One of our favorite restaurants In the area. Great food, service, and atmosphere! It has only gotten better with the addition of their del prado restaurant attached to the main restaurant. We recently had a 50th surprise party for my wife at del prado and it exceeded everyone's expectation. Dana, the Manager and Event Coordinator, was fantastic to work with and very flexible to all our needs. As a person who doesn't like to plan and organize, she did made it so easy. She also had great ideas to make it a perfect day. Rachel and Grant were wonderful, as were all our servers. I am so happy we celebrated this special day at 19 Bella.
(5)
Kate J.
I've tried a couple of times and Bella just doesn't do it for me. I find it cramped while the food is tasty it does not live up to the hype. You can get a lot better meal for the price at a variety of restaurants in Ambler.
(2)
Brian H.
I've been to this location before, years before, under prior ownership, and not until last night did this small, cozy space grab me and shout "wow". From the non-matching china and glassware, the bold, alive colors of the room, the service with a helpful attitude and smile (like these servers enjoyed being there), through to the creative tapas, I am a big fan. We, the blonde du jour and I, shared 5 small plates, starting with the sauteed wild mushrooms in a sherry garlic, and I emphasize GARLIC, and herb sauce. The mushrooms were fantastic, too much garlic actually took the plate down a notch, not my favorite dish of the night. 3 stars The poached long stem Roman artichoke w/ bacon, asparagus, oven dried tomato, caramelized onion & balsamic glaze was bursting with flavor and we were moving in the right direction. The bacon pieces were a little tough to chew. 3.5 stars The Italian sausage risotto with red wine, mushrooms & tomato was good, was a little wet and loose, not a traditional risotto, but the sausage was tender and fabulous. 3.5 stars The grilled lamb chops/greek style, with honey and lemon were two decent sized chops cooked a perfect medium rare, decadent in my opinion, tender, very tasty and one of my top 2 dishes of the night. 5 stars And finally arrived the lobster Normandy asparagus, most delectable tender hunks of lobster with a powerful Bearnaise with the right touch of truffle flavor. 4 stars And then room to split a chocolate mousse. It was a milk chocolate mousse, hey, it was chocolate, it was good. I had no problem with the timing space between servings, even one of the servers asked if they should slow down delivery as three plates came out within 20 minutes. After answering yes, we had time to finish off those plates, breath a little, drink some wine, before the lamb and then the lobster made their appearance. I will return in the near future, so many more plates to try.
(4)
S S.
This is a touristic place. Great ambience and service with heavy and greasy dishes at a hefty price. It is not exactly a real Spanish/Mediterranean tapas place either. We (4 people) spent over $350 - no alcohol as it's BYOB in PA. Tiny dishes! Left hungry so we went to get more food else where... will not return.
(2)
Dan H.
We have gone to 19 Bella since they opened after Rosalie closed. I think the quality of food has dropped somewhat since then. The standard choices we have always ordered, like the Brussels sprouts, have really been less than stellar. It's still a very nice place to go but we just feel it's dimmed some of the original luster.
(3)
Ann F.
I honestly don't even know where to start with the review -- this could the the BEST brunch experience we have ever had!! The food is the most flavorful and unbelievable variety I've ever seen. Our server, Samantha, was the most gracious host -- her love of the place and the food coming out in every description. And she personally made a table-side Caesar salad that was the best any of us had EVER had! We're already planning how soon we can return!
(5)
Craig D.
(4.5) ~ Very Good Food & Service! The ambiance is very quaint & "country-innish";) BONUS: The Bread, Butter, & Jams are homemade; And they Smoke their own Breakfast Meats and Roast their own Coffee ~ WOW!;) OUR BRUNCH MENU: DRINKS: **Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice = (4.5) Very Good! And YES it's Freshly Squeezed!;)lol **French Press Coffee = (4.5) Very Good! **HINT: Get the Half-Size for (1) person, b/c the Full Size is 32 oz.;) AND if you or someone at the table gets the Mayan Hot Chocolate, pour a little in your coffee and create a Mocha;) * Turkish Coffee = (4) very good * Mayan Hot Chocolate = (4) very good & very sweet;) * Belgian Hot Chocolate = (3.5) good, but the Mayan is better;) * Water(tap) = (3.5) good...must be filtered;) COFFEES: **Ethiopian(Bonga) = (4) very good *Guatemalan Geisha = (3.75) Good *Mokka Java = (3.5) good *Ugandan Coffee = (3.5) good *Kona Greenwell Coffee = (3.5) good * Cameroon = (3.5) good APPETIZERS: * Sourdough Toast = (4) very good, warm & homemade;) * Butter(Homemade) = (4) very good & creamy FRUIT JAMS: **Blueberry Lime Jam = (5) Excellent! *Peach Vanilla Jam = (4.5) Very Good! *Blueberry Jam = (4) very good *Apricot Jam = (4) very good *Mixed Berry Jam = (4) very good & homemade *Strawberry Rhubarb = (4) very good *Blueberry & Blackberry Jam = (3.5) good ENTREES: ** Skirt Steak Hash = (4.75) Very Good & Spicy! Ask for a side of Red Sauce(Patatas Bravas) with it;) * Pork(Breakfast) Tacos w. Eggs, Guacomole & Pickled cabbage and Homefries = (4.5) Very Good! My only wish would be larger tortillas so I can add the egg on top;)lol * Short Rib Hash w Caramelized Onions & Potatoes-Two Eggs Any Style ~ (4.25) Very good ***HINT: Ask for the "Patatas Bravas" Red Sauce on the side to pour on the Short Rib Hash;) * Organic Pork Hash with Brussels Sprouts = (4) very good * Cuban Beef Empanadas = (3.5) good * Breakfast Handheld Pie(Western) = (3.5) good SIDES: ** Slab Bacon = (4) very good! And it's house smoked & thick! No Nitrites in this one;) DESSERTS: ** Sticky Toffee Cake w. Homemade Caramel Sauce = (4.5) good * Chocolate Mousse = (4) very good & smooth;) * Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding w. local Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream = (4) very good * Stick Bun(w. nuts) & Butter Pecan Ice Cream = (4) very good * Croissant French Toast w. Bananas Fosters = (3.5) good * Banana's Fosters = (3.5) good * Crystal's Chocolate Cake = (3) ok NOTES: Reservations recommended b/c of its smaller size;) And yes they take Credit Cards.
(5)
Gerald F.
Sorry. Not my style. Not having been there before, the wait staff stated we should get between three and four dishes for each person. I asked if that meant we should get 16 dishes between the four of us and then dessert on top of that? She said that would be too much. So I asked if that meant 12 dishes plus dessert which also to me seemed like a lot. She looked at me puzzled and said well, maybe not even that many. We ended up ordering eight dishes +2 desserts for a bill of about $200. Here's how it went. I had 1 shrimp. A taste of fish. 6 macaroni 2 chunks of lobster 3 tiny tiny pita triangles of feta and hummus. ( here's where you Mr. owner need to break out of your shell. Serving four people one half small Pita is beyond absurd, laughable. Why not bring a bread basket with two or even three small pitas. Five little tiny finger size triangles were absurd. ) We ended with Bread and great coffee and A taste of 2 deserts. I'm starved. Well that's me. Everyone else was ok with the great food. My party loved it. The food deliverer got 25% of the orders to our table wrong And picked it off our table for the right one. Not good. Asking all the time and us saying its not ours. Perhaps too many"small plates"? 2 deserts. $9 each. Tiny plates again. Man! You're kidding me. Again. They were happy. I usually order by food-not by price. This place is different. Perhaps i'm used to American plates.. And I felt as if no matter how many plates I ordered I would never be satisfied. While my guests were very satisfied from the very rich dishes that were served. About one months ago I had New York original tapis small plate Spanish. And their plates, also between nine and $18, but I got more food and I felt the quality was much better and the portions slightly larger. But that was New York pricing not Cedars. My suggestion? Do not bring your husband here when he is extremely hungry. Feed him first. ( I saw a dad bristle when his daughter was dividing a small plate and he was wondering just how little he would get. Sorry. I'm numb. )
(3)
Danielle S.
I've had dinner at 19 Bella a few times. All I can say is that every time it has been a great experience. The building and decor are inviting and unique! You feel like you're eating in an old farmhouse. The food speaks for itself! I personally really enjoy the asparagus with bearnaise and the diver Scallops! I have yet to have a dish I dislike. The staff is friendly and inviting and I look forward to many future evenings at 19 Bella.
(5)
Katie L.
This food is AMAZING. The service is great and so is the atmosphere. I highly recommend the artichokes. I would come here all the time if the hubby liked to eat out more. Highly recommend the place.
(5)
Don L.
Beautiful ambiance, fun and delicious food, and excellent service = our favorite restaurant in the area. Thanks for a great night out!
(5)
Jackie M.
This is the best little cozy spot to enjoy a yummy brunch:) Everything is so cute and the food is amazing!!
(5)
Percy N.
Had a couple terrific brunches. Roasted beets with feta and pistachios is a favorite along with the guacamole. Omelette are made perfectly - in the french way. Potatoes are super crispy and delicious. The special is usually great. This week it was Moroccan lamb with potatoes and 2 eggs your way. They also offer complimentary Mimosas. Space has expanded to the building next door and can seat about 65 total.
(5)
Michael R.
This is an excellent restaurant with the right amount of homey charm and class. The food is always good, with enough variety to please more conservative and more adventurous palates. It's one of our go-to spots to take guests we have visiting from out of town. The Turkish coffee and pastries are always a great way to finish up a meal there too.
(5)
Drew D.
My husband and I went back here last weekend for a third time. We sat inside and it was really hot, like uncomfortably hot. The waiter forgot to bring us water and the olives that are supposed to be on the table missing (we never got the olives). My husband got the steak kabobs and they were great. The vegetable lasagna and lamb were just okay. The $22 cheese plate left much to be desired. 3 of the 4 cheeses were soft and just didn't taste right. I've had plenty of cheese and this was off. For $22 I would've expected great cheese and the stems taken off the grapes completely, just sayin.' We ended up spending $100 for a party of two, which was cheaper than the other two times we went...
(3)
David T.
Outstanding. This is the best restaurant we've eaten at in a long time.
(5)
Kristin N.
Hmmm....not sure what to make of it. It's very charming and we were offered a complimentary wine upon entering. The breads were delicious. My fried dates were to die for. My gnocchi...not so much. They had an oddly firm outer texture...making them seem almost like fried tofu. My friends enjoyed their salad, duck breast, asparagus and Mac and cheese. We hadn't intended to share...probably sacrilege at a restaurant like this, but we were all just in the mood for what we wanted. We didn't explicitly state this and the pacing was offered at a sharing pace...meaning long stretches of someone without food. That one is on us, though and will consider it a lesson learned. The service wasn't great, however. No plates taken away, so the table was cluttered. Needed to ask for things like more water, more butter. We saw the table runner more than our server. There's enough on the menu that is up my alley, so I'd be willing to try it again.
(3)
Tamura J.
One of my favorite places to eat ever. Dates and bacon are a must. Lamb chops. Everything. So good!
(5)
Mark J.
Dining Date October 13, 2014 for dinner. Came here with 8 work colleagues, and must say the small plate / sharing concept was perfect for a large group. We all had the opportunity to try close to half of the menu, and there was not a single dish we did not thoroughly enjoy. Since all the food did not come out of the kitchen at the same time, just when I finished trying one item, a fresh, hot new item was ready to sample. The food was incredible and the variety was expansive. Prices are on the high side, but the meal and the experience was worth the price. The service was great, and they gladly accommodated the wine/beer that we brought in with us (BYOB).
(5)
Carol B.
Enjoyed a lovely and delicious Valentine's Day dinner at 19 Bella. Every thing we ate that night was delicious and the great thing about small plates is that I can enjoy mushroom risotto and fish tacos in the same meal! Both were great. A Valentine's meal is not complete without dessert and I loved our raspberry cheesecake. Yum! Service was great. Everyone was friendly. Danielle, our server, did a great job. Her recommendations were spot on. I loved the rustic decor and it was cozy and warm on such a chilly night. Definitely need to go back because there are so many more things I can't wait to try on their menu!
(5)
Steve J.
Amazing menu and tea and coffee. We ordered the Mayan hot chocolate and it was literally the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life!!! I would drive back from NYC to have it again. The food was also incredible. I can't begin to describe how good this place was. Do not miss it!
(5)
Michelle F.
A few friends and I went to 19 Bella this week for my birthday. A friend of mine was the roommate of Grant and Rachel's a few years ago. I've always known Grant's cooking to be fantastic and have seen him first hand making butter and roasting/grinding his own coffee. Dinner on Wednesday lived up to my expectations!! 5 of us picked a few dishes each and passed them around. Every dish was amazing and cooked to perfection! The fried dates wrapped in bacon were my absolute favorite, followed by the pork loin. We also ordered the Filet Oscar, Bolognese, lobster risotto, pork tacos, among others. I had a bite of everything and everything was delicious! I can't wait to go back! You must try this place!
(5)
Tim S.
My girlfriend and I went here for our Valentines dinner and loved it. The meal was very flavorful, the highlight being the mushroom risotto. The service was excellent and our server, Danielle was very knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be going back !
(5)
M K.
Not a place for dinner for your family, way too expensive and wierd menu. You get a 4 course meal for $56pp or 5 course meal for 64pp! They say you can share your meal with your friends? You hardly get anything for each course. Not my type of Restourant. BTW, here is a private message for all you brunchsters. mobile.nytimes.com/2014/…
(1)
Ali M.
Love 19 Bella! This is hands down the best tapas restaurant I've been to. My husband and I go here often and have never had a bad meal. The specials change frequently and there is always a special something that Chef Grant is offering that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere (Monkfish Foie Gras!). Some stand out favorite dishes are the Sweet Potato Gnocchi, the Beet Salad (our favorite!), Charred Brussel Sprouts, the Albondigas (Swedish Meatballs), Shrimp Paulista, Merguez Sausage...I could go on and on. Great place for a group of peoples, as you will end up sharing everything. The staff is outstanding, knowledgeable and clearly cares as much about the food as the customer.
(5)
Ashley P.
19 bella is a cute little spot right outside of skippack. their food is fantastic, small plates/tapas. the service can be a little shaky at sometimes but try and look past that as the food is wonderful. the mismatched china is such a neat touch, kinda seems as if you're at a tea party every visit. it is a byob so bring your favorite bottle. table side Caesar salad is to die for. prosciutto wrapped stuffed figs...need I say more. delicious! also hosted my sisters bridal shower here back in September. the banquet room upstairs is sooo gosh darn cute. the space was exactly what I was looking for. (bright and airy with a rustic tone) dana was great to work with. Good work 19 Bella
(4)
Glenn J.
My wife and I went for dinner last night and had brussel sprouts, short rib, lobster mac, sausage risotto, and the fish special (it was Mediterranean white fish). All of these were very good. I would say my 2 favorites were the brussel sprouts and the short rib. For desert we had the chocolate croissant bread pudding which was awesome. With tax and tip, we spent $120 for all this great food. Please keep in mind that the portions are not huge the the kitchen is not fast (we were at the restaurant for 2 hours). Our server was very friendly and helpful. This is a BYOB.
(4)
David H.
Great service, great product, great variety..and good prices. This area lacks a good Saturday morning breakfast respite. This fills the bill. It has this country ambience where you can just hang out, read your paper, and all the while having enjoying a great meal.
(3)
Salty M.
Perfect atmosphere, wonderful service, and awesome food. Something for everyone. Everything was so good, it's difficult to pick a favorite from the 6 small plates we sampled between the two of us. Definitely get the Braised Short Ribs with turnips and carrots. These were really spectacularly flavorful comfort food. Then the poached artichoke with Prosciutto, Asparagus, Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Glaze. The Marinated Broiled Shrimp with Mango Salsa was another hit. But don't forget the heavenly meatballs that tasted like they were made with pumpkin pie spice. The fresh ground Mocha Java, served in a French press rounded out a delightful evening. Situated near Cedars Country Store, in a shopping village of refurbished farm buildings, the ambiance is old country European. Hardwood floors, eclectic old china plates, and mismatched utensils, together with friendly un-pretentious wait staff, lend to a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Just remember to BYOB, and Visa or Mastercard (no Amex).
(5)
Matt K.
What a pleasant surprise this place turned out to be. It's not real close to anything, so it's easy to pass it up, but it's worth a visit. It's quite small in the wintertime, since their 3 season outdoor dining area is closed. And it was packed on this day for brunch. The restaurant is decorated extensively and eclectically, making a real personal statement, which is very cool. A big group of us ordered a lot of stuff, brought our own beverages, and started in on the appetizers. One of the nice things was that we could order off the dinner menu also, which we did to get appetizers. I'll list a few highlights. The beet salad was amazing, with a blood orange vinaigrette, feta and pistachios. The chicken livers were good, some were cooked perfectly, others slightly over. Probably because they were different sizes. The sauce was gorgeous. Most of us had to dip bread in it! The artichokes were ok, not my favorite. The Spanish meatballs were great. For my main, even though there were a lot of interesting, heavy, yummy looking egg dishes, I had a hankering for the Greek omelette. I was not disappointed. The eggs in the omelette were perfectly cooked, not too dry and tough. Feta cheese gave it great flavor and the tomatoes and kale in it made it taste light and refreshing. They also lent some wetness, which was great. Service was good, they were quite busy but were able to keep up with it. Great place and a great time!
(4)
Tara G.
Love love love this gem close to Skippack. I've enjoyed lunch and dinner here many times. We also hosted a bridal shower in the "DEL Prado" restaurant. The space was so beautiful and prefect for the shower. The small bites of food were amazing. Bacon wrapped dates, crab cakes, sweedish mushroom, Mediterranean plate. Yummo. They were great to work with and really customized the shower to our needs. I can easily say 19 Bella is one if my fav restaurants in Montco.
(5)
Jackie G.
My expectations were exceeded when I visited here a couple of weeks ago. Everyone's review of the beef short ribs are spot on...best dish there. I would rate the other dishes above average (roasted beet salad, poached artichokes, paella, scallops). Everything was made with creativity and fresh ingredients. Homemade bread was great too. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to try their coffee, so I'll save that for next time. It's nice to taste the food of a chef who could clearly compete with big city chefs, but chose to find a quaint spot in suburbia.
(4)
Alex H.
I am salivating just thinking of the delicious foods served at 19 Bella. The Sunday brunch blew my mind. The cheese plate was a beautiful presentation with home made bagel chips and fresh fragrant options. I ordered the special stroganoff hash. Strong fresh flavors of raw mustard seed and mushroom made a delightful note on the pallet. I would highly suggest eating at 19 Bella to anyone who enjoys great service and an experience not soon forgotten. Ask to be sat in Danielle's section.
(5)
Kim M.
Fifth time here last Friday Night - Love 19 Bella. Went with a big group (my whole family) and sent our small plates around the table. Most dishes were amazing...some were not up to par. Ordered tuna that was supposed to be rare, but came out thoroughly cooked. They took the tuna right off our bill. Highly recommend kale, short ribs, and MALTED MILK BALL CREME BRULEE. So, so, so good.
(4)
Charles R.
What a nice unique place. They tell you upfront that most plates are small, around 4 ounces, but I can tell you that most are more than 4 ounces. After reading other Yelpers we tried the Brussel Sprouts and the Fried figs with bacon and bleu cheese. Both were great and portions I thought were in line with most restaurants appetizers. The lobster Normandy was excelent and the bernaise sauce was perfect. Now, the lobster portion was 4 ounces, but it did come with asparagus spears. The Pheasant cassoulet was piping hot with plenty of pheasant, white beans and slices of garlic sausage. My only complaint with the dish was the sausage didn't have much of a garlic taste, which I think would have added to the dish. Again, this dish was way more than 4 ounces. The dessert menu is large and too good to pass up. We shared the Banana's Foster with Merrymeade ice cream. Huge portion, tons of banana's and excellent. We couldn't finish it all, which is a shame with a dish that good. Lot's of free parking in their complex, people were very friendly, and they take all cards except AmEx. Will absolutely go back.
(4)
Alex R.
Oh. My. God. My boyfriend and I were driving on our way to my Grandmother's 100th birthday party. We just Yelped on our way to grab lunch. And we found THIS PLACE. I could write here for days about this first visit. Incredible welcoming atmosphere. Amazing service. Beyond friendly. Great decor. The Mayan Hot Chocolate is crack. That's what it has to be! The food. Holy SH&@. If you are in the area and don't eat here, YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT AND MISSING OUT ON AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.
(5)
Yi Cai Z.
After having breakfast several times at Del Prado we finally decided to give the "big sister" restaurant a try for New Years Eve. I called two weeks ahead of time for make a reservation. I took the latest reservation they offered - 10pm and paid a 25$ deposit over the phone. The night of NYE my boyfriend and I arrived a little bit before 10pm were seated at a table that seemed to be a little bit in the way, but hey it was a busy night so we didn't complain. We ordered 5 plates and the only thing that was memorable was the bison meatballs with lingonberry sauce. All in all the food was good but did not blow us away. I understand that this is a tapas place but for the prices the portions were on the small side. The service that night was not great. Our waitress seemed to be very distracted even as the place started to clear out. When she brought our first check the first time around, the deposit I had paid had not been deducted. Her response was "oh it said you hadn't paid the deposit." but promptly did deduct it without any fuss. When we left the resturaunt the staff were busy preparing to eat their own meal which is perfectly fine but no one took the time to say goodnight. 19 Bella is a gem in the area but doesn't stand up to some of the other tapas retaurunts we have been too. For the money I would much rather go elsewhere in the area.
(3)
Margaret V.
This will become a regular stop for me and my girls. The service was the BEST. Dana and Dan took very good care of us. The surprise of the night for me was the beet salad. I look forward to working my way through the menu!
(5)
Mary R.
We were excited to try the "tapas" style... I wouldn't really call it that. The small plates were not sharable - just small plates. Overall, the food was pretty good. We had the filet, scallops, beef stew, and a few others. The complementary sangria was nice also - not too sweet. While the food was above average - it was still very over priced. We paid about $110 for 6 small plates between 2 of us - it felt like a rip off. If our food had cost somewhere around $80 - I would have felt better about the meal. Food was good... but not that good. Service was average, although we were told we could not choose a few items and then add more if we wanted - everything had to go in at once because that makes it easier on the chef. I should mention that the restaurant was not at all crowded when we were there, so that was very odd. In general, the place was just okay. If you go - don't plan to share several small plates. You will get 3 pieces of bread for 2 people, only one steak knife, one soup spoon - nothing that invites sharing "tapas style meals." You need to plan to order your own plates. The place seemed like it would be cozy and nice, but it was just very odd. We were uncomfortable with the set up, menu ordering, and general meal style when we expected to be able to share. The food didn't make up for these short falls - we will probably not return.
(2)
Ben R.
Was on Saturday for dinner 2 couples order 3 small plates per person The food was out of this world The only issue that we had it took too long of time for the food to get to table But I will go back again
(4)
Brooke S.
Ohhh 19 Bella. How I heart thee. You do for "Mediterranean tapas" what Italy did for spaghetti. There is always a surprise taste waiting for you here; whether it's the complimentary house made sangria as you relish in your lobster eggs bene' for brunch, or a savory sauce you can only imagine must have been flown in overnight from some far away land. You've expanded my horizons and awaken my taste buds. How fortunate I am to have you so close.
(4)
T C.
So fun to go with friends and share tapas size dishes. The flavors and choices can be different with each of our visits! Having the cheese selection before dessert is a nice transition before getting the French pressed coffee and delicious sweets. Enjoy!
(5)
Aly H.
I don't even know where to begin! I live 10 minutes from 19 Bella and have been missing out. We were there for a family wedding reception (small) and I was so pleased! I can't get over how amazing the food was. The brussel sprouts...scallops, shrimp...chicken...even the freshly made lemonade was amazing! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kara G.
Went here for a work dinner (likely never would have otherwise as it's not that close to home). Amazing food. Have the short ribs. They were melt-in-your-mouth tender. The only miss was the crab cake. Too much dill.
(4)
Suzann S.
I had dinner here last night and although when I walked in I was nervous about the kind of food and service, I ended up being quite surprised. My family and I came over after a crazy day of packing up my deceased Aunt's house. We were clearly edgy and distraught. The waitress was very friendly and patient with us and explained how the tapas worked to my out of town family members. I have been to several tapas restaurants before and found the prices to be comparable and a wide variety of selections to chose from. My motto always is everyone picks one vegetable and we each pick our own meat/pasta for ourselves. We have the asparagus with egg, artichokes, dates wrapped in bacon (heavenly- never would have ordered this if my uncle hadn't picked this for his choice). For my meat I had the braised short ribs. We all shared the veggies and enjoyed our own meats/pasta dish. Again, very pleased with the service. My mom was not hungry and I appreciated the waitress not overly quizzing my mother as to why she did not eat her meal. Delicious honey tea to drink recommended by the waitress.
(4)
Bob M.
Terrific, cozy place (outdoor areas were closed). A little pricey but the food was good, atmosphere was very nice and service very attentive. Went for dinner on a Tuesday with my GF, it was not crowded at all, we ordered a number of different tapas Spicy Moroccan Sausage, braised short ribs, seafood stew and Grilled Filet Oscar and everything was very good. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Bernadette N.
Love this place. Been here several times for dinner. We love the tapas menu. It allows us to try many different things each time we go. From the sweet potato gnocchi to the osso bucco to the beet salad everything is flavorful and enough to share. We love sitting outside weather permitting and will definitely going back. We still have a few more things on the menu to try!
(5)
Brian L.
19 Bella is a small restaurant tucked away, just before the main Skippack strip. The owner is a friendly guy you'd expect to see running a bookstore or coffee shop, and the decor shows it. You can tell that food is this gentleman's passion from the different homemade cheeses every time we order the cheese plate, to the way the food is cooked perfectly every time. Don't expect to get typical tapas small plates here, as the portions are more than generous. In addition to the meat and cheese plates, which we love, the duck breast risotto is fantastic. We loved everything else we ordered.
(4)
Dayna S.
Great atmosphere in a quaint little shopping village. The outdoor seating on a nice summer night is perfect. Friendly staff, but slow service. Food is HIT or just OK. since it's BYOB it helps to keep it affordable - but some items are pricey. Sharing is the way to go.
(3)
Chris L.
Excellent tapas restaurant nestled in the heart of Skippack, PA! Not cheap, however; most of the tapas are around $15/plate, and the plates are small (like you would expect for tapas). That being said, on the night I had dinner, the dinner menu had 48 items on it, ranging from vegetarian, Amish pork, pastas, other meats, cheeses, etc. I cannot speak for other nights as their menu changes every day. As a result, they print out copies of their menu on lightweight legal paper, which, if you have a pen, makes ordering extremely easy if you are in a large group and plan to order a lot of items. Just mark off which items you want and hand it to the waitress/waiter. Speaking of, the service was extremely friendly and very attentive. Our waitress did have a bit of slow service once the dinner rush picked up, but for the most part, she was attentive, friendly, and every time she visited, a busser tagged along to clear out any plates or dishes. Regarding the food, we loved most of everything we tried. Lobster mac and cheese, with excellent lobster, is a must have! oh, and major points to them for offering both a tail and a claw. Grilled sirloin, spanish meat plate, spanish cheese plate, seared scallops, smoked salmon, grilled tuna, spicy shrimp, and Amish pork were all terrific! Seafood is fresh, delivered 3 times per week, and is purchased locally Their dessert menu was also huge, containing at least 25 items between sweets, coffees, and hot chocolates. The croissant chocolate-filled bread pudding, was also quite good, which was amazing to me since I generally dislike bread pudding. I was also a fan of their Mayan hot chocolate, which was rich and flavorful. They have very high-end coffees available, as well as Turkish coffee and more traditional coffee choices (espresso, cappuccino, etc.). For an extra $5 Sunday - Thursday, you can have the coffee brewed in a vacuum system to enrich the flavor. I cannot vouch for this as I was there on a Saturday, but it certainly sounded like an experience. Oh, and this place is a BYOB, so points for that as well. Overall: excellent entrees, excellent desserts, excellent service, BYOB. Just go here.
(5)
Laura R.
19 Bella is fabulous! The food is excellent and the service and ambiance is wonderful. There are always new menu items or specials, and if you are a "picky eater" it is a great place to try something new. The mac and cheese is a must have! Make a reservation and bring some wine :)
(5)
W B.
This place is amazing. My favorite restaurant in the area. Friendly service, beautiful atmosphere, amazing food. We recommend the sirloin Oscar, the brussels sprouts (I swear they're good!), and the scallops. Really you can't go wrong though. Pricey but worth every penny. Don't forget to leave room for the bread pudding, it's amazing. So was the coffee.
(5)
Jane J.
Dined several times at 19 Bella. Food is consistently excellent. Service is consistently subpar. No problems with taking the order and getting the entrees, but ignored after that. The last time I dined here, the two servers working in our dining room were overwhelmed to the point where I felt guilty about asking for our check. Maybe I'll try mid-week, but never again on a weekend.
(3)
Nicole H.
19 bella hosted our rehearsal dinner at the end of August, and we would not have wanted it any other way. Dana was EXTREMELY accommodating, and made the entire planning experience a breeze. I left the menu completely up to her, and she did not disappoint. Each plate was better than the last. I am still drooling over the sweet potato gnocchi and sauteed brussel sprouts. We sprung dessert on her at the last minute, and she had the kitchen prepared the most AMAZING croissant bread pudding. The private room was so perfect to celebrate such an exciting event with friends and family. They are BYOB, which is staying within a certain price range - and we had fun choosing the wine and beer for the event. We are already planning a return visit sometime soon!!
(5)
Maria M.
This is such a GREAT restaurant!!! Everything is homemade right down to the butter!!! Very quaint, intimate. Decor is vintage, yet has a modern feel. Eclectic in that nothing matches, each cup, each plate, saucer, napkin is different but in reality matches perfectly. Great BYOB !!!
My husband and I went here for NY eve on a tip from a friend after having a so-so Xmas meal at Hotel Fiesole. 19 Bella was an amazing experience. The food was superbly prepared and the staff was attentive. I had the best Kale dish I had ever had. I am a vegan and am very hard to please. They did an amazing job even though they had to adapt to a preset menu. My husband had the omnivore dinner and he said the Oyster stew was to die for. I had a long conversation with the owner's wife and it appears that they really want to position them self as a local sustainable restaurant. They are doing a great job. I look forward to going back on a regular night to test out if NY eve wasn't just something extra special. It also helps that they are BYOB.
(5)
Paul M.
I went for lunch today upon the recommendation of the owner of the restaurant next door - Olce Pizzaria. Yes, they seem to be on good terms although, comparing the two, Olce's $10 lunch special presents the far better value. At 19 Bella, I had the fried calamari with a dill aioli and the salade Lyonaise. The calamari was crispy and nicely seasoned but the salad was a bit heavy on the bleu and lardons. I thought lardons would be crispy slivers of duck skin but these were rather chewy, well-fried chunks of pancetta, some of which were a bit hard on the choppers. A larger portion of greens and pear to absorb all would have been welcomed. The home baked bread was a nice complement. Overall, for my $20 tab, I liked the two small plates but thought the price was high for a lunch menu. I don't argue that small plates are the way to go but, for a mid-day fare, dropping the price by just a dollar or would appeal more to my sense of value. Or a $20 three plate luncheon tasting menu would be reason to return. Until then, Olce has my vote for a great $10 lunch. CP
(3)
Megan R.
This charming restaurant set in a converted barn in Cedars is the Miracle on Skippack. Our party of 20 asked the immensely talented chef, Grant Brown, to choose our tapas for us. The fresh, beautifully presented food was delivered on an eclectic array of mismatched antique dishes by a friendly and well-informed wait staff. Fresh lobster resting in layers of salsa and guacamole, charred brussels sprouts, roasted-beets in blood-orange vinaigrette, fish tacos with cabbage slaw, a fabulous fish dish that wasn't on the menu, ditto steak, ditto pasta, chocolate mousse, black magic chocolate cake, creme brulee ... and many more. The meal was a pleasure to both the eye and the palate. The acoustics of the place enabled members of our large party to hear one another but not any clatter from the kitchen or din from diners in other parts of the restaurant. Special care was provided to those with dietary restrictions. HIghly recommended.
(5)
Beth A.
19 Bella is one of my favorite restaurants in the area! Its great with a group of 4-6 - you can try a variety of dishes. The service is wonderful - we love Dana!!!! You can always ask them to slow down the service if things are coming out too fast. Grant's menu is always varied - there is something for everyone! It is a local treasure and cant' wait to go this Saturday to celebrate my birthday with good friends and several bottles of wine!
(5)
Derek C.
I love this place! I have been there only 3 times but would go once a week! There are always new dishes, so if you like to constantly try new things this is the place. Some dishes can have such random ingredients yet always pair perfectly! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes they're serving.
(5)
Chris M.
Sitting in a tranquil corner of the exurbs, offering a creative theme for the area, 19 Bella is the sort of place I really wanted to like. The menu boasted a delicious array of mediterranean small plates, and the decor was chic and urban. All signs pointed to an enjoyable night out, but twas not to be. 19 Bella is BYOB, and, like many BYOBs, they give out complimentary drinks. After standing in the small foyer waiting for a table (we had reservations), we were eventually treated to some sangria, which was tasty. After about 15 minutes, the hostess asked us to go wait outside because it was "breezier" out there -- admittedly, and as we came to appreciate later it was pretty hot inside the dining room. So we went outside and sat in some adirondack chairs right in the outdoor seating area, starving, surrounded by people devouring their food -- fine, whatever. Upon returning to tell us a table would be ready soon (15 minutes after that), I asked her if we could have another round of sangria for the wait -- she said no. Not sure if this is about restaurant policy or what, but I thought it was pretty bad form to say no and not even attempt to proffer an explanation. Annoying, but OK. When we were finally seated, we ordered 5 dishes off of the menu and asked the waitress -- the same who denied us our libations -- said we should not miss the brussels sprouts (corollary: worst dish of the 6; undercooked, under-seasoned). She was not pleasant in the least, unfortunately. Our food came out slowly over the course of the next hour or so, and we shared it amongst the three of us. Each plate was demolished almost instantly because of how hungry we were at this point, all the while trying to keep an unsightly sweat at bay, stemming from the heat in the dining room. I should say most of the food was good. The cheese plate was the star, with the heirloom tomato and mozzarella close behind. The only problem was that after 6 plates, we were still hungry. Now I could overlook all of these things: the drink denial, the heat, the torpid pace, the fact that I wanted to order pizza after paying $25. But the thing that made this experience subpar for me was that the staff was not that nice. When you have 100 things melting down, you should be effusively friendly to offset the other factors. The nicest member of the staff was the busboy! So, maybe because this place is new, they are still trying to work out the bugs. And it has the potential to be a great spot, but it's not there yet.
(2)
Gretchen S.
I have no explanation for the lack of insanely good reviews about this place... other than the fact that Americans are 'instant gratification' driven brats. Yes, the food takes a bit longer than at your run of the mill Applebee's or steak house. If you want food like that, you shouldn't be reviewing on Yelp. Ew. However... it is HIGHLY worth the wait. The menu is diverse, not gigantic, but definitely has a great variety. There is only 1 fried item on the menu, they have amazing Mayan hot chocolate and the albondigas are delish. I also hear that the short rib is killer! The restaurant itself is small, there is an addition (tent) that has heat lamps, lights, strands of pretty decorator lights and it was PACKED. It was pretty cold out, but everything was heated so the entire place was comfy. Its a bit pricey, but it is a 3 hour dining experience, not just a quick bite to eat. I will definitely go back here, and bring friends. Loved the quaint, friendly atmosphere and there are other items on the menu that I must try... and don't forget to BYOB of course!
(5)
D G.
Great selection of tapas! It's been hard to decide what to get, I've been here twice and am looking forward to going again to finish trying everything I want to eat. Great pace to the service. Just don't forget your reservation or bottle of wine.
(5)
Holly K.
My husband and I loved this place! The atmosphere and type of dinner (tapas) was such a nice change. We got to try 8 dishes (9 including dessert). The brussel sprouts and fried dates are a must. The short rib was to die for. It was pretty busy for a sunday night and we should have had a reservation but they accommodated us. And it doesn't get any better than a BYO. I only gave four stars though b/c we weren't crazy about the vietnamese meatballs or seafood boullabaise. definitely going there again.
(4)
Hayley S.
love, love, LOVE 19 Bella! My new favorite restaurant!! sharing plates, tapas, many home-made items (rustic bread, butter (sweet on Sundays!), and they even roast their own coffee (french press), truffled bernaise sauce (OMG) - this is one great BYOB. Although I have been here several times on a Sunday, I still have not ordered from the brunch menu because I am way too excited about all of the other menu items! Most times I am offered a bloody mary, mimosa, or Sangria however my visit yesterday proved no complimentary beverage. I didnt mind as my guest and I were well prepared with a bottle of red and bottle of white to compliment this fantasitc experience in Gastronomy. Some of my favorites: The Cheese Plate - adorned with honey, almonds and fruit chutney The butter poached lobster with asparagus and truffled bernaise sauce The shrimp and avocado salad The pork belly and pork cheek dishes Lemon Risotto Brazillian Shrimp I cant wait to try many more menu items!! They are all so good and carefully prepared. The china is fantastic - mismatched and victorian. the service is great, the owners are great and have a true passion for food. Although usually very busy, they never rush you so it is truly an excellent experience. If you are a true foodie - Go to Bella - you will LOVE it. What are you waiting for? GO!
(5)
Caroline P.
took mom out for brunch with the whole famiglia - party of 8 we were met at the door with complimentary mimosas (freshly squeezed oj - yes!) wonderful a la carte brunch selections of note - many items are housemade: bread, butter, pasta and their house-cured b'fast meats are delicious the service was attentive and not rushed, even on such a busy morning i had the eggs bene with butter-poached lobster - they were fabulous, although the eggs were over-poached a bit we left well-fed and happy at about $20 a person (we declined coffee/dessert) this will remain our local brunch spot upgrading to 4.5 stars
(4)
David G.
I always select the "menu of confidence" when visiting this restaurant. I have never been disappointed with the selections that the Chef makes and know that I would never have tried many of the items had I needed to select them myself. Figs wrapped in bacon, brussel sprouts with bacon bits, scallops, lamb shanks, and bananas foster for dessert ... Never would have selected those on my own and they were all fantastic!
(4)
Traci P.
Our most favorite restaurant. Food is phenomenal! Very diverse menu, something for everyone. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Chef does not cut corners, everything is fresh and delicious. Well worth the money! Can't wait to go back...
(5)
Mark H.
Wife and I ate here on a Sat night. We were pleased with both the selections on the menu and the service. Yes we seated in a carnival tent which wasnt the greatest so hopefully they add on in the future. It is byob so bring a bottle of something, hang out and enjoy the tapas. We will return. Pretty casual and the vibe was fun in there.
(4)
Joel K.
We just returned from 19 Bella. My daughter wanted to take me out to dinner for my 65th birthday so we went to 19 Bella because of the great reviews we were reading. When my daughter and her husband arrived, she said the hostess didn't even acknowledge them. Once they got her attention, they were seated in a fairly nice corner of the restaurant. When my wife and I arrived and looked at the menu, the prices seemed fair, but that was before the actual food was presented before us. I still can't believe the chicken dish I ordered was $18 and there were only 2 small chunks of chicken with tidbits of lobster. My wife received 3 scallops for about $15. 3 scallops are supposed to be an entree? My daughter's salmon never arrived and her husband received 4 small spanish meatballs. What made the evening even worse, instead of being served as a group, entrees and vegetables were served to each person separately. My wife received her salad and scallops together and the rest of us basically sat there eating bread. The bill was $100 for a meal that was supposed to be special, but it was only small, haphazard and non-existent. We will not return.
We had to eat is a heated TENT at the back of the restaurant. It was very crowded and we heard the complete conversation of the next table. The food was so- so and way too expensive for what it is. This place specializes in tapas style. When you orders 4 or 5 small portions the cost is way more than if you have simply ordered 2 complete entre's and shared. While the food was tasty and interesting, it was nothing to write home about.
(1)
Katherine L.
My husband took me to 19 Bella last night for my birthday. It's a small BYOB tapas style restaurant. We each ordered three small plates as suggested on the menu. I had a hard time choosing because everything sounds amazing. We ended up getting mussels, italian crepes, sweet potato gnocchi, lobster with asparagus and hollandaise sauce, lamb chops and boar saltimbocca. I have to say each one of these plates were incredible. I really could not choose a favorite. I highly recommend 19 Bella the food is OUTSTANDING!!!!!
(5)
Camille F.
My husband and I ate here on a Monday night so we didn't have any experiences with crowds that some of the other posters mentioned. We were seated right away. The six items we ordered were delicious (Caesar Salad, pork stew, lamb kabobs, spanish shrimp, beef bourguignon, and bacon wrapped dates. We were not quite stuffed and saved some room for Turkish coffee and a cannoli. We would recommend this place.
(5)
Warren P.
This past Friday evening we were looking for a new spot for dinner in the area, and my wife remembered seeing a new restaurant open in Skippack, right at the corner of 73 and Bustard road. We looked it up, quickly found 19 Bella, and were excited by the menu of small plates. We called at 6 for a reservation for three, and took the first available at 8:30. We took the later reservation as a good sign that the restaurant was doing well and was busy. In retrospect, it may have been the size of restaurant and the speed of service about which we should have drawn conclusions. We arrived and were quite impressed with the atmosphere. 19 Bella is a very attractive setting, with a nice outside seating area which looked inviting. We entered the restaurant and realized that it really is quite small (holding about 8 tables inside), without any sizable waiting area inside. I should mention that it was about 96 degrees with 100% humidity outside, and we were disappointed to find that it felt about 98 degrees with 100% humidity inside. I'm not certain if the restaurant is usually air conditioned and the AC was simply broken on our visit, or if the ceiling fans are usually sufficient when the weather isn't quite so unpleasant. We stood in the tiny hallway near the bathroom for 5 minutes or so and then were offered 3 small sangrias on the house (it is a BYOB). The gentleman greeting us was pleasant and seemed a bit flustered (it seemed fairly busy and if the AC had just stopped working, this seems understandable.) After another 10 minutes or so standing around in the hallway, they suggested we enjoy the breezier waiting area outside. While it was, unarguably, breezier than inside, it wasn't particularly pleasant. We sat another 30 minutes without meaningful updates from the staff, and then were given menus to peruse. At 9:20 (50 minutes after our reservation), we were seated inside. We were starving, and somewhat surprised that it took another 15 minutes before someone came to take our order. It was now after 9:30 and we were all starving. With two of us being vegetarian, many of the heartier options were off the table. We ordered a cheese plate, artichoke and mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella salad, a mediterranean dip plate, potatoes au gratin, and, at the suggestion of the waitress, brussel sprouts with almonds. Given that most of these were labeled 'starters', we should not have been surprised that they were each about three bites per person, cheese plate excluded. Most of these were enjoyable but fairly unremarkable, particularly at $2 per bite. No single plate made me want to bring friends back to 19 Bella, and the brussel sprouts were approaching inedible. As a small aside, it does seem that 19 Bella offers a fine romantic atmosphere. The only thing murkier and damper than the climate at 19 Bella were the intentions of the youthful lothario at the table next to ours. Over the course of our 3 hour slog through six tiny mostly-acceptable plates, this young cassanova managed to enjoy a prolonged kiss with his apparent companion as well as another female dining with him, all while mapping by hand the topography of the waitress' derriere. We left 19 Bella apparently having enjoyed our evening much less than the fellow next to us. I'm not at all opposed to a lesiurely exploration of small plates over three hours if the food, service, and environment are enjoyable. The unfortunate combination of the temperature inside and the semi-indifference of the staff made it difficult to overlook the new-restaurant glitches that I would normally accept as part of the hazards of early adoption. If they can get the AC fixed and smile through a long night of service, 19 Bella might be worth another try one day.
(2)
Christine T.
We went to Bella Friday night on recommendation of a friend, we had high hopes. We were welcomed in seated out in the tent and then forgotten. We watched a guy who was running around with his head cut off run to other tables a hostess waitress taking orders at tables seated after us and when we asked for service he looked at us like we were crazy and impatient for asking. The bread was delicious, some of the plates were delicious, the med tasting plate, the spinach and ricotta crepes flawless, calamari was good, gnocchi not so, sweetbreads definitely a NOT- did not love the mushroom ravioli's way too gamy for my taste, the lobster was delicious after we got it . two people came to our table asking if we had received it yet, they tried to deliver two of the raviolis to our table, steak was ok and asparagus very good . Overall- some items worth having again, service was horrendous, the guy was absolutely rude and unaccommodating and the hostess who waited on us kept saying how understaffed they were. Not sure if we will go back. They need to get their act together kitchen keeping track of how the food comes out and the service, we might as well have been going up to get the food ourselves. Front room messy, back room hot then cold hot then cold- Bot a good value as it stands right now.
(2)
Rachel E.
I recently dined with a couple friends at 19 Bella. I was really looking forward to trying the new spot. I have to say that I was underwhelmed. We were seated in the heated tent which I didn't mind at all. The decor is a little odd. The menu is quite extensive and I can't really figure out what their focus is. I get the whole tapas thing but they had greek, italian, french, thai, indian, etc. We ordered a couple from each section. The brussel sprouts were good. We enjoyed the asparagus as well. The short ribs were pretty good too. That was probably it. Everything seemed to have dill in it. So about half of the dishes tasted the same. The paella was disappointing. Everything came out at once so we felt a little rushed. We finally had to tell them to slow down. One thing I was excited to try was the tableside pasta carbonara. Again bummed because the pasta was complete mush. If they thought about cutting the menu down then they could concentrate on better execution. I will say the staff was great! Very personable and helpful. I'll be back because every place deserves a second chance. I'm hoping it was just an off night.
(3)
Brian L.
19 Bella is a small restaurant tucked away, just before the main Skippack strip. The owner is a friendly guy you'd expect to see running a bookstore or coffee shop, and the decor shows it. You can tell that food is this gentleman's passion from the different homemade cheeses every time we order the cheese plate, to the way the food is cooked perfectly every time. Don't expect to get typical tapas small plates here, as the portions are more than generous. In addition to the meat and cheese plates, which we love, the duck breast risotto is fantastic. We loved everything else we ordered.
(4)
Ashley P.
19 bella is a cute little spot right outside of skippack. their food is fantastic, small plates/tapas. the service can be a little shaky at sometimes but try and look past that as the food is wonderful. the mismatched china is such a neat touch, kinda seems as if you're at a tea party every visit. it is a byob so bring your favorite bottle. table side Caesar salad is to die for. prosciutto wrapped stuffed figs...need I say more. delicious! also hosted my sisters bridal shower here back in September. the banquet room upstairs is sooo gosh darn cute. the space was exactly what I was looking for. (bright and airy with a rustic tone) dana was great to work with. Good work 19 Bella
(4)
Tamura J.
One of my favorite places to eat ever. Dates and bacon are a must. Lamb chops. Everything. So good!
(5)
Percy N.
Had a couple terrific brunches. Roasted beets with feta and pistachios is a favorite along with the guacamole. Omelette are made perfectly - in the french way. Potatoes are super crispy and delicious. The special is usually great. This week it was Moroccan lamb with potatoes and 2 eggs your way. They also offer complimentary Mimosas. Space has expanded to the building next door and can seat about 65 total.
(5)
David T.
Outstanding. This is the best restaurant we've eaten at in a long time.
(5)
Rob F.
One of our favorite restaurants In the area. Great food, service, and atmosphere! It has only gotten better with the addition of their del prado restaurant attached to the main restaurant. We recently had a 50th surprise party for my wife at del prado and it exceeded everyone's expectation. Dana, the Manager and Event Coordinator, was fantastic to work with and very flexible to all our needs. As a person who doesn't like to plan and organize, she did made it so easy. She also had great ideas to make it a perfect day. Rachel and Grant were wonderful, as were all our servers. I am so happy we celebrated this special day at 19 Bella.
(5)
Salty M.
Perfect atmosphere, wonderful service, and awesome food. Something for everyone. Everything was so good, it's difficult to pick a favorite from the 6 small plates we sampled between the two of us. Definitely get the Braised Short Ribs with turnips and carrots. These were really spectacularly flavorful comfort food. Then the poached artichoke with Prosciutto, Asparagus, Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Glaze. The Marinated Broiled Shrimp with Mango Salsa was another hit. But don't forget the heavenly meatballs that tasted like they were made with pumpkin pie spice. The fresh ground Mocha Java, served in a French press rounded out a delightful evening. Situated near Cedars Country Store, in a shopping village of refurbished farm buildings, the ambiance is old country European. Hardwood floors, eclectic old china plates, and mismatched utensils, together with friendly un-pretentious wait staff, lend to a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Just remember to BYOB, and Visa or Mastercard (no Amex).
(5)
Matt K.
What a pleasant surprise this place turned out to be. It's not real close to anything, so it's easy to pass it up, but it's worth a visit. It's quite small in the wintertime, since their 3 season outdoor dining area is closed. And it was packed on this day for brunch. The restaurant is decorated extensively and eclectically, making a real personal statement, which is very cool. A big group of us ordered a lot of stuff, brought our own beverages, and started in on the appetizers. One of the nice things was that we could order off the dinner menu also, which we did to get appetizers. I'll list a few highlights. The beet salad was amazing, with a blood orange vinaigrette, feta and pistachios. The chicken livers were good, some were cooked perfectly, others slightly over. Probably because they were different sizes. The sauce was gorgeous. Most of us had to dip bread in it! The artichokes were ok, not my favorite. The Spanish meatballs were great. For my main, even though there were a lot of interesting, heavy, yummy looking egg dishes, I had a hankering for the Greek omelette. I was not disappointed. The eggs in the omelette were perfectly cooked, not too dry and tough. Feta cheese gave it great flavor and the tomatoes and kale in it made it taste light and refreshing. They also lent some wetness, which was great. Service was good, they were quite busy but were able to keep up with it. Great place and a great time!
(4)
Tara G.
Love love love this gem close to Skippack. I've enjoyed lunch and dinner here many times. We also hosted a bridal shower in the "DEL Prado" restaurant. The space was so beautiful and prefect for the shower. The small bites of food were amazing. Bacon wrapped dates, crab cakes, sweedish mushroom, Mediterranean plate. Yummo. They were great to work with and really customized the shower to our needs. I can easily say 19 Bella is one if my fav restaurants in Montco.
(5)
Jackie G.
My expectations were exceeded when I visited here a couple of weeks ago. Everyone's review of the beef short ribs are spot on...best dish there. I would rate the other dishes above average (roasted beet salad, poached artichokes, paella, scallops). Everything was made with creativity and fresh ingredients. Homemade bread was great too. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to try their coffee, so I'll save that for next time. It's nice to taste the food of a chef who could clearly compete with big city chefs, but chose to find a quaint spot in suburbia.
(4)
Glenn J.
My wife and I went for dinner last night and had brussel sprouts, short rib, lobster mac, sausage risotto, and the fish special (it was Mediterranean white fish). All of these were very good. I would say my 2 favorites were the brussel sprouts and the short rib. For desert we had the chocolate croissant bread pudding which was awesome. With tax and tip, we spent $120 for all this great food. Please keep in mind that the portions are not huge the the kitchen is not fast (we were at the restaurant for 2 hours). Our server was very friendly and helpful. This is a BYOB.
(4)
David H.
Great service, great product, great variety..and good prices. This area lacks a good Saturday morning breakfast respite. This fills the bill. It has this country ambience where you can just hang out, read your paper, and all the while having enjoying a great meal.
(3)
Charles R.
What a nice unique place. They tell you upfront that most plates are small, around 4 ounces, but I can tell you that most are more than 4 ounces. After reading other Yelpers we tried the Brussel Sprouts and the Fried figs with bacon and bleu cheese. Both were great and portions I thought were in line with most restaurants appetizers. The lobster Normandy was excelent and the bernaise sauce was perfect. Now, the lobster portion was 4 ounces, but it did come with asparagus spears. The Pheasant cassoulet was piping hot with plenty of pheasant, white beans and slices of garlic sausage. My only complaint with the dish was the sausage didn't have much of a garlic taste, which I think would have added to the dish. Again, this dish was way more than 4 ounces. The dessert menu is large and too good to pass up. We shared the Banana's Foster with Merrymeade ice cream. Huge portion, tons of banana's and excellent. We couldn't finish it all, which is a shame with a dish that good. Lot's of free parking in their complex, people were very friendly, and they take all cards except AmEx. Will absolutely go back.
(4)
Alex R.
Oh. My. God. My boyfriend and I were driving on our way to my Grandmother's 100th birthday party. We just Yelped on our way to grab lunch. And we found THIS PLACE. I could write here for days about this first visit. Incredible welcoming atmosphere. Amazing service. Beyond friendly. Great decor. The Mayan Hot Chocolate is crack. That's what it has to be! The food. Holy SH&@. If you are in the area and don't eat here, YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT AND MISSING OUT ON AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.
(5)
Yi Cai Z.
After having breakfast several times at Del Prado we finally decided to give the "big sister" restaurant a try for New Years Eve. I called two weeks ahead of time for make a reservation. I took the latest reservation they offered - 10pm and paid a 25$ deposit over the phone. The night of NYE my boyfriend and I arrived a little bit before 10pm were seated at a table that seemed to be a little bit in the way, but hey it was a busy night so we didn't complain. We ordered 5 plates and the only thing that was memorable was the bison meatballs with lingonberry sauce. All in all the food was good but did not blow us away. I understand that this is a tapas place but for the prices the portions were on the small side. The service that night was not great. Our waitress seemed to be very distracted even as the place started to clear out. When she brought our first check the first time around, the deposit I had paid had not been deducted. Her response was "oh it said you hadn't paid the deposit." but promptly did deduct it without any fuss. When we left the resturaunt the staff were busy preparing to eat their own meal which is perfectly fine but no one took the time to say goodnight. 19 Bella is a gem in the area but doesn't stand up to some of the other tapas retaurunts we have been too. For the money I would much rather go elsewhere in the area.
(3)
Margaret V.
This will become a regular stop for me and my girls. The service was the BEST. Dana and Dan took very good care of us. The surprise of the night for me was the beet salad. I look forward to working my way through the menu!
(5)
Mary R.
We were excited to try the "tapas" style... I wouldn't really call it that. The small plates were not sharable - just small plates. Overall, the food was pretty good. We had the filet, scallops, beef stew, and a few others. The complementary sangria was nice also - not too sweet. While the food was above average - it was still very over priced. We paid about $110 for 6 small plates between 2 of us - it felt like a rip off. If our food had cost somewhere around $80 - I would have felt better about the meal. Food was good... but not that good. Service was average, although we were told we could not choose a few items and then add more if we wanted - everything had to go in at once because that makes it easier on the chef. I should mention that the restaurant was not at all crowded when we were there, so that was very odd. In general, the place was just okay. If you go - don't plan to share several small plates. You will get 3 pieces of bread for 2 people, only one steak knife, one soup spoon - nothing that invites sharing "tapas style meals." You need to plan to order your own plates. The place seemed like it would be cozy and nice, but it was just very odd. We were uncomfortable with the set up, menu ordering, and general meal style when we expected to be able to share. The food didn't make up for these short falls - we will probably not return.
(2)
Ben R.
Was on Saturday for dinner 2 couples order 3 small plates per person The food was out of this world The only issue that we had it took too long of time for the food to get to table But I will go back again
(4)
Brooke S.
Ohhh 19 Bella. How I heart thee. You do for "Mediterranean tapas" what Italy did for spaghetti. There is always a surprise taste waiting for you here; whether it's the complimentary house made sangria as you relish in your lobster eggs bene' for brunch, or a savory sauce you can only imagine must have been flown in overnight from some far away land. You've expanded my horizons and awaken my taste buds. How fortunate I am to have you so close.
(4)
T C.
So fun to go with friends and share tapas size dishes. The flavors and choices can be different with each of our visits! Having the cheese selection before dessert is a nice transition before getting the French pressed coffee and delicious sweets. Enjoy!
(5)
Aly H.
I don't even know where to begin! I live 10 minutes from 19 Bella and have been missing out. We were there for a family wedding reception (small) and I was so pleased! I can't get over how amazing the food was. The brussel sprouts...scallops, shrimp...chicken...even the freshly made lemonade was amazing! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kara G.
Went here for a work dinner (likely never would have otherwise as it's not that close to home). Amazing food. Have the short ribs. They were melt-in-your-mouth tender. The only miss was the crab cake. Too much dill.
(4)
Bernadette N.
Love this place. Been here several times for dinner. We love the tapas menu. It allows us to try many different things each time we go. From the sweet potato gnocchi to the osso bucco to the beet salad everything is flavorful and enough to share. We love sitting outside weather permitting and will definitely going back. We still have a few more things on the menu to try!
(5)
Suzann S.
I had dinner here last night and although when I walked in I was nervous about the kind of food and service, I ended up being quite surprised. My family and I came over after a crazy day of packing up my deceased Aunt's house. We were clearly edgy and distraught. The waitress was very friendly and patient with us and explained how the tapas worked to my out of town family members. I have been to several tapas restaurants before and found the prices to be comparable and a wide variety of selections to chose from. My motto always is everyone picks one vegetable and we each pick our own meat/pasta for ourselves. We have the asparagus with egg, artichokes, dates wrapped in bacon (heavenly- never would have ordered this if my uncle hadn't picked this for his choice). For my meat I had the braised short ribs. We all shared the veggies and enjoyed our own meats/pasta dish. Again, very pleased with the service. My mom was not hungry and I appreciated the waitress not overly quizzing my mother as to why she did not eat her meal. Delicious honey tea to drink recommended by the waitress.
(4)
Bob M.
Terrific, cozy place (outdoor areas were closed). A little pricey but the food was good, atmosphere was very nice and service very attentive. Went for dinner on a Tuesday with my GF, it was not crowded at all, we ordered a number of different tapas Spicy Moroccan Sausage, braised short ribs, seafood stew and Grilled Filet Oscar and everything was very good. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Megan R.
This charming restaurant set in a converted barn in Cedars is the Miracle on Skippack. Our party of 20 asked the immensely talented chef, Grant Brown, to choose our tapas for us. The fresh, beautifully presented food was delivered on an eclectic array of mismatched antique dishes by a friendly and well-informed wait staff. Fresh lobster resting in layers of salsa and guacamole, charred brussels sprouts, roasted-beets in blood-orange vinaigrette, fish tacos with cabbage slaw, a fabulous fish dish that wasn't on the menu, ditto steak, ditto pasta, chocolate mousse, black magic chocolate cake, creme brulee ... and many more. The meal was a pleasure to both the eye and the palate. The acoustics of the place enabled members of our large party to hear one another but not any clatter from the kitchen or din from diners in other parts of the restaurant. Special care was provided to those with dietary restrictions. HIghly recommended.
(5)
Beth A.
19 Bella is one of my favorite restaurants in the area! Its great with a group of 4-6 - you can try a variety of dishes. The service is wonderful - we love Dana!!!! You can always ask them to slow down the service if things are coming out too fast. Grant's menu is always varied - there is something for everyone! It is a local treasure and cant' wait to go this Saturday to celebrate my birthday with good friends and several bottles of wine!
(5)
Derek C.
I love this place! I have been there only 3 times but would go once a week! There are always new dishes, so if you like to constantly try new things this is the place. Some dishes can have such random ingredients yet always pair perfectly! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes they're serving.
(5)
Chris L.
Excellent tapas restaurant nestled in the heart of Skippack, PA! Not cheap, however; most of the tapas are around $15/plate, and the plates are small (like you would expect for tapas). That being said, on the night I had dinner, the dinner menu had 48 items on it, ranging from vegetarian, Amish pork, pastas, other meats, cheeses, etc. I cannot speak for other nights as their menu changes every day. As a result, they print out copies of their menu on lightweight legal paper, which, if you have a pen, makes ordering extremely easy if you are in a large group and plan to order a lot of items. Just mark off which items you want and hand it to the waitress/waiter. Speaking of, the service was extremely friendly and very attentive. Our waitress did have a bit of slow service once the dinner rush picked up, but for the most part, she was attentive, friendly, and every time she visited, a busser tagged along to clear out any plates or dishes. Regarding the food, we loved most of everything we tried. Lobster mac and cheese, with excellent lobster, is a must have! oh, and major points to them for offering both a tail and a claw. Grilled sirloin, spanish meat plate, spanish cheese plate, seared scallops, smoked salmon, grilled tuna, spicy shrimp, and Amish pork were all terrific! Seafood is fresh, delivered 3 times per week, and is purchased locally Their dessert menu was also huge, containing at least 25 items between sweets, coffees, and hot chocolates. The croissant chocolate-filled bread pudding, was also quite good, which was amazing to me since I generally dislike bread pudding. I was also a fan of their Mayan hot chocolate, which was rich and flavorful. They have very high-end coffees available, as well as Turkish coffee and more traditional coffee choices (espresso, cappuccino, etc.). For an extra $5 Sunday - Thursday, you can have the coffee brewed in a vacuum system to enrich the flavor. I cannot vouch for this as I was there on a Saturday, but it certainly sounded like an experience. Oh, and this place is a BYOB, so points for that as well. Overall: excellent entrees, excellent desserts, excellent service, BYOB. Just go here.
(5)
Laura R.
19 Bella is fabulous! The food is excellent and the service and ambiance is wonderful. There are always new menu items or specials, and if you are a "picky eater" it is a great place to try something new. The mac and cheese is a must have! Make a reservation and bring some wine :)
(5)
W B.
This place is amazing. My favorite restaurant in the area. Friendly service, beautiful atmosphere, amazing food. We recommend the sirloin Oscar, the brussels sprouts (I swear they're good!), and the scallops. Really you can't go wrong though. Pricey but worth every penny. Don't forget to leave room for the bread pudding, it's amazing. So was the coffee.
(5)
Jane J.
Dined several times at 19 Bella. Food is consistently excellent. Service is consistently subpar. No problems with taking the order and getting the entrees, but ignored after that. The last time I dined here, the two servers working in our dining room were overwhelmed to the point where I felt guilty about asking for our check. Maybe I'll try mid-week, but never again on a weekend.
(3)
Dayna S.
Great atmosphere in a quaint little shopping village. The outdoor seating on a nice summer night is perfect. Friendly staff, but slow service. Food is HIT or just OK. since it's BYOB it helps to keep it affordable - but some items are pricey. Sharing is the way to go.
(3)
Nicole H.
19 bella hosted our rehearsal dinner at the end of August, and we would not have wanted it any other way. Dana was EXTREMELY accommodating, and made the entire planning experience a breeze. I left the menu completely up to her, and she did not disappoint. Each plate was better than the last. I am still drooling over the sweet potato gnocchi and sauteed brussel sprouts. We sprung dessert on her at the last minute, and she had the kitchen prepared the most AMAZING croissant bread pudding. The private room was so perfect to celebrate such an exciting event with friends and family. They are BYOB, which is staying within a certain price range - and we had fun choosing the wine and beer for the event. We are already planning a return visit sometime soon!!
(5)
Gretchen S.
I have no explanation for the lack of insanely good reviews about this place... other than the fact that Americans are 'instant gratification' driven brats. Yes, the food takes a bit longer than at your run of the mill Applebee's or steak house. If you want food like that, you shouldn't be reviewing on Yelp. Ew. However... it is HIGHLY worth the wait. The menu is diverse, not gigantic, but definitely has a great variety. There is only 1 fried item on the menu, they have amazing Mayan hot chocolate and the albondigas are delish. I also hear that the short rib is killer! The restaurant itself is small, there is an addition (tent) that has heat lamps, lights, strands of pretty decorator lights and it was PACKED. It was pretty cold out, but everything was heated so the entire place was comfy. Its a bit pricey, but it is a 3 hour dining experience, not just a quick bite to eat. I will definitely go back here, and bring friends. Loved the quaint, friendly atmosphere and there are other items on the menu that I must try... and don't forget to BYOB of course!
(5)
D G.
Great selection of tapas! It's been hard to decide what to get, I've been here twice and am looking forward to going again to finish trying everything I want to eat. Great pace to the service. Just don't forget your reservation or bottle of wine.
(5)
Chris M.
Sitting in a tranquil corner of the exurbs, offering a creative theme for the area, 19 Bella is the sort of place I really wanted to like. The menu boasted a delicious array of mediterranean small plates, and the decor was chic and urban. All signs pointed to an enjoyable night out, but twas not to be. 19 Bella is BYOB, and, like many BYOBs, they give out complimentary drinks. After standing in the small foyer waiting for a table (we had reservations), we were eventually treated to some sangria, which was tasty. After about 15 minutes, the hostess asked us to go wait outside because it was "breezier" out there -- admittedly, and as we came to appreciate later it was pretty hot inside the dining room. So we went outside and sat in some adirondack chairs right in the outdoor seating area, starving, surrounded by people devouring their food -- fine, whatever. Upon returning to tell us a table would be ready soon (15 minutes after that), I asked her if we could have another round of sangria for the wait -- she said no. Not sure if this is about restaurant policy or what, but I thought it was pretty bad form to say no and not even attempt to proffer an explanation. Annoying, but OK. When we were finally seated, we ordered 5 dishes off of the menu and asked the waitress -- the same who denied us our libations -- said we should not miss the brussels sprouts (corollary: worst dish of the 6; undercooked, under-seasoned). She was not pleasant in the least, unfortunately. Our food came out slowly over the course of the next hour or so, and we shared it amongst the three of us. Each plate was demolished almost instantly because of how hungry we were at this point, all the while trying to keep an unsightly sweat at bay, stemming from the heat in the dining room. I should say most of the food was good. The cheese plate was the star, with the heirloom tomato and mozzarella close behind. The only problem was that after 6 plates, we were still hungry. Now I could overlook all of these things: the drink denial, the heat, the torpid pace, the fact that I wanted to order pizza after paying $25. But the thing that made this experience subpar for me was that the staff was not that nice. When you have 100 things melting down, you should be effusively friendly to offset the other factors. The nicest member of the staff was the busboy! So, maybe because this place is new, they are still trying to work out the bugs. And it has the potential to be a great spot, but it's not there yet.
(2)
Maria M.
This is such a GREAT restaurant!!! Everything is homemade right down to the butter!!! Very quaint, intimate. Decor is vintage, yet has a modern feel. Eclectic in that nothing matches, each cup, each plate, saucer, napkin is different but in reality matches perfectly. Great BYOB !!!
(4)
Holly K.
My husband and I loved this place! The atmosphere and type of dinner (tapas) was such a nice change. We got to try 8 dishes (9 including dessert). The brussel sprouts and fried dates are a must. The short rib was to die for. It was pretty busy for a sunday night and we should have had a reservation but they accommodated us. And it doesn't get any better than a BYO. I only gave four stars though b/c we weren't crazy about the vietnamese meatballs or seafood boullabaise. definitely going there again.
My husband and I went here for NY eve on a tip from a friend after having a so-so Xmas meal at Hotel Fiesole. 19 Bella was an amazing experience. The food was superbly prepared and the staff was attentive. I had the best Kale dish I had ever had. I am a vegan and am very hard to please. They did an amazing job even though they had to adapt to a preset menu. My husband had the omnivore dinner and he said the Oyster stew was to die for. I had a long conversation with the owner's wife and it appears that they really want to position them self as a local sustainable restaurant. They are doing a great job. I look forward to going back on a regular night to test out if NY eve wasn't just something extra special. It also helps that they are BYOB.
(5)
Paul M.
I went for lunch today upon the recommendation of the owner of the restaurant next door - Olce Pizzaria. Yes, they seem to be on good terms although, comparing the two, Olce's $10 lunch special presents the far better value. At 19 Bella, I had the fried calamari with a dill aioli and the salade Lyonaise. The calamari was crispy and nicely seasoned but the salad was a bit heavy on the bleu and lardons. I thought lardons would be crispy slivers of duck skin but these were rather chewy, well-fried chunks of pancetta, some of which were a bit hard on the choppers. A larger portion of greens and pear to absorb all would have been welcomed. The home baked bread was a nice complement. Overall, for my $20 tab, I liked the two small plates but thought the price was high for a lunch menu. I don't argue that small plates are the way to go but, for a mid-day fare, dropping the price by just a dollar or would appeal more to my sense of value. Or a $20 three plate luncheon tasting menu would be reason to return. Until then, Olce has my vote for a great $10 lunch. CP
(3)
Joel K.
We just returned from 19 Bella. My daughter wanted to take me out to dinner for my 65th birthday so we went to 19 Bella because of the great reviews we were reading. When my daughter and her husband arrived, she said the hostess didn't even acknowledge them. Once they got her attention, they were seated in a fairly nice corner of the restaurant. When my wife and I arrived and looked at the menu, the prices seemed fair, but that was before the actual food was presented before us. I still can't believe the chicken dish I ordered was $18 and there were only 2 small chunks of chicken with tidbits of lobster. My wife received 3 scallops for about $15. 3 scallops are supposed to be an entree? My daughter's salmon never arrived and her husband received 4 small spanish meatballs. What made the evening even worse, instead of being served as a group, entrees and vegetables were served to each person separately. My wife received her salad and scallops together and the rest of us basically sat there eating bread. The bill was $100 for a meal that was supposed to be special, but it was only small, haphazard and non-existent. We will not return.
We had to eat is a heated TENT at the back of the restaurant. It was very crowded and we heard the complete conversation of the next table. The food was so- so and way too expensive for what it is. This place specializes in tapas style. When you orders 4 or 5 small portions the cost is way more than if you have simply ordered 2 complete entre's and shared. While the food was tasty and interesting, it was nothing to write home about.
(1)
Mark H.
Wife and I ate here on a Sat night. We were pleased with both the selections on the menu and the service. Yes we seated in a carnival tent which wasnt the greatest so hopefully they add on in the future. It is byob so bring a bottle of something, hang out and enjoy the tapas. We will return. Pretty casual and the vibe was fun in there.
(4)
Katherine L.
My husband took me to 19 Bella last night for my birthday. It's a small BYOB tapas style restaurant. We each ordered three small plates as suggested on the menu. I had a hard time choosing because everything sounds amazing. We ended up getting mussels, italian crepes, sweet potato gnocchi, lobster with asparagus and hollandaise sauce, lamb chops and boar saltimbocca. I have to say each one of these plates were incredible. I really could not choose a favorite. I highly recommend 19 Bella the food is OUTSTANDING!!!!!
(5)
Camille F.
My husband and I ate here on a Monday night so we didn't have any experiences with crowds that some of the other posters mentioned. We were seated right away. The six items we ordered were delicious (Caesar Salad, pork stew, lamb kabobs, spanish shrimp, beef bourguignon, and bacon wrapped dates. We were not quite stuffed and saved some room for Turkish coffee and a cannoli. We would recommend this place.
(5)
Warren P.
This past Friday evening we were looking for a new spot for dinner in the area, and my wife remembered seeing a new restaurant open in Skippack, right at the corner of 73 and Bustard road. We looked it up, quickly found 19 Bella, and were excited by the menu of small plates. We called at 6 for a reservation for three, and took the first available at 8:30. We took the later reservation as a good sign that the restaurant was doing well and was busy. In retrospect, it may have been the size of restaurant and the speed of service about which we should have drawn conclusions. We arrived and were quite impressed with the atmosphere. 19 Bella is a very attractive setting, with a nice outside seating area which looked inviting. We entered the restaurant and realized that it really is quite small (holding about 8 tables inside), without any sizable waiting area inside. I should mention that it was about 96 degrees with 100% humidity outside, and we were disappointed to find that it felt about 98 degrees with 100% humidity inside. I'm not certain if the restaurant is usually air conditioned and the AC was simply broken on our visit, or if the ceiling fans are usually sufficient when the weather isn't quite so unpleasant. We stood in the tiny hallway near the bathroom for 5 minutes or so and then were offered 3 small sangrias on the house (it is a BYOB). The gentleman greeting us was pleasant and seemed a bit flustered (it seemed fairly busy and if the AC had just stopped working, this seems understandable.) After another 10 minutes or so standing around in the hallway, they suggested we enjoy the breezier waiting area outside. While it was, unarguably, breezier than inside, it wasn't particularly pleasant. We sat another 30 minutes without meaningful updates from the staff, and then were given menus to peruse. At 9:20 (50 minutes after our reservation), we were seated inside. We were starving, and somewhat surprised that it took another 15 minutes before someone came to take our order. It was now after 9:30 and we were all starving. With two of us being vegetarian, many of the heartier options were off the table. We ordered a cheese plate, artichoke and mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella salad, a mediterranean dip plate, potatoes au gratin, and, at the suggestion of the waitress, brussel sprouts with almonds. Given that most of these were labeled 'starters', we should not have been surprised that they were each about three bites per person, cheese plate excluded. Most of these were enjoyable but fairly unremarkable, particularly at $2 per bite. No single plate made me want to bring friends back to 19 Bella, and the brussel sprouts were approaching inedible. As a small aside, it does seem that 19 Bella offers a fine romantic atmosphere. The only thing murkier and damper than the climate at 19 Bella were the intentions of the youthful lothario at the table next to ours. Over the course of our 3 hour slog through six tiny mostly-acceptable plates, this young cassanova managed to enjoy a prolonged kiss with his apparent companion as well as another female dining with him, all while mapping by hand the topography of the waitress' derriere. We left 19 Bella apparently having enjoyed our evening much less than the fellow next to us. I'm not at all opposed to a lesiurely exploration of small plates over three hours if the food, service, and environment are enjoyable. The unfortunate combination of the temperature inside and the semi-indifference of the staff made it difficult to overlook the new-restaurant glitches that I would normally accept as part of the hazards of early adoption. If they can get the AC fixed and smile through a long night of service, 19 Bella might be worth another try one day.
(2)
Christine T.
We went to Bella Friday night on recommendation of a friend, we had high hopes. We were welcomed in seated out in the tent and then forgotten. We watched a guy who was running around with his head cut off run to other tables a hostess waitress taking orders at tables seated after us and when we asked for service he looked at us like we were crazy and impatient for asking. The bread was delicious, some of the plates were delicious, the med tasting plate, the spinach and ricotta crepes flawless, calamari was good, gnocchi not so, sweetbreads definitely a NOT- did not love the mushroom ravioli's way too gamy for my taste, the lobster was delicious after we got it . two people came to our table asking if we had received it yet, they tried to deliver two of the raviolis to our table, steak was ok and asparagus very good . Overall- some items worth having again, service was horrendous, the guy was absolutely rude and unaccommodating and the hostess who waited on us kept saying how understaffed they were. Not sure if we will go back. They need to get their act together kitchen keeping track of how the food comes out and the service, we might as well have been going up to get the food ourselves. Front room messy, back room hot then cold hot then cold- Bot a good value as it stands right now.
(2)
Rachel E.
I recently dined with a couple friends at 19 Bella. I was really looking forward to trying the new spot. I have to say that I was underwhelmed. We were seated in the heated tent which I didn't mind at all. The decor is a little odd. The menu is quite extensive and I can't really figure out what their focus is. I get the whole tapas thing but they had greek, italian, french, thai, indian, etc. We ordered a couple from each section. The brussel sprouts were good. We enjoyed the asparagus as well. The short ribs were pretty good too. That was probably it. Everything seemed to have dill in it. So about half of the dishes tasted the same. The paella was disappointing. Everything came out at once so we felt a little rushed. We finally had to tell them to slow down. One thing I was excited to try was the tableside pasta carbonara. Again bummed because the pasta was complete mush. If they thought about cutting the menu down then they could concentrate on better execution. I will say the staff was great! Very personable and helpful. I'll be back because every place deserves a second chance. I'm hoping it was just an off night.
(3)
Steve J.
Amazing menu and tea and coffee. We ordered the Mayan hot chocolate and it was literally the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life!!! I would drive back from NYC to have it again. The food was also incredible. I can't begin to describe how good this place was. Do not miss it!
(5)
Hayley S.
love, love, LOVE 19 Bella! My new favorite restaurant!! sharing plates, tapas, many home-made items (rustic bread, butter (sweet on Sundays!), and they even roast their own coffee (french press), truffled bernaise sauce (OMG) - this is one great BYOB. Although I have been here several times on a Sunday, I still have not ordered from the brunch menu because I am way too excited about all of the other menu items! Most times I am offered a bloody mary, mimosa, or Sangria however my visit yesterday proved no complimentary beverage. I didnt mind as my guest and I were well prepared with a bottle of red and bottle of white to compliment this fantasitc experience in Gastronomy. Some of my favorites: The Cheese Plate - adorned with honey, almonds and fruit chutney The butter poached lobster with asparagus and truffled bernaise sauce The shrimp and avocado salad The pork belly and pork cheek dishes Lemon Risotto Brazillian Shrimp I cant wait to try many more menu items!! They are all so good and carefully prepared. The china is fantastic - mismatched and victorian. the service is great, the owners are great and have a true passion for food. Although usually very busy, they never rush you so it is truly an excellent experience. If you are a true foodie - Go to Bella - you will LOVE it. What are you waiting for? GO!
(5)
Caroline P.
took mom out for brunch with the whole famiglia - party of 8 we were met at the door with complimentary mimosas (freshly squeezed oj - yes!) wonderful a la carte brunch selections of note - many items are housemade: bread, butter, pasta and their house-cured b'fast meats are delicious the service was attentive and not rushed, even on such a busy morning i had the eggs bene with butter-poached lobster - they were fabulous, although the eggs were over-poached a bit we left well-fed and happy at about $20 a person (we declined coffee/dessert) this will remain our local brunch spot upgrading to 4.5 stars
(4)
David G.
I always select the "menu of confidence" when visiting this restaurant. I have never been disappointed with the selections that the Chef makes and know that I would never have tried many of the items had I needed to select them myself. Figs wrapped in bacon, brussel sprouts with bacon bits, scallops, lamb shanks, and bananas foster for dessert ... Never would have selected those on my own and they were all fantastic!
(4)
Traci P.
Our most favorite restaurant. Food is phenomenal! Very diverse menu, something for everyone. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Chef does not cut corners, everything is fresh and delicious. Well worth the money! Can't wait to go back...
(5)
Michelle F.
A few friends and I went to 19 Bella this week for my birthday. A friend of mine was the roommate of Grant and Rachel's a few years ago. I've always known Grant's cooking to be fantastic and have seen him first hand making butter and roasting/grinding his own coffee. Dinner on Wednesday lived up to my expectations!! 5 of us picked a few dishes each and passed them around. Every dish was amazing and cooked to perfection! The fried dates wrapped in bacon were my absolute favorite, followed by the pork loin. We also ordered the Filet Oscar, Bolognese, lobster risotto, pork tacos, among others. I had a bite of everything and everything was delicious! I can't wait to go back! You must try this place!
(5)
Tim S.
My girlfriend and I went here for our Valentines dinner and loved it. The meal was very flavorful, the highlight being the mushroom risotto. The service was excellent and our server, Danielle was very knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be going back !
(5)
M K.
Not a place for dinner for your family, way too expensive and wierd menu. You get a 4 course meal for $56pp or 5 course meal for 64pp! They say you can share your meal with your friends? You hardly get anything for each course. Not my type of Restourant. BTW, here is a private message for all you brunchsters. mobile.nytimes.com/2014/…
(1)
Alex H.
I am salivating just thinking of the delicious foods served at 19 Bella. The Sunday brunch blew my mind. The cheese plate was a beautiful presentation with home made bagel chips and fresh fragrant options. I ordered the special stroganoff hash. Strong fresh flavors of raw mustard seed and mushroom made a delightful note on the pallet. I would highly suggest eating at 19 Bella to anyone who enjoys great service and an experience not soon forgotten. Ask to be sat in Danielle's section.
(5)
Kim M.
Fifth time here last Friday Night - Love 19 Bella. Went with a big group (my whole family) and sent our small plates around the table. Most dishes were amazing...some were not up to par. Ordered tuna that was supposed to be rare, but came out thoroughly cooked. They took the tuna right off our bill. Highly recommend kale, short ribs, and MALTED MILK BALL CREME BRULEE. So, so, so good.
(4)
Ali M.
Love 19 Bella! This is hands down the best tapas restaurant I've been to. My husband and I go here often and have never had a bad meal. The specials change frequently and there is always a special something that Chef Grant is offering that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere (Monkfish Foie Gras!). Some stand out favorite dishes are the Sweet Potato Gnocchi, the Beet Salad (our favorite!), Charred Brussel Sprouts, the Albondigas (Swedish Meatballs), Shrimp Paulista, Merguez Sausage...I could go on and on. Great place for a group of peoples, as you will end up sharing everything. The staff is outstanding, knowledgeable and clearly cares as much about the food as the customer.
(5)
Carol B.
Enjoyed a lovely and delicious Valentine's Day dinner at 19 Bella. Every thing we ate that night was delicious and the great thing about small plates is that I can enjoy mushroom risotto and fish tacos in the same meal! Both were great. A Valentine's meal is not complete without dessert and I loved our raspberry cheesecake. Yum! Service was great. Everyone was friendly. Danielle, our server, did a great job. Her recommendations were spot on. I loved the rustic decor and it was cozy and warm on such a chilly night. Definitely need to go back because there are so many more things I can't wait to try on their menu!
(5)
Michael R.
This is an excellent restaurant with the right amount of homey charm and class. The food is always good, with enough variety to please more conservative and more adventurous palates. It's one of our go-to spots to take guests we have visiting from out of town. The Turkish coffee and pastries are always a great way to finish up a meal there too.
(5)
Drew D.
My husband and I went back here last weekend for a third time. We sat inside and it was really hot, like uncomfortably hot. The waiter forgot to bring us water and the olives that are supposed to be on the table missing (we never got the olives). My husband got the steak kabobs and they were great. The vegetable lasagna and lamb were just okay. The $22 cheese plate left much to be desired. 3 of the 4 cheeses were soft and just didn't taste right. I've had plenty of cheese and this was off. For $22 I would've expected great cheese and the stems taken off the grapes completely, just sayin.' We ended up spending $100 for a party of two, which was cheaper than the other two times we went...
(3)
Gerald F.
Sorry. Not my style. Not having been there before, the wait staff stated we should get between three and four dishes for each person. I asked if that meant we should get 16 dishes between the four of us and then dessert on top of that? She said that would be too much. So I asked if that meant 12 dishes plus dessert which also to me seemed like a lot. She looked at me puzzled and said well, maybe not even that many. We ended up ordering eight dishes +2 desserts for a bill of about $200. Here's how it went. I had 1 shrimp. A taste of fish. 6 macaroni 2 chunks of lobster 3 tiny tiny pita triangles of feta and hummus. ( here's where you Mr. owner need to break out of your shell. Serving four people one half small Pita is beyond absurd, laughable. Why not bring a bread basket with two or even three small pitas. Five little tiny finger size triangles were absurd. ) We ended with Bread and great coffee and A taste of 2 deserts. I'm starved. Well that's me. Everyone else was ok with the great food. My party loved it. The food deliverer got 25% of the orders to our table wrong And picked it off our table for the right one. Not good. Asking all the time and us saying its not ours. Perhaps too many"small plates"? 2 deserts. $9 each. Tiny plates again. Man! You're kidding me. Again. They were happy. I usually order by food-not by price. This place is different. Perhaps i'm used to American plates.. And I felt as if no matter how many plates I ordered I would never be satisfied. While my guests were very satisfied from the very rich dishes that were served. About one months ago I had New York original tapis small plate Spanish. And their plates, also between nine and $18, but I got more food and I felt the quality was much better and the portions slightly larger. But that was New York pricing not Cedars. My suggestion? Do not bring your husband here when he is extremely hungry. Feed him first. ( I saw a dad bristle when his daughter was dividing a small plate and he was wondering just how little he would get. Sorry. I'm numb. )
(3)
Katie L.
This food is AMAZING. The service is great and so is the atmosphere. I highly recommend the artichokes. I would come here all the time if the hubby liked to eat out more. Highly recommend the place.
(5)
Don L.
Beautiful ambiance, fun and delicious food, and excellent service = our favorite restaurant in the area. Thanks for a great night out!
(5)
Jackie M.
This is the best little cozy spot to enjoy a yummy brunch:) Everything is so cute and the food is amazing!!
(5)
Mark J.
Dining Date October 13, 2014 for dinner. Came here with 8 work colleagues, and must say the small plate / sharing concept was perfect for a large group. We all had the opportunity to try close to half of the menu, and there was not a single dish we did not thoroughly enjoy. Since all the food did not come out of the kitchen at the same time, just when I finished trying one item, a fresh, hot new item was ready to sample. The food was incredible and the variety was expansive. Prices are on the high side, but the meal and the experience was worth the price. The service was great, and they gladly accommodated the wine/beer that we brought in with us (BYOB).
(5)
Brian H.
I've been to this location before, years before, under prior ownership, and not until last night did this small, cozy space grab me and shout "wow". From the non-matching china and glassware, the bold, alive colors of the room, the service with a helpful attitude and smile (like these servers enjoyed being there), through to the creative tapas, I am a big fan. We, the blonde du jour and I, shared 5 small plates, starting with the sauteed wild mushrooms in a sherry garlic, and I emphasize GARLIC, and herb sauce. The mushrooms were fantastic, too much garlic actually took the plate down a notch, not my favorite dish of the night. 3 stars The poached long stem Roman artichoke w/ bacon, asparagus, oven dried tomato, caramelized onion & balsamic glaze was bursting with flavor and we were moving in the right direction. The bacon pieces were a little tough to chew. 3.5 stars The Italian sausage risotto with red wine, mushrooms & tomato was good, was a little wet and loose, not a traditional risotto, but the sausage was tender and fabulous. 3.5 stars The grilled lamb chops/greek style, with honey and lemon were two decent sized chops cooked a perfect medium rare, decadent in my opinion, tender, very tasty and one of my top 2 dishes of the night. 5 stars And finally arrived the lobster Normandy asparagus, most delectable tender hunks of lobster with a powerful Bearnaise with the right touch of truffle flavor. 4 stars And then room to split a chocolate mousse. It was a milk chocolate mousse, hey, it was chocolate, it was good. I had no problem with the timing space between servings, even one of the servers asked if they should slow down delivery as three plates came out within 20 minutes. After answering yes, we had time to finish off those plates, breath a little, drink some wine, before the lamb and then the lobster made their appearance. I will return in the near future, so many more plates to try.
(4)
S S.
This is a touristic place. Great ambience and service with heavy and greasy dishes at a hefty price. It is not exactly a real Spanish/Mediterranean tapas place either. We (4 people) spent over $350 - no alcohol as it's BYOB in PA. Tiny dishes! Left hungry so we went to get more food else where... will not return.
(2)
Dan H.
We have gone to 19 Bella since they opened after Rosalie closed. I think the quality of food has dropped somewhat since then. The standard choices we have always ordered, like the Brussels sprouts, have really been less than stellar. It's still a very nice place to go but we just feel it's dimmed some of the original luster.
(3)
Ann F.
I honestly don't even know where to start with the review -- this could the the BEST brunch experience we have ever had!! The food is the most flavorful and unbelievable variety I've ever seen. Our server, Samantha, was the most gracious host -- her love of the place and the food coming out in every description. And she personally made a table-side Caesar salad that was the best any of us had EVER had! We're already planning how soon we can return!
(5)
Danielle S.
I've had dinner at 19 Bella a few times. All I can say is that every time it has been a great experience. The building and decor are inviting and unique! You feel like you're eating in an old farmhouse. The food speaks for itself! I personally really enjoy the asparagus with bearnaise and the diver Scallops! I have yet to have a dish I dislike. The staff is friendly and inviting and I look forward to many future evenings at 19 Bella.
(5)
Craig D.
(4.5) ~ Very Good Food & Service! The ambiance is very quaint & "country-innish";) BONUS: The Bread, Butter, & Jams are homemade; And they Smoke their own Breakfast Meats and Roast their own Coffee ~ WOW!;) OUR BRUNCH MENU: DRINKS: **Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice = (4.5) Very Good! And YES it's Freshly Squeezed!;)lol **French Press Coffee = (4.5) Very Good! **HINT: Get the Half-Size for (1) person, b/c the Full Size is 32 oz.;) AND if you or someone at the table gets the Mayan Hot Chocolate, pour a little in your coffee and create a Mocha;) * Turkish Coffee = (4) very good * Mayan Hot Chocolate = (4) very good & very sweet;) * Belgian Hot Chocolate = (3.5) good, but the Mayan is better;) * Water(tap) = (3.5) good...must be filtered;) COFFEES: **Ethiopian(Bonga) = (4) very good *Guatemalan Geisha = (3.75) Good *Mokka Java = (3.5) good *Ugandan Coffee = (3.5) good *Kona Greenwell Coffee = (3.5) good * Cameroon = (3.5) good APPETIZERS: * Sourdough Toast = (4) very good, warm & homemade;) * Butter(Homemade) = (4) very good & creamy FRUIT JAMS: **Blueberry Lime Jam = (5) Excellent! *Peach Vanilla Jam = (4.5) Very Good! *Blueberry Jam = (4) very good *Apricot Jam = (4) very good *Mixed Berry Jam = (4) very good & homemade *Strawberry Rhubarb = (4) very good *Blueberry & Blackberry Jam = (3.5) good ENTREES: ** Skirt Steak Hash = (4.75) Very Good & Spicy! Ask for a side of Red Sauce(Patatas Bravas) with it;) * Pork(Breakfast) Tacos w. Eggs, Guacomole & Pickled cabbage and Homefries = (4.5) Very Good! My only wish would be larger tortillas so I can add the egg on top;)lol * Short Rib Hash w Caramelized Onions & Potatoes-Two Eggs Any Style ~ (4.25) Very good ***HINT: Ask for the "Patatas Bravas" Red Sauce on the side to pour on the Short Rib Hash;) * Organic Pork Hash with Brussels Sprouts = (4) very good * Cuban Beef Empanadas = (3.5) good * Breakfast Handheld Pie(Western) = (3.5) good SIDES: ** Slab Bacon = (4) very good! And it's house smoked & thick! No Nitrites in this one;) DESSERTS: ** Sticky Toffee Cake w. Homemade Caramel Sauce = (4.5) good * Chocolate Mousse = (4) very good & smooth;) * Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding w. local Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream = (4) very good * Stick Bun(w. nuts) & Butter Pecan Ice Cream = (4) very good * Croissant French Toast w. Bananas Fosters = (3.5) good * Banana's Fosters = (3.5) good * Crystal's Chocolate Cake = (3) ok NOTES: Reservations recommended b/c of its smaller size;) And yes they take Credit Cards.
(5)
Kristin N.
Hmmm....not sure what to make of it. It's very charming and we were offered a complimentary wine upon entering. The breads were delicious. My fried dates were to die for. My gnocchi...not so much. They had an oddly firm outer texture...making them seem almost like fried tofu. My friends enjoyed their salad, duck breast, asparagus and Mac and cheese. We hadn't intended to share...probably sacrilege at a restaurant like this, but we were all just in the mood for what we wanted. We didn't explicitly state this and the pacing was offered at a sharing pace...meaning long stretches of someone without food. That one is on us, though and will consider it a lesson learned. The service wasn't great, however. No plates taken away, so the table was cluttered. Needed to ask for things like more water, more butter. We saw the table runner more than our server. There's enough on the menu that is up my alley, so I'd be willing to try it again.
(3)
Kate J.
I've tried a couple of times and Bella just doesn't do it for me. I find it cramped while the food is tasty it does not live up to the hype. You can get a lot better meal for the price at a variety of restaurants in Ambler.
(2)
Peter K.
My friend and I had dinner at 19 Bella on Valentine's Day. I didn't realize how much space this restaurant had until we were led through the small restaurant entry area (with a few tables) through a breezeway into another building then up stairs into a fairly large room with about 10-12 tables. I knew this restaurant was tapas style and had heard it was pricey. The ambiance was pleasant and the noise level was reasonable. The motif for the table settings goes with vintage plates, glassware, etc. The idea behind the mismatched table settings is great but some advice for anyone wanting to enjoy their wine in a proper glass - bring your own glasses! I had a bottle of Guigal Hermitage and some Champagne. The glasses that were provided were not appropriate for either (perhaps for water or juice). I asked for another glass (so I could have Champagne and red wine at the same time). The waitress brought out a thick rimmed purple wine glass. If the restaurant wants this to be the chosen glass that's fine but don't plan to bring any wine above Yellow Tail quality because you won't be able to enjoy it! We ordered Brussels sprouts as well as a cold salmon tapas dish. We also ordered a filet dish that was to be shared by the couple. In a reasonable time the waitress arrived with the filet dish (which I assumed, tapas or not, should be served after the cold salmon dish). We were shocked and told her we would have liked the cold salmon dish to eat first (I wrongly assumed this would happen without asking). She told us she would have them hold the beef filet). A few minutes later my date noticed that the waitress was upset and crying. We felt bad but we didn't feel we did anything wrong. We just wanted to eat the cold salmon dish (with our Champagne) before the warm meat dish. A few minutes later she returned with the meat and said the kitchen couldn't hold the beef filet because it had foie gras on it. Luckily they also brought out the salmon dish. Unfortunately we had a large entree and the salmon on the (already) crowded table. So it was annoying. The salmon and the filet were very good. The Brussels sprouts dish came and it was okay - the sauce it was drenched in took away from the vegetable. Another suggestion I would like to make is that the plates that you are expected to eat from (after serving from the tapas serving plate) are entirely too small. Hopefully my long-winded review will get across a few points that I learned from my experience at 19 Bella. First the execution in serving the food appropriately should be worked on. Also the glassware is not even remotely acceptable for fine wine. The plates you are supposed to eat from are entirely too small. The food we had was very good but not what I would have expected for the exorbitant prices we paid. Unless some of these basic tenets of fine dining are addressed I will not return. I didn't feel like I got even close to my money's worth.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rob F.
One of our favorite restaurants In the area. Great food, service, and atmosphere! It has only gotten better with the addition of their del prado restaurant attached to the main restaurant. We recently had a 50th surprise party for my wife at del prado and it exceeded everyone's expectation. Dana, the Manager and Event Coordinator, was fantastic to work with and very flexible to all our needs. As a person who doesn't like to plan and organize, she did made it so easy. She also had great ideas to make it a perfect day. Rachel and Grant were wonderful, as were all our servers. I am so happy we celebrated this special day at 19 Bella.
(5)Kate J.
I've tried a couple of times and Bella just doesn't do it for me. I find it cramped while the food is tasty it does not live up to the hype. You can get a lot better meal for the price at a variety of restaurants in Ambler.
(2)Brian H.
I've been to this location before, years before, under prior ownership, and not until last night did this small, cozy space grab me and shout "wow". From the non-matching china and glassware, the bold, alive colors of the room, the service with a helpful attitude and smile (like these servers enjoyed being there), through to the creative tapas, I am a big fan. We, the blonde du jour and I, shared 5 small plates, starting with the sauteed wild mushrooms in a sherry garlic, and I emphasize GARLIC, and herb sauce. The mushrooms were fantastic, too much garlic actually took the plate down a notch, not my favorite dish of the night. 3 stars The poached long stem Roman artichoke w/ bacon, asparagus, oven dried tomato, caramelized onion & balsamic glaze was bursting with flavor and we were moving in the right direction. The bacon pieces were a little tough to chew. 3.5 stars The Italian sausage risotto with red wine, mushrooms & tomato was good, was a little wet and loose, not a traditional risotto, but the sausage was tender and fabulous. 3.5 stars The grilled lamb chops/greek style, with honey and lemon were two decent sized chops cooked a perfect medium rare, decadent in my opinion, tender, very tasty and one of my top 2 dishes of the night. 5 stars And finally arrived the lobster Normandy asparagus, most delectable tender hunks of lobster with a powerful Bearnaise with the right touch of truffle flavor. 4 stars And then room to split a chocolate mousse. It was a milk chocolate mousse, hey, it was chocolate, it was good. I had no problem with the timing space between servings, even one of the servers asked if they should slow down delivery as three plates came out within 20 minutes. After answering yes, we had time to finish off those plates, breath a little, drink some wine, before the lamb and then the lobster made their appearance. I will return in the near future, so many more plates to try.
(4)S S.
This is a touristic place. Great ambience and service with heavy and greasy dishes at a hefty price. It is not exactly a real Spanish/Mediterranean tapas place either. We (4 people) spent over $350 - no alcohol as it's BYOB in PA. Tiny dishes! Left hungry so we went to get more food else where... will not return.
(2)Dan H.
We have gone to 19 Bella since they opened after Rosalie closed. I think the quality of food has dropped somewhat since then. The standard choices we have always ordered, like the Brussels sprouts, have really been less than stellar. It's still a very nice place to go but we just feel it's dimmed some of the original luster.
(3)Ann F.
I honestly don't even know where to start with the review -- this could the the BEST brunch experience we have ever had!! The food is the most flavorful and unbelievable variety I've ever seen. Our server, Samantha, was the most gracious host -- her love of the place and the food coming out in every description. And she personally made a table-side Caesar salad that was the best any of us had EVER had! We're already planning how soon we can return!
(5)Craig D.
(4.5) ~ Very Good Food & Service! The ambiance is very quaint & "country-innish";) BONUS: The Bread, Butter, & Jams are homemade; And they Smoke their own Breakfast Meats and Roast their own Coffee ~ WOW!;) OUR BRUNCH MENU: DRINKS: **Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice = (4.5) Very Good! And YES it's Freshly Squeezed!;)lol **French Press Coffee = (4.5) Very Good! **HINT: Get the Half-Size for (1) person, b/c the Full Size is 32 oz.;) AND if you or someone at the table gets the Mayan Hot Chocolate, pour a little in your coffee and create a Mocha;) * Turkish Coffee = (4) very good * Mayan Hot Chocolate = (4) very good & very sweet;) * Belgian Hot Chocolate = (3.5) good, but the Mayan is better;) * Water(tap) = (3.5) good...must be filtered;) COFFEES: **Ethiopian(Bonga) = (4) very good *Guatemalan Geisha = (3.75) Good *Mokka Java = (3.5) good *Ugandan Coffee = (3.5) good *Kona Greenwell Coffee = (3.5) good * Cameroon = (3.5) good APPETIZERS: * Sourdough Toast = (4) very good, warm & homemade;) * Butter(Homemade) = (4) very good & creamy FRUIT JAMS: **Blueberry Lime Jam = (5) Excellent! *Peach Vanilla Jam = (4.5) Very Good! *Blueberry Jam = (4) very good *Apricot Jam = (4) very good *Mixed Berry Jam = (4) very good & homemade *Strawberry Rhubarb = (4) very good *Blueberry & Blackberry Jam = (3.5) good ENTREES: ** Skirt Steak Hash = (4.75) Very Good & Spicy! Ask for a side of Red Sauce(Patatas Bravas) with it;) * Pork(Breakfast) Tacos w. Eggs, Guacomole & Pickled cabbage and Homefries = (4.5) Very Good! My only wish would be larger tortillas so I can add the egg on top;)lol * Short Rib Hash w Caramelized Onions & Potatoes-Two Eggs Any Style ~ (4.25) Very good ***HINT: Ask for the "Patatas Bravas" Red Sauce on the side to pour on the Short Rib Hash;) * Organic Pork Hash with Brussels Sprouts = (4) very good * Cuban Beef Empanadas = (3.5) good * Breakfast Handheld Pie(Western) = (3.5) good SIDES: ** Slab Bacon = (4) very good! And it's house smoked & thick! No Nitrites in this one;) DESSERTS: ** Sticky Toffee Cake w. Homemade Caramel Sauce = (4.5) good * Chocolate Mousse = (4) very good & smooth;) * Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding w. local Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream = (4) very good * Stick Bun(w. nuts) & Butter Pecan Ice Cream = (4) very good * Croissant French Toast w. Bananas Fosters = (3.5) good * Banana's Fosters = (3.5) good * Crystal's Chocolate Cake = (3) ok NOTES: Reservations recommended b/c of its smaller size;) And yes they take Credit Cards.
(5)Gerald F.
Sorry. Not my style. Not having been there before, the wait staff stated we should get between three and four dishes for each person. I asked if that meant we should get 16 dishes between the four of us and then dessert on top of that? She said that would be too much. So I asked if that meant 12 dishes plus dessert which also to me seemed like a lot. She looked at me puzzled and said well, maybe not even that many. We ended up ordering eight dishes +2 desserts for a bill of about $200. Here's how it went. I had 1 shrimp. A taste of fish. 6 macaroni 2 chunks of lobster 3 tiny tiny pita triangles of feta and hummus. ( here's where you Mr. owner need to break out of your shell. Serving four people one half small Pita is beyond absurd, laughable. Why not bring a bread basket with two or even three small pitas. Five little tiny finger size triangles were absurd. ) We ended with Bread and great coffee and A taste of 2 deserts. I'm starved. Well that's me. Everyone else was ok with the great food. My party loved it. The food deliverer got 25% of the orders to our table wrong And picked it off our table for the right one. Not good. Asking all the time and us saying its not ours. Perhaps too many"small plates"? 2 deserts. $9 each. Tiny plates again. Man! You're kidding me. Again. They were happy. I usually order by food-not by price. This place is different. Perhaps i'm used to American plates.. And I felt as if no matter how many plates I ordered I would never be satisfied. While my guests were very satisfied from the very rich dishes that were served. About one months ago I had New York original tapis small plate Spanish. And their plates, also between nine and $18, but I got more food and I felt the quality was much better and the portions slightly larger. But that was New York pricing not Cedars. My suggestion? Do not bring your husband here when he is extremely hungry. Feed him first. ( I saw a dad bristle when his daughter was dividing a small plate and he was wondering just how little he would get. Sorry. I'm numb. )
(3)Danielle S.
I've had dinner at 19 Bella a few times. All I can say is that every time it has been a great experience. The building and decor are inviting and unique! You feel like you're eating in an old farmhouse. The food speaks for itself! I personally really enjoy the asparagus with bearnaise and the diver Scallops! I have yet to have a dish I dislike. The staff is friendly and inviting and I look forward to many future evenings at 19 Bella.
(5)Katie L.
This food is AMAZING. The service is great and so is the atmosphere. I highly recommend the artichokes. I would come here all the time if the hubby liked to eat out more. Highly recommend the place.
(5)Don L.
Beautiful ambiance, fun and delicious food, and excellent service = our favorite restaurant in the area. Thanks for a great night out!
(5)Jackie M.
This is the best little cozy spot to enjoy a yummy brunch:) Everything is so cute and the food is amazing!!
(5)Percy N.
Had a couple terrific brunches. Roasted beets with feta and pistachios is a favorite along with the guacamole. Omelette are made perfectly - in the french way. Potatoes are super crispy and delicious. The special is usually great. This week it was Moroccan lamb with potatoes and 2 eggs your way. They also offer complimentary Mimosas. Space has expanded to the building next door and can seat about 65 total.
(5)Michael R.
This is an excellent restaurant with the right amount of homey charm and class. The food is always good, with enough variety to please more conservative and more adventurous palates. It's one of our go-to spots to take guests we have visiting from out of town. The Turkish coffee and pastries are always a great way to finish up a meal there too.
(5)Drew D.
My husband and I went back here last weekend for a third time. We sat inside and it was really hot, like uncomfortably hot. The waiter forgot to bring us water and the olives that are supposed to be on the table missing (we never got the olives). My husband got the steak kabobs and they were great. The vegetable lasagna and lamb were just okay. The $22 cheese plate left much to be desired. 3 of the 4 cheeses were soft and just didn't taste right. I've had plenty of cheese and this was off. For $22 I would've expected great cheese and the stems taken off the grapes completely, just sayin.' We ended up spending $100 for a party of two, which was cheaper than the other two times we went...
(3)David T.
Outstanding. This is the best restaurant we've eaten at in a long time.
(5)Kristin N.
Hmmm....not sure what to make of it. It's very charming and we were offered a complimentary wine upon entering. The breads were delicious. My fried dates were to die for. My gnocchi...not so much. They had an oddly firm outer texture...making them seem almost like fried tofu. My friends enjoyed their salad, duck breast, asparagus and Mac and cheese. We hadn't intended to share...probably sacrilege at a restaurant like this, but we were all just in the mood for what we wanted. We didn't explicitly state this and the pacing was offered at a sharing pace...meaning long stretches of someone without food. That one is on us, though and will consider it a lesson learned. The service wasn't great, however. No plates taken away, so the table was cluttered. Needed to ask for things like more water, more butter. We saw the table runner more than our server. There's enough on the menu that is up my alley, so I'd be willing to try it again.
(3)Tamura J.
One of my favorite places to eat ever. Dates and bacon are a must. Lamb chops. Everything. So good!
(5)Mark J.
Dining Date October 13, 2014 for dinner. Came here with 8 work colleagues, and must say the small plate / sharing concept was perfect for a large group. We all had the opportunity to try close to half of the menu, and there was not a single dish we did not thoroughly enjoy. Since all the food did not come out of the kitchen at the same time, just when I finished trying one item, a fresh, hot new item was ready to sample. The food was incredible and the variety was expansive. Prices are on the high side, but the meal and the experience was worth the price. The service was great, and they gladly accommodated the wine/beer that we brought in with us (BYOB).
(5)Carol B.
Enjoyed a lovely and delicious Valentine's Day dinner at 19 Bella. Every thing we ate that night was delicious and the great thing about small plates is that I can enjoy mushroom risotto and fish tacos in the same meal! Both were great. A Valentine's meal is not complete without dessert and I loved our raspberry cheesecake. Yum! Service was great. Everyone was friendly. Danielle, our server, did a great job. Her recommendations were spot on. I loved the rustic decor and it was cozy and warm on such a chilly night. Definitely need to go back because there are so many more things I can't wait to try on their menu!
(5)Steve J.
Amazing menu and tea and coffee. We ordered the Mayan hot chocolate and it was literally the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life!!! I would drive back from NYC to have it again. The food was also incredible. I can't begin to describe how good this place was. Do not miss it!
(5)Michelle F.
A few friends and I went to 19 Bella this week for my birthday. A friend of mine was the roommate of Grant and Rachel's a few years ago. I've always known Grant's cooking to be fantastic and have seen him first hand making butter and roasting/grinding his own coffee. Dinner on Wednesday lived up to my expectations!! 5 of us picked a few dishes each and passed them around. Every dish was amazing and cooked to perfection! The fried dates wrapped in bacon were my absolute favorite, followed by the pork loin. We also ordered the Filet Oscar, Bolognese, lobster risotto, pork tacos, among others. I had a bite of everything and everything was delicious! I can't wait to go back! You must try this place!
(5)Tim S.
My girlfriend and I went here for our Valentines dinner and loved it. The meal was very flavorful, the highlight being the mushroom risotto. The service was excellent and our server, Danielle was very knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be going back !
(5)M K.
Not a place for dinner for your family, way too expensive and wierd menu. You get a 4 course meal for $56pp or 5 course meal for 64pp! They say you can share your meal with your friends? You hardly get anything for each course. Not my type of Restourant. BTW, here is a private message for all you brunchsters. mobile.nytimes.com/2014/…
(1)Ali M.
Love 19 Bella! This is hands down the best tapas restaurant I've been to. My husband and I go here often and have never had a bad meal. The specials change frequently and there is always a special something that Chef Grant is offering that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere (Monkfish Foie Gras!). Some stand out favorite dishes are the Sweet Potato Gnocchi, the Beet Salad (our favorite!), Charred Brussel Sprouts, the Albondigas (Swedish Meatballs), Shrimp Paulista, Merguez Sausage...I could go on and on. Great place for a group of peoples, as you will end up sharing everything. The staff is outstanding, knowledgeable and clearly cares as much about the food as the customer.
(5)Ashley P.
19 bella is a cute little spot right outside of skippack. their food is fantastic, small plates/tapas. the service can be a little shaky at sometimes but try and look past that as the food is wonderful. the mismatched china is such a neat touch, kinda seems as if you're at a tea party every visit. it is a byob so bring your favorite bottle. table side Caesar salad is to die for. prosciutto wrapped stuffed figs...need I say more. delicious! also hosted my sisters bridal shower here back in September. the banquet room upstairs is sooo gosh darn cute. the space was exactly what I was looking for. (bright and airy with a rustic tone) dana was great to work with. Good work 19 Bella
(4)Glenn J.
My wife and I went for dinner last night and had brussel sprouts, short rib, lobster mac, sausage risotto, and the fish special (it was Mediterranean white fish). All of these were very good. I would say my 2 favorites were the brussel sprouts and the short rib. For desert we had the chocolate croissant bread pudding which was awesome. With tax and tip, we spent $120 for all this great food. Please keep in mind that the portions are not huge the the kitchen is not fast (we were at the restaurant for 2 hours). Our server was very friendly and helpful. This is a BYOB.
(4)David H.
Great service, great product, great variety..and good prices. This area lacks a good Saturday morning breakfast respite. This fills the bill. It has this country ambience where you can just hang out, read your paper, and all the while having enjoying a great meal.
(3)Salty M.
Perfect atmosphere, wonderful service, and awesome food. Something for everyone. Everything was so good, it's difficult to pick a favorite from the 6 small plates we sampled between the two of us. Definitely get the Braised Short Ribs with turnips and carrots. These were really spectacularly flavorful comfort food. Then the poached artichoke with Prosciutto, Asparagus, Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Glaze. The Marinated Broiled Shrimp with Mango Salsa was another hit. But don't forget the heavenly meatballs that tasted like they were made with pumpkin pie spice. The fresh ground Mocha Java, served in a French press rounded out a delightful evening. Situated near Cedars Country Store, in a shopping village of refurbished farm buildings, the ambiance is old country European. Hardwood floors, eclectic old china plates, and mismatched utensils, together with friendly un-pretentious wait staff, lend to a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Just remember to BYOB, and Visa or Mastercard (no Amex).
(5)Matt K.
What a pleasant surprise this place turned out to be. It's not real close to anything, so it's easy to pass it up, but it's worth a visit. It's quite small in the wintertime, since their 3 season outdoor dining area is closed. And it was packed on this day for brunch. The restaurant is decorated extensively and eclectically, making a real personal statement, which is very cool. A big group of us ordered a lot of stuff, brought our own beverages, and started in on the appetizers. One of the nice things was that we could order off the dinner menu also, which we did to get appetizers. I'll list a few highlights. The beet salad was amazing, with a blood orange vinaigrette, feta and pistachios. The chicken livers were good, some were cooked perfectly, others slightly over. Probably because they were different sizes. The sauce was gorgeous. Most of us had to dip bread in it! The artichokes were ok, not my favorite. The Spanish meatballs were great. For my main, even though there were a lot of interesting, heavy, yummy looking egg dishes, I had a hankering for the Greek omelette. I was not disappointed. The eggs in the omelette were perfectly cooked, not too dry and tough. Feta cheese gave it great flavor and the tomatoes and kale in it made it taste light and refreshing. They also lent some wetness, which was great. Service was good, they were quite busy but were able to keep up with it. Great place and a great time!
(4)Tara G.
Love love love this gem close to Skippack. I've enjoyed lunch and dinner here many times. We also hosted a bridal shower in the "DEL Prado" restaurant. The space was so beautiful and prefect for the shower. The small bites of food were amazing. Bacon wrapped dates, crab cakes, sweedish mushroom, Mediterranean plate. Yummo. They were great to work with and really customized the shower to our needs. I can easily say 19 Bella is one if my fav restaurants in Montco.
(5)Jackie G.
My expectations were exceeded when I visited here a couple of weeks ago. Everyone's review of the beef short ribs are spot on...best dish there. I would rate the other dishes above average (roasted beet salad, poached artichokes, paella, scallops). Everything was made with creativity and fresh ingredients. Homemade bread was great too. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to try their coffee, so I'll save that for next time. It's nice to taste the food of a chef who could clearly compete with big city chefs, but chose to find a quaint spot in suburbia.
(4)Alex H.
I am salivating just thinking of the delicious foods served at 19 Bella. The Sunday brunch blew my mind. The cheese plate was a beautiful presentation with home made bagel chips and fresh fragrant options. I ordered the special stroganoff hash. Strong fresh flavors of raw mustard seed and mushroom made a delightful note on the pallet. I would highly suggest eating at 19 Bella to anyone who enjoys great service and an experience not soon forgotten. Ask to be sat in Danielle's section.
(5)Kim M.
Fifth time here last Friday Night - Love 19 Bella. Went with a big group (my whole family) and sent our small plates around the table. Most dishes were amazing...some were not up to par. Ordered tuna that was supposed to be rare, but came out thoroughly cooked. They took the tuna right off our bill. Highly recommend kale, short ribs, and MALTED MILK BALL CREME BRULEE. So, so, so good.
(4)Charles R.
What a nice unique place. They tell you upfront that most plates are small, around 4 ounces, but I can tell you that most are more than 4 ounces. After reading other Yelpers we tried the Brussel Sprouts and the Fried figs with bacon and bleu cheese. Both were great and portions I thought were in line with most restaurants appetizers. The lobster Normandy was excelent and the bernaise sauce was perfect. Now, the lobster portion was 4 ounces, but it did come with asparagus spears. The Pheasant cassoulet was piping hot with plenty of pheasant, white beans and slices of garlic sausage. My only complaint with the dish was the sausage didn't have much of a garlic taste, which I think would have added to the dish. Again, this dish was way more than 4 ounces. The dessert menu is large and too good to pass up. We shared the Banana's Foster with Merrymeade ice cream. Huge portion, tons of banana's and excellent. We couldn't finish it all, which is a shame with a dish that good. Lot's of free parking in their complex, people were very friendly, and they take all cards except AmEx. Will absolutely go back.
(4)Alex R.
Oh. My. God. My boyfriend and I were driving on our way to my Grandmother's 100th birthday party. We just Yelped on our way to grab lunch. And we found THIS PLACE. I could write here for days about this first visit. Incredible welcoming atmosphere. Amazing service. Beyond friendly. Great decor. The Mayan Hot Chocolate is crack. That's what it has to be! The food. Holy SH&@. If you are in the area and don't eat here, YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT AND MISSING OUT ON AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.
(5)Yi Cai Z.
After having breakfast several times at Del Prado we finally decided to give the "big sister" restaurant a try for New Years Eve. I called two weeks ahead of time for make a reservation. I took the latest reservation they offered - 10pm and paid a 25$ deposit over the phone. The night of NYE my boyfriend and I arrived a little bit before 10pm were seated at a table that seemed to be a little bit in the way, but hey it was a busy night so we didn't complain. We ordered 5 plates and the only thing that was memorable was the bison meatballs with lingonberry sauce. All in all the food was good but did not blow us away. I understand that this is a tapas place but for the prices the portions were on the small side. The service that night was not great. Our waitress seemed to be very distracted even as the place started to clear out. When she brought our first check the first time around, the deposit I had paid had not been deducted. Her response was "oh it said you hadn't paid the deposit." but promptly did deduct it without any fuss. When we left the resturaunt the staff were busy preparing to eat their own meal which is perfectly fine but no one took the time to say goodnight. 19 Bella is a gem in the area but doesn't stand up to some of the other tapas retaurunts we have been too. For the money I would much rather go elsewhere in the area.
(3)Margaret V.
This will become a regular stop for me and my girls. The service was the BEST. Dana and Dan took very good care of us. The surprise of the night for me was the beet salad. I look forward to working my way through the menu!
(5)Mary R.
We were excited to try the "tapas" style... I wouldn't really call it that. The small plates were not sharable - just small plates. Overall, the food was pretty good. We had the filet, scallops, beef stew, and a few others. The complementary sangria was nice also - not too sweet. While the food was above average - it was still very over priced. We paid about $110 for 6 small plates between 2 of us - it felt like a rip off. If our food had cost somewhere around $80 - I would have felt better about the meal. Food was good... but not that good. Service was average, although we were told we could not choose a few items and then add more if we wanted - everything had to go in at once because that makes it easier on the chef. I should mention that the restaurant was not at all crowded when we were there, so that was very odd. In general, the place was just okay. If you go - don't plan to share several small plates. You will get 3 pieces of bread for 2 people, only one steak knife, one soup spoon - nothing that invites sharing "tapas style meals." You need to plan to order your own plates. The place seemed like it would be cozy and nice, but it was just very odd. We were uncomfortable with the set up, menu ordering, and general meal style when we expected to be able to share. The food didn't make up for these short falls - we will probably not return.
(2)Ben R.
Was on Saturday for dinner 2 couples order 3 small plates per person The food was out of this world The only issue that we had it took too long of time for the food to get to table But I will go back again
(4)Brooke S.
Ohhh 19 Bella. How I heart thee. You do for "Mediterranean tapas" what Italy did for spaghetti. There is always a surprise taste waiting for you here; whether it's the complimentary house made sangria as you relish in your lobster eggs bene' for brunch, or a savory sauce you can only imagine must have been flown in overnight from some far away land. You've expanded my horizons and awaken my taste buds. How fortunate I am to have you so close.
(4)T C.
So fun to go with friends and share tapas size dishes. The flavors and choices can be different with each of our visits! Having the cheese selection before dessert is a nice transition before getting the French pressed coffee and delicious sweets. Enjoy!
(5)Aly H.
I don't even know where to begin! I live 10 minutes from 19 Bella and have been missing out. We were there for a family wedding reception (small) and I was so pleased! I can't get over how amazing the food was. The brussel sprouts...scallops, shrimp...chicken...even the freshly made lemonade was amazing! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Kara G.
Went here for a work dinner (likely never would have otherwise as it's not that close to home). Amazing food. Have the short ribs. They were melt-in-your-mouth tender. The only miss was the crab cake. Too much dill.
(4)Suzann S.
I had dinner here last night and although when I walked in I was nervous about the kind of food and service, I ended up being quite surprised. My family and I came over after a crazy day of packing up my deceased Aunt's house. We were clearly edgy and distraught. The waitress was very friendly and patient with us and explained how the tapas worked to my out of town family members. I have been to several tapas restaurants before and found the prices to be comparable and a wide variety of selections to chose from. My motto always is everyone picks one vegetable and we each pick our own meat/pasta for ourselves. We have the asparagus with egg, artichokes, dates wrapped in bacon (heavenly- never would have ordered this if my uncle hadn't picked this for his choice). For my meat I had the braised short ribs. We all shared the veggies and enjoyed our own meats/pasta dish. Again, very pleased with the service. My mom was not hungry and I appreciated the waitress not overly quizzing my mother as to why she did not eat her meal. Delicious honey tea to drink recommended by the waitress.
(4)Bob M.
Terrific, cozy place (outdoor areas were closed). A little pricey but the food was good, atmosphere was very nice and service very attentive. Went for dinner on a Tuesday with my GF, it was not crowded at all, we ordered a number of different tapas Spicy Moroccan Sausage, braised short ribs, seafood stew and Grilled Filet Oscar and everything was very good. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Bernadette N.
Love this place. Been here several times for dinner. We love the tapas menu. It allows us to try many different things each time we go. From the sweet potato gnocchi to the osso bucco to the beet salad everything is flavorful and enough to share. We love sitting outside weather permitting and will definitely going back. We still have a few more things on the menu to try!
(5)Brian L.
19 Bella is a small restaurant tucked away, just before the main Skippack strip. The owner is a friendly guy you'd expect to see running a bookstore or coffee shop, and the decor shows it. You can tell that food is this gentleman's passion from the different homemade cheeses every time we order the cheese plate, to the way the food is cooked perfectly every time. Don't expect to get typical tapas small plates here, as the portions are more than generous. In addition to the meat and cheese plates, which we love, the duck breast risotto is fantastic. We loved everything else we ordered.
(4)Dayna S.
Great atmosphere in a quaint little shopping village. The outdoor seating on a nice summer night is perfect. Friendly staff, but slow service. Food is HIT or just OK. since it's BYOB it helps to keep it affordable - but some items are pricey. Sharing is the way to go.
(3)Chris L.
Excellent tapas restaurant nestled in the heart of Skippack, PA! Not cheap, however; most of the tapas are around $15/plate, and the plates are small (like you would expect for tapas). That being said, on the night I had dinner, the dinner menu had 48 items on it, ranging from vegetarian, Amish pork, pastas, other meats, cheeses, etc. I cannot speak for other nights as their menu changes every day. As a result, they print out copies of their menu on lightweight legal paper, which, if you have a pen, makes ordering extremely easy if you are in a large group and plan to order a lot of items. Just mark off which items you want and hand it to the waitress/waiter. Speaking of, the service was extremely friendly and very attentive. Our waitress did have a bit of slow service once the dinner rush picked up, but for the most part, she was attentive, friendly, and every time she visited, a busser tagged along to clear out any plates or dishes. Regarding the food, we loved most of everything we tried. Lobster mac and cheese, with excellent lobster, is a must have! oh, and major points to them for offering both a tail and a claw. Grilled sirloin, spanish meat plate, spanish cheese plate, seared scallops, smoked salmon, grilled tuna, spicy shrimp, and Amish pork were all terrific! Seafood is fresh, delivered 3 times per week, and is purchased locally Their dessert menu was also huge, containing at least 25 items between sweets, coffees, and hot chocolates. The croissant chocolate-filled bread pudding, was also quite good, which was amazing to me since I generally dislike bread pudding. I was also a fan of their Mayan hot chocolate, which was rich and flavorful. They have very high-end coffees available, as well as Turkish coffee and more traditional coffee choices (espresso, cappuccino, etc.). For an extra $5 Sunday - Thursday, you can have the coffee brewed in a vacuum system to enrich the flavor. I cannot vouch for this as I was there on a Saturday, but it certainly sounded like an experience. Oh, and this place is a BYOB, so points for that as well. Overall: excellent entrees, excellent desserts, excellent service, BYOB. Just go here.
(5)Laura R.
19 Bella is fabulous! The food is excellent and the service and ambiance is wonderful. There are always new menu items or specials, and if you are a "picky eater" it is a great place to try something new. The mac and cheese is a must have! Make a reservation and bring some wine :)
(5)W B.
This place is amazing. My favorite restaurant in the area. Friendly service, beautiful atmosphere, amazing food. We recommend the sirloin Oscar, the brussels sprouts (I swear they're good!), and the scallops. Really you can't go wrong though. Pricey but worth every penny. Don't forget to leave room for the bread pudding, it's amazing. So was the coffee.
(5)Jane J.
Dined several times at 19 Bella. Food is consistently excellent. Service is consistently subpar. No problems with taking the order and getting the entrees, but ignored after that. The last time I dined here, the two servers working in our dining room were overwhelmed to the point where I felt guilty about asking for our check. Maybe I'll try mid-week, but never again on a weekend.
(3)Nicole H.
19 bella hosted our rehearsal dinner at the end of August, and we would not have wanted it any other way. Dana was EXTREMELY accommodating, and made the entire planning experience a breeze. I left the menu completely up to her, and she did not disappoint. Each plate was better than the last. I am still drooling over the sweet potato gnocchi and sauteed brussel sprouts. We sprung dessert on her at the last minute, and she had the kitchen prepared the most AMAZING croissant bread pudding. The private room was so perfect to celebrate such an exciting event with friends and family. They are BYOB, which is staying within a certain price range - and we had fun choosing the wine and beer for the event. We are already planning a return visit sometime soon!!
(5)Maria M.
This is such a GREAT restaurant!!! Everything is homemade right down to the butter!!! Very quaint, intimate. Decor is vintage, yet has a modern feel. Eclectic in that nothing matches, each cup, each plate, saucer, napkin is different but in reality matches perfectly. Great BYOB !!!
(4)Rich R.
I dined (tasted) at 19 Bella last night with my girlfriend. I really am torn between aspects of the experience. Driving up to the restaurant, we were truly pleased to see a relaxed setting with several people dining outdoors on a perfect summer evening. Although the option for an inside table was available, we chose to dine outdoors too. The server was very friendly and quite talkative. She was very welcoming, even to the point of offering cushions for our chairs. We brought our own wine and chose three items to start. Being tapas style, we figured we would order more if we wanted more. I've had many great experiences with tapas and love the style of dining. It adds fun and closeness to an evening. The main difference I found between tapas at 19 Bella and other places I have enjoyed tapas is the portion size. Although the small plates are to be shared, 19 Bella did not even offer enough food to share - and for very overpriced items. It was ridiculous. We ordered: Sautéed Fresh Kale w/Lemon, Smoked Peppers, Garlic & Olive Oil; Olive Oil Poached Artichokes w/Bacon, Asparagus, Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Glaze; and Sea Scallops Portuguese Style-Roasted Sweet Peppers, Lemon, Garlic & Herbs. It was clear that a great deal of care and time went into each dish. Tthey were enjoyable, but the portions were disappointing; even as tapas. Almost $60 later we had a handful of kale, two artichokes and three scallops. After all, most of the components of what you look for in a dining experience were there but spoiled by the feeling of being cheated. Had the portions been somewhat more reasonable for sharing; rather than tasting, we would have ordered much more food. The next time we want tapas, we'll spend the money on gas and drive into the city.
(2)Regina R.
My husband and I went here for NY eve on a tip from a friend after having a so-so Xmas meal at Hotel Fiesole. 19 Bella was an amazing experience. The food was superbly prepared and the staff was attentive. I had the best Kale dish I had ever had. I am a vegan and am very hard to please. They did an amazing job even though they had to adapt to a preset menu. My husband had the omnivore dinner and he said the Oyster stew was to die for. I had a long conversation with the owner's wife and it appears that they really want to position them self as a local sustainable restaurant. They are doing a great job. I look forward to going back on a regular night to test out if NY eve wasn't just something extra special. It also helps that they are BYOB.
(5)Paul M.
I went for lunch today upon the recommendation of the owner of the restaurant next door - Olce Pizzaria. Yes, they seem to be on good terms although, comparing the two, Olce's $10 lunch special presents the far better value. At 19 Bella, I had the fried calamari with a dill aioli and the salade Lyonaise. The calamari was crispy and nicely seasoned but the salad was a bit heavy on the bleu and lardons. I thought lardons would be crispy slivers of duck skin but these were rather chewy, well-fried chunks of pancetta, some of which were a bit hard on the choppers. A larger portion of greens and pear to absorb all would have been welcomed. The home baked bread was a nice complement. Overall, for my $20 tab, I liked the two small plates but thought the price was high for a lunch menu. I don't argue that small plates are the way to go but, for a mid-day fare, dropping the price by just a dollar or would appeal more to my sense of value. Or a $20 three plate luncheon tasting menu would be reason to return. Until then, Olce has my vote for a great $10 lunch. CP
(3)Megan R.
This charming restaurant set in a converted barn in Cedars is the Miracle on Skippack. Our party of 20 asked the immensely talented chef, Grant Brown, to choose our tapas for us. The fresh, beautifully presented food was delivered on an eclectic array of mismatched antique dishes by a friendly and well-informed wait staff. Fresh lobster resting in layers of salsa and guacamole, charred brussels sprouts, roasted-beets in blood-orange vinaigrette, fish tacos with cabbage slaw, a fabulous fish dish that wasn't on the menu, ditto steak, ditto pasta, chocolate mousse, black magic chocolate cake, creme brulee ... and many more. The meal was a pleasure to both the eye and the palate. The acoustics of the place enabled members of our large party to hear one another but not any clatter from the kitchen or din from diners in other parts of the restaurant. Special care was provided to those with dietary restrictions. HIghly recommended.
(5)Beth A.
19 Bella is one of my favorite restaurants in the area! Its great with a group of 4-6 - you can try a variety of dishes. The service is wonderful - we love Dana!!!! You can always ask them to slow down the service if things are coming out too fast. Grant's menu is always varied - there is something for everyone! It is a local treasure and cant' wait to go this Saturday to celebrate my birthday with good friends and several bottles of wine!
(5)Derek C.
I love this place! I have been there only 3 times but would go once a week! There are always new dishes, so if you like to constantly try new things this is the place. Some dishes can have such random ingredients yet always pair perfectly! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes they're serving.
(5)Chris M.
Sitting in a tranquil corner of the exurbs, offering a creative theme for the area, 19 Bella is the sort of place I really wanted to like. The menu boasted a delicious array of mediterranean small plates, and the decor was chic and urban. All signs pointed to an enjoyable night out, but twas not to be. 19 Bella is BYOB, and, like many BYOBs, they give out complimentary drinks. After standing in the small foyer waiting for a table (we had reservations), we were eventually treated to some sangria, which was tasty. After about 15 minutes, the hostess asked us to go wait outside because it was "breezier" out there -- admittedly, and as we came to appreciate later it was pretty hot inside the dining room. So we went outside and sat in some adirondack chairs right in the outdoor seating area, starving, surrounded by people devouring their food -- fine, whatever. Upon returning to tell us a table would be ready soon (15 minutes after that), I asked her if we could have another round of sangria for the wait -- she said no. Not sure if this is about restaurant policy or what, but I thought it was pretty bad form to say no and not even attempt to proffer an explanation. Annoying, but OK. When we were finally seated, we ordered 5 dishes off of the menu and asked the waitress -- the same who denied us our libations -- said we should not miss the brussels sprouts (corollary: worst dish of the 6; undercooked, under-seasoned). She was not pleasant in the least, unfortunately. Our food came out slowly over the course of the next hour or so, and we shared it amongst the three of us. Each plate was demolished almost instantly because of how hungry we were at this point, all the while trying to keep an unsightly sweat at bay, stemming from the heat in the dining room. I should say most of the food was good. The cheese plate was the star, with the heirloom tomato and mozzarella close behind. The only problem was that after 6 plates, we were still hungry. Now I could overlook all of these things: the drink denial, the heat, the torpid pace, the fact that I wanted to order pizza after paying $25. But the thing that made this experience subpar for me was that the staff was not that nice. When you have 100 things melting down, you should be effusively friendly to offset the other factors. The nicest member of the staff was the busboy! So, maybe because this place is new, they are still trying to work out the bugs. And it has the potential to be a great spot, but it's not there yet.
(2)Gretchen S.
I have no explanation for the lack of insanely good reviews about this place... other than the fact that Americans are 'instant gratification' driven brats. Yes, the food takes a bit longer than at your run of the mill Applebee's or steak house. If you want food like that, you shouldn't be reviewing on Yelp. Ew. However... it is HIGHLY worth the wait. The menu is diverse, not gigantic, but definitely has a great variety. There is only 1 fried item on the menu, they have amazing Mayan hot chocolate and the albondigas are delish. I also hear that the short rib is killer! The restaurant itself is small, there is an addition (tent) that has heat lamps, lights, strands of pretty decorator lights and it was PACKED. It was pretty cold out, but everything was heated so the entire place was comfy. Its a bit pricey, but it is a 3 hour dining experience, not just a quick bite to eat. I will definitely go back here, and bring friends. Loved the quaint, friendly atmosphere and there are other items on the menu that I must try... and don't forget to BYOB of course!
(5)D G.
Great selection of tapas! It's been hard to decide what to get, I've been here twice and am looking forward to going again to finish trying everything I want to eat. Great pace to the service. Just don't forget your reservation or bottle of wine.
(5)Holly K.
My husband and I loved this place! The atmosphere and type of dinner (tapas) was such a nice change. We got to try 8 dishes (9 including dessert). The brussel sprouts and fried dates are a must. The short rib was to die for. It was pretty busy for a sunday night and we should have had a reservation but they accommodated us. And it doesn't get any better than a BYO. I only gave four stars though b/c we weren't crazy about the vietnamese meatballs or seafood boullabaise. definitely going there again.
(4)Hayley S.
love, love, LOVE 19 Bella! My new favorite restaurant!! sharing plates, tapas, many home-made items (rustic bread, butter (sweet on Sundays!), and they even roast their own coffee (french press), truffled bernaise sauce (OMG) - this is one great BYOB. Although I have been here several times on a Sunday, I still have not ordered from the brunch menu because I am way too excited about all of the other menu items! Most times I am offered a bloody mary, mimosa, or Sangria however my visit yesterday proved no complimentary beverage. I didnt mind as my guest and I were well prepared with a bottle of red and bottle of white to compliment this fantasitc experience in Gastronomy. Some of my favorites: The Cheese Plate - adorned with honey, almonds and fruit chutney The butter poached lobster with asparagus and truffled bernaise sauce The shrimp and avocado salad The pork belly and pork cheek dishes Lemon Risotto Brazillian Shrimp I cant wait to try many more menu items!! They are all so good and carefully prepared. The china is fantastic - mismatched and victorian. the service is great, the owners are great and have a true passion for food. Although usually very busy, they never rush you so it is truly an excellent experience. If you are a true foodie - Go to Bella - you will LOVE it. What are you waiting for? GO!
(5)Caroline P.
took mom out for brunch with the whole famiglia - party of 8 we were met at the door with complimentary mimosas (freshly squeezed oj - yes!) wonderful a la carte brunch selections of note - many items are housemade: bread, butter, pasta and their house-cured b'fast meats are delicious the service was attentive and not rushed, even on such a busy morning i had the eggs bene with butter-poached lobster - they were fabulous, although the eggs were over-poached a bit we left well-fed and happy at about $20 a person (we declined coffee/dessert) this will remain our local brunch spot upgrading to 4.5 stars
(4)David G.
I always select the "menu of confidence" when visiting this restaurant. I have never been disappointed with the selections that the Chef makes and know that I would never have tried many of the items had I needed to select them myself. Figs wrapped in bacon, brussel sprouts with bacon bits, scallops, lamb shanks, and bananas foster for dessert ... Never would have selected those on my own and they were all fantastic!
(4)Traci P.
Our most favorite restaurant. Food is phenomenal! Very diverse menu, something for everyone. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Chef does not cut corners, everything is fresh and delicious. Well worth the money! Can't wait to go back...
(5)Mark H.
Wife and I ate here on a Sat night. We were pleased with both the selections on the menu and the service. Yes we seated in a carnival tent which wasnt the greatest so hopefully they add on in the future. It is byob so bring a bottle of something, hang out and enjoy the tapas. We will return. Pretty casual and the vibe was fun in there.
(4)Joel K.
We just returned from 19 Bella. My daughter wanted to take me out to dinner for my 65th birthday so we went to 19 Bella because of the great reviews we were reading. When my daughter and her husband arrived, she said the hostess didn't even acknowledge them. Once they got her attention, they were seated in a fairly nice corner of the restaurant. When my wife and I arrived and looked at the menu, the prices seemed fair, but that was before the actual food was presented before us. I still can't believe the chicken dish I ordered was $18 and there were only 2 small chunks of chicken with tidbits of lobster. My wife received 3 scallops for about $15. 3 scallops are supposed to be an entree? My daughter's salmon never arrived and her husband received 4 small spanish meatballs. What made the evening even worse, instead of being served as a group, entrees and vegetables were served to each person separately. My wife received her salad and scallops together and the rest of us basically sat there eating bread. The bill was $100 for a meal that was supposed to be special, but it was only small, haphazard and non-existent. We will not return.
(1)Jeff P.
Delicious brunch at 19 Bella. Funky décor, warm attentive service. Food was exquisitely prepared and wonderfully flavorful. Top- notch ingredients. A bit pricey ( approx. $4.50 for coffee and a charge for bread) but complementary Sangria or Mimosa offered. Highly recommended.
(4)Marv M.
We had to eat is a heated TENT at the back of the restaurant. It was very crowded and we heard the complete conversation of the next table. The food was so- so and way too expensive for what it is. This place specializes in tapas style. When you orders 4 or 5 small portions the cost is way more than if you have simply ordered 2 complete entre's and shared. While the food was tasty and interesting, it was nothing to write home about.
(1)Katherine L.
My husband took me to 19 Bella last night for my birthday. It's a small BYOB tapas style restaurant. We each ordered three small plates as suggested on the menu. I had a hard time choosing because everything sounds amazing. We ended up getting mussels, italian crepes, sweet potato gnocchi, lobster with asparagus and hollandaise sauce, lamb chops and boar saltimbocca. I have to say each one of these plates were incredible. I really could not choose a favorite. I highly recommend 19 Bella the food is OUTSTANDING!!!!!
(5)Camille F.
My husband and I ate here on a Monday night so we didn't have any experiences with crowds that some of the other posters mentioned. We were seated right away. The six items we ordered were delicious (Caesar Salad, pork stew, lamb kabobs, spanish shrimp, beef bourguignon, and bacon wrapped dates. We were not quite stuffed and saved some room for Turkish coffee and a cannoli. We would recommend this place.
(5)Warren P.
This past Friday evening we were looking for a new spot for dinner in the area, and my wife remembered seeing a new restaurant open in Skippack, right at the corner of 73 and Bustard road. We looked it up, quickly found 19 Bella, and were excited by the menu of small plates. We called at 6 for a reservation for three, and took the first available at 8:30. We took the later reservation as a good sign that the restaurant was doing well and was busy. In retrospect, it may have been the size of restaurant and the speed of service about which we should have drawn conclusions. We arrived and were quite impressed with the atmosphere. 19 Bella is a very attractive setting, with a nice outside seating area which looked inviting. We entered the restaurant and realized that it really is quite small (holding about 8 tables inside), without any sizable waiting area inside. I should mention that it was about 96 degrees with 100% humidity outside, and we were disappointed to find that it felt about 98 degrees with 100% humidity inside. I'm not certain if the restaurant is usually air conditioned and the AC was simply broken on our visit, or if the ceiling fans are usually sufficient when the weather isn't quite so unpleasant. We stood in the tiny hallway near the bathroom for 5 minutes or so and then were offered 3 small sangrias on the house (it is a BYOB). The gentleman greeting us was pleasant and seemed a bit flustered (it seemed fairly busy and if the AC had just stopped working, this seems understandable.) After another 10 minutes or so standing around in the hallway, they suggested we enjoy the breezier waiting area outside. While it was, unarguably, breezier than inside, it wasn't particularly pleasant. We sat another 30 minutes without meaningful updates from the staff, and then were given menus to peruse. At 9:20 (50 minutes after our reservation), we were seated inside. We were starving, and somewhat surprised that it took another 15 minutes before someone came to take our order. It was now after 9:30 and we were all starving. With two of us being vegetarian, many of the heartier options were off the table. We ordered a cheese plate, artichoke and mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella salad, a mediterranean dip plate, potatoes au gratin, and, at the suggestion of the waitress, brussel sprouts with almonds. Given that most of these were labeled 'starters', we should not have been surprised that they were each about three bites per person, cheese plate excluded. Most of these were enjoyable but fairly unremarkable, particularly at $2 per bite. No single plate made me want to bring friends back to 19 Bella, and the brussel sprouts were approaching inedible. As a small aside, it does seem that 19 Bella offers a fine romantic atmosphere. The only thing murkier and damper than the climate at 19 Bella were the intentions of the youthful lothario at the table next to ours. Over the course of our 3 hour slog through six tiny mostly-acceptable plates, this young cassanova managed to enjoy a prolonged kiss with his apparent companion as well as another female dining with him, all while mapping by hand the topography of the waitress' derriere. We left 19 Bella apparently having enjoyed our evening much less than the fellow next to us. I'm not at all opposed to a lesiurely exploration of small plates over three hours if the food, service, and environment are enjoyable. The unfortunate combination of the temperature inside and the semi-indifference of the staff made it difficult to overlook the new-restaurant glitches that I would normally accept as part of the hazards of early adoption. If they can get the AC fixed and smile through a long night of service, 19 Bella might be worth another try one day.
(2)Christine T.
We went to Bella Friday night on recommendation of a friend, we had high hopes. We were welcomed in seated out in the tent and then forgotten. We watched a guy who was running around with his head cut off run to other tables a hostess waitress taking orders at tables seated after us and when we asked for service he looked at us like we were crazy and impatient for asking. The bread was delicious, some of the plates were delicious, the med tasting plate, the spinach and ricotta crepes flawless, calamari was good, gnocchi not so, sweetbreads definitely a NOT- did not love the mushroom ravioli's way too gamy for my taste, the lobster was delicious after we got it . two people came to our table asking if we had received it yet, they tried to deliver two of the raviolis to our table, steak was ok and asparagus very good . Overall- some items worth having again, service was horrendous, the guy was absolutely rude and unaccommodating and the hostess who waited on us kept saying how understaffed they were. Not sure if we will go back. They need to get their act together kitchen keeping track of how the food comes out and the service, we might as well have been going up to get the food ourselves. Front room messy, back room hot then cold hot then cold- Bot a good value as it stands right now.
(2)Rachel E.
I recently dined with a couple friends at 19 Bella. I was really looking forward to trying the new spot. I have to say that I was underwhelmed. We were seated in the heated tent which I didn't mind at all. The decor is a little odd. The menu is quite extensive and I can't really figure out what their focus is. I get the whole tapas thing but they had greek, italian, french, thai, indian, etc. We ordered a couple from each section. The brussel sprouts were good. We enjoyed the asparagus as well. The short ribs were pretty good too. That was probably it. Everything seemed to have dill in it. So about half of the dishes tasted the same. The paella was disappointing. Everything came out at once so we felt a little rushed. We finally had to tell them to slow down. One thing I was excited to try was the tableside pasta carbonara. Again bummed because the pasta was complete mush. If they thought about cutting the menu down then they could concentrate on better execution. I will say the staff was great! Very personable and helpful. I'll be back because every place deserves a second chance. I'm hoping it was just an off night.
(3)Brian L.
19 Bella is a small restaurant tucked away, just before the main Skippack strip. The owner is a friendly guy you'd expect to see running a bookstore or coffee shop, and the decor shows it. You can tell that food is this gentleman's passion from the different homemade cheeses every time we order the cheese plate, to the way the food is cooked perfectly every time. Don't expect to get typical tapas small plates here, as the portions are more than generous. In addition to the meat and cheese plates, which we love, the duck breast risotto is fantastic. We loved everything else we ordered.
(4)Ashley P.
19 bella is a cute little spot right outside of skippack. their food is fantastic, small plates/tapas. the service can be a little shaky at sometimes but try and look past that as the food is wonderful. the mismatched china is such a neat touch, kinda seems as if you're at a tea party every visit. it is a byob so bring your favorite bottle. table side Caesar salad is to die for. prosciutto wrapped stuffed figs...need I say more. delicious! also hosted my sisters bridal shower here back in September. the banquet room upstairs is sooo gosh darn cute. the space was exactly what I was looking for. (bright and airy with a rustic tone) dana was great to work with. Good work 19 Bella
(4)Tamura J.
One of my favorite places to eat ever. Dates and bacon are a must. Lamb chops. Everything. So good!
(5)Percy N.
Had a couple terrific brunches. Roasted beets with feta and pistachios is a favorite along with the guacamole. Omelette are made perfectly - in the french way. Potatoes are super crispy and delicious. The special is usually great. This week it was Moroccan lamb with potatoes and 2 eggs your way. They also offer complimentary Mimosas. Space has expanded to the building next door and can seat about 65 total.
(5)David T.
Outstanding. This is the best restaurant we've eaten at in a long time.
(5)Rob F.
One of our favorite restaurants In the area. Great food, service, and atmosphere! It has only gotten better with the addition of their del prado restaurant attached to the main restaurant. We recently had a 50th surprise party for my wife at del prado and it exceeded everyone's expectation. Dana, the Manager and Event Coordinator, was fantastic to work with and very flexible to all our needs. As a person who doesn't like to plan and organize, she did made it so easy. She also had great ideas to make it a perfect day. Rachel and Grant were wonderful, as were all our servers. I am so happy we celebrated this special day at 19 Bella.
(5)Salty M.
Perfect atmosphere, wonderful service, and awesome food. Something for everyone. Everything was so good, it's difficult to pick a favorite from the 6 small plates we sampled between the two of us. Definitely get the Braised Short Ribs with turnips and carrots. These were really spectacularly flavorful comfort food. Then the poached artichoke with Prosciutto, Asparagus, Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Glaze. The Marinated Broiled Shrimp with Mango Salsa was another hit. But don't forget the heavenly meatballs that tasted like they were made with pumpkin pie spice. The fresh ground Mocha Java, served in a French press rounded out a delightful evening. Situated near Cedars Country Store, in a shopping village of refurbished farm buildings, the ambiance is old country European. Hardwood floors, eclectic old china plates, and mismatched utensils, together with friendly un-pretentious wait staff, lend to a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Just remember to BYOB, and Visa or Mastercard (no Amex).
(5)Matt K.
What a pleasant surprise this place turned out to be. It's not real close to anything, so it's easy to pass it up, but it's worth a visit. It's quite small in the wintertime, since their 3 season outdoor dining area is closed. And it was packed on this day for brunch. The restaurant is decorated extensively and eclectically, making a real personal statement, which is very cool. A big group of us ordered a lot of stuff, brought our own beverages, and started in on the appetizers. One of the nice things was that we could order off the dinner menu also, which we did to get appetizers. I'll list a few highlights. The beet salad was amazing, with a blood orange vinaigrette, feta and pistachios. The chicken livers were good, some were cooked perfectly, others slightly over. Probably because they were different sizes. The sauce was gorgeous. Most of us had to dip bread in it! The artichokes were ok, not my favorite. The Spanish meatballs were great. For my main, even though there were a lot of interesting, heavy, yummy looking egg dishes, I had a hankering for the Greek omelette. I was not disappointed. The eggs in the omelette were perfectly cooked, not too dry and tough. Feta cheese gave it great flavor and the tomatoes and kale in it made it taste light and refreshing. They also lent some wetness, which was great. Service was good, they were quite busy but were able to keep up with it. Great place and a great time!
(4)Tara G.
Love love love this gem close to Skippack. I've enjoyed lunch and dinner here many times. We also hosted a bridal shower in the "DEL Prado" restaurant. The space was so beautiful and prefect for the shower. The small bites of food were amazing. Bacon wrapped dates, crab cakes, sweedish mushroom, Mediterranean plate. Yummo. They were great to work with and really customized the shower to our needs. I can easily say 19 Bella is one if my fav restaurants in Montco.
(5)Jackie G.
My expectations were exceeded when I visited here a couple of weeks ago. Everyone's review of the beef short ribs are spot on...best dish there. I would rate the other dishes above average (roasted beet salad, poached artichokes, paella, scallops). Everything was made with creativity and fresh ingredients. Homemade bread was great too. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to try their coffee, so I'll save that for next time. It's nice to taste the food of a chef who could clearly compete with big city chefs, but chose to find a quaint spot in suburbia.
(4)Glenn J.
My wife and I went for dinner last night and had brussel sprouts, short rib, lobster mac, sausage risotto, and the fish special (it was Mediterranean white fish). All of these were very good. I would say my 2 favorites were the brussel sprouts and the short rib. For desert we had the chocolate croissant bread pudding which was awesome. With tax and tip, we spent $120 for all this great food. Please keep in mind that the portions are not huge the the kitchen is not fast (we were at the restaurant for 2 hours). Our server was very friendly and helpful. This is a BYOB.
(4)David H.
Great service, great product, great variety..and good prices. This area lacks a good Saturday morning breakfast respite. This fills the bill. It has this country ambience where you can just hang out, read your paper, and all the while having enjoying a great meal.
(3)Charles R.
What a nice unique place. They tell you upfront that most plates are small, around 4 ounces, but I can tell you that most are more than 4 ounces. After reading other Yelpers we tried the Brussel Sprouts and the Fried figs with bacon and bleu cheese. Both were great and portions I thought were in line with most restaurants appetizers. The lobster Normandy was excelent and the bernaise sauce was perfect. Now, the lobster portion was 4 ounces, but it did come with asparagus spears. The Pheasant cassoulet was piping hot with plenty of pheasant, white beans and slices of garlic sausage. My only complaint with the dish was the sausage didn't have much of a garlic taste, which I think would have added to the dish. Again, this dish was way more than 4 ounces. The dessert menu is large and too good to pass up. We shared the Banana's Foster with Merrymeade ice cream. Huge portion, tons of banana's and excellent. We couldn't finish it all, which is a shame with a dish that good. Lot's of free parking in their complex, people were very friendly, and they take all cards except AmEx. Will absolutely go back.
(4)Alex R.
Oh. My. God. My boyfriend and I were driving on our way to my Grandmother's 100th birthday party. We just Yelped on our way to grab lunch. And we found THIS PLACE. I could write here for days about this first visit. Incredible welcoming atmosphere. Amazing service. Beyond friendly. Great decor. The Mayan Hot Chocolate is crack. That's what it has to be! The food. Holy SH&@. If you are in the area and don't eat here, YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT AND MISSING OUT ON AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.
(5)Yi Cai Z.
After having breakfast several times at Del Prado we finally decided to give the "big sister" restaurant a try for New Years Eve. I called two weeks ahead of time for make a reservation. I took the latest reservation they offered - 10pm and paid a 25$ deposit over the phone. The night of NYE my boyfriend and I arrived a little bit before 10pm were seated at a table that seemed to be a little bit in the way, but hey it was a busy night so we didn't complain. We ordered 5 plates and the only thing that was memorable was the bison meatballs with lingonberry sauce. All in all the food was good but did not blow us away. I understand that this is a tapas place but for the prices the portions were on the small side. The service that night was not great. Our waitress seemed to be very distracted even as the place started to clear out. When she brought our first check the first time around, the deposit I had paid had not been deducted. Her response was "oh it said you hadn't paid the deposit." but promptly did deduct it without any fuss. When we left the resturaunt the staff were busy preparing to eat their own meal which is perfectly fine but no one took the time to say goodnight. 19 Bella is a gem in the area but doesn't stand up to some of the other tapas retaurunts we have been too. For the money I would much rather go elsewhere in the area.
(3)Margaret V.
This will become a regular stop for me and my girls. The service was the BEST. Dana and Dan took very good care of us. The surprise of the night for me was the beet salad. I look forward to working my way through the menu!
(5)Mary R.
We were excited to try the "tapas" style... I wouldn't really call it that. The small plates were not sharable - just small plates. Overall, the food was pretty good. We had the filet, scallops, beef stew, and a few others. The complementary sangria was nice also - not too sweet. While the food was above average - it was still very over priced. We paid about $110 for 6 small plates between 2 of us - it felt like a rip off. If our food had cost somewhere around $80 - I would have felt better about the meal. Food was good... but not that good. Service was average, although we were told we could not choose a few items and then add more if we wanted - everything had to go in at once because that makes it easier on the chef. I should mention that the restaurant was not at all crowded when we were there, so that was very odd. In general, the place was just okay. If you go - don't plan to share several small plates. You will get 3 pieces of bread for 2 people, only one steak knife, one soup spoon - nothing that invites sharing "tapas style meals." You need to plan to order your own plates. The place seemed like it would be cozy and nice, but it was just very odd. We were uncomfortable with the set up, menu ordering, and general meal style when we expected to be able to share. The food didn't make up for these short falls - we will probably not return.
(2)Ben R.
Was on Saturday for dinner 2 couples order 3 small plates per person The food was out of this world The only issue that we had it took too long of time for the food to get to table But I will go back again
(4)Brooke S.
Ohhh 19 Bella. How I heart thee. You do for "Mediterranean tapas" what Italy did for spaghetti. There is always a surprise taste waiting for you here; whether it's the complimentary house made sangria as you relish in your lobster eggs bene' for brunch, or a savory sauce you can only imagine must have been flown in overnight from some far away land. You've expanded my horizons and awaken my taste buds. How fortunate I am to have you so close.
(4)T C.
So fun to go with friends and share tapas size dishes. The flavors and choices can be different with each of our visits! Having the cheese selection before dessert is a nice transition before getting the French pressed coffee and delicious sweets. Enjoy!
(5)Aly H.
I don't even know where to begin! I live 10 minutes from 19 Bella and have been missing out. We were there for a family wedding reception (small) and I was so pleased! I can't get over how amazing the food was. The brussel sprouts...scallops, shrimp...chicken...even the freshly made lemonade was amazing! I can't wait to go back!
(5)Kara G.
Went here for a work dinner (likely never would have otherwise as it's not that close to home). Amazing food. Have the short ribs. They were melt-in-your-mouth tender. The only miss was the crab cake. Too much dill.
(4)Bernadette N.
Love this place. Been here several times for dinner. We love the tapas menu. It allows us to try many different things each time we go. From the sweet potato gnocchi to the osso bucco to the beet salad everything is flavorful and enough to share. We love sitting outside weather permitting and will definitely going back. We still have a few more things on the menu to try!
(5)Suzann S.
I had dinner here last night and although when I walked in I was nervous about the kind of food and service, I ended up being quite surprised. My family and I came over after a crazy day of packing up my deceased Aunt's house. We were clearly edgy and distraught. The waitress was very friendly and patient with us and explained how the tapas worked to my out of town family members. I have been to several tapas restaurants before and found the prices to be comparable and a wide variety of selections to chose from. My motto always is everyone picks one vegetable and we each pick our own meat/pasta for ourselves. We have the asparagus with egg, artichokes, dates wrapped in bacon (heavenly- never would have ordered this if my uncle hadn't picked this for his choice). For my meat I had the braised short ribs. We all shared the veggies and enjoyed our own meats/pasta dish. Again, very pleased with the service. My mom was not hungry and I appreciated the waitress not overly quizzing my mother as to why she did not eat her meal. Delicious honey tea to drink recommended by the waitress.
(4)Bob M.
Terrific, cozy place (outdoor areas were closed). A little pricey but the food was good, atmosphere was very nice and service very attentive. Went for dinner on a Tuesday with my GF, it was not crowded at all, we ordered a number of different tapas Spicy Moroccan Sausage, braised short ribs, seafood stew and Grilled Filet Oscar and everything was very good. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Megan R.
This charming restaurant set in a converted barn in Cedars is the Miracle on Skippack. Our party of 20 asked the immensely talented chef, Grant Brown, to choose our tapas for us. The fresh, beautifully presented food was delivered on an eclectic array of mismatched antique dishes by a friendly and well-informed wait staff. Fresh lobster resting in layers of salsa and guacamole, charred brussels sprouts, roasted-beets in blood-orange vinaigrette, fish tacos with cabbage slaw, a fabulous fish dish that wasn't on the menu, ditto steak, ditto pasta, chocolate mousse, black magic chocolate cake, creme brulee ... and many more. The meal was a pleasure to both the eye and the palate. The acoustics of the place enabled members of our large party to hear one another but not any clatter from the kitchen or din from diners in other parts of the restaurant. Special care was provided to those with dietary restrictions. HIghly recommended.
(5)Beth A.
19 Bella is one of my favorite restaurants in the area! Its great with a group of 4-6 - you can try a variety of dishes. The service is wonderful - we love Dana!!!! You can always ask them to slow down the service if things are coming out too fast. Grant's menu is always varied - there is something for everyone! It is a local treasure and cant' wait to go this Saturday to celebrate my birthday with good friends and several bottles of wine!
(5)Derek C.
I love this place! I have been there only 3 times but would go once a week! There are always new dishes, so if you like to constantly try new things this is the place. Some dishes can have such random ingredients yet always pair perfectly! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes they're serving.
(5)Chris L.
Excellent tapas restaurant nestled in the heart of Skippack, PA! Not cheap, however; most of the tapas are around $15/plate, and the plates are small (like you would expect for tapas). That being said, on the night I had dinner, the dinner menu had 48 items on it, ranging from vegetarian, Amish pork, pastas, other meats, cheeses, etc. I cannot speak for other nights as their menu changes every day. As a result, they print out copies of their menu on lightweight legal paper, which, if you have a pen, makes ordering extremely easy if you are in a large group and plan to order a lot of items. Just mark off which items you want and hand it to the waitress/waiter. Speaking of, the service was extremely friendly and very attentive. Our waitress did have a bit of slow service once the dinner rush picked up, but for the most part, she was attentive, friendly, and every time she visited, a busser tagged along to clear out any plates or dishes. Regarding the food, we loved most of everything we tried. Lobster mac and cheese, with excellent lobster, is a must have! oh, and major points to them for offering both a tail and a claw. Grilled sirloin, spanish meat plate, spanish cheese plate, seared scallops, smoked salmon, grilled tuna, spicy shrimp, and Amish pork were all terrific! Seafood is fresh, delivered 3 times per week, and is purchased locally Their dessert menu was also huge, containing at least 25 items between sweets, coffees, and hot chocolates. The croissant chocolate-filled bread pudding, was also quite good, which was amazing to me since I generally dislike bread pudding. I was also a fan of their Mayan hot chocolate, which was rich and flavorful. They have very high-end coffees available, as well as Turkish coffee and more traditional coffee choices (espresso, cappuccino, etc.). For an extra $5 Sunday - Thursday, you can have the coffee brewed in a vacuum system to enrich the flavor. I cannot vouch for this as I was there on a Saturday, but it certainly sounded like an experience. Oh, and this place is a BYOB, so points for that as well. Overall: excellent entrees, excellent desserts, excellent service, BYOB. Just go here.
(5)Laura R.
19 Bella is fabulous! The food is excellent and the service and ambiance is wonderful. There are always new menu items or specials, and if you are a "picky eater" it is a great place to try something new. The mac and cheese is a must have! Make a reservation and bring some wine :)
(5)W B.
This place is amazing. My favorite restaurant in the area. Friendly service, beautiful atmosphere, amazing food. We recommend the sirloin Oscar, the brussels sprouts (I swear they're good!), and the scallops. Really you can't go wrong though. Pricey but worth every penny. Don't forget to leave room for the bread pudding, it's amazing. So was the coffee.
(5)Jane J.
Dined several times at 19 Bella. Food is consistently excellent. Service is consistently subpar. No problems with taking the order and getting the entrees, but ignored after that. The last time I dined here, the two servers working in our dining room were overwhelmed to the point where I felt guilty about asking for our check. Maybe I'll try mid-week, but never again on a weekend.
(3)Dayna S.
Great atmosphere in a quaint little shopping village. The outdoor seating on a nice summer night is perfect. Friendly staff, but slow service. Food is HIT or just OK. since it's BYOB it helps to keep it affordable - but some items are pricey. Sharing is the way to go.
(3)Nicole H.
19 bella hosted our rehearsal dinner at the end of August, and we would not have wanted it any other way. Dana was EXTREMELY accommodating, and made the entire planning experience a breeze. I left the menu completely up to her, and she did not disappoint. Each plate was better than the last. I am still drooling over the sweet potato gnocchi and sauteed brussel sprouts. We sprung dessert on her at the last minute, and she had the kitchen prepared the most AMAZING croissant bread pudding. The private room was so perfect to celebrate such an exciting event with friends and family. They are BYOB, which is staying within a certain price range - and we had fun choosing the wine and beer for the event. We are already planning a return visit sometime soon!!
(5)Gretchen S.
I have no explanation for the lack of insanely good reviews about this place... other than the fact that Americans are 'instant gratification' driven brats. Yes, the food takes a bit longer than at your run of the mill Applebee's or steak house. If you want food like that, you shouldn't be reviewing on Yelp. Ew. However... it is HIGHLY worth the wait. The menu is diverse, not gigantic, but definitely has a great variety. There is only 1 fried item on the menu, they have amazing Mayan hot chocolate and the albondigas are delish. I also hear that the short rib is killer! The restaurant itself is small, there is an addition (tent) that has heat lamps, lights, strands of pretty decorator lights and it was PACKED. It was pretty cold out, but everything was heated so the entire place was comfy. Its a bit pricey, but it is a 3 hour dining experience, not just a quick bite to eat. I will definitely go back here, and bring friends. Loved the quaint, friendly atmosphere and there are other items on the menu that I must try... and don't forget to BYOB of course!
(5)D G.
Great selection of tapas! It's been hard to decide what to get, I've been here twice and am looking forward to going again to finish trying everything I want to eat. Great pace to the service. Just don't forget your reservation or bottle of wine.
(5)Chris M.
Sitting in a tranquil corner of the exurbs, offering a creative theme for the area, 19 Bella is the sort of place I really wanted to like. The menu boasted a delicious array of mediterranean small plates, and the decor was chic and urban. All signs pointed to an enjoyable night out, but twas not to be. 19 Bella is BYOB, and, like many BYOBs, they give out complimentary drinks. After standing in the small foyer waiting for a table (we had reservations), we were eventually treated to some sangria, which was tasty. After about 15 minutes, the hostess asked us to go wait outside because it was "breezier" out there -- admittedly, and as we came to appreciate later it was pretty hot inside the dining room. So we went outside and sat in some adirondack chairs right in the outdoor seating area, starving, surrounded by people devouring their food -- fine, whatever. Upon returning to tell us a table would be ready soon (15 minutes after that), I asked her if we could have another round of sangria for the wait -- she said no. Not sure if this is about restaurant policy or what, but I thought it was pretty bad form to say no and not even attempt to proffer an explanation. Annoying, but OK. When we were finally seated, we ordered 5 dishes off of the menu and asked the waitress -- the same who denied us our libations -- said we should not miss the brussels sprouts (corollary: worst dish of the 6; undercooked, under-seasoned). She was not pleasant in the least, unfortunately. Our food came out slowly over the course of the next hour or so, and we shared it amongst the three of us. Each plate was demolished almost instantly because of how hungry we were at this point, all the while trying to keep an unsightly sweat at bay, stemming from the heat in the dining room. I should say most of the food was good. The cheese plate was the star, with the heirloom tomato and mozzarella close behind. The only problem was that after 6 plates, we were still hungry. Now I could overlook all of these things: the drink denial, the heat, the torpid pace, the fact that I wanted to order pizza after paying $25. But the thing that made this experience subpar for me was that the staff was not that nice. When you have 100 things melting down, you should be effusively friendly to offset the other factors. The nicest member of the staff was the busboy! So, maybe because this place is new, they are still trying to work out the bugs. And it has the potential to be a great spot, but it's not there yet.
(2)Maria M.
This is such a GREAT restaurant!!! Everything is homemade right down to the butter!!! Very quaint, intimate. Decor is vintage, yet has a modern feel. Eclectic in that nothing matches, each cup, each plate, saucer, napkin is different but in reality matches perfectly. Great BYOB !!!
(4)Holly K.
My husband and I loved this place! The atmosphere and type of dinner (tapas) was such a nice change. We got to try 8 dishes (9 including dessert). The brussel sprouts and fried dates are a must. The short rib was to die for. It was pretty busy for a sunday night and we should have had a reservation but they accommodated us. And it doesn't get any better than a BYO. I only gave four stars though b/c we weren't crazy about the vietnamese meatballs or seafood boullabaise. definitely going there again.
(4)Rich R.
I dined (tasted) at 19 Bella last night with my girlfriend. I really am torn between aspects of the experience. Driving up to the restaurant, we were truly pleased to see a relaxed setting with several people dining outdoors on a perfect summer evening. Although the option for an inside table was available, we chose to dine outdoors too. The server was very friendly and quite talkative. She was very welcoming, even to the point of offering cushions for our chairs. We brought our own wine and chose three items to start. Being tapas style, we figured we would order more if we wanted more. I've had many great experiences with tapas and love the style of dining. It adds fun and closeness to an evening. The main difference I found between tapas at 19 Bella and other places I have enjoyed tapas is the portion size. Although the small plates are to be shared, 19 Bella did not even offer enough food to share - and for very overpriced items. It was ridiculous. We ordered: Sautéed Fresh Kale w/Lemon, Smoked Peppers, Garlic & Olive Oil; Olive Oil Poached Artichokes w/Bacon, Asparagus, Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic Glaze; and Sea Scallops Portuguese Style-Roasted Sweet Peppers, Lemon, Garlic & Herbs. It was clear that a great deal of care and time went into each dish. Tthey were enjoyable, but the portions were disappointing; even as tapas. Almost $60 later we had a handful of kale, two artichokes and three scallops. After all, most of the components of what you look for in a dining experience were there but spoiled by the feeling of being cheated. Had the portions been somewhat more reasonable for sharing; rather than tasting, we would have ordered much more food. The next time we want tapas, we'll spend the money on gas and drive into the city.
(2)Regina R.
My husband and I went here for NY eve on a tip from a friend after having a so-so Xmas meal at Hotel Fiesole. 19 Bella was an amazing experience. The food was superbly prepared and the staff was attentive. I had the best Kale dish I had ever had. I am a vegan and am very hard to please. They did an amazing job even though they had to adapt to a preset menu. My husband had the omnivore dinner and he said the Oyster stew was to die for. I had a long conversation with the owner's wife and it appears that they really want to position them self as a local sustainable restaurant. They are doing a great job. I look forward to going back on a regular night to test out if NY eve wasn't just something extra special. It also helps that they are BYOB.
(5)Paul M.
I went for lunch today upon the recommendation of the owner of the restaurant next door - Olce Pizzaria. Yes, they seem to be on good terms although, comparing the two, Olce's $10 lunch special presents the far better value. At 19 Bella, I had the fried calamari with a dill aioli and the salade Lyonaise. The calamari was crispy and nicely seasoned but the salad was a bit heavy on the bleu and lardons. I thought lardons would be crispy slivers of duck skin but these were rather chewy, well-fried chunks of pancetta, some of which were a bit hard on the choppers. A larger portion of greens and pear to absorb all would have been welcomed. The home baked bread was a nice complement. Overall, for my $20 tab, I liked the two small plates but thought the price was high for a lunch menu. I don't argue that small plates are the way to go but, for a mid-day fare, dropping the price by just a dollar or would appeal more to my sense of value. Or a $20 three plate luncheon tasting menu would be reason to return. Until then, Olce has my vote for a great $10 lunch. CP
(3)Joel K.
We just returned from 19 Bella. My daughter wanted to take me out to dinner for my 65th birthday so we went to 19 Bella because of the great reviews we were reading. When my daughter and her husband arrived, she said the hostess didn't even acknowledge them. Once they got her attention, they were seated in a fairly nice corner of the restaurant. When my wife and I arrived and looked at the menu, the prices seemed fair, but that was before the actual food was presented before us. I still can't believe the chicken dish I ordered was $18 and there were only 2 small chunks of chicken with tidbits of lobster. My wife received 3 scallops for about $15. 3 scallops are supposed to be an entree? My daughter's salmon never arrived and her husband received 4 small spanish meatballs. What made the evening even worse, instead of being served as a group, entrees and vegetables were served to each person separately. My wife received her salad and scallops together and the rest of us basically sat there eating bread. The bill was $100 for a meal that was supposed to be special, but it was only small, haphazard and non-existent. We will not return.
(1)Jeff P.
Delicious brunch at 19 Bella. Funky décor, warm attentive service. Food was exquisitely prepared and wonderfully flavorful. Top- notch ingredients. A bit pricey ( approx. $4.50 for coffee and a charge for bread) but complementary Sangria or Mimosa offered. Highly recommended.
(4)Marv M.
We had to eat is a heated TENT at the back of the restaurant. It was very crowded and we heard the complete conversation of the next table. The food was so- so and way too expensive for what it is. This place specializes in tapas style. When you orders 4 or 5 small portions the cost is way more than if you have simply ordered 2 complete entre's and shared. While the food was tasty and interesting, it was nothing to write home about.
(1)Mark H.
Wife and I ate here on a Sat night. We were pleased with both the selections on the menu and the service. Yes we seated in a carnival tent which wasnt the greatest so hopefully they add on in the future. It is byob so bring a bottle of something, hang out and enjoy the tapas. We will return. Pretty casual and the vibe was fun in there.
(4)Katherine L.
My husband took me to 19 Bella last night for my birthday. It's a small BYOB tapas style restaurant. We each ordered three small plates as suggested on the menu. I had a hard time choosing because everything sounds amazing. We ended up getting mussels, italian crepes, sweet potato gnocchi, lobster with asparagus and hollandaise sauce, lamb chops and boar saltimbocca. I have to say each one of these plates were incredible. I really could not choose a favorite. I highly recommend 19 Bella the food is OUTSTANDING!!!!!
(5)Camille F.
My husband and I ate here on a Monday night so we didn't have any experiences with crowds that some of the other posters mentioned. We were seated right away. The six items we ordered were delicious (Caesar Salad, pork stew, lamb kabobs, spanish shrimp, beef bourguignon, and bacon wrapped dates. We were not quite stuffed and saved some room for Turkish coffee and a cannoli. We would recommend this place.
(5)Warren P.
This past Friday evening we were looking for a new spot for dinner in the area, and my wife remembered seeing a new restaurant open in Skippack, right at the corner of 73 and Bustard road. We looked it up, quickly found 19 Bella, and were excited by the menu of small plates. We called at 6 for a reservation for three, and took the first available at 8:30. We took the later reservation as a good sign that the restaurant was doing well and was busy. In retrospect, it may have been the size of restaurant and the speed of service about which we should have drawn conclusions. We arrived and were quite impressed with the atmosphere. 19 Bella is a very attractive setting, with a nice outside seating area which looked inviting. We entered the restaurant and realized that it really is quite small (holding about 8 tables inside), without any sizable waiting area inside. I should mention that it was about 96 degrees with 100% humidity outside, and we were disappointed to find that it felt about 98 degrees with 100% humidity inside. I'm not certain if the restaurant is usually air conditioned and the AC was simply broken on our visit, or if the ceiling fans are usually sufficient when the weather isn't quite so unpleasant. We stood in the tiny hallway near the bathroom for 5 minutes or so and then were offered 3 small sangrias on the house (it is a BYOB). The gentleman greeting us was pleasant and seemed a bit flustered (it seemed fairly busy and if the AC had just stopped working, this seems understandable.) After another 10 minutes or so standing around in the hallway, they suggested we enjoy the breezier waiting area outside. While it was, unarguably, breezier than inside, it wasn't particularly pleasant. We sat another 30 minutes without meaningful updates from the staff, and then were given menus to peruse. At 9:20 (50 minutes after our reservation), we were seated inside. We were starving, and somewhat surprised that it took another 15 minutes before someone came to take our order. It was now after 9:30 and we were all starving. With two of us being vegetarian, many of the heartier options were off the table. We ordered a cheese plate, artichoke and mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella salad, a mediterranean dip plate, potatoes au gratin, and, at the suggestion of the waitress, brussel sprouts with almonds. Given that most of these were labeled 'starters', we should not have been surprised that they were each about three bites per person, cheese plate excluded. Most of these were enjoyable but fairly unremarkable, particularly at $2 per bite. No single plate made me want to bring friends back to 19 Bella, and the brussel sprouts were approaching inedible. As a small aside, it does seem that 19 Bella offers a fine romantic atmosphere. The only thing murkier and damper than the climate at 19 Bella were the intentions of the youthful lothario at the table next to ours. Over the course of our 3 hour slog through six tiny mostly-acceptable plates, this young cassanova managed to enjoy a prolonged kiss with his apparent companion as well as another female dining with him, all while mapping by hand the topography of the waitress' derriere. We left 19 Bella apparently having enjoyed our evening much less than the fellow next to us. I'm not at all opposed to a lesiurely exploration of small plates over three hours if the food, service, and environment are enjoyable. The unfortunate combination of the temperature inside and the semi-indifference of the staff made it difficult to overlook the new-restaurant glitches that I would normally accept as part of the hazards of early adoption. If they can get the AC fixed and smile through a long night of service, 19 Bella might be worth another try one day.
(2)Christine T.
We went to Bella Friday night on recommendation of a friend, we had high hopes. We were welcomed in seated out in the tent and then forgotten. We watched a guy who was running around with his head cut off run to other tables a hostess waitress taking orders at tables seated after us and when we asked for service he looked at us like we were crazy and impatient for asking. The bread was delicious, some of the plates were delicious, the med tasting plate, the spinach and ricotta crepes flawless, calamari was good, gnocchi not so, sweetbreads definitely a NOT- did not love the mushroom ravioli's way too gamy for my taste, the lobster was delicious after we got it . two people came to our table asking if we had received it yet, they tried to deliver two of the raviolis to our table, steak was ok and asparagus very good . Overall- some items worth having again, service was horrendous, the guy was absolutely rude and unaccommodating and the hostess who waited on us kept saying how understaffed they were. Not sure if we will go back. They need to get their act together kitchen keeping track of how the food comes out and the service, we might as well have been going up to get the food ourselves. Front room messy, back room hot then cold hot then cold- Bot a good value as it stands right now.
(2)Rachel E.
I recently dined with a couple friends at 19 Bella. I was really looking forward to trying the new spot. I have to say that I was underwhelmed. We were seated in the heated tent which I didn't mind at all. The decor is a little odd. The menu is quite extensive and I can't really figure out what their focus is. I get the whole tapas thing but they had greek, italian, french, thai, indian, etc. We ordered a couple from each section. The brussel sprouts were good. We enjoyed the asparagus as well. The short ribs were pretty good too. That was probably it. Everything seemed to have dill in it. So about half of the dishes tasted the same. The paella was disappointing. Everything came out at once so we felt a little rushed. We finally had to tell them to slow down. One thing I was excited to try was the tableside pasta carbonara. Again bummed because the pasta was complete mush. If they thought about cutting the menu down then they could concentrate on better execution. I will say the staff was great! Very personable and helpful. I'll be back because every place deserves a second chance. I'm hoping it was just an off night.
(3)Steve J.
Amazing menu and tea and coffee. We ordered the Mayan hot chocolate and it was literally the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my life!!! I would drive back from NYC to have it again. The food was also incredible. I can't begin to describe how good this place was. Do not miss it!
(5)Hayley S.
love, love, LOVE 19 Bella! My new favorite restaurant!! sharing plates, tapas, many home-made items (rustic bread, butter (sweet on Sundays!), and they even roast their own coffee (french press), truffled bernaise sauce (OMG) - this is one great BYOB. Although I have been here several times on a Sunday, I still have not ordered from the brunch menu because I am way too excited about all of the other menu items! Most times I am offered a bloody mary, mimosa, or Sangria however my visit yesterday proved no complimentary beverage. I didnt mind as my guest and I were well prepared with a bottle of red and bottle of white to compliment this fantasitc experience in Gastronomy. Some of my favorites: The Cheese Plate - adorned with honey, almonds and fruit chutney The butter poached lobster with asparagus and truffled bernaise sauce The shrimp and avocado salad The pork belly and pork cheek dishes Lemon Risotto Brazillian Shrimp I cant wait to try many more menu items!! They are all so good and carefully prepared. The china is fantastic - mismatched and victorian. the service is great, the owners are great and have a true passion for food. Although usually very busy, they never rush you so it is truly an excellent experience. If you are a true foodie - Go to Bella - you will LOVE it. What are you waiting for? GO!
(5)Caroline P.
took mom out for brunch with the whole famiglia - party of 8 we were met at the door with complimentary mimosas (freshly squeezed oj - yes!) wonderful a la carte brunch selections of note - many items are housemade: bread, butter, pasta and their house-cured b'fast meats are delicious the service was attentive and not rushed, even on such a busy morning i had the eggs bene with butter-poached lobster - they were fabulous, although the eggs were over-poached a bit we left well-fed and happy at about $20 a person (we declined coffee/dessert) this will remain our local brunch spot upgrading to 4.5 stars
(4)David G.
I always select the "menu of confidence" when visiting this restaurant. I have never been disappointed with the selections that the Chef makes and know that I would never have tried many of the items had I needed to select them myself. Figs wrapped in bacon, brussel sprouts with bacon bits, scallops, lamb shanks, and bananas foster for dessert ... Never would have selected those on my own and they were all fantastic!
(4)Traci P.
Our most favorite restaurant. Food is phenomenal! Very diverse menu, something for everyone. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Chef does not cut corners, everything is fresh and delicious. Well worth the money! Can't wait to go back...
(5)Michelle F.
A few friends and I went to 19 Bella this week for my birthday. A friend of mine was the roommate of Grant and Rachel's a few years ago. I've always known Grant's cooking to be fantastic and have seen him first hand making butter and roasting/grinding his own coffee. Dinner on Wednesday lived up to my expectations!! 5 of us picked a few dishes each and passed them around. Every dish was amazing and cooked to perfection! The fried dates wrapped in bacon were my absolute favorite, followed by the pork loin. We also ordered the Filet Oscar, Bolognese, lobster risotto, pork tacos, among others. I had a bite of everything and everything was delicious! I can't wait to go back! You must try this place!
(5)Tim S.
My girlfriend and I went here for our Valentines dinner and loved it. The meal was very flavorful, the highlight being the mushroom risotto. The service was excellent and our server, Danielle was very knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be going back !
(5)M K.
Not a place for dinner for your family, way too expensive and wierd menu. You get a 4 course meal for $56pp or 5 course meal for 64pp! They say you can share your meal with your friends? You hardly get anything for each course. Not my type of Restourant. BTW, here is a private message for all you brunchsters. mobile.nytimes.com/2014/…
(1)Alex H.
I am salivating just thinking of the delicious foods served at 19 Bella. The Sunday brunch blew my mind. The cheese plate was a beautiful presentation with home made bagel chips and fresh fragrant options. I ordered the special stroganoff hash. Strong fresh flavors of raw mustard seed and mushroom made a delightful note on the pallet. I would highly suggest eating at 19 Bella to anyone who enjoys great service and an experience not soon forgotten. Ask to be sat in Danielle's section.
(5)Kim M.
Fifth time here last Friday Night - Love 19 Bella. Went with a big group (my whole family) and sent our small plates around the table. Most dishes were amazing...some were not up to par. Ordered tuna that was supposed to be rare, but came out thoroughly cooked. They took the tuna right off our bill. Highly recommend kale, short ribs, and MALTED MILK BALL CREME BRULEE. So, so, so good.
(4)Ali M.
Love 19 Bella! This is hands down the best tapas restaurant I've been to. My husband and I go here often and have never had a bad meal. The specials change frequently and there is always a special something that Chef Grant is offering that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere (Monkfish Foie Gras!). Some stand out favorite dishes are the Sweet Potato Gnocchi, the Beet Salad (our favorite!), Charred Brussel Sprouts, the Albondigas (Swedish Meatballs), Shrimp Paulista, Merguez Sausage...I could go on and on. Great place for a group of peoples, as you will end up sharing everything. The staff is outstanding, knowledgeable and clearly cares as much about the food as the customer.
(5)Carol B.
Enjoyed a lovely and delicious Valentine's Day dinner at 19 Bella. Every thing we ate that night was delicious and the great thing about small plates is that I can enjoy mushroom risotto and fish tacos in the same meal! Both were great. A Valentine's meal is not complete without dessert and I loved our raspberry cheesecake. Yum! Service was great. Everyone was friendly. Danielle, our server, did a great job. Her recommendations were spot on. I loved the rustic decor and it was cozy and warm on such a chilly night. Definitely need to go back because there are so many more things I can't wait to try on their menu!
(5)Michael R.
This is an excellent restaurant with the right amount of homey charm and class. The food is always good, with enough variety to please more conservative and more adventurous palates. It's one of our go-to spots to take guests we have visiting from out of town. The Turkish coffee and pastries are always a great way to finish up a meal there too.
(5)Drew D.
My husband and I went back here last weekend for a third time. We sat inside and it was really hot, like uncomfortably hot. The waiter forgot to bring us water and the olives that are supposed to be on the table missing (we never got the olives). My husband got the steak kabobs and they were great. The vegetable lasagna and lamb were just okay. The $22 cheese plate left much to be desired. 3 of the 4 cheeses were soft and just didn't taste right. I've had plenty of cheese and this was off. For $22 I would've expected great cheese and the stems taken off the grapes completely, just sayin.' We ended up spending $100 for a party of two, which was cheaper than the other two times we went...
(3)Gerald F.
Sorry. Not my style. Not having been there before, the wait staff stated we should get between three and four dishes for each person. I asked if that meant we should get 16 dishes between the four of us and then dessert on top of that? She said that would be too much. So I asked if that meant 12 dishes plus dessert which also to me seemed like a lot. She looked at me puzzled and said well, maybe not even that many. We ended up ordering eight dishes +2 desserts for a bill of about $200. Here's how it went. I had 1 shrimp. A taste of fish. 6 macaroni 2 chunks of lobster 3 tiny tiny pita triangles of feta and hummus. ( here's where you Mr. owner need to break out of your shell. Serving four people one half small Pita is beyond absurd, laughable. Why not bring a bread basket with two or even three small pitas. Five little tiny finger size triangles were absurd. ) We ended with Bread and great coffee and A taste of 2 deserts. I'm starved. Well that's me. Everyone else was ok with the great food. My party loved it. The food deliverer got 25% of the orders to our table wrong And picked it off our table for the right one. Not good. Asking all the time and us saying its not ours. Perhaps too many"small plates"? 2 deserts. $9 each. Tiny plates again. Man! You're kidding me. Again. They were happy. I usually order by food-not by price. This place is different. Perhaps i'm used to American plates.. And I felt as if no matter how many plates I ordered I would never be satisfied. While my guests were very satisfied from the very rich dishes that were served. About one months ago I had New York original tapis small plate Spanish. And their plates, also between nine and $18, but I got more food and I felt the quality was much better and the portions slightly larger. But that was New York pricing not Cedars. My suggestion? Do not bring your husband here when he is extremely hungry. Feed him first. ( I saw a dad bristle when his daughter was dividing a small plate and he was wondering just how little he would get. Sorry. I'm numb. )
(3)Katie L.
This food is AMAZING. The service is great and so is the atmosphere. I highly recommend the artichokes. I would come here all the time if the hubby liked to eat out more. Highly recommend the place.
(5)Don L.
Beautiful ambiance, fun and delicious food, and excellent service = our favorite restaurant in the area. Thanks for a great night out!
(5)Jackie M.
This is the best little cozy spot to enjoy a yummy brunch:) Everything is so cute and the food is amazing!!
(5)Mark J.
Dining Date October 13, 2014 for dinner. Came here with 8 work colleagues, and must say the small plate / sharing concept was perfect for a large group. We all had the opportunity to try close to half of the menu, and there was not a single dish we did not thoroughly enjoy. Since all the food did not come out of the kitchen at the same time, just when I finished trying one item, a fresh, hot new item was ready to sample. The food was incredible and the variety was expansive. Prices are on the high side, but the meal and the experience was worth the price. The service was great, and they gladly accommodated the wine/beer that we brought in with us (BYOB).
(5)Brian H.
I've been to this location before, years before, under prior ownership, and not until last night did this small, cozy space grab me and shout "wow". From the non-matching china and glassware, the bold, alive colors of the room, the service with a helpful attitude and smile (like these servers enjoyed being there), through to the creative tapas, I am a big fan. We, the blonde du jour and I, shared 5 small plates, starting with the sauteed wild mushrooms in a sherry garlic, and I emphasize GARLIC, and herb sauce. The mushrooms were fantastic, too much garlic actually took the plate down a notch, not my favorite dish of the night. 3 stars The poached long stem Roman artichoke w/ bacon, asparagus, oven dried tomato, caramelized onion & balsamic glaze was bursting with flavor and we were moving in the right direction. The bacon pieces were a little tough to chew. 3.5 stars The Italian sausage risotto with red wine, mushrooms & tomato was good, was a little wet and loose, not a traditional risotto, but the sausage was tender and fabulous. 3.5 stars The grilled lamb chops/greek style, with honey and lemon were two decent sized chops cooked a perfect medium rare, decadent in my opinion, tender, very tasty and one of my top 2 dishes of the night. 5 stars And finally arrived the lobster Normandy asparagus, most delectable tender hunks of lobster with a powerful Bearnaise with the right touch of truffle flavor. 4 stars And then room to split a chocolate mousse. It was a milk chocolate mousse, hey, it was chocolate, it was good. I had no problem with the timing space between servings, even one of the servers asked if they should slow down delivery as three plates came out within 20 minutes. After answering yes, we had time to finish off those plates, breath a little, drink some wine, before the lamb and then the lobster made their appearance. I will return in the near future, so many more plates to try.
(4)S S.
This is a touristic place. Great ambience and service with heavy and greasy dishes at a hefty price. It is not exactly a real Spanish/Mediterranean tapas place either. We (4 people) spent over $350 - no alcohol as it's BYOB in PA. Tiny dishes! Left hungry so we went to get more food else where... will not return.
(2)Dan H.
We have gone to 19 Bella since they opened after Rosalie closed. I think the quality of food has dropped somewhat since then. The standard choices we have always ordered, like the Brussels sprouts, have really been less than stellar. It's still a very nice place to go but we just feel it's dimmed some of the original luster.
(3)Ann F.
I honestly don't even know where to start with the review -- this could the the BEST brunch experience we have ever had!! The food is the most flavorful and unbelievable variety I've ever seen. Our server, Samantha, was the most gracious host -- her love of the place and the food coming out in every description. And she personally made a table-side Caesar salad that was the best any of us had EVER had! We're already planning how soon we can return!
(5)Danielle S.
I've had dinner at 19 Bella a few times. All I can say is that every time it has been a great experience. The building and decor are inviting and unique! You feel like you're eating in an old farmhouse. The food speaks for itself! I personally really enjoy the asparagus with bearnaise and the diver Scallops! I have yet to have a dish I dislike. The staff is friendly and inviting and I look forward to many future evenings at 19 Bella.
(5)Craig D.
(4.5) ~ Very Good Food & Service! The ambiance is very quaint & "country-innish";) BONUS: The Bread, Butter, & Jams are homemade; And they Smoke their own Breakfast Meats and Roast their own Coffee ~ WOW!;) OUR BRUNCH MENU: DRINKS: **Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice = (4.5) Very Good! And YES it's Freshly Squeezed!;)lol **French Press Coffee = (4.5) Very Good! **HINT: Get the Half-Size for (1) person, b/c the Full Size is 32 oz.;) AND if you or someone at the table gets the Mayan Hot Chocolate, pour a little in your coffee and create a Mocha;) * Turkish Coffee = (4) very good * Mayan Hot Chocolate = (4) very good & very sweet;) * Belgian Hot Chocolate = (3.5) good, but the Mayan is better;) * Water(tap) = (3.5) good...must be filtered;) COFFEES: **Ethiopian(Bonga) = (4) very good *Guatemalan Geisha = (3.75) Good *Mokka Java = (3.5) good *Ugandan Coffee = (3.5) good *Kona Greenwell Coffee = (3.5) good * Cameroon = (3.5) good APPETIZERS: * Sourdough Toast = (4) very good, warm & homemade;) * Butter(Homemade) = (4) very good & creamy FRUIT JAMS: **Blueberry Lime Jam = (5) Excellent! *Peach Vanilla Jam = (4.5) Very Good! *Blueberry Jam = (4) very good *Apricot Jam = (4) very good *Mixed Berry Jam = (4) very good & homemade *Strawberry Rhubarb = (4) very good *Blueberry & Blackberry Jam = (3.5) good ENTREES: ** Skirt Steak Hash = (4.75) Very Good & Spicy! Ask for a side of Red Sauce(Patatas Bravas) with it;) * Pork(Breakfast) Tacos w. Eggs, Guacomole & Pickled cabbage and Homefries = (4.5) Very Good! My only wish would be larger tortillas so I can add the egg on top;)lol * Short Rib Hash w Caramelized Onions & Potatoes-Two Eggs Any Style ~ (4.25) Very good ***HINT: Ask for the "Patatas Bravas" Red Sauce on the side to pour on the Short Rib Hash;) * Organic Pork Hash with Brussels Sprouts = (4) very good * Cuban Beef Empanadas = (3.5) good * Breakfast Handheld Pie(Western) = (3.5) good SIDES: ** Slab Bacon = (4) very good! And it's house smoked & thick! No Nitrites in this one;) DESSERTS: ** Sticky Toffee Cake w. Homemade Caramel Sauce = (4.5) good * Chocolate Mousse = (4) very good & smooth;) * Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding w. local Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream = (4) very good * Stick Bun(w. nuts) & Butter Pecan Ice Cream = (4) very good * Croissant French Toast w. Bananas Fosters = (3.5) good * Banana's Fosters = (3.5) good * Crystal's Chocolate Cake = (3) ok NOTES: Reservations recommended b/c of its smaller size;) And yes they take Credit Cards.
(5)Kristin N.
Hmmm....not sure what to make of it. It's very charming and we were offered a complimentary wine upon entering. The breads were delicious. My fried dates were to die for. My gnocchi...not so much. They had an oddly firm outer texture...making them seem almost like fried tofu. My friends enjoyed their salad, duck breast, asparagus and Mac and cheese. We hadn't intended to share...probably sacrilege at a restaurant like this, but we were all just in the mood for what we wanted. We didn't explicitly state this and the pacing was offered at a sharing pace...meaning long stretches of someone without food. That one is on us, though and will consider it a lesson learned. The service wasn't great, however. No plates taken away, so the table was cluttered. Needed to ask for things like more water, more butter. We saw the table runner more than our server. There's enough on the menu that is up my alley, so I'd be willing to try it again.
(3)Kate J.
I've tried a couple of times and Bella just doesn't do it for me. I find it cramped while the food is tasty it does not live up to the hype. You can get a lot better meal for the price at a variety of restaurants in Ambler.
(2)Peter K.
My friend and I had dinner at 19 Bella on Valentine's Day. I didn't realize how much space this restaurant had until we were led through the small restaurant entry area (with a few tables) through a breezeway into another building then up stairs into a fairly large room with about 10-12 tables. I knew this restaurant was tapas style and had heard it was pricey. The ambiance was pleasant and the noise level was reasonable. The motif for the table settings goes with vintage plates, glassware, etc. The idea behind the mismatched table settings is great but some advice for anyone wanting to enjoy their wine in a proper glass - bring your own glasses! I had a bottle of Guigal Hermitage and some Champagne. The glasses that were provided were not appropriate for either (perhaps for water or juice). I asked for another glass (so I could have Champagne and red wine at the same time). The waitress brought out a thick rimmed purple wine glass. If the restaurant wants this to be the chosen glass that's fine but don't plan to bring any wine above Yellow Tail quality because you won't be able to enjoy it! We ordered Brussels sprouts as well as a cold salmon tapas dish. We also ordered a filet dish that was to be shared by the couple. In a reasonable time the waitress arrived with the filet dish (which I assumed, tapas or not, should be served after the cold salmon dish). We were shocked and told her we would have liked the cold salmon dish to eat first (I wrongly assumed this would happen without asking). She told us she would have them hold the beef filet). A few minutes later my date noticed that the waitress was upset and crying. We felt bad but we didn't feel we did anything wrong. We just wanted to eat the cold salmon dish (with our Champagne) before the warm meat dish. A few minutes later she returned with the meat and said the kitchen couldn't hold the beef filet because it had foie gras on it. Luckily they also brought out the salmon dish. Unfortunately we had a large entree and the salmon on the (already) crowded table. So it was annoying. The salmon and the filet were very good. The Brussels sprouts dish came and it was okay - the sauce it was drenched in took away from the vegetable. Another suggestion I would like to make is that the plates that you are expected to eat from (after serving from the tapas serving plate) are entirely too small. Hopefully my long-winded review will get across a few points that I learned from my experience at 19 Bella. First the execution in serving the food appropriately should be worked on. Also the glassware is not even remotely acceptable for fine wine. The plates you are supposed to eat from are entirely too small. The food we had was very good but not what I would have expected for the exorbitant prices we paid. Unless some of these basic tenets of fine dining are addressed I will not return. I didn't feel like I got even close to my money's worth.
(2)