cucina bella

this past saturday, we decided to go to dinner at a place we have not been to in quite a while (2+ years, i think):cucinabella in bridgeville. as sp says, it's a "fancy pizza" place. one thing that has changed: they now have valet parking. i'm not sure why; they have a decent size lot although i do remember it filling up and overflow parking being on the street. another thing: it seems they now take reservations, at least for large groups. when we arrived around 5:30 pm, we were seated right away but noticed 2 large tables set up with a reserved sign and a couple smaller tables with reserved signs.

the best. what great p, fresh food and favors. the antipasto plate is a great way to start the night. the artichokes, buff mozzarella, italian meats and olives were so flavorful that you want to take an hour to enjoy this with your byob wine before ordering dinner. we had the ortelana pizza which again had great flavor with the crust perfectly done and the toppings of mushrooms, artichokes and basil very enjoyable. i read some comments about overdone crust but in my 7 or 8 visits never had anyang to complain about. the service isn't always up to par but you want to go there not in a hurry but to take time to enjoy the food and company and not worry about slower than average but friendly service. i givecucinabella a two thumbs up.

what did you say?. i have been tocucinabella three times, twice in the last week, and my food has been wonderful each time but...the noise level in the evening is a little jarring. my first visit was for lunch with a friend and noise was not something i noticed as i enjoyed my delicious, thin-crust pizza. but the place was crowded during my last two visits, with christmas party season in full swing even on a week night, and the patrons seem to raise their voices to talk to each other consequently making an intimate conversation impossible.

i will go back for the food but if the noise issue could somehow be alleviated, it would be just about perfect.

it keeps getting better. if you live near upper st clair and haven't been tocucinabella in a while, i suggest that you stop by to see the updates they have made--all good! first, the valet parking makes a huge difference. next, the interior has been updated with new lighting and flooring, which creates a new more sophisticated ambiance. there is extra dining space available now. we have been twice in the past month without having a long wait for a table. it is still byob which is great, and the food is still out of sight! don't go if you want an extra large pizza parlor pie with extra cheese. these pies are all hand crafted with fresh ingredients. try something that sounds good, and it will taste even better than you thought. my wife and i split one of 2 different salads or i try to get someone to split the antipasto plate, the carmenucci, because the meats, cheeses and artichoke combo is tremendous. this is by far our family's favorite restaurant, and it keeps getting better each time we go.


-----06 mar, 2012-----

great for large gatherings. we recently had a large family gathering atcucinabella. wonderful from start to finish. meatball appetizer was simple, yet when paired with the fresca salad and our wine, it was perfect. everyone loved the antipasto, which we shared. we sampled about 4 pizzas, and our favorite was the aglietta. it is not too upscale for children. they loved the traditional cheese pizza. if you leave without having a bomba for dessert, you are missing out.

overpriced, tiny mediocre pizza. ordered an extra pizza to take home for work the next day...actually ate it on the way home fromcucinabecause i was still so hungry.

not to mention the staff walking around in basketball shorts and tee shirts. and the delivery guy coming in and out yelling. will not return and will steer people clear of this place.

will go again!. we had a delightful experience atcucinabella. lovely casual atmosphere that feels comfortable as soon as you arrive but don't be misled--the waitstaff is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. the food was delicious--the antipasto plate very authentic and the pizzas-- not itlaian-american style--truly itlaian. we'll be back!

2nd visit and there will be more. this time we tried a couple of the apps, splitting a small antipasti/salumi plate and an order of banana peppers. the antipasti was easily enough for two on its own - enough salumi and cheese for two footlong subs. comes with a small loaf of freshly-baked bread on a plate with olive oil. the bread was airy and delicious. if we really wanted to be picky, it would be nice to have an assortment of olives instead of all kalamata, as there were a lot of olives. but it's hard to argue what you're getting for $13. the banana peppers were awesome, but again, there was probably too much for one person, so it's ideal for sharing. the bread slices served with the banana peppers was not as fresh as that served with the antipasti.

wife had the four seasons pizza (again) while i opted for the pizza anna, which was fabulous. as with the first visit, crusts were perfect, toppings fresh. i was mildly concerned the anna, with its "sauce" of balsamic/fig reduction might be a bit cloying, but it wasn't, and the sauce offered a nice counterpoint to the red onions and peppers. the quattro stagioni delivered again, as all the ingredients are impeccable.

as it's byo, we had to make a stop first and there was a nice $15 chianti in the chairman's selection at the plcb that went perfectly with the pizzas. love this place. we'll be back again soon.


-----06 jan, 2013-----

excellent. this place can give il pizzaiola a run for best pizza, although i'd still give the nod to ron's pizza - although it's closer that i would've guessed.cucinabella far surpassed our expectations. the pizza crusts were remarkable - airy on the edges, dense in the thin crust body, flavorful throughout. the calzone shell is equally as tasty. toppings are high quality. prices reflect this, but it's really worth it. a pizza you savor instead of simply devour mindlessly.

always amazing!. we absolutely lovecucinabella. the owner's passion for superior pizza is unmistakable in the variety of amazing creations on his menu! who knew that a pizza with honey, prosciutto, pecans and gorgonzola could be so amazing?! ! such a great atmosphere too...we had a large group over the weekend and we sat in the wine room----it is so cool! from salads, to appetizers (hot pepper app!!) to the unique and spectacular pizzas - - i simply cannot say enough about how great the restaurant is. thank you!


-----11 aug, 2012-----

outstanding!.cucinabella is tremendous. i am obsessed with the banana peppers appetizer! their salads are amazing and the smoked mozzarella pizzas are ridiculously good. love byob! great atmosphere with indoor or super cute outdoor dining.cucinabella is family owned and operated too!

enjoyed our first dinner here tonight it was a bit noisy but the food was quick and fabulous we loved the tartufata pizza it had walnuts and gorgonzola. the 5 dollar cork fee was so cheap! we will be back! two thumbs upcucinabella

two thumbs up. a friend recommended we trycucinabella, so four of us went on friday night, my husband was excited after seeing cars lined up down the street and people standing drinking wine while waiting for a table in this small eatery. it was a little noisy, but after a bottle of wine who notices that? our waitress was over after we sat down to tell us about the egg pizza and explain the pizza size and her own personal favorites (suggested the tartufat, and a pizza with marscapone cheese) . she told us to trust her judgement about the egg pizza, with arugala, along with the gorgonzola and walnut pizza with mixed greens. they were a little pricy but after eating one slice you won't be disapointed. the man who invented these pizzas is a true chef, i've never even heard of a pizza with eggs on it. the five dollar cork fee was low, but the beer 3/ person was a little ridiculous, my husband had one beer then switched to wine, but was charged the fee. we tried some dessert from italy it was a cherry one, it was fabulous and smooth. our waitress was right on with suggestions of what to try and very honest about her least favorite items on the menu, not trying to suggest the most expensive items. i would like to see more honest servers not trying to nickel and dime you like this. over all we were very impressed withcucinabella!

when i arrived atcucinabella, i felt as if i was in an italian cafe straight from tuscany. the ambiance is intimate, with beautiful italian music playing in the background. depending on where you’re seated, you can peer into the kitchen and see where the pizzas are made in their state of the art wood-fired oven. the service atcucinabella was excellent, and the staff was very attentive- it’s also byob, so if you’re interested in bringing a bottle of your favorite cabernet or pinot, expect a small corkage fee. the food is fairly priced, and depending on what you’re in the mood for that evening, they have a great selection of menu items. i had the pleasure to dine with carmen pirain and his family this evening. we started out with a delicious della casa salad that featured a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. for the main course, we had a wood fired oven margarita pizza with pepperoni, (you’re probably saying it’s just a

great food great service. after hearing aboutcucinabella for some time now we decided to stop in for a late dinner last weekend. a short wait of 5 minutes did not discourage us. our waitress was over and opening our wine almost seconds after sitting down. she suggested meatballs and a pizza anna which has goat cheese onion and a fig glaze, we took her suggestion along with a simple pie. it was all fantastic,we can not get over the thin crust similar to shops in italy. don't forget to try the carmel center ball filled with peanut butter icecream two thumbs up we will be back.

this posting for the "beautiful kitchen" should have happened awhile ago, for it is just that. i have been to the restaurant,cucinabella, time and time again and from my experiences i have nothing but wonderful things to say about the place. when you first walk in you can just feel what the atmosphere is supposed to be about - family, friends, small talk, enjoyable company, and of course the fantastic food! no matter how many times i have been there (which is now several), i do not feel as though i am sick of any of the food they have to offer, this does not happen often. the service is also pleasant, ever helpful, always ready with a smile, possibly a small word of conversation, or a kind "is there anything else i can get for you?". some of the best treasures in dining are found where you would least expect them,cucinabella is not just a "beautiful kitchen", but a beautiful experience to treasure. i highly reccommendcucinabella as a place for anyone looking to enjoy a tremendous dining experience.

cucina bella rules!. how did i not know thatcucinabella existed until now? my husband and i were invited to a birthday last week ( april 18/12 ) held at the restaurant and were delighted with the food, the service, the atmosphere and most importantly, the chef----a genius in my opinion!

since we were a sizable party, we were able to taste a large selection on the menu-----antipasti, pizzas, salads. the range in the pizza selection were really unexpected. excellent dough topped with such a simpatico and imaginative variety of ingredients. our favorites were the arugula, capricciosa and one called
tartufata. i would never have imagined eating a pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, gorgonzola, truffle oil and walnuts of all things---just out of this world delicious!!!!!

the service was friendly and attentive, the ambiance relaxed and a general feeling of fun and good humor
ruled. we have already been back to taste more of carmen's excellent cooking and this time tried the
desserts-------uuuummmmm!

so do yourself a gastronomic favor and head forcucinabella soon!!!!

cucina bella- eccezionale!. just when you think that you have had dinner in every possible establishment in the south hills, you discovercucinabella. it is an unexpected surprise tucked in a residential section in the back hills between bridgeville and upper st. clair. we met chef carmen for the first time and he made us felt extremely welcome. the surroundings are warm and inviting and the food is tremendous! we had the meat ball appetizer, the sylvette salad, and the stagoni pizza. all of them were tremendous and promptly served with a warm smile. our only regret is that we did not have enough appetite left to finish off all of their generous portions to order their desserts. usually with food this of this caliber there is usually a hefty bill that comes after the fact. i am happy to report that the check was also a fantastic value coming in around $40. make sure to bring your own wine to complete the evening. we will be back soon and next time well bring our friends.