer wait than I am used to other places) before a waiter appeared to introduce himself, bring water, etc. Once he did come over, we'd had enough time to figure out what we wanted and we ordered right away, in part for fear he'd be gone again for several minutes before we'd have a chance to order. We were thrilled to see bread and butter appear a few minutes after we ordered. And it was delicious! We went through two baskets (whoops!). The jambalaya was bland and my boyfriend added a lot of salt...although maybe it wasn't really that much because the salt shaker wasn't really doing anything and so we asked for another one, which was much more effective. The chicken saltimbocca was flavorful and delicious...I guess they put his salt on my plate?? The portions were hearty and the prices reasonable. We had a Groupon, which made it a much better deal though, I have to say! The service was nothing stellar. In fact, when I asked for another salt shaker the waiter seemed either totally indifferent or irritated...I'm not sure which. I was hoping for friendlier, more attentive service. The ambiance was nice...even though the place was packed and it was a Saturday night around peak dinner time, the place wasn't extremely loud, which I liked. There are glass partitions between tables near the bar and the tables closer to the windows, which seems to prevent it from getting really loud. It's a cool place with exposed brick walls and funky lighting fixtures. I would go back, but particularly if I had some type of discount, because the service and some of the food made it only an OK experience.
(3)Shelby D.
Amazing restaurant. Service might need a little work (the two times I have gone it seems like the servers are new to the game), but the staff is super friendly and welcoming. The food is absolutely delicious, I'm hooked on the uber-fattening loaded fries and the vegan pizza! Yes, this place offers vegan food! As someone who tries...tries hard....and often fails...to maintain a mostly vegan diet, I really appreciate being able to go out to a cool vibrant restaurant and order something veg friendly. This place is definitely a must for anyone, it's so much fun and the food is really great!!
(5)Yolanda R.
All was swell once the host could get past that I had not previously checked in and could accept that they had seated someone else prior under my reservation. Cocktails were exceptional and dinner fantastic! Duck and steak were spot on! Dessert, not so much. All things Prince theme was fun!
(5)Sarah C.
Sigh. I hate giving 3 star reviews. I'd really rather the place just be slightly better, so I could give it 4 stars. Alas, 'tis not, and that makes me sad. I suppose I shouldn't compare the new BL/MW version to the old, but it must be said that basically, the Milky Way is no more. Bella Luna has a nice new space, much bigger than the previous, with nice exposed brick. Although, some of the seating is suspect - we were in a nice two-person booth, when a couple was seated on the other side of the glass divide at a high top, basically looking straight down on us. awkward... We had an early dinner, around 6pm I think, and the place was mostly empty. I would have been a little frustrated with the service regardless, but since the place was empty, it made an even bigger impression that we weren't attended to in a particularly timely manner. The menu has a decent selection (though I don't partake, points for gluten-free pizza dough), but i'm really really sad that they got rid of their gnocchi dish - it was a favorite of mine! Drinks: I don't remember what my boyfriend got, but it was okay. He (a bartender) said it should have been strained more because there was pulp in it. I got the pumpkin pie martini. It was tasty, although the rim got kind of soggy and clumpy (crust bits I think), and it was made with crushed ice so that was kind of annoying. I don't really want to chew/crunch my martini. Food: The butternut squash bisque was really good, but it was lukewarm - sigh. It came with a side of delicious little bread nuggets (mini rolls, mayhaps?) that probably had a half stick of butter each. A suggestion to the manager if s/he reads yelp reviews - when you bring that to a table of two, bring four rolls instead of three. They're little and splitting one is kind of obnoxious. I had the Deidre pizza which was good, but could have had more gorgonzola and onions. Also, I felt like the toppings were kind of clumped rather than spread out. BF had the burger which was mediocre and a bit dry. A heads up for those who like fries - theirs are shoestring. He seemed to like them, but they are not my favorite. So bottom line in a 3-star review is that it's fine. I won't be going back, but if you live in the neighorhood it can't hurt to try it and form your own opinion. Some items are probably delicious! But I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here.
(3)Lana K.
The cocktails were fantastic; the bar staff were friendly, responsive, and know how to mix a delicious drink; can't speak for the food because I didn't order any. But for an evening of drinks with friends, this is definitely a place I would recommend visiting! I also loved the atmosphere. It definitely is a safe space for LGBTQ folk and allies. All in all, I will absolutely be making my way back here many many times!
(5)Kelsey F.
Have never really ventured to JP all that much but am glad that I came here when I did! It is set back and a bit hidden - but has a parking lot which is always a plus. They have a cute patio that seems like it would be great for a nice, non-humid. We decided to sit inside though. It has the old-factory feel, with high ceilings, exposed brick, low hanging lights, steel beams, etc. It was trivia night (monday) so we were unexpectedly entertained through out dinner. Drinks were perfect. My bf got the iced tea and I got the sangria. Both were really refreshing for a nice summer night. My sangria was one of the best I've had recently believe it or not. For apps we got the deviled eggs. Came with 3 and had a unique indian spiced flavor to them. I then got the black bean burger with gorgonzola, and avocado. It was really flavorful but made with bulgar so fell apart pretty easily. I got it with sweet potato fries which were pretty good. No honey mustard though so a bit dissappointing! My bf got the fish tacos which he said were good. They came with avocado so that always bumps up a meal in my books. Our server was really nice and attentive. Overall, this place was a hidden gem (at least for me). It seems like it would be fun to come back any night for dinner or drinks or both!
(4)Eleanor F.
A great spot for Valentine's day! My honey and I have been here for two valentine's and it's not a bad price for excellent food! i had bacon wrapped figs stuffed with spiced pear, duck that was nicely cooked over rice and beignets for dessert. All was fabulous. The great thing about bella luna is that it can feel fancy for special occasions without feeling cliche. The waitresses dress up to the theme, the prince music playing was just the right mood and I never would have guessed it. On really packed nights it can get crowded and service can be slow, but if you're not in a rush the food is amazing. Get the lovers lane pizza!
(5)Heather G.
I didn't know I could like a veggie burger so much. People love the pizza here, and so I'm eager to go back and try a few of them. Prices are very affordable and the overall environment is nice.
(4)Stacy H.
my friends and i came here for a birthday dinner, and we had a reservation so we were seated pretty much immediately. i appreciated the fact that they have a vegan special of the day, but other than that they don't really have that many vegetarian options :\ luckily for me, their special that day was orzo and it was pretty good. oh, and about the birthday situation. i tried to flag down a waitress that wasn't ours to tell her that it was my friend's birthday, but she just told our waiter and didn't really tell him who the birthday girl was even though i clearly indicated across the table. i guess next time you should tell the server immediately.
(4)Seth And Sophie G.
Our favorite place in Boston! Amazing pizzas (Intergalactic Eggplant is AWESOME!) Great apps and fun drinks! Calamari is crispy and chewy, just perfect. The pizza is steamy and thin crisp crust, delicious! We HIGHLY recommend it!!
(5)B J.
This place looked so promising, but ultimately failed hard. The interior is very trendy, the music was not so loud you could not talk to people in your party. Once the service started, it was all down hill. Most places give you ice water, I always like that. The server brought out a bottle of lukewarm water in a colored bottle. Simply put, the water smelled, and it was so warm that it was undrinkable. We were a party of 4, and we all ordered right off the menu, with no substitutions or changes. When the food arrived, 50% of the order was incorrect. The server may think it adds to the experience if she doesn't have to write anything down, but in the end if you cant even come close to remembering what people told you, the pen and paper would have seemed like a good idea. Delivering food that is incorrect, and then trying to tell the guest they ordered the chicken, when this person has been a vegetarian for many years, is just insulting. 10 minutes later when the actual meal arrived, unapologetically, with no offer to comp it, we continued. The food itself was nothing special either. I had the pulled pork which came out cool to the touch. It was just above a fast food in terms of quality. The kick in the pants was when the bill came, they STILL CHARGED US FOR THE WRONG MEAL! We had to flag down a manager who gave a lame excuse of "well normally shes very good" about the server. This is nice, but she was bad today, and you did nothing to try to correct the situation other than say you would take off the 5th meal for our four person party. We still had to pay for the four, including the much delayed one. There was an opporunity to turn this experience around, but they failed.
(1)Gene L.
Regular for Friday drinks. I haven't had anything I didn't like there. The atmosphere is really nice and who would complain about the occasional live band. The fried calamari and the burgers are delicious. I like how they keep their menu small and rotate options based on the season. The specials they offer are also really nice. The pizzas are also a favorite.
(5)Kerry L.
Great drinks, I really love their seasonal apple cider martini! They used to have an incredible drink called "the rainflower". If you see it on the menu in the future...get it! The bartenders are always really nice and funny. The food here is also top-notch. The pizza, chicken wings, meatballs, and pretzels with Sam Adams beer mustard are so good! They have great dance nights!
(4)R Oh Bee P.
I have been to this place dozens of times. I come here for the wings, pizza, drinks and beers. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. Out of the many times I've been here, I only had one bad experience with the waitress. Maybe on this particular night, she just didn't feel like giving it 100% and that's fine. I'm still a fan of Bella Luna. If you come here on a Saturday night after 10:30, you will be expected to pay an entrance fee because it turns into a club atmosphere. I was once surprised by that. The wings are not a let down. They have the right amount of spice and kick to them. I could eat an entire large order! They have a variety of pizzas to choose from. Just reading the menu makes your mouth water. Made fresh and always leaves my stomach happy. The drink menu really gives this place a unique feel. I tried about 4 different drinks my first time here and even though the drink menu changed, I still ask the bartenders to make my favorite drinks...Jose is my favorite bartender. I always go to him. When it comes to the beers, the have well known beers and they offer different types to change things up a bit. I usually go with a seasonal Sam Adam or I try something new. I hope this review helps.
(4)Christopher G.
Horrible wait staff, lousy fee-for-service bouncers at night, rude, overrated food- give this place a pass and choose one of our many other wonderful restaurants in JP. I'll never waste money there again.
(1)Angel M.
A definite pit stop for aliens in our universe, in the best galaxy ever. Especially when the moon is out. The "Smokey bandit" cocktail was quite the outlaw. He certainly played by his own rules, the smoked salt crystal rules. The "Some like it hot" and the "Hot and Bothered" were so tongue captivating, they both had their own peppers, one had habanero and the other a little red one. My internal temperature increased to 99.6 degrees, definitely. In keeping with the theme of sexy and hot, we ordered the deviled eggs. So good, high cholesterol is overrated anyway. We got two orders. For my entree I got the "Kickin Carbonara", it kicked me in my mouth, in the good way. Bella Luna was a beautiful moon, I would know, it was reflecting in my sauce. The side bread was prompt and carbolificent. Soft butter for my melting eyes. Oh yeah, they also have their summer cocktail with rum and raspberries...summer-solstice-super-socks! Um, but, my favorite part was the dessert. Okay, ready for this? Wait, second to the drinks. OATMEAL.COOKIE.ICE.CREAM.SANDWICH. Grandma's ostentatious oatmeal was most likely used here. Cradled amongst the cookie was an intergalactically flavored orb of vanilla ice cream, very "milky moon". All surrounded by semisweet chocolate chips. I must also say, I really appreciate the staff. I have my favorites, sure, thats a given, but thats because I know them outside of this galaxy. They know who they are ;) My "waitress was like, being a waitress". YELPED!" My bartender, was like, being a bartender. "YELPING!"
(5)Erin D.
I dine at Bella Luna fairly frequently, as I work and live within walking distance. I seriously love this place, and here's why: - Delicious food and cocktails, made with quality ingredients - Plenty of vegetarian options, as well as options for vegans and folks who are gluten free (it's a great place to bring friends/family/dates that may have dietary restrictions) - Seasonal changes to both the dinner and cocktail menus (to spice things up for frequent diners like myself) - Reasonable prices I deduct 1/2 a star because service can be lacking when it's busy. I totally get that is to be expected, but dining there on Friday nights, it seems they need an extra server on. Some waitstaff appear to be overwhelmed by the size of their sections. Generally speaking though, service is great. I deduct another 1/2 star because, like some other posters have said, sometimes it can be too loud. I'm not talking about weekend nights when there's a DJ or band that starts later in the evening - that I get. I'm talking about when it's a weeknight and Latin karaoke is piped in through the entire restaurant. Really?
(4)Nick K.
Fantastic place that my girlfriend and I love going to. We recommend any of their pizza options. The atmosphere is great and their trivia night is always fun. As to some of the comments below knocking the place - half sound as if they've never been there? The bathrooms are outside the actual restaurant, so it would be impossible to charge a cover for them? Highly recommend!
(5)Justin E.
GREAT food, GREAT beers & cocktails, GREAT vibe! I love everything about this place. I come here at least once a week (if not more) and the hosts, waitstaff, and bar staff all are as nice as can be. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is inviting... Bella Luna is an all-around great place to catch up with friends, go out on a date, take in some comedy, or dance late night with live music or a DJ. I couldn't recommend this place more.
(5)Gwen F.
I love the pizza here, I really do. It's almost as good as Emma's. Almost. The beer selection? Awesome. Oh, and they make a good vodka martini. The decor is lovely, and the staff was pleasant. The only thing I don't like about this place is the hours. We arrived here at 4 pm for a late lunch/early dinner today, and Bella Luna was closed. Kinda frustrating to drive in from Brighton for nothing. (Yeah, I know I could have looked up the hours before leaving, but it never occurred to me that the place wouldn't open until 5 pm. I'll take some of the blame.)
(4)Steve G.
Last night I had the Cod with Root Vegetables in a Tomato Sauce. I said, "This is the BEST fish I ever had." The girl at the next table leaned over and said, "That's funny you should say that. I was just thinking that this is the BEST chicken marsala I have ever eaten." I also had a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. Great experience. Disclosure: I know the owner but that did not influence this review.
(5)Angie C.
Great food and music (on Fridays) Experience: Depending on when you come and how large your party is it can be a bit of a wait, but the music will entertain you. They also host different nights like Karaoke Night and Dyke Night. I haven't been to either one of those nights, but I really want to check out Dyke Night since the city of Boston decided to shut down every "ladies night" downtown. Food: They have a great variety of food and drinks. I recommend the following (*amazing): 1. Wings of Desire-Sweet Chili Sauce w/Cilantro* 2. Bella Burger (gets the job done) 3. Gypsy King Pizza w/Chicken 4. Pizza Menino 5. Ginger Caipirinha (cocktail) 6. Martini Del Rio Overall: Love it.
(4)Joel G.
I really want to love this place, I do. I love the vibe, and I love the location...but that is where it ends. The service is slow but friendly. Then there is the food...whoever wrote the menu must be a creative writer because so many things look good on the menu, but when you get the food reality sets in. The food is at best bland, if not a little funky/wierd. I have been there 3 times and have not had an appetizer or meal that I can say liked. I will be back form time to time but until they get their food quality up to snuff I will be sticking to Centre St.
(2)Chach K.
To keep it short: Atmosphere, amazing. Food: Good Service: Host was prompt and friendly. Waitress: cold unfriendly and didn't bring the food to the table and did not come over to our table until we were entirely done with our meals, while I could have used a fresh drink. She offered dessert but at that point we were ready to move on.
(2)Rosa S.
What a let down. I came in last week with a friend and we were sat in a tight booth. The decor, furniture , and bar are very cute however not ideal for 'getting down' on the menu. I order buffalo wings and they were boring. Bottled sauce which did not completely coat every wing. I also ordered the calamari and although the presentation was on point, the taste fell short. I also ordered the Menino pizza and it was good. If i find myself here again I may order something new but I wasnt happy with what i tried so far. Will continue to patronize bar.
(3)Crystal S.
This place would be so great if only the food was better. I should have paid more attention to the other reviews. The pizza was tasty but the bottom was soggy which for a restaurant is completely unacceptable- even the pizzas I make at home aren't soggy!!! My husband's meatballs were in his words " Totally flavourless- Chef Boyardee tastes better". But I do have to say the bread was nice.
(2)Mairead N.
I've been coming here for YEARS!!! I hate that they moved from my old neighborhood, I used to take a 5 minute walk there, have a drink and maybe get a little bowling in too. The new location, in the Brewery area in JP is also cool. The atmosphere here in the summer is great, you can sit outdoors and have a drink...the martinis are really great, Tiago, the bartender, is one talented guy and he also happens to be Brazilian, even better :-) He will mix you up whatever your heart desires. I love to come here in the evening, grab a table outside and feel the hot evening sun on my skin and chat with my mates, have a quick drinky-poo before I start my night... whatever I'm doing...date, movies.....this little place gets me in the mood for sure. I came here a few weeks ago and everything was really terrible, for the first time ever! I'm a local and have been coming here for years(at the old place) and I really want it to succeed(at the Brewery). First off, they gave us those cute little plates that have been painted on.....here's a note to the management, the plates are cute and bring character to the place and I know they have been using them for years, however, the plates we both got were REALLY old and worn and looked dirty, I think it's time for a new batch of plates that look less worn. We ordered the calamari, it was totally soggy and horrible, I've had it a million times, always good, this night, not! We then ordered a cheese pizza which, no kidding, was soooo smothered in cheese, when you picked it up, the cheese was so dense it just fell off the slice, it tasted awful.... To be fair to Bella Luna, they were really great about it all but then at the the end of the night the bill came and they charged us for everything, even after we had talked to the manager, whom we both know. Long story short ....they took the bill and told us because of the awful experience, it was on the house...now this is how you treat regular and loyal customers for sure!!! Even though it was an off night, I will still give them 4 stars...5th star would be when they get those new plates..:-) I'll see you soon Bella Luna!!!
(4)Beck N.
Great place to host an event! We had my 30th here & they took care of everything -- from picking out the menu (you can pick it yourself, but they were psychic with my choices), to decorating with balloons, & making all my guests feel welcome. Yes, I "planned" my own birthday party, but when I told the folks over at Bella Luna/Milky Way that I wanted a pizza party for my 30th, they did not even bat an eyelash. Everyone had enough tasty pizza, my cake (which you can bring in) was served on time, & the Wii bowling was a great added touch. They also let you bring in your own Ipod, so we were rockin' out to my favorite tunes all night, too. Would recommend the function room for anyone looking for an affordable but kickass party. Thanks again, Maura & the gang!
(5)Grace C.
When one pays $17.00 for $0.50 worth of pasta and $2.00 worth of chicken, one should be able to expect that it will be tasty, right? Not so much. Flavorless, undersauced, overcooked. Not to mention arriving ice cold. As did my companion's veggie burger. Then the bartender suggests that we should have said something sooner and she'd have had it sent back to the kithcen for reheating, completely missing the point. This place used to be a favorite of mine and now it's just a big fat expensive disappointment. Come for the music and a drink, skip all the food.
(1)Amy G.
I've always loved this place. Tasty food, tasty booze, and great dance nights. However, my experience there the other night made me want to take to the internet and gush. As a new recruit to a gluten-free diet, going out to eat can sometimes be a production. Entirely my fault, usually. I will often refuse to ask what the ingredients are in a specific dish - despite my boyfriend's glares and eye-rolls from across the table - or I will mope for hours about only being able to eat a salad (sometimes in this order). So, I was quite pleased to notice the new little "GF" designators next to menu items at Bella Luna. But even better was our server's sensitivity to my new GF designation. He brought extra cucumbers and no crackers with the smoked trout dip, automatically said "no croutons" when I did, in fact, order a salad, and best of all, he didn't even bring a basket of bread to the table, somehow knowing in advance how it would break my heart to watch the boyfriend snarf the entire basket down himself. It also didn't hurt that the wedge of pineapple in my dark & stormy was the booziest piece of boozefruit I've ever eaten. I left full, a little drunk, and gastronomically and emotionally satisfied. **Update: Since I posted this review, I got a message from a Bella Luna ambassador telling me that they DO, in fact, have gluten-free pizza crust. AWESOME.
(4)Zoe P.
Huh. First, the hostess was awkward when we wanted to sit outdoors on a slow afternoon and drink, which we did on uncomfortable bar stools. Then our waiter was awkward when our party arrived, we were allowed to sit at a table, and we ordered a ton of food and beverages. The majority of that food was, let's be honest, the sort of thing you might find at an upscale cafeteria. Basic, bland, and pretty blah - wings that tasted like fast food, burgers, pizza like you might make at home, in a pinch, predictable chicken sandwiches, bready crab cakes and mountains of fries. I think my salad was a happy accident - soft, sweet Boston Bibb lettuce, fresh crisp asparagus, toasted almonds, grated Manchego and a lemony but barely-there dressing. It's like they have good ingredients but no real chef. And the margaritas and mojitos we had were some of the weakest I've had in a long while. Good. But weak. All in all, not bad for Boston, but in its own uniquely mediocre way.
(3)Jessie N.
The lunch here was good, I had the Silver Moon salad and was impressed. I took a star off because it took a while before someone came to service my girlfriend and I.
(3)Ally M.
I made reservations here for my husband's birthday after we took the Sam Adams tour. I loved the atmosphere as well as the food. We ordered the pulled pork quesadilla and the apple bacon pizza, both were awesome. I loved all the artwork that decorated the walls and they have custom drawn plates, which I thought was an awesome touch. Definitely worth a visit! We went for an early weekday dinner but I bet the place is hopping on a weekend night!
(5)KATE G.
Yes the bowling is gone - but so is the snarky bored hipster vibe(ahhhh). The servers are much more professional and keep the place very clean. The bartenders are charming w/ out being cloying. They seem to be trying to carry the vintage cocktail craze and do pretty well. I have only had a martini - but may try a Sazerac. The pizzas are still stand up and consistent - you are warned they may take a little time. The pasta dish w/ shrimp is warm and filling. Overall a nice go to neighbor hood place. ( outdoor seating is great)
(3)tavia m.
What a piece of crap this place has turned into. I recently went here with a group of 5 other people. We were seated right away and given water and then our waiter disappeared for a good 10 minutes. He took our drink orders and then disappeared for another 10 minutes. I had to ask the waitress helping the table next to us to take our orders. Conveniently, the waiter came back at that time and took our orders. After a reasonable wait for our food, five of us were delivered our entrees right away and the last person languished for another 10 minutes before receiving her pizza. Our drinks were never refilled, we had to beg another server for water and we were given one bread basket for the entire table. Meanwhile, tables of two were given one basket for their table....it didn't add up. Our waiter was non-existent and a jerk to boot. Thank goodness the tip wasn't added in to our bill because no way did this guy deserve 18% or even 15%. The food was average with some people liking their entree and some not liking it. The person who ordered the mac and cheese was given a very scant portion. I'm not coming back here if I can help it. You should avoid it, too.
(2)Jon H.
I tend to order the same thing at every visit because it is always reliably great-the "lovers lane" (simply arugula,truffle oil+redonion)pizza, mussels/calamari appetizer, and one of the often varied+inventive cocktail specials, and freshest Sam Adams(duh,it's nx to the brewery) in town- especially the cherry wheat -that even non-beer drinkers can really enjoy- patio+parking is huge plus too
(5)Jasmine M.
Like other reviewers who were disappointed, I really want to like this place. I went with a friend on a busy Saturday night and we both were not impressed with the food or the service. Not terrible, but not great, either. We didn't order the pizza, which was probably a mistake. Also, our waiter at the time was also one of the bartenders that night, so our service was super slow. He was friendly, but he spilled my friend's beer as he brought it out and didn't get her a new one. Also, when our desserts came out, her ice cream had turned into soup. Disappointing. However, the ambiance is awesome and maybe next time I can write a better review after trying it out again. I haven't given up on it quite yet.
(2)Jeanny C.
TheSpaghetti and meatballs were awesome. They could use a bigger selection in food options but overall good.
(3)Sarah D.
love this place, great food, great atmosphere and great staff. Nothing negative to say about this joint
(5)Alex S.
I feel like I am being mean here but I left not feeling like there was any real reason for me to want to go back. Yeah, it was pretty cool inside and no, there was nothing really bad about the food or service, but there was also nothing that was too amazing about it either. We sat at a high top table near the bar because all the tables were full on a Saturday at 7. We were separated by a transparent divider from a couple at a lower table and kinda felt like we were right on top of them. Good thing the girl wasn't wearing a low cut shirt because.....well you know where I am going. It is pretty cool that they have their own Sam Adams exclusive brew and they do have good draft beer selection (doghead 60 min IPA and Brooklyn Lager, etc.). We had the crab cakes to start which thankfully weren't full of bread crumbs but I would have also liked there to be some chunks of crab in there. Instead it was all totally shredded crab. I went simple with the entree and got a burger and fries. The burger was actually cooked rare when I asked for it rare which is rare (haha I am hilarious). The fries were those really skinny fries. They were fine I guess (not soggy or cold) but like the rest of the experience, were nothing surprising or that unique. P.S. OK I guess the old abandoned building deal and decorations are unique but my point is the food wasn't.
(3)Tiffany P.
This is one of my favorite places to get a great pizza. Sometimes I go in for a drink and to support local artists, but even when I don't feel like going out, I still have the luxury of having them come to me with their delivery service. And can I say how nice the delivery lady - in my case - is? Super friendly! Let's talk about the food, I'm pretty much in love with their pizza. I've had their pasta before and it wasn't my favorite. The Gypsy King Pizza is my staple favorite and the La Bella Luna comes a close second. When I'm feeling sweet n' savory I go for the Dierdre Deluxe which fits the bill on all accounts. For avid pizza connoissuers you may find the crust to be a big soggy with the generous toppings and heavy pour on the olive oil. I personally love it that way...but could understand if others don't feel the same. Dining in if you're looking for a spicy kick to your dinner or day :) try the Some Like it Hot cocktail, it's spicy alright, but in the most deliciously sweet way! As you can tell I love heading to this spot with the free parking - gotta love that and when I can't make it out it's great they deliver! (only in JP)
(4)Matthew A.
I am not a Bella Luna addict to tell you all the truth. When I lived in JP I went there often or my roomies and I got take out pizza. I will say this. It is not the best pizza, always heavy and wet, sloppy pizza. A bit pricey for pizza, dontcha think? Artsy fartsy, kinda place. With tonz of lesbians. Who cares!
(2)Margo C.
Went here with a friend to use a Groupon I had bought. I have to say I was very impressed! First, the hostess was very friendly. We wanted to participate in Trivia so she honored our seating request to be near the bar area and offered some helpful suggestions regarding the Menu. We were first greeted by the "bus girl" she was friendly enough, but I was happy to find they leave a large bottle of water on the table. I hate having to ask for water and refills so I thought this was a nice touch! Our waitress was AWESOME! I wish I could remember her name... She was very nice, helpful and attentive. She was great with menu suggestions and really knew about all the dishes. Our cocktails were delicious to start. We ordered the Braised short rib for an app and it was divine. The meat melted in our mouths and the creamy parsnips were a nice touch. For dinner I had the Butternut squash ravioli with chicken. It was everything I could have hoped for! I love butternut squash ravioli but find that most restaurants never serve them correctly... that was not that case this evening. 2 thumbs up for the chef! My friend had the Crabcake BLT and enjoyed it thoroughly. For dessert my friend and I both had the Bread pudding for dessert. It was sooo yummy! Highly recommend! The dessert menu alone is worth a return trip! All homemade items.. it was difficult to make a decision. We really enjoyed the atmosphere my only complaint is how close some of the tables are to each other. It is very difficult to hold a private conversation when it feels like you are dining with the 2 tables next to you. Overall great experience.. can't wait to go back and try some different menu items!!
(4)J K.
It's alright. The food is hella expensive but the atmosphere is cutesy and that sort of adds something I guess. The drinks cost a lot and the dancing is awkward but I guess if you're into that kind of thing, then this is perfect for you.
(3)Alexis B.
Wayyyyy under staffed. Not a good thing. Since it's directly located across from the Sam Adams Brewery you would think they would have addequite staff. Well they don't. Also for our table of three they only had one menu. Where did these menus go? Do people steal them? Very odd. So for our section of 6 tables there was only 1 waiter. He didn't know the menu, the drinks, or much of anything. He was nice but clearly stretched thin. The food was meh. Cait and I both got the Crabcake BLT. Meh. The bacon was soggy. The crabcake was ok. The sweet potato fries were weird tasting like fake almost. My bf got a pizza. We heard good things about the pizza. The pizza had good flavor but was so SOGGY even a knife and fork was difficult. So not to future patrons-- GET YOU PIZZA WELL DONE. We probably won't be back.
(2)Mon R.
Sometimes I feel like my experiences at Bella Luna are hit or miss. My husband and I generally call an order in and pick it up since we live so close. Anyway, several things: Price wise they are ok. Food can go either way. I tried their Mexican type pizza (The Latin Quarter) and it was GROSS. My husband loves their deirdre pizza, and we both enjoy the Bella Luna and Lovers Lane (a MUST try!) Their burgers are also great. I really hate the plates that food are served in. They look childlike and I'm sure its hipster or relevant and all but its just not appealing. I also don't like the fact that they don't serve bread at lunch. I would not go here for lunch, basically because I am convinced that they reheat/refry fries that have been fried the night before and are using them for the lunch crowd. My fries were rock hard, and everyone at my table thought the same. My burger which I asked for medium well was beyond well-done and it was basically still cooking when it got to our table. Overall Bella Luna is a good spot in JP to check out, but its not my favorite.
(3)Robo T.
Went here specifically for soy cheese pizza. Service was.... interesting. The times between getting seated, drink order being taken, drinks arriving, bread arriving etc were longer than should be but oddly consistent. It was like the waitress was operating in an alternate universe where time was different. That said, waitstaff was friendly. Pizza was awesome!! Sauce is delicious. They actually got my companion's pizza wrong but corrected it relatively quickly. Location is cool - interior is hipster, lively and also welcoming. Although I do miss hitting the old Milky Way back on Centre Street to see my friend's trashy bands, I dont mind the current incarnation. I wasn't blown away at all but I will hit it up again.
(3)Dan C.
What a dumpy neighborhood, what a great restaurant. I know, I lived in the Jackson square neighborhood in JP for 5 years, back when it was still kinda a war zone. Bella Luna is reminds of a restaurant that you would find in Cambridge, some small college town or Brooklyn. It is very cozy and eclectic. The pizza and pasta dishes are excellent. You really can't go wrong. They always have good pasta specials and the pizza, although not Santarpio's or Regina, is quite good. In addition to good food, Bella has a great wine, all reasonably priced. After dinner, head down to the Milky Way Lounge to catch a local band or engage in the very New England pastime of candle-pin bowling. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, head across the street to the Brendan Behan pub.
(4)Matt B.
Bella Luna (the restaurant half) is pretty solid. I don't know that I'd say there's anything particularly special about it (although there is a surprisingly good vegan pizza) but the pizza menu and the drink menu are pretty on the ball. I've only been to Milky Way (the "lounge" half) for La Boum (queer dance party) and Mass Mouth (sorta like StoryCorps) but while the space does seem fairly small, they make really good use out of it.
(4)Leah G.
I'm starting to wonder if it's possible to EVER receive good service from this place. Ambiance? LOVE. Food? Like. Location and patio and overall "vibe"? Big fan. But seriously, why is it that every time I come here (most recently 3 times in the past 2 months) I end up with a server who looks like they'd rather be anywhere else doing anything else? I mean seriously, if your puppy got run over before your shift, I can understand the salty attitude but come on. Your job is to serve people. Put a damn smile on your face. And please please PLEASE, fill up my water. That is all.
(2)Joe B.
It pleases me to read positive reviews of Bella Luna...since they reassure me that *anyone* really can make it in america. I find the quality of ingredients disturbingly low, the level of creativity in the menu non-existent and the taste entirely bland. I think of BL (at which I've eaten a number of times, owing to a sincere desire to find something redeeming on the menu) as a glorified version of Ideal Pizza Cafe or any of the many other JP pizza and sub shops that mistake the notion of a volume business for the idea that customers don't expect quality or care in their food - except worse because it serves volume-business-grade food in a gourmet-food setting (with prices to match).
(2)Shawn W.
I finally made the trek from Forest Hills to the Brewery to see just how awesome Bella Luna/Milky Way remained.To my surprise, this place is now a joke. I went with a friend on an early Saturday afternoon. It was a little busy, but our experience will be remembered for years. 1) The host forgot we were waiting for a table and sat people before us 2) The waitress was incredibly dumb, CRS ("couldnt rememba shit") and messed up our drink order. I never did get that water I politely asked for. 3) The drinks were awful. You call that a cosmo!? Go back to bartending school. 4) The friend and I truly believed the waitress forgot about us. She served us one drink each, and after both drinks were sent back and we got new ones, she NEVER came back to the table to take our lunch order. I have NEVER chewed and screwed, but given our circumstances, we left. We had a terrible time. We got crap drinks and even worse service. Not to mention that 40 minutes go by and no waitress. I totally would NOT go back. I'm sure the food is as bad as the drinks, the service and the Applebee's-esque atmosphere. Save your money and go to Ula.
(1)Jackie M.
I really, really want to love this place. Unfortunately, I just can't. They do some things really well and other things just okay. Pros: -Walking distance from where I live -Tons of free parking if I'm lazy -Wonderful, if small, butternut squash ravioli (anyone else think $15 for 6 raviolis seems kinda steep? I could get oysters pretty much anywhere for that price...) -Delicious Harvest Sangria -Solid Sweet Potato Fries Cons: No matter how I order the burger (medium-rare or rare) it always comes out medium-well. The pizzas are really hit or miss. Very leisurely service. I'll keep coming back because it's convenient.
(4)Megan S.
If someone handed me a ton of money and told me to start my own restaurant - it would basically be Bella Luna. One, it's got totally hip design. It's in an old brewery building with high ceilings. There's red vinyl booths, a curvy bar, local art and stars hanging from above. Two, it's got great food and drink. Home made pasta and eggplant that melts in your mouth. Yummy pizza that's as good as it gets in Boston. It's own Sam Adams brew. (Yes their very own beer made at Sam's right behind the restaurant.) My boyfriend says the meat is great too. Three, there's entertainment. You got a love an establishment that supports local bands, has a dance floor and runs a game night. Four, staff are pretty good. No cheesy waiter outfits and knowledgeable about the menu. Only drawbacks are on the weekend there will be a wait, no, there is no longer candle pin bowling and they run out of popular entrees. Hot tip: Check out weeklydig.com for a $50 Bella Luna gift certificate for $25!
(5)Andi P.
Before last night, I hadn't been to The Milky Way since its move, but last night after dinner and possibly some drinking at Sel de la Terre, I suddenly had a vague recollection of the most recent "Dyke Night Final Fridays at The Milky Way" e-mail. . . . It mentioned "Gaga on the Hour." So, my partner-in-crime and I headed over to the Back Bay T station, hopped on the Orange Line, and were soon deboarding at Stony Brook and ready to check it out. Really, I was just going through withdrawal from "Bad Romance" being played at high volumes, so as long as that happened in the hour or so before the venue closed, my standards were otherwise non-existent or at least non-specific. That said, I like the space (including all the seating options!), although the little brick room used for dancing was pretty claustrophobic and cramped and perhaps a good 20 degrees hotter than anywhere else there, and maybe even a little creepy too. We worked our way into the heart of the mayhem of said room and all I could think of at that point was breaking through the windows to get some SPACE going. Once we escaped back to the main area, however, I'd settled on getting another drink rather than window-breaking. The bartenders were sweet enough to make mojitos despite the mob-scene! Oh, and "Bad Romance" did get played at the very end. All in all--and in all seriousness here--I heart Kristen and her Dyke Night enterprise is totally bang on and has been one of the best and more nuanced fixtures of the Boston-area lesbian (and friends) scene for some time now. And although I miss Toast, The Milky Way seems to have a stellar vibe for such an affair, and is a good match for the community-feel that Kristen's events are known for. And also, my partner-in-crime--a guy--did perfectly well here, as have all the boys, GBT & straight, I've carted with me to Dyke Nights: extra-super-friendly!
(4)Ken M.
We came here today for a bridal shower and it was the first time I'd been to "the new" Bella Luna/Milky Way. The private event room is really cool, but a bit small. The bar is really nice...and they have Absolut Boston still. The bruschetta was delicious. The cannolis were fine. The burgers were tasty, but the buns were meh.
(4)Sami W.
I have never known this place existed until my friend brought me here. There are over a 100 reviews of the place, I doubt that I'll say something that hasn't already been covered. Anyway, we shared the fried calamari appetizer, the large Prosciutto pizza, and finally the creme brulee. Everything we ate was good, and will definitely come back again.
(4)Mike M.
I just went there for the first time and really enjoyed the eclectic/Latin atmosphere...I ordered what I thought was a portabello sandwhich. But I misread the menu. This item is like a veggie burger thing...tasted like bland potatos, BUT the waiter/bartender Chris, asked how everything was, so I explained my thoughts...he quickly offered something else and gladly took away the burger....very proffesional and friendLy, My drink was this pepper concoction which was spicey and fun... Great parking area.... Reasonable prices.....I say check it out! :
(4)Adrienne T.
Oh my goodness, love Bella Luna! The Silver Moon salad with a little extra dressing is to die for, and the Manny Grand Slam pizza (mashed potatoes, scallions, bacon, etc.) is pure BLISS, I tell you. Cute plates, great walls to look at, nice servers, and the place just has a general nice feel to it. There are several other things on their menu that I want to try, but it's so hard for me to move away from what I know and love. Enjoy!
(5)Lola C.
Big Fan. The food is reliable; pizza is excellent, Bella Luna salad is solid, the Better than Your Mama's Meatballs are pretty damn close to Mama's. Their menu changes it up each season, and sometimes I love the menu and sometimes it feels lacking, but the experience there is always stellar. Yes, a stupid and corny joke, couldn't resist. What makes this place so great is the staff, if you are at a table with (or without) kids they are really patient - and the kids food is really good too. My favorite part of Bella Luna is the bar and the bartenders. A really friendly and comfortable place to hang or eat dinner. Big Fan.
(4)Ashley F.
The patio at Bella Luna is a hot spot for a warm evening date. Don't mind the parking lot atmosphere, try to snag a seat near the fountain in the corner. I loved the big water bottle on the table. Get the olives for a picker ($4), try the simple house salad (minus points for not having veggie protein toppings), sweet potato fries are delicious, try the olive oil and bread (complimentary, bright green fresh EVOO). Enjoy!
(4)Jennifer N.
Three and a half... We were big fans of the old Bella Luna. We liked it's quirky calm atmosphere, the dark room with those big lit up red stars, and the smallness of the place. The new Bella Luna feels like the old one on amphetamines. They've retained the stars and the red chairs, but they've been coupled with flat screen TVs mounted on the walls and very loud music. So the ambience isn't so much a relaxed neighbhorhoody place but a place to grab a beer and have some good pizza. The food is ok, not as good as I remembered. We started with two delicious appetizes- the calamari and the sweet potato chips with sweet onion and artichoke dip. The entrees were less exciting than the appetizers- my tuscan chicken was a salty plate of rigatoni with artichokes and sundried tomatos. Two friends had the steak frites, which was ok but unremarkable, and served on a large mound of soggy french fries. The best meal of the evening was my last friend who ordered the chicken marsala. We ended with dessert- tiramisu- an absolutely enormous portion of very, very sweet tiramisu. All this to say, if you're going for ambience or for quiet, this is not the place. But as a local joint to get some pizza and some pasta, I think Bella Luna is just fine.
(3)Erin K.
I make it a point to go here whenever I'm in the area, always ordering a pizza with eggplant (love the crispy, fried eggplant) and a beer. The service can be on the slower side and music can be a little loud for dinner conversation. Overall, it's a good choice for pizza and beer in the area.
(4)Brian S.
After my last couple of bad dining experiences here, I met up with friends for dinner last night, hoping that they had turned things around a bit -- both the service and the food. They got 1 out of 2 right. Our service was great. Food was a little slow to come out, and the server forgot one of the drinks we ordered, but he came back, apologized and we just made a joke about it. He was friendly attentive and a fun server -- so a vast improvement over my last experience there. The food however, is another story. It wasn't bad food -- but it wasn't good. I got the pork shoulder special over rice and beans and collard greens ($19). Sounded tasty and it was one of the specials, but honestly, I've had better seasoned food at a school cafeteria. The pork shoulder was dry with only small drops of a forgetful sauce dribbled over it. The rice and beans looked great, but lacked any seasoning. The star of the plate was the greens. I felt robbed paying $20 for a plate of food that had less flavor than a microwave dinner. My cocktail was also just so-so. In addition to having to order something ridiculous like the "Smokey & The Bandit", the tequila, habanero, lime, smoked salt rim concoction was way too spicy and by the end it was so salty that it was undrinkable. At least the service has improved and the food was actually edible (though unsatisfying). However, the outdoor seating looks amazing (we sat inside) and I'd definitely return for apps and drinks on the patio sometime.
(2)Felicia L.
Look y'all, I'm from the eating out capital of the world and I know food. I'm also from the South, so that's a double P-O-W. Add to that, I'm extremely picky and I'm a server's worst nightmare. But its okay, I've played that fiddle before and I'm friendly and I tip well. It evens out. Our server was Justin and he was great. Very sweet. We ordered the mozzarella sticks and pizza. Both were pretty decent. Heck, they even gave us a large pizza when we ordered a small and didn't charge us. Yes, that was their fault but you know how snarky some places can be...not here. This place also gets bonus points for the customer created plates. Super cute...
(4)stephanie s.
3 stars overall - 5 stars for location and atmosphere, 2 stars for food and 3 for service. Location: speaks for itself... awesome! Food: I'd go here for a burger or pizza, no problem. I won't choose anything from their daily special menu. I think they confuse "special" with "poor food/price ratio". I took the pan seared salmon cakes with three bean ragu and haricot verts. I got a big salmon cake that was good but a little on the bready dry side. The three bean ragu was delicious but I would have loved a larger portion. And as for the very much awaited haricot vert, I got 8 of them neatly stacked on my salmoin cake. Yes only 8 green beans. Total price $17. My partner in crime took the pan seared stuffed chicken. The portion of meat was about half a chicken breast. there was more delicious sauce than meat and that was accompanied by 3 or 4 stalks of broccoli rabe and some potatoes... total price $16. Although the food was delicous, we both felt completely ripped off and a little hungry. Service: Good but their "rules" are a little silly... bar and restaurant can't transfer tabs and the table tops outside don't get any bar or food service ... which to me means that you could sit there even if you were not consuming but whatever... Solid place but stick with the "bar food".
(3)Danae B.
This review is specifically of Fourth Fridays hosted by Dyke Night. Having loved the original Milky Way Lounge and the nights hosted there, I was decidedly underwhelmed by this new location. Layout was very awkward with the amount of people there, and with some still sitting at the bar, getting drinks became a Herculean effort. I was also ticked off by the fact that my friends and I had to wait in line, starting at 10p, for about 20 minutes even though the house was not yet packed. Bouncer was also an ass. Cover: $6. Moderately priced, good selection of beer/liquor. Small dancing area. If I lived in J.P., I might be more willing to give this place a try on a different night, but after this experience, I won't be venturing back unless dragged, kicking and screaming, by my friends. Cute girls though.
(2)Kathy M.
I love coming here for Monday night trivia and $.50 wings. The wings-especially the sweet chili wings- are really good but because their trivia night is so popular, MAKE A RESERVATION!
(3)Dave R.
This place breaks my heart these days. I am saddened by the injustice of the world that forced the Milky Way/Bella Luna to move in the first place. Imagine a magical place, with crazy small-ball bowling, crazy music, good food, and a solid, funky atmosphere. It was awesome, and it was the old Milky Way/Bella Luna. Then imagine that they got screwed out of their lease, had to move half-way across the neighborhood, lost their bowling alley AND the skeeball that was supposed to soothe that pain, and tried desperately to replace that awesomesauce with a Nintendo Wii and a projector. What would your response be? Mine was despair. Simple, clean, and soul-crushing. The new Milky Way/Bella Luna IS really nice - it's a beautiful space, I'm sure they'll do a lot with it, and the same cool food is available as before - but without the bowling, it's not what it was. Now it's basically a nice, slightly pretentious pizza place in a brewery. That's nothing to knock, but it's also not really anything special - I can get pretentious pizza in a lot of places in Boston, and I don't have to travel for an hour on the T to get it. The old place was a straight-up icon of the neighborhood, and truly cool, unique place to spend an evening. The new place just...isn't.
(3)David D.
After waiting wut seemed like a WEEK to get the bartender's attention, I was ridiculed for ordering a Diet Coke towards the end of the night. Sorry, I visited 3 BETTER bars earlier in the evening, and I had to drive home -- I didn't want to cap the night off with a DUI. Can this place be BYOB? I HATE waiting at this bar.
(2)Julie N.
This place screams JP. The building is really cool, the layout is nice, the decor is modern, it's just a great space. My problem? The service. We were a table of 5 on Saturday night with reservations. The waitress finally appeared and apologized for the wait since she had 10 other tables. We appreciated the heads up. From the moment we put our order in, it was IMPOSSIBLE to find her. The food came out quickly from the runners but it was impossible to order another round of drinks. We spent so much time looking around for her and waiting for her that it took away from the experience. Hire more staff for a Saturday night. My other problem? The $7 5 ounce pour of wine. When I ordered another glass of wine I asked if she could fill it a little higher next time, she said 5 ounces was all I got. It was less than half of the glass. The food was good though.. they had a tempura crab cake special that was super yummy and the mussels and calamari were fantastic. The black bean burger was pretty terrible though.. I wouldn't recommend it unless you would eat an entire can of black beans in a sitting. There was no other flavor. I won't go back, but give it a try.
(3)A S.
I've always had a pretty good time with pretty good to great service when I've been in to Bella Luna, but it's not the best place I've ever been to eat. I did however once have a spectacular soup. It was some sort of creamy butternut squash & nutmeg concoction but it's not a regular on the menu. Anyway, as others have mentioned, the delivery options in JP are pretty slim, so the fact that Bella Luna delivers gets it an automatic three stars! My usual choice is the Diedre Deluxe (mentioned earlier, it is a white sauce pizza with gorgonzola, cranberries, and carmelized onions). I've ordered other stuff for delivery as well, but getting an order of calamari in a plastic container just isn't the same as sitting down to a nice meal out. If you do go for dinner: the drinks are good but because the waitstaff has to go up and down stairs to get them, the drink service can be particularly slow. SO, order drinks right away and order second drinks before your first is gone (if you're like me and you like a steady stream of alcohol!)
(3)Mister Chub S.
Great place to see a show. It's a small, intimate venue with a fun vibe and hip locals. The salads and pizza are very good.
(4)Joe M.
Other than it's proximity to the Sam Adams Brewery, I can't imagine why anybody would want to eat at this place. A small group of friends and I (5 altogether) stopped in for lunch while waiting for our tour time at the brewery. It was a Saturday afternoon, about 1:00pm, and it was pouring outside so it was understandably packed. Surprisingly, we were seated immediately, but that was the extent of our good times at Bella Luna. Only the limited bar menu was available. It took 10 minutes for our waitress to stop by and ask us if we were ready to order. Greeting? Specials? Anybody like a drink? None of the usual pleasantries. 2 orders of wings (never asked what kind, buffalo, honey BBQ, etc) and 3 cheeseburgers (never asked side salad or fries). Literally ran off before we could order drinks. Wings were tasty, though undercooked. Burgers were good, great roll, and crispy thin-cut fries, but no ketchup to be found. Finally flagged waitress down 5 minutes later and got ketchup and a heaping helping of attitude. After that we couldn't get the check, and out of there, fast enough. I won't be going back.
(1)Doug M.
We just had a wonderful dinner at Bella Luna. I hadn't been there since it moved from Hyde Square, but I saw that it had a Gluten-Free pizza, so i said "Let's have dinner there tonight." And we're glad we did. The pizza was amazing - certainly the best I've had since i went G-F 18 months ago. And when I get pizza w/no cheese (as I have for 20 years), it's often dry and clearly missing something (a lot, really). This pizza was succulent; w/whole tomatoes it was so moist, and the vegetables were tasty. Even my gluten & cheese eating spouse loved it. [After we left she admitted "I'm really starting to appreciate pizza w/out cheese."] We also had the best sweet potato fries I've ever had. The bean burger was only ok, but it would have been much better if it had been cooked till it was a little crispy - whether fried, broiled or baked. It seemed to be uncooked, which I've found at a couple other restaurants too [I'm not a fan]. And they unfortunately had no G-F bread to eat it on [I should've have brought some from home.] And they forgot my stir-fried broccoli. I topped it off w/some good blueberry sorbet. The Vegan & G-F choices were limited, and the overlap between the two was even more limited, but I'll definitely go again. And the service was excellent! Next time I'll order the pizza, sweet potato fries & a salad, and I'll be happy to give them 4 stars again!
(4)Michael R.
Living on nearby Lamartine Street in JP means that Bella Luna's a regular spot for Ashley E. and I, so we've been a little over a half dozen times for lunch/dinner and about the same number for just drinks. On the bright side: -Spicy stuffed cherry peppers w/ mozz. and pepperoni - Prepare to have your mouth and tastebuds lit aflame. In a good way though. -El Toro chicken sandwich - Enormous in size and in taste. You won't leave even the slightest bit hungry after this monstrosity. -Decor - Hip, space-themed, and comfortable. Very cool place to grab a bite to eat at, especially after downing a few or more samples at the nearby Sam Adams. -Flatbreads: Usually delicious, and the variety (especially the white pizza variety) is both creative and extensive. On the dim side: -The service: Sometimes it's great, and other times it's dismal. We've had well more than expected waits for food on several occasions. On one occasion, over an hour just for a quesadilla...which was definitely average...come on guys. -Flatbreads: Sometimes inconsistent. One of my favorites is the Latin Quarter. Sometimes it's melty and delicious, others it's on the messy side and lukewarm. To summarize: The food is usually delicious, and the service is a little spotty, but a little more consistency and you've got an extremely solid space-themed joint. If you're debating going for the frequently offered groupon, I would pull the trigger, especially if you've never been. But, just make sure you're not pressed for time. And also, definitely get those cherry peppers. Damn, those things are tasty.
(3)Becky D.
Fun place with lots of unique pizzas and other yummy options. Cool vibe with a nice bar and good drink selection. Service was a bit slow but we were there on a Trivia night.
(4)Vijtibble A.
used to bowl at the milky way when it was up on centre street over a decade ago. the new location looked cool so i decided to check it out. i entered through the main doors of the brewery, between ula and blmw. i grabbed a table by the bar but nobody came over to give me a menu or anything. so i asked a busboy what to do. he said the hostess station is at the front. didn't i come in through the front? no, the front is the back. you are in magical reverso land here at blmw. the hostess said we could sit at tall tables outside to drink but not eat, and if we wanted to eat we'd need to wait 45 minutes for a table. i felt like, huh? eat me? candies in a box grow big and tall? so we went to the bar to try to get a drink, because that's a nice thing to do but the wait staff kept grabbing my waist and saying "'scuse me hon" and kind of sliding me over and out of their way. i was just trying to get a drink. so we left. not planning on coming back. too many rules. i shouldn't have to try so hard to give them my money.
(1)Veronika P.
Great, STRONG cocktails and delicious pizza - so that sounds about perfect to me. The inside is a little dark but the decor is lovely. I've been here once for dance night and it was a good time.
(5)Maggie R.
Everyone who appreciates the fine food, struggles with the noise volume at Bella Luna. The acoustics are painful. But when the food is so good, its worth it to ignore the din of conversations, waitstaff, etc. Our service was excellent, and the flavors of the pumpkin ravioli and spinach salad were wonderful. What is puzzling is the over-priced dishes of ice cream offered for dessert. The menu and wait staff boast about serving JP Licks ice cream; but the price of the ice cream was almost double the cost from the servings at JP Licks. These were half the size of the kid size cone/dishes on Centre Street; but cost $2.50. (And while I'm commenting on desserts...the coconut cannoli definitely needs more coconut!) Great appetizers, salads, entrees and service : ) Disappointing desserts : (
(4)Melissa F.
OH.OH.OH. I am literally salivating thinking about the sandwich I had here. The "El Toro" chicken sandwich is so freaking good. Kinda like a chicken parm sandwich minus the marinara and with lots of prosciutto. I ordered it with sweet potato fries and that was bananas. We got the calamari to start and that was good as well. Yum
(4)Jason L.
Artisinal pizza? When she bit into a superheated cherry tomato, molten liquid tomato lava burst out and burned her tongue. Bummer. Otherwise the pizza was good, with a nice homemade crust and nearly enough arugula (or whatever) on top. Service was so-so, and I had some trouble getting more booze into my gullet, but that was probably for the best. We enjoyed the large, very nice outdoor area and wasted away a mild late summer evening.
(4)Leslie P.
I've been to Milky Way about four times now. Unfortunately, it is usually pretty crowded on the weekends. I would definitely suggest making a reservation, as I have waited close to two hours before. The drinks are great and the food is even better. My personal favorite is the "Pilgrimage" sandwich (which I recently think they took off the menu!) Absolutely amazing sandwich...potentially one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. The pizzas are also wonderful, as is the calamari.
(5)Chelsea V.
Yummy vegan pizza, great cocktails(try the habanero infused tequila martini) and a wonderful welcoming environment.
(4)Kate L.
So, it's taken me nearly 2 years to go back to Bella Luna because of my awful first experience, but I met a friend there for a "quick drink" after a workout on Valentines night. 4 hours later, we were still drinking at the bar, but that's beside the point! The bartenders were both really friendly and attentive and the drinks were delicious. We ordered off of the special valentines menu. We had bacon wrapped figs that were stuffed with pears. Amazing. They were served on a small bed of greens that had the juices from the bacon and figs on it. If I weren't in public, I absolutely would have picked up the greens and eaten it with my hands, it was so good! Then we shared a shrimp risotto which was good. Nothing majorly special ,but had nice flavor and the portion was huge, which was unexpected! Finally we had cinnamon beignets with sweet cream ice cream. Holy God they were good! 3 courses and about a billion cocktails and we each paid $75, I think. Also, they were playing Prince music all night, which was pretty stellar... All in all, a good experience, I'm glad I tried again.
(3)Seth B.
This isn't the old place like it was on Centre St. Off go the bowling lanes, all of it's grunginess. The service is better and the food is completely updated. Everything I've tried the number of times I've been here is good. The different pizzas, the burgers, the wings. All better than average fare. This is place is close to home, so I've got to know the bartenders who are all very helpful and have a pretty good drink list and beer selection to work with. This is is worth the price and a nice neighborhood spot.
(4)Tiffany Q.
Saw this on Phantom Gourmet and had to give it a try. The place itself is veryyyyy cool and the fact that its an old brewery gives it even more points. I'd probably give this place a second try. The food wasn't terribly bad but wouldn't order it again. We ordered the mac n cheese which was a fan fav on Phantom Gourmet. It was good...really good. They use rigatoni pasta and an arry of diffrerent kinds of cheeses and bake with with breadcrumbs on top. Its veryyyyyyyyyy rich and veryyyyyyyyyy heavy. It was a bit expensive as well, I believe it was $14 and it wasn't a terribly huge plate. We also odered the Latin Quarter pizza which is bacon, avocado, cheese and jalpenos. There was sooooooooooooooooooo much oil on the bottom of the plate when I picked up a piece of it I was so grossed out. It was running down my hands and all over my napkin. There was just a pool of oil on the plate as well. When we had it wrapped up the oil was seeping out of the bottom of the bag so the point where I had to put it on a plate in my frig. The atosphere is very cool, same with the decor. Our waitress was great as well. Although we didn't indulge there dessert menu looked awesome...dark chocolate cheesecake!! yummm And watch there coffee its DARK and STRONG....I couldn't figure out the next morning why I slept crappy...come to realize I had coffee. Very very strong coffee.
(3)Julie R.
I had been here for drinks before, but this was my first time dining and I was very impressed! We called at 8:15 and were able to get reservations for 9:00 on a Saturday night for our group (be warned that if we would have come for dinner after 9:30pm, we would have been asked to pay the lame $10 cover charge even though we weren't staying for the show). We were seated quickly and the service was good. The menu had decent options for the meat eaters, fishaterians, and vegetarians alike. I was impressed with the wine options and even tried the cheapo house red wine and enjoyed it fine! All of our orders were brought to the table with no mistakes - the portions were big and the calzones were literally larger than my head. According to a fellow diner, the burger was cooked to request but lacked flavor, seasoning, and any spark - he actually questioned at one point if the burger was even made in house it was so mediocre. The chicken sandwich was large and got good reviews. The regular and sweet potato fries were good but nothing to rave about. The calzones on the other hand were huge and delicious. I got all veggies in mine, and they were cooked perfectly - still a little crunch to the peppers, the mushrooms weren't mushy, and the onions added great flavor. No need to add ricotta or an additional cheese - there was plenty of gooey mozzarella packed inside. Even though there was sauce inside the calzone, I asked for a side of sauce and I'm so glad I did - it was just divine! I literally could have ate this sauce sans food with a spoon. Another diner's calzone was stuffed with so many ingredients that he could barely finish them all! My only complaint with the calzone is that it was a bit undercooked, particularly in the crust which was clearly still doughy in the middle and in the thicker parts was literally raw dough. I was hungry enough to just pick around the rawness and love on the inside, but still. I definitely will go back but will probably stick to the pizza/calzone menu based on our first dining experience.
(4)Erika M.
I LOVE, LOVE LOVE their pizza. I HATE their ala carte pizza prices. When I have a good week at work I like to treat myself to a Simple Simon with, goat cheese, caramelized onions and BBQ chicken. The total comes to $24+tax. $24 for a pizza? I want to cry. Like now. I'm newly prego and all I want is a $24 pizza at Bella Luna. I think I might try the Dogwood's version. It's $7 cheaper. Please make a pizza with caramelized onions, goat cheese and BBQ chicken and add it to your reasonably priced pizza menu. You can call it the "Demands of the Feed-us".
(4)Amanda F.
I came here for drinks and apps one night, and had a great time! The mozzarella sticks were crispy, just the way I like them! We also decided on buffalo fries. They were good, but I would have liked a bit more spice. I can't remember what drink I got, but it was a bit TOO spicy. I took the giant pepper out, and that helped a bit. Too bad some of that spice couldn't be tranfered to the not-spicy-enough buffalo fries. I had a good time, though. I'll be back. A quick look at the menu tells me that I should go for the pizza next time!
(3)Andrew R.
Wow! It's not the same old Bella Luna and Milky Way from it's old digs on Centre St., but the new location has a charm all its own. Exposed brick walls, pool table, arcade games, oversized wall mounted Connect-4, and a giant projection screen for (what else) Wii bowling all combine to make a wonderfully eclectic hangout spot as well as a great place for pizza and beer. I've tried a number of their pizzas at the old location, and they seem to have kept the same philosophy here: thin, excellent toppings, tastily mixed. Add in a decent beer selection and this place is a pretty cool restaurant. If only it wasn't way out on the Orange line...
(4)Rachel L.
I have visited Bella Luna before and had a great experience. The second time around, however, I was disappointed. My boyfriend arrived right after it opened on a Sunday night and though we were able to bring our drinks on the patio (which was nice) but could not enjoy our dinner outside (seems arbitrary). Other customers arrived for dinner and received bread and their food well before we did (in fact, we didn't get any bread). We ordered a salad and small pizza; the salad was good but the toppings on the pizza were rather sparse- just a small amount of cheese, onions and cranberries (a good idea, poor execution). The only upside was the drink I ordered- a spicy ginger beer concoction. Yum.
(2)Jocelyn G.
Went to Bella Luna before the Elite event downstairs at the Milky Way last night and was pleasantly surprised. We split a large pizza between the three of us (bbq chicken, pepperoni, and bacon. Bacon makes everything better) and a plate of wings of desire. The wings were good, wouldn't have minded getting another set of napkins, though. Loved the star lanterns...The cushions on the bench seats reminded me of my grandparent's house, which is currently being taken over by pillows. Kinda weird.
(4)Kimberly H.
I like this place. I wish it was close to where I live. I went here a few times. Once for my birthday and once for valentines day that I can recall off the top of my head. The food was great- They are very accomodating to people like me with food allergies and also who are vegan. The drinks are creative and strong. The atmosphere is really cute- I love the name of the place too- space themed. The staff is super friendly and down to earth- I cant wait to go back again. PS the pizza is great!
(5)Janice T.
I am seriously contemplating a move to JP because of this place. We came to eat here for lunch after touring the Sam Adams Brewery. My, my. The food sure is tasty. The calamari was to die for, fried, then tossed in a creamy chipotle sauce. A friend and I shared that as well as the pizza with broccoli rabe, ricotta, and garlic....so savory, so good. The other folks with us ordered the pulled pork sandwich, which was quite good, and the most comparable to the Memphis style pork bbq my fiance and I are accustom to. The atmosphere was great too.
(5)Bethany M.
Went here quickly last night before a tasting at the brewery. Met a few friends for a drink and a bite, and boy was I impressed. The decor is very cool, the bartenders are super nice and though things aren't exactly cheap, I didn't walk out of there with an empty wallet. I tried the drink special which was a pink lemonade (vodka, grenadine and lemon... holy christ). It was 8 bucks, which didn't thrill me, but tasty and I definitely wouldn't drink more than one. A friend and I shared a small pepperoni pizza. Plenty big for two people who aren't starving, but would work for one as well. It is a little greasy though, so if you don't like that kind of thing, you might have to blot it. Overall I was impressed at the location, the place itself, the service and the food. I will go back for sure.
(4)Tara B.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for moving to the Brewery Complex, and thus, literally around the corner from my apartment. So I went to the Milky Way maybe twice when it was all.the.way. on Centre St, but I had never eaten at Bella Luna. Since the big move, I've dined & boozed here on several occasions, chilling with the super friendly and helpful barstaff, or scarfing delicious pizzas with friends during Monday night Stump Trivia. Never disappointed. And best part? If I get trashed, home's a block away! Oh and definitely don't miss the Sam Adams Sunray, a brew made specially for Bella Luna from the kind neighbors round back. Similar to Sam Summer, but more citrus and a less wheaty flavor. Fantastical!
(4)Adam E.
This new space is bomb! Exposed brick, funky lounge space, sparkly red bar top, awesome lighting fixtures and the promise of patio dining/drinking in the summer? So much better than a basement in Hyde Square! I'm told the capacity is the same as at the old space, so I'm not sure why people are complaining about that. Maybe the lines seem longer because more people are checking out the new digs? And Dyke Night always has a line, that's a given. I never bowled anyway (and could give two shits about skee-ball, I'm not 9 years old), so I don't care about that, I'd rather have some delicious drinks. And food, sure, but the drinks are where it's at for me. They have this strawberry rhubarb drink on the menu now, and holy heaven is it good. Summer in a glass I tell you. The beer selection seems larger now, though I'm not sure it actually is. They had this special brew from Sam Adams called Sun Ray, which was like a Blue Moon and UFO had a baby and added some coriander. Yum. Service is impeccable as always, and there are 3 bartenders, not 2 as mentioned in another review. I've been a couple of times already and there are always 3. So yeah, it's not the old basement. It's hipper, and more fitting with what the Milky Way always seemed like to me- a funky, cool bar and lounge. As a bonus, Bella Luna serves up the same awesome food as ever, and I heard rumors there might be a brunch menu in a few weeks.
(5)Lindsey B.
We just had dinner here for the first time tonight, and I have to say I was pretty disappointed. We live right in the neighborhood and have been meaning to try Bella Luna forever, so yesterday's Groupon finally got us in the door. It's a fun, cozy space, and the service was fine (if slow), but the food was just really bad. Appetizer: we got the beet/sausage/goat cheese appetizer, which was really odd in its presentation: three insubstantial pieces of bread, three very thick slabs of sausage, some large beet chunks, and a whole ball of goat cheese. There wasn't nearly enough crostini for the toppings, and the sausage (while tasty) was tough and nearly impossible to cut. Kid's meal: mac and cheese. This was gross -- soupy, runny, and with an odd flavor. Our meal: a Bella Luna pizza with prosciutto. It looked really good when it arrived, but it was utterly soggy and droopy, to the point that you could barely pick it up to eat it. I LOVE cheese, but this was just way too much -- the whole pizza was just, well, flaccid. There was almost no prosciutto on the pizza, so we were galled to see that we'd been charged $5 extra for it (the menu said it was an extra $2). It took a while to get the check, though, so with an antsy kid we just paid the bill and left. So, two stars for the nice atmosphere and the great beer selection, but I wouldn't go here again. The food was a disappointment all around.
(2)Jennie P.
As a Brookside resident and a long time customer of the Milky Way and Bella Luna, I, along with my former Milky Way bowling/dance crew respectfully request that you PLEASE please please bring back the Barbecue Cheese Fries. They were everyone's favorite bar food and then some! Your staff have attested to this fact the past few times we've been there and more than one bartender has told us how many people have ordered them since you took them off the menu recently, and how frustrated and sad those people are when they are told the fries are no longer available. :( On another note, we LOVE the addition of the bowling seats to the patio - perfect and a great tribute, if a little bittersweet. And that the patio has a lounge area is brilliant. The only things missing are some little tiny tables/pedestals in front of the seating to put drinks and apps on. Another of everyone's favorite things: drinks and apps outdoors in the summer! Also, as an aside to Derek L., I may be mistaken or things may have changed, but I believe the Milky Way always offered salsa lessons around 9-9:30 on Saturday nights before it gets packed. You may want to check that out next time.
(3)Matt W.
I've eaten here a few times. The food is alright, but not of a very wide variety, and is rather expensive for what it is. That said, I would have given it 3 stars, except I had brunch there this morning and there was a pretty terrible folk band playing while we were eating at 11am. And we were on the other side of the restaurant, but there was a speaker right over our heads that was louder than standing in front of the actual band. Really annoying, and it clipped a few times. The highs were WAY too high and it actually hurt to be there.
(2)Rich O.
OK, I have never been to the old Milky Luna so my review is based simply on my visit there strictly for dinner at the new location. The first bit of confusion for me was where the hell was it? The signage from the street is hardly indicative of where Bella Luna actually is in the Sam Brewery complex. After that everything went smoothly. The starters we got, including bbq cheese fries and The Worlds Best calamari (which several at the table agreed it actually was), were spot on. Among the dishes we ordered, including steak frites, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and tuscan chicken all scored very high. The coupled seating next to us also raved about the special starters (a fruity watermelon soup and featured cheese plate). I never got a real lay of the land as we left after dinner so I can't comment on the "lounge" aspect. The Latin music was kicking into high gear as we were leaving. The bathrooms are kind of disjointed and adventurous but clean and the tables are a bit too close together (as the woman sitting next to me who got a face full of my ass as I tired to get up from the table can attest to) but service was strong. So, without the nostalgia of the old place I'd have to say the Bella Way Lounge was AOK!
(4)Mike M.
I would say the main yardstick a place like Milky Way should be judged is the impact is has on the community. If you want lightning fast service there are any number of bars to go if you're just looking to get wasted. As for the food, Bella Luna is off the chains but that's besides the point. The Milky Way is an institution. It is a nexus for JP's vibrant arts community and it is the best new spot to open in years. Sure it has some kinks to work out. But hey, maybe will you're spending an excruciating 5 minutes waiting for a beer you could talk to any one of the interesting people that are probably standing to your left or right. That's what that place is all about. It's outreach to the arts, music, and GLBT communities is unparalleled in Boston and it's places like this that bring neighborhoods together. I would rather be stuck in this place's bar line for an hour than drink at TGI Friday's for free.
(5)Lindsay L.
Bella Luna's new digs get mad props for decor. The lighting is fun and the set-up is zany. It walks the fine line between DIY and polished. I would say that the decor is what I enjoyed most about being there. The food was totally good and fine! It wasn't amazing, hence the "A-OK" three stars. My friend and I got the gluten-free dairy-free farmer's pizza (whatever the seasonal vegetables are), and I have to say, their soy cheese is pretty darned good (for soy cheese). The GF pizza dough was not among the best I've had, but it was also not among the worst. As an appetizer, we got the ridiculously tasty sweet-potato fries, which were, for me, the highlight of the meal. For dessert, we tried the adventurous chilled blueberry cucumber soup, which was actually really good! All in all, it was a good experience, and I'll go again.
(3)Zoe W.
Of course I was sad to see the old Milky Way/Bella Luna leave their Hyde Square location, but they have come back with a vengeance at the Brewery complex. I came for a little graduation dinner with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. My cousin is a "foodie" (i.e. she's pretty picky) and we all had a lovely time and enjoyed our food and drinks thoroughly. We made a few special requests which were taken graciously by our waitress. She even managed to find some sparkling wine after originally declaring they were out. We started with the artichoke dip which was all yum. My aunt and uncle got the two special soups: one was a tomato/ginger concoction, and the ginger knocked you right out. The other was a chilled strawberry soup which was deeeelish. My main dish was chicken with spinach and mashed sweet potatoes and I ate the entire thing and loved every second of it. I also heart the cocktails here, they seem to be infallibly good. Can't wait for the outdoor seating to open up - I will surely be making an appearance at that time!
(5)K D.
OK - so I've been to Bella Luna many, many times and I've finally broken down and decided to write down what I think about it. 1. Location - Love the location! - not only because it is close to my house, but also because it is close to the T, which allows us to invite our non-JP friends out to meet us there. Other places in JP are just not as amenable to that. 2. Food - OK, though somehow they frequently find a way to disappoint. Their menu will often have items that sounds great but the taste just isn't there. The exception to this is the pizza, which many have written about before so I won't go into it. Items that I do like include: Butternut Squash Ravioli (really good), the burger is consistently good, Silver Moon salad usually a good bet. 3. Drinks - 3a. Mixed/Cocktails - The mixed drinks overall are not good, though this hasn't stopped me from trying to find the stars. There are one or two drinks that flit on and off their cocktail list that are fun but even they are often not worth the price. I will say that if you ask for a standard mixed drink, say a White Russian or a Jack and Coke, they are not cheap with the alcohol and that is something I respect. 3b. Beer - One of the coolest things about the new Bella Luna location is that they now have a beer made especially for them by the Sam Adams brewery. Other beers on tap are generally respectable, with a nice but not wonderful variety. 4. Extracurriculars - these include Wii bowling, Karaoke, trivia, pool etc. To be fair for this category- I have not experienced all of these lovely extras yet. What I have done the most is trivia, so I'll speak a bit to that. First and foremost - my biggest annoyance: the website says that trivia begins at 8:30pm however the people running it almost never begin trivia at the stated time. I'm not sure why they've decided that time doesn't matter, but I am of the opinion that if you say something starts at a certain time then it should start at that time. Otherwise, trivia is fun with a nice amount of players, though I could do without the heckling from the chic who usually does it. So, those are my basic thoughts on Bella Luna. I think it has a lot of potential and I will definitely go back.
(3)Eric S.
This location is SO much better than their old place! My buddy and I went here for dinner last night, and it was so delicious. Definitely one of the best pizzas in town. We had a small hiccup - it took forever for the food to come out. But, the waitress knew it was taking a long time and was apologetic. Additionally, there was (I assume) a manager who kept checking on us, and was very aware to make sure we were enjoying. Once the food arrived, it was worth the wait. We had an amazing (not Weight Watchers Points friendly) onion and artichoke dip, a great salad, and the pizza and pasta were SO flavorful (and super hot!) The sauce on the spinach ravioli was stunning. Definitely a hit! And, the staff was so attentive when a small problem did arise. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Elizabeth L.
Does anyone remember that the Milky Way was closed for over a month? give them a break! Did anyone ask where the skee-ball was? If you had, you would have been informed that it is on it's way and it is taking longer to arrive than they were told. And as for the patio, did anyone else see construction? My guess is that they are working on it. Let's be supportive of this local restaurant that even though they were pushed out of their old space (85% rent raise anyone?) they are back and will be better than ever. Also, did anyone notice that the staff is pretty much the same? They must be doing something right if the staff all stuck around.
(4)Ceceilia A.
I go here regularly for dancing, but the food is consistently disappointing. Don't do it. Last time I went I got a crab cake BLT. The crab cakes were the size of golf balls on a full size roll, plus they were bland and dry. Just gross. In my latest visit, my girlfriend and I got two silver moon salads that ended up being nothing more than a paltry handful of spring mix and some hard as rock croutons. We asked for avocado and got cut-up pieces of about 1/4 of an unripe avocado. They didn't have shrimp anymore so offered us a crab cake. (Obviously not after my last experience.) Oh, and the single crab cake was $4. FOUR DOLLARS. No thanks. There's nothing that burns like paying $25 for two itty bitty handfuls of lettuce that would have cost $10 at Ula next door... except seeing it go downhill to this point over the past few years. Perhaps I'm stupid for continually for going back and stupid for holding on to what Milky Way/Bella Luna was. I believe! Sadly, it's not that anymore, and I've had so many disappointing experiences that my major loyalty and my lazy ass (it's two blocks away from me) have gone elsewhere. There's a reason they haven't been on the "Best of Boston" list since 2007.
(1)Becky A.
Love this place! Has a very laid back scenery, drinks are great, food is awesome....MUST TRY CALAMARI'S if your a seafood lover! The sauce poured over it is simply delish! Also my second favorite there is the "MOJITO's" are SOO GOOD! I am a mojito lover so thumbs up on this drink!!
(4)Cari H.
This is hands-down my favorite eatery in Boston. It is the place I have repeatedly gone to on a Friday night when I haven't planned anything else and l want something I know will be good. My friend always gets the "Better Than Your Mama's Meatballs" with the two Raiders-of-the-Lost-Ark-boulder-size meatballs. It's basically two hamburgers on a plate of delicious pasta. I used to love their the vegetarian nut loaf at the old location, but now ADORE the calamari (sinful) and eggplant parm. It is the best I have ever had... and I have had my share (probably not a good thing...). Aside from the menu, the ambience is wonderful. I love the star paper lights with the exposed brick. Plus, I swear the Sams Adams Boston Ale I had last time tasted fresher than I ever remember it.
(5)Jessica B.
This Yay! is only for the food. I repeat, only for the food. Not for the service and *definitely not* for phone accessibility. And not really for the atmosphere. The food is still really good. Really really. The ricotta gnocchi were tasty and served in a large portion. So large, in fact, that I planned to take home a full half of the meal for later. I even made sure I didn't eat all the delicious sausage out of it. Too bad the waitress took it away never to be seen again after asking if I wanted it boxed. (Yes, I did want it boxed.) I don't know if the staff is new, or just harried, or if the place is oddly laid out, but service was pretty slow. But, again, the food is great. The restaurant is much more chi-chi now. I liked the old look better, but I imagine the fancier appearance will help draw a larger crowd. And: Yay! They have delivery! Or no. Change that to Yay! They have delivery if you can ever get anyone to answer the phone! If you can't, then you have to listen to an automated list of bizarrely numbered options: Press 24 to talk to our general manager. Press 11 to talk to blah blah blah. At no point is there an option that makes it clear what you should do if you just want to order a damn pizza. Only when you have called back between 1 and 4 times and gotten a real person do you realize that someone is supposed to be answering the phone and taking your order. I am thrilled to have them deliver. I am even thrilled to do pick-up myself. I am not thrilled to have to call repeatedly or listen to an automated phone system. Also, just a thing to remember: delivery stops at 9:30.
(4)Annie I.
this shit has jumped the shark. seriously. the food is good (the chilli wings are damn delicious) but the service is always so slow and they have jacked their prices up. i like going to local restaurants and am happy when they get more popular, except when the service suffers. they routinely seem understaffed and bewildered.
(2)anthony L.
3 stars for my meal, 5 stars for my girlfriend's. I had the stuffed Veal saltimboca with a side of Gnocchi. The Gnocchi was good, but not great, and the Veal was delivered cold. Also the combination of flavors (roasted peppers, rubbery cold veal, and what seemed like velveta cheese) just didn't add up to anything remotely close to delicious. My girlfriend's mac and cheese (I don't remember what they called it exactly) was absolutely mind blowing. She ordered it with crispy prosciutto. It was just unreal. I'm not sure what else to say. beautiful. Other than that the server was excellent, and funny. It did take a while to get the check, but that didn't detract from the experience at all. I'll definitely be going back!
(4)Jules H.
I love the Milky Way, and I am not someone who was deeply sentimental about its previous location on Centre Street (frankly, it sounds as though the landlord was a jerk, and while I love candlepin, the bowling was expensive and noisy). I really like the new location, though -- the bar is spacious (and the cocktails DELICIOUS), and the vibe is just as hip as ever. Perhaps because there is a bit more space the spot feels more democratic, less hipster -- but I am fine with that. The pizza, if you like pizza, is very good (I'm not a fan of pizza in general, but I do recognize the food quality at Bella Luna), but it's the drinks and the laid-back atmosphere that bring me back to this place.
(4)Gail L.
We went opening night, Monday...4 of us were seated right away (I was surprised it wasn't packed at 7pm) We had drinks and dinner in a lovely room divided in a way that lets you feel you're not in a huge space...small areas sectioned to make little groups instead of one big room. The exposed brick, little star lights and the bold colors make for a rosy feel...(the light is very complimentary) The menu offers some new items but the old favorites are still there too. The staff was attentive and friendly. I can't wait for the outdoor seating...BTW, the food is very good. Outdoor seating is available now...8/4/09
(4)johnny r.
This is a great find in the jp area with a parking lot... Pizzas are really good. The silvermoon salad is fabulous, the gorgonzola and parm peppercorn dressing go great togther, a must try! You really can't go wrong with any of the dishes here, will venture back here more often...
(4)Michele G.
Sad to have to knock a few stars off. Went back with a BuyWithMe (they even used my previous Yelp review as a quote in their description) and there was crud on the plates and on the silverware, and the Latin Quarter was merely okay instead of being a an example of what pizza should be. Hopefully, it was just an off (Sunday) night.
(3)Don M.
This place will not deliver to my house, though it is less than a mile and a half away. The "problem" is that my house is in the "Roxbury" zip code and not a "JP" one. This is a real problem for me and bespeaks a certain attitude ... I don't think I need to elaborate except to say that to define a service area by zip code - and not by distance - is simply wrong. Very uncool and the kind of thing that should not stand in the post-Obama century.
(1)Ann F.
What happened to the City Year Pizza? Do they not offer it on the menu anymore? It was my favorite! Really yummy pizza, interesting ingredients, crispy, thin crust, friendly staff and cool decor!
(4)Olivia C.
I like the new Milky Way, mm'kay... First impressions, RECESS!! Dance party with DJ Lone Wolf. Loud, banging, creative, mashed tunes, exposed brick, friendly, familiar, fast service, local micro-brew, the potential energy of an upcoming patio. I'm down. Sure it's small, sure it's sad to miss the old bowling alley/pool hall/ dance floor/magic eclectic music house/restaurant extravaganza. Sure, the new snaky labyrinth was architecturally designed by a budget drunk. Yes, I must ask, why couldn't the brewery sell the MW a bigger space? Where have all the stimulus dance money gone?? JP has a license to ill!! But remember kids......YOU bring the scene. And I am grateful for a corner to booze in. And even though, I am not much of a clubber, I have a goddamn hip bar around the corner from my house!! Thanks for bringing me out Kristen!! We don't even need to ride the bus to "the intercity disco...."
(3)Angelina C.
Close by. Newly-launched brunch menu. Had to try it. Solid three stars. Apple fritters as a starter were perfectly dusted in powdered sugar with a side of maple syrup to dip, and more than enough for our party of three. The Bella Luna Benedict featured a creamy poached egg, hollandaise, cheesy risotto cakes in lieu of english muffins, and bacon placed carefully like antennae atop the eggs. The Benedict's overall flavor was savory and really, really rich-- more than enough for two. The atmosphere is a little morning-after stale given the late night dance parties, but the live jazz helps to bring in the morning. Not too shabby, guys, but I still dig and prefer your nightlife.
(3)Courtney H.
I decided to have dinner in JP on a whim. I was a little surprised at the price of some of the dishes, but the pizzas are a good deal. I had a 'full moon' pizza -- white pizza with pesto, tomatoes, and artichokes. It was delicious! The balance between the cheese and pesto was perfect. The waitstaff was nice and the atmosphere was cute. I would go back for pizza again, or maybe the calamari.
(4)Tammi M.
I think I've found my new spot! This place is fantastic. The entrees are amazing. I got the salmon w/ sweet corn & goat cheese puree... to die for! Can't wait to come back. Looking for a gormet dinner that's healthy AND delish, you have to try Bella Luna. As you can see I highly recommend this place!
(5)Caitlin I.
I don't think I'll be writing home about this one. Sorry mom. Bella Luna is a cute place. Nice atmosphere, cool vibe, but something just doesn't vibe with me. Maybe it's the fact that they dim the lights so low that I have to squint to see my date (I mean I understand the concept of mood lighting, but c'mon now people, I'm vision impaired as it is!) Maybe it's the fact that their drinks, the sangria in particular was disgusting (I'm almost positive Sangria is NOT supposed to be that shade of purple) or maybe it's the fact that their food was just....ehhh. Nothing special about it. The food I've had there just always seems like it needs a little something extra. I can't actually put my finger on what that somethin'-somethin' is, but I know it's lacking and needs to be improved upon. The wait staff could also use some improvement. No problems in the actual wait time for being seated, but for actual orders and their standard "How is everything?", they seemed to be taking their sweet time and avoiding any and all eye contact lest you have some kind of problem when they breeze right by you. I can only comment on the food since I have yet to put their bowling and pool table area to use, but if the $10 cover last night was any indication of how that was gonna go, I'm gonna pass and opt for something else.
(2)Thomas L.
Nothing exceptional here, just basic bistro-type fare that mostly satisfies in a friendly setting and with agreeable service. And if you're gluten-free, you'll enjoy the best no-gluten pizza in Boston.
(3)Brian G.
The customer service here is awfu!! Hoiw does an Italian restauarnt have no pasta on the lunch menu? I asked the waitress if there is any pasta on the menu and she gave me an attitude and told me these 2 choices are pasta, which weren't even pasta! I couldn't believe it. Then she said there are no other pastas until the dinner menu that starts at 5. It was 4:30 and she said she would ask the chef. My boyfirned watched her the whole time and she never even asked him!!!!!! The hostess with the short hair just kept looking at us in a way which was demeaning too. She came back to my boyfriend while i was in the bathroom that they can't make anything off the dinner menu. I just feel that this is bad customer service and she didn't even say sorry. This place would be out of business in NYC with that kind of lack of accomadation and lack of positive attitude.
(1)Steve L.
I visited on a beautiful afternoon saturday simply because it was the closest bar to the sam adams brewery and we had an hour and a half wait til the next tour. There was live countryish music (they played some slow versions of Gun's'n'roses) which was quite enjoyable and didn't stop one from having a friendly conversation. Bar is nice. Beer selection is good (anything bar with no dedicated miller/coors/bud draft lines is a plus). Service was standard. and at approx $5 a pint I was pretty happy.
(4)Mike S.
This was our second time to Belle Luna since they moved. We very much loved the original place. Aside from the charm, the food and service was very good. Plus it was fun to hang out downstairs at the Milky Way after dinner. The first time we went to Belle Luna was right after the move. The food and service was lousy, but we chalked it up to the restaurant not being settled in yet. We went back on Friday 9/03/2010 to see if the place had improved any. We got there around 6:30pm. The hostess told us that the only available seats were at the high top tables near the bar. Otherwise there would be a 20 minute wait. We opted to take the tables. The unfortunate problem with sitting near the bar is the bartenders are also the waiters. Being a Friday night, there were groups of people pouring in to have a few drinks and the bartenders ended up having less time to wait on tables. After we gave our drink order, it took a long time for the bartender waiter to come back and take our food order. And we didn't get bread for the table. During this long wait, I noticed there were a lot of babies and toddlers in the place. Not so bad when they are asleep, but, of course, a screaming mimi sits right next to us. I guess that now that the location of the restaurant is in a more residential area, it's going to attract more families. I counted 6 bassinets and 5 toddlers running around. In my opinion, kids kill the "hip vibe" this place used to have. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Probably because they have food servers to bring the food out, not the waiters. I had the meatballs and spaghetti and my partner had the mac and cheese. My meatballs were mealy and not very good. His mac and cheese had a very strange smell to it. As we were eating the bar area really filled up with people. Our table was constantly getting bumped by people hanging out. Our bartender waiter was stuck behind the bar making drinks for the crowd and never came back to check on us. We had to ask another waiter for our check. We paid the bill and left. Bella Luna has lost whatever mojo it had. We will never go back again.
(1)Sean B.
Yeah! I usually like to eat in the Milky Way part. But this is because i don't like people on the street to watch me eat and wipe crumbs off my chest. The drink specials are usually interesting and delicious. The staff is almost always great and friendly. Some of my favourite things to eat there are their salads, all the pizza, and calamari. I liked the bruschetta of the past more when there were three different options but it is still pretty great. Many of my vegetarian friends will become pescatarians just to eat the calamari. hope that helps with the tasty meter in your head.
(4)S C.
Place was below average. I went to this lounge while visiting a few friends in town. They all raved about how this is a great place and that the music was awesome. I thought it was ok... After a few drinks my mind was set this place was just another average college hangout with a someone less fashionable crowd. Even though the atmosphere was pleasing to the eyes, the bartender gave below average service with extended wait time to receive my beverages. Will I go again? Maybe when Im in boston.
(2)Jenna C.
I'm pretty sure I don't like Bella Luna. I've tried to convince myself otherwise but the food just keeps letting me down. I've never had a bad waitress. They're always super nice but sometimes can run on the slow side. I think the hand painted plates are adorable and a cute idea. But It's super small and I feel like every time I get up from my table I'm practically standing on my neighbors meal/in the middle of their conversation. After visiting quite a few times since moving to Boston 2 years ago I've come to the conclusion that the only thing worth ordering is the BBQ cheese fries. Perfection. I've also tried: Pizza: meh. nothing to write home about. A burger: dry and overcooked. Meatballs: undercooked Pulled pork: dry Greek salad: they don't have greek dressing. how is that possible? Quesadilla: were good at one point but have slowly gotten worse I'm actually really sad that this place is a big disappointment because like every other JP review I've done it's soooooo close to my apartment. Maybe I'm just too picky. But it seems others also feel the same.
(2)Adam C.
I think Bella Luna is fan-fuckin'-tastic personally. Their drink menu is excellent. For some reason, I've ordered mojitos both times I've been, but they're fuckin' good. Also, they have caiphirinhas on their drink menu. Pretty boss. Side-note: I overheard one of the bartenders downstairs explaining what a caiphirinha was to a customer and he replied "I think I'd rather have a shot of insulin!!!" Douche. Anyway, the food. The food I've had has been phenomenal. I had a 3-mushroom risotto dish that was amazing. The pizza's great, the appetizers, great. What can I say, I really liked it and the staff have been great too. Word up to the MAX, dude!
(5)Jen T.
I've now been to the new location a few times. The first was just after it moved, for my birthday last year. Despite having just moved, Bella Luna was great. They let us have the private back area, and our waitress was excellent - friendly, good about checking on us, patient with our 20-person group. The food was excellent! I have a very tasty pasta dish, and the calamari appetizer was a hit. The space is nice, too - plenty of seating, decent sized bar, fun decor. But sadly, after my second, more recent visit, I can only give it 3 stars. A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I were on our way home and need a place to snag a late-ish dinner. In JP, this is no easy feat, as many places stop serving at around 10 or 10:30 on weekdays. But knowing that most of JP's bars keep their kitchens open later (Costello's, James's Gate) we figured we would stop in at Bella Luna and grab some pizza. We walked in at about 9:50pm and immediately wondered why, on a Thursday, the place was so empty. When we finally located a staff member (the host stand was empty) we were told that the kitchen closed at 10pm. And they weren't all that nice about it. So that explained it. We were so confused as to why a bar that stays open until 1am on Thursdays would stop serving food so early. I can understand switching to a late-night menu so that the kitchen doesn't need to keep putting out entrees - maybe just serve pizzas after 10? Or bar food? Also, maybe there would have been more than 6 people there on a Thursday night if there was something to eat. I suppose their thinking must be that when it turns into a dance party later, they don't want to deal with food? But I have to say, it didn't look like it was GOING to turn into a dance party.
(3)Susie A.
So, Bella Luna got a new chef and invited a bunch of us bloggers to come hang out and eat some of their food and drink some wine. I had never been here before and probably never would if it hadn't been for this event. And ya know what? I'm sure I'll go back! The food was seriously fabulous so kudos to their new chef! I was especially a fan of their portobello black bean burger, but their flatbread was amazing as was. They also served some reallyyy good salmon. And pork that I heard was amazing and I'm so disappointed I didn't get to try. Little cannolis and key lime squares for dessert, YUM. The patio out back is super cute and makes you feel kind of like you're tucked away in a little restaurant in Italy. The people at the event were fabulous (hi, Leighann was there!) and Bella Luna even had a DJ pumping some beats. And when you're done eating, you can always go downstairs for some bowling. Does it get any better than that??
(5)Michael P.
The location is convenient for me and I go about once a month. The food is OK, but the bar service is unforgivable on Friday and Saturday nights. It's almost comical to see the bartenders trip over eachother, stare at the POS machine, hunt around for credit cards, and chat with eachother and patrons like it's a Sunday afternoon. I would say switching to cash only would speed things up, but both payment methods seem to take forever. Also, not a huge fan of the plastic cups.
(2)John M.
Went to "Boyfriends" night, a new friday-once-a-month with Boston DJ Brent Covington. The night was very fun - really good, friendly crowd and the music was great the whole night. I'd only been to Milky Way for dinner, but late-night the place is really cool. And hey, any place in Boston with free parking has it over the other clubs...
(4)Amanda S.
Despite the new Bella Luna being further from my house, I think the new venue is great! This space is so much nicer, and so much warmer than the old location, but maintains all the charm of the old Bella Luna/Milky Way. I've been twice now- once a Sunday night with a great Latin-jazz duo, and again on a Friday with a few different bands (some more bearable than others...). On both occassions there's been a nice mix of people. I haven't had any of their food or table service since they relocated, but bar service has been friendly. Thank goodness we didn't lose Bella Luna forever!
(4)Amy A.
I had a phenomenal night at karaoke last Tuesday night. My faith has been restored. I'm just going to have to make this place a habit.
(4)Mel P.
Last night, my hubby, toddler and I went to Bella Luna for dinner. It was the last day for my Groupon, and I figured it would be nice to have dinner out for Memorial Day. We called ahead to make reservations. And although we had to wait while non-reservationists were seated, and were told that we'd have to wait 5 minutes... I being the plucky individual I am, pointed over to an empty table and said "We will take that." And so we did. I ordered the crab cake sandwich. It was quite smaller than I expected and really "fishy" tasting. I don't think it was real crab at all. Probably canned, which took away from the experience. The sweet potato fries were delish. My hubby ordered the Saturn (or some other planet)steak, and for $20, it was not worth the price. It was so small, my hubby kept looking around his plate for the other half. His meal came with spinach and it was just sooo oily. I'm not sure if the chef thought that a side dish of EVOO was needed, but that is what he had. (Not including the indigestion from the meal itself.) My toddler had the mac and cheese. Which was fine. Its a simple enough dish that no one can really mess it up. At $6, you also get a choice of milk, chocolate milk or soda. Yet, there is no veggie. I would think that a balanced meal would include a vegetable. I'd gladly fork over an extra buck or two to ensure some carrots are slapped on her plate. But alas, that was not an option. With mediocre sides offered there's not much from the menu for a patron to "add on". I ended up paying $30 more than my Groupon offered, which is fine by me. I don't mind paying for my meals. Yet, while it had been several years since I last visited Bella Luna, I have to say, I miss their old 'unswanky' ways. But everyone wants business, right? Yet, for their updo- location-wise, one has to wonder why only the wait staff seems to wear uniforms. The hostess was an absolute mess wearing some brown and black cover up, as though she just came in from a swim. And many other upper staff members wore shorts? or casual wear. Let me state that the message your people are sending with their outfits is that they don't give a damn, and that is sad. No patron should be subject to such lazily dressed staff workers. It makes me personally think that just as in your dress, you don't care about your food presentation either. We had beer too. While we asked for Blue Moon, we were told that the restaurant only serves local beer and a similar to BM beer was some Maine Lager, it was too light for my hubby, so while I was stuck with it, he ordered a Sam Adams Light in a bottle... which made me wonder... if you support local breweries, why isn't Sam Adams Light on tap? Hmmm.. Anyway, I don't think I will be back, but it was lovely to see how the ol' place turned out. On to the next one...
(3)Diane I.
what a great change of pace from the normal boston/cambridge scene. the place has it all. pool tables, bowling (i love bowling!) and beer. a great place to go for a night and hang out with friends.
(5)Huan z.
I had the Crab Cake BLT, it was yummy; however, 2 friends complained their Portbella and Black Bear Burger was kind of dry. I liked their sweet potato fries as well. Too bad there is no more disco bowling, but this is still a cool place to eat if you are nearby.
(3)Kirs P.
I really, really like their pizza. And not just the Deidre Deluxe (resident yuppie pizza option- gorgonzola, cranberries, and onions- fucking fantastic). They just make a good pizza. I like the crust. It's thin, but not greasy. The Gypsy King is also good (ricotta, spinach, caramelized onions). What I really love about Bella Luna is that they will deliver to my house. Delivery in JP is tough. We don't have that many options. There are lots of crappy pizza places that will come to your door- but Bella Luna is really the only of any real quality. And, you aren't just stuck with pizza. Husband regularly orders their burger- which he says is fantastic. I wouldn't know. I'll take his word for it. And they have other perfectly acceptable menu items (quesadilla, pasta dishes, and calamari, to name a few)- all deliverable. Sometimes it's nice to have food other than greasy Chinese and pizza come to your door.
(5)Kathryn M.
So to be fair this review does not include an experience of the food so I can't help you there. However, a friend threw a graduation party for about 40 people last Saturday night and the place was perfect. They gave us the back room (later dance floor) so it was private and quieter than the rest of the restaurant. They were helpful and gracious about cleaning up and assisting with cake and plates. The tap selection is great and obviously includes a large amount of Sam Adams as the new location is where the brewery is. All in all I was really impressed with the change of location and the revitalized venue. It has been years since I've been to the original Milky Way and I was a little concerned about the change but as long as you aren't expecting the original you shouldn't be too heartbroken.
(4)Heather W.
Very yummy food and fun atmosphere. Eclectic! Best calamari ever, and the pizza was really good!
(4)tricia k.
yeah, so it is still sad that bella luna/milky way was forced out of their old location and into this soulless (but clean) new venue, but their food is pretty amazing. the deidre deluxe is definitely my go-to i don't feel like cooking dinner, must order takeout now, meal. and they usually have a good seasonal salad that always has a fantastic and unique dressing. cocktails ain't bad either. the four stars are for the sometimes painfully slow delivery, overly friendly but not overly proficient service, and overwrought atmosphere.
(4)Lauren D.
YUM...YUM... YUM... Delicious. They deliver and the wait staff is nice. A bit pricey, but worth it! If you haven't tried it, you most give it a shot! I am going to miss it when I move in the next few months....
(4)Dawn W.
This is strictly a review for Bella Luna's brunch. I so desperately wanted to really love it, because I loved the former Bella Luna/Milky Way and the new location is about 200 yards from my house. In a word, I was underwhelmed. Severely. After I was served a bland, uninspired plate of "apple crumb french toast," I understood why we were the only people there aside from a party of 6. It was the most tasteless french toast I've ever eaten, and in all honesty was a little hard to get down as it was so dry. The crumb topping tasted like nothing more than crushed quick-cooking oats and there was nary a smidgen of vanilla, pinch of nutmeg (or any other spice for that matter), or the forementioned apples (or promised apple butter) in sight. I also tried my friend's bella benedict, comprised of "crispy risotto cakes," bacon, the usual poached eggs and their "own spicy hollandaise" The risotto cakes were also tasteless, but at least they were moist. As for the hollandaise, it was spicy, perhaps because of some red pepper, but it also tasted vaguely of processed cheese, and looked it too. The only redeeming point of the whole morning was the low price point; most of the dishes hover between $7 - $10, as opposed to my favorite brunch spot, Centre Street Cafe. Next time I will spring the extra few bucks for a truly delicious brunch that's worth leaving the house before noon for. I suggest you do the same. Bottom line, I'll be sticking to the new Bella Luna for cocktails and bar food only from now on. They make a killer strawberry lemon mojito.
(2)Manny F.
I've been going to Bella Luna for nearly ten years. I was always very satisfied with their old location. The space was crowded and had a nice feel. After Bella Luna moved to the Brewery, we visited them twice last August. Both times the service was painfully slow and the food was poorly prepared. I love the fact that they give you a bottle of water at your table so you don't constantly need to be waiting for refills. Nevertheless, we went a year without going back. When we returned a few weeks ago, things had improved. Service was good and the food seemed more how we remembered it. The new location will never have that same neighborhood-y feel, but I'm glad to have them back.
(3)Liz K.
Went for lunch while waiting for a Sam Adams tour. Got a mimosa which was yummy. Also had pizza which was ok. Great ambiance. The waiter was given too many tables I think so the service was slightly slow. However the waiter had a great attitude and was very pleasant.
(4)liz b.
I went to this Bella Luna with friends. nice place to hang around, wonderful bar, my favourite was eggplant parmazaan dish.. the deserts were yummy, I will go back again.. keep up the good work..
(4)Kristina M.
After a number of different experiences ranging from excellent to mediocre to downright unacceptable, I am going to settle on 3 stars. I would like to give this place more - it's super-cute, the food can be great, and I really appreciate the fantastic influence they've had on the neighborhood. I am actually very upset that their a...le of a landlord felt he had to increase the rent up to a point where they can no longer can afford it, and that they will be forced to move out in March 2009. This sucks big-time! Alas, in all fairness, the service is not always stellar (they tend to forget you when you chose to sit outside, food came out cold once, and on one occasion they served us what was hardly a tiny sip of wine priced at $8 each - ridiculous!!!). Also, the pizza is little pricey for my liking. That being said the pizza definitely kicks ass, the wait-staff is usually very friendly, and I just love the coziness and neighborhood-feel of the place! Still, I usually go down the Milky Way and order food from there (it's the same kitchen).
(3)Elise V.
I really really really want to love this place but I only like it. I go here quite a bit because I live in the area (though I go less often these days). The atmosphere is great, love the look and the feel and the patio is nice in the summer. The staff is ok, very friendly but oh, so slow! I always find myself waiting for someone to come check in on us. The food is good but seems to be hit or miss. It is usually very good but once in a while its just not what your expecting. I will find myself saying "this tasted so much better last time." I also went to dinner with friends one night, they were having Latin night that evening so they kept telling us we had to get wrist bands. I have never been to a place that makes you pay if you are already in having dinner. We felt very pressured to either stay and enjoy our time after we payed for a wrist band or hurry up and get out. Overall, a good and chill place to hang out but expect to be waiting.
(3)Joseph G.
Very impressive tap selection. Not a lot of them but delicious options. Like Dogfish Head 60 minute and Seasonal. I am yet to eat here but have it on good authority that it is delicious. I came for a story slam in the Milky Way space and it was a lot of fun
(4)Chad G.
I had high hopes, but they were dashed. I arrived at 9:45 after being told they served until 10pm. Offered me a table but would not clean it or acknowledge my existence for ten minutes. Staff seemed totally bewildered and uninterested in my presence, as they ate their own dinners (this was a Thursday night). Finally, I went to bar and ordered from very friendly bartender. Wine was good but Food was miserable. Broccoli rab was cold, black bean burger was stale and lukewarm and covered with some sort of unrecognizable sauce that reminded me of a 1970s TV dinner. Grated carrots on salad and yucky brown dressing. A side of meatball was tasty, but not enough to rescue the rest of the meal. If they are trying to be a dive bar that serves bar food, they get a C- (at least serve food hot); if they are trying to be a real restaurant they barely pass with a D-.
(2)Sarah G.
I moved out of JP and very quickly started mourning all the restaurants I left behind. My plan had been to eat at a different restaurant every time I was back in the area so as not to miss them as much. In the end, Bella Luna is the only one I've been back to. I love the pizzas! I usually try a different one every time I'm there, but I keep the one with the mashed potatoes in regular rotation. I can't help it, people. I'm a creature of habit, and that's a delicious habit. I've had bits and pieces of the other food, and have had friends order entrees that they've all been very happy with it. Someday I'll stop associating Bella Luna with pizza and start ordering other food when I'm there! I love the decor/feel of the place - casual but not divey. I love the pillows they give you if you're seated on the bench, and I love the star lanterns and the red and turquoise. I love the sangria they have sometimes, and I've never tried any of their mixed drinks - we stick with beer/wine/soda because we're simple folk. ;) The only complaint here is parking, really - although that's only an issue when I'm with my car-dependent suburban friends (who have also come to request that we go here whenever we're in the area), as I don't own a car. Without a car though, this place is easy to get to on the 39 or is a bit of a walk from Jackson Square (which some people think is a little dicey at night), but I think it's worth any extra effort to get there.
(5)Jeffrey H.
It's aiiight. I wasn't too impressed nor disappointed. I enjoyed the decor (plates decorated by children, visible kitchen area, lesbians roaming freely outside) but the food and service were just, meh. I got some special pulled-pork sandwich they were offering...it wasn't bad but it wasn't anything I'd order again. It was kind of dry so I basically had a ketchup sandwich with some pork thrown in. The fries were a little high school cafeteriaish for me, but a french fry is a french fry so I won't leave any one unaccounted for. Our server was really nice but took her a while to get over to us. She reminded me of Parker Posey so I was instantly in love. She sauntered around the restaurant and seemed as if she knew lots of the customers. If she didn't, well then she's just a nice lady! Creep. Kidding. Maybe. I think if I ordered something different I may have enjoyed the place more so I'm not going to rule out trying it again. Especially if my bitch Parker is going to be there.
(3)Janine A.
My favorite pizza is the latin quater and we loved the wings of desire. Food is fabulous and the cocktail list is really good too!
(4)Abby M.
I've been to both their new and old locations--and at both I've had great experiences. The menu is drool worthy, and has everything to suit your mood from inventive salads to 'twice baked potato on a pizza.' In the past I've gotten the pear and fennel salad, the cheese plate, a yummy artichoke dip, pizza, the amaaazing eggplant parm and dessert-- it's always totally satisfying. Not cheap, but reasonable and it feels like a nice dinner out. I would certainly recommend it to friends.
(5)Rozzie M.
Read the reviews before going and didn't think they could possibly be true. No person to greet you when you walk in? Lousy service? Nah. How could the place be in business with that kind of craziness? Decided to give it a try anyway based on the positives. Well, guess what? No one to greet us. Lousy service. Who'd have thunk it? The hostess was very rude when we asked (nicely) if we could sit at the adjacent table (empty) to where she was aiming to put us (right in the flow of traffic). She did not even say yes or no. Just rolled her eyes while we stood there like idiots for a while, wondering which way to go. Our waiter, once we were seated (at the table we preferred--thanks miss grumpy) was the kind of guy who comes up with a big smile and then scowls the very second he walks away. Fake, fake, fake. And scarce. Seemed to not be enough servers around for all the tables and the party in the next room. Since this seems to be a recurrent complaint you'd think they'd fix this issue by adding some staff. Food was merely mediocre, solid "meh" on all fronts. Calamari was meh--needed some zingy sauce. Caprese salad was over salted and peppered and missing the promised basil.. Pizza was fine. Had been looking forward to the ice-cream sandwich one Yelper had raved about, but was surprised to see two giant cookies filled with about a tablespoon of ice cream. What is that about? Plus, we were a party of six and they added a 20% automatic tip, which we found nervy, given the poor service and attitude. 15% would have been PLENTY. But it would have taken WAY TOO LONG to flag someone down and get this issue discussed and resolved, so we left it as is. Probably the only way anyone there gets a 20% tip is my guess.
(2)luke o.
the atlantic cod blew me away. go order it right now. i think its like 19 bucks. imagine a perfect stack of awesome mashed potatoes with beautifully cooked asparagus topped with an ample portion of slightly breaded cod. oh my god. and there is this berry sauce in a little moat surrounding your meal which is also delicious. mmmmm. p.s. new location at brewery is cool
(5)Mary F.
I don't know how people go back to Bella Luna. I went there last week and it was not overly busy but we had to wait for a table. The bar tender was rude and didn't get us our drink until he saw us getting up to go to our table. Also, the waitstaff we had didn't come by the table until we stood up to leave. She then took our drink orders and disappeared. She then decided to chit-chat with her friends two tables down from us. Again, we didn't get any service until I flagged down the manager. Then it was "i'm sorry". No excuse. Food was ok. Not too impressed. The mca & cheese had no taste and needed lost of salt. Ny boyfriend did enjoy is chicken. Since this is a service industry, I'd expect the waitstaff to earn their dollars. We only left 10% tip. She deserved $0. I will never go back and my boyfiend wont' either. And that is too bad as he is VERY well connected in JP and is opening a business in JP.
(1)Margaret W.
Some of the best pizza in Boston -- dreamy toppings combinations, thin crust, perfect amount of cheese. We got half Gypsy King and half Roma on a recent visit, washed down by a selection of local artisanal beers. I'd be happy going here for dinner every weekend.
(5)Melissa C.
Came here for a small bday gathering. The staff was very nice and had reserved the table I wanted and sprinkled Happy Birthday confetti on my table which I thought was very nice. Every drink and food item I have had here has been great (buffalo fries, sweet potato fries, butternut squash raviolis and the Don Vincenzo drink). Was very busy early on in friday evening (mostly older restaurant only crowd) but by 10 or so it emptied a bit and a very good dj came in. Overall it was nice to have a table and was not crowded so my friends and I could move around. Been here on a Monday for trivia and it was a good time also.
(5)Asta S.
Good for beer and pizza. Dinner is over priced for what it is. The service leaves something to be desired.
(3)M H.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. After all it's right down the street from me. Easy to just stroll over there if I'm feeling too lazy to cook. Alas, it was not to be. Unfortunately, I have yet to try an entree that warranted the price point. If they were $5 cheaper, I'd be a bit more lenient. But if you're going to charge Ten Tables prices, you better be able to compete at that level. If you go, stay away from the entrees and just stick to the pizza. While it's not the best, (Picco) it is decent enough. So why the three stars you might be asking? Because the atmosphere is super cool. And the bar is great.
(3)Joshua K.
The last several times I have been there, the service has been great. So I am changing my review from four stars to five stars!
(5)Jessica R.
I've spent plenty of time drinking and dancing at Milky Way Lounge over the past two and a half years, but last night was the first time I'd been for dinner. It was a much better experience than I was expecting. Our food was awesome, our server was awesome, thumbs up. I don't end up in JP for meals that often, but I'll be up for more visits in the future.
(4)Phil W.
I'm a regular at Bella Luna / Milky Way and I love it there. The food is excellent. The calamari is some of the best I've had, and it's very difficult not to keep ordering the steak frites. The pizza is inexpensive and very good. The Milky Way downstairs is what makes it for me. Very friendly staff, bowling, pool tables, karaoke (do not miss live band karaoke every other Tuesday!), dancing. It's probably my favorite bar/restaurant in the city.
(4)Felecia C.
To start off, here is my interpretation of the new name/location. Bella Luna seems to be the name for any part of this establishment where you sit and eat. Milky Way is the name for the parts where you stand at the bar or hang out in the open space to the right. They seem to both coexist and overlap, so I don't know why Yelp singles out Bella Luna and has deemed the Milky Way closed. While I had been to the Milky Way of yore with the candlepin bowling and liked it enough, this review is based on one night at the new location - namely, New Year's Eve. Read my review before you roll your eyes and go off about the horrors of NYE in Boston, please. This year, many of my college friends were going to be in town for NYE and I was one of several of the Boston contingent to plan the main event. Our criteria typically include the following: lots of dancing, cheap(ish) or no cover, options for food and drink, central location for people staying in various pockets of Boston, and character. When we found out that the Milky Way was holding a gold-themed party called CA$H 4 GOLD and was charging $15, we were like, score. Well, to be honest, were were 30% score and 70% um this is suspiciously cheap and off-beat, it better not suck. This doubt was reinforced by many Yelp reviews brimming with distaste for this new location. To alleviate my fears that I had potentially planned the worse NYE ever, I finally got in contact with Maura, who is the official Bella Luna/Milky Way event planner or something important. She let me know that the place had ample space, we could show up whenever, food would be available, and we would not be the only fools wearing gold. In short, she was correct on all accounts. I had a great time and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised by the venue. I don't think anyone experienced a huge line at the bar or shoddy service. That is not to say there were not odd things about this evening. For one, there was some sort of interlude with dancers dressed in Nutcracker outfits. No one really got that. Also, the music was a bit spotty. Lots of Lady Gaga, not enough Bon Jovi for some people's tastes. I enjoy the Gaga, so it didn't bother me so much. They did not provide NYE hats but we brought our own. Always be prepared! I like the new location. I had never used the Stony Brook T stop before, and I was surprised that the bar was so close to the T. Plus, given that it was NYE, the T was running free of charge and uber late. It seemed like there was plenty of parking for those who would need it. As far as the remodel and feel of the new facility, it's obv different from the old, but still seems to attract a reasonable crowd of JP locals and other young Bostonians. All in all, it was a successful NYE. I would go back to check out this supposed Wii bowling/pool room, which I believe was the dance floor for our evening out. Maura said they have gluten-free pizza. If I come back here for dinner, you better believe I'll be asking more about that.
(4)Lilee N.
Came with a friend and sat at the bar. Nice place for drinks and to catch up. Food is good and the selection is wide enough to please many; we shared the squash ravioli and warm pear crisp. Prices are very reasonable and the bartender was friendly and attentive. Music is chill and so is the atmosphere. Easy to find parking (and it's free!).
(4)J D.
Bella Luna can be proud of one of the most cozy, creative atmospheres in or around Boston, but has little else to offer. In fact, they try to carry it a little too far. The prices are a bit too much for the offerings. And while it doesn't affect the food at all, I'd prefer being served an undercooked, overpriced steak on most anything than the plastic plate I ate from (which I found a price tag on the underside of). With no disrespect to the chef / kitchen, I don't know anybody who couldn't prepare any one of the entrees Bella Luna has to offer at home, on their own. This isn't to say the food is bad, as it is usually tops. The only exception was my last visit when I ordered the worst steak I've ever had. It arrived on a bed of mashed potatoes and onion rings, just to ensure that all were equally soggy. I can imagine how this dish may have looked in one's imagination, but the plating made for an awful meal. The real disappointment came even before my food had arrived, when I overheard a nearby table order a burger. Their waitress asked a common question that patrons shouldn't have to volunteer the answer to; "How would you like that prepared?" Nobody asked me how I'd like my steak. This was a one time bad meal, and I will return to Bella Luna because each other time there has been good enough. The service has always been good; Sometimes really great. But there have been some spotty episodes, not unlike my steak meal, where it seemed as though I was paying to be part of a server-training exercise; The "What not to do" portion. I'll reserve Bella Luna for nights when I've got an empty fridge, or just don't feel like cooking for myself. Of course, I'd need somewhat deep pockets to do this regularly, as a $40 grocery run could easily provide you with half of their menu ingredients. The decor may be where to start and begin, if giving any praise to Bella Luna. So I'll do just that.
(2)Chris H.
Very disappointed in this place. I've catered it since it opened, but have found myself going less and less often. I went last week for dinner, the first time in about a year (hoping that the kitchen staff had been turned over or at least a fresh menu). The menu hasn't changed at all. The calamari (spectacular the first few times I had it) is now consistently mushy with the breading falling off and soaked in aioli. My friend had the mango chicken sandwich in which the mango was seen but not tasted. His fries were bland and not crispy. My crab cake sandwich was tasty, but tiny in the oversized bun. My sweet potato fries were the best thing we had. Our server was quite good (as it often is there) but the hostess is cold and terse. In the past I've had the pasta and meatballs (crappy balls and overcooked pasta), pizza (like the calamari can be amazing or mushy) and many cocktails (rarely taste like the description and either weak or poorly mixed). The big party night here is La Boum on the first Friday of every month. If it's fun it's in spite of the slow bar, which has a terrible crowd control design. I am 100% done with this place and it's hip decor, mushy food and often arrogant hosts and bartenders. I honestly don't know why you "need a reservation" to get dinner there on a weekend night. The "extra" star is for the kind and attentive table service I have gotten here. But c'mon JP diners, you should know better.
(2)Chris S.
Lured by near 70 degree weather and the promise of an outdoor patio, I ventured to the new digs of the Milky Way and Bella Luna. No patio to be had, at least not yet. Foiled! The new spot is impressive, carving out a new style for itself much different than old. First, the Milky Way and Bella Luna share the same space. The lounge is a fraction of it's original size, but appropriate to the space. It features a red horseshoe bar (with an unfortunate I beam at the apex), and some additional lounge space set off a few steps away. Bella Luna's tables encircle the bar abutting numerous giant windows, and there's room for large parties toward the back, which also doubles as the DJ space and dance floor. The interior is gorgeous, it's well decorated, well planned, beautiful and airy. And I was thoroughly impressed with the tapped beer selection. I'd come back solely to swap between Anchor Porters and Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA's, mixing in an obscure Sam Adams (like tonight's Brick House Red) just to keep me on my toes. I'll miss the candlepin bowling and the huge sprawling lounge space, but skee ball is a consolation and I'm a sucker for outdoor seating. I can't help but wonder if the new location and atmosphere will change the dynamic of this place. Situated at the Brewery on Amory amongst numerous high end lofts with it's nicely appointed makeover ... it feels a bit more yuppy. That suits me fine, but I'm not the typical clientele, and what made the old spot a hit was its character and originality. Though in keeping with the old I stumbled upon the inaugural Dyke Night, and my ears we subjected to the familiar dated sounds of Four Non Blondes and Alanis Morisette, but still I just couldn't shake the fact that it felt so different. They should update their tunes to some Uh Huh Her and embrace the new.
(3)Christina C.
The service here was great, but the food was pretty bad. I ordered the "chickpea piccata" which I thought would be a chickpea patty in sauce. It turned out to be canned chickpeas and capers in a shallow bowl standing in a literal inch of clear broth. My mashed potatoes were just soaking in the broth. I shyly sent it back and got the black bean burger. The black bean burger was severely under seasoned. Close to not seasoned at all, and as far as I could tell, the patty wasn't pre-sauteed or grilled, so it was just mush and fell apart as soon as you picked it up. My boyfriend's fish taco's were very bland as well. I gave him the pickle that came with my burger, and somehow it wasn't "pickled" almost at all. It tasted just like a cucumber. I didn't know it was possible to under season a pickle. Our server was very nice and fast, and the place is very beautiful but I can't recommend the food.
(2)Nicole M.
When we lived in JP, Bella Luna was a regular place we'd eat at. We never ate upstairs in the main area, but we would order food downstairs and more often, order take out. They have excellent pizza and calzones, at the time, they were the best in the area.
(3)Althea D.
I eat at Bella Luna because it's near my house and local friends like to go there. On the plus side the food is fantastic, especially the pizza. The atmosphere is fun & relaxed. It's a great place for people of all ages. I rarely have to wait long to be seated. However... My big gripe with the restaurant though is the consistently horrible service. They're plagued with an inattentive waitstaff. They tend not to write down your order as you place it, causing mistakes to be made. Several times I've had appetizers not show up, another time an incorrect entree arrived. I've never ordered dessert at Bella Luna as it would add at least an additional hour to visit because the service is so slow. Because of the service issues, I mostly get takeout from Bella Luna and try to avoid dining there.
(3)laura c.
We were so disappointed when Bella Luna and Milky Way left its old haunt. I thought it could never be the same in a new location. But I was wrong. The pizza and seafood is consistently good and the beer selection can't be beat. I'd never order the calamari again because it was so greasy. But hey, it's still 5 stars for being a good time every time.
(5)Ashley S.
+outdoor seating, cute and private. +fun waiter, he joked around with us. +really tasty calamari appetizer; got quite a lot for $9 +salads have the option of being turned into a wrap. i got the chicken ceasar wrap and was pleasantly surprised to find the
(5)Brian P.
I hosted a surprise party for my wife's 30th birthday at the Milky Way, and can't say enough good things about the venue and staff. The booking process was easy, and Maura worked with me to craft a food selection which met the dietary needs of our guests (some vegans and vegetarians in the crowd). We had about 30 people and booked the Satellite Room, which was the perfect size. It has a few booths where people can sit down to eat or talk, as well as some standing tables and plenty of open space for mingling. For parties, you get complimentary music and Wii bowling on the big screen. This was a big hit throughout the night. Compared to what some other venues in the area wanted to rent a room on a Saturday night, the Milky Way's prices were very reasonable. The food was great, the staff was friendly and helpful, and all in all a great time was had by all.
(4)Meg K.
Try Bella Luna when the weather is warm, and you can sit on their back patio. Bella Luna was my favorite restaurant in JP, until they got a new chef. The menu fairly heavily pasta-based now, and I am rarely in the mood for a heavy pasta dish (although the sage gnocchi is pretty fabulous). The pizza is fabulous, as are the sandwiches. There is a full bar through the Milky Way downstairs, so there are some specialty cocktails and decent beer. Service is hit-or-miss. I've had two terrible waiters, and several fantastic, knowledgable waiters.
(4)Beth M.
My husband and I tried Bella Luna the other night because we felt like something semi-cheap and were in JP for an art opening. We've always wondered about it but never stopped in. We found it cute and cozy-- we were seated right away, and our waiter was really charming. I don't get the whole thing with using plates that kids drew on, but it was kinda cute, if confusing. It let's you know you're in a more casual restaurant for sure. We liked the food a lot-- my husband got the gnocchi special which he found to be a bit heavy (he's a gnocchi novice and doesn't realize that most of it doesn't come 'toasted', but rather boiled then slathered in a creamy sauce) I think he enjoyed it tho. I got a spinach, bacon, avocado salad with really delicious herb-citrus grilled shrimp, and a side of garlic mashed potatoes...very yummy. For a chill bite to eat (and a decent glass of wine, I got the riesling) this is a nice casual joint with yummy italian fare.
(4)Zev X.
BEST PIZZA IN TOWN. I love Bella Luna!!! Nice atmosphere ... the salads and pizza are consistently great. Silver Moon Salad is fabulous and the Full Moon White pizza with pesto, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and basil is to die for.
(4)A J.
Great atmosphere. Better for a date or a tiny group since there is not a ton of room. For larger groups, head downstairs to The Milkway. Favorites on the menu: Silver Moon Salad, Fried Calamari, Mushroom Risotto, and the Spinach Ravioli
(4)Robert M.
2nd visit 7/20/11[1st 6/30] 1st meal was great,couldn't have been any better. Had talked up this place to my sister who is a chef and wine expert in Northern Calf. Made res. on open table,arrived on time. Nobody at the desk ,waited for about 5 minutes. Person shows up and asked if there was a res....yes. Oh, here's your table for three [maybe 3 small childern] Hoped it would get better,it didn't. Service was a disgrace. The food was so so, the drinks where wrong, the final straw...the dessert was wrong. Waitperson shows up..."sorry about that" no more. Had make my regrets to my sister. Would never recommend or eat here,again.
(1)Aretha B.
I love this place! Yummy pizza with a great thin crust. We ordered the Menino (tons of meat, peppers & onions). Next time I'm going to try a straight Margherita to get the true essence of all the ingredients. We also shared the spinach and cheese ravioli in a ginger cream sauce on a bed of baby spinach. It is at least 34 times better than it sounds! DELICIOUS! I will be happy to visit this place again.
(5)B R.
Fake flowers were the first thing I noticed as we sat down and began to look at what seemed to be a nice menu. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer and were both satisfied with its unique presentation and great flavors. It was a bit after 6 and the restaurant was beginning to fill quickly, so I didn't bother the server for forgetting the cream soda my lady ordered or the fact that our water was empty for nearly 10 minutes. I understand. The $12 burger that I ordered was standard. A $12 burger should be memorable(in a good way). Even with gorgonzola cheese and bacon it seemed bland. Plus the fries were soggy. Who likes soggy fries? My fiance ordered the Chicken Marsala with portabella mushrooms. $15 is a fair price for marsala, if executed well. She pointed out that the mushrooms used weren't even portabella and after tasting it, the pasta was overcooked and the marsala really didn't even taste like marsala. Overall, a very sad attempt. After quickly finishing our disappointing meal, we asked for the check. I had to ask the manager to take off the cream soda, whom returned to the table promptly with incorrect change. I feel that a restaurant's menu, service, quality of food, ambience and price point should be in align with one another. This is not the case at Bella Luna. EXTREMELY OVERPRICED with a chef out of his league. This all may seem harsh, but when you have one night a week to go out for dinner, you want to enjoy a good meal with good service. I wish Zon's was still open on Mondays so I wouldn't have had this experience. Hopefully with Bella Luna's new location at The Brewery, starting in April, we will see a new approach and better quality all around. I recommend fresh flowers to start.
(1)Derek L.
So I go back on Saturday to check out the Salsa scene. This time there is around 45 people and I am there with these two Taiwanese lesbian tourists that my sister introduced to me. None of us know how to salsa so we mostly just watch and danced a bit when they played some merengue. The crowd is forty percent latino and forty percent white and the rest of the crowd is asian or black. The music was ok, and there was a couple of good dancers to watch. Might bring the wife here, but not knowing how to salsa, I'm just not too comfortable coming back.
(3)Jon V.
I liked the old Milky Way and Bella Luna. But cry me a river, things change. So no more bowling alley and the new restaurant has all the charm of an Applebees, but whatev. At the old Bella Luna I had a waitress who remembered my name and asked me questions about my day. And she remembered what we talked about the last time I was there. I felt special, as I should I'M PART OF THE FRIGGIN GAY MOB. This new place has small portions, loudmouth waiters who would be better suited for working at assisted living, and s-l-o-w bartenders. The worst part? After I dropped $50 on a scrawny dinner and a beer, I went to leave. I felt friendly enough despite the crappy portions and waiter who yelled when he talked, so I tried to say goodbye to the hipster hosts at the door. They ignored me because they were too buys talking about the MFA thesis show. If I drop $50 on dinner on a Tuesday night, don't talk to me like I'm senile and deaf and for Krike's sake, just say bye if I give you the time of day. Your hipster lifestyle will survive a 4 second acknowledgement.
(2)Andrea P.
Funky place, awesome menu (lots of veggie options), great atmosphere. With the outdoor seating, it felt like we were relaxing in someone's back yard. Good date place. Our server was very informative and just attentive enough. For an appetizer, we split a special, the grilled calamari salad with avocado and farmer's cheese. For entrees, I got the Grilled Salmon special with creamy potatoes and spinach (sub broccoli for coleslaw 'cause it's ew) and my BF got the Steak Frites. His steak wasn't cooked medium like he asked, and my fish was a little underdone for my liking, but everything was still delicious. We went on a Wednesday and they had a Prix Fix menu (just on Wednesdays?), something like 3 courses for $15 I think. Looked like an excellent value but there was only one dinner option and it was meat. I wish they did a meat and a veggie option for the Prix Fix! I can't wait to go back, there are so many more things I want to try...and the pizzas, they looked amazing!
(4)J L.
Good food and funky decor. What's not to like? Great for dinner with a few of your friends or a night out with your significant other. Guys, as a girl I would label this as an ideal first date place. It has a romantic vibe, but it's also fun and hip so you don't seem like you're trying too hard -- and it's not overly expensive. My faves on the menu - the chipotle aioli fried calamari, the eggplant parm (it's battered so that may be a turn off to some), the balsamic chicken with polenta, the better than your mama's meatballs and the spinach ravioli. The only entree that I've tried that I haven't cared for is the tuscan chicken pasta (really bland, IMO). Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Hannah L.
you know, i really miss the old milky way. the other space was so much funkier and raw. the candlepin bowling was a really fun and unique draw, and the music was awesome. this new place really just doesn't cut it. reason 1: they are following a new person limit (which is 200 people), so you basically are standing in a 35-45 minute line to get in starting at 8:30. unreal! reason 2: the decor is cheesy. reason 3: lights are way too bright for a lounge/dance party. reason 4: the DJ honestly played 2 good songs and i was bored reason 5: my friends, who ate there before going out, STILL had to pay a cover even though they got there early. we all left thinking this place is lame, and probably not going back ever again. i'm sad...i miss the original place. sigh.
(2)James H.
Sooooooo disappointing. I want to like this place. The food is mediocre, the staff is usually rude, the drinks are sometimes good and sometimes bad. I go occasionally but only b/c it's convenient. Not worth a special trip. I complained to the owner once about snotty staff and pathetic drinks and she didn't give a crap so good luck to them.
(2)jeremy f.
Bella Luna may have more style than substance, but the substance is pretty darn good too. I've eaten there for sandwiches (at lunch), yummy pizza, and now a full dinner, and I've never been let down. Tonight, my friend and I started with antipasto (minus the prosciutto). The antipasto was delicious, especially the roasted peppers when combined with buffalo mozzarella. And in the middle of the antipasto was a flavorful artichoke heart, which really made the dish. Following this my friend had the vegetarian heaven, and I had the sage gnocchi. The vegetarian heaven practically describes itself. It was a flavorful stuffed portabella mushroom, with a delectable tomato-based sauce on top. My sage gnocchi was absolutely wonderful. The gnocchi itself melted into your mouth, and was complemented small pieces of smoked ham, each of which was full of flavor. And even better were the plum tomatoes that exploded upon biting, filling your mouth with a burst of tomato juice. Providing a perfect base for it all was the sage cream sauce. For the antipasto, the two entrees, and a glass of house Merlot for each of us, the total came to $50. Not bad for such a delicious meal, in a stylish but casual setting.
(4)Katelyn M.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed 2 large pies (pizza) with a group of 6. We chose to be bit adventurous with the Latin Quarter -- a white pizza with avocado, bacon, and chicken. The other was a "supreme" pizza -- pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Both were good -- the "supreme" was better, though. White pizzas are difficult to do well (see my next review on The Dish). The service was good. I loved the atmosphere, the melamine plates with kids' drawings are so cute. Will come back for cocktails and lunch/dinner sometime.
(4)johnson r.
As my nephew said when we went to pick up a pizza- Gee auntie, this place is weawy pope-yoolar. It's a busy little place, cute charming little tables. The pizza is good, very interesting special pies. The food is pretty good too. It's tasty, hot, served by friendly people. Take out is great too.
(3)Daniel K.
Pretty good food, but much better lounging/drinking place.
(3)Jeff L.
I was really drunk when I ate there but I remember the pizza being good. I can't remember what else I had though....
(3)Niki M.
Delicious! I went for the Valentine's Day special and was extremely impressed with the menu. Not a pizza hotspot, but totally convenient to visit when hanging out in JP. I enjoy the artsy vibe.
(4)robert o.
The placed looked nice and the service was good but the food we had lack. We share an order of buffalo tenders. They were overcooked and dry. We both had burgers. The were cooked right but were over spiced the fries were excellent. It was our first time. I would go again and give it another try.
(2)Molly W.
Bella Luna moved to the Brewery, but it hasn't changed like - at all. And I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. While it's retained it's cozy atmosphere, the menu is pretty much the same as it's always been. I really want to like it here but I find the food to be just OK. I wish they had a more refined menu - just a few things that they do really well instead of trying to do it all. Joel (who could house a plate full of wings no problem) got the Wings of Desire and didn't even finish them. Then he ordered a burger (medium) and it came well-done and "tasted like a hockey puck". He didn't finish that either. But like I said, the atmosphere is nice so.... while it's not my thing, I could see how it could be a good casual Date Night place? Calling all you Match.com people - this is a cute affordable place with average food. Whatevs. But I still miss the bowling alley. What happened to ski ball? I need an activity to do whilst drinking.
(3)Amelia E.
I really liked the inside of the bar but the service was SO bad! The waiters ignored us and were busy counting money and eating dinner at the next table over. The food and drinks weren't very good either. The "wings" are basically heated up chicken fingers with BBQ sauce on them.
(1)Jesse F.
Love this place. Good beer, good food, good service, just a phenomenal place to be.
(5)Brian D.
I am a 10+ year JP/Roxbury resident and I can say in all honesty that I have had Bella Luna (4) times in my time here. A lot of folks seem to love this place and that's fine - the food is OK, the staff are pleasant and they have hand painted plastic plates. But what they also have is inconsistent food quality, very slow serving times and some expensive pizza pies and entrees. At first I thought this was the case on busy nights, but I went there for lunch last week and it was the same exact story (meaning slow service). I have had the delivery, and that was quick and the pizza as a stand alone with out the restaurant is pretty darn good. I dunno but I doubt I will be going back to dine in there anytime soon.
(3)Walt M.
Been to this restaurant about 7 times since they've been in this new location and it's steadily going downhill. The place was packed shortly after the move, but last Friday night at 7:30 there were plently of tables. My last two visits have been terrible. My dining partner and I both thought the crab cake appetizer was spoiled. We each had only a couple of bites. It also smelled very bad. Very bad. We told the waitress and it was taken off the bill. My last visit (which was last Friday) was sub par also. Despite the fact that the place wasn't busy, we were not given any bread and it took a while to get a drink order taken. I really want to like this place, but they are going out of their way to make it difficult.
(2)A W.
After reading all these great reviews on Yelp, I was really excited to check out Bella Luna, but I was really disappointed with the service. I was in shock at how rude one of the waiters was. We had two, one who brought over water while the other one served us food. Here's the 411: We got there and the place was packed upstairs, so we were seated downstairs. We sat down and immediately one of the waiters walked over and said that we had to leave by 9pm, we have a private party. We thought his tone was really inappropriate, there wasn't even a greeting...just, you have to leave at 9pm. It was 7:30pm and we were pretty confident that we could leave by then. We didn't think much of it. He walked away and came back with waters and he said it AGAIN, "you need to leave by 9pm." We thought this was unnecessary, but why spoil the night and dwell on this so we said to him sure we should be able to leave by then. Our pizza, which was very good, but unfortunately did not arrive until 8:35pm. We were munching on our appetizer for an hour. We ate for 20 mins, had two slices each and then the man came back and said...you guessed it..."you need to leave by 9pm." That was completely disrespectful...we got the message the first time he said it...but again, we didn't want to spoil our night and cause a scene, so we just let it be. As we were leaving, we attempted to walk up the stairs where we came down from. You know...like what most people would do. There was a sign in the corner that said we should use the main stairs and that this was the emergency exit, but it was in a corner so we thought we'd try to get back to the street level from there since there was still room to walk...maybe they meant to pull it over once it struck 9. The man rushed over and said, hey you can't walk up there, that's the emergency exit. So we thought, OK, our bad...and my friend was very sweet and said sorry. He proceeded to say, yeah that's the emergency exit, that's what the sign says...that's what it's for. Is it really necessary to say this? The tone was SO inappropriate, I had to tell him he was being very impolite. I was in complete shock at how bad the service was. OK - so you won't be getting as much money from us as a private function, maybe you're very nervous about prior set up and so forth, but we are customers. Why talk to us in a disrespectful manner? It was not deserved, and unfortunately, because this experience, although I thought the food was great and the atmosphere was chill, I will not be going back there again.
(1)Cristin B.
I can't say whether or not the food is good because I ordered a pizza for delivery and it never showed. They had my number. If you decide not to make a delivery, the very very least you can do is call rather than leave people wondering for hours whether their food is ever going to show.
(1)Brian A.
Pizza was really good, the ingredients tasted really fresh and the price was decent ( a little pricey). The waitress was super friendly and sang happy birthday to us. I got a great drink from the bar (a dark and stormy) and the atmosphere was very relaxing. i would definitely recommend giving this a try for gourmet pizza.
(4)patrick w.
I want to like this place more, but after three out of three bad experiences I can't give a higher rating. Why do I want to like it more? Well it's local, looks cool inside, nice groovy people, friendly enough staff. Why do I dislike it? First time I ate there we ordered pizza on the patio outside. It was served cold (I kid you not). Who serves expensive pizza cold? No apologies, no explanations. Later in the evening our sever just disappeared so we had to finally go into the restaurant to pay. Second time I ate downstairs at the bar and ordered a vegan pizza. So called vegan pizza arrives with vegan cheese etc, but somehow the cooks don't understand that butter the onions are cooked is not vegan. How do you seriously not know this? Third time last night while waiting for a table we ordered a couple of glasses of the "special" wine of the week. For $16 plus tax you would expect two nice glasses of wine. What we got were two really tiny glasses (seriously I am not exaggerating - basically a couple of sips each) and my glass was full of detritus. My guess is that the bottle they were pouring out of was nearly empty and they just filled up our glasses with what was left. The wine was definitely not great, it probably cost them less than $8. So they were totally ripping us off. When I complained rather than apologizing and either not charging for the drinks or offering us new wine, they took my $16.75 for the wine (which we never drank because we were so annoyed) and we left. My theory is this place has too much reputation now amongst the cool set that they charge too much, and don't care about repeat business within the local community. Too bad. And too bad they weren't willing to apologize to me for basically screwing me three times in a row. I most annoyed because I now feel like some sort of arsehole for complaining about this. I have never walked out of a restaurant before, and went in with the expectation that this would become a favorite local hangout. To the waiter that took my money after I complained about the crap in the glass: Screw you!
(1)admir a.
Best Pizza in JP. Really good lunch deals, delicious, inexpensive.
(4)Bob T.
I ordered two hot dogs. 1 hour. No joke. Nothing fancy, nothing special, just two hot dogs. During that time there was ONE visit from the server to check on our party of four. Food came out one person at a time. Great decor, decent jazz, but the food was ho-hum, prices ho-hum, and service terrible.
(1)Oneda H.
On my first try, I would have given the restaurant 5 stars. My roommates and I had the Quesadillas with Guacamole...the Guac was in this great lime sauce. When we ordered from there again, they no longer had the same guac. NOW they dont even have quesadillas....The pizza used to be good but now whenever I get delivery the chicken on the Latin Quarter is AWFUL...it tastes like leftover turkey. The menu has changed quite a bit and seems to be moving away from the "cozy, neighborhood place" and is making a faulty attempt at upscale. But the Silver Moon salad IS wonderful!
(2)Alyssa N.
Inconsistent service and quality on my different visits. My first visit was with 5 other people and they handled our varied requests well (we had two veggies and a semi-veggie among us that night). The place is kind of small and I felt like we scored by snagging a large, round table. I'm not sure it deserves to call the stuff on it's menu JP's Best Calamari- it was actually kind of greasy, chewy and soggy. Entrees have been decent. The drinks are good, but I once had to wait until the bar opened downstairs, which was kind of odd, since it was on a Saturday around 6pm or something. Still, it's a nice option that's fairly close by and has a parking lot. After your dinner, you can hit the Milky Way downstairs for more good drinks and maybe some bowling or live music.
(3)Mark S.
I don't have that much more to add about this place that someone else hasn't already written about but I would like to mention specifically the atmosphere. The lighting in the place is perfect and there is such a non-pretentious vibe that I get which makes my dining experience here wonderful. The waitstaff are pleasant, attentitive and very accomodating. I also don't feel like I am being rushed through my meal which is big points for me. Try the antipasto, it's superb!
(4)Andrea C.
I want to like the new Bella Luna/Milky Way, but they make it too hard. I've been several times over the summer and have had consistently bad service. The host/ess makes is seem like he is doing me a favor by seating me and even when it's not particularly busy, it takes a loooong time to get a table. Last night after being seated, had to wait at least 20 minutes for bread to be delivered and the server made herself very scarce (except to pick up her check-- she was quite prompt with that!). Food is good for a neighborhood restaurant.
(2)Hollie N.
The bar at the new location is small and crowded, but I think the restaurant is even better than before - the last few times I have gone they have had some seriously awesome vegan options, and the omnivores I went with loved their meaty dishes too!
(4)Lynette M.
Decent food, cute atmosphere.
(3)Eric W.
The antipasto appetizer was crisp and diverse, a welcome way to start the meal. However, the crust of the pizza wasn't substantial enough to support the toppings. It was difficult to move the slices from the pan to the plate without having them disintegrate, so forget eating with your hands. The staff was friendly and attentive, the atmosphere warm and fun, and on a Sunday afternoon there were plenty of seats.
(3)Brandon I.
Tonight was my first night in Boston. I was really excited about this place cause I had heard that it was local, funky, and served good food. I have to say, the food was horrible. I read a lot of stuff on Yelp about the poor service but our waiter was OK. There were occasional moments when the entire staff was in the corner chanting some staff guy's name like the place was a drunken frat party but otherwise just OK. I don't get the guy with a CIA style earpierce that went around sitting on every ledge in the restaurant though. Really? To start, the artichoke dip appetizer was cold... no worse than cold... a soggy luke warm. The chips were extremely soggy and felt like they'd be left out for WEEKS. The one or two crispy ones actually tasted good. Imagine cold slimy room temperature cream on limp stale chips.. mmmm... Next, the fries that came with the burger were the soggiest fries I've ever seen in my life. Disgusting. And the $17 skirt steak? Rubbery, chewy and the "ginger and sweet onion... blah blah pretentious sauce" tasted straight out of a bottle from the grocery store. The potatos... suffering the same disgusting fate as the fries and chips. The crispy onion garnish on top was cold, a little stale... and 100% straight out of the preprepared can from the grocery store. The bill was $50 for two and we didn't even eat a quarter of our food. It's the only place around with a cool atmosphere so it will be frequented nontheless by local people starving for a decent place to hang out. I have no doubt that people are nostalgic about this place cause it looks cool and has cool events... the food, however, is disgusting.
(1)S H.
Bella Luna has great gourmet pizza. The crust is always perfect, the cheese is the right amount and they are generous with their toppings. The salads are also surprisingly good for being a pizza place. The atmosphere is pleasant, but the service can be spotty. Just go in there with a laid back attitude and you'll get your pizza, hot and fresh. You're guaranteed to be full when you leave. Tips: check out the back patio during the summer, the Hi-Lo market parking lot is for restaurants after 5:00 PM (next door), the pizza is "take out friendly" -- stays good all the way home.
(4)Katie W.
The atmosphere is casual romantic. It's a good place to go for a date. I would suggest ordering pizza on that date, however. The other food I've experienced isn't as good. The wait staff are friendly and warm so they kind of made up for the overpriced underwhelming spaghetti.
(3)Stacie J.
Pefect date spot. Great pizza and just a 2 minute walk from our front door. Cozy outdoor seating is available and Milky Way Lounge is a funky place to hang out and still get the Bella Luna menu options. You can wear something nice and not feel out of place and then you can dress down and no one will notice.
(4)Erin F.
It really pains me to write a mediocre review for Bella Luna, but I hope that maybe someone there will see the multiple so-so reviews and make a change... I think the restaurant itself (it's decor, the people, the idea of the menu, etc.) are excellent, and I think that's why we go back occasionally, but unfortunately, since they changed chefs somewhere around a year ago, the food has been- how can I say it- really really OK. Even the BBQ cheese fries aren't as good since they made the change. This sucks, as those fries were my favorite food to inhale after a bad day at work. It's not just the fries though, unfortunately. The chicken and pasta dish has also lost it's pizazz. Please Bella Luna folks, help to make better food come out of the kitchen, so I can have one of my favorite JP haunts back!
(3)Sarah M.
I went to the old Bella Luna many times. It had a great vibe, nice people, etc. Then I went away and I came back and things have changed a bit. That's understandable; there was nothing they could do about it. The servers are still great. But there are some definite issues. I eat a vegan diet and since Bella Luna started offering a Teese fake cheese I was really excited to try the new pizzas. The first time we picked the tempeh pizza. To our dismay, it wasn't very good. It didn't come with a red sauce because it's supposed to have a "garlic oil" but that just wasn't very flavorful and left the pizza kind of sparse and dry, and the crust was very thin - but not in a good way. The other big problem was that they skimped on toppings and cheese. Those are two big no-no's if you want to make a good vegan pizza. Despite this, I like to support local businesses and especially Bella Luna, so we tried again... and again... and again. When we ordered the baja tofu, for delivery, it had plain, unseasoned, un-marinated tofu crumbled on top - which is not appetizing, no Teese because they had run out, and was the smallest large-size pizza I've ever seen. A few weeks later I decided to make a pizza at home but didn't have all the ingredients, so I called up Bella Luna to see if they sell their prepared dough and sauce - like some pizza places do. The nice girl on the phone talked to the chef who said it was fine and that the dough would cost $3.75 or something close to that. My friend went to pick it up and when he got home he told me that the chef had charged $6 for the container on pizza sauce and made sure to have the waitress tell us that this was a one time favor he was doing for us. I don't know what a favor means to this guy... but $10 for uncooked dough and sauce doesn't seem like a favor to me. It also seems counter-intuitive and rude to say to a customer that, yes, you do sell dough and sauce, and then inform them after the fact that "the chef doesn't mind doing it this time, but this is just a one-time favor". It would make more sense just to say "no" to begin with instead of grossly overcharging for a "favor". Still, my overall issue with the service is just the quality of the pizza. Making pizza for vegans is an awesome thing to do, more power to you! But if it's not good, what's the point? It's really not that hard, I make good vegan pizza all the time, I've had it at many other places all over the country. It just takes alot of gooey cheese and a good amount of toppings, like any good pizza... I hope that these things change at Bella Luna, so-much-so that I'll probably keep trying a pizza again every few months, hoping that something will change. All the other food is really good, from what I know/hear.
(3)Melissa A.
That's awfully cute and all, what with the kids' drawings on plates, but I remember making these plates when I was wee and my preschool teacher told my mom not microwave them, put them in the dishwasher, or eat on them, so my mom put them on plate stands to display my handiwork [mostly just portraits of my family WITHOUT my stupid brother, houses, dogs, ponies]. So when I see that this place uses them, I sort of push my food over to the small, white areas of the plate devoid of art. YICK! I mistakenly joked a little too loud yelled, "What kind of stupid idiot drew this?" and then someone who worked there grumbled, "Uh, KIDS drew those." Jokes! Who likes 'em?! [did you know that this symbol '!?' is called the 'interrobang'?] I got the spinach ravioli with white sauce and greens on the bottom. I'm sure the restaurant's description is much better. It was very saucy and very tasty. They let me get the lunch size even though it was nearing 5PM. It is the PERFECT size. So PERFECT that I have to capitalize it. I like this place just fine, but let me drink a goddamned cocktail before 5PM. It's like I'm a leper because I want some doofy, frou-frou drink before dinner. SUE ME.
(3)Joe B.
So glad I don't live in JP any longer. Apart from Centre Street Cafe, JP Seafood Cafe, the Dogwood and City Feed, the vast majority of available dining consists of poor to mediocre quality food at above average prices. Bella Luna =s bland, slightly short of mediocre quality food at slightly above average prices. Thoroughly underwhelming.
(2)Emily P.
I have been to the new location several times and while I don't have anything negative to say, it's just not a place that I usually find myself wanting to frequent. It just kind of looses it's gleam and glimmer after the first few visits. That being said you CAN'T go wrong with the 'El Mariachi' cocktail (if you like it HOT) , the Shrimp and Avo salad and the Latin Quarter pizza. I split that combo (minus the drink which was ALL mine) just last night with my roommate at the bar. Bartender was nice and attentive too - always a huge a plus. Only other thing to note is that since outdoor seating is a rarity in JP, their patio bumps Bella Luna up a nacho too.
(3)Vanessa C.
this review is only for their delivery service: I recently moved to JP, so being new to the area I was a little surprised by the lack of delivery options. I dont cook anyway, but while I was moving in of course I had no food in the house. the only place that seemed to deliver was Bella Luna so I gave it a try. it was pretty tastey! the girl who took my order over the phone was very nice. they keep your phone number on record so you dont have to give your address info everytime you call - I like that! I ordered a few times that week & my food always came quickly and was very fresh. but depending on what you order, it seems like it can be hit or miss. for pizza, I really enjoyed their creative selections like the full moon with pesto & artichoke hearts. their more conventional pizzas (like the menino) were not so good by comparison. also good to note for the domestically challanged: I dont eat cold leftover pizza - I have to heat it up. the goodridge (meatball topping) is the best reheated pizza I've had in recent memory. a medium size can easily yield lunches for 3 days! good stuff.
(3)Dennis D.
I have to say... I do like this place a lot, even in the new location, which is a block away from where I live. I admit the old place was better because of the bowling and the space, but the new place has a cool vibe and look. The food is good, had the pizza (Menino) and the wings of desire and I love how big and spicy (when you order the buffalo favor) the wings were. I also tried the silver moon salad and the parmesan peppercorn dressing and gorgonzola cheese definitely makes the salad good. I give 4 stars only because depending on some nights, the service takes a while and you want to order or ask for the check and I don't like to wait long. The bar part is good, they make some pretty good drinks and on saturday nights is latin night and you can have fun if you bring friends. Overall, I recommend this place.
(4)Abbie T.
Having been a big fan of their previous location, I went to Bella Luna last Saturday for only the second time since they moved. I was hesitant because of how different the new location looks, but was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was quiet enough to talk easily when we first arrived around 8:30, but got much louder as the night went on and by the time we left it had definitely transitioned into the "lounge" side of things. Although I preferred the atmosphere earlier in the night, the food was great and so was the service. The mac and cheese was the low note of the night, but I highly recommend the Gypsy King pizza (ricotta, caramelized onions and spinach) and the buffalo fries. I'll definitely be going back, just maybe a bit earlier in the night.
(4)Damien P.
Great place! Love the casual neighborhood feel. Their pasta is top notch, as it their pizza. Appetizers are a bit less creative, but decent overall. Their lunch specials are usually great as well. Taco happy hour was a brilliant idea. My one complaint is that the menu doesn't change much. It would keep the place feeling much more fresh and interesting if there were new things to try.
(4)Evelyn A.
Nice ambiance and decor, but the food is mediocre. The eggplant parm - did it have eggplant? All I saw was breading, the eggplant was unidentifiable. Fried calamari were soggy. Gnocci dish & lobster tortellini with alfredo sauce were ok, nothing to brag about. Tiramisu was tasteless.
(1)David W.
I've been to Bella Luna quite a bit now, and I've always had a good experience. The salads are simple and fresh, and aren't swimming in sauce. I've had good luck with the couple of pasta dishes that I've tried there, and I like the (enormous) pulled pork sandwich a lot. The pizzas are really wonderful, thin-crust gems. I grew up in Europe, and their crust reminds me of the pies at Pizzeria Romantica just down the road from my house growing up! Note: this place is a neighborhood restaurant. They're not pretentious, and they don't seem to be trying to get national accolades. Seems more like they're trying to bring good-quality, affordable, familiar foods with a fun twist to a neighborhood that's on the up-and-up. And in my opinion, they're doing a great job of it.
(5)Scott C.
Ok, I really wanted to like this place but could not find even a decent reason to like it. My appetizer was very overcoooked, my burger was actually soupy and wicked over seasoned....and it is pretty hard to make me not like a burger. I wouldnt go back.
(2)Neftali F.
when we first went there about 3 weeks ago the food was great i had the bacon and peperoni pizza and my fiancee had the crab cake BLT then we went there 2 days ago and i had the same pizza and my fiancee had the same crab cake BLT this time the food was disappointing the crab cake had shells or bone in it and my pizza the bacon was not cook and the pizza dough was soggy it was so bad that we did not even finish the meal we just paid and left i am not sure if i would go back.
(2)Cecilia B.
Ordered take out - salads and pizza for a vegan and a veggie. Mezzaluna salad fine; the more interesting Silver moon great. Thin crust pizzas ok but cold on delivery. Vegan cheese does not melt and not worth it - stick with veggies in the "create-your-own" option. Service was quick.
(3)sandra q.
Their pizza, wo-wee! The pizza is awesome! I also love their Silver Moon salad, and their homemade dressing. They are delicious and I recommend them. I usually take-out, but if you want to sit in, do it. The staff is professional and prompt, the plates add a very warm touch, and the atmosphere is mellow, may be a little romantic. Don't expect your tongue to tingle if you order entrees and desserts, but their pizza and the Silver Moon salad, now that is tasty.
(4)Katy G.
Funky and delicious. When seated, the plates that greet you at your table are those awesome decorate them yourself plates with a variety of unique designs. The cuisine is Italian, but with a bit of fushion thrown in there. The entire menu is available for take out and the pizzas are superb, esp the breaded eggplant, mmmmm.
(4)Stellina M.
I do not understand what is great with this place! Maybe because there is nothing else in the neighborogh? How would somebody define the food? If you are a connisseur of italian food you would not recognize it. But if you want to go with your friends and live in JP, why not?
(2)Heather Q.
Bella Luna always leaves me wanting a little something more. It's OK. Best as one of the places to go on a date or with out of town guests when you're trying to impres them with JP's funky atmosphere. Certainly more style than substance. The pizza's are good, thin crust done right is hard to find. It's not cheap though, you're paying for the gourmet lable.
(3)seana m.
Bella Luna is a fun spot for dinner. Their brick oven pizza is good. There are lots of toppings to choose from like chicken, artichkokes, olives, white pizza, soy pizza, or your good ole fashioned tomoato sauce and pepperoni. Sometimes the wait gets ridiculous. Ask how long it is and tack on a good 15 minutes from what they say.
(3)Gael R.
oh bella luna....just go eat the damn pizza, already.
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