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    Bella Monica

    3.9 (679 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Pizza, Wine Bars
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Bella Monica Photos

    BELLA MONICA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bella Monica

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    Reviews With Photos

    Whole Wheat Penne
    Nick B.

    A fantastic local gem. Food is flavorful and serving are generous portions. Service was fantastic and our waiter Andrew really knew the menu and gave great recommendations. The restaurant itself feels like a classic Italian diner with a real family feel about it.

    Bruschetta
    Jamie M.

    The bruschetta is sooooo good. Pick 4, can easily make this a dinner. The chicken parm is enough for leftovers and is fantastic. Great wine selection, too! Friendly staff, fast service.

    Meat Lasagne. Perfection.
    Marissa M.

    Bella Monica really impressed me overall with their 5-Star service and delicious Italian cuisine. As a native New Yorker from Long Island, I know Italian food. I visited late this evening with a friend after making a 7:45 reservation on OpenTable. Karen was our waitress and she provided excellent service. There were several other waitstaff working our table who really contributed to an enjoyable dining experience. We decided on both a Beet Goat Cheese salad and the Pear Salad to start. Focaccia bread was brought to the table along with the salads. Our waitress recommended the Aragosta Verme white wine and it was excellent. We both had the Meat Lasagna which was perfect. Almost as good as mine :) Perfectly garnished with all the Italian herbs and baked beautifully. For dessert, I helped myself to the Toffee Bundt Cake which comes with vanilla ice cream and garnished with mint leaves. I also had a decaf espresso. Everything was perfect. This was a girl dinner gone right for once in the area. Overall beautiful presentation of the cuisine and excellent service. My new favorite restaurant in the Raleigh area.

    Denis M.

    We had a perfectly pleasant evening here a few nights ago. First visit for us, and arriving a little early for a 6.30 reservation, were quite surprised to find the place already humming and almost full. The food was excellent, the ambience cozy, and the service seamless. The manager, Blair, stopped by our table towards the end of our meal to thank us for visiting and inviting us back. A very nice touch. We ordered the bruchettes quartet, the sautéed calamari, and shared the chicken Parma, all delicious. This bistro certainly has that "je ne sais qoui" feel to it, and we'll definitely return!

    Menu
    Marian M.

    Decided on Bella Monica for my birthday dinner. I had heard many positive reviews over the years, but had never been. It's in a shopping plaza adjacent to Harris teeter. Plenty of parking. We made a reservation for 6pm and arrived a little early, but it was no issue & we were seated promptly. Just outside the door was a Happy Birthday greeting in chalk on the sidewalk which I thought was a nice touch. Once seated the hostess asked whose birthday it was (mine! ) and sprinkled Happy birthday confetti on the table. So cute. Our server was kind & friendly and took our drink & appetizer order. We ordered the garlic bread without cheese. The bread was crunchy & flavorful and the marinara sauce was delicious. We ordered rigatoni Alfredo, Calzone with ground beef & sausage, chicken parm and the spaghetti with shrimp scampi. The meals were all very good. They brought a birthday cannoli with a candle & we ordered tiramisu. The cannoli shell was crunchy and the filling was sweet & delicious. The tiramisu was excellent. Great evening at Bella Monica and I see why it's well liked. We'll have to try it again.

    Pancetta brown butter brussel sprouts
    Tiffany T.

    10 star rating needed! Dining out with food allergies is scary, can be very unsettling and can be make you feel like you are an aggravation. This was my first time dining at Bella Monica and hands down it was the most comforting, welcoming and enjoyable experience I've ever had dining out with food allergies! The restaurant was full for our lunch time visit, yet they were so attentive to my allergy needs! For allergies they place a special colored plate (see green plate in pic) on your dining table so that all staff/servers are aware of an allergy diner--this was such a comfort to see the carefulness and seriousness the restaurant takes food allergies. The staff deserves 10 stars on their own! Thank you!! Aside from my food allergy needs---THE FOOD WAS AMAZING!! The Brussel sprouts are a must with brown butter and pancetta for an appetizer. We had steak flatbread on their homemade dough with flavorful tomato sauce and perfectly, thin cut steak. The shrimp scampi spaghetti was so light and fresh, sprinkled with green onions and tomatoes smothered in garlic and oil. For those that suffer food allergies or anyone looking for delicious Italian food -- THIS IS YOUR PLACE! The ambiance was vibrant and fun for lunch, but I could see could be romantic for evening enjoyment. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Bella Monica--What a treat!! Thank you so very much to Bella Monica for making my dining experience safe and DELICIOUS! *My allergies for those wondering--soy, nut, cabbage, carrot, pea

    Olive and onion pizza.
    chaz t.

    We asked our personal Ai assistant where I could find the best Italian restaurant in the triangle with vegan options. This spot was highly recommended as they had a dedicated vegan menu. As it was my first time there I was anxious to try as many of the vegan options as possible. Michaela was my server and she was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. She let me know that the vegan meatballs were made in house and were highly recommended. I started with the bruschetta and it was one of the best that I have ever had. Great crunch on the toast and the tomato topping was delicious. Then came the house salad - which was yummy. Next, I ordered the spaghetti with the house made gravy (which is a marinaras) with the vegan meatballs. The sauce and meatballs were the best that I have had! The meatballs are pea protein based and better than the run of the mill store bought varieties! On my way out, I ordered a pizza with veggies for later in the day. To further sample the cuisine of course. It was a thin delicious crust and a marvelous sauce. They do not offer plant based cheese so I took it home and added my own Violife mozzarella. Very tasty!! If they can add a vegan dessert option or two I will definitely be back even sooner. They do have an outdoor seating area in the side and on the front. In the front was a birthday gathering and the ambience looked to be amazing to share a group gathering. Thank you Michaela!

    Gluten-free focaccia
    Asya T.

    Worth the visit! I love dining at Bella Monica. I have eaten here at least 15 times. As a gluten-free diner, it is not often that I am able to choose Italian as a cuisine option. Bella Monica has made this possible for me. The gluten-free menu is quite expansive and includes soups, appetizers, several pasta and sauce dishes, salads with protein options, seafood and meat dishes with sides, and desserts. They even offer gluten-free focaccia bread. They serve all food for gluten-free individuals on different colored plates so that the back-of-house employees and front-of-house employees are on the same page. I love that aspect. It is smaller than the large chunk they serve non-gluten-free diners, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. I usually dine alone and around lunchtime; however, I have dined there for dinner on two occasions. The seating at the bar is comfortable, and there is usually only one person working behind the bar, so it doesn't feel too hectic. They offer outdoor and indoor seating, and I find both to be extremely comfortable. In the winter, they light the outdoor heating lamps, making the temperature tolerable. My favorite appetizer there is the oven-roasted mussels in a mushroom leek cream sauce. There is so much flavor packed into this dish. It is a nice change from the traditional white wine with chorizo or sausage. It is not heavy and is well-sized for the price. Even though they serve gluten-free pasta, I choose the gluten-free chicken parmesan with Nana's gravy over a bed of spinach. The chicken piece is large and crunchy on the outside with tender, flavorful, moist chicken on the inside. The Nana's gravy is well-composed and not too acidic. And of course, the melted cheese is a wonderful touch. When I am in the mood for dessert, I order their gluten-free tiramisu. It was rich, creamy, and espresso-forward.

    Whole Wheat Penne (chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, EVOO, parmesan-reggiano, pine nuts)
    Chip R.

    Bottom line: Great lunch meal at Bella Monica, the Whole Wheat Penne selection was delicious as well as light as it does not have a heavy sauce component. Service and atmosphere were good. If I could give half stars, I'd say 4.5 stars here. The Deets: Now that I think about it, I cannot believe I have not reviewed Bella Monica until now as these guys have been here in Raleigh for quite a few years. I was working near the area and got the chance to catch lunch there recently. We were greeted at the door promptly and given our choice of table or booth, so we went with a booth midway into the long narrow restaurant area. The server was pleasant and helpful, and started us off with some bread for the table. The bread looked like a square slice of sponge cake to me drizzled in olive oil, but tasting reveals that it is a light airy type of bread that I enjoyed (I am not a fan of hard crusty type breads so I loved this version, see pics). For my lunch meal, I went with the Whole Wheat Penne menu selection that includes chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan-Reggiano, and pine nuts. Reading the ingredients, it sounded delicious and light and when it arrived, the impression from the description proved correct (see pics). I really enjoyed this dish, wonderful flavors blending together without being heavy. I would definitely get this one again, it was great as it ticked most all the boxes of a nice Italian flavor profile without a heavy sauce. I would say 4.5 stars for this lunch visit to Bella Monica, and would love to visit again in the future.

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    Omg. Everything is great here. Bread, Wedding soup , salad, desert don't miss out

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    Foxcroft Food & Wine - Vadouvan Brussels Sprouts
Pomegranate-chili glaze, feta cheese, red cabbage, and vadouvan yogurt.

    Foxcroft Food & Wine

    4.6(29 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    We were back at Foxcroft Food & Wine this weekend. A second, third, or fourth trip is usually a…read moregood sign. The North Hills spot ( 4421 Six Forks Road in Raleigh, beside Total Wine) feels settled in the best way. Comfortable, Welcoming, Cozy. We started slowly. A wine flight. Truffle fries with truffle aioli, parmesan, oregano. Marinated olives layered with citrus and herbs. Nothing too over the top, but generous and satisfying. The kinds of plates you keep reaching for without realizing it. For dinner, we had the the NY Strip (North Carolina pasture-raised Angus with Diane sauce and a French onion potato gratin). And the roasted whole fish (with hazelnut gremolata, citrus beurre blanc, and confit sunchoke). Both cooked to perfection, nothing missing, and absolutely delicious. What stuck with us the most htough, the service. Ben and Oscar were sharp, attentive, and present without being overbearing. They made the evening feel even more incredible. Some places try hard to impress - Foxcroft Food & Wine just delivers (time and time again).

    Foxcroft is located in the North Hills area. Once we arrived we were seated right away. I loved the…read moredecor in the restaurant with multiple wine bottles on display. The business was clean and there is also a bar inside. The restaurant has a large selection of wines and offers flights for purchase. The restaurant had some people dining in but they were not overly packed. Initially our server was pleasant and attentive. I got a blood orange sparkling water. It was ok. I ordered the whipped ricotta for an appetizer to share and a burger with fries for my entree. The whipped ricotta was ok. It would taste better with some sort of seasoning in it. My fries were served hot but needed some salt. I asked for my burger to be cooked well done but I was brought a burnt burger. I took one bite but it was too overcooked. I then requested that my server have my burger be cooked medium well so I didn't get another burnt burger. When my burger was brought back out, our server had me cut into my burger to make sure it was to my liking. The preparation was better but it was bland and tasted like there wasn't any seasoning on it. After this our server wasn't as attentive anymore. For dessert we got the donuts. They were served warm and I enjoyed them with the cherry sauce. I did not like the chocolate sauce that was served with the donuts.

    Photos
    Foxcroft Food & Wine - Our wine preservation system ensures consistent temperatures and keeps our wines by the glass fresh!

    Our wine preservation system ensures consistent temperatures and keeps our wines by the glass fresh!

    Foxcroft Food & Wine - Pork chop

    Pork chop

    Foxcroft Food & Wine - Crispy Duck
House confit duck leg, brandy-peppercorn sauce, and white bean ragout.

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    Crispy Duck House confit duck leg, brandy-peppercorn sauce, and white bean ragout.

    Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Raleigh - Bread service

    Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Raleigh

    3.9(26 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    Nice wine bar in the North Hills area. Parking was a bit tricky until we realized a parking deck…read morewas nearby. This place certainly is trying to be fancy, especially with their prices. However, the atmosphere is fairly low key, although there were a lot of people here dressed up (business parties?). The tapas were not my thing. I actually hate tapas and sharing small plates. It's never enough food. We had calamari/goat cheese/margherita flat bread. The calamari was sub par and the goat cheese was too small a portion. The flatbread was good. My meal, pan seared scallops, was a really good. The scallops were huge! Loved the garlic mashed potatoes! Would highly recommend! Service was quick. The only downside I had was the massive gout in my toe the following day from eating all those large scallops. If you are prone to gout, be weary of the scallops!

    A Tier. A great spot for out-of-towners…read more Napa serves as a great luxury dining option while skipping the traffic in North Hills. The ambiance was pleasant, new and modern look. Typically restaurants that have open main dining areas cause a lot of noise which can make it difficult for polite conversation, but I won't knock that against them. Service was pleasant and attentive. The server admitted the kitchen was running behind and gave us a free bread basket and kept our drinks full. The portions were well sized. What prevents this restaurant from being "S Tier" is that there's nothing unique or exceptional about the restaurant. It is exactly what you'd expect but nothing more. Parking was easy with the parking garage nearby. I would certainly return and recommend to others.

    Photos
    Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Raleigh - Inside

    Inside

    Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Raleigh - Charred carrots

    Charred carrots

    Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Raleigh - Mocktails

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    Mocktails

    RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar - Interior during the Holiday season

    RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar

    4.8(94 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    Stopped by RBF recently for an afternoon drink and really enjoyed my experience!…read more First, we ended up finding street parking right next to RBF, but I think there may also be a dedicated parking lot outside the back patio? Not entirely sure since we still have no idea how to access it, but maybe look for that lot if street parking is challenging :) Anyway, RBF is located in the basement of a building, so we had to take an elevator down from the entrance we took. Inside, it's got chill vibes - it definitely feels like a wine bar :) We ended up sitting inside on a high top, but there were various couches and a good amount of outdoor seating available as well. It took a while for our server to come check in with us, but she was super friendly and helpful with the wine selections once she came over. I got a random glass of red wine (they do not serve beer, in case you were wondering!) while my wife tried out a couple of tasters and then picked out a white wine for herself. The wine was pretty tasty and it was definitely a generous portion. After sitting there for a while, we also decided to grab some bread with pesto on the side. It took a sec for it to come out, but it wasn't bad! Nothing extraordinary but I wasn't expecting anything super gourmet, so it was totally fine. Overall, we had a great experience here and I would definitely stop by again on a date night.

    What a find! RBF is a cool champagne bar with a well thought out selection of wines and bites. The…read morespace is nicely decorated as well. Although every inch appears to be covered, it's not stuffy and quite cozy. The vibe is chill and the music is great. The hubs and I enjoyed our first visit of many to come. The staff was attentive and helpful in walking us through the menu and offering advice on our selections. We settled on the Fierce & Fiesty wine flight, the lumberjack charcuterie board, and the croissants w/ garlic butter. All were delicious, prices are fair, and the portions and pours were great. We left feeling satisfied and happy to have found a new chill spot to add to our local repertoire. Cheers to your success!

    Photos
    RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar - Interior

    Interior

    RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar - Atmosphere

    Atmosphere

    RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar - Most empowering bathroom on the planet

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    Most empowering bathroom on the planet

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Wild Mushroom Montadito with lemon ricotta

    Barcelona Wine Bar

    4.4(530 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$$

    Tapas tapas and more tapas! One better than the other. We did run into a huge problem though,…read moreexplained in more detail below. Wife and I started our quick little anniversary getaway here, and they nailed it. The place itself is gorgeous. Huge patio with greenery, baller bar area in the middle of the upscale open space, which gives a modern and chic vibe. That problem I mentioned? Deciding what we were going to order off of the amazingly stacked tapas menu. One sounded better than the other, plates coming out to the left and right of us...we were deer in headlights not knowing what to do, words didn't come out when our friendly and knowledgeable server came by. As far as problems go at a restaurant, I guess it could have been worse. With helpful guidance and knowing our love for anything foodie related, we just started picking one by one after a few sips of our well balanced cocktails (another large menu with anything and everything for fellow cocktail lovers out there). Had to go with a meat and charcuterie board first. A decadent manchego, a creamy French that was smooth and tangy, plus a 20 month cured ham that was salty and smoky. Honestly everything that came out after was a 10/10. From the wild mushrooms, Wagyu carpaccio and bone marrow, to the pork belly, corn bunuelos and steak paillard...everything was cooked to perfection with amazing spices and sauces that complemented each dish perfectly. (See pics and captions for more details) These chefs and mixologists know what they're doing here. 2 managers came by our table to make sure everything was going well. Top notch service, top shelf food and drink, modern and upscale decor and vibe. A perfect concoction for a special night out with family or friends.

    I like Barcelona Wine Bar mainly because they are open late so you can have a nice meal after 9 pm…read more The bar is the highlight as they make good crafted cocktails and they do have an extensive wine list. The ambiance is dark and nice for couples or friends. The booths at the bar are not the most comfortable, so I prefer a table. The tapas are those you find at a traditional Spanish tapas place. The papas being amongst the most popular are a good staple. The charcuterie is also very nice. The other tapas can be hit or miss depending on what is seasonally offered. On this visit, I wanted Brussels sprouts but they were no longer on the menu and the lamb was not a bone in lamb but rather ground meatballs. Not bad, just not what I expected. It's not a place I seek out to come, but it's solid food and drinks that fills a need when I want a late bite.

    Photos
    Barcelona Wine Bar - View from the bar.

    View from the bar.

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Peach Montadito

    Peach Montadito

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Paella Salvaje

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    Paella Salvaje

    Timber Pizza Co. Raleigh - Pretty in Pepperoni

    Timber Pizza Co. Raleigh

    4.5(78 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    Free parking
    Sports on TV

    I was near the High Park area off of Whitaker Mills Rd and stopped by Timber Pizza. The XL wood…read moreburning pizza oven is the first thing that catches your eye. I started off with the slow roasted brisket empanadas and they were absolutely delicious. The dough wasn't too thick and the meat was tender and moist. It was served with a spicy pineapple dip, which paired together perfectly. I also got the Bentley. At first glance it looks like a regular pepperoni but it's far from it. The cured chorizo, sweet peppers and spicy honey were amazing. The dough wasn't too thin and crispy. All around really really really great pizza. I'll be back for sure. The service was quick and friendly. I can only imagine it gets packed due to limited seating so get there early. The atmosphere is casual and you pick your own seating.

    Visited before a show at the Ritz. No Parking and four…read morespaces with 10 minute parking right in front of business. Promises to tow violators. Pizza was terrible!!! Thin cracker like crust... miniscule sized toppings, and very small amounts of them. Totally overpriced!!!! I feel completely ripped off!!! Mod Pizza will shut this crappy place down!! Service was okay... Ambiance? None to be had. Very uncomfortable seating, noisy, And did I mention.. these folks are ripping people off!!

    Photos
    Timber Pizza Co. Raleigh - The Jules is a cheese-less pizza that packs a punch

    The Jules is a cheese-less pizza that packs a punch

    Timber Pizza Co. Raleigh - Green Monster

    Green Monster

    Timber Pizza Co. Raleigh - The Ward 4 - brisket on pizza?!?! with bread and butter jalapenos and a housemade spicy cranberry jam - so good

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    The Ward 4 - brisket on pizza?!?! with bread and butter jalapenos and a housemade spicy cranberry jam - so good

    Bella Monica - italian - Updated May 2026

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